Happy Vegan-versary to me...

One year ago today, I went vegan. So, to celebrate, we had some sparkling wine. Is it vegan? Honestly, I don't really know. Better check into that.



And potato-kale enchiladas (incredibly tasty but a pain in the ass to make--well worth the effort but more suitable to a weekend endeavor):



And, for dessert, vegan chocolate chip cookies. Thankfully, I made those last night or I would have officially dirtied EVERY dish in the house.



Yes, the last year has been a lesson in deprivation...

I originally started a month-long dairy-free experiment on April 1 of last year. I was hoping that it would clear up my complexion--that didn't quite work out as I had hoped, but I decided to continue with the vegan diet at the end of that month. The first few days were hard, and I had some serious cravings for a big bowl of something cheesy. Once that passed, though, I was fine. It's definitely a different mindset, and for sure it's more effort. Don't go vegan if you don't like to cook. And going out to dinner is a challenge. My grocery bills did not go down, either.

No more quesadillas. No more chips and cheese. No more cheese and crackers. It quickly became apparent just how much cheese I had been consuming. While the quesadilla/nachos option sure made for quick meals, I had to adjust my expectations. The first bean-only quesadilla and cheese-free pizza were a bit lackluster, I must admit. Now I don't miss it at all.

And, I have not been completely vegan for the last year. I did go off the wagon a few times--while in Michigan, for instance. Maybe a trip to Cafe Brazil and Mizuna. So perhaps I can't actually call myself a vegan. I still wear wool. And I haven't purged my wardrobe of leather. I'm not going to get rid of my comfortable, high-quality, repairable shoes just because they are leather. I should probably refer to myself as "eating a vegan diet." Semantics, I guess, but I know it's important to a lot of people.

Anyway, it has been an interesting year. A culinary challenge. And I will continue. I like what a vegan diet has done for me. I've lost body fat. I feel good. I wish my skin was glowing, but apparently that's not to be.

I'm not going to touch on the ethical implications of a vegan diet. Part of the reason I started eating vegan and why I will continue is most certainly an animal rights issue. While I feel it's right for me and I would like it if many more people would make the same choice, I'm not one to chastize others for not doing so. I think it's way too easy to look the other way and ignore what really happens in order for that steak/chicken/fish/egg to appear on your plate, but it's something that each person has to examine in their own time.

Here's to another year of vegan adventures...