Procrastination

Yeah, yeah. It has been a while. I just haven't had anything to really talk about. And I have this thing with writing short posts unless absolutely necessary.

Not much progress. I found out that the 15 pounds I lost was just part of my weight's tendency to fluctuate. It goes up and down within the range of 250 and 280 pounds. So until I can get my sorry butt up and away from the computer, my weight isn't going anywhere.

I tried that quiche recipe that I posted before. Two things. I discovered that it was delicious. Before you cooked it. I had made up the mix, and tasted it. It was amazing. It was loaded with flavor, and dripping with suspense. I then put it in the pie shell and slid it in the oven, already salivating.

However, 30 minutes later, a foul stench filled the house. I opened the oven, and was blasted with one of the worst smells in cooking history. After the quiche finished, I tentatively pulled it out and began cutting it and serving it. Carefully, I took my first bite. And almost spat it back out. It had gotten worse. (Duh, you don't cook veggies to make them better.) A bit of Tabasco helped wash it down.

I may try it again, but I will not cook the mixture. Just eat it from the bowl.

Well, we approach the one month mark. I know a lot of people thought I couldn't make it this far. I can understand that. The cravings are unbearable. Plus, it is hard to find hearty vegan foods. Ones loaded with protein, and vitamins, and everything I need.

Someday, meat. Someday I will come back for you.

Bi-Weekly Update 3/9/2012 A Slight Change

Well we have passed my first week of veganism with no problem. Of course there were temptations. Yesterday, no one was watching and I almost ate a hot dog. Thank God for willpower. However on Thursday I was talking with an old friend about the decision. He thought it was a good idea but he gave me some stuff to think about.

When the body stops receiving the proper amount of protein, it begins to eat at your stores of it. Your muscles. And your largest muscle is the central piece of human anatomy. It keeps us alive, it distributes the oxygen around our body, and it is believed to be the center of love. (psh please.) Our heart. Your body will eat at those muscles and the damage is irreparable.

This made me think. Maybe I really wasn't 100% ready for the whole vegan thing. So I began to lots of research. I found two interesting articles.

The first told you what the average protein intake should be dependent on your weight. Take your weight in lbs and multiply it by 0.37 (.5 for the nuts who are into the metric system.) and the resulting number is your daily protein intake in grams.

Next, I looked up the protein content of everyday foods. It was here that I started my path towards an epiphany. I was browsing through the non-meat section when I noticed that Milk and dairy products were very high in protein. Especially low fat cottage cheese. So this prompted more research.

I looked up the known nutrition facts on the more popular, high-protein, low-fat, dairy products. I was amazed by what I found. Removing Dairy from your diet and replacing it completely, can actually be HARMFUL to your health. No substitute can give you the same protein, vitamin, or calcium concentration. Also, it is a staple in the common diet and one of the healthier choices for proteins.

Henceforth, and to wit, (I dunno what it means but it sounds cool.) I am making the decision to put dairy products back in my diet. I know this does not make me a full vegan, but this is a health experiment. Nothing more. I have found though, that some substitutes are lower in fat and calories.

So far I have lost 15 pounds. However, I may have blown it on Mongolian Grill so I will have to be a bit more strict. Thank you all for your support. Please enjoy following my path to proper health.

- A Jake of All Trades

3/5/2012: Family Support

Almost nonexistent.

Nah, it is mainly my uncle. He thinks it is hilarious that I became a vegan, so he uses every opportunity to make fun of it. My more immediate family is more supportive. I was over at my cousin's place from Thursday. The whole time I was starving, because normally, we eat so little, but now that I am vegan, it was even worse. But I managed, eating the occasional veggie burger, rice, corn, and my personal favorite, which I call, "The Procrastinator." It is two pieces of bread with cucumbers and mustard. Made in less than a minute, great for a last minute meal. Not very filling, but when you are hungry, anything is better than nothing.

Also I made he mistake of trying to eat a veggie burger like regular beef. I nuked two patties, put some mustard and ketchup on them and started nomming away. *gags* I will not make that mistake again. The patties taste great between some bread with some ketchup and mushrooms though, so I still have hope for them.

That Sunday, my uncle had to give the Public Talk in Albany, so I tagged along. After the meeting, we met up with some old friends of my Aunt's who had some interesting stories about her past. But that same family took us out to hospitality. My cousin and I were just standing around, talking, when she approached us and asked, "Would you like to go to Denny's or Sizzler's?" Big mistake there. My cousin and I are boats without rudders. We go where the wind takes us. When we are presented with a choice, we capsize. In the end, they took us to Sizzler's. That was a bittersweet moment. They have salads but I was surrounded by the amazing smell of meat lingering in the air. Ah it is to weep. I almost gave up then and there.

We walked into the front door, and my uncle leaned over and said to everyone, "I know what Jake's gonna get." What else was there? I got a salad bar, with a root beer. The minute I said Root Beer, my uncle leaned over and said, "You know they put meat in that right?" I merely shook my head and scoffed. For the rest of the meal he was silent. I enjoyed a couple salads and some onion rings. Some things can still be enjoyed. I then got up for my dessert, and my uncle leaned back and said, "They have meat pie."

As we left the restaurant, I grabbed one of the mints, and my uncle made his little crack. So while we were in the lot, I yelled, "I'll get back at you for this." My uncle is a quick thinker. He turned around and asked, "By what, feeding us a salad?" Everyone (including myself) were laughing so hard, that people thought something was wrong with us. The rest of the night went well, I ended with some french fries and oreos.

This morning I had oatmeal, which is delicious anyway, but when you long for warm foods that can fill you up it is like ambrosia. I spent about ten minutes looking for my lunch and decided on some rice cakes. I was fine till I got home. I passed out for about two hours, catching up on the lost sleep from my cousin's place. My mother made me some vegan burritos, using re-fried beans and tofu. They were delicious. Now, I am trying to research more options for food.

I will keep you nice people updated about twice a week. It is a nice distraction. In the meantime, I am looking for other distraction. The biggest is my writing and my Digital Move Making class. So if I get cravings I got enough to do to take my mind off of it. The day draws near a close, so I need to go to bed. G'nite all.