May 10, 2010
A whole new approach
So….I’ve been wanting to get into blogging for years now. I first became interested after reading other blogs like Kath Eats, Eat Live Run and Healthy Tipping Point. But then after reading Peas and Thank You and Love Veggies and Yoga, I learned there was a whole other side to blogging that doesn’t only focus on the food aspect to a healthy, interesting lifestyle.
After putting some thought into it I’ve decided to go ahead and become more serious about a blog focusing on vegan choices, compassion for animals, my life, yoga and running. My plan is to try and blog at least once a day, but we’ll see how it goes as I start off.
And with that, here’s my first review of a vegan product: Soy Jerky by Tasty Eats
Now. I haven’t been a vegan for a very long time. Only three months – but hey – we all have to start somewhere, right? But over these last few months I’ve been trying as many vegan foods as possible.
But beef jerky? Why beef jerky?
I should explain that my husband eats only meat and cheese (all the time. We make two separate dinners every night), and whenever we drive up to visit the in-laws in Crosslake, we always stop in Clear Lake ( the land of 10,000 lakes isn’t always original with naming cities) for snacks and coffee. The last time he got beef jerky. Come to think of it, he’s always stopping for beef jerky. If the drive is more than 1.5 hours, jerky it is.
Of course, I didn’t eat any, but the salty smell did make my mouth water.
So – after attending my first ever ARC (Animal Rights Coalition) meeting two weeks ago, which meets at Ethique Nouveau, I knew I would have to purchase some soy jerky.
Verdict? On a scale of 1 to 10 I’ll give it a 6. Its good, but not great. I think its more the flavor that was off and not the consistency. But, this was just the original flavored, and there’s still more out there to try, so who knows, maybe it could be like a 9.
And yes. I would totally buy this again. Especially for camping at BWCA. Nothing says delicious after a day of canoeing like beef jerky
February 26, 2010
Almost forgot: my first review
After posting, I quickly realized I forgot my review that I’ve been super excited about.
Vegan Snickerdoodle cookies!
These things are delicious. Yesterday we had a company work party of pizza and cake. So, to veganise it, I brought my own Amy’s Roasted Veggie no cheese pizza and two of these cookies.
They are absolutely amazing. Soft, yet still somewhat crumbly with a nice cinnamon flavor. And don’t let the size fool you. Even though they are not two honking sized cookies, they are very dense and filling.
And the best part? I didn’t need a nap after the party. I actually felt energized thanks to my healthy eating options.
Seriously. I bought these at Whole Foods and I’m sure they’re sold other places. If you see them (like I did on sale for $2.50 a box!) I recommend giving them a try.
Going out to a meat ladden bar
So last night I went out with a few friends to a great local bar in Uptown, Liquor Lyle’s. Yes. It’s a diveish bar, but its great. Always good music, fun vibe, just chill. But – last night was the first time I’ve gone there to actually eat food since I decided to give up meat and dairy. Going there I was somewhat nervous so I did eat a little pre-snack of leftover red beans, salsa and vegan sour cream (love). But in retrospect, I didn’t need it and ended up ruining my appetite for what could have been a great meal.
Looking at the menu there was the typical salad, but also a veggie sandwich (hold the cheese please) and a veggie burger. And in terms of bar food there were vegan items galore. Onion rings, french fries, tator tots, broccoli tempura, chips with guac and salsa. But – like I said – too bad I already ruined my appetite and ended up with the simple side salad with dressing. It did the trick did. A slice of toast with a veggie slice at home also helped 
This what I thought would be a dilemma turned awesome is what I’m hoping for tonight. I’m going over to my mother-in-laws for dinner. Its still up in the air for either going as a group to a restaurant or eating at my sister-in-laws house for dinner. Lucky me, my sister-in-law is a strict vegetarian and has been for year, so they’ll be a veggie option, but possibly not a vegan option.
My plan is to just see what happens. Its already hard enough to cook two separate meals for the family, and I don’t expect anyone to cook three. But, like I said in the beginning, I don’t consider myself a vegan – or a vegetarian for that matter – I’m just someone who chooses not to eat animal products or by products for health reasons, and also because I don’t want to eat fear and cruelty. But, if 10 percent of the time I find myself in a situation where its what’s on the menu, I can deal with it in a small quantity.
Highlight of today: Elliptical while reading Veg News this morning.
Looking forward to: Checking out a new vegan store and surprising the sister-in-law with tofujerky.
Annoyed with: drivers who go 50 in a 65.
February 23, 2010
What’s up with eggs?
As I said in my intro, I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, I just tend to eat a mostly plant-based diet for health and ethical reasons, but sometimes, I just need some eggs, or cheese or maybe a piece of chicken.
However, the last time I ate any thing that was an animal, or had an animal by-product in it was last Monday (Feb. 15).
So last night, I come home from work absolutely starving. I eat some veggies with soy dip and then half a vegan cookie dipped in soy milk. I feel nice and full and go to sleep around 10 p.m. (yes…I’m a huge loser who’s asleep way before midnight. I can’t even remember the last time I saw midnight). But around 3 a.m. I wake up starving. I’m talking stomach growling starving. I’m not the type to get up in the middle of the night to eat, so I just fight it and go back to sleep.
I wake up around 6:15 a.m. and all I can think of is eggs. So I feed the cat, who at this point is meowing and doing a dance around my feet wanting his kitty chow, change his water and prepare to make two scrambled eggs with one slice veggie cheese and a piece of toast. Not a huge breakfast, but something with a good amount of proteins and carbs to fuel the morning.
I work about 40 minutes from my apartment. It’s a long, boring drive where I listen to the same songs on the radio and sing along to Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. Normally, even though it’s a repetitious commute, it’s normally not that bad. I drink my coffee (out of my reusable coffee camouflage mug) and wake up for the day.
But today was all different. My stomach was in a cramping knot, and still is as I write this. So of course, this got me thinking. Is it that I shouldn’t be putting eggs in my body, or that my body just wasn’t used to it? I’ve been on this really big kick of taking out certain foods from my diets, or adding some, to see when I feel optimal, and all I can say for now is that I don’t feel optimal at all.
February 22, 2010
How much soy is too much soy?
So I’m having somewhat of an issue in life. To back up…I decided to stop eating dairy and meat products about a week ago. Stopping meat is something I’ve done before, so that was no big deal. But with taking out meat too, I notice that I tend to eat a lot of soy products. For example, my eats today included:
Breakfast: half a whole wheat bagel with natural peanut butter and a pear
Lunch: whole wheat sandwich with peppered Tofurkey slices (love em’) a slice of Veggie Cheese, mustard and some pickles
Afternoon snack: Apple with hummus (weird combo for some..delicious though I swear)
Dinner: Will be an Amy’s micro meal. Its a vegan enchilada.
I know looking back at this it seems I rely too much on pre-packaged foods, but tonight is long work night and I live about 40 minutes away and need to eat at my desk (ugh!)
What I’m worried about is that there’s such a thing as too much soy. I’ve had some friends tell me there’s a link between soy and cancer, although, there’s also links between meat – cholesterol- and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. So which one is worse?
Also – this is my first time using Word Press. Any tips on how to get the “About Me” in?
