First Day!

Today was my first day of living intentionally vegan.  I don't believe I've eaten meat since New Year's, but I know I've eaten things that have contained milk or honey...not sure about eggs. 

I started my day heading to yoga class in Bremerton.  I enjoyed this class a bit more than my earlier ones.  I'm not sure why it didn't feel as difficult. Perhaps, I felt like I could just try, and I was able to enjoy some of the movements rather than feeling like I'm trying to bend in ways that hurt. Once it was over, I was able to chat with people, and started to feel like part of the group.  That was kind of nice.

Afterwards, I went downstairs and grabbed a blueberry lemon vegan muffin.  I've realize I liked vegan baked goods.  I'm not sure why, but they seem fluffier. I also grabbed a vegan coconut chocolate biscotti and a vegan gingerbread cookie.  A little bit of guilty pleasure...

I also took down my Christmas tree.  I certainly had a mess to clean up.  I think next time, I may wait an extra week before buying a tree.  This one seemed a bit more dead than I would have hoped the first weekend after New Year's.  It was a beautiful tree though.  Somehow taking down the tree seemed a bit cathartic, as though the newness of the year can be symbolized it cleaning the area.  Soon it will be time to plant a garden, and Spring will be here.

I also chatted with my aunt about our business.  I think the reality of all the procedural steps to start a business are becoming more evident.  That's okay.  I'd rather move slowly and deliberately.  I suppose it's my cautious nature.  I am having a bit of fun thinking of things like promotional t-shirts and looking for things like vegetarian expos. 

I wonder what exploring a plant based diet will lead me to...so far, I've tried kale, persimmons, cherimoyas, and dates.  I think a small goal is to try all the weird things you see in a produce section.  Why not explore things that I'd ordinarily avoid? What if I find things that are truly wonderful?

So, now I'm sitting on the couch watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent....I should get up and try another pancake recipe, or a chore or two, it just seems so late when the sun is down so early. 

No change in weight (I don't think)...I know the idea is maybe to lose a pound a week, but maybe I'm just a bit puffy.  I can't get my ring off, not weird, but still makes it difficult to always know when I've lost real weight.

All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we are the same person all our lives.
Stephen Spielberg

2013 Begins!

So, I'm beginning 2013, trying to eliminate meat while transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.  I wonder now how this will change the course of my life.  It seems like a small thing...what you eat, but I believe that sometimes it's the small choices that have a much larger impact in your life.

I've been playing with recipes for our potential vegan pancake business.  It's nice to see my aunt excited, and the idea does let me play with something I love to do. I'm not sure where the idea will ultimately lead us, but if it gives me an opportunity to play in the kitchen, why not?  It may sound strange, but I would prefer to be living a vegan lifestyle before embarking publicly on selling a vegan product.  I guess it feels more genuine.

The exciting thing is that my first recipe that I made completely on my own was a big hit at the initial tasting.  My aunt raved about the syrup especially...it was beautiful, complex, and one guy said he'd buy 5 jars as soon as we started to sell.  I suppose it's my desire to be a good host, and it made me really happy that some of the tasters really liked it.  Now, I need to keep working on additional flavors to make for our first large testing in about a month...and of course, to make sure that every item going into the product is vegan.

Deanna said a few years ago that she really believe things will finally come together for me in 2013.  There's a part of me that thinks she's right...except that I do get the feeling it will be in the autumn rather than spring.  It's nice to have a bit of hope for my dreams.

You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

Weight: 233
Not great at all, but we shall see what the diet change does.