90 Day Vegetarian Adventure Day 13 – Passing the test

Yesterday was a major test of the vegan eating plan.  My extended family met at the Utica Picnic and had a family style fried chicken and ham dinner.  The Utica Picnic is a yearly fundraiser for the local church.  It takes place in a wooded area that has hosted this picnic for decades.  The locals come out in droves and the church members serve lots of home cooking, family style and al a carte.  From hot beef sandwiches and full fat ice cream to fresh garden vegetables and country ham it is a major test of willpower.

This year I made it about spending time with family, and not about the food.  Avoiding the meats, rolls, and cake left lots of room for fresh garden tomatoes, potato salad, pepper slaw, peaches, apple sauce, green beans, homemade beet and cucumber pickles.  The food was delicious but not necessary for a great time.

So, I passed the test and really enjoyed seeing my family.  No one asked why I wasn’t eating meat or gave me a hard time, though my brother did offer me a piece of vanilla cake with peanut butter frosting.  I wasn’t even tempted.

Advertisement

August 4 Reboot Day 11 The Home Stretch

The last 5 days of the reboot are considered the home stretch.  I’m incorporating more steamed and baked vegetables instead of juicing everything and have added nuts, fresh pineapple and tofu today.  Still not eating meat, dairy, refined flour or sugar.  Also, very little whole grains though a limited quantity of brown rice was part of dinner last night with beans. I’m still juicing during the day and adding in the chewable foods in the evening.

The miracle is that I want to eat this way, it’s not just a diet that I can’t wait to finish so I can get back to burgers and fries.   I even went shopping for fresh veggies and fruit at the grocery store.  A trip I’ve been dreading due to half of the store set up for impulse eating.  Actually I didn’t like the smell of the restaurant and deli sections so I bought whole wheat buns and got out of there. The rest of the trip was fine, I didn’t splurge on anything unhealthy.  What a relief, I wasn’t even tempted.  I can do this!