Wednesday 27 May 2009

Final thought...


OK, so even though I have finished being a vegan and failed my challenge by finishing early and cheating throughout the 28 days, I still think there are some things being a vegan has taught me.Throughout the 28days I felt if I was doing this for moral reasons, I would have found it easier.

However, eating meat and dairy doesn't bother me in the slightest. I do believe the welfare of the animal I'm eventually going to eat should be taken into account which is why I only buy free range eggs and chicken.

I know that vegans would argue that even free range food is bad, however, I believe if people are going to eat meat or dairy then it should be from a reliable source. Farmers are under a lot of pressure to mass produce meat and that can sometimes lead to the suffering of the animal.This issue has been highlighted greatly by the media recently.

Celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fernly Wittingstall have done a lot to change the way we think about our food and where it comes from.Every major supermarket now has the free range options available on foods such as eggs and chicken. I believe if we all take the step towards free range, it will make a big difference.
I've finished. That's it. I've had enough. Three days before I was due to finish anyway. I know, three days doesn't seem that much, but as we all know, I've failed many times during the 28days.
So to celebrate me being 'allowed' meat and dairy again, I had a lovely mini steak and salad. Lush!
I have since given all my left-over vegan produce to my friend Collette, who is an avid vegan and doesn't cheat (unlike myself)It's all good.

During my time as a vegan, I picked up a few healthy tips in the form of recipes and gained a wider knowledge of food. For instance, I never knew that soya contains all eight amino acids that are vital for human development.

Being a vegan is hard, but it does make you think about all the unnecessary additions to the food and drink we consume daily. I have decided to keep a few of the changes in my diet such as rice milk. I love it, and I actually think it tastes better than animals milk and it lasts longer. So I believe I have gained something from this experience.
As I have previously mentioned the pros of being vegan, i feel I should aslo mention the cons;
  • If you are a lover of meat and or dairy, it's very hard to cut it pout of your diet so suddenly
  • I was hungry pretty much all of the time. Apart from fruit, there are very few snacks you can have
  • I hated having to constantly read the labels on every food item I wanted to purchase, it gets boring!
  • unless you are doing it for moral reasons, it's very hard to stick to
  • Giving up certain alcohols is insane


Thats fair...right?

The tea party was a massive success! we spend the afternoon sipping tea whilst eating scones made by my own fair hands. I've never been successful at making scones so this was a double victory for me.

I am blaming Camborne for the lack of vegan friendly shops available. I therefore, couldn't find any cream alternative so it was just butter and the best jam ever!

Miss Holly even commented that if she didn't know any better, then she wouldn't ahve known they were vegan scones. Brilliant result :)

I could do it all again in a heartbeat!
The challenge is nearly over! but before it ends, me and my lovely friend Miss Holly Barrett are going to have a vegan tea party, exciting times!

we will have tea (obviously) with rice and soya milk (not at the same time), followed by homemade vegan scones, black cherry jam and hopefully some kind of vegan cream alternative. If that even exists! if not then Pure butter will suffice. it's going to be yummy!

Cant wait!
I have previously discussed how eating out can be difficult when you're a vegan, however after a weekend spent with my boyfirend, I've found that eating in can also be a challenge.
when you're a vegan and your partner is not, nor does he have any interest in becoming vegan, it can be difficult decideing what to make for tea. As it turned out, we basically made two separate meals. Brilliant. Not only was this time consuming to make, but aldo time consuming to clean up afterwards. Also there's the added plus of dinner costing literally double the amount it ould have. Lovely.
However, I made a lovely strifry-esque thing that was delicious. But I couldn't stop wishing I went for the meat feast pizza he was joyfully eating beside me :( Bad times.
I'm failing! I can't help it, being vegan is dull. Never mind the fact that I have previously listed the reasons being vegan is good, I want chocolate and milk and meat and cheese and pasta and gravy! I realise I sound like a petulant child but anyone whose been on a diet understands my troubles. Diets suck, this is why I've never been on one before and no matter what anyone says, being vegan or vegetarian is just like being on a diet.

I firmly believe that no one should cut whole food groups out of their diet, but I understand how the moral aspect of eating animals can affect your eating habits. It still sucks tho.