(From August 7th)
OK so in two days I start a vegan diet to support a good friend of mine who has had to convert to veganism after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve been cutting back on meat and dairy in preparation but I genuinely have no idea how I’m going to live without cheese, dim sum or reeeeeally bloody steak. I set up this evening after work with my notepad and pen ready to make some important lists for the food shop and jot down exiting recipes, and after three hours I’ve deduced that VEGANISM IS HARD WORK.
Tiny kawaii poo pen ready to take IMPORTANT VEGAN NOTES.
SERIOUSLY. As if its not hard enough living off lentils and tofu and cardboard, you can’t find half the ingredients you need in regular shops and as for dairy free products- FORGET ABOUT IT. I had to order some stuff from seperate vegan-specialist webpages which cost me an unnecessary amount of dollar in postage. No wonder vegans are so bloody preachy about people not catering to them. AND there are so many people allergic to dairy you’d think the dairy substitutes would be widely available just for those poor souls. But no. I can see veganism wearing thin very fast.
After about 2 hours I had a shopping list. BEHOLD THE VEGAN SHOPPING LIST.
So there are a lot of things I’m dreading about this big lifestyle change. Firstly, the lack of food. OBVIOUSLY. No more chocolate, cakes, cheese, burgers, pulled pork, char sui pastries, mature cheddar, chorizo sausage, sweets… (UGH I’m just depressing myself here T_T) AND NO MORE STEAKS. Secondly, I’m going to miss eating out with Andy. Most places we go to don’t offer particularly appetising (or dairy free) vegetarian options, and in others we usually get platters or tapas to share. I’m trying not to enforce veganism on Andy as much as possible, so sharing dishes are out the window. Thirdly, I’m inevitably going to feel like poop for the next few weeks as my body purges itself of all the gross toxins and goes into msg withdrawal. Cue massive outbreak of spots and a very ill little lady. And finally- IT’S A PAIN IN THE ARSE TO SHOP FOR VEGAN FOOD.
I keep my chopsticks in this little guy. His face is going to spur me on when I feel like giving up.
HOWEVER- I am definitely looking forward to reaping the eventual benefits of a healthier lifestyle. I’m going to have a lot more energy, hopefully shake off the weird deposits of fat I have around my body (I’m a small girl but I have some very stubborn lumpy bits) and my skin is going to be radiant. I’m also hoping my diet will help with my anxiety problems (I have suffered from depression most of my life & panic attacks for the last two years) and I’ll be able to ween myself off of my medication which’ll be dead nice. On top of that, I’m going to break out THIS BAD BOY BENTO BOX (see below) for carrying my packed lunch. She’s gonna be storing hummous, veg & wholewheat pasta in her various body parts and the whole world will be jealous of her.
And, most importantly, my friend is going to have someone to bitch about not being able to eat cake with. Which is kinda the point of this whole thing. I put a memo up in work to let people know I was doing it and why (mainly so they wouldn’t eat tasty stuff in front of me) and loads of people have said they’d donate money to send to my friend in America to help with her treatment! Which is absolutely fab of course, but now I DEFINITELY can’t cheat because not only would I let down my friend but everyone who has supported me by pledging me some creds. Its all very terrifying but VERY EXCITING.
I’m sure I’ll have more to tell y’all about my diet after Friday. Expect my first breakdown early Monday morning.
Kisses to you all, whatever your dietary requirements,
Annabell xxx
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