Vegan Eating in Cape Cod!

Hello Folks! Sorry it has been so long since I have updated, I have been very busy but I have a lot of great Vegan experiences to share with you! My sister invited me to a weekend getaway in Chatham, Cape Cod with her and her friends and I spent 3 gorgeous days sampling the local cuisine. I was pleasantly shocked at how easy it was to maintain my dietary commitment in a place that is known for its excellent seafood restaurants.

Friday:
My sister's friend and I drove to Chatham to meet the rest of the party after my grad class Friday afternoon, and arrived around dinner time. We chose the to eat our dinner at Camparis and I was able to order a simple marinara pasta seasoned with basil, garlic, and oregano. It was pretty tasty and paired perfectly with two nice glasses of red pinot nior.

Saturday:
We woke up early and visited the Lazy Lobster for breakfast. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of choices I had to create my own breakfast. I combined a number of side dishes which included black beans, a fruit bowl, and hash browns. The meal was wonderfully satisfying and packed with enough fiber, protein, and vitamins to prepare me for a long busy day.

We took a trip to Truro Vineyards and stopped to check out some local shopping stores along the way. The vineyard was beautiful and we were lucky enough to enjoy a wine tasting outdoors under the warm spring sun. On our way back we stopped in Wellfleet Cape Cod to visit The Bookstore Restaurant. Their was not anything strictly vegetarian or vegan offered on the menu but I was able to ask to modify a Turkey Avocado Wrap to make it Vegan friendly. I asked the waitress to eliminate the turkey, cheese, and mayonnaise which left me with a avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pepper wrap. It was really tasty although I regretted not asking her for balsamic vinaigrette to dip it in.

For dinner we decided to visit Hyannis and try Embargo Marinis & Tapas Restaraunt. I am sure glad we did because the food was so excellent that my mouth is actually watering as I begin to write about it. Their were so many options available for both non-vegan and vegan eaters that our table sent the waitress away more than once while we struggled to decide on our orders. For anyone who is unfamiliar with tapas, they are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm and are typically shared and combined to make a full meal. I finally settled on ordering a dish called the "Tree Hugga" which consisted of vegetable sushi rolls and hummus with lemon, herb & tabouli Salad and flat bread. The hummus was packed full of flavor and tasted amazingly fresh. The sushi rolls were voluptuous and satisfying. The whole party left feeling fat and happy. Embargo is now officially my favorite Cape Cod restaurant, and one I recommend everyone to try.

Sunday:
Before heading out we visited Chatam Coffee Company which I also fell in love with. Everything there is fleshly made in view behind the ordering counter and they pay attention to using natural ingredients and even had some Vegan food items. The atmosphere of the place made me feel at home and was decorated with creative recycled store items. I ordered a Cinnamon raisin bagel with marmalade jelly. I also grabbed a Vegan apple cinnamon square because it looked irresistible. On our way back home we visited some outlet stores and did some shopping (window shopping for me) and then got back on the road to travel home. We didn't stop for lunch so I ate my apple cinnamon square which was incredibly filling and perfect comfort food for a cold rainy Sunday afternoon drive.

After arriving home, my boyfriend Luc asked me to join him and our friends at India Kitchen in Manchester. I love Indian food so much that I frequently purchase Amy's Kitchen frozen Indian cuisine meals. Words can really not describe how incredible India Kitchen's food is. They had an entire page in their menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes! We ordered vegetable samosas for an appetizer along with garlic nan bread. I ordered mild Kadai Vegetable Curry which was phenomenal. It was sweet and yet spicy at the same time with a plentiful variety of vegetables and huge satisfying chunks of potatoes. The food was so incredible that if my budget allowed for it, I'd eat their 4 times a week at a minimum. The food is a bit on the pricey side but really is valued quite accurately. Our waiter told us to check Living Social and Groupon for discounts. The couple we ate with told us that the restaurant was responsible for turning them on to Indian food. For anyone living in the area, if you haven't already done so, please give this place a try, your taste buds will thank you.

Coming up this week: I plan to try a new self-created vegan recipe. I am also planning on attending Connecticut's Vegiterian and Healthy Living Festivle this weekend. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable vegan/vegetarian food item!

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Traveling Tastebuds

My posts have slowed down quite a bit due to being busy with grad school. This is going to be another long update but again, I probably will not post for another week. I had a wonderful weekend and was able to try a lot of yummy Vegan foods.

Friday:

I was able to recruit my boyfriend Luc, and our two best friends to try a a vegan restaurant in downtown New Haven, CT called Claire's Corner Copia. I ordered Tostada Frijoles which consisted of a crisp corn tortilla topped with organic refried beans, and salsa, served over organic greens, with chopped tomatoes, organic cucumbers, and red onion. I loved it and managed to clean my plate but I was disappointed by the lack of vegetables. It was mostly a large plate of refried beans on top of a tostada. I love refried beans so I could not complain but they did not provide an adequate portion of salsa and I had to really search for the veggies mixed in. For desert, I had a chocolate muffin which I found to be sort of dry and not very flavorful.

My friend Katy ordered a non-vegan Fire Island Sandwich which consisted of roasted spicy buffalo soy chicken, with roasted organic bellpeppers, and our queso blanco, melted cheddar and mozzarella. She rated it a 6 on a scale from 1-10 and stated that she loved it at first but after awhile she started to taste something that reminded her of rubbing alcohol and had to put the sandwich down.

My friend Mike ordered a non-vegan BBQ Soy Chicken Pizza which included Spicy soy chicken with barbeque sauce, red onion and cheddar cheese. It was his first time trying soy chicken and he stated that he was surprised by how much he enjoyed it. He didn't care for the cheddar cheese that they used stating that it didn't taste very good.

Luc ordered a cheese pizza which he described as: "ok." I guess he was not feeling up for a culinary adventure that day.

Claire's menu is humongous and I would like to return there sometime in the future to try some of the other dishes. The food was inexpensive and perfect for a vegan/vegetarian on a budget. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to get there seeing as their was not anything especially memorable about the food or the environment. The dining area was noisy and I had to watch my table mates eat their meals while I waited for mine due to the fact that they got my order wrong the first time.

Saturday:

I spent the day with two of my friends at the Danbury mall. We hadn't seen each other in a long while so we decided to treat ourselves to a lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. I was a little skeptical of what I may be able to find due to the name of the place but I was pleasantly surprised to find out how many options their actually were! I had a difficult time deciding but settled on an appetizer of guacamole with a meal of Mushroom Lettuce Wraps which consisted of shitakke mushrooms, green onion, ginger, garlic, and water chestnuts sauteed with mushroom soy. Serviced with crisp lettuce leaves. I thought my taste buds had died and gone to heaven. The appetizer and the meal were phenomenal! The guacamole was fresh and full of flavor. The mushroom lettuce wraps were difficult to eat and I made a mess at the table but it was worth the extra effort and the embarrassment. The best part was the price of my whole meal (appetizer, drink, and meal) was less 15 dollars which is incredible for a place that is usually reserved for the special occasions budget.

For dinner Luc and I went to Natori Sushi restaurant in Manchester, CT which is my favorite place to get sushi other than Sakura Garden in Glastonbury. I ordered Miso Soup along with asparagus and cucumber rolls. Once again, the cost of the meal was low. So far becoming a vegan has saved me a lot of money which I did not expect. One of the biggest excuses I hear from others about why they do not consume more plants is that they cost too much. So far, I have found the opposite to be true!

Saturday night I did attend a birthday party and was a little sad when I couldn't enjoy a piece of ice-cream cake but it didn't bother me enough to put a damper on my evening. The birthday girl also ended up ordering pizza for the party but I find that the longer I abstain from cheese the less appealing it is to me. Turning down the cake and pizza sparked a lot of talk about my Veganism. I enjoyed answering questions and teaching the people there that it was not such a strange and unusual commitment. After their curiosity peaked they became bored with it and the topic of conversation shifted away from what I do and do not eat.

As soon as I am finished with my grad class at the end of the week, I plan to buy a Vegan cookbook and start experimenting with recipes. I cannot wait to blog about those experiences.

My Mostly Vegan Easter Weekend!

I enjoyed a wonderful Easter Weekend exploring new places and eating a lot of Vegan-friendly food. It was also the first time I introduced my new vegan lifestyle to my family members. This entry may be a little long but I do not plan to write another post for a few days while I work on a major final paper that is due for my grad class in 2 weeks.

I enjoyed a wonderful Easter Weekend exploring new places and eating a lot of Vegan-friendly food. It was also the first time I introduced my new vegan lifestyle to my family members. This entry may be a little long but I do not plan to write another post for a few days while I work on a major final paper that is due for my grad class in 2 weeks.

Friday:

For lunch, my boyfriend Luc and I decided to check out a highly acclaimed Vegan restaurant in Hartford called Fire N' Spice. The family that owns the restaurant follows a Rastafarian way of life that goes back to their ancient roots in Ethiopia. The restaurant is alive with the Rastafarian culture and the seating area is very inviting, I felt like hanging out there all day. My boyfriend ordered jerk tofu, fried rice with lentil and two samosas (Thin flaky dough crust is stuffed with lentils, onions, ginger). I ordered sesame tofu with quinoa and chickpeas. We both shared our meals and ate every last bit of them. I preferred the jerk tofu because it was spicy while my boyfriend preferred the Siamese tofu because it had a sweeter taste to it. I had never tried samosas and WOW were they a treat! It I hadn't felt so full, I would have wanted to try one of the many deserts they had on display. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied, energized, and happy. Already, I can say that this place is a favorite of mine. I plan to return in the near future and hope to try everything they have to offer.

After lunch, Luc and I spent the afternoon walking around Bushnell park and exploring Hartford. We then decided to visit Devine Treasures, a organic chocolate store found in the Manchester shopping parkade. They had a wonderful selection of vegan friendly candy. We purchased two chocolate covered smores, one chocolate kitty, and one small bag of jelly beans. Everything tasted amazing and I now know where to go when I need a chocolate fix.

Friday evening we met my mother, my step father, my sister, and my 2 year old nephew for an early Easter celebration dinner at Applebee's in Manchester. I called ahead and asked if their menu included any vegetarian options and was told about a number of seafood dishes, cheesy pasta dishes, and then a vegetable burger (FEW!). I wanted to know whether or not I should eat before arriving in case all I could get was a house salad. I wasn't at all tempted by my family's meal choices and was happy for the opportunity to educate them on my new vegan lifestyle. The most difficult part was watching my nephew and my sister split a hot fudge oreo sundae. My veggie burger was a little bland but I enjoyed the company of my family and the time spent with my little nephew.

Saturday:

Luc and I went to Imagination Nation in Bristol with my sister and my little nephew. We were asked to go last minute so I scarfed down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast for lack of having anything else quickly available. We all had a blast at the kid's place and again I had to watch my sister and nephew split a yummy hot fudge oreo sundae. (I ended up getting some coconut ice cream from the grocery store today just so I could fulfill my ice-cream craving!)

For lunch, Luc and I went to Whole Food's in Glastonbury for their buffet. I enjoyed vegetable spaghetti, grilled balsamic tofu, spring quinoa, and seaweed salad. I have always been a huge fan of seaweed which is a powerhouse of nutrients. For anyone who has yet to check out the buffet that most Whole Food's stores offer, I recommend it! It cost about the same as visiting a typical Chinese buffet. You can always put a cover on the tray and save whatever you do not finish if your eyes are ever too big for your stomach, which is almost always the case with me.

For dinner, we all met my Dad at an Irish Pub in Glastonbury called Hanafins. I did not get a chance to call ahead and falsely assumed they wouldn't have any vegetarian options. I assumed wrong, and was actually able to order a veggie wrap that was absolutely phenomenal. It was packed with tomatoes, huge savory mushrooms, spinach, and onions. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, I was pleasantly surprised.

Easter Sunday:

For breakfast, I went to Dunkin Donuts and ordered a Pumpernickel bagel but was upset to learn that they do not have margarine or any other butter substitutes. I ended up eating the bagel with regular butter. I also had a red velvet cupcake tonight at work. For the rest of the day I consumed a nice fruit platter, celery sticks with Mediterranean hummus, and an Amy's Kitchen bean burrito.

Overall, I was happy to learn that my family is very supportive of my decision to become a Vegan. Entering the weekend knowing that I would be spending a lot of time with them at the dinner table, I worried it may make things awkward or uncomfortable. I realized however, that what was most important was that we were all able to spend time together. Nobody ostracized me for my vegan food choices or isolated me from any conversations because of it. I spent the whole weekend feeling energized, happy, clear minded, and full of life because I was treating my mind, body, and soul well, and because I was able to spend time with the ones I love.

Relapse

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston Churchill

I was asked by a friend of mine to begin posting my blog on The Ellington-Somers Patch. The link can be found here. I will continue to post on both sites for now but so far I am receiving a lot more feedback from The Patch, so I may discontinue this one after awhile.

Working in the behavioral health field with individuals who are struggling with drug & alcohol dependence it comes naturally for me to refer to dairy (especially cheese) and meat as addictive substances. I experienced an unusual night of intense cravings for something sweet coupled with a donation of a large package of Reese's Peanut Buttercups (my favorite) to the staff. An hour or so after, the evening intern brought in a box of assorted munchkins from Dunkin Donuts. I couldn't help but notice staff members and clients munching on both of the delicious treats all night long. At about 11:45pm I couldn't resist any longer, I gave in and ate 3 chocolate munchkins. Then...I stopped at Taco Bell on the way home from work and ordered a cheesy bean burrito and a crunchy beef taco.

Now, their is no use in beating myself up over the relapse but I do believe it is important to reflect on the major differences I noticed right away, and then this morning. After consuming all of the non-vegan food I felt nauseous, bloated, and disgustingly full. I experienced a restless night of tossing and turning, and had to force myself to get up this morning because I did not want to sleep the whole day away. Now, my thinking is clouded and I am having difficulty starting the most important meal of the day....breakfast. Basically, the 5 minutes of chocolate munchkin consumption and the 10-15 minutes of Taco Bell consumption has not been worth the mental, emotional, and physical consequences that may last up to 24 hours. In a way I am happy I had this experience because it will definitely sit in the forefront of my mind the next time I am tempted to consume fast food. I am surprised by how quickly my body adjusted to eating mostly vegan food and how upset it became when it was given the addictive substances. Sure they tasted great but they did not feel great and still don't.

During the day yesterday I created a new vegan meal that will last me the next few days. It consisted of:

• 1 bag of rice noodles (found in the produce section of any grocery store)
• 2 chopped green squash
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 4 chopped garlic cloves
• 1/2 package of Edamame (boiled & salted soy beans found in the produce section of any grocery store)

I softened the noodles by warming them on the stove for 10 minutes. I boiled the green squash for only a few minutes because I wanted to retain some crunchiness. I added the Edamame, chopped garlic, and chopped onion to the squash and noodles. I further seasoned the whole combination with lemon juice, lime juice, a splash of sea salt, and some grounded pepper. It is absolutely delicious! The garlic and the onion add a nice punch to the taste and the Edamame which is packed with protein keeps me feeling full for hours.

Fun Facts about onions:

• Onions have a variety of medicinal effects. Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. In Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs, bacterial infections, and breathing problems.
• Onions are a very rich source of fructo-oligosaccharides. These oligomers stimulate the growth of healthy bifidobacteria and suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in the colon. In addition, they can reduce the risk of tumors developing in the colon. Cardiovascular Help Onions contain a number of sulfides similar to those found in garlic which may lower blood lipids and blood pressure. In India, communities that never consumed onions or garlic had blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels substantially higher, and blood clotting times shorter, than the communities that ate liberal amounts of garlic and onions. Onions are a rich source of flavonoids, substances known to provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Onions are also natural anticlotting agents since they possess substances with fibrinolytic activity and can suppress platelet-clumping. The anticlotting effect of onions closely correlates with their sulfur content. Cancer Prevention Onion extracts, rich in a variety of sulfides, provide some protection against tumor growth. In central Georgia where Vidalia onions are grown, mortality rates from stomach cancer are about one-half the average level for the United States. Studies in Greece have shown a high consumption of onions, garlic and other allium herbs to be protective against stomach cancer.
  Chinese with the highest intake of onions, garlic, and other Allium vegetables have a risk of stomach cancer 40 percent less than those with the lowest intake. Elderly Dutch men and women with the highest onion consumption (at least one-half onion/day) had one-half the level of stomach cancer compared with those consuming no onions at all.
• Western Yellow, New York Bold, and Northern Red onions have the richest concentration of flavonoids and phenolics, providing them with the greatest antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of 10 onions tested. The mild-tasting Western White and Vidalia onions had the lowest antioxidant content and lowest anti-proliferative activity. The consumer trend to increasingly purchase the less pungent, milder onion varieties may not be the best, since the onions with a stronger flavor and higher astringency appear to have superior health-promoting properties. (http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/onions.php).

Today is a new day that I greet with renewed enthusiasm for the vegan diet. I am going to be kind to myself today, and appreciate the fact that I did not end up getting sick, and feel happy that I can treat my mind, body, and soul well today.

Check back for more posts!

Yumtastic!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Last night I had a strong craving for chocolate chip cookies so my boyfriend and I ran out to Stop n Shop and found a box of Cherrybrook Kitchen cookie mix. The box specifies that it is an egg free, milk free, and lactose free product. After reading the full ingredient list I found that it made the cut for being Vegan. They were SUPER easy to make! 1/4 cup of water, half the cookie mix, 1/4 cup of Earth Balance Butter, mix and bake for 10 minutes! They came out perfect...warm and soft in the middle! I LOVED them and my boyfriend who again is not vegan, ate 3 he loved them so much! They completely satisfied by sweet tooth and for anyone who is concerned bout weight loss, they are only 80 calories per cookie!

My boyfriend and I also tried Amy's Soy Cheese frozen pizza which I did not find particularly yumtastic. I have read and heard that soy cheese does not melt well and I definitely found this to be the case with the pizza. Amy's Dairy Free frozen pizza is amazing but I just don't think I will ever be a fan of soy cheese.

The beginning of the week started off rough for me as I was stuck working a double on Sunday night. I went into work at 3:30pm and did not leave until 8:00am Monday morning. I was not prepared for such long work hours but had to stay because someone had called out. When this has happened in the past my extreme exhaustion usually causes me to crave intensely sweet and salty junk foods. Oddly, I did not crave either, I found that I was thirsty and craving fruit or vegetables with high water content. After pulling an overnight shift I usually treat myself to an indulgent fast food breakfast but instead I went home and went to bed. Junk foods are definitely loosening their grip on me. My body and my brain are less willing to relapse on food that does not provide them with powerful nutrients.

That's all for now! Check back soon!

My Mostly Clean Weekend!

I enjoyed a really great weekend of mostly Vegan eating. I am lucky enough to live near a really great local grocery store in Vernon which is stocked with healthy veterinarian, local, organic, and vegan foods. It sort of like a Ma and Pa Whole Foods. On my way to school Friday, I stopped and purchased a vegan banana walnut & chocolate chip muffin which was amazing and took me an hour to eat because it was so filling and rich. Throughout the day I munched on a veggie spread much like the ones I prepared all week long, and for lunch I enjoyed an almond butter with flax and blueberry jelly sandwich. For dinner I went to Moe's and enjoyed a rice bowl with pinto beans, black beans, onions, mushrooms, pico, and guacamole. I am looking for more ways to incorporate flax into my diet because of it's powerful nutrient base. This product below can be purchased at any grocery store. It is creamy and sweet; it also pairs wonderfully with any jelly.

Fun Facts About Flax:

Flax Fights Cholesterol

The consumption of flaxseed is associated with a reduction in total cholesterol, including the LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. Study after study has shown a positive response to eating ground flax seed daily. Eating low fat foods, increasing your exercise, limiting the salt, sugar and eating flax seed daily are a few ways that you can win the battle against high cholesterol.

Flax Fights Diabetes

Nutritionists are instructing their diabetic patients to eat flax daily. It has been discovered that the omega-3 fat and high fiber in flax may play a role in the fight against diabetes. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, participants who ate flaxseed bread had blood sugar levels 28% lower an hour after eating than their counterparts who ate bread made with wheat flour!

Flax Fights Cancer

Flaxseed is high in lignans, up to 800 times the amount as in any tested plant food. Lignans (a phytoestrogen) have been called by H. Adlercreutz (in his article “Phytoestrogens: Epidemiology and a Possible Role in Cancer Protection”), natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax seed is also high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which has been found to be promising as a cancer fighting agent. The American National Cancer Institute has singled out flaxseed as one of six foods that deserve special study. Flax seed's high fiber aspect is also beneficial in the fight against colon cancer. Epidemiological studies note that diet plays a major role in the incidence of colon cancer. Research has shown that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet reduces your colon-cancer risk. Flax seed, high in fiber, lignans, alpha linolenic acid, is a key player in the fight against cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Flax Fights Constipation

Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. One ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’s reference daily intake of fiber. Flax promotes regular bowel movements because it is high in insoluble fiber. Flaxseed's all natural fiber helps to absorb water, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass through the colon quickly. When adding fiber to your diet, it is important to make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Without enough liquids, fiber can actually cause constipation! In the fight against constipation exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, drink eight glasses of water daily and add two to four tablespoons of flax to your daily regime!

Flax Fights Inflammation

Flax is high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids. That’s good news for people who suffer from inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. Health experts, such as former Surgeon General C. Evertt Koop, recommend eating foods high in Omega 3’s for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It is the inflammation within the joints that cause so much of the pain associated with arthritis. The January 1996 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the participants in a study that took flax oil daily reduced inflammatory responses by as much as 30%.

Flax Fights Menopausal Symptoms

Hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, moodiness…ah, the joys of menopause. Can flax really help? Yes it can! Flax, like soy, is a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances that are found in plants. Flax is the richest known plant source of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens act as a natural hormone therapy and help to stabilize hormonal levels. This stabilization of hormonal levels helps to lesson the symptoms of menopause.

Flax fights Heart Disease

Heart disease, the number one killer in America, has claimed the lives of too many of our family and friends. Years of a sedentary lifestyle, super size meals and processed foods has finally caught up with us. Can flax help? Yes it can. Numerous studies have been done on the effect of flax on heart disease, yielding many positive findings. Flax has been found to help reduce total cholesterol, LDL levels (the bad cholesterol), triglycerides. Flax helps to reduce clotting time and thereby reduces the chance for heart attacks and strokes. Regular intake of flax protects against arrhythmias and helps keep the arteries clear and pliable!

Flax and the Immune System

Across the table, your co-worker sneezes, no tissue in sight, you feel a light spray hit your face and shudder. Standing in a crowded elevator, in a busy mall, or in an airplane, you sometimes feel like you can’t escape getting at least one or two colds each year…or can you? Research has found that eating flax daily favorably affects immunity, the body’s ability to defend itself successfully against bacteria and viruses. Two components of flax, lignans and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), have been found to affect immune cells and compounds that control immune reaction.

Flax fights “The Blues”

It’s that tired feeling that a good night's rest won’t shake… that listless down in the dumps feeling that you just can’t get rid of. We call it “the blues”, otherwise known as atypical depression, the most common form of depression. Preliminary research suggests that eating a diet rich in flax could slash your risk of ever feeling “down in the dumps”. Follow up studies show that just 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily can help up to 2/3rds of severely depressed women bounce back within eight weeks. Flax, says Udo Erasmus, PhD, has a mood boosting ingredient: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential for the proper function of brain cells, yet up to 85% of women aren’t getting enough of it. Early research conducted by Dr. Martha Clare Morris of Chicago’s Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center notes that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be important for brain development. She stated that some participants in the study saw a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s from eating a diet high in Omege-3 fatty acids(Flax is the richest source of Omega 3’s in the plant kingdom). More research is needed in the area of flax and its relation to depression and brain function, however preliminary research is very promising. (http://www.flaxhealth.com/howflaxhelps.htm)

Saturday I enjoyed wonderful Vegan pancakes at the local grocery store I mentioned earlier. For lunch I munched on refried beans, guacamole, and Garden of Eat'n chips. For dinner my boyfriend made mashed sweat potatoes, broccoli, and Veggie Path Chick'n Cutlets featured below.

The Chicke'n Cutlet is made out of soy, vegetables, and a combination of processed food and non-food ingredients. It tasted absolutely amazing and is perfect for someone transitioning to a vegan lifestyle such as my self. It is obviously not a natural or raw food but it was definitely a satisfying alternative to a piece of chicken. I would recommend this product to anyone and I would also recommend checking out some of their other products which my boyfriend who is not a vegan or a vegetarian is a huge fan of. They can be found in the produce section of any grocery store. Their website offers recipes, great information about their products, and their philosophy: VeggiePatch.Com

Non-vegan food consumption this weekend consisted of M&M's, Dark Chocolate, and some trail mix that had some milk chocolate pieces mixed in. So, clearly chocolate is an issue for me. I understand that vegan chocolate exists and I am currently on the search for it.

In the recent past I have treated my weekends as a time to indulge in greasy, cheesy, chocolatey, salty foods. I noticed this weekend that I experienced better sustained energy levels, better sleep, consistent moods, and significantly less hunger. I also saved money because I prepared a lot of the food at home, instead of eating out. So far, I have experienced instant gratification from this transition.

That's all for now! Check back for more posts!