So I’ve decided to eat vegan for the next 6.5 weeks. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try for multiple reasons: Can I really give up animal products? What new creative cooking styles can I come up with? Will vegan cookies really taste the same as non-vegan ones? And finally, will I make it through without wanting to physically harm someone for a peanut M&Ms and milk chocolate peanut butter cookies?!?
It’s surprising to realize how much of our food uses animal products without us realizing it. Did you know chewing gum base has ingredients that can be animal derived? Apparently none of the supermarket cash register gum falls into the vegan category. Beer and wine are also animal product culprits. Fish bladder called isinglass is added to beer to help speed up the process. Wine will sometimes use isinglass, gelatin, milk proteins (caseinates) and eggs or blood powder (animal albumin). Luckily, I found a website that lists vegan beer and wine, and my favorite beers are vegan!
It’s only been a day and already it’s been difficult trying to figure out what was and wasn’t ok. Thank goodness for smart phones and the ability to Google ingredients.
Tonight I’m going to try and make wheat bread perhaps some sort of soup? Maybe Quinoa Paella? I’ve found some recipes I’d love to try, now if I only had time to do it all!
Any vegans out there have any advice? My co-worker (who’s not vegan) told me to eat a lot of green pepper to make sure I was getting an efficient amount of iron. Anyone have any other tips? Perhaps some amazing recipes?
Fat Kid Confidential 