Yes indeed, I did enjoy a vegan brownie with original almond milk last night. Tasty!! A little dry, but I still owe my gratitude to my baker man. 
Breakfast was super boring, but fast this morning – Publix Greenwise flax flakes with almond milk. Hey, it worked!
Usually I begin my days with job searching, and then writing cover letters/ adjusting resumes to different jobs. Also usually, I end up getting really frustrated because applying to jobs can be an all-consuming process, so I don’t get much else done. Today I started with other things I needed to get done, and I love being able to tangibly see my progress. 
So far I’ve organized the living room closet, Ross’ desk (which now I can use too, since there isn’t crap all over it..), I’ve hung pictures, a bulletin board, cleaned out the fridge and more. Love it!
Lunch was an at-home “You Pick Two”, Panera- style.
My sandwich – a whole wheat Arnold’s sandwich thin, avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes, dijon mustard, sprouts and Sabra’s artichoke and spinach hummus. The soup was some leftover split pea soup. Tasty!
So last night I was sharing with Ross some of my reflections over my vegan venture and being out of town the past weekend/ not having as much control over my eats. Some reflections:
- I really like being in control, esp. when it comes to my kitchen and my eats. It’s very easy to eat a vegan-based diet when you are creating the menu.
- That being said, as long as you are willing to think for yourself and come up with vegan alternatives/ spend a little bit of time in the kitchen, it’s not terribly hard to come up with vegan alternatives for yourself.
- There were times where I was tempted – coffee cake in the morning, cheesecake at night, muffins another morning, etc. Plus, it would have been a lot easier to go with the flow and eat what everyone else was eating. That being said, I am really glad that I am sticking to this challenge. While I wanted the taste of coffee cake for breakfast, I knew my whole grain cereal and apple/peanut butter combo was a lot healthier for me. While I wanted the cheesecake, I stuck to a vegan dessert, and had fun creating a new recipe and didn’t experience the tummy aches later. Also – during the day when the coffee cake was out, it would have been very easy to walk by and pick at the crumbs. But, since they weren’t vegan, I didn’t do this. If I needed a snack, I could pick a healthier option – fruit, pita chips, etc. I am learning a lot more self-control and discipline when it comes to my daily eats, and this is always a good thing!
- I am also able to foreshadow ahead, and see where a vegan lifestyle will be more challenging. In a couple weekends we’ll be heading to Orlando to celebrate my brother-in-law’s 17th birthday, and I already know that I am going to need to prepare ahead. I need to bring breakfasts with me, I need to research the Chili’s lunch menu because that’s the choice for the birthday lunch, and I also need to figure out how my vegan lifestyle will effect what I prepare for others. (More on this in a moment). I can also see ahead to Thanksgiving with my in-laws, and know that I will definitely need to prepare things for myself.
- In some weird ways, part of me is relieved that I can say, “I’m a vegan,” as a valid excuse for not wanting to eat what everyone else is eating. I’ve never enjoyed eating ham, burgers, creamed corn, casseroles doused in cream and butter, etc. So it’s kind of strange, but I’m kind of relieved that now I don’t have to.
- I’m realizing the importance of a balance in a vegan diet. When eating with others, sometimes your protein and healthy fat needs aren’t going to be met, resulting in decreased energy and never feeling full/ satisfied.
I’m excited to see what else I may learn the rest of this month! Time to go keep my productivity going. See you all later for my solo-dinner (Ross won’t be home until around 9:00 tonight since they have open house…boooo).
Great job on sticking to your guns this weekend – it really is cool when you can make the conscious decision to say "no – I won't have a piece of that coffee cake, because I am a vegan." Major props on the self control!
really great reflections! I think they apply to all of us for sticking with healthy choices, be they vegan or not.
and you may have said this already..do you live in florida? or you are just going there on a trip?
I live in Gainesville, FL, so yup, Floridian!!
Great reflections!! I think you are doing awesome.. And kudos for sticking to the gun this past weekend!
While I'm not vegan, I travel a lot for my job and I understand what you mean when you say, "it would have been a lot easier to go with the flow and eat what everyone else was eating." If there's one thing I hate, it's when I cause a ruckus because there's nothing for me to eat at hole in the wall restaurants.
Also I related to your planning ahead remarks. I feel like I pack my own personal diaper bag when I travel but, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! I enjoy eating the way I do so I don't mind the baggage that comes along with it
Keep up the good work! Your posts are very informative and inspirational!!
Thanks for opening up and sharing how you're feeling about now and the future. It helps me with some decisions I've been trying to make regarding my eating lifestyle, so I thank you!
Good for you!
Very inspiring!
Wow sounds like you're doing a great job. I can relate to being relieved to have a reason not to eat some things. I never liked meat so it's been super easy for me to stop eating it. It's nice to be able to say "I can't eat that" rather than "I don't want to".
Love the reflections! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love being able to say "I'm vegan" too! It makes things so much easier! It's a big weight off your shoulders to commit to something fully and not have to worry about being in-between all of the time!
I love all of your thoughts so far
Keep it up!
Your doing an awesome job with your challenge. I'm excited for my second Thrursday of began eating too in a ouple days.
http://veganmasterlist.blogspot.com/2007/08/chilis.html
I found this list of vegan food at Chilis on another blog. It's from a while ago so it might be outdated, but I guess it's a start.
Anon., you're awesome! Thanks for the site, so helpful!
You have such a valid and inspiring approach to this and I am so happy that you are finding the reasons you are truly doing this to be because it helps you and your health. What a great way to live your life!
I often use the "vegetarian" excuse to get me out of the uncomfortable situations when people ask why I am eating differently. Even though I wouldn't say I am a strick vegetarain, I do consider myself to follow most of the habbits therefore, it's easier to just use this approach rather than try to explain my whole life to people.
Hope you continue to find these awesome revelations in this journey!
if you end up liking veganism, I'm pretty sure October will be a Vegan Month of Food (vegan mo fo) via http://www.theppk.com its a vegan forum established by Isa Chandra Moskowitz – autherof veganomicon, et al. baseically bloggers post like 20/30 days of the month about vegan eats they've made, eaten, etc. i will keep you posted
This is such a great point: "part of me is relieved that I can say, "I'm a vegan," as a valid excuse for not wanting to eat what everyone else is eating."
Sometimes it can be uncomfortable to not eat what others are eating because you get accused of being 'on a diet' and it can be really awkward! It really must be nice to have another excuse
I love this post! Since I've been slowly changing to a vegan diet, it has been easy for me to avoid certain foods because they aren't vegan. It's like having that as a purpose has prevented me from falling into some dangerous traps (like eating too much ice cream).