It's been a couple of weeks since I posted last and wanted to give you an update on what's been going on in my life.
On February 10th, I went to a vegan bake-off contest. The event was sold out which is a win for vegan cooking. I will say it was a little disheartening to be one of the very few persons of color there as contestants and patrons. I intend to contact the organizers and encourage them to broaden their advertising, which I attribute to the lack of diversity in the crowd.
I will start off by saying that I admire anyone who puts themselves out there to be judged by total strangers. Cooking is such a personal endeavor that the idea of comparing your cooking to someone else is a little weird.
However...
There were 20 contestants with a variety of desserts.Some of the desserts were really good. Some tasted like agave sweetened saw dust. I had a Cinnamon Maple cupcake that blew my mind and a raw vegan cheesecake that I got two helpings of. Just be careful of the cookies. And desserts that look like crap rolled in dough and sprinkled with chocolate chips. All in all, for a $15 ticket, I got my monies worth of sweets.
The NYC Vegetarian Festival is happening the first weekend in March. I caught a Living Social deal and got tickets for both days. I have gone to this festival the last two years and really enjoy myself. Of course I see the Who's Who in veggie health and wellness. I usually go to score products on the cheap. I got me some bomb-ass pickled peppers and coconut oil for about 60% off retail last year. Plus, it serves as an opportunity to network with people and organizations interested in sustainability, food justice and food security issues. I write a post about that another time.
This Saturday, I'm going to see Sankofa, a dance production by MUV (Movement for the Urban Village). I know the director of this small dance company (we take yoga together) and she is such a dynamic woman. Dance is my favorite artistic style, so anytime I can see a dance production I take full advantage. And indie companies are putting on some of the best works I have in some time. I encourage you to support small, independent companies of all stripes to keep the universal creative juice flowing.
Blessed be...
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
What did you learn? 30 day vegan challenge
Greetings all:
Well, I did it. I completed my 30-day vegan challenge as of February 2nd. It was an interesting experience, one that I will probably repeat.
But no time soon.
As I research the health studies, environmental impact studies, various spiritual and religious texts and animal rights books, I believe that veganism is probably the most optimal way to eat and live one's life. Something in my spirit tells me that I will stop being a slave to my taste buds and make the transition to veganism eventually.
But no time soon.
Overall, the combination of the dietary vegan and yoga challenge helped me lose about 7 pounds. As weight loss is primarily dietary, I am a little freaked out by the amount of weight I carry I can directly attribute to eggs and dairy. I felt my sleep quality (though not quantity) improved as well as my focus on tasks at hand. Spiritually, it felt good to know I wasn't participating in the suffering of animals for food (still have much to do with regard to wearing animal skins but that wasn't the purpose of this challenge).
However...
My craving for dairy never really abated. I've heard if you perform a task for 21-days straight, then that task becomes a habit. This didn't happen for me with this challenge which I secretly wished for. So it is with some trepidation that I mention how I ended my challenge- with blackened catfish and bourbon butter cake with whipped cream. From this place. Sinfully good.
So what does this mean? I am not in a place where I can fully commit to veganism. My will is weak when it comes to dairy and I need to meditate more, read more, journal more about why I am so attached to dairy. It isn't necessary for health but I feel "unsatisfied" when I have to consciously go without it for some time. This scares me a bit because it sounds like an addiction. And I don't know of any 12-step programs for dairy addicts.
I have decided that in order for me to transition to veganism, I have to do it gradually. Thus I will start with one day a week and slowly work my way up to everyday. Going cold turkey is too much of a shock for me.
Well, I did it. I completed my 30-day vegan challenge as of February 2nd. It was an interesting experience, one that I will probably repeat.
But no time soon.
As I research the health studies, environmental impact studies, various spiritual and religious texts and animal rights books, I believe that veganism is probably the most optimal way to eat and live one's life. Something in my spirit tells me that I will stop being a slave to my taste buds and make the transition to veganism eventually.
But no time soon.
Overall, the combination of the dietary vegan and yoga challenge helped me lose about 7 pounds. As weight loss is primarily dietary, I am a little freaked out by the amount of weight I carry I can directly attribute to eggs and dairy. I felt my sleep quality (though not quantity) improved as well as my focus on tasks at hand. Spiritually, it felt good to know I wasn't participating in the suffering of animals for food (still have much to do with regard to wearing animal skins but that wasn't the purpose of this challenge).
However...
My craving for dairy never really abated. I've heard if you perform a task for 21-days straight, then that task becomes a habit. This didn't happen for me with this challenge which I secretly wished for. So it is with some trepidation that I mention how I ended my challenge- with blackened catfish and bourbon butter cake with whipped cream. From this place. Sinfully good.
So what does this mean? I am not in a place where I can fully commit to veganism. My will is weak when it comes to dairy and I need to meditate more, read more, journal more about why I am so attached to dairy. It isn't necessary for health but I feel "unsatisfied" when I have to consciously go without it for some time. This scares me a bit because it sounds like an addiction. And I don't know of any 12-step programs for dairy addicts.
I have decided that in order for me to transition to veganism, I have to do it gradually. Thus I will start with one day a week and slowly work my way up to everyday. Going cold turkey is too much of a shock for me.
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