I tip my hat to vegans everywhere

so, I've been a vegan for 9 days. I've had to eat out three times... and it was difficult two of those three outings. I have to hand it to anyone who's been vegan for years. 

first evening was thai, which was the easiest. I've found that ethnic food is so much more vegan friendly than our traditional american fatty food. I had something called "the amazing". It's tofu in a coconut milk/peanut sauce with a kick. Served atop rice with some fresh steamed broccoli. it was amazing. We had some banana spring rolls for dessert, which were also delicious (with some fresh fruit, sesame seeds and honey.. i'm not being a strict vegan. I have to have honey in my life)... 

the second food outing was bistro aix, a french inspired restaurant I've been going to for years. This was difficult because everything has butter or cream. I wasn't starving, so I had a nice big spinach and pear salad with fig vinaigrette. also, lots of bread. Totally delicious. I probably could've also had the risotto or a cheese-less pizza without much problem. I'll test these out on a less busy night. 

lastly, was today's jaguar v. broncos game. My parents are on the board of directors for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of North Florida. The event raised for $100,000 for CF with donations, the ticket price to get in, auctions, and had tons of restaurants from the city cater it and donate their food and time. 

I basically had dried fruit, spanish roasted almonds, some delicious fennel salad, and black beans and rice with salsa. But the rest of the cuisine was meaty or filled with heavy cream. (mostly meat. I hadn't seen so much meat in a long time.) I forgot that sports fans love to just eat meat at games. meat meat meat. The Burrito Gallery was catering there, and the guys recognized me several times because I kept going back for more rice and beans. so good. 

In short, I salute anyone who's vegan anywhere. It's not easy, especially if you have a busy schedule and can't cook all the time. I started being vegan as a challenge. I wanted to do it for a week just to see if I could, but now I can't imagine going back, at least not completely. I'll still indulge in fish occasionally, especially for the protein.. and occasionally with cheese.. but I've realized through this that lactose and I are not friends... so we'll see. 

I'm really happy to be vegan. It honestly feels great, and I feel better without all the butter and cream in my life. When my camera works again, you bet your sweet ass I'll post more recipes. When I get the photos from my memory card, I'll post something new and delicious as well. 

coming soon... 

thai tofu, tomato mushroom pasta... so good.