Oohh, oohh, Veganite!

This post is on my other blog (http://amykins-writefromthebeginning.blogspot.com) too, thought I'd transfer it over here. I don't know how long this blog will last, but I want to keep a record of how my newly vegan life goes. So here we are, with post #1!

" [...] The decision [to become vegan] came after nine years of vegetarianism (with some occasional bouts of pescetarianism when tuna beckoned). Around New Year though, I just didn't want any animal products what so ever. No dairy, no eggs, none of it. On top of that was an existing knowledge that dairy aggravates my eczema, and after a cheese binge I feel like death. So, on Friday 15th of January, I made the change.

Image courtesy of JustVegan

So after the pre-amble, I suppose I should outline the pitfalls, the problems. Only I really haven't had any. On the second day I ordered a Domino's Vegetarian Supreme with no cheese. After a little confusion on part of the girl taking the order, the pizza arrived, and was fine. Didn't miss the cheese. Did notice how crazily sweet their tomatoes are. And when everyone else was wolfing down their Diablo pizzas at the SU, I had tomato garlic pizza bread. Cheaper, tasted good, doesn't make for the best breath, but none of the pizzas do! Getting fed in uni has been a bit of a problem, there is not one vegan sandwich or wrap or panini. So preparing food at home is no longer just the result of lack of funds or an overstocked fridge, it's a necessity.

Obviously, though better prepared than most for veganism, I have still spent twenty years with dairy as part of my life. So I've had to opt for non-dairy alternatives. Olive spread changed to Vitalite. Not much difference, quite fatty though. Milk changed to sweetened soya for cereal and tea, unsweetened for wherever cooking calls for milk. I made a very nice white sauce the other day actually. However, 'Pure' creamy soya spread (a cream cheese substitute) is vile. Stay far, far away. I'm still reeling from the taste! Parmazano though, really good! Alpro's dairy free yoghurt is pretty good too. Oh and Morrisons do their own brand dairy free coconut biscuits, which are amazing. In fact everything I've bought has been from Morrisons. It's such a minor change overall, I don't see the need to buy out Holland & Barratt. Perhaps when I get chocolate cravings I'll have to head somewhere specialist!

Image courtesy of Zazzle

Overall, veganism has been a successful venture so far. I feel happier in myself, and though it could be down to some other factor I haven't picked up on, my eczema on my legs has improved. I haven't lost or gained any weight, and although yes I do have a cold at the moment, it's been lingering for a couple of weeks waiting to pounce anyway. For now, I'm a happy vegan lady.

Here's a list of vegan websites I've found useful-
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/
http://veganmenu.blogspot.com/
http://www.veganfamily.co.uk/index.html
http://www.theppk.com/
http://twitter.com/amyeek/vegan (List of vegan Twitterers I follow) "