Veg Out 2013

     Ok, ok, I know…I haven’t blogged in forever, but sometimes, I feel like I need to prolong the inevitable. Now that I have prolonging and procrastination out of the way, I can move on to the juicy details.

     Over the last few years, I’ve been trying to set challenging goals or New Year’s Resolutions for myself. Two years ago, I committed to only spending a dollar a day on food for one month. Last year, I committed to one year without alcohol. This year, I’m committing to being vegan.

     A few months ago, I started thinking about a new goal for the New Year. I was surprised by how easy it was to give up alcohol last year. I thought it was going to be hard to say goodbye to happy hour drinks with the girls and the comfort that could be found in wine and cheese, but after a week or so, life moves on and you just deal with it. I realized that I’m much stronger and more determined than I’ve ever given myself credit for. I changed my way of life and ended up much happier. With that idea in mind, I new I had the chance to make another big change if I wanted to commit to it.

     Side note: I’m truly surprised how setting your mind on a goal and committing to it can make your goal a reality. It seems a little too good to be true, right? Maybe it’s called being stubborn? I heard someone being described recently as having a strong-willed temperament and I think that might be the best way to explain my commitment to my goals. 

     As New Year’s Day came closer, I started to feel the pressure to hone in on my new goal. I’d been watching a few healthy eating documentaries on Netflix while folding laundry when I came across a movie by the name of Vegucated. I’ve read so much literature on being vegetarian and vegan that I figured it’d just be a review. I’ve been a vegetarian since 2005, and I occasionally ate fish. I figured I was doing a pretty good job. Yet, seeing with your eyes and reading and imagining in your head are too different things. Halfway through Vegucated, I was in tears and ready to take the next step. I was horrified with what I saw, and I what I’d been closing my eyes to in the past. Now three weeks into my challenge, I’m sure I’m doing the right thing.

      I’m excited to share my new recipes and new favorite foods! More posts to come!

The First Two Weeks

Two weeks have passed since I started the challenge, and some days have been difficult. Last Saturday, I went with my aunt and uncle to Marina del Rey to look at sailboat. We met a nice couple who showed us a large boat with teak floors and a table that sat 8 people. A few repairs were needed, but the boat was beautiful, had a nice layout inside and tons of storage. After our tour, the couple invited us to their shiny, 3 story boat for the afternoon. They served wine, ordered pizza delivered to the boat dock, and found a guitar so my uncle could play. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and we had no where to be. I drank bottle water and danced to the music, and graciously turned down crisp Chardonney and Pinot Grigio. I'm used to having a glass of wine with dinner; I've been that way for years, and although I could practically taste the wine when the captain poured it, I refrained and drank my water. When I got home around 4 that afternoon, I was proud of myself and had plenty of energy. I took Charlie to the dog park, went grocery shopping, cooked dinner, and watched a movie. I knew that if I had been enjoying wine on the boat, I wouldn't have had energy to do the things I did that day. I went to bed tired and satisfied, determined to keep up with this challenge and see where it would take me.

The First Day

Today I started my year long alcohol fast. Although it was the last day of Christmas break, I had a ton of work to catch up on in the classroom, and ended up spending most of the day cooped up inside working. I felt a little bitter about having to work on such a gorgeous day, but I knew I would be thankful tomorrow. When I got home from work, I remembered my fast. I had a few friends in town visiting for the holiday, and they left a giant unopened bottle of Raspberry Mojitos on the counter. I worked around the bottle while in the kitchen, and then sat down on the couch to relax. I kept peeking back in the kitchen at the Mojitos. It's so funny how much you want something once you've decided not to have it. I actually made myself laugh because I kept looking in the kitchen. I'm sure there's some scientific evidence to support the idea that you always want what you can't have. When I quit gigging, I texted my neighbor and donated the bottle of Mojitos. When I'm on a diet, I only keep healthy food in the house, so it only made since to purge the house of alcohol. Once the bottle was gone, I was able to relax, enjoy my dinner, and not think about the fast. So I made it through the first day without any trouble. I'm thinking of going shopping tomorrow and buying lots of yummy tea. I can have tea with dinner and hopefully benefit from extra antioxidants.

1 Year Challenge

Ahh…the holidays! I feel like I have been surrounded by food and drink since November 1st. My classroom and the staff lounge have been full of cookies, cakes, chocolates, caramel popcorn, and other goodies. I was given a nice bottle of wine and champagne (my fav!) as Christmas gifts. Dinners out and drinks with friends, I must admit I’ve been enjoying the richness of the season.

At our staff Christmas party a few weeks ago, I chatted with a fellow teacher who mentioned her love of good wine and beer. I smiled and agreed. As we continued chatting, she said that she would love to give up alcohol for a year. I immediately thought, that doesn’t sound like fun, but within a moment or two, I knew I would join her in this challenge. There’s something irresistible about an achievable challenge. I will admit that I’m hesitant to attempt to try if I don’t think I can succeed, but I think this should be a fun, and trying adventure.

At home later that evening, I reviewed my calendar and chose a date to start my challenge. Because I had plans with friends and family until New Years day, I picked January 2nd as my starting date. In the days since the staff Christmas party, I’ve been squeezing in a few last mimosa breakfasts, wine with dinner, and drinks with friends and family. I excited about starting this challenge and what I will learn along the way.

Home

This morning, while I was in the spare bedroom of my parents’ house attempting to organize my things, I kept thinking about being home. I have really missed spending time with close family and friends in Reno, NV since I moved to California almost 3 years ago. Over the last 3 months, I have often stated that I was homesick. But this morning, I couldn’t escape the thought that I wanted to go home. I just kept milling over the idea of wanting to go home and I couldn’t really figure out where my home is. At the age of 31, my parents’ house no longer feels like home. I love Huntington Beach and my tiny apartment, and while I have a house full of my belongings, it doesn’t really feel like my home. As I realized that I don’t really have a home, I was kind of excited about the idea of being a nomad or a gypsy, an adventurer without a home. Yet, at the same time, I missed the simplicity of being a child, and knowing where my home was.

During Thanksgiving break, my parents shared that they would be selling their home to become full-time RVers. I am so happy that my dad’s dream of traveling will finally be coming true. Their house is scheduled to go on the market this spring and I need to say goodbye to this house. I know that a house doesn’t make a home, but for some reason, I feel the need to let go of this house, this chapter of my life, and this notion of “home.”

I am excited for the future and the doors that will surely open as this door closes. I am faced with the fact that change is both inevitable and consistent. Despite its consistency, change can be scary. So, I’m holding on tight and getting ready for whatever comes next.

Champagne wishes on a beer budget

On a recent trip to Newport Beach, I spotted this adorable little boat. Immediately, I had visions of spending sleepy Sunday afternoons on the boat, reading light-hearted novels and swimming in the ocean. I would love to have a boat like this! It just looks like fun, but then again, who am I to have a boat? I am currently unemployed. Once again, my eyes are bigger than my checking account and I have champagne wishes on a beer budget.

Unemployed

As the last week of August comes to an end, I am faced with the stark reality that I am indeed, unemployed. I must admit that I hate the word. It sounds dark and depressing, and full of negative connotation. Because I am unemployed, I feel the need to do something. The irresponsible part of me wants to sell all of my belongings and set out on a road trip in the Subaru with Chloe. The responsible part of me feels the need to continually update and rewrite my resume and letter of introduction and check the job board every 15 minutes. The realistic part of me helps me to go to the gym and the library, and to spend time relaxing and reflecting. Who knew that not working would be such a struggle?