The Worst Vegan Ever

I was explaining my "Vegan Leaning" philosophy to a friend.  As I told him about my weekday vegan diet, and my weekend's off to eat whatever, I added that I occasionally cheat during the week... in fact, that day was my wife's birthday and we were going to a steak house for dinner.

He proclaimed "You are the worst vegan, EVER!".

This made me laugh, but I then last Friday I was at lunch with a large group and there were no vegan options.  I ended up with a turkey sandwich.  With every bite I kept hearing my friend's words echoing through my head..."you are the worst vegan, EVER!".  (I think he is right).

Today is Monday and I am back on track.  Besides, I am not a really a vegan, I am vegan leaning!

Franklin's BBQ Is Dangerous To Those Wanting To Make Vegan Food Choices

My vegan leaning diet is set aside on the weekends.  Today my wife went and stood in line at Franklin's BBQ (in Austin, Texas) so that we could sample what many call the "BEST BBQ" you can eat (Texas Monthly has named it the best BBQ in Texas, and Bon Appetit has dubbed it the best BBQ in America).  The wait was over two hours to take home a few pounds of meat and sides.

Even on weekends I am careful about eating meat.  While I will have some, I keep my portions small.  But this BBQ from Franklin's made me forget my plant based diet desires.  The brisket was great, the sausage was even better, and the ribs... OH MY GOODNESS!  To know this BBQ exists makes you question being vegan (or "Vegan Leaning").

I will agree with the experts... it is the best BBQ in the world.  It made me want more.  I could easily quit my vegan efforts if I was promised meat that tasted this good with every meal.

However, was it worth a wait in line of two hours?  The survey says "NO".  My wife and kids (who all went to stand in line) said they would not do it again.  I am pretty sure that my patience level would not bring me to multiple hours of standing in line to get smoked meat.  I hear that more people wait in line than there is food available for sale.  I think if I stood there for three hours and they ran out of food I would freak out.

If you are trying to avoid meat.... I suggest you do not go and eat a Franklin's BBQ or you might just decide to try the Atkins Diet instead.

Vegan Leaning

VEGAN UPDATE:

I continue my plant-based adventure that began last February.  While I do not keep a 100% vegan diet, I have become "Vegan Leaning".

A friend who is a dedicated vegan tells me that there is no such thing as "Vegan Leaning".  He is wrong. It exists.  I know it is real because I invented it.  It may not be a movement that is sweeping the nation, but I have found it works great for my life.

Monday through Friday I make vegan choices at all meals.  Once in a while (about once a week) I let it slip and have a small amount of meat or dairy (today I had a Blueberry muffin), but most of the time I am very good about keeping a plant based diet during the work week.

On the weekends I do whatever I want, but have found I must keep to moderation or my body reacts poorly.  This usually involves grilling a steak or fish on Sunday, and allowing the sweets with dairy and eggs (cookies, cake, ice cream, etc...) as a treat.

This keeps me about 3/4 vegan, and I am feeling great. I continue to feel "lighter", although I only lost five pounds.  My energy level is high.  The biggest benefit is my awareness of the food choices I make all the time.  I no longer just eat everything that crosses my path.

Spread the word about vegan leaning!  It means being vegan without having to skip out totally when served a great tasting steak!!!

Definition of "Vegan Leaning":  A person who chooses to eat a vegan diet most of the time.  Usually a person who is "Vegan Leaning" eats a plant based diet Monday through Friday, while allowing meat and dairy on the weekends. 

Eating Vegan in Italy -- That Is Just Crazy Talk

Our family spent ten days in Northern Italy with a group of friends.  I realized on day one that my "Vegan Leaning" diet was not going to work.  The Italians eat meat and dairy at all meals.  The breakfast in the hotel was cheese and cold cuts.  Pizza was a staple to this troop of 14 which included 7 kids. 

And one more thing... Gellato!!!

I held out for two days, but on the third afternoon I could not resist getting a small cone at a Gellateria.  That was it, the flood gates were open.  I had gellato everyday.... SOMETIMES TWICE!

I decided to go with the old saying "When in Rome....."  Of course we were in Verona, Venice and Milan,... but you get the idea.

Upon my arrival home I went back to my "Vegan Leaning" choices on Monday - Friday, but in Italy the idea of trying to be vegan was just crazy.

Pescatarian

I am still making vegan choices in my daily diet, but more and more I am finding rationalizations to eat fish.

My busy travel schedule put me in Bermuda where I could not pass up on eating fish at nearly every meal.  I mean, come on... I am on an island and they have some local "rock fish" that was delicious.  I can eat almonds and broccoli anywhere, but whole on an island for two days I felt fish was a legitimate choice.

Then I was at dinner with a friend in Orlando and there was nothing on the menu that could even begin to look vegan.  My choice was lettuce and some tomatoes or Fish Tacos.  I went for the fish tacos.  Besides,  I attended college in San Diego in the 1980s and fish tacos were just finding their way into the culture.  I have always been a fan of this delightful food from the days when you could only get them in Mexico and San Diego.  As an early adopter of the fish in a tortilla,  I feel a kinship with this taco product.

Next stop, Boston.  A friend and I went to dinner and he wanted sushi.  I like sushi, and since my wife does not like to eat raw fish, I figured I would not be having the opportunity any time soon.  WOW, it was good.

While I had been eating small amounts of fish on the weekends, this week of travel put sea creatures in my mouth nearly everyday.  I rationalized it each time, but in the end  I did not regret my fish eating adventures.

I think my vegan diet is making me live better... but you know, I have no problem with eating a little meat.  Plus, there is even a name for those who just eat fish with their veggies.....  "Pescatarian".  I figure if someone has named it, it must be a real thing.

Two Days Of Meat Eating

While with a client recently at a resort in Bermuda I ate more meat in two days than I have had since February.

I was conducting a seminar at the partner retreat for a law firm and I was included in their social activities for the time I was with them.  This included two amazing dinners and a lunch that can only be described as an "event".

While I have remained "vegan leaning" since Lent ended I am not 100% eating plant based food.... and I made the decision to not ask my client for a special menu.  I did make the vegan choices and avoided most of the dairy (the passed snacks looked good, but were all cream and cheese based).

For dinner both nights I ordered fish.  Being in Bermuda I did not want to pass up the local seafood, and I was not disappointed.  I have been eating fish on occasion for a few weeks, especially on the weekends.

But the real breach of my vegan diet was at the lunch.  Not just lunch, but lunch with grilling lessons and rum tasting.  There were four personal chefs who cooked and instructed each group of ten.  It was a four course meal which included an amazing RockFish dish and then a plate of steak and vegetables.  I could have passed, as there was lots of food available for me to eat... but I wanted the steak.

Okay, I will admit it.... it was AMAZING.  Part of it was the quality of the meat and the skill of the chefs.  The other part was I had not had a steak in months.

The good news was I woke up the next day feeling fine.  I have had some reactions to eating meat and dairy since changing my diet, but this time it was no problem.

I will continue to stay "Vegan Leaning".... but my will power might not be as good going forward.

Still Mostly Vegan

Over a month since Lent ended I am still faithfully "Vegan Leaning".

Monday through Friday I am hanging tight to my vegan diet, and on the weekends I stray a bit.  Mainly fish on Sunday, but I have been tempted by lasagna, pancakes, pasta sauces, bacon, pork loin, and cake... mmmm cake.

I will admit that when I stray too much my body rebels.  I have taken to the mostly plant based diet and feel fantastic.  The thought of going back to my old diet (which was somewhat healthy by regular standards) is not appealing.

Now since the end of Lent I am more prone to sneak a bite of something here and there (even during the week), but I was trying to calculate how much butter, milk, eggs, and other dairy products I have avoided in the past three months.  Thinking of the gallons of milk products avoided.... it makes me nearly puke to just thinking about it.

Same thing goes for the piles of meat that have not been ingested.

Watching Man vs. Food on Travel Channel is now impossible without my being fully grossed out by Adam Richman and his dietary choices.  BAAAAARRRRRRFFFFFFFFFF.

Interestingly my weight loss has been less than expected.  I shed five pounds quickly, but leveled out.  Now this is because my diet is not low calorie.  I eat a lot.  If I am hungry, I eat.  Plus nuts and other foods are not low in fat either.

I am sleeping great, and my dreams are much more vivid.  No idea why.

Finally, vegan diet has eliminated most desserts... as they often have milk and eggs.  However, I have discovered wonderful vegan dark chocolates (hmmmm, maybe another reason the weight loss is not that much).  I have also learned about the cause of "Slave-Free Chocolate" and the mis-treatment of people in many coco producing countries.  If you are not checking on if your chocolate is grown in areas without slavery, you should be.  Turns out this is a serious human rights issue.  Who knew?