Lent 2012 - No Drinking Until Easter

I started this blog a year ago when I went "Vegan for Lent". While I had always given something up for Lent, last year was the first time that it had a real impact on my life.

Lent 2011 was a real test in sacrifice and dedication.  I was successful in my food choices and commitment to the process.... and felt fantastic.  I lost a little weight, and my mind was clear and focused.  After Lent ended my diet was forever changed.

While I did not remain a vegan, I did modify my eating habits.  I spent most of the year being "Vegan Leaning" - which meant Monday - Friday I kept vegan (mostly), and on the weekends I ate "Free-Style".  I found I could not over eat the meat and dairy on the weekends or I would not feel right.

My efforts Monday - Friday got derailed over the holidays, but I still avoid meat and dairy on most occasions.  I would estimate I am eating about 70% less meat and dairy than I did before my Lent experience of a year ago.

Tomorrow Lent begins again.  This year I am going to give up drinking any alcohol.  While I am not a lush, I do like wine, and I attend many events where it is common to have a drink.  I do not expect the level of sacrifice and commitment to the cause to be nearly as big of a deal as 2011.... but it will still take effort and making the right choices.

However... it is true that St. Patrick's Day, my wedding anniversary, and SXSW all happen during Lent!!!

No new blog this time (I figured 40 Days Dry was not as interesting as 40 Days Vegan!!!).

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Going Vegan for Lent

I am starting to hear from people who are considering going vegan for Lent.  They stumble upon my "Forty Days Vegan" blog through a Google search, or they know me personally.  In either case they are interested in trying a plant based diet as a Lent sacrifice, but have serious concerns, fears, questions or trepidations about giving up meat and dairy.

I am happy to answer any questions.  It was a great experience and the hardest thing I have ever given up for Lent.  In the end I was proud of my accomplishment and I felt really good.  The only way I can describe it is that my body felt "lighter", although I only lost 5 lbs.  The healthy feeling was so noticeable to me that I decided to keep it going (sort-of) since Easter (Granted, on Easter Sunday I ate all sorts of dairy and meat based foods.... but the after effect was I felt awful for two days).

I have not been a perfect vegan in the last 11 months, but I did do a good job of holding vegan for all of Lent (plus I started one week early to be sure I could handle the commitment).

During Lent there were two minor mis-steps:  1).  I asked a hostess at a party if the dip had any meat or dairy, to which she said "No".  Upon eating a small bite she remembered there was bacon in the dip.  No my fault, and such a minor amount.... I did not look at it as a mistake.   2).  I ate a spoonful of peanut butter that was a special "honey infused" peanut butter my wife had purchased.  Again, who would have dreamed there would be honey in peanut butter?  (yes, honey is not allowed.... it is made by bees!).

After Lent I created my own plan of being "Vegan Leaning".  Monday through Friday I try hard to make vegan diet choices (but do not beat myself up if there is not option on a menu or I choose to eat meat or dairy).  On the weekends I eat anything (and yes, some Sundays a steak calls me loudly to come eat it for dinner, and tastes soooo good!).  The trick for me is moderation!

I figure I am about 75% or 80% vegan most weeks, but only 50% on others.  Either way I feel good and am very happy with my decision to try being vegan for Lent last year.

Leave a comment or send me an email thom (at) thomsinger.com if you have any questions.

thom singer

The Holidays Were Not Quite Vegan

I found my "Vegan Leaning" lifestyle was toppled over during the holidays.  While I have not kept 100% vegan since the end of Lent (back in April 2011), I did do a good job of making "mostly" vegan choices Monday - Friday (Friday at 5 PM began my "eat anything weekends").

***Side note, I did find that I could not splurge on the weekends and go heavy on meat or dairy, as it made me feel like crap until Tuesday.  So while I would eat meat and dairy, I had to practice restraint since I have leaned my diet toward the plant based side of things.

Then came the holiday season.  The parties, my wife's baking, the relaxed schedule, etc.... all took my will power down a notch and I found myself not paying that much attention to my dietary choices.  After Christmas my family took a ski vacation and I had all kinds of things that would no qualify as "Vegan Leaning".

Now that 2012 has begun I am jumping back into my Monday - Friday efforts to eat mostly vegan meals.  I know I will still make some choices that do not qualify me for "Vegan of the Year", but I am certain I am healthier than I was before this journey began nearly one year ago.

Feel free to share your vegan story or words of encouragement on the comments section on this post or any of the others.  My favorite part of eating vegan has been the conversations I have had with people whom I know and with strangers who stumbled upon this blog.

thom singer

80% Plant Based Diet Is Better Than Nothing

I have had a good eight months eating a "sort-of" vegan diet.  The die-hard vegans do not like my wimpy rules around being "Vegan Leaning", but I have consumed only 20% of the meat and 10% of the dairy that my old diet contained.

One person challenged me that "Vegan Leaning" does not exist... but if you Google the term (in quotes) you will find several references (not all written by me) that support the positive aspects of eating in this manner.

I am still trying and I find when I eat too much meat or dairy my body feels lethargic.  I think the plant-based balanced diet gives me a more "clear" feeling and additional energy.

Granted I ate at Five Guys Hamburgers tonight... but according to the rules of "Vegan Leaning", Saturday and Sunday are open season for meat or dairy.  Plus, I ordered the single meat hamburger instead of the double meat cheeseburger of my past life.  That really is progress!  I often order the "veggie burger" in most restaurants, but Five Guys only offers a bun with tomatoes, lettuce and condiments as a meat replacement.  Sounds awfully dull.  I am not trying to bore my taste-buds to death.

Thanksgiving is in three days, and is not on a weekend, but special dispensation exists for giant feasts where all the other people are meat eaters (I don't want to be difficult).  Plus, no vegan should have to skip my wife's homemade pumpkin pie (yep, dairy, plus it is even better when topped with whipped cream).

While I started this simply for forty days back during Lent, it has become an ongoing part of my life.  I stumble a lot, but I do find myself more healthy and clear headed than when I was in a cheese and meat coma most of the time.

Eggs have become my main ongoing mulligan.  I do not eat them daily, but do find a good breakfast taco or egg white omelet can hit the spot and give me a boost of protein.  The best part of "Vegan Leaning" is I get to keep making the rules.

Not A Good Week For Vegan Leaning Choices

I was in Cleveland to deliver a keynote speech at a large conference.  I arrived late and the hotel was not located near any restaurants or other shops.  I was hungry when I went to the "Welcome Reception".  It did not take long to find all the food choices involved meat and cheese.

I had to eat, so I gathered the crackers and some strawberries.... but the I saw the "Lamb Lolly-Pops".  Oh come on, lamb has been my favorite meat since I was three years old.  There was a pile of lamb chops calling my name.  One would not be a problem.

I at six.

The following day my flight home did not serve food.  The kids had not eaten yet, as my wife was away, so once I had gotten everyone settled I ordered a pizza.  I was going to make a salad for myself.

I ate three slices of cheese pizza.

Ooops.

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.