VEGAN: WEEK 1

My idea was to share this every Sunday, but life happens, jury duty calls for Monday and catching up on Tuesday is the pits. Anyway.

I survived my first week of going vegan and I didn't die. Shocking? No, but I was pretty dramatic up until the day I started:

“Should I really go vegan? Maybe I should just eliminate meat and keep eating dairy and eggs. I’m going to be miserable and starving. What if I want a Frosty? What am I going to do about my Frosty?” No for real, I was deeply concerned about the Frosty.

Then I had to get it together.

1)    “You don’t need a dang Frosty.”

2)    “You will be fine without cheese. Chill.”

3)    “You’re at the store, so buy food so you won’t be hungry.”

4)    “No, you really don’t need a Frosty so stop it.

Coming to grips of not needing a Frosty, I cooked meals I planned for the week, including this vegetable medley I ate two bowls of (hey, it’s vegetables not cooked in oil so it’s a good splurge).

I didn’t measure for this recipe and because I used frozen vegetables I really eyed it. Note: I know fresh is best, but when you’re on a budget frozen is the next best thing sans anything with sauce or seasoning.

Ingredients:

- Zucchini

- Squash

- Low or no salt black beans

- ½ cup of uncooked brown rice

- No salt added stewed tomatoes

- Red, green and yellow peppers

- Avocado

- Any other vegetable your heart desires

Coat medium-large size pan with non-stick cooking spray (I opt for Trader Joes non-stick olive oil). Add vegetables, except avocado, and cook at medium-medium low.

Drain beans, add seasoning desired and cook at medium with lid. Stir to prevent sticking.

Cook brown rice as normal, adding a pinch of salt and lime juice for a kick.***

Once your vegetables are cooked, set aside and cover. Cut avocado into slices or chunks and set aside. When your beans and rice are cooked, add in a bowl. Top it off with your cooked vegetables, top with avocado and ta-da. You can also add  salsa, which I did for lunch one day, and it was quite delicious.

I'm on week 2 now and I’m attempting some egg substitutes. Applesauce as eggs for the pancakes? I can’t see this going wrong.