Let's start with our daily dose of Sarah:
"If you don't already have one, buy a gorgeous fruit bowl that you just love seeing on your dining table or in your kitchen: (You can find some great bargains at thrift stores!) Then fill it with your favorite fruits-and keep it filled!"
Sarah Taylor. Vegan in 30 Days: Get Healthy. Save the World. (Kindle Locations 237-239). Kindle Edition.
Check. I actually have a really cool wire basket that I picked up somewhere a while back, which I keep out on the kitchen counter and filled with apples and bananas at any given time. Well, it's been over 90 for the past few days, and the bananas look like they are ready for pudding - but you get the idea.
Sarah's point, and she always has one, is that you are much more likely to EAT fresh fruits if they are out in front of you, readily available. Anyhow, I'm ahead of the curve today, and am therefore freakin' invincible. I even ATE fruit out of the fruit basket today. Go Tina go.
You may recall, dearest reader, that yesterday I double-dog dared you to name your favorite non-vegan food, and I'd rustle up a substitute for you. We have "fried chicken" and "garlic chicken alfredo pizza." Sarah the Wise points out in her book that everyone who goes vegan has to give up something they love eventually....and I'm thinking fried chicken might be a toughie to sub out.
I used to love fried chicken, and chicken in general. "Used to" being the operative phrase. Now I eat it rarely, and never in a recognizeable form, because it completely grosses me out to do so. Why, you ask? I'll tell you why. I read "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer and learned exactly what happens when a chicken is processed. The section is pages long, so I'm not going to quote it for you. Let me just say - it's worse than you think. Seriously - we truly have no idea what we are eating. Do yourself a favor and read this book, even if you aren't interested in giving up meat.
For my cousin Queenie - the Garlic Alfredo Chicken pizza craver - here's a pizza recipe. Call me crazy, but it actually looks edible.
Before you think I'm getting all self-righteous on you, I freely admit that all I've done so far is give up red meat, and so I'm not suffering terribly or doing much "substituting" yet. But it seems to me that, rather than trying to find something that "tastes like" an animal product, it might be easier - and more flavorful - to just embrace the array of flavors you find in the plant world. Vine-ripened tomatoes are sick - sauteed mushrooms are amazing - avocados are flat-out foodgasmic. Throw them together on a vegan crust and BAM! Party time.
So she says, on Day 6.
Tune in tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel, for a day that I'm dreading, dreading, dreading. All for you - my dearest reader. All for you.
Don't give up yet! I HAVE had AMAZING fried vegan "chikn" - although admittedly I had to travel a ways to get it. Next time your in Southern California, go to Native Foods. They have a fried "chikn" sandwich to die for. Similarly, Watercourse in Denver has some kind of friend vegan chicken thing on the menu, which I never order because I can't quit ordering their Buffalo Seitan Wings with vegan ranch, or their Polenta Encrusted Portabello Mushroom Cap. But it looks amazing too and is a big hit.
ReplyDeleteIf the restaurants are making it, so can you! Although don't forget that these types of dishes are generally deep fried and still very unhealthy for you - much better than the meat version, but still not ideal. So when you do find that restaurant or recipe that makes your fried vegan chicken, garlic chicken alfredo pizza, or fudge (YES!), don't make it a daily habit!
By the way, for an incredibly chicken-like product, get Gardein Cutlets. Season them as you would chicken and top with your favorite sauce.
Well, there ya go.
ReplyDeleteAnd give up?? ME??? NEVER!
Ahem.
I put out the giant crystal fruit bowl I got for my wedding. Every time I look at it I am reminded of the couple who gave it to us and how the husband cheated on his wife, divorced her, then left her and their three kids penniless even though he's filthy rich. It's a magnificent bowl. I hope it isn't cursed.
ReplyDelete