I fell off the no Cheese wagon for a while
JasonSwetland
Posts: 235 Member
The following is an excerpt from my blog today, I just felt like sharing for Vegans who struggle. Link is at the bottom.
The endless journey, weightloss is. While I am not the picture of near death that I was last summer, and while I am not 306 pounds of blubber and tuber- flubbering my way breathlessly down the stairs, I have allowed myself to roll backward. 30 pounds backwards. That Sucks
Instead of being angry with myself and instead of giving up I have instead renewed my vows to enjoy Veganism on the holiest of all Vegan days: November 1, World Vegan day. Many flesh eaters enjoy the savory taste of salty iron infused meat but I have not done that myself or slipped down that slippery slope. I did however slide off the wagon when it comes to cheese.
This is indeed the greatest challenge most people have when converting to Veganism from vegetarianism. Combat ready vegans often come running fists held high to chastise you for having difficulty in such challenges, but I would instead encourage you to think about what is out there to replace that cheese in that dish. Why do you want it? What’s in it for you?
What’s in it.... for you?
You see that’s just it. This journey is for you, when you make that leap. You need to ask that question over and over again if you are going to do this.
Just like this journey is for me. No matter what the reason is that naysayer doomsayer or judgmental super power vegan says we are in this for us. If ethics are the reason, you still need to ask what’s in it, for you?
Why do I ask myself that? I'm not going to make the change until I am ready and know what I can substitute for my cheese or any other animal product that I eat.
You shouldn't either.
When you're ready you do this you need a plan. You need a plan, so you can succeed.
I plan on talking to myself about where I gotta have cheese and where I don't. I have to do a taste texture smell assessment and determine if I need that on my food. If I do need cheese on that food, I need to go get a cheese substitute like the Daiya shreds or some other brand of cheese shreds. I make my own cashew nut cheese which has a great garlic smell and even the most hardcore of evil meat eaters love it. I'm bringing some with me when ever I need it.
In some cases like my Chipotle and Baja Sol burritos and Burrito bowls to go, I don’t need cheese or sour cream. Believe me I USED to need that. I learned instead that Guacamole is a pretty good substitute. After eating it three or four times it worked for me. That might not work for you. Need cheese on those tacos, burritos or your pizza? Can you order a cheese-less item and bring your Daiya shreds in a ziplock and add them after its made?
Keep it on the down low as some restaurants will whine about health code stuff.
There are lots of strategies to use to defeat the hypnotic power cheese has over me and it can work for you when you are ready to try it. You are worth it by the way. Take baby steps and you’ll get there one day at a time. Plan an all Vegan day one day a week. Then add another. And another.
Another thing I love: Coffee. I get it with Soymilk because most of the big chain places only sell it with Soy. I like the alternated veggimilks and you might too.
Don’t like soy milk and want Starbucks? Bring a small container of your favorite rice, almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk, or other alternative milk and ask them to leave room for it. They will.
So no more cheese and back to Veggiholicsism.
Back to the thinner better, healthier, happier, everythinger me.
I wish the same for you.
When you're ready.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/JasonSwetland/view/fat-again-441902
The endless journey, weightloss is. While I am not the picture of near death that I was last summer, and while I am not 306 pounds of blubber and tuber- flubbering my way breathlessly down the stairs, I have allowed myself to roll backward. 30 pounds backwards. That Sucks
Instead of being angry with myself and instead of giving up I have instead renewed my vows to enjoy Veganism on the holiest of all Vegan days: November 1, World Vegan day. Many flesh eaters enjoy the savory taste of salty iron infused meat but I have not done that myself or slipped down that slippery slope. I did however slide off the wagon when it comes to cheese.
This is indeed the greatest challenge most people have when converting to Veganism from vegetarianism. Combat ready vegans often come running fists held high to chastise you for having difficulty in such challenges, but I would instead encourage you to think about what is out there to replace that cheese in that dish. Why do you want it? What’s in it for you?
What’s in it.... for you?
You see that’s just it. This journey is for you, when you make that leap. You need to ask that question over and over again if you are going to do this.
Just like this journey is for me. No matter what the reason is that naysayer doomsayer or judgmental super power vegan says we are in this for us. If ethics are the reason, you still need to ask what’s in it, for you?
Why do I ask myself that? I'm not going to make the change until I am ready and know what I can substitute for my cheese or any other animal product that I eat.
You shouldn't either.
When you're ready you do this you need a plan. You need a plan, so you can succeed.
I plan on talking to myself about where I gotta have cheese and where I don't. I have to do a taste texture smell assessment and determine if I need that on my food. If I do need cheese on that food, I need to go get a cheese substitute like the Daiya shreds or some other brand of cheese shreds. I make my own cashew nut cheese which has a great garlic smell and even the most hardcore of evil meat eaters love it. I'm bringing some with me when ever I need it.
In some cases like my Chipotle and Baja Sol burritos and Burrito bowls to go, I don’t need cheese or sour cream. Believe me I USED to need that. I learned instead that Guacamole is a pretty good substitute. After eating it three or four times it worked for me. That might not work for you. Need cheese on those tacos, burritos or your pizza? Can you order a cheese-less item and bring your Daiya shreds in a ziplock and add them after its made?
Keep it on the down low as some restaurants will whine about health code stuff.
There are lots of strategies to use to defeat the hypnotic power cheese has over me and it can work for you when you are ready to try it. You are worth it by the way. Take baby steps and you’ll get there one day at a time. Plan an all Vegan day one day a week. Then add another. And another.
Another thing I love: Coffee. I get it with Soymilk because most of the big chain places only sell it with Soy. I like the alternated veggimilks and you might too.
Don’t like soy milk and want Starbucks? Bring a small container of your favorite rice, almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk, or other alternative milk and ask them to leave room for it. They will.
So no more cheese and back to Veggiholicsism.
Back to the thinner better, healthier, happier, everythinger me.
I wish the same for you.
When you're ready.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/JasonSwetland/view/fat-again-441902
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Replies
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Thank you for this!
I am starting week 4 of eating vegan after 4 + years vegetarian. I slipped off the wagon a bit last night and had a tiny slice of the pizza I made for my kids.
Not to happy with myself to be honest.
Thanks for helping me get some perspective and strategies to deal with that temptation next time!0 -
Brie,Cheddar and Goat Cheese are my weaknesses--plus eggs with Hollandaise on brunch Sundays-along with half and half in coffee--so Thank You for this...those products are absolutely LETHAL to my body----
On another note Cashew Cheese is a staple--it's like the tofu of vegan cheese--has the same interchangeable qualities--you can put in cinnamon and dates--or currant.dried cranberries,honey--etc-- for a sweet spread --as well as the savory ingredients--like scallions.
I love it--spread plain on Asian pears--yum!
So easy to make--simply put raw cashews in the processor--a small quantity of water --enough to make it spreadable--a squeeze of lemon --process and refrigerate---it thickens up as it gets colder
Another great natural dressing...tahini--.blend sesame seeds --a little olive oil and parsley* and soy sauce..wonderfully healthy
natural low-cal and tasty---for raw veggies as a snack or over salad0 -
Daiya is also an option if you need cheese!0
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Cheese was the hardest for me when I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan. I find I do better making recipes that are not cheese-centric so I am not constantly "substituting". I make soups, stews, curries, casseroles, stirfries, etc., none of them feature cheese ( dairy or alternative) and guess what? They taste amazing. Yes! There is life after cheese:)0
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I had some cheese recently too. I was seduced by the fact that it came from an old order Amish farm - in fact I bought it at the farm. They advertised "raw milk cheese". And it was a lovely farm, and the lady who sold it had her dress all pinned together with straight pins.
However, as wholesome and politically correct this cheese may be - it will still coat my arteries.0 -
Thank you for this post, I have indulged recently in more cheese than I care to admit (and ranch dressing and candy bars) and I know that this is the reason that I have not lost any more weight. It is hard, especially when working three jobs, but I am bound and determined to get back on the wagon!0
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Thanks for sharing! This has been me for the last few years. I have the knowledge why one should be vegan, but it's always a struggle to apply it to real life.0
