We’ve completed another Vegan Month! The husband and I both successfully eschewed all animal products (mostly; there were a few packaged food slip-ups) for all of February. First off – No, we didn’t pick February because it’s the shortest month. But yes, we are glad we didn’t have to go another three days!
For the most part, the challenge was a success. Adam completed the entire month with me and I am so proud of him! Our main goal was to push ourselves back to the kitchen and that definitely happened. Other than the last week or so (which with 4+ tests would have been crazy even if we had a personal chef!) we pulled back from our take-out habit and got back to basics. I made a few old favorites, and discovered some great new vegan recipes. It was wonderful to get to flex my creative muscles in the kitchen again.
The part that wasn’t so successful was our attitude. We started strong, but towards the end we just couldn’t wait for the challenge to be over. I’m actually not sure I deem this longing a failure though. It wasn’t a “I want pizza and nachos and buffalo wings, oh my!” craving, all though those things did sound good. Instead I found myself desperate for scrambled eggs and lean meat. All I really wanted towards the end was a turkey sandwich. Unfortunately, since I couldn’t eat the sandwich I ate a lot of french fries instead.
Now that the challenge is over, we are going to return to our normal diet, with improvements. Adam is going to cut back on his milk consumption and mix it up with almond milk half the time. I’m going to continue to question whether or not every dish really needs cheese. We are going to continue to try to ratchet up our produce consumption. We’re going to continue to enjoy a lot of meatless meals, but we are also going to feel good about eating lean, humanely-sourced meats. We’re excited about it.
Now on to today’s lunch.
I finally got that turkey sandwich.
Chicken actually, this was a Sandwich Thin with horseradish mustard, 2% swiss, and Applegate Farms Organic Roasted Chicken Breast (more on that in a sec).
I usually tend towards turkey because I’m afraid chicken will be slimy, but this was anything but. I taste-tested while I assembled my sandwich last night and was very impressed. The roasting gave a great smokey flavor and one serving has just 60 calories.
Plus another juicy pear.
Ok, secs up: At the start of vegan month I received a rather ironic product sample –
a variety of meats from Applegate Farms. While I don’t have a moral issue with the consumption of animals, I do think it’s imperative that those animals be treated with respect. Applegate Farms makes products that mesh with my values.
When I opened the package to squirrel cold cuts into the freezer, I discovered they also sent a cute book, children’s illustrations alongside their food philosophy. I think this page sums up my response to the vegan challenge pretty well –
[Eat less meat, enjoy it more!]
Do you eat (any kind of) meat? Why or why not? What’s your food philosophy?
Eating Chalk 
I LOVE Applegate Products. And I love knowing that I’m supporting sustainable and ethical standards when I buy from them.
Good job on doing the vegan month! Any reduction in consuming animal products is always a good thing:)
Personally I’m vegan (so no meat) for moral reasons-I don’t believe it’s ever ethical to eat animals. I’ve done a lot of research on organic, sustainable, ‘ethically-raised’, etc.. and I still don’t believe the animals are treated right.
I think a lot of people see ‘organic’ and automatically assume healthier and moral treatment, but that certainly isn’t true.
Anyway, I understand that many people choose to continue consuming these products, so I think getting people to simply reduce their intake will have the most powerful effect.
Your last point sums up something the husband and I talk about all the time – it’s unrealistic for everyone to go vegetarian (and from all of my research I don’t believe that path is healthiest for everyone). BUT if everyone ate even one or two meatless meals a week then EVERYTHING – our bodies, our planet, our meat industry – could be healthier! It drives me crazy that there’s no push towards this.
Also, thank you so much for presenting a different opinion in such a respectful way.
I do not eat any meat. I have been a vegetarian for years. I give you credit for attempting to be a vegan for awhile. Being a vegan seems complicated. I think I will remain vegetarian for life.
Another saying around here is “Eat Less Better Meat!” Glad you enjoyed! Renee and the Applegate Crew