Just sometimes...

Most people think that being vegan is difficult and expensive.  It's neither.  I learned everything I needed to within the first month I was vegan, and I spend just as much money on veggies and whole grains that I would on meat and dairy.

Today is a day that I will say that being vegan is difficult.  I feel weird.  My heart is beating faster than usual, I'm shaky, and I feel really anxious and it can't be controlled.  I know exactly why.  It's because I haven't been eating enough.  What seems like enough really isn't.  A few weeks ago I counted my calories in one day.  I didn't even make it to 1,000.  Today, it's after lunch, and I haven't even hit the 500 mark.  I really need to eat more!

Some say that losing weight means cutting out calories.  That's true...to an extent.  Not eating enough calories can actually sustain your weight or make you gain more.  The key is eating the good calories.  I try to follow the Superhero plan, but that's where it gets expensive and difficult.  It would be even more difficult for me to get the appropriate amount of calories.  Obviously, eating under 1000 calories in one day is not nearly enough for me.  I should be around 1300 - 1400, which could be another meal, or a couple healthy snacks in the middle of the day.

Time to rethink my daily meals!

Carmela Soprano's Baked Ziti...veganized!

Last night I made an attempt at making one of my favorite dishes from before I went vegan.  I just changed up a few things and veganized it so I could enjoy this delicious novelty!  Here's the recipe:

1 box/package of ziti
1 lb. spicy Italian sausage
1 package of mushrooms
1 (or 2, depending on how cheesy you want it) package Italian blend cheese, or mozzerella
2 jars marinara
Any other veggies you wish to add...green peppers would be a very good addition!

Cook ziti using direction on box/package. While ziti is cooking, brown the sausage.  Once the sausage is almost done cooking add the mushrooms.  Add the marinara to the sausage and mushroom mixture. Simmer until warm. 

When the ziti is done cooking, combine the marinara mixture with the noodles.  In a baking pan, spray with Pam. Add one layer of noodles, then a layer of cheese.  Add another layer of noodles, then one more layer of cheese.  Layer as many times as you'd like, I usually do two layers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes, until cheese is browned and edges are crispy!

Enjoy!

Here's the veganized version:

1 box/package of brown rice/whole wheat ziti
1 lb. vegan Italian sausage (I prefer Field Roast)
1 package of mushrooms
1 package of Daiya mozzerella cheese
2 jars marinara

It's pretty similar, I'm just substituting the non-vegan items for vegan items. Done and done!  The cooking directions are the same, but the vegan Italian sausage doesn't take very long to cook.

I have yet to find a vegan cheese that actually tastes good.  I thought I had found it with this Daiya brand, but that's a big negatory.  It's not stringy like regular cheese. Someone please help me find this cheese!  I know, I'll invent it myself.  Who's with me?

Walter

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to fly to Boise to meet Amy and Bob's baby, Walter.  We had so much fun, and I brought him his first cheesehead!  He's a little too small for it right now, but he'll grow into it soon enough.

I haven't been around too many babies in the past, so Amy was happy to show me what to do.  Walter is only two months old and I can tell already that Amy was a natural at taking care of her little guy!

Isn't he a cutie??

I feel awful that I can't be there to see him grow into a handsome little boy and one day a strapping young lad.  Maybe I should move to Boise, eh?

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Just made some vegan Mac & Cheese from Chef Chloe. Not as good as I was hoping. It's been difficult finding things that taste like cheese so I will be the first to admit it...Vegan "cheese" is crap!