Around the blog world today, some people are participating in a “Vegan for a Day” challenge. Though I’m not officially partaking, it’s probable that my meals today will qualify, as much of the time, the foods I choose happen to be acceptable for vegans.
vegan eating: bulgur, sautéed vegetables, cashews, pumpkin-hummus sauce
I’ve been eating in a vegan-influenced manner for almost two years, when my roommate returned to our Prague apartment from the holiday week away bearing the news: as a New Year’s resolution, she had decided to become vegan.
As she navigated her new lifestyle, we both began experimenting with foods we had never considered before. Fake meat, vegan cupcakes, and soy cheeses weren’t available in Prague, and so, my first exposure to veganism was closely tied to whole, unprocessed foods. Plant-based foods such as chickpeas, walnuts, and millet quickly replaced chicken breasts and cheese as kitchen staples. The amount of vegetables in our grocery carts grew, and I found myself able to do nearly an entire week’s grocery haul at a local fruit and vegetable market.
Watching – and participating in – this transition transformed my eating style into what it is today.
vegan snacking: almond milk, granola, dried figs, almonds
There are times when I find it difficult to explain what exactly that style is. I could call myself mostly vegetarian, but there are vegetarians who live on cookies, fettucine alfredo, and grilled cheeses. I could explain that I am health-conscious, but that term seems riddled with diet talk of protein-loading and carb-restricting. [And I love my carbs and never worry about protein].
I could use the term “balanced,” but that doesn’t illustrate the lack of meat. I don’t feel that meat should come close to forming the majority of one’s diet, but I also don’t believe there is anything inherently wrong with consuming it (or dairy, for that matter), provided that the farms they come from abide by responsible, moral, and sustainable standards. And that is why I usually tell people that I am vegetarian “most of the time.” Then, I don’t have to be perfect.
vegan oat-y breakfast
Outside the comfort of my kitchen, there are times when I choose to stick to vegetarian food. I got into a routine during baseball season, where I would pack a sandwich to bring into the stadium. Side by side, my dad would eat his corned beef and pastrami on rye, and I would eat my dulse and avocado on sprouted wheat. We both did what made us happy, and more importantly, we watched the Yankees play their way to world champions.
Other times, however, I choose to be flexible. I recently worked on a shoot where lunch was provided: a small salad, corn salsa, mashed sweet potatoes, barbecued chicken, brisket. I was very hungry, had only one snack of my own in my purse, and I had several more hours of work ahead of me. I knew the small amount of vegetarian sides weren’t going to cut it, so I ate my piece of non-organic chicken. Does this make me a hypocrite? I don’t think so. I did what was best for me, given the circumstances.
Likewise, I’m not going to cook with chicken broth, but if my grandmother has cooked a soup that includes it? I’ll grab a spoon and a bowl and enjoy the time I have with her. And if I’m in a gourmet restaurant, and my father suggests we all share an appetizer of duck and quail? I’m going to nod and appreciate the experience.
I should say, of course, that I strongly believe it is possible to be vegan and never make a single concession. [Gena recently provided some wonderful tips on this topic.] But for me, it’s no secret that I went through a very restrictive period. I wanted – and needed – to come to a point where I could allow myself to eat anything and everything, healthy, vegan, or not.
I’ve since learned an important lesson: I live best when I place myself in no category at all. Perhaps it would be easier for other people to understand my habits if I labeled myself with a certain title. But I don’t live my life for others; I live it for myself. And after a long battle, it’s nice to finally be practicing what works for me.
I’m very curious: What works best for you? Do your eating habits fit in a specific category? Do you make concessions based on circumstances? Do you find it difficult to explain yourself to others?
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Thanks for the shout! Nothing is more important in life than embracing one’s own self, whether that’s dietary choices, hobbies, or career. Kudos to you for knowing who you are.
Best stated :)
It’s so silly to try and define yourself. I love how you emphasize that each person should do what he/she finds works best on an individual basis.
I am a vegetarian, but I do make a small concession here and there…if something has chicken broth/stock, I pretend it’s vegetarian. Whoops.
While I enjoy veggie burgers and the like, I do love to use beans, vegetables, and grains as the basis of my diet. I definitely think that everyone could benefit from eating more of these items and less meat, especially as it is a more sustainable diet for such a rapidly growing global population.
I try as much as possible to use whole foods rather than processed — I do love Boca Burgers but would rather make my own veggie burgers instead.
this post was GREAT!! i want all of your eats.. :)
I refuse to label myself when it comes to food. I eat meat, and I don’t apologise for it. I don’t have it often and could quite easily go for 6 months without eating it and not miss it, but as soon as I attach a name to my eating habits, it screams “restrictive” in my head. I am working towards being completely free around food- with both my own hang-ups and the “rules” we are bombarded with (“Eat X/don’t eat Y!!!”) and that means eating freely, with the choices available to me.
loved this post, i love what Ellie said above! when it comes to my eating habits, i guess one would say i am a lacto vegetarian, i eat only yogurt etc..from animals and i have had an egg on rare occasions, i think its hard to explain why i am a veg. to others, they imidiately think its an ED thing, but for me, i choose to eat like this becasue it fits Maya, and I love to eat from the, earth, pure and natural(never liked chicken etc..) BUT i do like fish, salmon used to be my fave food! but i think my ed gets hung up on “rules” and i dont allow myself to eat outside my vegetarianism..but one day at a time and soon i can eat freely with no quilt or rules :) Balance is key! and so is flexibility, loved all the point you made in this post, and i love that bulgur dish at the top(SO up my ally ;)
def going to make that!
love you~!
maya
p.s looong comment lol.
loved this topic :) I eat mostly a vegetarian diet, probably semi vegan on some days, but i eat greek yogurt and regular ice cream or gelato etc on occasion…its hard to label myself, because i dont know what i am really, well i know i am a vegetarian but i feel like Eliza really likes fish, but doesnt eat it because i want to remain true to my vegetarianism, yet we should all just eat what fits us best, and thats hard for me to do.
although i think my diet fits me well, i love grounding whole grains, lots of nuts and seeds, and i love beans, i feel like my diet is really wholesome and grounding…i’ve never liked meat, or chicken that much, but i loved salmon before i became a veg.
love all your views on this topic, you are so insightful and intelligent, i think you need to work for a health mag…have i said that before haha ? ;) love you Leslie.
xx
Eliza
I’ve certainly become more of a vegetarian (I do still eat organic chicken and fish) but am incorporating more veggies, beans, pulses etc into my diet. I wanted more of a variety and didn’t wanna get bored with the same foods or get stuck in a rut.
So funny that people feel the need to categorize one’s eating habits — yet we (especially girls) do it all the time. In the bigger picture it seems so insignificant, right? I myself, as you know, am all over the place — some days I eat sweet potatoes, greek yogurt and kale, and others I’m loving bagels with cream cheese, pizza and cupcakes. I love the inconsistency because it keeps me sane — depriving myself of treats that I truly crave now and then is, in my opinion, an unhealthy way to live. So if I had to categorize myself I guess I’d call myself a natural foods enthusiast with a healthy amount of not-so-natural food cravings.
I love your philosophy. Whole foods really are where it’s at.
this is a great post. i am having a really hard time sticking with the foods that are good for my stomach. that is just foods which are high in soluble fiber and NO insoluble fiber. which basically cuts out almost all veggies and fruits. it’s frustrating but i know i need to do it to get better. i am not categorizing my food for life, but right now i need to do this to even be able to eat all foods again
such an amazing post. you’re so insightful. I completely agree! I fit into no category. I went vegan for a day and it was extremely difficult for me. I, too, realized that no category is the best category for me. lots of love :):)
Leslie, your posts are always so insightful and amazing! I agree with one of your readers – you should write for health/food magazine. Your writing style and pictures are perfect.
I wouldn’t classify myself as vegetarian since I’ll eat a bit of fish/meat when that’s the only option available. Although I can’t remember the last time I ate some. While I try to eat as much whole foods as I can, I also do not restrict myself from fun stuff like chocolates and ice cream.
living without a label is much more ‘do-able’ and while I strive for a mainly vegetarian way of eating, hell I’ll say it, I can not live without my sushi :D we should embrace the moment rather than living life through an invisible barrier.
Wow, these comments are great!
I am so excited to see that #VeganWeek has sparked a discussion about what we eat (and don’t) — that’s, to me, the most important thing.
And you reminded me that I have enough bulgur in my pantry to last a lifetime, so I need to make some yummies with it!
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by thewholeplate: appreciating veganism, but staying category-free: http://www.thewholeplate.com/2009/11/19/category-free/ #veganweek…
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