Vegan Day 1: Bread? Really?

Today I learned an important lesson about being a vegan: dairy and eggs are in EVERYTHING.

I woke up starving and a bit uneasy about what I was going to eat for breakfast and dinner, as I haven't been the the grocery store in ages and my cupboards are bare. Literally, they're bare because all of my food was here.

I had a bit of an ant "situation" in my cupboards and had to take everything out, fumigate and start over. Apparently, ants like graham crackers. The one (unopened) sleeve I had looked like an ant farm. Ew. And gross.

My plan was to pack an almond butter and jelly sandwich in my lunch. Quick and delicious! When I looked at the bread ingredients, however, I noticed the last one: nonfat milk. Why? Why, why, why? I quickly regrouped and packed a giant salad instead. Thank heavens for my CSA, which provided 90% of the ingredients for this impromptu lunch:

I topped this with some hummus and was good to go. For breakfast, I realized I had no fresh fruit in my house (I swear, I'm normally more prepared) so I rummaged in the freezer and found juuuust enough frozen fruit to make a smoothie.

This is made of banana, blueberries, unsweetened soy milk and oatmeal (for staying power). Oh, and look at my new smoothie cup! It's it pretty?!? I walked around work all morning yesterday introducing it to my coworkers. They weren't as impressed as they should have been. I mean, it has a screw-on lid. That's fancy.

My breakfast and lunch were tasty but not the most filling meals in the world, so as soon as I got home (from the GROCERY STORE, finally) I speed-cooked exactly what I was craving: rice and beans.

Happy happy. So happy. This is your standard weird ingredient-filled yellow rice (mmm...MSG) topped with black beans I sauteed with garlic, onion, a can of Rotel and spices. Layered on top of that is simple sauteed yellow squash, avocado and salsa. With chips on the side for crunch. So good I didn't miss cheese or sour cream at all. Vegan success! Unless one of the weird ingredients in the rice wasn't vegan. Then, fail.

I'm off to make a very, very non-vegan cake for a work party tomorrow. The positive: I actually hate this kind of cake so I won't be tempted to eat any. Score!

Comments

[Lesley]

I love your smoothie cup! I bought one with a twist-on lid too, because otherwise I always spilled it in the car.

You should get a bread machine (or, ask for one for Christmas or something). Most bread recipes don't call for eggs or the powdered milk. The only downside is because there are no preservatives, you have to use or try to freeze the bread pretty quick. But it's soooooo much better than just about any store-bought bread.

[Autumn @ Good Eats Girl]

Love the smoothie cup!

I don't know a whole lot about a vegan diet, so I am excited to see how this month goes for you!

[brandi]

I love that smoothie cup! And good luck on vegan month - you can do it!

[Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit!]

I, for one, am impressed by the smoothie cup. I mean, a screw-on lid? It doesn't get any better than that.

You are such a good vegan! If I had been doing this challenge and saw milk in the bread ingredient list, I would have just said "screw it".

(I would just like to note that I used the word "screw" TWICE in this comment. I win!)

[Ashley @ thehungryscholar]

I'm impressed with (1) that new smoothie cup and (2) your ability to make a cake while vegan. You are quite the challenger!

[Sarah]

Love the smoothie cup! I actually talked myself out of buying a set of 3 that I saw at Costco...but now that you mention it, a screw on lid IS totally worth it :)