The Circle of Life

Several years ago, when I started making Vegan Feast Thursday dinners, I struggled with the question of what the heck  to make.  Now, several years later (and a vegan myself) I struggle with the many, many choices!  Like so many other consumers, I have become more of a coupon clipper (gotta love Red Plum) and a value shopper, loving the BOGO (Buy One Get One free) offers at my local grocery store.  I try to stock up on some of these when they are offered and as a result have so many things to decide between, especially on Thursday nights, when I am cooking for more than just myself or just Mitch and I.  With taco kits in the pantry, whole wheat angel hair pasta in the pantry, pita breads in the freezer and tofu blocks in the fridge I thought about making a meal around one of those, but since I have to go to the store for the fresh stuff and Boca Crumbles are BYGO, I think I will try to make good on my promise to Pete and make Shepherdless Pie as a “back to school,” treat.  It’s not only Pete’s favorite, but also a great do-ahead dish, so that I can cook and be mostly cleaned up before the guests even arrive.

I’ll balance out the too many calories from the potato topping and too much sodium from the crumbles with a huge salad and a big bowl of roasted veggies (must-go) from my fridge.  I know I have eggplant, cauliflower, portobello mushrooms and more that simply–must go!  I’ll get some fresh fruit for dessert and probably make some guacamole from all the avocados my students have been bringing me.  Might as well make some hummus and pull out a bag of pita bread from the freezer.  I can cut them up into triangles and heat to serve with the hummus and guac.  Then again, there are those everything pretzel crisps I got on a BYGO that would also work.  And what about…no, no, that’s enough!

I dedicate this blog to those of you that are just leaning into this lifestyle as well as to those that wonder what the heck vegans eat besides lettuce and tofu.  I offer this warn to the newbies…there are SO many choices that this is not a way to lose weight unless you watch your calories just like anyone else.  With items like pasta, bagels, french-fries, cocoa, and even Oreos being vegan, it’s really easy to over-eat!  Trust me.  I never enjoyed food as much as I do since I made the lean in.  What might start out as a challenge as to what to eat due to limitations, clearly ends up being a challenge in decision making!

Now, I am off to walk Blaze and then go right to the grocery store for the BYGO crumbles before I change my mind….again.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your health and fitness progress with me.  From pounds and inches lost, to stamina and energy gained, from lower blood pressure and cholesterol to higher reps and faster runs, from less medication to easier breathing and  more happiness and peace, I am so proud of you and reminded of why I am so passionate about all this!  Keep taking care of yourselves, each other and the world around you and please, keep sharing your accomplishments.  They are huge and definitely help to motivate me, to hopefully keep motivating you.  It’s the circle…the circle of life.