A Turkeyless Thanksgiving

     Today has been my 12^th day of eating no meat! Overall, I have not had any problems because I have been eating whatever I wanted, except meat. I've lost 6 pounds so far and I've been indulging in my sweet tooth heavily. I’m predicting that this Honeymoon phase will need to be over and I will have to eat more sensibly, still omitting meat.

The "kids" table on Thanksgiving 2012 

     I researched several meatless Thanksgiving options and there was so much information out there. More people are vegetarians than I thought. I found a recipe for a “Torfurkey” and gathered all the ingredients. Unfortunately on Thanksgiving Eve I was on the “hot mess express” and slept the whole day on Thanksgiving, not getting a chance to actually make my Tofurkey. I did notice on my first time drinking alcohol since becoming vegetarian that my tolerance was a lot lower than normal, making me a lot drunker, quicker.

My sisters, Winston and I smiling with a full belly on Thanksgiving

     On Thanksgiving Day we always go to my Aunt Columbia’s house and there is an obscene amount of food. One turkey is not even enough! My mom has to cook another turkey breast to feed our growing party! This year I took notice that the only meat dish was actually the turkey. I also realized that my favorite dish on Thanksgiving is the stuffing, not the main attraction the turkey! And I’m not the only one. When I looked around at my cousins and sisters plates, turkey was not outshining the side dishes. I am not lying when I say I was 100% satisfied with my meal, a little over satisfied for my top pants button. I did however have gravy; witch is made from the turkey’s fat. Other than Thanksgiving any gravy I have eaten has had no animal products in it.

My Aunt Ellie and I adopted Gable the Turkey from the Farm Sanctuary! He is now safe for life and was able to eat a Thanksgiving dinner of his own. You can still adopt Gable's friends too! (no pressure)

http://www.farmsanctuary.org/giving/adopt-a-turkey/

     An early survival secret I have used is the magic of substitution. One of my favorite breakfasts is eggs benedict. I work at IHOP so I’m surrounded by breakfast foods all the time. Since my crossover, I've been ordering eggs benne with no ham sub spinach, and it’s amazing! I also got a sandwich from subway, and ordered it exactly how I normally would, except omitted the meat. I don’t know if I’m brainwashing myself, but I really saw no difference. They put so little meat on there anyway; I think I was concentrating on what was really delicious. Honestly, can you taste the little thin bit of turkey they put on there under all the other toppings, cheeses and sauces?

When I do make my Tofurkey one of these days, I hope it comes out as good as this one! 

     So far, so good in the vegetarian world. I’m now moving forward with the idea of not eating every tasty dessert just because I’m not eating meat. Instead I’m going to eat as much sweets as I would normally if I had meat in my diet. I’m going to try and exercise more and relax more in general. Today I signed up for yoga classes and I’m excited to see what the effect will be on my body. Alicia Silverstone said in “The Kind Diet” that the more meat, animal products and processed sugar you eliminate from your diet, the more in tune you become with your body and mind. I’m keeping that in mind everyday with each step that I take closer to that goal of natural balance J

Dumping Meat and Flirting with Kindness

During the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I spent an evening in the library basking in all the electricity. I started looking in the cooking section, looking forward to when the power comes back and I can cook a tasty new meal for my family. I came across Alicia Silverstone’s book “The Kind Diet”. I remember seeing her on Oprah years ago and was always interested in her ideology. I finished it a couple of days ago. Now I’m prepared and excited to flirt my way into a kind lifestyle.

About to dig into a Haggis Shepherd's Pie in Edinburgh, Scotland 

I am the polar opposite of a picky eater and will try just about anything. I've eaten everything from kangaroo (soo delicious), ostrich and quail to alligator, frog legs and sea urchin. In Scotland I devoured Haggis (sheep heart liver and lungs), in Austria I enjoyed pig’s knuckle and when in Paris I snacked on escargot. When actually saying it out loud, it seems a bit gruesome but it was normal foods in different cultures around the world.

Excited for my first Escargot experience in Paris, France 

I’m the one of the group who orders the chef’s special and rarely order the same thing twice. I love to try something I've never had or ever even heard of before. The more flavor in the dish the better in my book. That is why when I was in Australia this past spring; I was surprised to notice myself eating barely any meat.

Smiling with my Kangaroo Burger in Sydney, Australia 

In Australia I was backpacking on a budget and not paying much attention to my health. In general, Australians eat way less meat than we do in America. The more I paid attention to my food choices; I noticed if I had a choice between a meat and vegetarian dish, the meat was rarely winning. I was barley sleeping, eating whatever I felt like and drinking way too much “Goon” (boxed wine). I was not taking care of myself but I had heaps of energy. How was this possible? Maybe it was my diet. Maybe it was the fresh Australian air. I’ll never know for sure until I test it out for real. As I was reading “The Kind Diet”, I was taking note of how I have already unintentionally participated in the beginning steps of this life style and it doesn't seem that intimidating. It actually was exciting. Maybe I can do this and live like this. If I cut out meat and maybe beyond, what’s the worst that could happen??

Goon, Goon and more Goon in Byron Bay, Australia 

                                      

I decided last week that today was going to be my last day eating meat and am mentally well prepared. I was forcing myself to eat meat all day long to get my last kicks in. I took a trip to Trader Joe’s and was prepared to search out some vegetarian meals so I don’t make a big disturbance at dinner time. I was overwhelmed with the choices for vegetarian and even vegan diets. All kinds of flavors and exciting ingredients that I've never heard of before. This seems way to fun and easy already. I dragged my mom and sister to Outback Steakhouse for my last carnivore meal. I split a 12 oz prime rib and  giant burger with my mom. I felt like I was forcing myself to enjoy every bite but I wasn't really enjoying it as much as I thought I would. After really listening to where that meat came from and what it does to me, my animal friends and the planet, maybe my subconsciousness was rejecting something I would usually drool over. It was like I was ready to be done with the meat gorging already.

Forcing a smile because I'm so full already at my last meaty meal at Outback in Commack, New York

Finally I got on the scale right before finishing writing this and I was appalled by the number that was looking up at me. I know I've been feeling a little extra beefy lately, but I didn't realize just how beefy I actually have gotten. Maybe I will reveal that number when I’m feeling a little more kind toward myself. I’m going to be paying extra close attention to my body and what it’s trying to tell me during this new journey. My friends and family all think this is another crazy idea of mine and it will be short lived. If this kind of lifestyle really gives you energy and make you feel wonderful like Alicia says, then oh boy watch out world!

Goodnight meat. 

I'm a huge animal lover and want to stop eating meat for more than my health! 

Cheers to you, Mr. Kangaroo ;)

Brisbane, Australia