Veganuary 2018

[lurchermummy]

Myself and DD aged 16 are going to try a vegan diet for January. DD is already vegetarian and I was vegetarian for many years although recently not. I really want to try a lighter healthier plant based way of eating, feel blurgh after all the rich food of Christmas, and am really keen to see if it helps my psoriasis. If we like it we may well continue but I signed up for Veganuary to give us a focus. DD2 is a fussy eater and not a big fan of vegetables so that may be tricky, DH is happy to eat vegetarian but vegan may be a step too far for him. Would really welcome any tips for adaptable family meals eg. sausage and mash, I can do vegan sausages for us and meat for them. I'm actually really looking forward to it now!

Lazy night here - sheese on toast. In part because I need to give my belly a break. Am I alone in experiencing stratospheric flatulence? I've been eating loads of lentils so I guess it's that....

I've just scoffed a Fry's pie with new potatoes, veg and onion gravy. Just what I needed tonight - quick and carby!

I've got the new HFW book - it is fab.

Definitely a bit windy here travail but not as much as I thought I'd be thank goodness . I think that is due to no dairy.

Wind factor has been high here too, but it's getting better. Homemade carrot and lentil soup for dinner, followed by Quorn splodge. Tasty enough but I find the texture a bit odd. I'm taking some to work tomorrow for lunch.

So much wind, especially in the evenings! And I ate lots of veg before as a veggie. Not sure what's changed really...

Oh my word the farting! Horrendous. Getting better today thankfully. I too switched from vegetarian so I'm struggling to see why it's so bad but bloody hell!

Smoothie for breakfast, Roast veg risotto for lunch. I'm eating late tonight as been to the gym so just having sweet potato and butternut squash soup with some toast. For snacks I've had walnuts and a naked bar. Been too busy today to really think about food much.

I reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaally want the new HFW book!

Baked spaghetti squash tonight and tossed it in a sauce made from onions, yellow peppers, carrots, spinach, tomato sauce and soyrizo - bloody delicious

Sweetest before you cook with it, you need to press tofu for a lot longer than you think to get a good texture. Also, make sure you are using the fresh firm tofu from the chilled section, not the silken one that comes in a carton.

Put a load of kitchen towel on a breadboard, then the tofu on top of that, then more kitchen towel, then another breadboard and all your heaviest recipe books, and press it for at least ten minutes and ideally half an hour. I ended up buying a tofu press and that's brilliant.

Thanks for that advice, Laura. I think I didn't press it for nearly long enough as it's got a really rubbery texture and I think I will end up throwing it away!

Cashews and fruit for breakfast today. Quorn splodge for lunch. It needs more flavouring but the texture wasn't too bad.

Baked butternut squash for dinner tonight.

In case anyone needs grab and go options Pret is great and recently boots, Tesco and Asda all launched vegan sandwich ranges. Tesco’s range, called Wicked, also has ready meals, salad bowls and pizzas. Quorn also launching vegan sandwich slices today.

Also Zizzi, las iguanas and handmade burger co doing 2 for 1 On vegan items for veganuary.

For those feeling gassy this is your gut readjusting to the increased veg and fibre but it passes after a few weeks :)

I want to give up today, really want some feta on my roasted tomato dish that I have planned for dinner. Think without it it won't taste so good.

What could I add to a tomato and pasta dish for protein?

Sainsbury’s do quite a good vegan feta.

Isn’t pasta around 15% protein anyway? Some kind of lentil ragú might be nice?

A healthy spoonful of hemp seeds is also good instant protein upper

I also just read that apparently a cup of spinach has the same amount of protein as an egg!!!

Cant find the article but this one is good
www.google.com/amp/s/www.prevention.com/eatclean/high-protein-vegetables%3famp

I’ve been lurking/dipping in and out, and will hopefully catch up on the whole thread at the weekend, but wanted to share this vegan feta recipe with you. Not much use if you want feta NOW!, but it is worth making, tastes really good :)

My path of plant-based truth was nearly accidentally diverted today by a non vegan bourbon biscuit. . But I'm still here and true. Settled on oat milk being the only way forward with porridge and went to the local Thai for lunch and having a yummy green curry.

Nearly called Elon Musk at lunchtime as I am fairly sure that my impressively powerful wind issue can either be harnesed for renewables or help somehow with powering the commercial space flight programme.

Falafel, salad and roasted carrots for tea with a homemade butter bean dip as we wanted a change from houmous.
Today is the first day that I don't feel bloated, still windy but I don't feel so urgh! Hopefully this means my body is getting used to the diet. I'm enjoying it so far, just about to try hemp milk in my tea!!

Vio life cheese is good on pizza! :)

I second the oatly milk as well. So nice in tea and cereal.

Also, look up a company called frys. They are a vegan company. They are a little more expensive but the food is amazing!

I'm struggling with office lunches. Has anyone tried microwave stir fry? I am wondering if it's a nuts idea to throw a load of chopped veg into my soup cup, drizzle with oil then nuke come lunch time. If someone tried it and it went in any way wrong do please say! I can see no reason why itvwont work but don't want to be faced with a disappointing lunch ...

travailtotravel if you want a hot lunch meal then you could do mason jar noodles? Something like this I've done before and all you need at work is a kettle:
www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-diy-instant-noodle-cups-222560

I make stir fry on weekends and freeze in individual portions to take for lunch.

M&S have also upped their vegan game introducing some new items. The tikka masala, beetroot-cranberry filo tart and sweet corn and Chickpea burgers are all really tasty.

Gosh burgers are also worth a shout only 200 cals and one of your 5 a day.

Sainsbury’s has introduced a vegan to-go range, had the avocado and tomato sandwich today it was nice, cheap too only £2.

Travel This week I made a big roast veg risotto and have been taking portions every day to heat up in the microwave. Soup and toast is always an easy option. Or cook a jacket potato in advance and heat it up in the microwave with some beans.

I microwaved left over stir fry a couple of days ago and it was lovely.