I am on day three of keeping a log of everything I am eating and counting calories. Someone asked me today if it was possible to gain weight as a vegan, even though I think the question was rhetorical, I wanted to shed major light on this fact.
One can CONTINUE GAINING WEIGHT even after choosing a vegan lifestyle. Yes folks. I know that many choose vegan lifestyles for a cause but there are many that do it for weight loss. I have noticed that after several months of trying to substitute foods for the “forbidden” foods, like cheese, also contain as much fat.
Alicia’s explains in her book, The Kind Diet, that in order to have a healthy lifestyle, most foods are centered on an a perfect balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and clean foods. My problem has been replacing foods with almost the same fat and calorie count and letting er rip.
I know that this has been a process, but my desire to have self-discipline does not lie in my OWN self but in surrendering the will to have whatever I want to eat, even if it is “healthy.” Whether you believe it or not, my strength lies in God’s hand and not my own.I realize that when I rely on MY own will and strength, I fail, and I continue to choose food over health and balance. Not good.
My husband encouraged me to log in everything I was eating when I initially started back in November, but little by little I started to cheat. Someone told me if I craved cheese, that it was ok to indulge with a little bit and get the craving over. LIES. If I had a problem with cheese consumption (even paying the consequence of my lactose intolerance) before, having a little was not going to solve the problem. It was controlling how much I wanted to eat. Am I preaching to a choir here? I know someone has been in this same boat.
So I initially lost 16 pounds since I started but pretty much plateaued immediately when I started focusing on foods and my wants and desires as opposed to what was right for me and this time in my life. This is the reason for healthier posts and more veggies. I do not think I am sacrificing flavor, but finding an EVEN MORE creative way to enjoy natural foods. For example:
Lunch consisted on a wrap, filled with kale salad, kidney bean hummus, daikon radish, regular radish and tomatoes. DELICIOUS I tell you!
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| From An Opera Singer in the Kitchen |
Kidney Bean Hummus and Kale Wrap
makes 2 wraps
2 whole wheat pita
Hummus
1 can red kidney beans
1/2 cup sliced green olives
1/2 cup packed cilantro
1 garlic clove
Add-ins
1/2 tomato, sliced
1 cup shredded daikon
5 red radishes, sliced
2 cups kale leaves, stems removed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp umeboshi vinegar
In a food processor, blend hummus ingredients until well blended.
Chop kales leaves and massage 1 Tbsp olive oil for 3 minutes. Add vinegar.
Assemble wrap: Take one pita and add 1/2 cup hummus and fill with add-ins and kale salad. Wrap and slice in half. 500 calories per each serving.
