Evident by my late post this week, a combination of a heavy work load and extra-curricular commitments has ensured a very stressful few days. Subsequently, my diet transformed from an enthusiastic I-will-cook-a-new-meal-every-day to what-can-I-cook-and-eat-within-half-an-hour? Despite this, I have enjoyed my second vegan week, and explored the world of 'Frozen Vegan'!
Turning down cakes, chocolates and biscuits became second-nature this week, which was probably for the best, as failing after a week would have been worse than living without the treat. That said, this week my flatmate and I have loved gorging on dark chocolate (fun fact: chocolate with at >70% cocoa content are dairy free!!) and the subsequent egg and butter-free brownies!
Meals eaten this week:
Due to my busy schedule and lack of motivation this week, meals have mainly been made from the freezer. Thank God vegans are able to each chips, or else I would have broken! We did, however, make a lentil cottage pie, made with mash containing soya milk and vegan butter. I say "we"... It was actually my fabulous flatmate Carrie who made this triumph of a dinner, whilst I cried in the despair of a pending lab report deadline.
Difficulties faced this week:
- Lunch - mornings lack the enthusiasm, inspiration and time to prepare vegan lunches. There was never anything wrong with a ham and cheese sandwich, which obviously isn't too great without the ham and cheese.. That said, a late discovery of smoked soya cheese (which is actually edible!) satisfied my sandwich craving.
- Cheese and Onion crisps - turns out, there IS actually cheese in Walkers crisps! The familiar smell of these crisps as they were opened was very hard to ignore..
- Speedy food - the ease of snacking on biscuits, cereal bars etc. has had to be traded with the preparation of vegetable sticks.
- Fish fantasies - one of the biggest cravings I've experienced this week has been fish! Surprising myself, I have indeed fancied some grilled salmon and rocket salad.. *stomach rumbles*
- Viali's* burger - yes, another post-clubbing temptation! The burger and chips became just chips, which my wallet was thankful for..
*For non-Warwick students, Viali's is the one-and-only fast food restaurant that BEGS to be visited after a night out in Leamington.
This week my motivation has centred around finding surprising vegan-friendly foods. As mentioned, dark chocolate, whilst not being my favourite, has been a great comfort food on a diet which seems to have limited options for comfort eating. Further, Tesco value Bourbon Creams do not contain ANY dairy. Yes, you heard right. And my stomach was suitably satisfied. I can see these being a staple for the next few weeks!
Also, a very kind donation from my Mum has pushed me to the end of week 2, where I look ahead to my third of five weeks as a vegan.
If you would like to donate to help me through this challenge for the very deserving Meningitis Research Foundation, it would be greatly appreciated!
Until next week,
George :)
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