The Vegan Lifestyle, Day 2

Okay, I'm not really jumping on the vegan lifestyle, that's sounds a mite scary. I did go to the library for some vegetarian cookbooks (trying not to spend any money beyond food and toilet paper this month, but that's another story) and opted not to get the "Vegan for Dummies" book (actually, not sure of the exact title, but avoided all book referring to a lifestyle). Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Heaven has some delicious looking recipes, like Dreamy White Beans and Mushroom Barley "Risotto," some of which I'll have to save until I'm eating eggs and cheese, and others until I'm retired and can spend three luxurious hours making dinner. The first version of this cookbook is one of my all time favorites, but alas is in storage right now. I also got the "Moosewood Daily Special" and two for the kids: Cooking Rocks by Rachel Ray (nothing jumps out at me here so far), and Faster! I'm Starving - is that now an awesome title sure to appeal to busy moms with hungry kids. If I ever actually make the recipes I'll post the best ones.

My plans for friday went awry when I realized it was company picnic day, with an "Applied Idol" theme of all things, quite entertaining actually. So I ended up with a slightly different menu for that day.

Friday:

• Lunch: Part of a vegetable muffalato sandwich (eggplant, olives and peppers, quite yummy), watermelon, german potato salad, water, iced tea and diet root beer
• Dinner: All from Trader Joes: Cuban style beans and rice, asian salad, corn (added chicken burritos which the kids rejected, they stuck to corn for dinner)Midnight snack (I know, I know): almonds, apples and peanut butter

For exercise, I climbed a coconut tree climbing structure at the company party(that was it, I swear), and my arms are still sore, truly pitiful. Then ran a bit and attempted the "playground boot camp" at soccer practice.

Saturday:

• Breakfast: protein shake and strawberries
• Lunch: Salad and almonds and a few crackers
• Dinner: Bean burrito with veggie cheese, olives and tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and onions, cream of cauliflower soup (in a blender mix soy milk, steamed cauliflower and garlic, and threw in a couple artichokes and some of the sauteed onions and mushrooms)

Only exercise was swimming with the kids. Briefly considered giving up caffeine since I forgot to have any at breakfast, but headache was too bad. And I am craving sweets so off to bed.