Anyone doing the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart?

[MelissaB]

I've found some fantastic recipes here: http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/

Meal Plan and Recipes: http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/mealplan/index.cfm

I was a vegetarian who didn't think there was any way I could be a vegan. I was so wrong. I just didn't know what to cook and what to eat.

I haven't been hungry and I haven't even wanted cheese!

My southern favorite recipe: http://www.nutritionmd.org/recipes/view.html?recipe_id=382
Hubby is Italian and doesn't like Southern food. He at this without complaint and the kids LOVED it.

[livetohike]

1. Thanks for the links!

:hi:

[Ignis]

2. I thought I could never give up cheese as a vegeterian.

But really, once you give it a few weeks, I found I didn't miss it that much.

Grats on your 21-day challenge! Hope it goes well. :hi:

[Coexist]

3. I agree.. I didn't know about this but I recently decided to go from veg to vegan

for 30 days after watching FOK... and I don't miss cheese, which I thought would be my downfall. Other than the ease of ordering a white pizza for dinner, I'm doing great. I've lost weight, I sleep better (is that something that is a known benefit?) and I have so much more energy, I've begun working out again. Its been a very positive experience. It is hard picking up baked goods with deleting eggs. But I found most bagels are vegan and they are great with peanut butter.

[ginnyinWI]

4. I stopped eating dairy last March

And yes I did get an energy boost and am sleeping better. Acid stomach is better too.

Pizza is one of the problems: can't get my husband to like it without the cheese. I've done cheezy sauces with nutr. yeast, tofu, etc. etc. I think the best one I've tried is using caramelized onions in place of the cheese. It's moist and savory and really good! All it takes is remembering to caramelize a skillet of them so I'll have them on hand when the pizza mood strikes. You have to slow cook them.

You can try homemade baking with egg replacer or other substitutes like applesauce or mashed banana. The results won't be as light and fluffy though. I do on occasion use egg whites in some baking--for something special. It's not very much animal protein, has no saturated fat, and is not dairy, which I think is worse healthwise. Best cookbook I've found for baking so far is "The Joy of Vegan Baking" by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

[MelissaB]

5. Kickstart India is about to start for anyone looking for new recipes.

http://kickstartindia.pcrm.org/

[Mollis]

6. That sounds wonderful

thank you for the links! :D