Tuesday, August 23, 2011

the vegan situation

So, it's been 6 months since the vegan situation began.

What started out as a 90 day challenge to see if my endometriosis symptoms would improve has turned into a lifestyle change.

Here is what I love about the change:

Cholesterol intake is dramatically lower
Weight loss has been immediate & consistent
Energy levels are up higher than ever
Love affair with vegetables
Metabolism has sped up

I actually researched this today out of the book, Everything Vegan

One of their points was that upon eating a vegan meal, you will actually burn calories FASTER resulting is less stored fat....couple THAT info with the fact that you are eating WAY less fat and it's obvious the result. (see next sentence for more scientific sounding proof)

Dr. Neal Barnard, M.D. of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) states, "There is evidence that a vegan diet causes an increased calorie burn after meals, meaning plant-based foods are being used more efficiently as fuel for the body, as opposed to being stored as fat."

I didn't even read this part until now but it makes a ton of sense.

I am also experimenting with nut-based cheeses, tofu, tempeh & more. I might live with 3 meat-loving men....but this girl is loving her lifestyle & that she is fighting a nasty disease with diet & not meds. #thebestpart

Quick vegan, gluten free recipe for quick no-bake cookies:

1c sugar
1c brown sugar
1/3c vegetable shortening
1/3c almond milk
1tsp vanilla
1/3c peanut butter
1 1/2c quick cooking oats

heat the sugars/shortening/milk until a rapid boil
remove from heat and add peanut butter til melted
add the vanilla
quickly add the oats & moisten.
working fast - start spooning out circles onto wax paper
allow to set

















DELISH with a capital D!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't want to pry too much, but have you found it is helping with your endometriosis?? I have a friend who suffers terribly from that. I don't know if she'd be willing to change her diet, but if you have specifics on how/if it's helped you, I'd love to pass the info on to her!
~Coleen

Judy Vlietstra said...

By the way Jess, you look Fabulous! Sculpted and lean and beautiful as always:). I need to get some really good Vegan recipes. Now Vegan to me is like trying to learn another language BUT I'm reading it's a great way of living with Fibromyalgia. It supposedly helps with swelling and pain. Glad to hear it has helped you with your issues as well. I used to have Endo but it's gone now so you have my empathy there.