Veganism

I have decided to start making the transition into becoming a vegan. I intend to do it slowly but surely, to ensure that I won't rebel from my own decision and start sabotaging myself with girl scout cookie icecream and delicious delicious goat cheese. 

My plan is to start trying vegan substitutes and vegan recipes in an non-committal fashion, finding vegan things that I like while still having that dairy net to fall back upon. "I mean, why not try vegan alfredo? I can always go back to the same old canned shit if I don't like it!" ...that sort of thing. I think, in a couple months I'll be as used to reaching for the dairy-alternatives as I am to reaching for the fake meat, and the switch won't feel at all like self-deprivation. 

After reading Skinny Bitch, I just can't take it anymore. Most of the information about the meat and dairy industry I had already, built up in the back of my head, but it was quite a different experience to have all the facts shoved right into my brain one after another after another after another. That, and it's not like dairy is good for me anyhow. I don't need calcium from it, it's linked to cancer, and it basically injects me with a constant stream of BGH and antibiotics. Plus it's fattening. 

*sigh* goodbye winey goat cheese. I assure you it's for the best. 

Skinny Bitch

Alright, I apologize, but I simply cannot help myself from plugging this book on here. One of my friends recommended it to me about a month ago, I have only just gotten to it, and it really is the best thing I have read for myself in ages. 

It takes a reasonable, logical look at the American diet, and tears it right to pieces. It is written conversationally, and truly is a lot like getting bitch-slapped by your favorite smart thin friend. 

The idea is: you're fat? Well, that's because you don't eat healthily! Why don't you eat healthily? Because you haven't taken enough time to think about what you're putting into your mouth. They then proceed to tell you what (and how) you should think about what you eat. 

This book is filled with facts. Evolutionary facts, such as the fact that our bodies are not designed to eat meat. Facts about food being a business. And facts about what your fake sugar is really made of. 

Everyone needs the information that is in this book. Even if you thought you were eating healthily; even if you're health obsessed and spend most of your "free" time researching organic food (...*cough* me *cough*...), you still need this book. I promise, there is still loads of information you're missing out on. 

"Skinny Bitch." It's on Amazon. Go get it. Then read it immediately.

The Farmer's Market

Perhaps I am bizarre, but there is just something so fantastic about being around all of that fresh food. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love grocery shopping in general, but going to the farmer's market seems to just stimulate the cooking gene in me. Whereas being in the grocery store tempts me with frozen pizza and ice cream, going to the farmer's market makes me want to cook. 

I used to go to the farmer's market every week, when I lived downtown. But then we decided to move to Scotts Valley to save money, and I got so busy with school that the farmer's market just became so far away. Now, with graduation behind me, and apartment hunting in Santa Cruz occupying my newfound free time, I get to safely indulge in my joyous marketing once more. 

There is one stall there that sells only homemade pasta. Ravioli, angel hair noodles, sauces, pesto, all of my favorite dinner foods right at my fingertips, and healthy as can be. How fantastic is that? Also, going to the farmer's market gives me the chance to make use of one of my bookstore impulse-buys from last summer: The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market Cookbook by Christopher Hirsheimer and Peggy Knickerbocker. It is organized according to season, and contains various recipes that involve each vegetable you are likely to find that season at the market. I adore cooking with fresh food, being somewhat health-obsessed myself, and so this book has given me all of the ideas I could possibly hope for. 

For instance, this peach bruschetta with blue cheese that I am just off to try. I have been home from the gym for almost an hour now, and it is definitely time for a snack. I'll let you know how it goes!