Laura: Cheers to commitment!

I have been so excited for today to come!  Then why have I put off full-fledged veganism, you ask?  I am addicted to sugar, haven't wanted to monitor the sneaky animal products that appear in my work cafeteria's food, and enjoy the occasional ice cream binge. Yeah, I'm a real winner.  But today, as I start my new healthy lifestyle with Shannon, I am full of hope for the benefits that result in eliminating meat, dairy, and processed sugar from my diet...
-weight loss
-sleep sounder/longer
-have more energy
-feel stronger
-run/hike longer/easier
-boycott animal cruelty/suffering
-reduce global warming
-support local farmers
-clear skin
-reduce illness occurance
-feel happy, healthy, and confident!

However, I foresee some temptations ahead...
-froyo (frozen yogurt)
-Valentine's Day treats
-cupcakes at parties
-dark chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

...and other challenges...
-unsupportive friends/family/coworkers who will force nasty foods on me and belittle me
-chewing consciously more times than I'm used to
-cooking with unfamiliar foods (ie. daikon, quinoa, sea vegetables)
-reading every ingredient list thoroughly for hidden animal products
-being the awkward picky friend who customizes their order at restaurants (oh wait, I'm already that friend...)

So now that the sugar and dairy bingeing is out of my system for the week, I charge ahead into veganism!

Day 1 Food Journal:
-orange*
-brown rice/broccoli/onion/fennel**/mushrooms/red pepper flakes/Asian hot sauce/garlic (leftovers from last night) The vegetables are all from the farmers market.
-apple
-"Going Native" green curry veggies (green beans, eggplant, carrots, potatoes), Kettle organic multigrain tortilla chips with Tribe classic hummus
-Pure Decadence coconut vanilla ice cream (AMAZING.)
-falalfel wrap, fruit salad, Rice Dream

*I purchased a 10 pound bag of Navel oranges from the farmers market for $7, so I eat them all the time.
**It turns out I don't love fennel - it takes way too much like it should: like anise and black licorice. Eww.