Lifestyle, Wellness

Going Vegan.

by Bedlam & Daisies
For 2019 I've decided to bring back my monthly challenges. To kick off January, I'm participating in Veganuary (going vegan for January). Join in!

Monthly Challenge.

As promised, I’m back to kick off another year of monthly challenges.

If you’ve been following the blog then you are already aware of the fact that when I turned 40 in September of 2017, I decided to spend a year doing of monthly challenges for my “this is 40” year.

I’ve started my list of goals for 2019.

They may get added to, some may get tweaked, and others may get completely abandoned as I evolve throughout the year.

I love this flexibility with goals.

They are able to shift with you. You can stay in flow because they are fluid.

If you’d like to know more about my thought on goals vs. resolution, you can check out this post.

I’ve also considered the merits of having a “word of the year”.

I’ve had something similar in the past.

2016 was clarity.

2017 was focus and discipline.

I saw 2018 as a mixture of them both.

The word that came to mind for 2019 was growth, immediately followed by bloom.

I think that I’m looking at 2019 as a year to bloom.

I typically address my “theme” or “word” of the year in my blog anniversary post, which will be January 9th. So on that date, I’ll delve more into why I’ve chosen that term.

Do you pick a “word” or “theme” of the year?

IMG_1154.JPG

Being a Vegetarian.

During my year of challenges, I spent 30 days as a vegetarian.

That was in January of 2017.

You can read about what that entailed in this post and also my lessons learned during my month of being a vegetarian.

We carried on being vegetarian for some months after that challenge. And even when we decided to add back meat, we ate much less than we had in the past.

It wasn’t until I was partly through that challenge that I heard that about Veganuary, which is a charity inspiring people to go vegan throughout the month of January (and the rest of the year.

Going Vegan.

So this year both the hubby and I will be participating in Veganuary.

While I don’t drink milk (or even like the taste of it), I do have a cheese addiction.

I also use eggs as my main source of morning protein.

I will be implementing all of the lessons that I learned during my month of being a vegetarian in order to be prepared. I have real issues with becoming “hangry” if I don’t get my blood sugar stable and eat when hungry

I need to start compiling my lists of sweet and savory recipes.

I think one of my go-to’s may be recreating the amazing acai bowl that I had at Eduardo’s Beach Shack in Aruba! Miss Sunshine had opted for a chocolate protein bowl that was mighty tasty too.

Yum!

Let me know if you’ll be joining in with the monthly challenge this January and going vegan!

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, in one has not dined well. - Virginia Woolf

Let your light shine!

Amy

47 thoughts on “Going Vegan.”

  1. I also pick a word of the year and will be posting it soon over on my blog.

    So, my daughter is a vegetarian. She’s 12, and has made this choice since around age 6. I’m not sure why as it was never asked of her, but she has very strong feelings when it comes to most meat. Not fully vegan, though, as she does enjoy cheese and occasionally (like every few months) some sausage.

    I’ve often considered trying to be a vegetarian for a bit just to help her out. There have been times when she has expressed feeling isolated by her food choices. While I don’t see myself going vegan (eggs and cheese are kind of my thing), I wouldn’t mind committing in your challenge to trying less and zeroing out the meat. So a somewhat vegetarian.

    I’ve been thinking about it in terms of minimalism. Because minimalism isn’t just in possessions… but also in food, thoughts, mindset… basically, I think it encompasses a whole life experience.

    So, yeah, I may join you on a smaller level.

    Reply

    1. I look forward to seeing what you’ve chosen for your word of the year.

      I think it’s wonderful that your daughter knows her preferences and that you are able to be supportive of it. None of my children are vegetarian, but they do have certain meats that they like and don’t like (and with three teens, they all seem to be different). I love cheese way more than I should and the month of vegan is also a form of detox for me so that I can go back to eating a “normal” or perhaps, healthy amount of cheese. lol.

      I like your thoughts on it surrounding the concept of minimalism. I do think it encompasses the whole life experience.

      Last year, when my husband and I spent a month as vegetarians, we actually continued it for many months and then the decisions to add meats were conscientious decisions each step of the way (not so much the last few months of the year, which is another reason I’d like a reset).

      I hope to hear if and how you decide to implement the challenge. I’m a believer in the thought that “any” change that changes you in the direction that you are hoping for is a good change. 🙂

      Reply

  2. While I’m very goal oriented, I’ve never picked a word-of-the-year. Well – that’s not entirely true. During my Ironman years, that single word “Ironman” dominated my life. Since then, no word has ever captured me with the same intensity.

    I applaud your discipline in these monthly challenges. Going vegan strikes terror in my heart!

    Reply

    1. I’m still in awe at the word Ironman! That’s not in my dreams (as of today), but I am in absolute awe of those who do it.

      I appreciate your applause! I’ll need it. 😉 I was worried about vegetarian last year, but since we were vegan for portions of it, I feel like I got this! I don’t anticipate staying vegan, but it should get me back on track to being closer to vegetarian than I’ve recently been (and while I’m not opposed to meats, I feel like my recent food choices are affecting the way that I feel).

      Reply

  3. I think after Christmas my diet may need to change pretty drastically – myself and our 18 year old are going to start running – doing the “couch to 5k” thing, and then regular “park runs” (if all goes to plan)

    Reply

    1. I’m not going to admit how much butter went into all the cookies that I ate…or all the cheese I’ve consumed. I’m pretty sure I’ve upped my cheese consumption (which needed no help) since I know that in a week I’ll be removing it.
      Running sounds like a good plan. My knees seem like they’d rebel, but I think a better diet always helps my joints. Plus I’ve had a 5k on the list the past 2 years and it’s one of the things I haven’t gotten to. In fact, 2019 goals list says “Run a 5k…like 4 real”. lol. I hope that all goes according to plan for you and Miss 18!!!

      Reply

  4. Oh Amy, all I can do is wish you luck and hope you enjoy it. Daily, yogurt and cheese, often eggs and let’s not forget my love of ice cream. Oof. So brave, you are!

    Reply

  5. Nope, not even going to try. I like meat and my body craves it, cheese, and eggs. I have given up whole milk for sweetened Almond milk in my Rice Chex but, that’s as far I am willing to go at this stage of my old life. I use whole milk in my tea.

    I wish you the best with your Vegan month! It’s not for me.

    I don’t do a lot of life or self reflection at the end of the year.Although I am a planner. If I have food, money and my family is rolling along well I’m a happy person. That’s how I roll. I’m not too much of a DEEP thinker outside of that.
    He-Man is the DEEP thinker, and analyzer which are the qualities in him that I treasure most. I plan and save for the worst he takes care of everything in between and it works.

    Reply

    1. At least you know what you like Deborah!! 🙂 I see it as a sort of reset point for me for the beginning of the year.
      It’s great that you and He-Man balance each other out. I’m definitely the deep thinker. The hubby is good at the big picture and I work on the details. 🙂

      Reply

  7. I was just commenting on your word “contentment” in your previous post, Amy. I was listening to a podcast partially to do with happiness, and many people are constantly trying to pursue happiness (varied definitions on this) when the goal is contentment…….will be one of my words of the year. First time I have heard the term “Veganuary”. Enjoy learning something new🙂

    Reply

  8. Bloom is wonderful word for the 2019. I may have to use that too for next year. It’s a been a tough 2018 and I’ve been actively looking for some normalcy in my life.

    Reply

    1. I’m sorry to hear that 2018 has been a tough year. Bloom sounds like it could be a wonderful word to take with you throughout the new year. I hope that you find the normalcy that you are seeking. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Pingback: Friday Faves Edition 68 - Bedlam & Daisies

    1. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can be prepared! The actual execution I feel pretty confident about, but I need to make sure there’s always access to the proper food. I tend to get “hangry” when my blood sugar isn’t balanced. lol.

      Reply

  11. Happy New Year Amy!! 🌟I love the idea of choosing a word or theme for the year. I will have to give that idea some thought! But the vegan thing…..ya, I am gunna pass 😂I would not make it too long with my activity level, or cheese addiction 🤣

    Reply

    1. Happy New Year Dee Dee!! I like the word or theme because it helps to keep me somewhat focused. Cheese addiction definitely would make the vegan thing hard. lol. That’s actually my biggest struggle!

      Reply
  12. Pingback: Five Easy Vegan Recipes To Start Your Day - Bedlam & Daisies
  14. Pingback: Three Years of Blogging​ - Bedlam & Daisies

  15. My wife also has a cheese addiction I never thought I’d be able to give up cheese 2 years later it stinks to me now. My suggestion experiment there are alot of good options my favorite is tomato chao and now a days dyia has stepped up there game with imation cheeses. However I had to fully detox my system and didn’t care to much for them when I first decided to ler dairy go! Nowwww give me a cashew cheese any day also if you look on Pinterest they have awesome recipe ideas

    Reply

    1. Cheese is the only form of dairy that I miss, but I’ve been surprised by how little I actually miss it. I have heard of cashew cheese, but have not tried it. Thanks so much for the suggestion! I’ve just started to dig around on Pinterest for recipes and am finding tons that look amazing. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Pingback: 28 Day Photography Challenge - Bedlam & Daisies

    1. There are definitely a lot of great vegan bloggers out there. I’ve shifted back to 80/20, which I knew was likely at the end of the month. Figuring out the balance of nutrients that my specific body needed was somewhat of a struggle. 🙂

      Reply

    1. Congratulations!! I participated in Veganuary, but have shifted back to more of an 80/20 lifestyle. I’m happy with the awareness and progress that I made. All the little steps add up. Best of luck with your journey forward!! 🙂

      Reply

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Share them here.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.