Relapse

A picture of my puppy for no reason at all.

So my experiment with going vegan had a few minor setbacks.

While I ate at home, I was good.  I have tons of vegan options and lots of vegan-friendly substitutes.  When I ate out, I was a disaster.

On Friday I had a sandwich with cheese on it.  On Saturday brunch I had an omelette.  And on Sunday dinner I had pasta with vodka sauce... which is made with cream.

I think even after a few days I was definitely becoming more aware of what I was eating, but I don't think I can go cold turkey on eggs, milk, and cheese.  It's especially hard when we're going out because I don't want to make my friends go to different restaurants (especially since few of my friends are vegetarians and because any of the vegan restaurants are pretty far from where I live).

Anyway, maybe I'll just try to eat vegan and home and vegetarian out for the time being.

Going Vegan for a Week

Hey all!  Sorry I've been so MIA.  We had our spring break last week and I was off in sunny San Diego and then to Las Vegas to celebrate my first week as a legal young adult!

After a week of partying with eight of my best friends, I came back to DC feeling a bit sluggish and gross.  A week of alcohol, nachos, and late-night snacking will do that to you.  Now that I'm back in cold weather again, I need to be able to fit into my skinny jeans!

So in response to a lost week, I've decided to detox for at least a week by going vegan.

I consider myself a vegetarian under normal circumstances, though technically I'm a pescetarian.  I do not eat any meat, though I do eat fish occasionally.  I don't eat foods that were cooked in beef or chicken broth.  I do eat eggs and cheese - lots and lots of cheese.

This week I've decided to challenge myself by cutting out eggs, milk, and cheese - as well as any foods made with any of these ingredients*.  It has been pretty difficult, especially because I am still a college student, but  I'm on day three right now and going strong!

Food for Thought

Image source.

I don't plan on talking politics in my blog (I'll leave that to the other DC student blogs, thanks) but earlier today, President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act, making it law.

Originally introduced in the Senate as S. 510 in March 2009, it was finally passed by the Senate in November 2010.  Amendments were presented and this act emerged in the House as H.R. 2751. People didn't expect it to go anywhere from there with the turnover of the House to Republicans and this act being put on the back burner.  Surprisingly, H.R. 2751 was passed in the House in June of 2009 and then passed in the Senate on December 19, 2010 (73 for, 25 against) - right before the turnover.

This legislation affects the FDA only, which regulates all foods except for meat and poultry, which is regulated by the Department of Agriculture.  This marks the first time that food regulation in the US has enjoyed major change since 1938.  It also marks the first time that the US has set food safety standards for imported foods.

Bringing Mac and Cheese... Back from the Fridge

A college staple, macaroni and cheese from the box is very difficult to save.  Even one night in the refrigerator turns it crusty and dry.  Macaroni and cheese from the box is one of my guilty pleasures.

The best way to salvage it, I've found, is to essentially recook it.  It takes about five minutes and it's as "fresh" as it was before.

To remake your boxed mac and cheese:
Ingredients
- milk
- butter
- shredded cheese (mixed or cheddar is fine)
Instructions
- heat a pot to medium
- add some milk, less than a quarter of a cup should be enough
- put cold mac and cheese into the pot
- add about half a tablespoon of butter
- stir until it softens
- add shredded cheese to melt

I know that I really should eat healthier, but if I'm going to have extra mac and cheese, why would I throw it out?

A Veggie Sandwich that Isn't Gross

As a vegetarian, I sometimes find it really difficult to find sandwiches.  I like grilled cheese and mozzarella sandwiches, but I usually hate veggie wraps.

In accordance with trying not to eat greasy foods, I decided to order a Sconset sandwich from Jetties.  A Sconset is: "hummus, muenster cheese, sprouts, tomato, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado spread on multi-grain."

It was quite tasty, though there were too many carrots for my liking and I took out the sprouts.  The hummus and guacamole (avocado) was what really made it delicious.

To make your own Sconset:
Ingredients
- multigrain bread
- hummus
- guacamole
- muenster cheese (cheddar would also work)
- sliced tomatoes
- cucumber slices
Instructions
- take 2 slices of multigrain bread
- spread guacamole on one slice, hummus on the other
- add a slice of cheese on both slices of bread
- add tomatoes on one slice of bread, and cucumbers on the other
- put together
- toast (optional) for a few minutes
- eat

I love hummus and I love guacamole, but I would never have thought to put them together.