Vegan for a Week Foods/Planning Project

Vegan for a Week
Veganism- the practice of eliminating the use by human beings of non-human animal products. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from the diet only.
My reasons for being vegan are much more experimental than strictly thought out morals. I have normally been a pescetarian for 2 years which states that I am  "one whose diet includes fish but no meat". I decided to try being vegan for a week to not only prove to myself that I could do it, but also because of the numerous health benefits. Some people think that being vegan is an unhealthy lifestyle, but in actuality it is extremely healthy. The diet of a vegan consists of fresh vegetables and fruit, and consuming soy supplements to replace meat so that they still get the right amount of protein and other nutrients commonly found in the flesh of animals. Soy has all the protein of meat, but none of the artery clogging fats and ridiculous amount of cholesterol. Being a vegan will completely rid your life of virtually all processed food and all the poisons in fast food that were really never meant to be part of your daily intake. 


Since my vegan week began on January 30th, I had to be ready to prepare highly nutricious and protein rich meals that could be fast and easy to make in the mornings for lunch. To base my day on a hearty start each morning, I had to be sure that I was getting all I needed in the morning to power me through the day.
Breakfast
One full orange, freshly squeezed and mixed with fruit juice.
Either a slice of vegan bread, toasted with peanut butter and jam, or a bowl of hemp cereal with organic soy naturally sweetend soy milk.


Lunch on the other hand had to be easy meals that could be made quickly and easily in the morning. All the lunch's I packed had tons of fruit thrown in as well which was probably my favourite part of being vegan.
Lunch
Either:
A bowl of fresh green salad with tomatoes and other vegetables, with some miso gravy as dressing.

Teriyaki stir fry with various peppers, green beans, onions, carrots, and tomatoes, and usually with brown or white rice underneath.
A bowl of either chilli or bean soup with sliced carrots.
A sandwhitch made with vegan bread, margarine, mustard, fake ham substitute, lettuce, tomato, and vegan cheese.
All with an apple, a bell pepper, handful or various nuts and a water bottle.


Dinner is probably the smallest meal of the day for me because at my house dinner time is very late at night. In my opinion there's really no point in eating a huge meal late at night if you're not going to be active that night, because otherwise it's just a whole bunch of fuel going into a body that's just going to sleep rather than using it.
Dinner
Sunday- Fresh bean soup with caeser salad and vegan garlic bread.
Monday- A special marinated tofu dish with salad.
Tuesday- Pasta with tomato sauce and green salad.
Wednesday- Leftover bean soup with caeser salad.
Thursday- Roasted red pepper and spinach panini's.
Friday- Rice noodles and stir fry vegetables in black bean sauce.
Saturday- Chili with fresh green salad.


I have noticed a positive increase in my mood, energy level, and my general appearance. Being vegan for a week has shown me how truly easy it is to live off of a fruit vegetable and soy based diet, and to avoid cravings like chocolate and other animal by products. It has also made me more aware of the many animal by products that are hiding within common meals and snacks that you never would've guessed. In conclusion, I have found many successes in this experiment and may even carry on with this diet for a while to come. I do believe variety is the spice of life, so occasionally a bit of cheese and milk could definitely do me some good, but other than that I will remain on the path of non- processed fresh fruits and vegetable for some time to come.