After interviewing Sivan Pardo from The Vegan Woman, I decided to accept her challenge of “Going Vegan”.

I started Sunday by reviewing the challenge and making a food list. I happened to meet a girl Saturday night who had to become vegan due to health reasons. She suggested going to Whole Foods. So, I had to hunt down the closest Whole Foods to Burbank, and then decide if I should buy vegetables and fruits from somewhere else to save money.

I knew I was already going to fail on the first part of the challenge: Get rid of all animal products in your house. I live with three other people and I can’t afford to get rid of some things in the freezer. But I solemnly swear to not even look at them!

Whole Foods isn’t too far from me, but I discovered that the vegetables are very expensive. I bought some vegan treats and other vegan products like Tofurkey and Vegan cream cheese. I also bought coconut oil(I’ve seen a lot of uses on Pinterest and was intrigued) and tahini sauce. Then, I went to Albertson’s for fruits and vegetables.

I woke up a little late today and didn’t feel like drinking my Herbalife protein shake, which is fantastic! It’s 200 calories and Vegan! I get all my nutrients for a meal and lose weight at the same time. But, I wanted to try out some new food. I pulled out some Lavash bread (Middle Eastern style bread, no animal products) and spread Vegan cream cheese on it with some Tofurkey slices.

As for the rest of my meals, I’ll have a shake and cut some tomatoes with salt. I don’t anticipate that eating Vegan for a week will be terribly difficult simply because I’ve regulated my diets in very strict ways before: keeping kosher, the 17-day-diet, kosher for Passover. But, I imagine it will be difficult for me to eat out and so I will have to be prepared before I go out. Luckily, I live in Southern California and vegan options are never far away.

Task #1: Watch Forks Over Knives

The website uses this description: The feature film Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.

What struck me most about the synopsis, other than I definitely want to see the film because it’s about turning back life’s clock by changing what we put in our bodies, is that half of the American population could need to have their chests split open and have their heart operated upon if we continue to eat a Western diet.

I don’t eat a Western diet, which is not to say that I eat a completely plant-based diet, but chili dogs, onion rings, pulled pork and fried chicken don’t make it past the face threshold. But, I am curious to see how I will feel come next Sunday.

Day One: So far, so good.

On a side note, I won a coconut yesterday. How do I eat it?