Going vegan for a month...

I have decided that tomorrow starts a month of eating a vegan diet. Absurd you say? What the hell is an Andina, Toro Bravo and cheese addict thinking switching to a vegan diet? I know, I know... I have my doubts as well, I'm only making a claim to TRY it, so calm down. Not that I am not making a whole-hearted effort here, because I absolutely am. In all honesty, I am hoping to make this a permanent lifestyle for health purposes, but I need to see the impact it will have on my diabetes before I commit. Tim's fabulous gourmet food pictures do not give me much faith of leaving it all behind, but here goes. Oh, Mom, I know when you read this you are going to begin a tailspin of worry. Stop. I have the go-ahead from my NP, and according to a study in a British nutrition journal, vegans have lower blood pressure, lower blood triglyceride levels, and lower fasting blood glucose levels related to the glycemic index of many staples in the diet as well as increased pancreatic beta-cell function. And, they live 15 years longer than meat-eaters. And, yes, I am still coming home for Thanksgiving.
Speaking of tailspins of worry, I'm a little anxious parting ways with egg whites. My two main diet staples of MorningStar sausage patties and Quorn chicken patties both include egg whites in their list of ingredients. That is unfortunate. You know what else is unfortunate? Meats; fish; dairy; unorganic veggies, fruits and legumes; even my beloved egg whites have traces of BHC, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor, and dioxin. All of these ingredients are pesticides that happen to be anywhere from 4-83 times more carcinogic than DDT- which was banned in the early 70's by the EPA. In other words, eating these things are not good for warding off cancer. My Physiology professor, Dr. Keyes, gave us all sorts of items to put on our list of things to avoid in life. I've tried hard to stick to the list, and cancer was in the top five. I have already had it once, so I'm going to try my best to keep it away.

I adore the taste of feta, gogonzola, brie, gouda. I'm also quite keen on cottage cheese and greek yogurt. Not so good news for this dairy loving gal: dairy products have been linked to acne, anemia, anxiety, arthritis, ADD/ADHD, breast cancer, Crohn's, diabetes, fibromyalgia, headaches, heart disease, IBS, obesity, osteoperosis, ovarian cancer, poor digestion, poor immunity, and prostate cancer. Who knows how much of this is founded by legitimate scientific research, but I can't knock it until I try it right?

Below is a spread of groceries I purchased to begin my journey. Any brilliant recipes or words of vegan wisdom would be appreciated if you feel the need. I will try to post ones that I fall in love with as I stumble upon them. Well, wish me luck (or call me names and doubt my fortitude if you want, really). Either way I will keep those who care updated. On that note, I am going to Nicholas to enjoy a vegan meza platter with my pal Crystal. Cheers!