Unlimited

It’s hard to keep a straight face when someone says that veganism is limited. It’s hard not to smirk, or even laugh, because I don’t want to debate my diet. If someone doesn’t get it, they don’t get it. I’m not going to get all ego about it and go on the defense.

But I have to wonder, where is one’s mindset to think someone is limited by not eating five food items–fish, meat, poultry, dairy, and honey?

With over 2000 types of fruits in the world, and 1097 species of vegetables, I could go several years without eating the same one twice. And to be honest, since I became vegan, I feel like I’m experimenting more with food and have MORE choices. I never realized how good something could be, made out of pea protein. I used to avoid tempeh, because it looks like cat puke. But done right, it really is delicious. Prior to veganism, fish and rennetless cheese were the last items I gave up. To this day I still crave crabmeat or sushi, but there are plenty of companies that make faux fish, it’s totally unnecessary to mess with sea life. And vegan cheese is so delicious, it’s dangerous. If I don’t hold myself back, I’d be spending a fortunate on it! There are so many tastes and textures from different brands, I can’t even pick a favorite. Even Whole Foods 365 brand has a smoked gouda that makes my mouth water.

It’s coming on my first year of being vegan and I’ve gone back to simple comfort foods I shunned for years–oatmeal, scrambled tofu (which I loved to make when I first gave up meat), Ezekiel bread, nutritional yeast, and the simple dish of pasta with tomato sauce. When I have these special things, it feels like home. It takes me back to the 1980s when I first experimented with veganism. Oh, how I wish I stuck to it back then, but we didn’t have the options and choices we have today. Nowadays, being vegan is like living in a food paradise! I’m always thinking to myself, “What am I going to eat next.”

I also fell in love with vegan bubble tea and various seaweeds (not just the standard raw nori I’ve used for years). When I make a vegan recipe, I’ll experiment with every item left over. If I need a certain ingredient to make something, I’ll buy extra just to have it in the house.

Taking extra care to get all nutrients, I’ve included plenty of food items that contain things vegans need. This includes: natural protein powder for protein, hempseed oil for omega 3s, aloe vera juice with sea moss, and coconut aminos.

When my husband grills Beyond Burgers, we make a party out of it. I’ll accompany the dish with homemade coleslaw, and then pile a ton of condiments on the bun–mustard, ketchup, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and greens.

There’s a certain restaurant we frequent that has many vegan options, including the “specials” menu. We go there almost every weekend and I don’t think I’ve ever had the same thing twice!

There’s just so much you can do with plants, grains, vegetables, and vegan protein. I can go on and on and on about it. By now you realize I’m a vegan foodie!

It’s actually sad that someone thinks we are limited, when we are UNLIMITED!

🙂

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Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is the author of the following books:

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos