I Just Can't Get Enough!

 

     Sadly, my morning runs have come to a screeching halt due to a freak accident! I was reluctant to run on the uneven sidewalk on the insistance of my running partner and wouldn't you know, 3 large rocks seemed to come out of nowhere and I ended up rolling my foot on one of them.  I was in excruciating pain and instantly knew I had broken my foot.  I was hoping for the best but unfortunately, my foot was getting worse, so I got an xray which confirmed I had a Jones Fracture.  The Dr. gave me a boot and told me no exercise for at least 6 weeks and that I would probably have to wear this monstrosity for 8-10 weeks.  As devastating as that news was, I was actually a little relieved that I didn't have to endure yet another brutal So Flo summer of outdoor training in the harshest of elements like extreme heat, opressive humidity and relentless sun exposure.  Gone are the days of salty sweat-saturated hair, stinky, drenched clothing, chafing and advanced photo aging.  Since thre's nothing I can essentially do but some upper body exercises and much waiting, I've decided to turn my circumstances into a positive by rejuvinating!

     As many of you know, I have been vegan for many years, which has included using only vegan cosmetics as well as skin and hair care products.  To that end, it had been quite difficult to find available and affordable products throughout the years.  I have adhered to PETA's cruelty-free company and product lists for many years, which had left me with very limited options.  I would frequent Whole Foods to find beauty products at a hefty price, no less. I am delighted to say that at this moment, I am overwhelemed by how many companies have come around, offerering reasonably-priced quality items at either local drugstores, cosmetics chains (Sephora and Ulta) as well as online websites.  Sometimes, I don't know where to start but I'm totally fine with that predicament.  As much as we might be cruel to ourselves, especially those vegan athletes who work hard and train harder, we don't need to be cruel to animals just for our benefit.

Even if cosmetic/beauty companies aren't yet 100% cruelty free, we must still embrace their efforts and encourage them to forge ahead to hopefully one day become totally vegan!! Any effort is better than no effort at all!!!  

So... while I am still recovering, I'm pampering myself with quality vegan products that I just can't seem to get enough of.  I'm never turning back. I suggest you do the same 👄💄

*Items pictured are just SOME of my MANY personal products 😍

     

Don't Say Vegan

    

Vegan, Vegan, Vegan!!! We went from not knowing the word, or at least not knowing how to pronounce it, to seeing it just about everywhere (menus, foods, products).  As a long-time vegan, when all that we had to eat was lettuce, bread and tofu, I'm pleased to see how far we've come in recognizing the importance of plant-based living.  However, I'm starting to feel like it may be overkill to some degree.  Although many folks appreciate veganism and some have gone so far as to embrace a vegan lifestyle, there are still those skeptics that just haven't come around yet.  I find it hilarious when I hear people say, "I've never eaten vegan food before."  I guess they've never eaten fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, potatoes, etc. lol.  Although I am unwavering in my commitment to being vegan, the choice doesn't have to be binary- vegan vs non-vegan.  Just like anything else, learning about veganism is a gradual process that I feel should NOT be rushed.  In fact, going 100% vegan for some may be a bit too extreme.  I'm just happy if people can make an effort to be more plant based.  Any effort is better than no effort at all.  That being said, we must be careful not to shove it in people's faces, as it can be very off putting, to say the least.  In all my years, I have always been conscientious of not judging or lecturing people or making them feel guilty for their dietary choices.  On the flip side, as many of you know from past posts, I have been teased, bullied and ridiculed for my cruelty-free choices.  I have always taken the high road, choosing to lead by example. 

     In my experience as a vegan living in mainstream society (should anyone in the restaurant business read this post), LESS IS MORE!  Rather than labeling particular items, have a small V/VA/VO label/symbol (vegan available/vegan optional) so that vegans/vegetarians can quickly scroll down to them.  Many dishes happen to be naturally vegan, so when a non-vegan comes across them, they may order a particular item without even thinking whether it's vegan or not.  I know that my dad is terrified of foods boldly labeled "vegan," even if he loves all the ingredients.  I can guarantee you that his eyes will skip right over an item if it's labeled "vegan."  However, vegans can recognize that something is vegan without the labels.  If the abbreviations appear, then it reassures us that it's "safe."  If you are a vegan like me, you will just simply just ask before ordering for clarification.  Vegans know how to study the menu, ask questions and make informed decisions on their own.  Many menu items that aren't labeled at all can actually be "veganized," so just to be sure, ask your server is it's possible.  Another piece of advice I would offer is to POLITELY request that your server ask the kitchen staff for confirmation that an item is indeed vegan, should the server not be sure.  Servers aim to please, usually, and want to make the customer happy. They also enjoy learning something new so that they can be prepared for the next vegan patron. Sometimes I get lazy or careless (vegan burnout) and quickly order something without further "investigation."  It never gets old when a server lets me know that the fryer isn't dedicated or that the dressing has honey/dairy in it, when I make it known that I'm vegan.  Much appreciated!!!

     We recently went to visit our children who live in Tennessee.  We went to a breakfast place called Milk & Honey in Chattanooga, which was very vegan friendly.  The menu had a small VO label on several items so, of course, I was thrilled and even had a hard time deciding.  When we were looking at the porridge bowl, it was labeled VO but as we read the description, every ingredient was vegan.  The server confirmed that the item was vegan but rather than the big in-your-face VEGAN word, which could steer folks clear, they added a very subtle VO, as they did with several other items.  It was then that I realized how clever that was to have a little label/symbol next to an item that most customers won't notice but those who prefer vegan/vegetarian foods will understand and appreciate :) I would be remiss if I didn't mention the restaurant "Cashew," also in Chattanooga and 100% plant based, so...NO LABELS NEEDED (except gluten/nut free lol)!! It's complete nirvana when we find a vegan-dedicated cafe/restaurant where the only thing we have to worry about is having to choose from a plethora of delicious options as well as saving room for dessert!!

     The word "vegan" is on its way to being a household name.  In a perfect world, everything would be plant based and cruelty free where we can do away with labels altogether!  It's remarkable to see just how many vegan-dedicated restaurants are popping up all around us. They are still few and far between so in the meantime, let's just celebrate how easy it is to find mainstream restaurants that can accommodate us with a variety of noteworthy vegan options! Don't SAY vegan...just do it!