Belated update

I am completely sorry for being so crap at giving updates to my veganism. We are now 17/28 days down and I can't honestly say I have struggled to this point.

Last week I lived at the office, and the team ate take out 3 out of 5 nights last week. I sat on the sidelines for the consumption of Thai, some tasty looking Pizza, and an array of food from Deliverance, and while epically jealous (the Chilli Beef looked tasty) I didn't waver at any point. I was however forced to eat another bland vegan sandwich one evening, I skipped dinner completely on the second night opting to eat at 11pm when I got home and on the third night came Deliverance, or not. Great I thought, somewhere I can order food from, perfect! Surely from the globally diverse and extensive menu I would find something. The answer is my friends, not. I couldn't guarantee that anything I thought might be safe was, and of course nothing was marked "suitable for vegans" (more on that topic in a separate post).

Noodles looked pretty safe but most have some egg in somewhere, a salad - a vegan favourite, but all came with meat/cheese/dressing that ruled it out, the vegetarian stir fry (again with the noodles), it was finally narrowed down to some steamed bok choi and a side of steamed rice, a bland sandwich was looking suddenly more appealing. Fortunately Tesco around the corner has just (last week was the first time I have noticed) the "Pick Me" range of vegetarian ready meals - some of which are vegan. So while not comfort eating a double cheese burger at 10pm (7 hours before I finally left the office on Wednesday) with chunky fries dipped in mayo I at least ate something which tasted vaguely like real food.

And tasting vaguely like real food is I think the problem with being Vegan. Finding things to eat when out is borderline impossible unless going to a Veggie specialist restaurant, and even cooking at home is, in truth, beige. Yes, I am eating more fresh vegetables than usual, more beans, more pulses and more fruit, but there is a lack of flavour in my diet. To make fairly boring food interesting I find myself currying and chilli-ing more than I would normally.

That said there are some surprising places that it is possible to live 'normally' to be spontaneous - to not have to plan every meal days in advance. If I didn't live in one of the busiest and most diverse cities in the world I think this would be more difficult.

Stock Favourites and lifesavers over the last three weeks have included:
White Americano with Soy (at all good coffee shops).
Hummus and Roasted Vegetable wrap (Starbucks - good for hangovers)
The 'Dairy Free' range from the Crussh chain of cafes.
Bagels with baked beans (the post lash hangover cure - a poor man's bacon butty)
Divine 70% Dark Chocolate
Fruit Smoothies with Soya yogurt (every morning for breakfast)
Walkers Salt and Vinegar Crisps
Tyrrles crisps
Pick Me! Ready meals for working late