February 4 - Being vegan is hard

Damn, being vegan is hard. For the most part, eating out is nearly impossible, and until you know by memory what you can and can't (and what brands you can and can't) eat and your fridge is therefore stocked with the correct items, it's tough to just grab a snack or make a meal on the fly. I suppose I went through the same thing when I became a vegetarian, but that was 20 years ago and I've forgotten. I think at the time I also chalked it up to still living at home with my parents and not being in charge of the grocery shopping.

I goofed this weekend. Sunday afternoon we went to my in-laws and had Swiss Chalet (always so good for so little). I'd done my research in advance and knew that I could have the veggie burger (even the bun). But without thinking, I opened a packet of mayo and smeared it on my bread. It wasn't until we were talking about the vegan trial after the meal, that my husband held up the packet and I'd realized what I'd done. Ugh! I knew enough to pick up vegan mayo at the health food store on the weekend, but in that moment completely forgot about it. Having already eaten eggs, I accepted a piece of chocolate cake, which I'm sure had more eggs in it, and possibly milk.

Also, though I did copious amounts of baking and cooking this weekend, I did not make myself muffins and so I bought my usual banana bread this morning. Ugh. Eggs and dairy are in everything!

So, my night tonight will consist of picking up groceries, baking muffins, and making a stew. Maybe somewhere in there I'll get to spend time with my family and sleep too.