Interesting.

Before you ask, I know you know I’ve been a vegetarian for a long time, and if you didn’t know this, I’ve been lactose intolerant for almost as long. A few weeks ago was the last straw and I have gone full on vegan, well ovo-vegan. I’ve never had a problem with eggs and I think they’re yummy, when I’m in the mood, hence the ovo-vegan.

If you didn’t know there are different levels; a pescatarian is someone who only eats fish, a vegetarian eats no meats (poultry, beef, pork, etc, fish, animal byproducts) but might eat eggs and dairy, that’s where the expression ovo-lacto comes from.

So, I gave up meat and poultry when I was a kid, then about nine years ago, gave up fish, this was tough, but I got used to it. Once in a while, if I am in the mood, I might eat fish, but it’s very rare.

I’ve continued to eat some dairy, but with complications. I found Lactaid milk, wow! After a few years, can’t have that, then I tried soy milk and eventually became allergic, so I’ve moved on to almond and rice milk. I’ve taken the Lactaid pills so that I can eat dairy and they worked for a while, but unfortunately, no more.

As I mentioned, a few weeks ago I became full on vegan, well, ovo-vegan. There are a few things I can still eat because it doesn’t bother me. I can have butter and a little Parmesan cheese, so far so good, who knows what will happen in the future, but for now, give me at least that!

All about the same time, I cut out dairy, cut down my carb intake and started working out regularly. It’s all working together and I think I’m starting to see results, might be too soon to tell and I think I feel better not eating dairy, still too soon to tell, I’ll keep you posted.

It is a bit tough finding a happy medium and I know vegans throughout time have figured it out, I just have to get there. I have found it tough to find things to eat at some places, so many restaurants offer dishes with cheese, some have vegan cheese, but not many. I don’t always want a salad and if there is no veggie burger or spicy black bean burger doesn’t help.

I feel bad for my friends who have to listen to me worry about this new venture, so to speak. They are very nice and try to help me find things, but it’s frustrating. I’m usually pretty good about finding things, but now that I’ve cut out dairy, it’s getting more difficult. I’ll get there. When I’m home or at the grocery store, no problem, it’s restaurants that are a little trickier, but being in a college town helps.
So, thank you to my friends.

My new slogan “Vegetarian by choice, vegan by force”. Makes me smile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism