Vegan Update #5

Probably the healthiest thing that I had on vacation this summer, even though we ate ALL of the hummus!

Vacation is always the hardest time to be on a diet, and I have found this to be the same situation as a vegan on vacation! As difficult as it was years ago to find food when I was calorie counting or keeping my carbs down, I realized that vacationing while on a no dairy, meat, eggs, or animal byproduct diet was about a thousand times worse. So, I decided when I first started this way of eating that I would simply be vegetarian while on vacation.

Beignets, my new favorite dessert!

And while I still feel bad about eating the stuff that I normally wouldn't touch, I am able to write it off in my brain because "I'm on vacation!". That is, until I cross the line. I don't eat as healthy as possible, I embrace the dairy.  When I think back to it, it makes me a little sick. Instead of trying to stay somewhat healthy, I bury myself in cheese, chocolate, and ranch dressing. Now that my vacation is over, I'm feeling the effects of such reckless eating.

I just got back from New Orleans last week, I was there for almost a week with some of my sorority sisters for our national convention, and there was no way to be vegan while I was gone. Vegetarian was even a bit difficult to find food for at times. So, I ate everything in sight that I couldn't normally eat, because my stomach knew that I wouldn't be eating like that again after I got home. There was a dessert after every meal with some sort of chocolate on it, and I slathered egg- and dairy-filled dressing on every salad that I had. I had the option of a vinaigrette, I just didn't want it.

I so wish that I had just eaten the salad with vinaigrette or gotten nachos without cheese at the airport on the way home. Because now I have to pay for it. I'm finally getting over the massive breakout all that dairy gave me while I was away, thank goodness. But, I've been bloated consistently since I started eating all of that crap again, something that I hope will stop once I get all of it out of my system.

As much fun as I had on my trip, I am just happy to be home to my veggies and my vegan mayo, trying to return my body to its pre-vacation state!

I'll be posting more about my summer adventure to New Orleans soon!

Until next time,

Hayley :)