Day 29: Cheaters NEVER prosper

You've all done it...come on...admit it. Glanced at your neighbors test? Written notes on your palm? Or on the bottom of your shoe? Taken a short cut, the easy way, cut corners? If you are saying no right now you are probably the worst offender. I'll be honest, I've cheated...several times. So when I thought to myself "hey! it's my diet, i'll just cheat a little bit" I believed it was no biggy, right? I've gotten away with it in the past, why not now? Well i'll tell you why not. 

One dreamy wobbly flashback sequence later and I'm standing in a kitchen surrounded by some of my favorite people. The aunties and other family are here from Tennessee, some of them just drove for 3 days to arrive and they want a quick and satisfying dinner made with love. Enter the enemy: that satisfying delicious dinner came in the form of a meat & cheese lasagna. 

Now yes, I know what you're thinking. Unless this family is into some weird sort of water torture forcing everyone to eat the same thing then why did I have to eat it? Well no, I didn't have to, but I didn't want to be "that" girl. Making my own separate dinner, answering all the questions, and it was an emotional time so I didn't want to give anyone anything else to worry about. So after conferring with my lovely friend-cousin and my scaredy-cat conscience, I decided I would go for it. No one outside of this room had to know. I would just have a little piece and a lot of salad and all would be well. 

No, all would not be well. 

The next day, I thought I had the flu. My stomach was angry, my throat was raw, I was having cold sweats and was pretty sure I was going to fall asleep on my keyboard. No fun at all! Cheating is NOT worth it! And it was only Stouffers! Regret does not even begin to cover it. So now I know. Now I can actually see the difference in my system and how I have adjusted to this new diet. The scary part is that food like that could have such an adverse affect on my body!

Since I'm going all precautionary tale in this entry, I'll throw in another little "word to the wise" gem before I go. Alcohol? Yes, I know, I love it to. But alcohol does not love a vegan body. 

You tempting, evil vixen!

Now don't get all high and mighty on me, I'm Irish, I thought considering my blood is 50% alcohol at birth anyways I would be fine. No my friends....Vegan trumps Irish any day of the week. Now this isn't to say you can't drink (I know, big sigh of relief) but just recognize that now 1 drink is about equivalent to 3 in the way your body is going to handle it. I spent last night on my bathroom floor from 4 beers. Yep, just 4. And today, I am paying for in strides. I highly considered if anyone would notice if I curled up in a little ball under my desk for the day.....I settled for a nap in my car on my lunch break instead. 

Moral of this enlightening and uplifting story....respect the changes that veganism is going to make to your body, both the good and the bad. Just recognize that it is a full body change to your system and things that you've always eaten, drank, done may require a little extra care. 


And think before you cheat. Yes, I know I should probably have learned that in a more moral way through school or work or relationships...but no, I learn all my best lessons through food :)