New Post.
I don’t have an exciting title this afternoon. I’m exploring Vegan cookbooks and am finding a lot from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau about how to summarize your thoughts and get through the terrifying questions such as what a life without cheese (!) and ice cream (omfg) might look like. Fortunately before ever allowing myself to say out loud that I would ever attempt being Vegan I ensured that there would be plenty of opportunities and substitutes for ice cream.
I really love ice cream.
Anyhow, give my meager budget I’m trying to find a book that will help me to both learn about the most healthful, sustainable, and consistent way to eat vegan – as well as provide a pinch-hit when I need something that is a reminder of what all the shit that I love to eat now is like. As Rico* said when I announced my plans to him: “Well, I guess we’d better really live up Pizza Thursdays** for the rest of the year.” Anyhow I think I’ve zeroed in on this book since I can only afford one. If you are for some reason looking to buy me gifts any of the following would be acceptable – I’ve found I tend to surround myself with people who have a ton of disposable income (JOKE).
Vegan on the Cheap by Robin Robertson
Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day by Ellen Jaffe Jones
Vegan’s Daily Companion by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Does anyone know any of these books or have any thoughts about them? If so, or if you know someone who has any recommendations from their own experiences let me know.
In other news right now I’m watching Thinner and it is really a terrible movie. On that note I am at a “peak” of weight right now. My clothes don’t fit the way they used to but my pants are loose around my middle. I wouldn’t say they’re terribly comfortable and I certainly feel bloated. So I’m glad to be moving toward this goal.
Also, I started running yesterday with Couch to 5K. Yesterday I went to the gym and it kicked my ass, and getting to the gym took almost as much cajoling as getting me to leave my bedroom to go hang out with friends. Today I went on a much more mellow run, really at my own speed, up through a different part of my neighborhood and toward one of many of DC’s beautiful universities. It was peaceful and easy and very slow-paced, and right now I’m okay with that. It’s disappointing feeling how far out of shape I am, but it is also reassuring to feel like I can push myself gently toward longer runs. Also toward having a dog to go on long runs with me.
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The birthday party and going away party were fun on Friday night. I really had a very nice time and enjoyed catching up with people. Once I had a drink or two and felt comfortable in everyone’s company I was ready to hang out all night. I fell asleep at 2am and woke up at 9am and could not get out of bed. I finally, FINALLY dragged myself to the gym and forgot a water bottle, a hair tie, and my headphones. Awesome.
Last night Rico’s parents were in town and they came over to see our house and have dinner with me, Rico, and Rico’s SO. I have never met Rico’s parents before and wanted to make an excellent impression so that they would tell my roommate he could never leave and also generally find me charming. By about ten minutes before they said they would be home, I couldn’t come out of my bedroom. Then I heard them come in and Rico said hello and I still didn’t want to leave my bedroom. I had essentially forced Rico to introduce me to his parents, and I’m sure they were curious about the strange girl who Rico found on Craigslist and her sordid past, so I had absolutely no reason or excuse to not want to get out of my bed. Then it became even more awkward because it’s not like people “get lost” in 800 square feet and Rico knew I was home. Again, I had to drag myself out of bed and go have wine and appetizers with them and then go to dinner. I was prepared to tell them I was sorry, but I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t think I could go to dinner, but once I’d had half a bottle of wine I felt fine going. And we had a wonderful time. I had no reason to suspect we wouldn’t. They were very friendly and accommodating and I loved talking to them and spending time with them. Again by the time they came home I was like “Hey guys! Want more wine?!” and everyone was like, “No, you drunk fuck.”
The moral of this story is that I knew it was going to be fine and yet I was still a real a-hole about it. This morning I was babysitting and I’ve generally lived under the reality that if I get myself out of the house early in the morning I can do anything. Au contraire. This morning I had fun with the boys, then came home and got in bed. It was very difficult to get myself out of bed to go for a run and even to go to the fucking living room. I have to go to my professor’s house for dinner or appetizers or something at 6:30 and as I just thought of that my lower lip literally quivered. So who knows what’s up. But it’s clearly not my social skills.
* Names Changed
** Recipe: Papa Johns Large Pizza (half sausage for Rico, half extra cheese for me), rum, Coke Zero, an order of cheesy bread, Community, Parks & Rec, The Office, 30 Rock, Always Sunny, and recorded episodes of Up All Night.
