“What’s vegan?” Sam asked after he found out he had just devoured a large helping of vegan lasagna. Lasagna consisting of whole wheat noodles, pasta sauce, cashews, tofu, and a ton of vegetables.
It’s a plant-based diet. No meat. No dairy. No eggs. A strict vegetarian if you will.
Seriously? Why the sudden interest in preparing vegan food you ask.
Well, Jim discovered he had a (non-life threatening) diet related disease. And he was fed up. He decided to make a change, and this was it. A vegan diet.
We know it’s serious because he’s the original “it’s not a meal unless there’s meat” man. He bought a juicer. He’s making green drinks. He’s shaking ground flax-seed on just about everything he eats.
So, as the primary architect of dinner (and loving, supportive spouse), I’m pulling out all the stops to prepare surprisingly delicious plant-based meals–like that lasagna among other things.
Polenta pie with cashew cheese and maple glazed brussel sprouts.
Honestly, Jim is looking good. While he’s rid himself of the instigating medical issue, he’s still determined to lose those last ten pounds. The troublesome ones that cling on for dear life. But it’s more than his weight.
His eyes and skin look fresher and brighter. With his doctor’s supervision, he’s hoping to get his blood pressure under control without medication when he reaches his desired weight.
But let’s be perfectly frank here. Sam and I are not vegans. Jim is only adopting this as a temporary measure. Disclaimer: I am not promoting veganism. It’s been a useful tool for him to learn to live without all that meat he used to consume. In the process we’re learning about other healthy food choices and exploring a myriad of new vegetable dishes and other protein sources.
It’s not a forever change–completely. But we believe food is medicine. The best kind. And the side effects are all good ones. It’s a wake up call. A little less meat and dairy and a lot fewer processed foods. And (tah dah….) a lot more fruits and vegetables.
Good-bye gout.
For a more comprehensive look at all the many types of vegetarian and vegan diets, check out this noteworthy article at MedicineNet.com.
And here’s to Jim!
Table Talk 