My Vegan Journey October 15.

I just made it through my first turkey holiday without eating the turkey. I wish I could say that it's out in the farmyard enjoying a longer life but sadly it still wound up on the dinner platter and was wolfed down by a crew of meat eaters that didn't give it a second thought. Probably didn't even taste it going down. Normally I would have made a bread and sausage stuffing to go along with the dinner but this time I got out my mom's recipe for a delicious bread dressing. Rather than cooking it in the turkey I basted it with vegetable stock and cooked it in the oven for about an hour. I also made a baked squash stuffed with orange flavoured couscous which got many compliments from fellow diners. Of course to finish the dinner off there was pumpkin pie, (well it is a vegetable right?)

I've stepped up my exercise to 4 boot camps a week, 3 walks and 2 dragon boat practices. I can tell you I really looked forward to this weekend of sitting quietly and reading, exactly what this damp west coast weather was made for. I can only admit to one more pound lost but I am certainly feeling muscles that have started showing up.

I bought my first vegetarian cookbook and am slowly trying new recipes, my favourite still being a vegetable lasagna that I made for a friend last night. I also made a meat filled one for the rest of the family and offered both to my friend but she preferred the vegetarian one.

My new find this month is almond milk. If you haven't tried this yet you are really missing a delicious alternative to milk. It has a lovely flavour, is thirst quenching, you can use it on your cereal or in your coffee, has less calories than milk and 1 cup gives you 50% of your rda of vitamin B12. The bonus is that it doesn't give you that bloated, gassy feeling that some people get from drinking milk. I made a dessert last night called "Impossible pie" and used almond milk instead of regular milk and it really added to an already delicious treat.

A salad that has become my favourite are strawberry tomatoes cut in half, an english cucumber thickly sliced, peppers chopped in large cubes, chopped avocado, artichoke hearts, feta cheese and a fruit flavoured dressing. It will keep in the fridge for a couple of days if you don't add the dressing and is there waiting for you when you feel the need to graze.

I still cannot say that I'm in love with vegetables but since it's apparent that I'm not going to be eating meat anytime soon ( if ever), I keep experimenting and luckily we have lots of fruit available here. The one bonus of being a vegetarian is that I now give myself permission to have desserts ( within moderation, as I have never had a sweet tooth) guilt free. Especially those ones that have fruits and vegetables in them......