Preparing for the 7 Day Vegan Challenge

A few days ago I mentioned that I was participating in  a 7 Day Vegan Challenge that came about after Oprah and 378 of her staffers followed a strictly vegan diet for one full week. Admittedly, I haven't seen the show but there was a huge buzz about it in blogland after it aired and I thought, with all the vegan talk, why not try it for myself for seven days?

The truth is I have never been a vegan and while I was a vegetarian for many years I do currently eat some meat (poultry and fish). In other words, while I already eat many meat-free meals this challenge will be challenging.

When mentioning the challenge to people I have gotten the same question over and over: Why do it?

One question, many answers:

• Its a challenge (and really, who doesn't like a challenge?)
• Its a chance to try something new and understand a different way of life
• It will compel me to try to new recipes
• It will force me to look at food and food labels in a whole new way

I have done some research, asked some questions and done some preliminary planning.

Some menu ideas I am floating around are: Chana Masala, Tofu Scramble, Protein Pancakes, Pizza, Black Bean and Avocado Salad and Vegan Chili, which just happened to be first on the list as I entered the kitchen this afternoon:


Snowy Day Vegan Chili

You will need:

1 cup lentils
1 cup black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
1 jar pasta sauce
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 red pepper, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, diced
2 small zucchinis, diced
1/2 medium eggplant, diced
1 cup baby spinach
2 pkgs prepared chili spice (or equivalent of homemade mix which is ideal)
1/2 cup water

Prepare lentils and black beans in advance (of using canned beans you can skip this step)

Dice all vegetables except spinach and set aside

Add tomatoes and tomato sauce to the crock pot

Add all the diced vegetables, garlic, water and chili spice to crock pot and stir.

Set the crock pot to high and heat the mixture become heated all the way through

Add the spinach and lower heat.

Let the chili cook for several hours on low. In my experience, the longer it does it's thing the better. This baby will be cooking overnight (so no finished product photo or taste test until tomorrow)



During the 7 Day Vegan Challenge you can expect:

• Posts that include more recipes and food photos than usual
• Posts that discuss vegan related issues
• Posts that detail my experience with being a temporary vegan

If you want more information on the challenge check out Life After Bagels, follow the challenge on Twitter using the hashtag #7dayvegan or check out the Facebook page.

Well folks, that's all for now... it's time for the Puppy Bowl! Check back all this week for updates on the challenge and lots more vegan fun!


So tell me, have you ever tried a vegan diet? If not, what would you miss most if you did?