There and back again...

No this is not what VB would call a "tale of hobbit porn."  I finished the PCRM 21-day Vegan Kickstart challenge.  As you may know from reading other posts, I have decided not to continue to be vegan.  One of the reasons is convenience.  It is not convenient or easy to be vegan.  Furthermore, my black heart does not feel the same way VB's does about animals.  I certainly do not think that evidence is made up or fantasy.  I think I'm still in the position of "my little part won't help."  I'll get over that, don't worry.  When VB and I got serious, I always assumed that I would continue to eat whatever and she would eat vegan.  VB wants to raise our possible kids vegan and since she turned me on to the PCRM website, I have absolutely no issue with that.  I'll have to help them cross the "I'm different" bridge when they come to it.

What were the benefits I experienced during/throughout the challenge?

1.  SAVING MONEY!!!!!!  I probably saved somewhere between $150 and 200 just by not buying lunch for the 15 week days I did the challenge.  That was an awesome, positive experience.

2.  Sleeping better.  I slept very well during the challege.  I did not experience energy loss during the day and I wasn't tired.  I got sleepy as bedtime drew closer and did not toss and turn at night.  CAVEAT:  During the first week of the challenge I only had three, yes only three, caffeinated drinks. 

3.  Slower to anger/more patience.  I experienced having more patience and I was slower to anger.  I'm not sure if that has to do with no animal products or caffeine, or better sleeping.  I did feel clearer mentally.

Things I did not experience:

1.  I did not have the physical epiphany that some folks have.  I did not feel immensly better, probably because I didn't feel bad before starting the challenge.

2.  I didn't lose any weight really.  I was hoping to lost some el bees in a big way.  I only lost a few pounds and that was probably because of not drinking soda. 

For the final days of the challenge the leftover candy from our reception was calling my name.  I had some today.  It was good, not great, but good.  I had some chicken today for lunch.  It was good, not great.    As I was eating my what-used-to-be-a-poor-defenseless-chicken I thought, I really don't need this.  It was good, but not necessary.  I think I'm past the first step to vegetarianism/veganism.  I've admitted there's a problem.  I guess what I really mean to say is that I am now comfortable with not eating the standard American diet.  As VB says, one day at a time.

As a side note, I think that my dad assumes that either VB is making me do this or I'm only doing it for her.  If I was, I would have had to swear off all things animal long ago.