I guess, since it's the 31st, I should sum up the No Dairy January project. Hm.
Well, the hardest part of not eating dairy is just vigilance. Around the house was easy enough, because I just didn't bring in any products with dairy in them. If John were here, it would be harder. He'd have all the usual stuff sitting around, and I'd have to 1) remember not to grab whatever I want when I'm hungry, and 2) constantly check labels to be sure there's no hidden whey or milk in anything. As it is, I had to check labels on everything from cocoa powder to microwave popcorn to Lean Cuisines, all of which have dairy unless you check carefully for non-butter-flavored popcorn, etc.
Eating out is virtually impossible, depending on the restaurant. I had only two slips this month: once when cream cheese appeared in a sushi roll, even when cream cheese wasn't listed on the menu description, and once when a Starbucks cider drink came with whipped cream--again, not listed on the menu. Besides that, there were at least three dinners of Indian food, and I wouldn't be surprised if the food was cooked with butter or ghee. In fact, I'd be surprised if they WEREN'T cooked with butter or ghee. In restaurants, it's impossible to know if bread was made with milk or butter. Vegetables might be drizzled with butter or sauteed in butter. Pasta might be made with milk or cooked in butter. There's hidden cream in many sauces, gravies and dressings.
Early in the month, I decided to go ahead and eat eggs. It was just too difficult to leave them out.
I found myself having cravings for protein, even though I was eating a ton of lentils, beans, edamame, chicken, eggs, peanut butter, spinach and high-protein versions of things I normally eat, like tortillas. Come to think of it, I've been tired...yesterday I was thinking that I just lacked energy, and it reminded me of a few years ago when I was so anemic that I ended up in the hospital. I know I'm not anywhere near that tired now. I also know that I'm not having the same issues that I was then, because, well, back then I had a tumor that caused me to lose a lot of blood every month. Whole different blog entry right there. Anyway, I was trying to remember the last time I ate beef, and I can't remember. I know I had a cheeseburger a month ago, before January started. Could that be the last time I ate beef?
I've lost 5 pounds. My daily headaches have completely disappeared. In general, my sinuses seem clearer. I still have times during most days when I feel a little stuffy, but it's not as bad as it was before this month. I have a neti pot that I've never used--someone gave it to me years ago and I look at it suspiciously every now and then, but I haven't brought myself to use it yet. I'm getting close. I'll be sure to take some pics for fun.
I don't miss macaroni and cheese as much as I feared I would. Strangely, I miss pizza more, and I wasn't a pizza person before. I don't dislike pizza, but I'm a Chicago-style pizza fan, and there's nothing remotely like that down here. Floppy pizza and crunchy pizza aren't that interesting to me. When I think about mac and cheese, I think "yum!" but I don't crave it. I crave bacon and eggs and peanut butter--protein. And chocolate! I never expected to miss chocolate this month. Again, I love chocolate, but I don't crave it, usually. I think maybe I just eat a lot of it without noticing, and now I miss it because I used to have it around so much. I have a bag of chocolate-covered edamame in my cabinet. THOSE won't be around a week from now, I bet.
I thought I would miss ice cream more, but sorbet and non-dairy ice creams seem to have taken its place. They're not the same, but they are just fine most of the time. Right now I have a half gallon of dark chocolate sorbetto from Kroger that is VERY yummy with peanut butter and frozen strawberries mixed in.
I'm about to eat lunch: leftover chicken curry from last night with rice, clementine, hardboiled egg. Today I have to do laundry and get ready for the next four days: tomorrow's a long one of teaching and band practice, Wednesday working in the shop, Thursday up early to rehearse with my accompanist and teach, Friday teaching and driving home. Practicing as much as I can between all those things. Saturday: collapse. Oh - I sent my application for a DMA program this morning. Stress.
I have a couple of photos to put in this entry, but the photo uploader won't work.
No comments:
Post a Comment