As you know it’ summer and I’m always looking for a way to lose a couple of pounds and keep it off year round.
Enter Beyonce’s co-sign of going vegan. I like the concept but its a bit aggressive out the box. Luckily, Billboard writers – Erika and Denise – have committed themselves to Beyonce’s 22 Day Vegan challenge. Since I’m not too sure I can fully commit at this time, I’m going to live through Erika and Denise’s day-by-day diary of their experiences. So I’m back with Day 2. Catch Day 1 HERE
Day 2 (Tuesday, June 23)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Granola for breakfast, Thai street “fried” rice for lunch, and sweet potato mash for dinner.
Favorite: The Thai rice.
Least favorite: Sweet potato mash
How Beyonce do I feel? “Pretty Hurts”
No Diet Coke is killing me. Not literally, but it certainly feels like it. However, I know that it’s going to pass and I just have to get through it. Plus, I’m down another pound for a total of 2.4 pounds lost. (This pattern can’t keep up, right?)
I did not have the energy to work out on day 2, something I plan to fix for day 3. The caffeine withdrawal has made me very lethargic. And I ended up going to sleep at 9PM last night. (This pattern cannot continue.)
The food, I have no problem with, and once I get over the need for soda, I think I’ll do all right with this. (Although, tip: don’t let the meals get cold.)
Everyone is teasing us for doing this — co-workers, my friends and more. So that is just a little bit of extra motivation.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: Boysenberry Berry oatmeal for breakfast, millet with tri-mushroom gravy lunch, and tomato black beans with chard for dinner.
Favorite: None, honestly.
Least favorite: Millet with tri-mushroom gravy
How Beyonce do I feel? “Survivor”
I wonder when my body is going to get used this diet. I looked at myself in the mirror, when walking to get a smoothie from my new favorite spot Liquiteria, and thought to myself ‘I look pregnant.’ (I’m just bloated.) Also, am I really going to be going to sleep every day at 10 or 10:30 PM?
On the train ride home I realized that getting through will depend on my perspective. If I keep thinking I’m dying slowly, then I’m going to feel like I’m dying slowly. I’m not. It’s not that deep. The same with happiness; how you see it has to do with how you achieve it.
I got off the train last night and went and bought a lot of fruit. I can now skip the refrigerated granola for breakfast and make myself a strawberry smoothie with almond milk, and snack on an apple with organic peanut butter. I got excited. I think I got excited because I was taking control. I’m not just eating pre-made meals back to back and let whatever is supposed to happen, happen.
My next step is finding ways to gain energy that I usually would get with protein. Because 1. I don’t want to be tired at 4 PM but 2. guess what gave me a headache yesterday? I think it was the plant-based protein. Why I’m doing the diet is to lessen the migraines, and by now being more aware of what I’m eating, I can now see what triggers or worsens my headaches (which then turn into migraines in 0 to 100).
Day 3 (Wednesday, June 24)
Denise Warner
What I ate: Chocolate Banana Breakfast Surprise, Chipotle Pinto Bean Enchilada Bowl for lunch, I totally forget the name of it but it was something like ratatouille and rice noodles for dinner*
Favorite: Chocolate Banana Breakfast Surprise
Least favorite: Dinner
How Beyonce do I feel?
In lieu of a social life sans alcohol, I’ve taken to re-reading the Harry Potter series in an effort to prepare for my next round of Potter trivia in a few weeks. I’m super cool.
It’s true, though, that so much of our social lives — if you’re a single adult — revolve around eating and drinking. And while I’ve managed so far to not feel like an outcast, the upcoming weeks should be interesting. Especially my trip to the Catskills with high school friends over the Fourth of July.
Overall, this is starting to feel a bit more manageable. I worked out again, I’m not as tired — but I still miss my morning Diet Cokes. Sigh. Some things may never change.
*After seeing Erika’s diary entry, I learned it’s called “Ratatouille Portobello Pasta.” I was close.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: Homemade strawberry smoothie (with almond milk) and a banana for breakfast, an apple as a snack, ratatouille portobello pasta for lunch, beans with homemade cactus salad for dinner.
Favorite: Homemade cactus salad
Least favorite: Ratatouille Portobello pasta
How Beyonce do I feel?
A co-worker yesterday came over and jokingly offered me bread and laughed. And when I said no, he cruelly threw it in my trash can. It took a lot in me to not throw my trash out over his desk. Yes, very petty of me. Yes, very baby emoji of me, but this isn’t easy. And also the reason we embarked on this challenge isn’t a joke, at least not to me. Two to three day-long migraines, bi-weekly, aren’t fun. A daily self-reminder of that has helped better my attitude towards the diet.
Day 4 (Thursday, June 25)
Denise Warner:
What I Ate: Boysenberry Oatmeal for breakfast, Almond Curry Noodles for lunch, skipped dinner
Favorite: A tie between the oatmeal and the noodles.
Least favorite: None this day
How Beyonce do I feel?
I have something to admit. I drank a glass of wine. I’m weak. It’s fine. But I’ll pull through. (And I guess my co-workers were right — I was never going to be able to fully succeed.)
I shouldn’t feel so much like a failure, but I do. I feel like I’ve let a lot of people down. Most of all myself.
I texted a few friends immediately to tell them I had slipped. And I emailed my friends I’m going on vacation with to explain. They were actually more upset that I cracked on my own — they had hoped to be the ones to get me to break the diet.
Mostly, though, everyone is still supportive. Besides, there are still many more days to forgo alcohol.
Next up: The weekend. I will conquer this. And drink lots of water.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: A banana and apple for breakfast, Thai-street “fried rice” bowl for lunch, chipotle pinto bean enchilada bowl for dinner, and watermelon slices for a late night snack.
Favorite: Thai-street “Fried Rice” bowl for lunch
Least favorite: All was pretty good.
How Beyonce do I feel?
I can do this. I’ve now gotten comfortable substituting fruit for sweets when cravings arise, even when at 4AM. I’ve learned having a routine is key: a homemade milkshake or a cup of cinnamon oak clusters (with flax seeds) and almond milk before I leave for work, vitamins at 3PM, grocery shopping once I get home from work, etc. The more control and discipline I attain, the better I feel. Guess who’s making dairy-free, gluten-free mac and cheese tonight?
Also, I was very happy when Jessica Frost, Media Relations Specialist for Dr. Neal D. Barnard, sent me a care package of materials to read for migraine-sufferers. I rarely ask for help (maybe it’s pride or my foolish fear of coming off as an inconvenience) even when offered, but the 22-days vegan challenge has me ditching that mentality. The diet is a gradually rewarding experience, but not an easy one considering how unhealthy I normally would ate (subconsciously and consciously), the lack of vitamins I would take, and my health conditions (migraines and mitral-valve prolapse.)
Am I getting too deep? On to day five.
Days 5 – 7 (Friday June 26 – Sunday, June 28)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Lemon raspberry muffins, cauliflower risotto (again, I forget its proper name), I’m ashamed to admit — chocolate vegan ice cream, apple cinnamon oatmeal, Moroccan chickpea vegetable tagine, and arugla and artichoke salad, maple oat loaf, three bean Texas chili, brown rice and veggies for dinner
Favorite: The arugula and artichoke salad, because I ate it with other human beings in a restaurant.
Least Favorite: I’m going to leave this to a text I got from my friend — “I can’t even imagine what a maple oat loaf is.”
How Beyonce do I feel?
I know the spirit of the lifestyle/diet doesn’t really allow for the vegan ice cream. But I had to. I knew the weekend would be rough, since I wouldn’t have work to keep me busy and my mind off food/diet coke. Plus, the weekend is prime wine time, too. Somehow I managed. I even ate out a restaurant with my friends!
On Sunday, I thought if I cooked for myself, I’d feel a little bit better of still having two more weeks of this. And actually, I did. I wasn’t in a particularly creative mood — hence the brown rice and veggies (broccoli and carrots, because again, I’m boring). But it was fun all the same. I had been in the habit of ordering Fresh Direct Kids Meals to eat for dinner regularly (I know, I know, but they are good!), so it was nice to break out the pots and pans again.
The caffeine headaches are gone. I have enough energy to work out. And I’ve lost 5 pounds total. The big test, though, is coming up this week — vacation with my friends.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: I’ve lost track (maybe on purpose). I think: almond curry noodles, DF Mavens’ chocolate almond ice cream (two pints), Chipotle burrito bowl (with sofritas, black beans, brown rice, and grilled peppers and onions), strawberry smoothie (with almond milk and strawberries), grapes, three-bean Texas chili, cactus salad, potatoes and black beans, smoked lentil stew with broccolini, kale chips, and hummus.
Favorite: DF Maven’s ice cream (I mean, c’mon!)
Least favorite: Almond curry noodles
How Beyonce do I feel?
Beyoncé did not eat these f—ing meals. I mean she did, but I don’t want to believe it. The 22-days vegan meals — while filled with hearty ingredients creatively paired — are becoming difficult to eat because of the amount and constancy of the intake. Eating three vegan meals a day isn’t what’s tough (at least not as much anymore), what’s tough is eating three meals a day that have been pre-made, frozen for days, then microwaved; the meal loses a big chunk of its taste. Beyoncé probably had an in-house chef cook up the recipes and serve them fresh. (Ugh, so I guess she did eat them). I am eating meals on top of the meals offered for balance and to not lose too much weight. (I’ve lost two pounds.) I’ve started exploring grocery stores for vegan snacks, vegan ice cream shops (because duh) and vegan options at restaurants.
It was tough though going to Crown Heights’ Mexican restaurant Chavela’s on Saturday, June 27, and seeing meals with steak, seafood or Mexican rice pass by. It hurt my Mexican heart and tastebuds. Good news is there’s pretty much a vegan option for everything: chips, ice cream, cookies, etc. Clearly they don’t taste the same as snacks loaded with dairy and gluten but they’re actually tasty, especially DF Maven’s gluten free, soy free and dairy free chocolate ice cream options. (I may or may not have eaten two pints this weekend.) Similar to the tone of this post, my mood towards the diet was positive and negative this weekend. Negative when seeing friends eat without care, positive when I found substitutes for snacks. But if a friend eats something greasy in front of me and enjoys it too much again, I’m telling them that at least they’re going to die sooner than me 🙂
Day 8 (Monday, June 29)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Granola, a smoothie for a snack (Thanks, Erika!), another bean thing that I forgot the name of but I think it was navy beans, a veggie burger and salad
Favorite: The veggie burger
Least favorite: Beans, beans, the magical fruit …
How Beyonce do I feel?
I went out again to a real restaurant again, hence the veggie burger and it was delightful. I do feel bad about not adhering strictly to the food we’ve been sent, though.
In other news, I’m actually enjoying — as much as I can — the no drinking thing, because even one or two glasses of wine will give me a headache. So it’s nice not waking up hung over.
However, I’m nervous about the next five days when I’m on vacation. Somebody help me.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: A banana for breakfast, Liquiteria “berry powerful” smoothie for a snack, Chipotle burrito bowl (sofritas, brown rice, black beans, and grilled peppers and onions) and creamy mushroom penne pasta for lunch, and three bean Texas chili for dinner
Favorite: Liquiteria smoothie
Least favorite: Three bean Texas chili
How Beyonce do I feel?
I don’t know anything anymore ..
Day 9 (Tuesday, June 30)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Mango and peach chia pudding, falafel, hummus and salad for lunch, Texas three bean chili for dinner
Favorite: I still really like the pudding
Least favorite: Everything else was honestly fine.
How Beyonce do I feel?
I’m nervous about my trip. That is all. And I think I need to drink more water.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: An apple for breakfast, Chipotle burrito bowl (sofritas, brown rice, black beans, and grilled peppers and onions) and Louisiana style lentils and brown rice for lunch, and vegan avocado sushi for dinner.
Favorite: Chipotle burrito bowl
Least favorite: None
How Beyonce do I feel?
I’ve been eating my meals in a hidden pocket of the Billboard NYC kitchen. I do so so no one sees me cry into my microwaveable meal. I also don’t want to spread my misery. (JK, not JK.)
I’m continuing to seek new vegan restaurants around the workplace (especially ice cream… okay, maybe only ice cream). The hunt has became more serious after I tried to make mac & cheese with dairy-free cheese. Never again. NEVER AGAIN.
Day 10 (Wednesday, July 1)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Blackberry chia pudding, green salad, edamame, grapes, cherries and a rice pilaf dinner thing.
Favorite: All were fine
Least favorite: See above.
How Beyonce do I feel?
It was the first day of my vacation and one of my friends put a cheeseburger down right in front of me. Not cool. So I got up, made my rice pilaf and ate it dutifully.
Let’s see how the rest of my week goes.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: Strawberry smoothie (strawberries and almond milk), Chipotle burrito bowl (same as the days before) for lunch, Tacombi (Pinto beans and brown rice and a corn and peppers taco) for dinner, and DF Mavens’ chocolate almond ice cream for a snack.
Favorite: All.
Least favorite: See above.
How Beyonce do I feel?
I got a headache late last night. I was ready to quit the diet if it turned into a migraine. I think a vegan diet is about living a better, healthier life, being aware and an advocate of animal rights, and more depending on the philosophy of who’s embarking on such lifestyle. For me, right now, it’s about figuring out how to lessen the paralyzing pain of my migraines by eating cleaner and healthier; hence why I was being dramatic and wanting to quit. But I didn’t. I ate three to four spoonfuls of my vegan chocolate ice cream, took my migraine prescription meds and went right to sleep.
Days 11 – 14 (Thursday, July 2 to Sunday, July 5)
Denise Warner:
What I Ate? Uggh. I don’t want to talk about it. I did eat a lot of vegetables, though.
Favorite? Seriously, just no.
Least Favorite? Nope.
How Beyonce do I feel? Whatever the opposite of Beyonce is. That’s how I feel. Like this chick.
Can I have a do-over and NOT going on vacation with some of my oldest and dearest friends over a national holiday during this challenge? Perfect. Thanks.
Back on track for the final 8 days though. Let’s do this.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: A strawberry smoothie (with almond milk), an apple, an iced chai (with almond milk) with a banana for breakfast, Pasta alla Siciliana, Chavela’s black beans and cactus salad, Chipotle’s veggie burrito bowl for lunch, and Texas-style fiesta bean bowl, hummus and kale chips and vegan bread with organic peanut butter for dinner. Also, vegan ice cream and fruit as snacks through out the weekend.
Favorite: Peanut butter sandwich
Least favorite: Pasta alla Siciliana
How Beyonce do I feel?
I don’t have any friends anymore. I mean, I doubt I do especially after this weekend. I’ve become the person that can’t order from a brunch menu because it doesn’t adhere to my vegan needs. (Like, am I hearing myself right now?) I wouldn’t want to be friends with me either. On Friday (July 3), I stayed in and ate a great amount of snacks: fruit, hummus, kale chips, vegan chocolate ice cream, etc. I decided to not go out because I imagined the small talk I would have with a drunk person. (I hate small talk as it is.) I stayed in Friday and watched Bob’s Burgers, ate vegan ice cream and worked on a side project. Problem is, I did the exact thing on Saturday and Sunday night. I fell asleep at 10 PM every night except Saturday. I forced myself to stay up because I thought I’d be too ashamed to go to sleep so early on 4th of July. I watched the fireworks from my apartment building, while texting my friends ‘do you still love me?’ This diet has only made me even more introverted or anti-social.
I haven’t ate many of the 22-days meals, to be honest. I think I’ve been caught up finding new vegan substitutes and grossing myself out by Google-ing every ingredient from the stuff I used to eat. I think that’s my way of preparing myself after the diet ends, because I do want to implement some of the things I’ve learned. I also want to cook more. And now that don’t have friends, I need to stay busy.
Day 15 (Monday, July 6)
Denise Warner:
What I ate: Blackberry chia pudding for breakfast, one of the rice and lentil meals for lunch, a smoothie for a snack, artichoke and tomato salad with citrus vinaigrette for dinner.
Favorite: I’m getting really fond of the chia pudding. But the salad I had in a restaurant with a friend (who ordered a cheeseburger and I was jealous) was pretty good. It’s great being social.
Least favorite: Oh it was all fine. I’m getting used to it.
How Beyonce do I feel?
There’s only a few days left. I think I’ve learned that I don’t have the discipline to do this for 22 days straight. But I really do think this will keep me off Diet Coke. So that’s a bonus.
I’m still upset with myself about cheating. But for me it’s clear — moderation is key. So when I’m back to my “normal” diet, I know I’ll drink less wine and be off caffeine entirely.
Erika Ramirez:
What I ate: An iced chai (with almond milk) and a banana for breakfast, Chipotle veggie burrito bowl for lunch, gluten-free linguine (with basil, garlic, grape tomatoes, red peppers) for dinner.
Favorite: Linguine
Least favorite: None
How Beyonce do I feel?
Whatever. I’m taking this day by day. I’m no longer over thinking (or will try not to). Is this me in the acceptance phase? I do know that I need to get back to taking vitamins because I can feel (or not feel) my energy slowing down after 4PM as it was in the beginning of the diet.
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