The 40-year old Vegan

Let’s face it, there are things that are good for us and things that are bad for us. By the time we reach adulthood most of us know what they are, but even so we constantly act in ways that are detrimental to our health.

Take the seat belt. Put your damn belt on and you have a better chance of living, in fact seat belts save 15,000 of us every year, yet some rebels out there still refuse to buckle up.

The list goes on, not drinking enough water, sleeping four hours a night, working too much, skipping breakfast and refusing to floss. These are things we all have been guilty of doing while at the same time we know that they are bad for our health.

In our infinite wisdom we have risen to the top of the food chain and yet continue to sabotage our health and wellness. Maybe we think we need a new challenge, I’m not exactly sure why but we always seem to find new ways to sabatoge our well being.

When it comes to eating can someone explain to me while so many of us turn our backs on what we know is good for us and go for the quick fix or the lazy alternative?

It has been proven time and time again that a plant based diet will have overwhelmingly better results than a meat based diet, yet the line at the McDonald’s drive thru is never empty, ever.

We have all heard that all things in moderation are good for us. I think that philosophy is crap. I do take heat for being too literal but that is part of who I am. So when I hear “all things in moderation,” I cringe. How about heroin in moderation? Probably not the best life choice. Fast food in moderation is also dangerous. Choose another option.

As I continue my road to recovery the path of the vegetarians and vegans has come my way. It has been five weeks since the surgery and I am feeling well enough to take a walk almost every day, and more importantly, cook dinner for my sweetheart without worrying about bleeding to death when my knife slips.

So this vegan thing. It’s going to take some getting used to. I have read books, searched online and even ordered from one of those meal delivery companies. The results, well, I am still a vegan in progress. A pimple-faced, awkward vegan virgin if you will.

Let’s start with tofu. After my first two attempts at tofu I was ready to give up. Tofu tastes like chicken if chicken didn’t have any taste. I felt bad for the soybean farmer that was responsible for the tofu I purchased because their hard work was in vain.

But then I found some five spiced braised tofu (pictured) that turned everything around. I browned it and got it very crispy, added a drop of tabasco and now there is nothing stopping me.

Just don’t give up when it comes to new things, especially in the kitchen. It just takes one or two dishes to turn your thoughts on something around, no need to have your fourth steak of the month, your body will thank you.

On to my chipotle “sausage” from a company called Field Roast Grain Meat Co. I asked one of the only vegetarians I knew about Field Roast and she claimed to never have heard of it. After buying some I wish I could have said the same. The field roast I purchased tastes like what I would imagine the inside of a battery tastes like. Yum.

They have different kinds so I bought a less intense flavor but haven’t had the stomach to try it again. I will keep you posted. For now I’ll eat fruit.


The winner so far has been seitan. It looks absolutely disgusting but it is made from wheat that can be used a substitute for your regular animal protein. If you can get past the dog poop qualities in its appearance I promise you seitan tacos will make your weekly dinner rotation.

As I hone my vegan cooking skills I hope to bring you some tips and maybe even a recipe or two. Until then, skip the chicken and just add black beans and avocado to that burrito.

I don’t expect you to go all in and turn vegan overnight. After all you don’t have a 10-inch gash in your chest or a pair of reconstructed arteries, so how about one vegan meal a week? One small step toward ridding the animal products from your body can turn into a full out vegetarian sprint before you know it.

​Your taste buds may not thank me, but your heart will.

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