No feta needed

I'll admit it, I have a problem. I go from having extreme interest in something to having zero interest at all, without any warning. I’m sure there’s a clinical diagnosis, but at this point I will accept the fact that I’m strange and move on.

Much to Mom’s chagrin, she was all too familiar with this trend when I was growing up. I used to beg her for the latest and greatest arts and crafts kits. I pleaded and assured her I was seriously dedicated this time around. I had a long list of craft kits which included a jewelry bead maker, pot holder maker, and intricate ocean scene cross-stich kit. Each time, I committed myself to the craft and worked tirelessly – staying up late every night for about a week. Then, I was done. Never to see the craft completed to fruition.

This fluctuation in interests did not just occur with arts and crafts, it was anything. Books. One summer after fourth grade, I read 87 Babysitters Club books then stopped cold turkey. Television. I watched seven seasons of the show 24 and stopped three episodes short of the series finale. Food. I excessively consumed each one of these foods at a point in time: asparagus, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, rotisserie chicken, hummus, fried rice, quesadillas, and Panera’s Greek salad.

It had been a long time since my last Greek salad binge, and it was starting to sound good again. But how would I be able to eat a Greek salad without the best part – feta cheese? Lo and behold, I found a vegan-friendly substitute. One set of ingredients, two options – salad or wrap.

Combine: 1 package of firm tofu (cubed), the juice from 1 lemon, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp dried parsley in a bowl and set aside. 

Gather the rest of your ingredients: greens, chopped tomato, chopped onion, chopped cucumber, kalamata olives, quartered artichoke hearts (I use the ones that are not in oil), dressing of your choice (light Italian for me), hummus (if making a wrap). 

Assemble salad (G style).

Assemble wrap (J style).

The Last Supper

I made my decision: vegan for 30 days...at least. I'd like to say it will be for the rest of my life, but let's be honest here, that is a MASSIVE commitment, and I'm just not there yet. But I'm ready for a change, I'm ready to drop some poundage, and I'm ready for my chronic migraines to be gone for good!

The days preceding my "Last Supper," set appropriately on Easter, were full of binge eating. I realize that is counterproductive since I mentioned losing weight...but, priorities people. I wanted to taste and savor every last food I loved one more time. Oklahoma Joe's pulled pork sandwich. Little Caesars pepperoni pizza. Pistachio almond gelato. Spinach and paneer with yogurt. A variety of omelets. More pizza. Blue Bell Moo-llennium Crunch ice cream. Snickers. And seriously, I could go on. 

Easter came and I was feeling pretty good. Throughout the day, I visited and revisited my Easter basket to pull out a chocolate egg here, an Almond Joy there. I ate my fill of ham, brisket, butter-filled mashed potatoes, and pie. Dinner was a great success, and what better way to go out than by eating your mom's home-cooked meal? I was content and headed home for the night.

A few hours and a minor freak out later, I ended up in the drive thru line at McDonald's. Despite everything I had eaten that day and that week, I asked myself, "Does a double cheeseburger and chocolate shake seem like a good idea???" YES! Best idea of my entire life... 

...7 minutes later I was beyond stuffed and completely regretted my decision and the calories I had consumed. Oh well. I knew that was the end of the binge (thank god), and the end of meat, dairy, and animal products. Time to do this thing!

Upper Crust Pie Bakery