Day 1 of Engine 2

A couple of weeks ago, I was searching the Internet for vegan cooking classes. I've been following a vegan diet for about five months now, and I wanted to learn more about the best kinds of foods to eat, get some fun recipes and maybe meet some other people who are on a similar journey.

I came across a series of classes that sounded perfect. Week One was all about dairy substitutes, week two about cutting meat from your diet, and so on. It was a 28-Day Challenge, and there was only one spot left, so I registered. Then, I read the description more thoroughly, and realized I was in for a test.

It was the Engine 2 Diet. Tonight, I joined about 50 other people, squeezed in shoulder-to-shoulder in the Lifestyle Center of the local Whole Foods. Beginning immediately, there was to be no more dairy, no more refined or processed foods, and no more caffeine. Oh. My. God. I just bought like a case of Coke Zero and filled my freezer with frozen vegan lunches from Amy's.

We didn't get a comprehensive overview of the Engine 2 plan, but it was enough of an overview that I was inspired. So I bought the book and plan to tackle it as soon as I publish this. Wish me luck!

the dysthymic vegan

dysthymic disorder - "Dysthymia is a mild, but chronic, form of depression. Dysthymia (dis-THI-me-uh) symptoms usually last for at least two years, and often for much longer than that. Although dysthymia symptoms may be less intense than those of depression, dysthymia can actually affect your life more seriously because it lasts for so long. With dysthymia, you may lose interest in normal daily activities, feel hopeless, lack productivity and have a low self-esteem." 
-according to the folks at the Mayo Clinic


vegan - "Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. 'Vegan' refers to either a person who follows this way of eating or to the diet itself."
-according to vegetarian.about.com