I wasn’t planning on a WIAW (or any) post today, as I didn’t think I’d feel comfortable enough to be honest about my eats. But of course the blog world surprises me again. I can’t believe you guys–the responses I got yesterday to my announcement about my change in diet were amazing, supportive, encouraging and helped me come to terms with the fact that I really am doing what is best for me and my body at this time. It may be cheesy to say (okay, okay, it is cheesy to say)–but those comments mean so much to me, especially at a time when I’m struggling with conflicting emotions regarding my choices.
So my lack of preparedness means cruddy phone pictures in poor lighting, but I want to share my day of eats anyway–including a few non-vegan meals. And it all lines up with Jen’s WIAW theme for the month–falling into good habits. The good habit of not limiting yourself to food rules just because. The good habit of eating the foods that work for you. Not the ones you think should work for you, that you want to have work for you, or that work for someone else.
Breakfast: EGGS
Two egg whites and one egg beat together with oatmeal and cooked in a pan. It may sound odd, but it was delicious and I love the combination of the two textures.
Morning Drinks
Coffee, lime BCAA-ade and a morning vanilla-hemp-banana-protein shake. There was going to be a workout in the middle of there, but these are yesterday’s eats, and you may remember I mentioned thinking it was a better idea to curl back up in blankets than actually be productive 
Lunch: VEGAN
Okra, homemade faux-chicken, and nutritional yeast sauce for dunkage.
Dinner: DAIRY
I came home to new sneakers and knew there was no way I was going to stay away from the gym. I quickly fueled up with a butternut squash filled with greek yogurt, peanut flour and cinnamon.
Dinner #2: VEGAN
I didn’t pause to snap a pic (hungry!), but after my post-workout protein drink I made a big stir fry with TSP, almonds, hazelnuts, spinach and turnips. Yup, turnips.
Dessert: VEGAN
I whipped up my absolute favorite protein powder–Olympian Labs Pea Protein in chocolate (nope, no one has ever paid me money or given me free stuff, I just really like this product)–with some almond butter and almond milk. So simple, so quick, so holy cow delicious.
And all day yesterday? Absolutely no stomach pain. And I came home with tons of energy–I never work out in the afternoons and was just going to write the day off as a rest day, but my body had other plans!
What “diet” works best for you? What food agree/don’t agree with you? Do you label your diet?
SERIOUSLY? Thats dinner? Holy smokes. I need to come over and make you cook for me.
Best part? Cooking not even involved! Okay, I baked a bunch of squash over the weekend, but when it comes to actual meal time? All I did was pull a few things out of the fridge
I’m so glad your stomach pain seems to be getting better with your diet change! Sometimes it seems like the more restrictive I get with my diet, the worse my stomach pain and digestion gets. I’m sure for me it’s mostly related to stress though. Stressing out about what I can and can’t eat. But I’m glad you’re figuring out what works best for you:)
Thank Kylie! And oh man, stress ALWAYS throws off my stomach! I sometimes don’t even realize I’m stressed until I wonder why nothing I’m eating is agreeing with me
I’m so glad that the changes you are making to your diet are going well and that so far you’ve seen positive effects! Your food looks delicious, particularly your dinner
Sounds like you had a good workout too, hope your week is going well lovely!
Thanks Sophie! And it is a good one–just lots of changes to get used to!
This is my first time popping by your blog thanks to WIAW! It sounds like you are taking steps to listen to your body and do what’s best/healthy for you. I think that is great! And, it’s not always easy, so I really applaud you. I personally don’t ascribe to any particular “diet” but rather opt for a more moderate approach to healthy eating where I don’t restrict anything but I shoot for about a 90/10 ratio of “healthy” to “unhealthy.” I find that eating a brownie or whatever (insert yummy delicious and “unhealthy” item here) every now and then is actually healthy because it feeds and fuels other parts of my health and well-being.
I agree–the occasional junk food IS a necessary part of life! Poptarts do nothing for me nutritionally, but they sure as heck contribute to my emotional health/happiness when it’s just one of “those” days
I love that you are incorperating new things. For me, I totally had to just jump into trying new foods to break those forbidden grounds for myself. Made it easier and a year later I feel the difference!
I’m really glad to hear that you’re feeling better! Our bodies are such finicky machines that a lot of fiddling can be needed before we run smoothly.
Also, are you eating raw okra? I know you’re Southern, but still…
Yeaaah, that’s what happens when you don’t prep the night before–raw okra. It’s actually really good, but only because it’s really small/fresh okra right from my garden. Otherwise I always roast my okra, yummmm.
Yum eats, Allie…especially that stuffed butternut squash (drooled when I saw it on Insta). The only label I’ll assign my diet is ‘qualitarian’..mainly high quality foods of all sorts!
Umm, I absolutely love that label!
Glad your body is liking the diet changes. I always got nervous about that when I switched from vegan.
You’re in charge of making dinner when you come to ATL. I’m just saying.
I do have formerly vegan/veg friends who got really sick at first after adding back in certain foods, but I wasn’t too worried about how my body would react–only because I HAVE let go of vegan restrictions on different vacations/travel in the past without any major digestive upset.
It sounds like your body is responding really well to the change! I’m excited to see more non-vegan eats
Thanks Tara! I have to relearn how to use eggs/dairy other than scrambled eggs+stuff or yogurt on stuff, haha.
I’m glad you are doing what is best for YOU! <3 Mhmm, eggs for breakfast.. so good!
Thanks Shannon! And I’ve gotta say, eggs DO make for a pretty darn good breakfast.
I label my diet as healthy. I enjoy most healthy foods and don’t (at all) like greasy/unhealthy foods. I have to be careful with anything heavy in cream or dairy–it doesn’t agree with my stomach. But luckily, I am great with eggs, almond milk, small cheese portions, and greek yogurt!
I like some junkier stuff like chips, etc., but I can definitely live without them. And greasy? Yeah, fried isn’t my thing, and never has been. But I’m kinda back in love with eggs again already…
I’m glad your body didn’t do a complete WTF on you by jumping into the animal protein ship. It’ll give you that much more variety. I’ve been meaning to try that egg/oats combo. I’ve been seeing that pop up a lot lately. And that stuffed squash? Swoon!
You’ve gotta try it, it’s some weird in-between an omelet and oatmeal, but I mean that “weird” in a good way. And mmm, stuffed squash. I think I’ll start living off of just that
HOORAY FOR EGGS!!!!!!! Now all you have to do is try them with pb mwahaha
That squash you had for dinner is making me drool and I spy okra in your lunch and I like what I see teehee. So happy to hear your bod is reacting so well!
PS– that picture of you over on the side of the page by the top with your bio?? BEST. PICTURE. EVER.
Don’t doubt that PB&J eggs is at the top of my “cook this now” list!!
And thanks–I was going through all my serious-face pictures trying to pick one…and you know? Those just don’t accurately reflect how I look 99.9% of the time ;D
I’ve been on trial for this entire week so far, so my vegan cleanse is a bit on hold. It should end soon though!
Adult grilled cheese is totally worth putting vegan on hold for a little
Definitely drooling over your most recent post.
I am so happy you are feeling better, I am so happy you have the support, I am so hoping your chickens get your act together soon!
Thanks Kristina! And those ladies better be glad I love their ridiculous feathery bums anyway–so much for earning their keep. Oh, well, dogs and cats don’t exactly produce anything of solid value either, so I’m not behind the game.
It would never occur to me to put oats in eggs. Not sure I can wrap my head around that one but maybe I’ll try it if you like it
If you like eggs, and you like oats…well, it’s about as simple as you can get with just those two ingredients
Somewhere between an omelet and cooked oatmeal…
My belief is that it is good for anyone to include meatless meals every now and then. It is also an amazing thing that you have great recipes to do so and will probably always go back to them every so often! I love the mixture of non vegan, dairy filled and egg recipes yUm Love and Shine CourtStar
Thanks Courtney! I’m definitely trying to keep MOST of my meals vegan, but just adding one or two dairy or egg options really lets me cut out the high levels of legumes that were bothering me so much.
I hope “cheesy” was pun.
This: “not limiting yourself to food rules just because. The good habit of eating the foods that work for you. Not the ones you think should work for you, that you want to have work for you, or that work for someone else.” – that’s what it’s all about. I’m so glad you’re ok with it and felt better so soon; it’s got to be the right thing…
I have to label my diet “gluten-free” but other than that, I don’t label what I eat. I hardly eat any meat for example, and might one day not eat any but wouldn’t call myself a vegetarian because I’m just… me.
I agree with the above commenter on “cheesy” as well
I’m so impressed that you make your own faux chicken! That’s awesome, girl!
After years of trial and error, I feel as though I’ve finally become 100% comfortable with my diet. I don’t believe in labels, as I never want to feel restricted or deprived from eating certain foods. However, if I were to describe my diet, I’d say that it’s almost gluten free, low grain (most irritate me, but I can handle oats and rice in small doses), protein-rich and moderate to high fat. This way of eating makes me feel my best and gives me the most energy! However, I firmly believe that different diets work for different people. Some need more carbs; some need more protein; some need more fat. Others thrive on animal protein, while still others feel better being 100% plant-based. The only perfect diet is the one that works best for US! It sounds like you’re well on your way to figuring that out! <3
Oh, and I think your oat/egg pancake sounds delicious! I make something similar quite frequently!
Yum! Your meals look healthy and delicious!