In this second weekly update, I’m sharing more about what I’ve been eating, how my recovery continues to improve, some surprisingly easy plant-based meals at Disney World, and a few lessons I’m learning along the way.
This Week
This week I started to get into a groove, becoming more aware of the foods I enjoy, what I can prepare quickly, and where I can get plant-based restaurant and takeout meals that I actually like eating.
I also had the opportunity to explore some plant-based options at Walt Disney World.
What I Ate
I remembered there was a vegan lentil soup recipe I had made a few years back that I really enjoyed, but I no longer had the recipe. I was able to locate one that looked similar, so I decided to make a big batch for lunches throughout the week.
I added red lentils, spinach, onions, garlic, and vegetable broth to my Instant Pot and let it do its thing. I obviously set the timer too long because all of the lentils had disintegrated when I opened the lid. Still, the soup was delicious topped with lemon juice and raw pepitas.
I ate it for several lunches throughout the week and made a mental note not to cook it quite as long next time.
Because we live so close to Walt Disney World, my husband and I often go there to get extra steps in and grab dinner when the kids aren’t around in the evenings.
I’ve found that Disney seems to have a plant-based option in nearly every restaurant and quick-service eatery, which really helped take the guesswork out of figuring out what I can and can’t eat. Typically there is only one plant-based entrée on the menu, so there’s very little decision-making involved. Whatever the plant-based option is, that’s what I’m eating.
My Disney dinners included a Teriyaki Tofu Bowl from Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios and a General Tso’s Tofu Salad at Connections Eatery in EPCOT. It’s a good thing I like tofu!
I had hoped the tofu bowl would include more vegetables, but it was mostly white rice and tofu with edamame and a few strips of carrot and red pepper.
My favorite was definitely the salad, which was filled with baby kale and romaine and topped with delicious fried tofu in the style of General Tso’s chicken.
What Worked
I loved learning how easy it can be to eat outside the house, especially at Walt Disney World.
At the very least, I can get a green salad almost anywhere and pair it with a vegan dressing. I keep a plant-based protein bar in my bag in case I need something extra with my meal or want a snack.
It’s also been fun exploring new foods and flavors that I may not have ordered otherwise.
I’m also getting better at reading labels after last week’s slipups.
One thing I learned is that my favorite pre-run snack, a frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart warmed in the toaster, is not vegan due to gelatin in the frosting. I did some research and found that the unfrosted version does not contain animal products, so I purchased a couple boxes and honestly don’t miss the frosting.
I’m still not noticing much of a difference during my runs, but my recovery continues to improve.
The most notable change is that the lower back pain that typically plagues me later in the day on nearly every run day is basically gone. I may get a slight twinge occasionally, but the need for a heating pad or BioFreeze is gone.
This is a huge win after consistently stretching, foam rolling, and getting regular massages with virtually no relief.
There definitely seems to be some truth to the reduction in inflammation I’ve heard can happen while eating this way.
What Was Challenging
I’m still learning to cook unfamiliar foods and, as a result, there have been a few less-than-desirable meals.
I already mentioned the lentil soup that I overcooked. It wasn’t quite as good as it would have been with less cook time, but luckily it was still edible and tasty.
I’ve also struggled to make tofu in a way that I genuinely enjoy, but I recently found a simple recipe that makes crispy, flavorful tofu that’s versatile enough to eat on its own or mixed with sauces and other flavors. Now I make it several times a week.
I’ve also had it in my head that I can eat whatever I want as long as it’s plant-based and healthy, but I proved myself wrong pretty quickly.
I found myself mindlessly snacking at night on dried fruit, nuts, bagged sea salt popcorn, and pretzels, and each time I’ve done that my weight has started creeping up.
I’m not overly concerned about weight right now, but I certainly don’t want to pack on extra pounds because I’m eating when I’m not actually hungry.
Of course, I’ll still snack from time to time, but I don’t want it becoming an everyday habit.
What Surprised Me
Transitioning to this way of eating has been surprisingly easy and hasn’t really affected my day-to-day life all that much.
I tend to eat a lot of vegetables anyway, so I’m really just swapping out chicken, beef, and seafood for beans, quinoa, and tofu.
I don’t feel like I’m missing anything and I’m still able to order takeout or eat out without much difficulty. I’m enjoying so many new foods and honestly finding it kind of fun to explore my options.
My sleep, stress, and energy levels also continue to improve and I’m feeling really good overall.
It was especially surprising to me that my diet could reduce my back pain, and I’m hopeful that I’ll continue seeing improvements there as well.
Overall, I’m feeling well-rested, more focused, and getting great sleep.
Biggest Takeaways
Keeping meals simple has helped tremendously. I’ve been trying to keep multiple easy options on hand that I can combine and heat up quickly, like beans, rice, frozen vegetables, salad greens, tofu, fruit, and frozen black bean burgers. This has made meal prep much easier while still allowing me to eat foods I genuinely enjoy.
Researching restaurant options ahead of time makes a huge difference. Given how busy my family’s schedule can be, it’s been really helpful to identify restaurants and fast-food places where I know I can find a satisfying meal. I can easily grab a Chipotle bowl filled with rice, beans, and veggies or order a vegan curry dish from a Thai restaurant. So far, I really haven’t encountered a place that doesn’t offer at least one option I can eat.
Next Week
I’ll be celebrating my first holiday, Mother’s Day, following a plant-based way of eating.
We haven’t decided exactly what we’ll be doing yet, but we’ll likely either head to the beach or visit a Disney restaurant for dinner.
If we go somewhere other than Disney, I’ll need to do a little research ahead of time to find an enjoyable meal. Luckily, most Mexican and Asian restaurants tend to be pretty safe options.
Stay tuned to hear what we end up doing, and what I end up eating.