Veganism: Can a busy mom really do it?

So the foodie news: I've decided to try a gluten vegan diet. I've been bouncing around between diets for a long time, some work well, but are hard to stick too, some work for a few weeks and then stop working. I don't mean weight loss by the way, I mean health improvement, better energy etc. So maybe this is my diet of the month, but after reading Eating Animals this past week I can't turn back.  Brutal book. A good friend of mine said no one is the same after reading this book. She's right. If I eat meat now it will be from the farm down the road, where I can see the animals and their happy existence before their time comes. That said, I've had a hard time digesting meat anyway since I had my daughter, so I thought why not really try the vegan thing? Here's why -  the hurdle is very simple - it means thinking about menus, planning ahead and cooking more. For a busy mom who doesn't like to overdo the time I spend in the kitchen, this is my challenge. The other hard part is getting the protein in, and feeling full. Which is why I'm not making any promises here. I feel very inspired but then again, I know it's going to be hard, and I may crack. Wish me luck.

The first great blog I came across, by Gluten Free Hippie, I found a beautiful picture of hummus and a good recipe I will try this week. Maybe tomorrow. Check it out..doesn't this look delicious...blogs and books and recipe and photos like this one will inspire me....I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's the recipe from GFHippie's blog:


3 cups chickpeas, cooked and deskinned (yes she really means it, I think she's onto something, maybe they're easier to digest this way!)
4 Tb. very thick tahini
1/4 water
1/4-1/2 cup olive oil (add less oil and more water if you're cutting fat)
3 Tb. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt, to taste
1/2 tsp. Hungarian paprika
2 cloves roasted garlic
pinch of white pepper

In the food processor, add everything but the olive oil. Blend until mostly smooth, and then drizzle the oil in an even stream until everything is creamy. Garnish with olive oil, paprika, and some salted, dried olives.