The vegan diet is being put to the test! For the next 3 weeks my omnivore father will be eating a 100% vegan diet to see if it can help him feel healthier, more energetic, drop a few of those holiday pounds, and lower his blood pressure.
My father, Rodney, is already a very healthy guy, and at 57 works out more than most people half his age. He has always been athletic; he works out at the gym 5 days a week, is a certified yoga instructor and practices 3 days a week, does spinning 3 days a week, and meditates daily.
His diet, on the other hand, isn’t exactly stellar. He has a scorching fast metabolism and can get away with eating pretty much anything, which often leads him to make some less than healthy choices.
For breakfast he typically starts the day off with jareesh (bulgar wheat), which he cooks up oatmeal style. At lunch he usually snacks on fruits, nuts and canned sardines at his desk at work. And for dinner he normally eats a meat based dish, either at the company dining hall on our compound where everything is flavored with bucket loads of sodium and chemicals, or at home where he more often than not eschews fresh vegetables and grains, and uses canned meat and beans instead, often topping everything off with a large helping of cheese. And let’s not forget dessert: my dad has sweet tooth like no other and entire pints of dairy ice-cream are not safe when he’s around!
Even with his extremely vigorous workout schedule and meditation regime, he hasn’t been feeling his best lately. After a bit of holiday indulgence, on top of his normally not so healthy diet, at 6’2 he weighs in at 198lbs, which is about 10lbs more than what he weighs when he is feeling his best, his blood pressure is high (140/90) and most importantly of all he isn’t feeling as good as he usually does. He explains that he has been feeling sluggish and less energetic and he really wants to change that and feel better.
Enter a healthy vegan diet to the rescue! My dad asked me if I would be willing to cook for him for the next 3 weeks to see if it would help improve his health and of course I said YES! I am a vegan for animal right’s reasons but I am also a firm believer and proponent of the amazing, life changing health benefits that a vegan diet can create. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to put the vegan diet to the test. We all know that the science backs up the fact that a vegan diet is the optimal diet for human health, but it will be great to see it work its magic right in front of our eyes!
My dad continually warned me that he was going to be completely honest in regards to the food and the way he felt at the end of the experiment and I said ‘bring it on!’ I am 100% confident in the fact that 3 weeks of a healthy, vegan diet can change a person’s life.
(I would like to stress that this is not a challenge about losing weight. Weight is not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s health. In fact, it is much healthier to be slightly overweight and very active, than to be a thin couch potato. Unfortunately our society’s damaging obsession with thinness has led us all to equate skinny with healthy. We all have a different healthy set point weight where we can be our best and most fit, going too far above or below this weight is never the wisest decision for our health. We should all be striving to feel and be our healthiest, not just look the skinniest.)
So, my dad’s regular breakfast of jareesh is vegan and healthy so he can definitely keep up with that during The Great Vegan Challenge of 2010. His lunch of fruits and nuts can stay the same; they are a healthy way to get a nice burst of energy during the midday slump. Additionally, the yummy vitamins and healthy sugars from the fruit combine well with the protein and fat from the nuts to stave off afternoon hunger pains. However, I don’t think nuts and fruits alone are a big enough lunch to fuel the tank of someone as active as my dad. So, he’ll be coming home every day during lunch to pick up a super power packed green smoothie and a revitalizing green juice, and maybe a raw veggie wrap or two. The fiber and protein from the greens and veggies will not only give him a ton of energy, they will also keep him full and energized for the rest of the day, through his afternoon workouts, and up till dinner. And dinner will be something different all the time, but always vegan, always delicious, and always healthy.
We started the challenge this past Saturday, so let’s see what we’ve been up to:
Doing the green smoothie chug! The green smoothies contain LOTS of chard or spinach, bananas, frozen berries, a splash of soy milk, a splash of water, fresh mint, spirulina and peanut butter. The green juices have celery, cucumber, carrots, apples, ginger, and whatever other vegetables I have lying around that need to be used, like zucchini or bell peppers.
Dad’s Verdict: He really likes the green smoothies and green juices! A lot! He said he was very wary at first but now looks forward to his daily blast of green goodness. He told me that when he heads back to work after this kind of lunch he feels full and satisfied but light and not weighed down.
The inaugural dinner of The Great Vegan Challenge of 2010 was Enjedra from Veganomicon. It was amazing and so simple; you really can’t go wrong with lentils, rice and a TON of caramelized onions. I chose this dish specifically because I knew my dad would love it. We are all huge Indian food fans around here. Plus, did I mention that it has a TON of caramelized onions? Honestly, I could eat those every day.
Dad’s Verdict: He said this was ‘top notch’ and that he would be happy eating something like this every day. I think that was a hint. Looks like I better stock up on lentils.
Miso soup for the Vegan soul! Now, this soup is the light of my life, the apple of my eye, and I could eat it for days. Cody feels the same way. It is simple and chicken-like and onion infused and oh boy I wish I had another bowl right now. Healthy and filling and totally amazing.
Dad’s Verdict: He thought the soup was only so-so. He isn’t a fan of soup in general so I let this one slide. Hmph.
Raw tacos with baja cheeze from Ani Phyo’s Raw Food Kitchen. So yummy! You know me and my love of all things raw; I couldn’t stay away for long and I want to get my dad hooked too. And this was a great place to start. The filling was amazing; the taco nut meat was smoky but simple, a perfect base layer to let the brilliant spicy and super zesty Baja nut cheeze shine through. A fresh and crunchy layer of baby spinach with a generous helping of tomato and bell pepper salsa pulled everything together. Yum!
Dad’s Verdict: He said this dish was absolutely spectacular! As he was eating it in the other room I kept hearing him repeat over and over again how much he loved it. And then he asked if he could have seconds, which is always music to the cook’s ears. He really liked this dish.
To appease that sweet tooth I made some of my chocolate peanut butter raw balls. These are always a favorite of mine and Cody’s, they just taste better every time.
Dad’s Verdict: He said he could start eating these and never stop – fantastic!
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Well, that is what we have been eating over the past week. I usually cook a big dinner every other day and we have leftovers the next day. It has been working really well and I’m enjoying using this opportunity to try a lot of new recipes from my brand new collection of cookbooks. I’m having a blast!
Dad’s Weekly Report: He says he is feeling great! The first thing he noticed was that everything seems brighter and colors are more vivid. He also mentioned that his breath is much fresher than before, even after eating. And over the past day or two he has noticed that he is noticeably less tired after his workouts and has more endurance during them.
Success! I will keep sharing his progress with you over the next few weeks so we can watch the vegan magic right in front of our eyes!
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Wow – you always have the most interesting posts. I think its interesting what you are doing with your dad. He is tremendously active guy, and looks great to me
Its overwhelming at times when I peruse all the food blogs – vegan, raw, high protein, no carb, this and that…yipes…I personally need to re-center myself or it can be an unhealthy influence or obsession. But learning about alternative lifestyles is interesting…and I hope u keep us updated on this challenge.
Thanks! I will definitely keep everyone updated, I’m excited to see how much better he feels after a few weeks of veganism. I know what you mean about it getting overwhelming. Sometimes I just have to step away for a few days and refocus and prioritize.
How awesome! I can’t wait to see how this goes!
Your father is one lucky guy!! I’m excited to see where this takes him…and you! I should propose this idea to a few of my family members…
Definitely, go for it! With your awesome cooking it shouldn’t be hard to convince them.
Just made Rawcos the other night! Love that Ani Phyo recipe!
Good luck to your dad, so awesome!
This is such a neat thing to do! Did he originally come to you saying he wanted to try the diet for three weeks to see if it worked, or did you agree on three weeks because you thought it was a good time frame for the vegan diet changes to really show?
And I am totally in agreement with you – you can never go wrong with caramelized onions. Mmmmm.
Good question! He originally suggested 2 weeks but I asked him to bump it up to 3 just to make sure he got the most benefits from the change in diet as possible. I thought a month might be pushing it, but after 3 weeks, who knows?
Aren’t caramelized onions THE BEST? Honestly, when I’m making some for a recipe I usually have to double the amount because I end up picking at the so much they have all disappeared by the time I need them!
i’m sorry to hear that your dad wasn’t feeling his best, but i’m so happyfaced that he’s accepted the Great Vegan Challenge and is feeling sooo much more awesome already. superw00t! i haven’t had ani’s raw tacos in a while – they’re so yummy, and hooray for your dad really enjoying the green juice & smoothies – and the raw balls ‘n enjedra! i haven’t tried the enjedra from v’con yet – it looks too fantastical not to enjoy it super soon. i can’t wait for more updates!
How fortuitous that he’s doing this during PCRM’s 21-day vegan challenge, and that he has such a talented chef on his side! Red and I both loooove that Vcon enjedra, and I am usually skeptical of onions! Please keep us posted…I’d love to try to work the same magic on my parents!
I hadn’t thought about the breath thing in forever, but it’s true. Mine is a lot better since I quit eating meat and most dairy.
That’s awesome! Sure hope he enjoys his vegan trial. But with someone like you to help and cook, I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t!
whoa kudos to your father!!! seems like a great guy. i couldn’t pay my dad to try to eat vegan for 3 weeks, let alone ONE DAY! haha. im glad he likes osme of your recipes- how could he not? you are a talented chica!! and i love our little paragraph about weight, so trueee.
ps- your comments on my blog ALWAYS brighten my day so much..thanks!!
It’s so awesome that your dad is willing to try that out, and I hope it sticks. Kudos to you for supporting him in it!
woohoO! so great that your dad even reached out to you to ask if you’d cook for him, i’m so glad that he is openminded about being vegan
. hey, want to cook for me too while you’re at it?
Haha! I’d love to cook for you, come on over for dinner tomorrow.
Muhaahahhahahah!! Vegan sabotage!!!
My christmas sweets were just like your peanut butter balls and they were a hit (mostly with me, but also with the few who braved them. My family is picky when it comes to trying vegan foods (but not at all picky with anything meat-flavored…))
Major props. His progress does not surprise me at all, but it is great publicity for the movement. My enthusiastic thanks.
Hahaha! Evil vegan laughter is the best! I’m glad those of your family who were brave enough to try your desserts liked them. Sometimes I think tasty cruelty free food is the best form of activism there is. Who can say no to chocolate?
Awesome! All those meals like super delicious, no wonder your dad is getting converted. You could probably convert anyone.
I can’t wait to see more of how he’s doing as the weeks go on!
My dad lives 3000 miles away, so I can’t cook for him daily, but I sure wish he’d try a 3 week vegan challenge! I know he could do it!
dang, that is so cool! what a great post. I wish I could come over, dress up as your dad, and have you cook for me every day!
But really, it’s so neat that your dad is so willing and interested in the vegan diet. I can only imagine… Dads are the final frontier of veganism for most of us!
This is the coolest, what a great daughter you are. I’d jump at the opportunity as well if I had it. Your dad is pretty much the cutest! He is observing some very interesting side effects, I might add. Although I am not surprised that his breath has improved since he gave up the daily can of sardines!
So true! I can’t imagine that it is hard to improve on fish breath.
This is SO fun!!! Love it. You have a great dad and he has an AWESOME daughter.
Cheers XOXO,
Kristen
Wow that is AH-MAAZING! It inspires me and really makes me want to put my own Dad to the test! Great vegan challenge 2010 for Diabetic Dad! So incredible. You sound so excited, and I’m sure you are! Sharing the power of good health is enough to make anyone excited. =) Good on you Tasha!
Oh that is a great idea! Do it! A vegan diet, especially with a lot of raw foods, can have an amazing impact on a person with diabetes. Have you seen the documentary Raw for 30 Days? It is an amazing chronicle of what happens to a group of insulin dependent diabetes sufferers when they are put on a raw, vegan diet. (Spoiler Alert! They ALL stop needing to take medication and are considered ‘cured’.) Let me know if you decided to give the challenge a go, that would be so exciting.
How exciting!! Your dad looks so happy to be drinking his green juice! Good for him! I hope he sticks with this, and when it’s all over, make some long-term changes (and I bet he will). I love those Ani raw tacos…one of the best recipes in that book. And I’m checking out your PB ball recipe now.
I just got Ani’s cookbook and I love it already. Her recipes are fantastic!
This is just too amazing for words…the fact that you are helping your dad recapture his health. And I love this:Weight is not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s health. In fact, it is much healthier to be slightly overweight and very active, than to be a thin couch potato.” SO TRUE! and it’s about being healthy, not skinny. Love that, thanks for reminding us all; wonderful msg.
But i adore the fact that your father is a yoga teacher!! and that you are taking him under your wing and showering all these delish meals on him.
I have Ani’s books, how did i miss those raw tacos?!! need to get on that!
Hope you tried some spiralized zuke noodles the other day
And your choc PB raw balls are similar indeed as you mentioned the other day to my peanut butter/sunflower seed buter balls and golly they look great.
I cannot tell you enough Tasha how amazing you are. How lucky your dad is to have you help him and for us as readers to watch this journey unfold
Awwww Averie! You are making me blush, and that is hard to do. You are too sweet. Thank you for all of your support, I love having such a generous and kind hearted friend. Zuke noodles coming up tomorrow! I’ve been craving some yummy pesto and that is just the thing.
that is so awesome!! Can I come over and you can help me eat Vegan!!
hehe
Sure! Come on over!
I love this! good for you AND your pops! I know he’s going to feel great and how cool to get some honest feedback!
I can’t wait to hear how your dad does and what you feed him!
good for you Tasha!
Kudos to both you and your dad. Very cool that he is open-minded enough to try and that you love him and are excited enough about his health to make him lunch/dinner. Will be interested to hear how he is feeling after 3 weeks. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow how exciting that your dad is doing this and what a great daughter to be helping him and making his meals… I am looking forward to reading his progress
I love my life. All I have to do is show up with utensils and this is what I get. THANK YOU!
What a wonderful idea for you to help your dad like this!! He’s lucky to have you to help him take care of his needs and especially to help with the making of these good foods!
what a great idea! i enjoyed my vegan thursday and think i may try to do it twice a week. i need to search out that raw taco recipe. sounds great!
thanks for stopping by my blog!
This is GREAT news Tasha. Can’t wait to read more about it!
Yummy! Your dad is a lucky man, and I think it’s very cool that he’s so up for making a change for the better. Wish I lived close so I could swing by your house at lunchtime
wow I admire your dad!! that is so cool that he is willing to try some vegan eats – wish mine would sometimes.
everything looks great
I love that your dad is taking the vegan plunge. My parents and family eat almost all vegan when I’m around. Makes sense to eat a meal everyone can enjoy and doesn’t hurt the animals.
that’s so great for your dad! keep making him awesome food, and the vegan challenge might never end!
This is so awesome– it would be a cold day in hell before my dad agreed to do a vegan challenge!! Every meal on this post made my mouth water!!!
Hooray for your dad and for you for taking care of him! He is going to feel so great at the end of the challenge.
Good for you, and good for your dad! What a lucky guy, he has a personal chef for three weeks! I’d love to have you make me green smoothies and juice–I’m also scared of them, but really, really want to like them. I need the guidance of an expert.
I hope your dad feels better. How could he not, with all that healthy food?
[...] Great Vegan Challenge of 2010 – Update! Today marks 2 weeks in to The Great Vegan Challenge of 2010, where the vegan diet is being put to the test! My dad has agreed to spend 3 weeks on a 100% vegan [...]
[...] you want the background info here is the post where I introduced The Great Vegan Challenge, and here is the post where we checked in with my dad [...]