Veeg-D: An Introduction

My name is Dustin Walz. I’m 29 years old, and I like meat. A lot. My girlfriend Kelly has been a vegan for the last four years, and a vegetarian for three years before that. For the time that we have been together, she has shown me what it is to be vegan; the attitude, the diet, the lifestyle. While I don’t necessarily share the views that led her to live la vida vegan, I can’t argue with her decision! She has never harassed me for my omnivorous ways – quite the opposite. She’s more than happy to cook two meals for dinner, and even encourages me to eat non-vegan things that she misses! (mostly candy) I have, however, tried to do my part as the supportive boyfriend by voluntarily partaking in many vegan foods and snacks, and I must say… we have had some truly magnificent meals together!

We both love to cook. More than that, we love to EAT! Kelly has shown me that ‘vegan’ is not a dirty word, and together we have shared some crazy-awesome food related experiences! We have been all over the Chippewa Valley and beyond (worldly travelers, I know) seeking out and trying out  all things  gastronomically plant-based. From Minneapolis’ “Ecopolitan” (a raw, whole foods restaurant/shop) to “The Cheese Factory” of the Wisconsin Dells (a deceptively titled vegan-friendly  restaurant/bakery) , and back to our very own kitchen; I have been wowed time and again at the staggering array of delicious delights available sans-critters.

I’m a big guy. I’m 6’5” tall and have been hovering just under the 300lb mark for the last few years. While I carry my weight fairly well, (at the risk of sounding like a high school girl) I have been dissatisfied with my body for quite some time. Unfortunately, I’m a pretty lazy guy. Why on earth would I go for a run when I could sit on the porch and have a smoke instead? What would ever posses me to order a salad when the cheeseburger section is right there next to it on the menu?! 

I'll tell you. I'm getting old. Next month, I turn 30. Now, I’ve always been a pretty energetic guy. I love to throw myself out into the world and see what I run into. The joy of life is living, and I try to live every single day. Lately though, I’ve found that I’m just too damn tired. I’ll sleep like a log all night, but still have a hard time making it through the next day. I just don’t feel as good as I used to, and that’s no bueno! Combine that with my expanding waistline and it’s time for a change! SO. Time to lose some weight. Cool. (Sort of) But HOW?? There’s like a gazillion diets out there, each claiming to be the next best thing to having your stomach vacuumed out or moving to Ethiopia.. but which ones work and which ones are the result of a delusional anorexic with a website? As much as I’d like to spend the next 30 days eating nothing but vinegar/seaweed/buckwheat/ketchup smoothies in search of that super-model physique, I think I’d rather go with something a little more familiar. That’s right folks, for the next 32 days, with the beautiful Kelly as my 'Veeg-Guide', the ravenous meat-eating ‘Big D’ will be… VEGAN. [dun dun DUNNNNN]

The Plan: To eat vegan for 32 straight days, drink more water, less coffee, and (possibly, but not probably) quit smoking.

The Goal: To drop some pounds and increase energy by 'cleansing' my body of all it's stored up buffalo wings.

Assets: Kelly, Moderate skill in the kitchen, Willingness to try new things, General stubbornness

Set-Backs: I work in a kitchen (it's my JOB to taste all my food before serving), Burger King is 3 blocks from my house, Spring (grilling season!)

In this blog, I will be chronicling my month of meatlessness; writing of my trials and tribulations, venting my thoughts on veganism as well as the rest of the food world, and sharing recipes that my lady and I have found/created to help me along my journey! If you plan to follow along, I can only assume you have very precious little in your life to entertain you, so I will do my best to help fill that void as well. Feel free to share any thoughts, ideas, limericks, recipes, websites, blond jokes, or other such feedback. I hope you all enjoy… and wish me luck!!

Sincerely

Veeg-D