A Vegan Adventure - Day 16

I am over half way through the challenge, and feeling great! Despite the fact that a new semester has me even busier I am feeling an increase in energy and focus throughout the day. In my research I have been coming across some very interesting facts about eating vegan and vegetarian. This challenge is really forcing me to turn to alternative dairy products. I have found a true love for almond milk, and tomorrow I'll be opening my first carton of rice milk. I have not yet found a delicious alternative for cheese, however I'm becoming much more creative with snacks. Smoothies have become an excellent source of nutrients for me, as I start off every day with one (recipe below). I would encourage anyone considering trying a vegan or vegetarian diet to just go for it. Set yourself up with the proper knowledge--and prepared pantry--that will ensure success. Ultimately I would encourage you to not be too hard on yourself if you slip up a time or two. Over these past 16 days I know I have, but I just forgive myself and continue choosing healthy options. We have to allow ourselves time to adapt to this lifestyle...AND not have too high standards that it is impossible to achieve the goal.

Ariel's Get-Out-Of-Bed Smoothie!
1 cup of frozen fruit (this is fruit that I prepare and freeze myself so that I know where it has come from and how it was grown, etc)
1 teaspoon of Hallelujah Acres Berry Barley Max
1 cup of Almond milk - plain
a pinch of organic sea salt (said to bring out fruity flavours)
a few more pinches of cinnamon
1 heaping teaspoon of my own ground mixture of hemp, chia, flax, and apricot seeds

Blend and Enjoy!

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Below I've included some recent facts I've come across, comparing carnivore and human traits...

Carnivores

• Have sharp jagged teeth, perfect for cutting flesh and muscle
• Have short, straight digestive tracts for the quick exposition of meat before going rancid in the body
  
• Have strong stomach acids used to break down tougher foods
• Will eat up to 25% their own body weight
  

Humans

• Have relatively flat teeth and strong molars, perfect for grinding nuts/seeds and breaking through the soft skins of roots, fruits and veggies
• Have digestive tracts of up to 30 feet, for maximum nutrient extract from foods that take longer to decompose
• Have stomach acid that is 10% the strength of the average carnivore
• Cannot digest up 25% their own body weight in meat
  

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