Mmmmm Fresh Veggies

Joelle and I went to the local farmer’s market yesterday over at the railyards. Got a bunch of produce and a loaf of organic sourdough.

Today for lunch, I made a grilled tofu and veggie sandwich on an everything bagel with vegan cream cheese (made of beans) and sriracha. It had beansprouts, arugula (and various other salad greens) and fresh organic tricolor cherry tomatoes.

When I first moved in with Joelle, she was an “egg sandwich with cheese every morning” kind of girl. I was a vegan. She eventually wore me down (unintentionally, I just was sick of not eating the same breakfast, two shopping lists is expensive) and I went lacto-ovo. I never felt quite right eating eggs and cheese. It was delicious, but I felt heavy, bloated the whole time. Recently, three-ish weeks ago, she decided she wanted to go vegan. I didn’t realize how much I was limiting my palate by not eating the vegan diet I’d so carefully spent the time to learn. It’s crazy how adding dairy and eggs back into one’s diet can convince them to care so little for the food their putting in their body.

Now, I’m not trying to be preachy. I don’t want anyone to feel like I’m saying “You need to go vegan”. But like, maybe try it. I bet you’ll like it more than you think you will. I feel fantastic.

In 2026, you barely need to change the food you eat to go vegan, I guess unless you’re a meathead but who can honestly afford a non-flexitarian diet these days? I had a cheeseburger for lunch yesterday, Tepanyaki and rice for dinner. Pizza bagels for a late night snack. the day before, I ate nuggies and fries. For breakfast today, I had a bowl of ancient grains with granola, sliced almonds and pecans, dried strawberries and shaved dark chocolate with oat milk. I’m out here eating like a queen, cruelty free, dairy free, egg free. I feel better fed than I ever have, hell I’m even gaining weight (something I’ve been struggling to do for literal years).

I have a friend who likes to act like she’s eating so much better than me, like I couldn’t possibly be getting the nutrients I need to survive without 4 chickens dying every week to support me. That same friend is literally dying because of her diet and can’t see it, claims to understand nutrition too. [I feel safe to post about this here because nobody I know or care about irl reads my blog other than my partner.]

Sometimes I think I’m too far up on my high-horse, like I’m preachy or like I’m a self-righteous fart-huffer. It’s in these times I like to remember I’m an ape. We are all apes. Apes are vegan, except for the chimps who developed spearfishing and even they don’t eat fish very often. We’re meant to eat nuts, berries, whatever leaf legume, and fungal fruiting body looks most appetizing that day. I’m an ape. I should eat like an ape.

You are all apes too. You should probably eat like them. But that’s your decision.

With love and respect for my fellow apes,
Nora

PS: Have y’all seen those vegan Cinnamon Roll flavored mini rice cakes? Holy shit they’re to die for.