It's happening...or, I'm making it happen...or, maybe the Universe has just aligned itself for me, rather, I've opened my eyes to the signs it's strewn out before me?  Whatever.  No matter.  Either way, I'm excited to say that I've been given a gift...a book on Veganism (funny, the timing considering my recent post) and then, while walking through 'Sprouts' another book called out to me and made me buy it (I couldn't resist, I admit).  The gift is entitled, Main Street Vegan, and the one that jumped off the shelf at me is called, Crazy, Sexy Diet.  Both amazing reads.  Both with a plethora of information, a few recipes and tons and tons of inspiration.  I'm going to make this happen.  I will find my way.  I think the greatest thing I've learned from each of the books so far is not to be so hard on myself...it's bound to happen...I will eat the occasional piece of cheese, and said cheese might even be sandwiched in between a toasted, gluten packed french bread roll.  But, it's OK.  I don't have to beat myself up about it.  I will just pick myself up, dust myself off and get right back on my vegan (imaginary) horse.  One day at a time.  One minute at a time.  It's ALL good!

It's been a while, and as everyone does, I've been having my ups and downs...though this has been more of a down time than usual, I'd have to say.  So, I went back to bread/gluten and eggs as well (of course, I never got past the cheese either, remember?).  And here I am...right back at square one.  Even worse...I'm having yet another sushi craving.  A big one, at that (it's gone on for days and days now).  On the one hand, I'm looking forward to giving in to it (we'll be heading out to the sushi restaurant in an hour or so)...and then, on the other hand, I'd like to curl into a ball and stuff myself in a closet out of sadness, shame, embarrassment and disgust.

After all of of my pitfalls throughout this venture...I need a plan, but not just any old plan...I need a real, honest to myself and the planet, yell it out to the world from the heavens in 'upper case letters' PLAN!

What does this mean?  It means that I need to have my sh*& together.  I need to have a date' set in stone', and recipes for meals and snacks (mainly snacks, because those seem to be my downfall) ready to go,  tons of veggies, fruits and condiments, etc. stored in the fridge, and more than anything...I need to focus!  Seriously focus on what my goals and desires are.  I think, above all else, focus is the key.  I need to remind myself every minute of every day why I've made the decision to go vegan.  I need to focus on what lies ahead so that I can make sure that I have my meals planned out or snacks ready to go when I know that certain non-vegan functions are coming up (I wouldn't want to end up at them hungry and tempted even more so than I naturally might already be).

This is all going to take a lot more work than I thought it would.  I know that in time I will be substituting the word 'dedication' for "work"...but for now...for me, it's work.  It's a lifestyle change that I may be ready for in one way or another, but obviously not ready for in another.  I will get there.  I know I will.  I will get there because I want it so badly and because I've been thinking about it for years.  Now it's time to prepare myself and to remember that it's not just the decision to do it that will make it happen, but also the effort, the action that goes into making it happen that matters.

So, I will be back (after mulling it over) with a PLAN in the not-so-far-off future.  Until then, I think I've just realized why I named this blog "Day by Day Vegan"...this isn't a blog about vegan 'success' (at least not right now)...it's a blog about the everyday thoughts and struggles we all might face on the road to becoming full fledged vegans.  Good luck to us all on our journeys in this and any other respect.   :)