Early Bird Special
Good evening! I’m posting dinner quite early, but that’s because I think I’m going to sleep very soon (if you can believe it!). I am so tired, and I am running 18.0 miles tomorrow as part of marathon training. I need to get to sleep STAT.
First things first….
Today I got into graduate school! 
I have been taking night classes in an attempt to gain entrance into USC’s Physical Therapy program, and I am happy to announce I earned one of the 18 coveted spots today. I am not entirely sure what my game plan is right now because of the book, but it’s nice to know that all my hard work over the last 6 months have been rewarded. Yay! (You can read more about my grad school application process in this post, and yes, we are moving in the summer).
Secondly, I did this huge Operation Beautiful note in a parking lot this afternoon (I was bored):
Thirdly, I also took this really cute picture of James. My, my – what big ears you have!
By the way, I’ve been keeping the puppy page updated!
Fourthly (OK, I’ll stop now), Blogger Vegan 4 A Day was a success! As in, I did not give in to my 4 PM cravings to inhale an entire pint of coffee ice cream. No, really – in all seriousness, here are my thoughts on being vegan for today:
- In many ways, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be in terms of finding things to eat. I think it would’ve been harder if I was a meat-eater and was transforming my entire diet, but going from vegetarian to vegan (for just one day) wasn’t bad at all.
- In other ways, I felt like I was on a diet in the sense that “not” being able to eat something made me seriously want to eat it SO BADLY. Now, I do not think veganism is a diet, of course. It’s a serious lifestyle choice. However, because I just agreed to do it for fun and didn’t actually have the desire to give up eggs and dairy, I was tempted. This, my friends, is exactly why “diets” do not work in real life. Restricting yourself from anything (when you secretly still want to eat it) is going to backfire. I’m fine with restricting myself from meat because 99% of the time I don’t secretly want it. However, I will probably have ice cream for breakfast tomorrow.
- I realize that I should not judge veganism on one day. I think I would probably have to do it for a full week to understand how it would impact my life and energy levels.
- Vegan 4 A Day taught me that I don’t need milk as much as I thought I did. I liked using almond and rice milk in lieu of milk, and I think I’m going to make that change permanently. It’s an easy way that I can reduce the amount of dairy I eat.
So, I am proud to say that I am going to try to choose non-dairy alternatives over regular cow’s milk from now on, when practical! But seriously, I love my yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc. and don’t plan on giving that up anytime soon.
Thanks to Katy and Michelle for doing Vegan Week. I learned a lot, and I hope other people did, too!
Here are my vegan eats for the afternoon:
I snacked on Grape Nuts (my granola wasn’t vegan!) and Rice Milk:
A Clementine:
Pita Chips:
Dinner was homemade Butternut Squash and Carrot soup, which was so easy to make!
I just boiled peeled and chopped butternut squash and carrots until they were soft, and then blended the veggies with organic vegetable broth. Tada!
I’m also going to have a bagel with PB (vegan!) before bed.
Going to get a little bit of work done, and afterwards, I’m prepping for my run and hitting the hay! I’m also going to walk the dogs down to the chin-up bar and try to bang out 3 chin-ups. Have a good night!
Posted by: Caitlin 75 comments
Posted in: Vegan For A Day
on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
“In other ways, I felt like I was on a diet in the sense that “not” being able to eat something made me seriously want to eat it SO BADLY.”
This was EXACTLY my problem today!! All I wanted was meat and cheese and milk and eggs, even though I never crave these things on a typical day. I think I should maybe try going vegan for a day gradually; first going veggie for a few days, then slowly cutting out dairy, eggs and other animal products.
Good luck with 18 miles tomorrow, and congrats on graduate school!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I think it’s great that you are going to use milk alternatives. Good luck on your run tomorrow and congrats on getting into grad school!
My best friend calls me “Early Bird Special” or EBS for short (because I go to bed at like 9 every night) so that title made me chuckle
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Congrats on grad school! Bet you can sleep well with that out of the way.
I so agree that today has felt a little bit like a “diet”. I hate having a craving for something and not being able to satisfy it when it’s completely healthy and reasonable but one day has never hurt. I just wish I had prepared better or went grocery shopping today where I could have got some of my vegan favorites like snickerdoodle purely decadent soy ice cream
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Awesome recap! I’m proud of you
You did great. The ice cream cravings were really bad for me at first because I used to eat it like 5 times a week!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Congratulations on getting into graduate school! I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. I am also applying for entry in fall 2010 but I just got my applications in this week and I’m not supposed to start hearing anything back until January.
Good luck with the chin-ups!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
congratulations on the grad school acceptance, caitlin! very interesting reading your thoughts on being vegan for the day… I often deal with the same mental and ethical dilemmas that you do regarding dairy/no dairy/organic dairy, so I was glad to see it so carefully articulated here.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
congrats on getting into grad school! So exciting!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Congrats on grad school! I might be biased, but I think the University of South Carolina is the best school ever!! I graduated from Carolina in 2003 and loved every minute of my 4 years there. My blood truly runs garnet!!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Hi, I have been a vegetarian for 19/20 years now. I don’t drink milk except added to my coffee – that is it, oh and added to cereal, or little bits for receipes, but I have not drank a glass of milk in 11 years. Do you find the taste that much different, or are your rice and soy milks just sweeter? I think I may jump over, like you – that is a good idea.
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caitlin Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
the plain and unsweet almond breeze is really similar in tasting to milk.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Congrats on getting in. That’s a HUGE accomplishment. Thanks for your thoughts…I can’t wait to process what I am thinking once the week is over.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Congrats on grad school!!
I think I could be vegetarian but I couldn’t do vegan, but good luck to those that can!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Congrats on getting into USC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Congratulations on your acceptance to USC’s Physical Therapy program! Between that and your book, you’re full of accomplishments lately! It’s very inspiring, and I wish you the best. I hope you enjoy South Carolina when you move in the summer. My husband and I just moved to Charleston, and we are loving how gorgeous it is. I bet you’d love running in the downtown area (if you ever had the opportunity to visit it).
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Congrats on grad school, that is so exciting!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
congrats on grad school!!!!
even though i looked right at the picture of your envelope, when you said “USC” i panicked… OH NO, THE USC TROJANS? she can’t be a trojan!! (as in University of Southern California Trojans)
but, DUH… south carolina!
at least i dont have any USC trojan issues! hahaha
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Congratulations on grad school! I think you’ll love Columbia, it’s a great town, and University of SC is the BEST!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Congrats on Grad School!!!! That is super. Thanks for sharing your thought on going vegan for a day. Very interesting! I don’t think I could give up diary either…i love yogurt far too much. Have a good night’s sleep and enjoy your super long run tomorrow!!!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
congrats on going vegan for the day!
jenna
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Congrats on grad school!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
YOUR MOVING TO SC….I live in the city of columbia, it is an amazing place to live and you are going to love being a GAMECOCK…
what can i say my heart bleeds garnet and black.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Congrats on grad school!… Good luck with the move South Carolina its amazing, you will love it!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Congratulations on Grad School! So exciting!!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Congrats Congrats! I jumped up and down when I read you got into USC (University of Southern California – I live in SoCal) before I realized that you were probably talking about South CAROLINA. Booooooooo Caitlin. lol. Just kidding. That’s awesome for you!
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susan Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
i’m not the only one that did it… haha
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Congrats on USC!
I had a great time being vegan today! I love experimenting with new foods!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Congrats on grad school!
Here’s a suggestion for using non-dairy milk in coffee. I grew up only using half and half in my coffee, but once I started living on my own I tried to consolidate and just use the vanilla soymilk that I eat with my cereal.
To keep the milk from separating, while my coffee is steeping (I’m a French Press girl) I pour my amount of soymilk into my mug first. When the coffee has steeped, it all mixes in very nicely and, for whatever reason, doesn’t separate! It’s a different taste, but I’ve found that using vanilla flavor causes me to put less sugar in my coffee, which is a good thing!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Wow, congrats on getting into grad school! It is going to be quite an exciting change, especially moving to SC. I’m glad you enjoyed being vegan for the day. I think it’s great that you are trying to give up real milk now.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Congratulations on getting into USC! South Carolina is beautiful!
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Sammi Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
LOL Wow.. I mean California!
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Sammi Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
nevermind.. im an idiot today.
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Anna Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Hehe – I did the exact opposite – I assumed Southern California (CA biased over here), until I saw the comments and then got this puzzled look on my face and said “why are people talking about South Carolina?… OHHHHHH” So, I think between the two of us we even it all out! Congratulations Caitlin!
on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Big congrats on grad school!!! YAY!!! That is just awesome. I wish you the very best with it.
I almost went to grad school for PT. I worked in the PT dept. of a major hospital in Boston and was thinking of going. But I decided against it. For one thing – they told me I would have to carve up a cadaver. Ahhhh!!! No!!!!
I just decided to pursue what had turned out to be a better path for me – journalism.
And I never drink cow’s milk anymore. I am an almond milk girl all the way. Love it!!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
YEAH for you getttng into graduate school!!! You must be so proud of yourself?!!?
Good luck on your 18 miler~
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Congrats on grad school! That’s so exciting–whatever you decide to do with it!
I had many of the same thoughts you did about vegan for a day… though I’m not quite at dinner yet… so we’ll see
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Yeah for Grad School!
James looks adorable. I love smaller dogs with big ears
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Congrats on grad school-it’s so exciting!!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Glad to hear Day 1 went well. I did Vegan Thursdays for a month…wasn’t bad.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Congrats Caitlin! Has anyone told you how amazing you are lately? Because YOU ARE!!!
So proud of you! Good luck tomorrow.
Night!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Wow CONGRATS! Thats so amazing!
I’ve been vegan today too. Definitely not as hard when you’re already veggie.
Yay for almond and rice milk. You’ll learn to love em!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
CONGRATS ON GRAD SCHOOL!!!! Keep me in the loop as to what you decide to do. If you come up to SC, maybe we can meet up!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
congrats on getting into grad school i’m sure it feels amazing! The GRE’s are really tough and I am not sure if I have ever been more scared of a test in my life. SC is a great school and has a great program!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Congrats on getting into grad school!
I linked to this post in my blog today — you summed up my thoughts on mindful eating so well.
http://postcards-from-the-world.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogger-vegan-4-day.html
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Congratulations Caitlin!!! So proud of you. Hard work really does pay off!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
First things first: You rock. For so many reasons, not the least of which is the grad school and book news. You inspire me so much.
And, I hope you know how much I appreciate your support, and the support of the entire blogging community. As always, I think that anything that helps us think more about our eating is good, whether it’s a vegan diet or not.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Congratulations on getting into grad school! You might have the craziest year ever on your hands for 2010!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Way to go on being Vegan for a day! You rock. BTW, I love those “Stacy’s Pita Chips”… I remember when they first came out, the company sent me a box to try…. I am guessing since my name is Stacy. LOL
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Your soup looks delish. Good luck on the run!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Congrats on getting accepted into a program! My fiance is in PT school and I know it can definitely be competitive to get into a program! That’s so exciting!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Congratulations on getting into grad school! I am so excited for you
I am sure that you are super excited too and will do GREAT!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Congrats on the grad school admission letter! Can’t wait to see what this upcoming year will hold for you
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Congratulations on getting into grad school!
As a current grad student, I can tell you it’s very challenging but rewarding. Good luck, no matter what you decide to do!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Congrats girl! That’s fantastic news on grad school!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Congrats for getting into PT school!!! You should be so proud of yourself – it is VERY competitive to get into!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
congrats on grad school!!!! can’t wait to hear what your future has in store for you
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
congrats on grad school and being vegan for a day!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
congrats on getting into grad school, caitlin! i visited our chapter at USC last week and loved columbia and the college. it is a fun school because it’s in a great city but still has a great college feel to it. fun!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Congrats on getting into grad school! I look forward to hearing what you decide to do
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Congratulations on getting into grad school!! Every time my husband and I see a dog with big ears we say we would name it Radar.
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Caitlin! Ice Cream= the breakfast of champions!
Also- USC, as in Los Angeles?! yay- maybe one day we’ll get to meet each other finally! A zillion congrats…I know how hard it is to get in there. I went undergrad to USC (and as you know, I’m at the USC Norris cancer center all the time!)
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
OH WAIT- it’s not Univ. of So. Carolina is it??
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Congrats on grad school! One of eighteen– that’s pretty impressive! I went to college in South Carolina, and I’m a big fan
Good luck on your 18 miler tomorrow– that is insanely long, but you’ll rock it!
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on Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
CONGRATS on getting into grad school! there nothing that you set out to do that you haven’t accomplished =)
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am
THATS WHERE I LIVE!!!!
congrats!!!! there isnt a whole foods.. but there IS an earth fare!! i would love to meet you!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Congratulations, Caitlin!! Such good news:)
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Congrats on PT school! That’s so awesome.
I can’t wait to hear all about it! I’m sure it will be here before you know it.
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 4:42 am
THANK YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Congrats future GAMECOCK!!!!!!!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Congrats on school!!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:13 am
So I thought Glenn and I were a power couple with our careers and education but I guess we’ll allow you and your hubby compete with us.
great job girl. You are such an inspiration!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 10:38 am
[...] Snacks and Thoughts ~Caitlin@HealthyTippingPoint [...]
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
This is the reason I just did one vegan meal, instead of a whole day. I actually realized I eat a lot of vegan meals unintentionally, but I knew if I told myself I “couldn’t” have something, I would feel too restricted. I didn’t need that on an exam day!
I’m sure it would be different if I were going vegan for any reason other than to see what it is like. I’d have more motivation to avoid dairy, eggs, etc!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
congratulations on getting into grad school!!
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on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
[...] Snacks and Thoughts ~Caitlin@HealthyTippingPoint [...]
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I love your puppy pictures. Thanks for sharing your furbabies.
Congrats on the grad school acceptance. I hope the delayed entrance is workable for you!
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