In it for the Long Run

It's almost been 2 months since I went vegan. I've discovered new recipes, challenged my own beliefs about nutrition and become an advocate for a plant based lifestyle. Quite the summer.
My husband also joined me on this journey. He likes to say he isn't a real vegan since he does indulge occasionally. While that's true I actually think he just doesn't want to tell his meat and cheese loving family that he's turned vegan, haha. I don't blame him though, they love nothing more than to gossip about each other and I'm sure he doesn't want to be the subject of conversation. Although it should be rather interesting the next time they visit, especially when my MIL decides its time to cook bacon and eggs! hahahaha....how about some tofurkey and lentils?
I was chatting with some coworkers yesterday about being vegan after hearing the appalling things they do in the meat department of our local grocery store just to make the meat look more "red". One guy said he tried it but found he was lacking something. I told him if he and his wife really decide to go vegan they need to shift their mindset around meal time. We, in North America anyhow, have been told our meal time plates need to have a vegetable, a carb and a slice of meat, generally dividing the plate into thirds. With vegan eating, you usually end up cooking one dish, combining multiple foods into one delicious meal, such as rice, with lentils, black beans, avocado, red peppers, topped with some sprouts. Make enough and you won't be "lacking" for anything. That's the one thing my husband said has kept him on the vegan-train, he's never hungry. From the onset I made sure to always make a ton of food so no one is scrounging through the cupboards looking for something else. It's also self-serving since I was concerned initially that as a runner I might just pass out from lack of meat protein on a run. So far that's not happened and my runs have actually felt easier, but that could also be related to the weight loss that comes with a plant based lifestyle. So far my husband is down 15 pounds!
My knee arthritis is now an afterthought as opposed to being something I have to consider every time I take a run or even climb stairs. I still have achy knees occasionally, but I've noticed that only seems to happen when I've eaten something fried, like French fries. I no longer get the sporadic electric-shock pain that so many of us with arthritis know all too well and I don't wake up in the middle of the night to move my knee into a more comfortable position. There's no pill in the world that has fewer side effects and faster results than a plant based diet. I, for one, am a convert!