My seven-day vegan challenge

About a month ago I was doing a bit of facebook stalking when I randomly came across some beautiful photographs of food. The pictures really caught my eye and before I knew it was scrolling through an album from a company called “Pura Vida Food.” All of the food in the photos looked delicious and healthy, but after a bit more research I realized it was also all vegan, or completely free from animal products, and part of a new food delivery service company in London.

The food looked so good that I got in touch with the woman who started Pura Vida Food, Aya, to learn more. It turns out that Pura Vida Food is actually a raw food concept – which in my mind is the same thing as vegan – but means a bit more in that all of the dishes are prepared under 45 Celsius to preserve the enzymes and vitamins. Aya started the company after working in the City of London for many years when she took a break to live in Costa Rica and had her light bulb moment to start a raw food delivery service.

Why, you ask? Aya explained that there are many benefits to eating this way, like more energy, weight loss, improved skin, clarity of mind and better memory, and improved immune system. When I told her I’d like to try to see what happens if I change my diet to vegan for a week, or maybe even more, she simply replied “you will need to buy new clothes!”

Sold. To the fickle blonde lady who will try anything to lose a few pounds.

I was apprehensive going in…I like my food. And most of the time, I eat pretty healthy anyway. When I took a good look at my kitchen, though, I realized just how much of its contents included animal products. I knew it would be difficult to transition to a seven-day vegan challenge but I have to be honest, with Aya’s food for lunch each day, I was really enjoying it. The food is delicious (walnut meatballs and zucchini pasta was my fave, and I’m now hooked on her onion and buckwheat bread) but what’s more is that it all has great textures that allow you to really enjoy each bite. My favourite thing about it was that it was tasty, yet it didn’t leave me craving more. I ate my meals and when I was done I felt satisfied and completely free from any guilt.

For my breakfasts, I gave up the lattes and went for black coffee with a splash of soy milk, and muesli with fruit. For dinners, I had homemade vegetable soups, rice, salads and grilled vegetables. Snacking (rarely needed) included raw nuts, hummus and celery, and dried fruit.

I thought eating like a rabbit would mean I’d have no energy – WRONG. I went to the gym after work or during my lunch hour every day while eating Pura Vida Food and my energy levels were always high. I even fell asleep before midnight on my own, which is huge for someone who has had sleeping problems since I was a kid. My feelings of constant hunger pretty much disappeared. It was incredible to feel a little bit hungry around meal times instead of being annoyed by the feeling of hunger all day long.

I am currently on my eighth day of eating like a vegan. The high energy levels, ability to sleep well and eat without any regret have been enough to make me want to eat like this for as long as I can (read – until Saturday when I am going to Hibiscus for lunch). I don’t exactly need to buy a whole new wardrobe yet, but talk to me in a few weeks. And although it is completely unrealistic for me to say that I will become a vegan for life (I love seafood. I love pizza), I am confident the benefits of eliminating animal products when possible will only increase from here, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Pura Vida discount for Ravenous Libby readers:

If you’re thinking of changing up your diet, be it for weight loss, to increase your energy or to just be healthier, get in touch with Aya at Pura Vida Food – aya@puravidafood.co.uk. For one week of lunches delivered to your door (or office), it costs £64.95 (menu below), or £12.99 per day, but if you quote Ravenous Libby when you order, she will give you 20% off.

The Pura Vida Spring Menu:

• Large cup mushrooms with walnut mayonnaise, and a parsnip, raisin, parsley and cabbage salad.
• Onion and buckwheat bread sandwich (already addicted to this) with cashew olive cheese, tomatoes and rocket with a cabbage and parsnip salad and an amazing mint and cashew dressing.
• Asparagus and avocado temaki roll with a celery, carrot and apple salad.
• Courgette spaghetti with walnut meatballs and tomato/bell pepper Bolognese sauce.
• Almond and pumpkinseed burger with tomato, avocado, cucumber and spinach salad.

Aya also treated me to a heavenly slice of pure chocolate cake, which everyone in my little quad of desks thought was divine.

http://www.puravidafood.co.uk/

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