The Home Stretch!

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The 7:30 Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Ave. is jokingly referred to as the “Ass Mass” because of the amount of single people who attend – one New York periodical once mentioned it as one of the best pick-up places. Not exactly what the Almighty had in mind, no doubt, but at least the pews are filled. I always marvel at people who seem to equate holiness with the large numbers of palms they snatch up on this day, or the creative origami they weave together while sitting there.

Afterwards I decided to pick up dinner at Candle Café – the more casual sister restaurant to Candle 79 around the corner. I got the butternut squash soup, which was excellent, and tofu club sandwich (I’ve been craving a regular old sandwich as of late – preferably an Italian hero). The sandwich looked like a regular club, but with grilled tofu, tempah ‘bacon’, lettuce, and tomato on mixed grain toast with coleslaw, pickles, and vegan mayo (No, I didn't have the beer pictured here). It was pretty good, but, does not hold a candle (excuse the pun) to the vegan wrap at the Coffee Shop. I also ordered the quesadilla which was whole wheat tortilla with bean puree, grilled vegetables, and tapioca cheese served with salsa and guacamole. This was rather good, I enjoyed it. But in my biased opinion I prefer the Vbites cheese to the 'cheese' they use– and I really am not just saying that.

Today I filled up on fruit – watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, and melon. Also, my beloved oatmeal. I went to the gym at lunch time and had quite a decent work out of cardio (bike, and treadmill) and a good amount of ab work. The NYSC owes me a small credit on my membership, and my trainer called to say that they would rather give it to me in a free training session. OK by me, so Wednesday I have a: 30 minute workout first thing in the morning. I am going to ask my trainer to work me like a dog!

Lunch was my typical, large salad. I was not hungry this evening and just had a smoothie, and well, I had some popcorn too. Well, I was watching a film and I wanted some popcorn! That was my last bag, so I will make sure not to buy any more! The film was supurb - it was called Make Way for Tomorrow. Do yourself a favor and watch it, preferably before Mother's Day!

I am closing in on my final month of this vegan quest, and it is beginning to feel a little weird in a way. A friend of mine wrote an exceptional book called 180 Degrees about his drug addiction which I have written a screenplay for and still need to fix up. One of the things he talks about was that he was so incredibly proud after completing his first year of sobriety. But on day 366 he felt an incredible let down – like, “OK, I went a year without drugs and alcohol, now what?” I know for a fact that I am going to continue this lifestyle of healthy eating for the rest of my life, but what will I feel on May 1? I am sure I will be incredibly satisfied by this quest, and it will not be an excuse to go back to my self-indulgent ways, but I am curious as to how I will feel. Clearly, with just about a month left it will be quite a feat to lose an additional 25 lbs to reach my goal, and realistically, it may not happen. However, I will, 100% guaranteed reach my goal of losing a total of 75 lbs – no question. But it may be June! Either way I have learned so much about diet, and health that I am thrilled with this experience!