DAY 38 – In Norse mythology, the number 38 is said to represent unnatural bravery which seems somehow fitting for me today. It’s so hard to believe that I have actually been vegan for 38 days. I definitely feel different and there is a certain lightness in my body and a heightened energy that I have never felt before. That is the good news. The bad news is that I have to constantly worry about what I am going to eat. It is exhausting. One of the most difficult parts is going out to eat with friends and family. You can’t be dragging everyone to vegan restaurants and it is very hard to find vegan food options in most eating establishments even here in Los Angeles. Isn’t that crazy!

Yesterday, I took my husband to his first vegan restaurant. He looked at the menu and was like “no problem!” (trying to be enthusiastic and supportive.) He ordered the “I am Elated” but was not too elated when he got his order. It was described as a taco salad and ended up being a giant sunflower seed cracker drizzled in cashew sour cream layered over some lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts. As much as my husband tries to support me – I don’t think he will be back anytime soon.

So my quest continues to……………..

Figure out smart and easy ways to get enough protein in my diet and more importantly, find food I can eat. I wish I could say it is getting easier now after 38 days with the hope to inspire others but… that wouldn’t be true. My life as a vegan continues to be very challenging. I know there are a lot of solutions and answers that I have not yet discovered so I am hanging in there and will continue to experiment. I am determined! I don’t want to give up! Wish me luck and I hope you enjoy this delicious high protein vegan meal.

RED LENTIL VEGGIE BURGERS WITH YAM FRIES AND SPICY MANGO KETCHUP

In all of LA, I have yet to find a delicious veggie burger so I decided to take on the challenge myself. I know this menu seems like a lot of trouble but it is worth it. The burgers are not hard to make and you can make a double batch and freeze the firmed patties for later. If you want more heat in the mango ketchup, leave the seeds in the serrano pepper. For a milder ketchup remove seeds. Hope you enjoy these veggie burgers as much as I did. Don’t miss any of Ordinary Vegan’s free recipes by signing up here.

Spicy Mango Ketchup

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

Main

1 large or 2 medium mangoes
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 tbsp diced red onion
1 serene chile, seeded, if desired, and minced
pinch of salt
pinch of black pepper

Method

Steps

Peel the mango and cut the flesh off the pit. Dice half of the mango and set it aside – you should have about 1 cup or so. Coarsely chop the remaining mango and put it in a blender. Add the lime juice and puree until the mixture is smooth and thick, stopping the blender a few times and using the rubber spatula to push the mixture down. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the reserved manna along with the cilantro, red onion, bell pepper and serrano chile, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and set aside in the refrigerator (the ketchup is best served the day it is made but will keep up to 2 days)
Next prepare burgers