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GOing Vegan in Asheville
Started
by Donna Farmer
on January 10, 2011
Hi everyone, my name is Donna and I live in Asheville, NC. It is rather easy to go vegan in Asheville because of all the health food stores and even the vegan and vegetarian restaurants that are in town. I tried this diet last year in January and lost 16 lbs in a month but had some complications with my gall bladder so had to stop it, or at least that is what the doctor blamed it on. I am back and ready to get started again. I'm hoping no issues come back up this time. I really love the lifestyle, I feel light, energetic, and just good all over when I am eating healthy. I'm excited to get started again.
Wonderful! Congrats, Donna!
Well, that's just silly about your gall bladder. I'm a physician and I can tell you it is highly unlikely that it had anything to do with your eating a vegan diet! Trust me, most physicians don't know anything about nutrition and diet. We aren't even trained on it in school. Mind you somehow, a lot of us tend to think that we do. Ridiculous really. If you have any health questions always feel free to ask. =) Also, to prove to you that a vegan diet is indeed much better for one's health if you are interested feel free to take a look at my blog (www.theplantrx.com). As it so happens, in 4 days we are launching our 60 day plant-based (vegan) health study. This study will measure various health parameters of 8 different people as they switch from their normal diets to a vegan diet for 60 days. I am posting all of their results and blood work online in the interest of full transparency. We will be measuring several biological health parameters before they start, at the midpoint and at the end of the 60 days. Most participants results have come in and are already posted on the site and they are starting to blog this week -- all the participants will be blogging about their experience of transitioning to a vegan diet over the entire 60 days. Feel free to talk with them if you like! They are all amazing people!
Anyway, I hope that is helpful! Take Care and Best Wishes, Jenna
Donna- I live in Raleigh, NC and I just read the latest VegNews magazine where they mentioned Asheville, NC is one of the most vegetarian friendly cities in the US. I was surprised because I had no idea! I'd love to get to Asheville soon and check out the vegan options. What is your favorite restaurant (just in case I ever get up there!)??
I agree with Jenna that maybe your doctor quickly jumped to conclusions when they said a vegan diet was to blame for your gall bladder issues. Good luck!!
I live in Raleigh as well and we visit Asheville often. Please give me the names of the best vegan freindly places to eat for out next trip.
Some of my favorite vegan friendly restaurants are 1. Nine Mile it is a Jamaican typr restaurant with pasta to die for. 2. Doc Cheys which is kind of like a oriental type atmosphere with rice and pasta based dishes. 3. Laughing Seed Cafe has tons of vegetarian and vegan entrees. 4. Then there is a little place called Rosetta's, this restaurant is strictly vegan. There are no animal products at all. Cheese, gravy, soysage, desserts, breads, pasta, everything is completely vegan. I hang out here alot when trying to stay strict. You cant go wrong in this little place. Everything is good.
I second both Rosettas and Laughing Seed but haven't tried the others yet... I must try them next time I'm in Asheville.
What surprised me about that town is that almost Every menu we looked at had Vegetarian/Vegan options listed. As well as Raw options on some menus that would never contain this stuff in other towns.
Then we passed (just walking) 3 health food stores... That doesn't include driving to the others. I was very impressed with the food choices in that town and how "normal" it was to ask a vegan question without getting a look. :-)
Even some of the B&B's specifically say on their websites, that they offer veg options for breakfast.
Anyway, I have heard raw salad stuffs can hurt a gull bladder patient, so maybe check in to that or possibly keep a food diary this go around and see which exact foods are flaring up your issues.
Could be something so simple, as even Veggie foods can create sensitivities in people. I've discovered I can't have raw zuchini for example... I don't know why... it just doesn't like me.. but cooked is fine.
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