Mon 17th Nov.

On waking up, I realise that I haven’t been having the uncomfortable bloated feeling that I often used to have first thing in the morning. This is nice. Generally, I do feel healthy and I’m confident that I’m eating a well-balanced diet. The children and I have taken a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement for a few years now, so I’m reasonably sure that Sally and I are getting the nutrients we need. We could maybe do with looking at our iodine and Vitamin B12 intake, as vegans can lack sufficient quantities of these if care isn’t taken. Sally should be okay with the B12 as it’s in Marmite as well as her supplement. If we were to continue this diet longer than a month, however, I would certainly investigate supplements specifically for a vegan diet, and I’d look very carefully at what fortification different cereals, soya milks, etc. contained.

Paul’s parents depart this morning. I don’t think they’ve suffered too much, being force-fed beans, tofu, etc.

Talking of Marmite, Sally has it in today’s packed lunch. I have baked potato, vegan “cheese” and salad.

A four o’clock mug of hot chocolate seems appealing. Green and Black’s hot chocolate powder is suitable for vegans, so with soya milk it’s fine. I decide it would be nice to melt some Green and Black’s Maya Gold (dark chocolate with fruit and spice extracts), into it, but check the ingredients first. I’m disappointed to find I can’t have it as it contains milk powder. Whilst I’m at the chocolate tin, I check the Green and Black’s 70% dark chocolate, which I’ve been eating lately. Oops, that also contains milk powder. Who’d have thought it? So that’s off limits now. Better see if I can get some more Cote d’Or or something else suitable.

For tea I make burgers from the Sosmix (a more manageable shape to fry). We have them with the remains of yesterday’s risotto. I have read in the past about not reheating rice due to a toxin that can be present. A quick Google search leads me to the following information: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/businesscentre/foodbusiness/foodhandling/rice.html. I’ve never had any problems with reheating rice, but I’d hate it if anyone reading this went down with food poisoning, so be warned!

I pack tomorrow’s lunchboxes – chickpea and black olive pate sandwiches for Sally.

Then I watch “University Challenge” and get at least four right answers.