Kentucky Fried Chicken. Taco Bell. Culver’s. Olive Garden. My whores of the food industry. And when I cheat on my diet regime, I go all the way. Want any sides with that 20 pc of processed chicken? Hell yeah I do! Cheese curds instead of fries? Sure why not? It’s incredible how a high schooler can use the power of fast food persuasion on my to buy half the menu.

This isn’t a new struggle for me. During my 15 yr stint as a vegetarian, I allowed myself one cheat a year and I’d ultimately end up in the KFC drive thru on the phone with my bestie D, telling her to talk me out of what I just ordered. She never did btw….damn carnivore. The day Chris and I decided to introduce meat back in our diet, I was heading to Miami to visit D. She asked where to when I landed and I promptly said, “An organic, free range, burger place that has PBR.” I do love my burgers, chicken, cheese and all things fried….and shitty beer.

This time I’m committed to be as diligent as possible so that means finding alternatives. Now I could simply buy the fake meats but that defeats the point of trying to be healthy. All of those items are just as horrible as anything else processed and you won’t find your nutrients you need. Enter the world of recreating your whole foods into your fave cheating foods.

I love veg cooking due to the colors, smells and limitless things you can do in the kitchen. Many nights my dinner ends up being eaten by Chris and occasionally E will admit he loves it. Last week, I was craving OG Alfredo sauce. After looking up the recipe on the OG site I then looked for vegan Alfredo sauce. I found one that had similar herbs and spices and modified it. The secret with that creation was raw cashews, cauliflower and garlic. It turned out amazing. The other week I made a “raw cookie dough” out of chickpeas and peanut butter. So good and good for you.

The trick is to use your imagination. Think out side of the processed box. See pasta in your zucchini. See sauces and cheeses in your raw cashews. And fried food in your cauliflower crusted veggies. It may take more time and your dishwasher will be running non stop but your body will thank you.

https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/vegan-chickpea-cookie-dough/

https://codegreenwellness.com/recipes/cauliflower-cashew-alfredo-vegangf/