Second Nature : Journal

Mosno here,
It has been at least a couple of Weeks since I gradutaed from the Vegan Living Program, and I'm still going strong with regrets.

I'm proud to say that I have become accustom to finding vegan options in places, even thinking on the spot how to veganize certain dishes on any restaurant's menu with ease.

It has become second nature to me to go to Giant to grab lunch instead of a Burger place. I'm fond of snacking on Peanut Butter topped Rice Cakes with a side of fruit or a feeshly made smoothie. It doesn't feel like a "chore", it actually feels good, it feels...right.

Many of my friends know that I'm a vegan now, and they respect my choice, and I love them for that.

I was talking to a friend of mine at an open mic the other night, and when I told him that I'm now vegan, he asked me how difficult it was. I proudly shared the knowledge I've learned, and went the extra step of picking up the menu of where we are and showed him all the vegan options under his nose.
I have to say, I was a bit impressed with my self hahaha.

I'm sure my adventures have only begun, I can't wait.
Much love.
I'll blog you later

Mosno Al-Moseeki

Breakfast Conversation : Journal

Hey everyone, Mosno here,
 Last weekend I visited my family, and informed them that I am now a Vegan. It was hilarious, and I got asked a LOT of questions. But one question my Mom asked me was "What do you have for breakfast?", many things were suggested, including Oatmeal, Peanut Butter sandwiches, and cereal.
I never really thought much about it, because I'm not a "breakfast" kind of person. Of course I was brought up with the "knowledge" that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I was also taught that Milk does a body good. I'm learning that NOT everything I've been told has been quite true.

Today however, I woke up, and was a bit hungry, so I wanted "breakfast". In the morning, I'm a very light eater, so I needed to find something light & delicious to go with my morning tea. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at my quick vegan breakfast options at the Giant food store.

I found crunchy granola & seed bars with chocolate chip chia from "Kashi", which are totally Vegan. I read the ingredient AND used the "Is It Vegan" app, and it said "DEFINITELY Vegan". Brilliant.
I know they have other products that contain milk & honey, but I was very happy to find a sweet vegan option. Woho. I'm now having that with my spiced chai tea, with a little bit of vanilla coconut milk.

This is one aspect of Veganism no one told me about, the sheer joy when you unexpectedly find Vegan options for what ever it is you want! it really does brighten your day :)

Have a lovely rest of your day.
I'll blog you later.

Much Love
Mosno

Graduation : Journal

I am SO excited and feel SO empowered right now. Yesterday (April/19/2014), I officially completed my 6 week pledge of being a Vegan. It was a lovely afternoon, my fellow Pledgers & I got to walk the stage as we were handed out certificates & our coaches cheered for us, it really was a lovely ceremony.

Many of us talked with each other, and spoke of our life transforming experience, and many asked "What now?" which is a very legitimate question.
Lucikly, Brenda has a monthly Meet-Up called the Veganism Support Group, in which each month she would organize a Pot-Lock event, in which Vegans & The Vegan Curious could get together, network, and discuss which ever topic is chosen for that meet up.
I do believe being connected to the community directly is important. My awesome coach Ben, and his lovely wife have extended their support to me, and we are thinking of having a little Vegan Game Night in the near future, sweet.

As for me, I have decided to STAY Vegan. I feel healthier, more energetic, and all the other Vegans I have met have been nothing but amazing, and kind people. In fact, I have already decided that next year, I WILL be a coach with VLP. I'm also going to continue writing the Vegan Musez blog, to document my experience, at least for the 1st year. I'm sure I will eventually find a more direct way to connect my Veganism to Music, and once that happens, watch out world :)

Today I'm going to be visiting my family, who are of course Middle-Eastern, I will be dropping the Vegan Bomb on them. I'm not sure how they will take it, I'm pretty sure I will be getting the "side eye" from everyone, I wouldn't be surprised if I become the central topic of many jokes, but I take comfort in that. I never did do things "normally", my moto for life has always been "Be a prototype, Not a stereotype". If they want to live in their little comfort bubble, that is their choice, but just like they make their own choices, I also make my OWN.

I feel like my experience hasn't ended, from this point on, it will only extend because now my Vegan choices aren't to simply honor the program, but it is to honor my self, and my fellow Earthlings.
From this point on, I am conscious, present, and Vegan.

I can not thank Erin, Brenda, & Alli enough for this life changing experience, you gals & the lovely VLP coaches are truly angels, and be warned, you have created a Vegan Monster!
Thank you Vegan Living Program Team :)

Much Love to you all, and my experience will continue on the Vegan Musez Blog
Mosno Al-Moseeki :)

Week 5 + Energy : Journal

Hey there, Mosno here,
I've very proud to say that I am 5 week Vegan Strong, the journey thus far has been amazing. Yesterday we got to visit Popular Animal Sanctuary in Poolsville, MD. Very nice people, and very sweet animals. They provide us with the history of each animal, and they each have their own "space" to happily run around and be merry.
The kind people of Enlightened Bellies brought us some Vegan sandwiches,  our buddy Kyle brought some of his awesome cheesecakes,  it was a good way to end a delightful afternoon of visiting happy animals, and connecting with fellow Vegan peeps.

I was speaking with my coach Ben, and he asked me "How I was doing?", and I said "I'm freaking out, because I now have so much energy", and its true. I'm no doctor, but here is what I think is happening. Since the food that I am eating is mostly fruit & vegetables,  my body is able to break it down and digest it easier. Since my diet no longer has meat and its chemicals,  then I am no longer feeling tired and bloated after my meals. There for, I now have complete access to the energy, and that is a great thing.

I have to say, living in Baltimore, or any city, has its advantages.  I can go into any of my favorite restaurants, and I WILL find something Vegan to eat on their menu, even if its accidentally Vegan :)

I feel healthier, lighter, and better. Also knowing that I'm helping the planet, and our fellow animals, is a pretty cool thing too :)
Next week is graduation of the VLP program, I can't wait.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.
I'll Blog You Later
Mosno

Glass & Titanium : Journal

Mosno here,
 I'm starting to notice that the universe tends to send you signs, really REALLY subtle signs to foreshadow certain events in your life. I have to be honest, I'm not very good at noticing them right away, but I'm learning that when something weird happens, I should pay more attention to it.

For example last year (2013) during Christmas, my housemates and I like to exchange gifts with each other. We are not religious, but we find joy in finding cool and interesting gifts for each other for Christmas.
Each one of us kind of has their own thing, one of us really likes almost anything Stars Wars / Star Trek, One is a visual artists, One plays the Cello .. your truly is sucker for anything Batman related, because he is the best Super hero ever.
But last year, amongst other cool stuff, I was gifted a very, unique and random item, a Titanium Spork.
Why? I have nooooo idea! Apparently my housemate saw it and thought of me for some reason.
We all had a good laugh, and I set it aside not thinking about it at all.

Last week or so, I received the Vegan Starter Kit from Vegan Cuts which has all sort of goodies, again, there was an unexpected item, a Glass Straw.
Again, I thought it was cool and I set it aside.

The other night I was returning from the Vegan Living Program Social Meet Up, and as per every gathering with all these fine folks, my brain gears started turning, and I would think about random thoughts and ideas and how they would relate to what I'm currently doing. Its how my brain processes things.
Needless to say all these thoughts made some kind of swan dive into Veganism & The Environment, and how plastic utensils are part of the environmental issue, and what would be a solution to it, and how can I do something to help and...... then I remembered, I actually have the means to help me NOT use plastic utensils in public, I can simply take my Glass straw & Titanium spork with me. So I put them in a bag, and placed them neatly in my "murse", right next to my tablet :)

I gotta tell you, even if I did sit and contemplate about the Spork back in the Winter of 2013, I would not have guessed that the Universe was secretly whispering "Hey, Mos, Guess What? your going to be a Vegan!"
I guess I am on the right path after all :)

I'll blog you later
Much Love to you all.

Mosno

Tofurkey & Kale : vLog

Hey everyone, Mosno here,
 I just wanted to say thank you to all the lovely people at the Vegan Living Program for inspiring me to keep doing this, and to all my fellow pledgers who came up to me and told me how much they enjoyed my videos, I hope you enjoy this one.
Its another simple dish that I think anyone can make.

The Ingredients
-Kale
-Spinach
-Tofurkey
-Spices (mine were: All-Purpose, Soy Sauce, & Lemon Juice)

Here is the video of the dish.
Enjoy :)



I'll blog you later
Much Love

Mosno