I hate quitting. I am extremely stubborn and when faced with a challenge I pretty much take it to the next level. I started the Eat Local Challenge because I wanted to learn more about central Texas farms (and wanting to show my support), how to eat seasonally and expand my limited culinary skills. But there was something I didn’t really think of when starting this challenge: nutrition. I call myself a very healthy and responsible vegan. October is my 2 year vegan anniversary and I have taken a lot of pride in the fact that my doctor as well as my blood work has told me I am in excellent health. All my levels are amazing and since going vegan I have increased my energy and I just feel better. I play competitive soccer 2-3 times a week and I noticed a huge improvement within the past 2 years. My diet has been very balanced with protein, good carbs and good fats and supplements. I eat a ton of fruits and vegetables, oats and seeds and get my extra protein from soy and beans (yes, I know about soy and trust me when I say I am taking the initiative in limiting it now). Recently I added coconut oil and hemp to my diet as well (total superfoods).

Forget boredom with the eat local challenge, I started feeling like crap. It really started last Thursday and I blamed it on the constant Austin rain (weird, I know) but then after several days of no energy, complete exhaustion and not being able to concentrate on anything, I realized that my diet has been lacking. I wasn’t getting my normal nutrition and I definitely wasn’t eating enough. How could I be with a limited number of veggies, some olive oil and coffee every day? I decided during the day on Monday that I had to quit the challenge. I had a soccer game right after work and I played worse than I have in years. I came home and made tofu scramble and went to bed.

However, I don’t feel defeated. I definitely learned a lot and my weekly trip to the farmers market will continue. I will still buy local over non-local if available and will tailor my meals to include as much seasonal produce as possible. And I’ll keep you posted with my attempts to make homemade granola, pasta and pretty much anything else I would rather make from scratch than buying in a box.

I think the Eat Local Challenge is awesome though and would be lot healthier if I either wasn’t vegan or lived in an area that some of these proteins were grown locally.