Day 2 - Detox diary countdown

We're going veganBefore I go on to the main topic of the day, I'd like to clarify something I talked about yesterday - on detox diary countdown day 3. In junking caffeine, I was of course not suggesting you take out just coffee and chocolate, but all caffeine-containing substances. And for all of you that, like me, enjoy a cup of tea before getting out of bed most mornings, that, I'm afraid, does include tea... the black stuff, at least! You can of course replace your morning cup with a wide variety of herbal teas, rooibosch and jasmine being varieties that I find particularly delectable!So, back to the task in hand... Taking out all meat and fish today – and having already taken dairy products out of our diets - means that you and I are now effectively vegan (at least for the duration of this 'diet'!)A lot of the meats and fish that we buy today are pumped full of additives and even hormones. They're also quite difficult for the body to digest and so quite taxing on the mind-body as a whole.Most people wonder where they're going to get their protein - an essential part of any healthy diet and needed for cell growth and repair (it's also used to make hormones, enzymes and antibodies to fight disease) - if they take out meat and fish but, with a little bit of self-education, it really isn't that hard!There are many types of protein - all of which are made up of amino acids. Eight of these amino acids cannot be made in the body. Foods that supply good amounts of all eight essential amino aides include meat, fish, dairy products, soya and eggs. Since these are not really permitted during the 21 day detox plan, it's important that you make sure that you include a variety of plant-based proteins: pulses, whole grains, nuts and seeds.Tofu, too, is a good alternative, very flexible – and a very pure food. There are recipes for tasty tofu dishes everywhere – but I particularly like it as part of a vegetable stir-fry of, say, sweet potato and carrot, cabbage, toasted cashew nuts... that kind of thing, with a dash of soy sauce and lemon juice. Oh yes, and some fresh garlic and grated ginger. I add a few cubes of tofu near the end, before tossing the mixture over a bed of 'al dente' brown rice. And I'll often eat this with a fresh green salad and it makes for a very satisfying meal!I can never get enough of good tofu recipes - so please send in your recommendations over the next few weeks - they'll make the 21-day detox so much more enticing for the rest of us!! I'd also like to hear from you experienced vegans out there... have you any tips for finding keep protein in the diet at an optimal level? At little white feather, we're always open and eager to learn!!!Tomorrow, our final countdown day and a day of rest to reflect on the 21 days ahead.