Indeed, Em asked me, wasn’t I already doing E2L? That got me thinking… What was it I wanted to accomplish and will it be challenging enough to show solidarity with those giving it a go for the first time? (It was this very reason that had me proposing the other two options in the poll in the first place, since either would be more strict.)

Eat To Live is actually pretty easy to my mind. I’ve been doing it for years! So where did I feel a change was needed? If I were to print out a few days and show someone, they’d say, “damn, that’s healthy.” But, from where it was, I’ve been backsliding on the calorie front. Certain foods, which aren’t inherently bad, just different from what I was doing, had slowly crept in. I’ve alluded to them in the past: less control of nut butter consumption, the reintroduction of gluten into my diet, beer instead of wine, more coffee, and “stress-eating.”

Also, due to reigning in the budget, I haven’t restocked my favorite CR staples, konjac noodles and bulk, organic, dried mushrooms. Both of which I use to make big tomato-mushroom soups, chopping raw veggies in at the end. Very filling, yet low calorie.

Sooooo… This can be challenging for me too, after all. Here’s how. While some of these things are technically allowable in moderation on plan, I’m cutting them out entirely for the month of August. No nut butters. No protein powders. No beer. No coffee.

That last one’s going to hurt for a few days! My weaning off this week didn’t go so well and the withdrawal headache will be there to remind. Thankfully, as far as taste goes, I still have a little coffee substitute remaining, and I’ll allow myself a little green tea as well.

So, I’m excited! Let’s kick this thing off right. Good luck everyone. Come back often and keep us all apprised of your progress.

Here’s how the FX website’s 30 Days section describes the vegan episode, airing Tuesday night, June 17th:

PARTICIPANT – George Snedeker, 42
RESIDES – Chapel Hill, NC
OCCUPATION – Handyman
AIRDATE – Tuesday, June 17, 2008

George Snedeker is an avid hunter who considers it much more than just a sport; to George, hunting is a way of life. George hunts mainly for deer meat and tries to use the entire animal in order not to be wasteful.

For 30 Days, George will live in Los Angeles with vegan Melissa Karpel, 29, and her vegan family: parents Don and Madeline Karpel and her sisters Stephanie and Kimberly, who are 25-year-old twins. Melissa is a Los Angeles Campaign Coordinator for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit organization that fights for animal rights on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade and in the entertainment industry.

George will participate in PETA initiatives including a demonstration at a popular fast food chain, work at a local farm animal rescue center and meet with various organizations such as Last Chance for Animals, a non-profit group dedicated to animal rights.

Should be interesting! I hope this reaches you in time to watch and share your thoughts here afterward.

Are you up for a challenge of your own? The “Declare Your Independence From Unhealthy Foods” group cleanse starts on the 4th of July at Green Smoothie Central!