Way back when I first went vegan I tried to make creamy polenta a few times and failed miserably. I kind of decided polenta just wasn't for me. I didn't grow up eating it, so it isn't really something I crave. Anyway, fast forward all of these years to me seeing a picture of some polenta dish and I have a craving. Can you have a craving for something you've never really had?
This was a clearance find, and I need to use it up so I decided it would be a nice creamy addition to my polenta.
I also found a random package of Impossible ground in my freezer, so I decided to make lentil/impossible balls (ha ha I said balls!)
These were a little loose because I really don't like touching the impossible. I know it's plants, but it looks so real, and it feels so foreign I just really, really don't like how it feels. So I couldn't make these fast enough!
Here is the final dish. The polenta turned out nice and creamy this time. Slow and low is the secret. But, even though this turned out well, I didn't love the texture. It's got that porridge-y texture that I'm just not a fan of.
I've mentioned that in the past I struggled with two eating disorders, for many years of my life. I don't know about anyone else, but for me it's a daily struggle to keep my relationship with food in the healthy area. Especially because I have been trying to drop a few pounds. I have to avoid the SOS vegan crowd on social media, because I find the content to be triggering, and I find it starts to make me feel bad about certain foods. I think some people can be very health focused and it doesn't take over, other people can get a little too obsessed, and unfortunately I fall into the second group. So, I woke up this morning to a message from someone I don't know on the Gram telling me that Impossible has eleven percent more pesticides than Beyond. (??) I responded by thanking them for the info, but that I don't eat this often so I try not to worry too much. Well, now they're asking me if I've heard of some herbicide, so I replied a second time reiterating that I don't eat this all the time so again, I try not too worry about that stuff.
I'm feeling extreme anxiety and guilt now. As crazy as that sounds. It's like the logical side of myself knows I should blow that stuff off. but the disordered part feels shame and guilt, and like I need to live on wheatgrass, broccoli and artisinal air for the next week to detox.
I think this person is probably just thinking they're passing along valuable information, but I really could have done without it, you know what I mean?
Nothing worse than the"vegan police". Pls. Ignore it! Love your blog, very inspiring for frugal vegans.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you so much! They are the worst!!
Deletei know exactly what you mean. I try to remind myself that stressing over food is ALSO unhealthy. Maybe it would be a concern if you ate Impossible products every day, but you don't. Your body has a liver to filter out these toxins, so don't worry about it. I feel bad for the person who left that comment- they're probably really uptight about food.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for the person too. I used to be that person just in a different way.
DeleteBLOCK THAT PERSON! Seriously. The fact that the responded to you a second time means that they do not respect boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI also can easily fall into disordered eating thoughts, so I am very careful with who I follow on social media, and what sort of books and things I read. It is hard sometimes having to be so vigilant, when you are just trying to look after yourself and survive.
It went on for a bit longer, with me practically begging this person to shut up! So I did end up blocking them.
DeleteWe all feel differently about food, and for me personally, as long as you're not hurting animals who cares?
Also... balls... tee hee. Never not funny!
ReplyDeleteGets me every time!!
DeleteAh, the vegan police (as the Anonymous person says). I am so sick of people policing what other people eat. A lot of people seem irrationally against Impossible products. I don't eat them much either but I don't get the hate.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about the Impossible hate too. I feel like it's really kind of been a game changer, and I know a lot of non vegans order it sometimes over beef, which is only helping animals which is what we all want right?
DeleteFirst of all, that polenta looks amazing!! And what a score on that cream cheese. As for that jerk on IG, screw em! I hate the vegan police and the GMO/chemical/health police. The best way to turn a person off from veganism is to police them. They make us all look bad. I had a woman leave a negative review of my cookbook on Amazon because I'd blogged about Impossible, which she claims is not vegan because of the testing issue. And she said, in the Amazon review, that "the author isn't actually vegan" or something like that. UGH. I also struggle with disordered eating and can go waaaay too far with food rules when I let myself, so I feel that struggle!!
ReplyDeleteWow, to go so far as to leave that review?? That takes policing to a whole new level!
DeleteThey really do makes us all look so terrible, which is not helping animals at all!
The polenta looks like it turned out well; too bad the texture wasn't to you liking, though.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's so annoying that someone kept pestering you on Instagram; did they really have nothing better to do than to try to make you feel bad for no reason?! Good for you for blocking them!