So... I tried a few years ago... to go vegan. I got to day sixteen then my family went to a steak house. Obviously, there is lots of animal protein at a steak house. However, I remember feeling confident that I would be able to resist. I wasn't even craving meat.

I ordered a side salad with no cheese and vinaigrette dressing, a plain baked potato, fried mushrooms and a glass of chardonnay. I received a side salad with cheese and BACON, a baked potato with sour cream and butter, the mushrooms and a two for one chardonnay.

Of course, I could have sent it back. But, there was absolutely no way that I was wasting that bacon or cheese. I scooped both off of the salad, sprinkled it over the baked potato and requested chives to top off the potato. Why slip up when you can have an entire vegan fail?

So here I am, three years later ready to try again. This time I have convinced my significant other to go vegan with me. Actually... it was his idea. Not sure what sparked it, but I am taking it. Fingers crossed, we are going to eat vegan three times per day for three weeks.

Week 1: Vegan Breakfast

We'll be having grains for breakfast. I am southern and I like grits. I also like oatmeal. A little non-dairy "butter" and seasoning of choice and all is well. Another breakfast option is peanut butter toast with bananas or any fruit. No egg and cheese croissant for twenty-one days...

Week 1: Vegan Lunch

Lunch will be simple. We'll have soup and salad with a roll or pita bread and a side of fruit. If I have to cook the soup, I may as well swing through the drive through for a Mexican taco. Again, I am pretty boring in the soup department. I just grab a few cans of soup--black bean, lentil, tomato, minestrone. Anything with a vegan label will work.

Week 1: Vegan Dinner

Day 1: Grilled portobello mushrooms and squash, spinach, brown rice
Day 2: Tacos with refried beans, guacamole, lettuce, roasted potatoes

Day 3: Spaghetti with marinara sauce, side of broccoli, side salad
Day 4: Black beans, rice, corn on the cob, mixed greens
Day 5: White bean salad and dinner roll

Day 6: Pasta primavera, corn, side salad
Day 7: Vegan Jambalaya (black eyed peas, squash, onions)

Eating vegan can be challenging. So, I have to be realistic about what the level of effort that I put into cooking meals. I have found a great recipe to make marinara sauce. Bonus is it only requires a few ingredients.

I love this easy marinara recipe from Michael Chiarello. I use sugar instead of baking soda, dried basil versus fresh, and regular sea salt. I also add a can of diced tomatoes to make the sauce thicker. My kids even love it.

Another favorite of my entire family is jambalaya. Normally, it is chock full of sausage and chicken. This won't work for the veggie version. Instead, I add canned black eyed peas, grilled yellow squash, grilled onions.

I use the Tony Chachere's Creole Jambalaya Rice Dinner Mix. I make the rice mixture according to the package but I don't add the meat. I grill the veggies and add them along with the peas when the rice is cooked through.

If you're going vegan for three days or twenty-one, you have to plan. Making a list of items needed to prepare each meal, snack and beverage will help you stay on track. Download my family's simple vegan plan for week 1. It can help get you started on your vegan voyage.

Week 1: Vegan Breakfast

Week 1: Vegan Lunch

Week 1: Vegan Dinner

week 1 recipes and shopping list