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Follow rabble staff and contributors as they take the 2013 Vegan Challenge in our rabble Vegan Challenge Diary, where participants will chronicle their experiences eating vegan throughout the week!

Got off to a bad start, I have to admit. Blew into Ottawa after the weekend convention and had no time to get groceries — so was left with eating on the Hill (which is never a good idea and I avoid as much as I can). There are some vegan choices there … quinoa salad, beet salad with walnuts, and good old carrot and celery sticks. I eyed the cheese and crackers but said, “no, no, no,” and walked by with resolve. But by the time I got home (late and hungry) — well, I have to confess; I ate Kim’s delicious pickerel fish (she had taken it out but not made it the day before the Challenge began, so as not to waste…).

Next challenge — heading back to Vancouver, on the plane — pretty slim pickings there. But hey, Air Canada has a mini little quinoa salad too. OK! Another confession — while waiting for the flight I broke down and had two (small, OK) graham cookies. I couldn’t read all the ingredients, but you don’t have to tell me, I know it had bad stuff in it. Sigh.

My aim, once in Vancouver, at home sweet home, is to run down to Donald’s Market at E 7th and Commercial, 2 blocks from where we live, and fill up that grocery basket with Vegan Gold. I am blessed that East Van and The Drive in particular, is home to an abundance of fantastic, local, organic, inexpensive, grocery stores. They will save me.