吃素接近三年了，一段不長不短的時間。從「食肉獸」到底「素食者」，主要是因為健康問題。即使我不吃雞蛋，牛奶仍是我的最愛... 不過，因為一個原因，我決定要跟這個「長期最愛」說30天拜拜。
一直纏繞著我的問題，亦是女生最介意的問題，「暗瘡」。老實說，我的自我控制是超差的。由其是當這些美味的食物 — 塗滿牛油的麵包，芝士頭盤、沙拉、牛奶咖啡... 每頓飯也有奶製品！在歐洲旅遊的一個月，我實在吃太多奶製品。接著， (可怕的)事情就發生了。
是的，這兩年我也有暗瘡問題。雖然不是大範圍，但有些地方是很容易長暗瘡：下巴，額頭和臉頰。通常，我每1-2個月就有一次這個問題，我一直以為是由月經的荷爾蒙引起的。在旅途的10天後，我發現有些位置開始不停的長暗瘡，而右邊臉頰還有一堆小暗粒！記得有一個晚上，臉上突然感到很痛，痛了一個晚上... 第二天我看鏡子，天啊！臉頰上的小豆豆開始發紅和腫脹... 更出水。看上去就不止是暗瘡問題，還有受感染！我的皮膚看上去實在太可怕的關係，在旅途中的照片也沒幾張是拍自己的...
所以，回來之後的第一件事，就是開始「30 天不喝牛奶」的挑戰！另外，30天後，如果我的皮膚沒有改善，我應該可以以後也不用擔心喝牛奶皮膚會變差... 但結果卻讓我很意外，讓我在這分享這30天的歷程吧。

As some of you already know, I have been a Vegetarian for almost 3 years. Started from "All-to Nothing", I started a vegetarian diet from a "meat-lover", mainly because of health issues <Why I become a Vegetarian>. And yes, I have been avoiding one of my favourite foods in the past month, which makes ice-cream, yoghurt, cheese and even cappuccino - Milk.

30Days of Total Elimination - MILK

WHY?

Because I've had too much Dairy when I was travelling in Europe in July. Honest saying, I am not good at self-control when it comes to these yummy foods - I will have butter for bread, different types of cheese are usually in the starter or salad, and finish with a cup of milk coffee... Sometimes I had pastries and gelato when I visit coffee shops or simply because it is delightful to have sweets in the day! That means I have dairy products in every meal. Then something (horrible...) happened.

I love visiting coffee shops so it means, much more coffee, and milk. Even pastries.

Sour cream cold-soup and Burrata(cheese) for starters in Vienna.

ACNE? INFECTIONS?

Yes, I have acne problem. Although I don't have them all over my face, some spots are prone to acne - chin, forehead and cheek area. Usually, I have this problem once every 1-2 months, and I thought it was caused by menstruation.
Things started to get worse after 10 days in the trip. I noticed there are several new acne grow, and there is even a cluster of little acnes on my cheek! One night I even feeling very painful on my face... and the next day I wake up, I look into the mirror and I was so scared! The redness and swelling area are getting much worse. I was really sad and shocked. It is not only acne problem but some kind of infections.
That was really sad, because of the acne problem I seldom take a lot of pictures of myself during the trip - my skin looks too horrible in pictures with redness and everything...

When I started my trip, my skin still look okay without a lot of pimples. But when it getting worse, I stopped to take selfies as I am not really confident.

HOW?

The 1st thing after I come back - is trying the Total Elimination Plan. After doing some research on the "milk and acne effect", and how dairy products causing clogged pores, excessive oil and even make a breeding ground for acnes bacteria, I decided to cut dairy out of the diet for 30 days.
It is not easy, especially for my love towards dairy products and food that includes dairy products (yoghurt & cappuccino!!!), but... I have to give it a try. I miss my clear looking skin!
Also, if my skin doesn’t improve, I can go back to have as much as milk as I want forever. (This was really in my thoughts...)

Plant-based diet. Pumpkin Salad I've made at home.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Things started to be better just after 2 weeks. The infected area is healed, and there is no more new acne. In order to detox, I also go back to my everyday morning run practice, I just love sweating and the refresh feeling. As you can see from the above picture, this was how my skin looks on Day 13.
And now, today is the Day 30, my skin never looked this clear for a year. No acne, fewer pimples, getting much better... So, the acne and milk trade-off works!

Day 25, after the morning run and sweating does help a lot on detox!

WHY MILK CAUSED ACNE?

Here are some reasons:
1. Too much hormone which is good for baby cow, but not for you, especially not for adults!
2. Dairy causes your skin to produce excess sebum (oil)
3. Dairy glues together dead skin cells inside your pores, so they can’t exit naturally, leading to clogged pores.
It is quite straight forward - if you want clear skin, cutting out dairy is one of the most powerful things you can do.
And countless studies and evidence showed how cows are cruelly treated in the production of milk. If it is not being produced in a natural way, this is not a "natural & happy" food when it goes into your tummy too.

Coffee with Milk and Yougurt was my favourite breakfast.

MY ALTERNATIVE TO MILK

Cut off dairy doesn't mean you have to sacrifice all the good food. I can still have my oatmeal, my cappuccino, and some of my favourite dessert. You just have to take a good look at the ingredients. And once you start researching the alternative, you will be amazed by how many plant-based milk options are available: Almond milk (and all kind of nut milk), Coconut milk, Rice milk. A little reminder is that - make sure you don't drink as much as Soy milk. Soy milk is made from processed and very often genetically modified soybeans, it could potentially disturb your hormones, especially for ladies.

These are some vegan meals I made during these 30 Days. I even cook more because of the diet!

Yes, I have changed from being a Vegetarian to a Vegan. For milk? I miss it, but I like how I look with clear skin way better and to stand against animal cruelty and animal exploitation. It is not easy at the start, but it will gradually easier when you get over the addiction.

And I will share more about why a Vegan/Plant based diet is good for you and what I eat after adopting this lifestyle. Stay tuned and I wish you a better, clearer looking skin ever!

Loves,

From Vegetarian to Vegan #1