How To Go Vegan

Last week I encouraged all of you to go vegan for the month of January with Veganuary and promised a "how to go vegan" tips and tricks post.  Well, here we are!  Whether you signed up for the challenge or are just interested in making the transition to veganism on your own, I'm here to try to make the process as seamless as possible!

Before we start, did you know that I have a Resources page with lots of goodies to help you on your journey?  Be sure to give the list a read through once you finish this post!  

Also, one more thing...  I made a video version of this post for those of you who prefer listening to reading!  You can watch it on YouTube or right here on my website at the bottom of this post!

Ok.  Veganism.  It's kind of a scary word, isn't it?  It conjures up images of an ancient religion, or a strict order, or an overbearing ideology, right?  The good news?  It isn't any of those things.  Veganism is, at its core, compassion.  And the even better news?  You're already a compassionate person!  All you need to do to go vegan for good is to connect the compassion that is already inside of you to the plight of the animals, our fellow humans, our planet, abd your own health!

Now, you may be thinking; "That's great, Elizabeth.  But HOW do I do that?"  

I'm glad you asked!

For me, this connection came about through exposure to the realities of the animal cruelty inherent in the animal agriculture industry of today.  Or, more simply, I educated myself!

1. GET EDUCATED

The more you know, the easier it is to stay motivated.  Every time I learn something new about an aspect of veganism, my resolve strengthens.  For example, the recent release of the documentary film Cowspiracy educated me far more deeply on the environmental impact of the animal agriculture industry than I had ever been before, the environment being an aspect of veganism that was low on my list of interess.  If you asked me about the benefits of veganism today, saving the planet would be amongst the very first mentioned.  If you get in the know now, and keep on top of learning more on an ongoing basis, going and staying vegan won't be nearly such an imposing challenge!

The more I learn, the more committed I become.  Click here to open the resource page in another window and sign up below for my Vegan 101 info booklet to give yourself a starting point!

There's another  important reason to get educated - the more you know, the more confident you'll be answering the questions of the non-vegans in your life.  This is important not only for you - the more confident they see you are, the less like they'll be to question your choices or make jokes at your expense - but for the vegan movement.  If you're going vegan you probably have a compelling reason.  The more researched and well-spoken you are, the more likely others will be to take your message to heart.  And that, my friend, is how vegans make more vegans!

Check out the Plant Based Bride blog archives for lots of informative articles to start with!

2. FIND YOUR WHY

Finding your main motivation(s) behind maintaining a vegan lifestlye is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your success.  Perhaps it is about health and healing above all else, or maybe it's about reducing your impact on the planet.  For me it is animal ethics, far and above any of my other motivations.  Knowing this is a great help to me, and was especially indispensable when I was a new vegan.  Any time I felt that it was too hard to be vegan, or I ate a non-vegan food by mistake and thought about giving up, or had had enough of the jokes and comments, I had only to think of the animals I was saving each and every day to get right back on track and to feel more inspired than ever.

Not sure what your reason is?  Try beginning with my 10 Reasons To Go Vegan post and use it to identify the aspects of veganism that resonate the most with you and where you are currently in life. 

3. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM

I've said it once and I'll say it again - everything is easier with a friend!  I know from personal experience that going vegan alone can be tough.  That's not to say it's impossible - I did it, and more do it every single day!  But I wish I'd had someone to talk to during my transition who was going through exactly what I was - not so much for the food part, which I found to be the easy part, but for everything else.  

It's hard when you feel like no one understands you or supports you, and unfortunately for us, many people take a while to warm up to new ideas that go against everything they've ever been told.  Your friends and family may not react the way you hope or expect them to when you tell them about the change you are embarking on, and that can be much harder on you than you might think.

If at all possible, enlist someone in your life to go vegan with you or find a stranger in your city through facebook groups or local meetups to be cyber (or even real-life) vegan buddies!

4. FIND A MENTOR

If you can't find someone to go vegan with you (or even if you can!) consider finding a vegan mentor.  Whether they've been vegan for a short time, or for longer than you've been alive, someone who has gone through their transition to veganism has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable!

I've acted as a mentor for quite a few people in my life, including my fiance, Jason! Every time Jason had a question, or a struggle, or an observation I was there to answer, aid, and acknowledge his experience.  How I wish I'd had someone to do that for me!  That is why I continue to act as a mentor for everyone who asks me - whether in person or over phone or skype!  

If you have a vegan in your life, you have a built in mentor (and are very lucky!)  If not, try jumping into online forums or facebook groups!  Most vegans are happy to offer guidance to those who are in the midst of their transitions.  Reach out and see what happens!  I promise you won't regret it.

5. GET INSPIRED

Inspiration is definitely your friend!  Get on Pinterest, follow vegan You Tubers and instagrammers, read books and blogs, watch films, and listen to podcasts every day!  One of my favourite things to do is to listen to podcasts as I walk to and from work.  It's a great way to find inspiration in what would otherwise be wasted time.  Go to my resources page for some of my favourites and check out my Pinterest page!

6. COLLECT SIMPLE RECIPES

While you're shopping around for inspiration, be sure to save any easy, delicious-sounding recipes you come across!  Consider buying a couple great cookbooks (see some of my favourites here) or check out some of the many awesome vegan food blogs out there.  

One of my favourite ways to find new recipes recently has been to follow instagram accounts run by vegan food bloggers!  You can stay on top of all of their new creations, and they often include the recipe right in the picture's description.  Try starting with bestofvegan - they curate recipes from vegans all over instagram!  It's a great way to get recipes AND to find new people to follow.

7. CLEAN UP YOUR KITCHEN

One of the very first things you want to do once you're ready to go vegan is refresh your pantry and do a kitchen rehaul.  Go through everything you have and separate the non-vegan products.  Whether you decide to discard them all at once or to use them up over the next couple of days is up to you.  For some, eating animal products once they've decided to go vegan is too hard and they need to get those products out of the house as quickly as possible.  For others, the waste seems to be the worse crime, and they prefer to use them up. 

As you restock your kitchen be sure to load on up the staples: fruit, vegetables, rice and other grains, beans and legumes, oatmeal, frozen fruit and vegetables, and some prepared vegan foods.  I don't suggest eating processed foods too often, as they aren't conducive to optimal health, but the one exception to that rule is during the transition.  Especially for those with strong addictions to animal products or those with little cooking experience, stocking up on prepared vegan foods and fake meats and cheeses can be the difference between success and failure.  One thing to remember: be sure to read the ingredients on all foods you buy, including those that should be vegan.  Sometimes fake meat and dairy products can still contain animal products (sad but true) so keep your eyes open!

8. READ THE INGREDIENTS

On that note, get used to reading the ingredients on EVERYTHING. At first it may seem tedious, but over time it will become a habit that you barely even notice.  Check out my post on Non-Vegan Ingredients to Avoid and on 25 Surprising Non-Vegan Foods for some ideas to get started.

I also suggest you download the app Vegaholic if you drink alcohol.  You can search the specific brand and flavour to see if your favourite drinks are vegan, right on your phone!

9. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD (AGAIN)

Do a google search of vegan restaurants, cafes, and stores in your area and make a list on your phone.  Make time to visit them and ask the people you meet there what their favourite places in the city are for all things vegan!  It's kind of fun to get reaquainted with your neighbourhood or city and to visit places you didn't even know existed!

Another thing that helps me all of the time, especially while traveling, is the Happy Cow app!  If you're still not sure what's available around you, or are on the go, this app will be a life-saver.  You can quickly search vegan, vegetarian, or vegan-friendly restaurants, stores, cafes, and bars near you or in any place you like.  It's become indispensible for me!

10. PERFECT IS THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD

Mistakes will happen.  You will eat something that isn't vegan by accident.  You'll forget to read the ingredients.  You will assume something that used to be vegan is still vegan without double checking.  Don't dwell on it because, guess what, it literally happens to all of us!  Going vegan in an omnivorous world that sees animals as commodities is HARD.  But as the saying goes, nothing worth getting comes easy.  And living a vegan lifestyle is 100% worth it.

Don't let your need for perfection lead you to giving it up all together.  Just do your best!  Remember, your best effort to be as vegan as possible makes a HUGE difference for the animals, the earth, your health, and the wellbeing of others.  Please don't let a need for perfection crowd out the good you're doing everyday.  Be kind to yourself as you are kind to every other living thing on earth.

This also applies to the process of GOING vegan.  For some, an  immediate change is the best way to do it, and that's great!  But for others a gradual approach is needed.  And that's also great!  Do you know why?  Because in BOTH cases the person is moving closer to an ethical, sustainable, and healthy life.  Gradual is not bad or wrong.  Gradually moving in the right direction is better than going full bore, failing, and giving it up all together.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of the good!!

Ok?  Ok.

11. EAT ENOUGH

I don't want to hear you complaining about this one.  I mean, seriously, who wouldn't want to be able to eat more everyday and not gain weight?  Plant foods tend to be lower calorie per pound than animal products, meaning you need to eat more to fulfill your daily calorie and nutritional needs.  I'm not going to give you a minimum calorie amount or a goal because it's a personal and intuitive process that you need to explore yourself.  But I will say:  

If you're hungry, eat.  ALWAYS!*

*And try to make what you eat mostly fruits and vegetables, if you can.  Those are the nutritional powerhouses!

12. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Unfortunately, in this day and age anyone going vegan should expect comments, negative criticism, and jokes. I'm here to tell you not take what people say to heart.  It's their insecurities, their ignorance, their guilt, their fear, THEIR thoughts and feelings that are making them say and do those things.  It's not about you, it's about them.  And that's ok.  Everyone is on a different chapter in their life, and it's not up to you to force them to skip ahead if they aren't ready.  The very best thing you can do for everyone involved is to lead by example.  

I know it's hard.  Every vegan goes through their passionate (*angry) stage where they feel they can't contain themselves.  I feel you.  I've been there.  (And it's ok if sometimes you fly a bit off the handle.  Forgive yourself!)  But that doesn't work.  Want to know what does work?  Living your vegan lifestyle with nothing but compassion and respect for all living things.  People pick up on good energy.  They will notice that you never judge or criticize them for their choices, simply make yours and educate when asked.  They will come to it in their own time.  You just need to give them the chance!

A great way to share information in a non-judgemental way is to watch documentaries together!  My personal favourite at the moment is Cowspiracy (which is on Netflix) - it focuses on the environmental effects of the agricultural industry and is not hard to watch.  Check out my resources page for more documentary suggestions!

13. IDENTIFY YOUR TROUBLE AREA

This is very important for transitioning success!  If you LOVE cheese or bacon, buy some vegan cheeze or vegan bacon to eat when those cravings hit!  Knowing your biggest obstacle makes it MUCH easier to overcome it.  The good news is that the longer you're vegan, the less and less you'll crave your old omni foods or even the vegan versions!

If dairy is your weakness check out my post on how to give up dairy!

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The last thing I want you to remember on this journey is to STAY POSITIVE and to GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO ADJUST.  You're making a big change.  It won't always be easy, and it will take time for it to become your new normal.  Don't give into the deprivation mindset that most people associate with veganism - this is your opportunity to try a plethora of new foods, meet new people, go to new places, and enjoy the richness and variety of the vegan lifestyle!

My most important piece of advice to you is this:

Don't think of going vegan as giving up aspects of your life that have brought joy or pleasure, but rather as moving towards those values that you hold most dear and a deeper, more meaningful life experience.

Good luck, and remember, I'm here for you!

Until next time,

What was or is the hardest part of your vegan transition?

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Veganuary

If you're like most people at this time of year, it's likely you're trying to nail down your 2016 New Years Resolutions.  And it's likely that somewhere on your list of goals is weight loss, improved energy, improved health, less impact on the environment, more time and effort dedicated to helping others, or maybe all five!  Let me tell you a secret:  going vegan allows you to do all of these things.  That's where Veganuary comes into the picture!

Instead of making many resolutions, and making it hard on yourself to stay on track on all of them, why not make one resolution which will help you to achieve many (or all) of your goals?

Going VEGAN for the month of January will...

• help you to lose weight more effortlessly;
• reduce your impact on the environment more than giving up your car;
• improve your health by reducing cholesterol, improving digestion, and reducing the intake of carcinogens;
• make you a kinder person who puts others first;
• increase your energy and feelings of well-being;
• perhaps even inspire you to make a more permanent change to the most compassionate way of living on Earth!

I suggest you go to veganuary.com to learn more about going vegan for the month of January and to sign up for the challenge.  Think of it as a test-drive to see how going vegan can impact your life - I promise you will notice many of the benefits very quickly!

Look out for my next post with tips and tricks for going vegan to help you crush Veganuary!  In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to the weekly Plant Based Bride newsletter for your FREE copy of the Vegan 101 info booklet!

Until next time,

Are you going to sign up for Veganuary this year?  I want to hear about it in the comments!

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Surviving the Holidays as a Vegan

Out of the 23 Holiday Seasons I've experienced in my time on this Earth, 20 were just regular, omni holidays.  I then spent 1 of them as a vegetarian and 2 of them as a vegan.  As I prepare for my third holiday season without any animal products I begin to feel the anxiety that has become standard for this time of year.  If you don't eat a "normal" diet, you may understand what I mean.  As we get nearer and nearer to family Christmas, I begin to think more and more of how I will handle those days amongst family.  I am by no means an expert, but let me share with you what I've learned so far and what I plan to implement this year to survive the holidays as a vegan!

Now, in my ideal world, my family would eat 100% vegan while we're together.  To be fair, I've never asked them to.  I don't want to force feed veganism to my family, as I know it will only push them further away.  But despite that I find myself thinking; "You've had countless meals to eat whatever you want since the last time we saw each other, and you know how I feel about consuming and using animal products.  Can't you just go one meal, or one day, without hurting animals?"

For those of us who are ethical vegans, the holidays are an emotionally fraught time.  I am lucky enough to be marrying a man who shares my values, and therefore live in a 100% vegan home.  That means that the only times I have to break bread with non-vegans are in the lunchroom at work or if I go to a non-vegan restaurant (not a common occurrence).  But at the holidays?  I may be spending as much as a full week eating every single meal surrounded by death.  It's not fun.

I love my family, and I want to spend as much time with them as I can.  But I DON'T want to spend all of that time incredibly stressed and trying to hold in the sadness, anger, and frustration I feel as I watch them destroy their health, the lives of animals, and our environment so that our time together can be pleasant.  

So this year, I'm making a plan.  I'm going to think of as many different circumstances and conflicts I can ahead of time and find solutions so that this year the holidays can be a joy like they're meant to be (as much as possible).  And I'm sharing it with you so that you can have the resources you need to survive the holidays as a vegan, especially if it's your first one!

P L A N   A H E A D

Since you're reading this article, you're definitely on the right track!  Grab a notebook and a pen or pencil to take notes on the points that apply to your family and life and get prepared for a happy holiday season!

M A K E   A   L I S T

Of every single person who you'll see at the holidays.  Every single one!  If you have a big family this might take a while, but this will be so helpful for maneuvering this tricky time.  

Made your list?  Good.

Now I want you go down that list and think about each person individually.  What are they like?  Have they every commented on your diet, or the diet or someone else, before?  What did they say?  Do they like to ask a million questions?  Get into debates?  Make jokes?  Poke fun?  As you ask these questions about each person I want you to turn to a new page and jot down every comment, joke, or question you can imagine being asked by these people about your vegan lifestyle.  

C R E A T E   C A N N E D   R E S P O N S E S

This tip is a LIFESAVER.  Once you have your list of potential questions and comments, I want you to come up with a handful of responses that fit each eventuality.  This is perfect if you...

A) Aren't great at thinking on your feet or get flustered easily, or;

B) Tend to get upset or angry quickly and can't think of a response OR say something that will hurt the other person (or the cause!), or;

C) Are really shy or afraid of offending people.

Some examples would be:

• (Where do you get your protein, iron, calcium, etc.) From plants.
• (So how do you like just eating salad?)  There are over 20,000 types of edible plant foods and I love the huge variety in my diet!
• (Why won't you eat what I made for you?  I worked so hard on it just for you!) I love you, and I would love to eat anything you made for me if it was animal product free.  But I can't compromise my values no matter how much I love you and your cooking.  I hope that being here and spending time together will be enough to show you how much I love and appreciate you!
• (Humans are omnivores.  We're meant to eat meat, just like it's natural for lions to eat gazelle.) You are not a lion.  And you're not a carnivore.  You don't chase down your victim and catch it in your teeth.  You don't rip into their living flesh and start eating them raw.  You don't eat every piece, every organ, of their body without discrimination.  You are NOT meant to eat meat.
• (Being vegan is dumb.  Vegans are weak hippies.  Why don't you care more about people than you care about the animals?)  I don't discriminate against ANY living being, regardless of its species.  That's why I'm vegan.  I don't wish pain and suffering on any living thing, including humans.  Did you know that if every person went vegan we'd have enough food to feed the entire human population?

B R I N G   F A C T S   T O   B A C K   I T   U P

If you don't feel confident holding your own in a debate, use your list of potential questions, criticisms and comments to do research ahead of time and jot down facts and figures with sources.  You can just pull it out of your pocket and read it to them!  Another option is to download and print off my Vegan 101 pamphlet and pass it around to friends and family.  I created it in a printable format as well as a PDF appropriate for reading on the computer or a mobile device, so you can also send it to them if you'd prefer to save paper and ink!  Fill out the form below and I'll send the link to you, 100% free.

U S E   T H E   B U D D Y   S Y S T E M

Everything's better with an ally.  Is there anyone in your family who is vegan or vegetarian, or even just a little more sympathetic?  Talk to them beforehand, if possible, and ask them to help back you up with certain family members or if you're being ganged up on.  Make sure they know that you don't expect them to agree with your stance, if they don't, but that you just need that support and someone to tell others to take it back a notch if it gets to be too much.

E A T   B E F O R E H A N D

Not sure if there will be anything you can eat at Christmas dinner?  Eat before you go!  If it's just a dinner thing, or if you can manage to sneak out for a half-hour, try eating a full meal ahead of time so that you won't have a hard time sticking to the few vegan options.  If you know there will be a bit more for you to eat I still suggest as least a big salad, or something else light yet filling, just in case!  It also helps for those of you who are new to veganism and are still having cravings or trouble with motivation.

B R I N G   O R   M A K E   F O O D   

For everyone to try!  This is my favourite thing to do at the holidays, because it helps to show that a vegan diet can be more than salad, and that it can taste GREAT!  This year Jason and I plan to make dinner for everyone - shepherd's pie, vegetable soup, and apple crisp for dessert.  I bet no one is going to miss the meat or dairy in that hearty meal!

You can also ask if you can help out in the kitchen and make suggestions to make dishes vegan.  You can explain how if the carrots are cooked without butter you can enjoy them too, and everyone else can put as much butter as they like on their own carrots - everyone's happy! 

C O M P R O M I S E

If you normally eat a fully raw, vegan, low fat diet, you may need to compromise with a cooked vegan diet, or  foods with a higher fat content for a couple of meals.  Or say a family member bought you vegan cookies with oil, and you usually avoid oil.  It is far better to make an exception than to uphold a perfectly healthy diet and hurt someone who has tried so hard to accommodate you.  Perfection is the enemy of the good.  Being vegan is important to you, and it's important for the world.  You don't want to compromise on that!  But don't let an all or nothing attitude about your 100% clean diet ruin all of your hard work.  A couple of days of vegan junk food won't hurt you, and it may just show your family that veganism isn't quite as scary as they may have thought!

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I hope this post helped you, just as I hope the original conversation with my newly-vegan friend, Amanda (which inspired this post) did!  If you haven't already, be sure to scroll up and fill in the form for your free Vegan 101 booklet!  I've been working on it for a while and I think it will be a great resource for those of us with omni families.  If you're a Plant Based Bride newsletter subscriber you will receive your link automatically, as you do with all free resources as soon as they go live!

Happy Holidays and good luck!

Until next time,

What's your number one tip for surviving the holidays as a vegan?  Let everyone know in the comments below!

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Vegan Gift Guide (for Him & Her!)

As we rapidly approach the close of the holiday season, I'm taking a moment to share one last gift guide with you all!  This one has options for any vegan on your list, man or woman.  Check it out and let me know if there are any awesome vegan products I left off and should check out in the comments section and happy holidays!

This post contains some affiliate links.  That means that if you click through those links and purchase the product I will receive a commission on the sale, at no extra cost to you.  If you've enjoyed the free content I provide on this site, think of it as a special holiday "thank you" or bonus that keeps this site going!

1. Matt & Nat Dean Backpack in Chili, $165

I have been lusting after this gorgeous clean-lined backpack for what feels like AGES!  This bag is perfect for men or women, can hold a huge quantity of essentials and comes in three perfect neutrals.  I have a couple Matt & Nat items and LOVE their quality and customer service!

2. Beet x Beet In Plants We Trust Pin, $8

Tongue in cheek, minimal, and just all around awesome - this pin is a great stocking stuffer!

3. Are Aware Minim Playing Cards, $15

Ok.  I never thought I'd need another set of playing cards, but I was 100% wrong.  These cards are printed on sustainably harvested cardstock using plant-based inks and are so my style!

4. Beet x Beet Not You T-Shirt, $26

"It's not you, it's meat." Turn that cliche upside down with this straight-talking tee!

5. Blockitecture Holiday Bundle, $90

Essentially lego for adults.  I'm sold!

6. Keep Company The Elias Black Nubuck, $85

Hi top unisex sneakers that are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.  I need these in my life!

7. Native Shoes Apollo Chukka in Jiffy Black/Shell White, $100

I love the innovative design of the shoes from this company (and the fact that they're all vegan)!  These jumped out at me but make sure to check out all of their styles as I'm sure you'll love (at least) one pair!

8. Soulshine Eat Fruit Muscle Tee, $44

I own this tank and love it!  (Check out my instagram to see pictures.)  This shirt is adorable, to the point, and for every tee sold $5 is donated to Voiceless365 to help fight animal abuse!

9. The Dharma Store Plant Powered Tote, $21.99

Don't tell, but I may or may not have picked up this shopping tote for a special someone! (Seriously, shh.)  As every vegan knows, plant power is the way to be - wear it loud and proud as you use this reusable tote to bring your produce home from the market!

10. Herbivore Clothing Eat Like You Give A Damn Organic Cotton Apron, $30

Make those delicious plant based recipes in style and let your dinner guests know where you stand!

11. Herbivore Clothing Splaff Guitar Strap, $28

Have a vegan musician on your list?  Consider gifting them a new (ethical) guitar strap!

12. Good Guys Duke Black (Veg. Suede), €165

Perfect for men and women, I'm eyeing these soft black cowboy boots for next fall!

13. Keep Company Happy Socks Cat Sock, $12

Every cat-person on your list will love these happy cat socks!

14. Gunas Ridley Green Crossbody, $98.95

This may be a bit more on the girly side, but I couldn't help but include one of Gunas' adorable vegan handbags on this list!  Many are too colourful and girly for my personal taste but this little emerald green crossbody is to die for!

15. The Dharma Store Ask Me Why I Am Vegan Tote, $21.99

Get the conversation started and spread the word with this to-the-point canvas tote!

16. I Love Bad Organics Hemp & CottonFleece Organic Throw Blanket, $128.46

A good vegan blanket is hard to find.  I love that this neutral throw is organic and has customizable stitching!

17. Truth Gemini Reversible Belt, $65

Perfect for the minimalist vegan - you get a black and a brown belt in one!

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And that's it!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday.  Remember, you don't NEED to buy lots of gifts for your loved ones during the holidays!  The gift of your time is the best you can give and doesn't clutter up anyone's home.

Until next time,

Which was your favourite gift on the list?  Let me know in the comments!  Don't forget to subscribe to receive weekly newsletters and first dibs on freebies :)

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