Vegan? Not me!
I can’t be vegan. I can’t afford it. I love cheese pizza and pumpkin rolls. Vegans are weird. Vegetarian is enough saving the planet for me. And I recycle too. I don’t want to be that person who sticks out in the family because I can’t eat what they’re eating.
Those were all of my excuses up until now as to why I wouldn’t go vegan.
I’ve known for a long time that I would eventually go vegan, when I had money to afford expensive food substitutes for calcium, vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins, and other vitamins/minerals that replace the goods that animal products give us. After research and educating myself, I’ve learned that it’s not so expensive to be vegan. It’s actually cheaper. In fact, leafy greens offer calcium, iron, and B vitamins! And for the amount of money it costs to get 3 days worth of greek yogurt ($6.50), I could buy broccoli for half that much.
I’m not a New Year’s Resolution kind of person.
But I’m so excited to say VEGANISM is my 2012 goal! I’ve done my research on this, and will be seeing my physician at the beginning of the year to make sure this is the right move for my health. Many days, I don’t eat any animal products and I do just fine. It’s the days when I do eat a cheese pizza or cookies that I feel absolutely crummy inside and out. This is every bit a physical fitness goal as it is an ethical and righteous one.
Because animals are people too! Ha ha!
Me & The Polar Bear at the Bellagio are really good friends.
Why am I going vegan?
- I want to be healthier.
- I want to know that I am not contributing to the cruel and unethical punishment of animals.
- To make my body more energy efficient.
- Because I think it will help me reach my PR!
- I’m lactose intolerant.
- Because I wouldn’t eat my dog, so I’m not eating any other animals or their food products. Unless I get stranded on a desert island with Ryan Gosling. Then, I’m definitely eating that animal.
Are you interested in a vegan diet? Vegetarian? OR do you have another goal in mind in 2012?
xoxo
December 29, 2011 at 5:53 PM
Great to hear that you are becoming vegan. Be mindful though that your doctor may point you in the other direction or warn you about your need for protein and etc… (as you mentioned with calcium, etc…)
I am a registered nurse so I was exposed to the education regarding nutrition while in school. We learn the basics, such as if you have diabetes, eat less sugar or if you have heart disease, lower your cholesterol.
It is sad, but that is what the majority of the medical community bases their dietary advice on.
Do it for your health and always keep that as your focus. There are a ton of vegan foods out their that are as unhealthy as any non-vegan choice.
Most importantly, don’t ever feel pressured to eat a certain food just because everyone else is (family/friends), even if it is a tradition and they try shoving it down your throat. Not everybody understands eating for health, but that does not mean you should mold yourself around them.
Best wishes…
December 29, 2011 at 5:57 PM
Thanks Peter! I’m so happy to have a community here for this support. There aren’t really ANY people in my real life who I can talk to about this. I appreciate the advice. I’ve been vegetarian for 3.5 years, so all I really will be changing is my cut of cheese, milk products, & desserts. And chocolate:-(
Thanks again!!
-Brittny
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May 31, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Have you tried the raw chocolate co? They don’t use milk in their chocolate, or soy (which I’m intolerant to, along with a host of other things) It’s great as a treat. Also Earth Source Organics makes a Righteously Raw chocolate. Vegan, Organic, Gluten and Soy free and no refined sugars. With their treat size coming in 3.5oz squares, if I need to indulge once a month or so, it’s a great way to do so.
December 30, 2011 at 12:40 AM
I think it’s an awesome goal!
It is hard to be around family and other people who eat so differently though. I eat vegan most of the time. I let up and ended up eating dairy during the holidays, cookies and family meals and such, but the day after Christmas I decided to go back to no-dairy no-meat no-eggs (I do eat honey) because I feel so much better when I eat that way. 
But hey, you can get vegan chocolate!
I believe Trader Joe’s choc chips are vegan and there are several others.
December 30, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Good for you! I bet you feel way better with a vegan way of living. Have you tried agave nectar? It’s so good, and I think it’s vegan???
Yeah! I mean there are so many delicious vegan recipes out there. My local grocery store carries vegan ice cream, albeit very expensive. But eating vegan is a affordable lifestyle. Can’t wait to blog about my new adventures with it!!
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December 30, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Good luck with being vegan! I am currently a vegetarian and I think for 2012 I am going to try to eat vegan one day a week. I love dairy way too much, plus I don’t see anything morally wrong with eating dairy since it does not kill the animal. I have always paid attention to where my food comes from and I always make sure the animal my eggs are coming from, etc are treated humanely.
Since you are going to eat vegan are you going to convert to the total vegan lifestyle? Do you own leather/will you keep wearing/buying leather products, etc? Just curious!
December 30, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Candice,
That’s a great goal! I’ve found that eating vegan isn’t really all that far from a vegetarian diet. It hasn’t been hard at all – except last night I was craving chocolate so bad!!! And I haven’t craved it in a long time. I think the fact that I absolutely can’t have it now makes me want it. Such a rebel.
I linked to a video that helped me make my decision to go vegan. Dairy cows are often used for their meat also. And to produce more milk, they are given drugs that stimulate the growth of their breast tissue – causing them to enlarge, inflammation, and pus to form. Because pus isn’t really distinguishable in color from milk, the pus gets into the milk supply. Plus, 50% of Caucasians & 75% of African Americans are lactose intolerant. But we are never taught that because the dairy industry is HUGE in America. Here is the video if you’d like to watch it. It’s really long, but so helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etMUjzMpl5w
I haven’t really thought about whether I have real leather items. Possibly my pumps, boots, and heels are made from leather? Not sure… but for future purposes, I will avoid buying leather products as much as I can. There’s so much to learn about this lifestyle, and I’m really looking forward to it!!
January 1, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Yay !!!
Me too, we can do this together. I am very excited. I want to heal my own body with its multiple health issues and not contribute to any further animal suffering and abuse.
Here’s to 2012 !
January 1, 2012 at 3:49 PM
Yay Vickie!!! I can’t wait to start posting my meal photos so we can get ideas from each other.
How has it been so far? It’s been so hard to look at everyone eat pancakes and cookies and banana bread. But I have stocked my in-laws fridge with lots of yummy fruits veggies and bread so I’ve had no excuse to be tempted. Plus I watched the video I linked above and the images in my mind still haunt me.
Anyways, best wishes in the new year!
-Brittny
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January 2, 2012 at 2:48 AM
[...] lots of fiber-rich veggies, my stomach adjusted and I stopped feeling bloated daily. Especially being vegan now, I eat more vegetables than anything else in the day! I'm pretty sure heaven's kitchen [...]
January 2, 2012 at 4:30 AM
I have been vegan for 10 years and just loved it. Then I had very bad health trouble and the Gp put me back on meat… anytime I can I revert back to vegan, so much better for my mind, my karma and the world !!! You go girl !!! Vegan rocks !
January 6, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Hi Brittny, Congrats on your decision! That’s a great goal to strive for. I went vegan last year after a 30 day challenge and blogged all about it. Here’s my top tips: http://cookingconsal.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/to-vegan-or-not-to-vegan-end-of-30-day-challenge/
Definitely be gentle with yourself meaning don’t get too upset if you slip. Everyone is different. Going cold turkey doesn’t work for all but for me it was the way it had to be. I am happy to say I went to the doctor and got all my blood work done after 6 months and I’m in great condition! A little low on omega 3 but that can be easily fixed with a supplement. I’ve lost weight and I feel better all over. Good luck and happy new year!
January 6, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Hi Vanessa!
Thanks so much for the advice. The hardest parts have been giving up greek yogurt and budgeting finances to afford it.
I feel better than ever! No bloating and lethargy since nixing dairy
And I spend about $74 weekly on groceries. Looking to cut that down to 50. How much would you say you spend on food alone? Is there something I could be doing better?
Thanks!
-Brittny
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January 8, 2012 at 10:28 AM
I’m glad to hear you are feeling good. I never realized I lived feeling bloated until giving up dairy. I never liked yogurt much so it wasn’t a big sacrifice for me – maybe try some vegan yogurt? I think there are soy and coconut varieties.
I have to be honest I’m the worst at tracking expenses and we eat out a lot which makes it hard to keep track. However, I feel like whatever extra I spend on veggies – I used to spend on meat and fish. You can buy lots of veggies for the price of a piece of salmon for instance.
Try to buy what’s in season and on sale. Frozen veggies and fruits are good too and often times on sale. Also hit up a local farmers market if you haven’t already – you can usually save a lot that way. Not sure where you are but I go to Costco for my basics – grains, oils, etc. and save that way. I’ve also found certain fruits and veggies are cheaper there than the store and organic. You may find you are spending more to stock your kitchen with essentials but some things will last a while so I wouldn’t factor that into your overall cost. Hope this helps!
Vanessa
January 8, 2012 at 11:11 PM
[...] Curious why I went vegan? Read my post about it HERE. [...]
January 9, 2012 at 8:27 AM
Congratulations! Its such a kinder way of life. I am back on the vegan wagon, after some slippage! I always feel better when I am not eating eggs and dairy–better emotionally and physically.
January 10, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Congrats!! I’ve been sporadically vegan for the past few years (more on than off), eating a lot of raw fruits and veggies. I recently came across this cute book, written by a woman who’s also a runner: “Eat Vegan on 4$ a Day,” by Ellen Jaffe Jones. Maybe take a peek at the Amazon preview and see what you think… P.S. Congrats on your graduation! So exciting!!
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January 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Thanks, Kim!
I will take a peek at it. Right now I eat vegan on about 6-7 dollars a day. I wish I could take it down to 4!! I’ll check it out.
Right now, I say that I will never go back to meat or dairy. I’m not tempted by cheese pizza or cookies, things that I used to love! Hopefully that will last
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January 11, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Well, I love your food color wheel approach. I think that’s so healthy (and tasty!). I’ve since shared the book, but if I remember correctly, the author encourages less expensive staples (such as potatoes/yams/whole grains) rather than say, the more expensive processed vegan foods. I just really liked her simple recipes and I found her story very inspiring, too (although I read that part mostly on the Internet).
There are so many vegan goodies out there nowadays that now I’m working on trying to minimize those!
Vegan carrot cake, vegan brownies, vegan chix nuggets. Crazy delicious. (And of course, not health food.) But fun occasionally!
I surprised (shocked, really) myself by going vegetarian and finding it doable.Who knew? Going vegan has also been fairly straightforward for me, excepting restaurants and social events. But with some preparation, it’s generally smooth sailing! Like anything, it takes practice and dedication… Best of luck and looking forward to seeing what you discover on this new path.
Now, I’m off to get my exercise in!
February 9, 2012 at 11:54 PM
[...] since going vegan, my hair texture has changed from simple wavy to extreme curls! I wanted to get a shorter hair [...]
May 29, 2012 at 1:34 AM
tazo makes vegan chocolate. there’s actually a TON of vegan chocolates out there. i used to work at a chocolate shop. dark chocolate is actually really good for you