How to Become Vegan

No matter what your reason, becoming vegan is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding venture. It doesn't have to be a self-depriving chore. With an open mind, some willingness to experiment, and a little creativity, it can be transformed into a delicious culinary adventure!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A strongly held inspiration
• Vegan food products
• Creativity and sense of humor

1. Credit: http://www.wedgwoodbc.org/media/images/question%20mark.jpg What Is Veganism?
   
   Veganism is the exclusion of meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs from one's diet. Some vegans also do not wear leather, fur, or anything else made of animal products. The less strict form of veganism is vegetarianism, which can include dairy, eggs, or even fish.
2. Credit: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.ean/files/thinker_lg1.jpg Your Reason: Why to Become Vegan
   
   Becoming vegan is a big lifestyle shift that can take a lot of willpower. If you don't have a well-defined reason to make that shift, chances are you won't follow through with it. If you already have a strongly held inspiration, great! If not, here are a few reasons why to become vegan.
   
   Health - A vegan diet has very little saturated fats and cholesterol, which makes it very beneficial for people with heart problems or high cholesterol. Vegan diets have also been used to help cancer patients. But you don't have to have a life threatening disease for veganism to benefit you physically; eating vegan helps to eliminate toxins from the body (depending on how processed your food is), encourages you to eat foods with more nutrients, and can also aid in weight loss.
   
   Ethics and Spirituality - PETA.com has accurate documentation of the life of the animals we eat. Its message is that animals are sensitive, intelligent beings who are often treated with cruelty in factory farms. Some people use veganism as a statement against this, although there are ways to not support this without being vegan (such as eating only ethically treated animal products). Some religions encourage or even require a vegan diet, out of respect for the life of the animal, or to purify the body. Some say that veganism helps cleanse the body, therefore making it more receptive to spiritual information and experiences during meditation, prayer, etc.
   
   Veganism isn't for everyone. It's best to speak with a health and wellness professional of your choice about your decision.
3. Credit: http://medicineworld.org/images/blogs/apple-fruit-54910.jpg Beginning The Process
   
   When becoming vegan, the important thing is to try to focus your diet around vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes, using substitutes only occasionally. This will ensure that you receive all the nutritional benefits of eating a plant-based diet. But these kinds of changes don't have to be made abruptly. They can be made gradually.
4. Credit: http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/51/09/23040951.jpg Experimenting
   
   This is the fun part! Without removing anything from your diet, begin trying new ways of eating.
   
   * Look for vegan recipes, and start making them. Try making vegan versions of old favorites, as well as fun, new dishes.
   
   * Experiment with meal planning: try making the vegetables, fruits, legumes or grains the main dish, with the meat, eggs or dairy only as a side.
   
   * Try different vegan products to find ones you like.
   
   * Play with your food! Try new things! Challenge yourself! Most importantly, have fun!
   
   Also keep in mind that much of how we perceive food is formed through habit. We tend to like the tastes we're use to. Once you give yourself enough time to familiarize yourself with this way of eating, you'll like it just as much or even more than your old diet.
5. Credit: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/weekly-photo/2005/lamb.jpg Removing Animal Products From Your Diet
   
   Start slow. Try taking only one or two products out at a time, such as milk or red meat. Then, as you become more comfortable, try gradually excluding more things, like yogurt, eggs, or poultry.
   
   Most likely, all will be well with you. During your transition, your body will be eliminating toxins. To aid this process, make sure to consume plenty of fiber and water. You may also want to use special detoxifying herbs.
   
   Continue this process for as long as you need, until you have eliminated all animal products from your diet or as many as you feel comfortable with.
6. Credit: http://www.insuremeblog.com/agent/blog%20images/confetti1.jpg Congratulations, you are now vegan! (That wasn't so bad, was it?)

Tips & Warnings

• Some of my favorite Vegan brands are Silk soy milk, Turtle Mountain ice cream, Boca burgers, and ABC cookies
• For more information on veganism, a good book to read is Diet for a New America by John Robbins
• Depending on many different factors, veganism may not be best for you individually. It's important to speak with a health and wellness expert of your choice about your decision, but it's even more important to listen to your body. Do whatever feels right for you.