How to Start Living Like a Vegan

Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals and animal bi-products for food, clothing and all other purposes. Veganism is a natural extension of vegetarianism. While vegetarians avoid flesh foods, vegans take it a step further, also avoiding dairy, eggs, fur, leather, wool, down and other products made from animals and cosmetics or chemical products that have been tested on animals. Vegans do not use or consume animal products of any kind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Vitamin supplements
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Mock meats and seafoods
• Egg substitutes
• Vegan support groups and societies
• Patience

1. Know that transitioning into a vegan lifestyle can be a difficult vegetable to swallow, but it doesn't have to be painful. There are a few different strategies and vegan 'analogues' is arguably the easiest way. Vegan 'analogues' are plant-based foods that taste like animal products. This allows your body to adjust slowly. Restricting yourself immediately can cause your body's systems to go haywire and inadvertently make you sick, which is the opposite of the effect a vegan diet should create.
2. Remove the animal bi-products from your diet and replace them with the plant-based foods you are already familiar with. It's important with any method, that you take a vitamin supplement in order to replace the vitamins you might be losing while you fully transition.
3. Know that eggs are one of the hardest things to remove from a diet, because they are in so many of the foods that we eat, from baked good and pastas to sauces and even candy. But there are several egg substitutes available. When it comes to baking, you will have to do a little experimenting until you find your perfect consistency and flavor, but here are a few great options: Ener-G Egg Replacer, 1 banana (equal to one egg, great for baked goods), corn or potato starch, powder soy milk mixed with water and mashed silken tofu.
4. Visit your local health food and Asian markets. Health food stores will provide a vast majority of the substitutes you need and are a good source for discovering new options. You can find frozen vegetarian mock meats and seafood's at Asian markets.
5. Dine out without destroying your vegan plans. There are many vegan restaurants out there and most restaurants have at least one vegan option available. Check out VegDining.com for a vegan restaurant in your area.
6. Talk to vegetarians and ask lots of questions. Join your local vegetarian society or EarthSave chapter. This will allow you to participate in potlucks in your area, where you can sample vegan dishes while swapping recipes with other vegans just like you.
7. Know that there are many alternatives to leather, wool and down. Thinsulate, Polyfil and other synthetic insulation are often warmer than those that use goose down, while acrylic and polar fleece are popular alternatives to wool. As an added benefit, synthetic insulation retains its properties when wet.
8. Buy vegan shoes. It is not as hard as it seems. In fact, most inexpensive shoes are created from man-made materials, while high quality vegan shoes can be found at speciality shoe stores like Moo Shoes, Vegan Essentials and The Vegetarian Site, to name just a few.
9. Prepare for those who disagree with your transition. You will undoubtedly meet resistance from friends and family, especially when it comes to holidays and family dinners. Don't be judgmental or self-righteous about others' eating habits; your veganism has nothing to do with anyone but yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get frustrated with yourself if you fall off the wagon from time to time during the beginning of your transition; pure veganism takes time.
• Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet. A vegan diet is plenty healthy, but during the initial transition it may be necessary to supplement with vitamins.