I've been following a vegan diet since June 1. When I looked back at the calendar just the other day, I was amazed at how it had already been a whole two weeks since I made the decision to "go vegan" and cut out all animal products from my diet, including meats, dairy products and honey. It's incredible how easy it's been for me to transition into a diet I never thought that I would have the discipline to follow. It definitely helps that my family has been supportive, though skeptical at times. I feel so much more energetic and happy about my body than I've ever been. It feels good to be kind to my body and to animals.
For me, it's not just about being kind to the environment--it's also about being kind to myself. I'm more conscious of my relationship with my body, and I have a healthier relationship with food in general. I’ve spent more time in the kitchen preparing my meals with the mindset that what I put in my body has the nutrients and vitamins that I need to be healthy.
I noticed that before I made the transition, I did a whole lot of mindless eating. I would see food and go out of my way to eat it, whether I was hungry or not.
Now, I'm becoming more conscious of when I'm actually hungry and what I choose to eat during those periods.
I'm choosing veggies and fruits over cookies and water over sugary drinks. Don't get me wrong though, I definitely am still eating chocolate and sweets.
It's amazing how many vegan options there are out there. I've been able to eat everything from non-dairy cheese to bread, and more while still following a vegan diet.
It's absolutely fantastic what one small change in my daily life has done to improve my quality of life, mentally, spiritually and physically, even in such a short period of time.
This is the first of many updates which I will be publishing throughout my experience of becoming a vegan. I’m looking forward to trying different kinds of foods as I continue to explore the world of vegan cooking.