I have officially been fully vegan for a year now. Last year, it was my New Year's resolution and all I heard were people telling me I wouldn't succeed. Now, I couldn't imagine stopping. Plenty of other people use this time to also make the lifestyle change towards a more cruelty-free existence and plenty of those people do not succeed. This is sometimes due simply to lack of motivation, but more frequently related to lack of preparation. Luckily, there are simple solutions to both of these.
For motivation purposes, there is only one unfortunate reality to making yourself resolved to continue your journey to veganism: informing yourself of the harsh realities of animal agriculture. If you wanted to go vegan for health reasons and are struggling, or started working towards veganism for ethical reasons, but are slipping, keep informing yourself. It is painful, but it is sometimes the extra push you need to remind yourself why you are doing this.
If you are slipping because of cravings or lack of things you can actually eat, there are luckily many easy solutions to this. Meat replacements these days are so realistic it's almost scary. Likewise, there are some good options for vegan cheese as well. One of the most common breaking points for transitioning vegans are the persistent cheese cravings. Yes, I went through those, and yes, it is awful. However, options such as Field Roast's Chao cheese make this survivable. Daiya even makes a widely available (and pretty delicious) vegan mac and cheese now!
If you feel that you don't have the supplies to go vegan or the fancy food substitutes are out of your price range, there are also many solutions to that. The key to being happy as a vegan is to be creative with your cooking. For example, it's so easy to make delicious mac and cheese out of common vegetables and spices, such as this cauliflower-based recipe that even the omnivores in my family loved. There are simpler, less labor-intensive meals to make as well. Recently, I've loved quesadillas with Daiya cheese shreds or burritos stuffed with rice and beans or sautéed veggies. Stir fries are also a great, affordable option.
In summary, veganism now is easier than ever and more necessary than ever. Inform yourself of the impact of animal agriculture, and don't forget how many delicious vegan options exist. This lifestyle is becoming common enough that even in my small, east Tennessee city we now have a vegan restaurant, the amazing Sanctuary Vegan Café.
Below, I will list some further sources to help with transitioning. I hope to see a continued expansion and acceptance of veganism in the new year!
Recipe Blogs:
Oh She Glows (Often complicated but absolutely worth it.)
Mississippi Vegan (generally pretty simple, MAKE THE ROSEMARY PECAN SHORTBREAD BARS. DO IT.)
Isa Chandra Moskowitz (QUEEN of veganizing things. Also has several cookbooks available on Amazon!)
Hot for Food (Dead serious all of their recipes are perfect. Highly recommend my personal favorite, buffalo cauliflower wings.)
Also check out the Thug Kitchen cookbooks, they are available on Amazon.
Ethics:
http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/
That is honestly all I will link. Documentaries are everywhere, and they are heartbreaking. I often hear Forks Over Knives, Earthlings, and the above linked Cowspiracy mentioned. If you still feel pressed to learn more, check those out.
Good luck!
