First and foremost, what is vegan? There are many interpretations, but I found this definition, from the site 'The Vegan Society', most distinct:

"Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose."

Compassion is a key factor in choosing the vegan lifestyle. Realizing that animals feel every emotion humans do and that they have families, they dream when they sleep, they cry and feel pain just as we do is key factor in becoming vegan, as well. My compassion for animals is never ending and what better way to respect them, then to go vegan? It all began when...

I signed up for a thirty day vegan pledge with the Peace Advocacy Network (PAN). This pledge changed my life and I'm going to tell you how. First, I must tell you I am a honest person, so, be ready. I'm going to tell you the truth in this article. I've made many mistakes. I've, also, had many successes. It's a crazy ride, if you're ready for it, read on...

This was Charlottes very FIRST Vegan Pan Pledge. Tyler Devere (line cook at Bean, coordinator and amazing man) started it all by messaging PAN and requesting for a pledge here. Tyler then, with the help of PAN leaders, set up the meetings, handled contacting mentors/pledges and answered every frantic called we had. So, big shoutout to Tyler for handling the craziness and for thinking of doing it again soon!

This pledge included five meetings (one every Saturday), a facebook group, FOOD, new friends, social meet-ups, loads of new information, tears/laughs, and did I mention FOOD? We met on Saturdays from 11am-1pm at varying locations. The main location was the uptown library, sometimes it changed depending on the type of meeting. For instance, one meeting was a grocery trip for some tips and advice. I learned nutritional facts, environmental facts and some crazy facts. I quickly learned you can be unhealthy and still be vegan.

That brings me into stereotypes and myths because goodness grief if there aren't a thousand vegan stereotypes/myths.

#1. All we eat is lettuce and tofu. I can just feel all the vegans sighing and rolling their eyes as they read that. This is just so WRONG. There is so much more to eat besides lettuce and tofu (though I do like both).

#2. That you lose a TON of weight. Wrong again. If you eat healthy, exercise, and drink lots of water of course you can lose weight. Being vegan doesn't automatically mean that. You can be overweight and be vegan. You can be slender and be vegan. There's plenty of delicious, fried vegan food. (shameless plug: if you want some good, southern style vegan food checkout Bean Vegan Cuisine in Charlotte and Asheville, NC). Theres plenty of yummy, more naturalist type of vegan food, as well. It's all about moderation and choices people!

#3. You don't get enough protein. Oh my goodness, please, can we just get rid of this myth already?! Did Kendrick Farris, USA's only VEGAN male American weightlifter in this years 2016 Olympics, not tear this to shreds? Kendrick Farris made the changed to a plant based lifestyle two years ago and moved up a weight class since. If he didn't rip the 'not enough protein' thing to shreds then what about this quote from David Carter, otherwise known as The 300lb Vegan or major NFL player, pulled directly from his website:

"...I was confident I had made the right choice. The more I learned, the more my body benefited and my results came quickly. More energy, shorter recovery time, increased stamina, improved strength, and the peace of mind that no one had to die in order for me to live. Every one of my nagging injuries is gone. Tendonitis, inflammation, scar tissue, nerve damage, and chronic muscle fatigue all corrected themselves within months of adopting veganism. " -http://www.the300poundvegan.com/about-david-carter...

Seriously, though, protein or finding something to eat is never the issue. The issue is willpower. Do you have the willpower to stop eating meat/animal products? Do you have the willpower to resist the cravings and fight the temptations? Because if you can last a month being vegan, as I did, I promise you you'll see results! The cravings and temptations become easier and easier to resist. Eventually they subside and you adjust to your new lifestyle. Your tastebuds change and evolve. You learn and you grow from this experience. Not once have I looked back and regretted this decision. Not once. Becoming vegan and being vegan is a personal choice, made with the mind and the heart.

Choose the path best for you, all I ask is that you're open to change. Truly open! Open to trying new foods, learning new things and living new ways! I encourage every one to research what veganism is and what foods/products are considered vegan (and why, the why is crucial). I was vegetarian before doing this 30 Day challenge and I thought I knew what it was going to be like and boy was I wrong! It was so much fun, though, learning with new friends I met at the meetings and here is a whopping pile of truth for you:

I ate a non-vegan cupcake, some cookies and cannolis' along the way. I messed up. I ate things that contained eggs and milk. I fought with myself in those moments. I knew what I was doing and I knew what was in them. I went with wanted in the moment, rather than what I wanted for the long run. Giving into that quick pleasure wasn't satisfying after those couple minutes. As the weeks went by it got easier and easier to resist them. For me, it's a simple matter of weighing the pros and cons. Whats worth more? Those few minutes of eating those cupcakes or standing by what I believe in? I know I can be strong, because every day I stand strong by my decisions and every day I go to bed happier. I know one day I won't even have a thought for those non-vegan desserts. Besides I make all my own goodies!

The point is everybody makes mistakes and for some becoming vegan can be done overnight without looking back. For some, they're vegetarian for years before being vegan. There is no guide book to tell you what's right for you, only you can decide this. I suggest taking your time, researching, learning and enjoy being vegan! It's fun!

*random picture of a cute pig*

I hope one day to see and hear conversations filled with people speaking about realities of factory farms and animal exploitation. I hope to one day see a more environmentally conscious society. I see some change in the world, but I know we can do better. I, also, hope to see more familiar faces at the next Vegan PAN Pledge!