It’s been a few weeks—yes, It's been weeks since I have had red meat, white meat, or fish. A girl who born and raised in Texas is a vegetarian. So you might think, “Wow, this girl is crazy” or “Why is she even doing this?”
Let me tell you a little secret. This abrupt change in removing animal products has made an incredible impact on me. A few weeks ago I wrote an article, "Why A Born And Bred Texas Girl Is Going Vegan," explaining how reading a book named "Skinny Bitch" would change my perspective on eating altogether.
Since this immediate lifestyle change, I've experienced many temptations, some with eliminating with ease while others still keep my stomach at an ache. Here are 10 things that occur when you decide to go vegan in Texas.
1. You realize that meat is literally in everything, and I mean everything.
When you go to your favorite sandwhich salad and soup place, you'll notice that chicken literally covers the entire menu, there is meat everywhere and sometimes it doesnt seem possible. Do not fear—be resourceful and see what options are out there for you to eat meat and dairy free.
2. Chick-fil-A for you is like Sunday, every day.
So, you know that feeling, that feeling when Sunday morning hits you like a brick wall and you're craving honey butter chicken biscuits or a classic chicken sandwich. There comes a time when you when you'll miss the convinience of eating what your friends eat, but you'll get over it, I promise.
3. You begin to realize what you've actually been eating.
It's crazy what happens when you read what ingredients make up some of your favorite things. There are animal products in Jello, gummy bears, marshmallows, refined sugar, refried beans, and many some of your favorite flavored potato chips—um, please tell me how gross that is, right?!
4. You start seeking out places that you will be able to eat and drink.
Jasons, Panera, Chipotle, Pei Wei, Salada, Genghis Grill, and Northgate Juice Joint. There are so many restaurants out there that are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Hey y'all, it's catching on, and people are starting to get it in small towns like ours. I use an app called Happy Cow that tells me good vegan-friendly places wherever city I go to.
5. "Wait, what do you mean my shampoo isn't vegan?"
Let me tell you a little story about animal products in your cosmetics, it's gross. So, if your hair products, body products, and cosmetics don't advertise on the bottle that they are cruelty-free or vegan, take a look and see what you are really putting on you.
6. Seitan, tempeh, and tofu—I'm sorry what is it again, how do you spell that?
I'll give you a hint: soy beans. This is where you're going to be getting a lot of your protein, but surprisingly there are so many other ways to get that protien that you thought you could only get from meat.
7. You'll google everything.
When you start getting serious, Google becomes your best friend. From where to get your protien to understanding what meat alternatives are out there, Google is an incredible resource to get you informed.
8. Now you're convinced, but grocery shopping becomes a real task.
Let me tell you, this was the hardest thing for me. Planning out your meals ahead of time is something that I didn't like or wasnt used to. But take the time and do it; your life becomes so much easier. Knowing what you will be eating that week is much more convienient then just grabbing a bunch of veggies and fruits and knowing what is going into your body is a major plus.
9. You'll learn to cook for yourself.
If you're anything like me, cooking can be an absolute mess. But now since cooking is a necessity, you've got it going on. You have a few recipes under your belt, and you now know what to get when you go out with friends. Hey, this is pretty doable, right?
10. You'll talk about it a little too much.
You know who you are. You'll start seeing a change in your body, skin, and hair and want everyone to hop on the vegan train with you. Just realize that you will get people who have major concerns for you and think that going vegan is limiting, butit actually opens up so many opportunities that many don't understand. Go ahead and talk about it but realize that some will not want to hear it; be considerate because everyone is different.
11. You feel so much better.
Your everyday routine will get easier, you will have so much energy going throughout the day, you will feel better knowing that what you're eating will benefit your health for the long run in an endless number of ways.
Although this more than just a change in my diet, this lifestyle change has proven to be one of the most intriguing and interesting learning experiences I have ever had. Take a few weeks, heck, take a month of your year and try it, see how it feels to eat clean, plant-based foods. I promise you it's not just for hippies.
