Disclaimer: This article isn't going to be nearly as shocking as you think. Being vegan really isn't that weird or difficult.

People often give me a look of shock when they find out that I'm vegan. Maybe it's because I don't usually tell them unless it somehow gets brought up, or maybe it's due to the fact that veganism is still seen as a radical way of life to many people. Or maybe it's the fact that I don't smell like incense and essential oils. I'm guessing it's probably a mix of all three.

I'm not a perfect vegan by any means, and I've had my share of slip-ups from time to time. Prior to going to UC Berkeley, I had been mostly vegetarian for about 6 months. Granted, this is my first semester at Berkeley so I'm still relatively new to the whole process of being vegan. While I'll acknowledge that veganism is not necessarily a miracle cure all, I will admit that it has definitely positively impacted many aspects of my life. From eating the healthiest I ever have before, having more energy, and feeling good about the choices I make in regards to the planet, people, and animals on a daily basis, I can genuinely say that going vegan has been a positive force in my life.

And yet, people seem to think that I must be missing out, that eating a vegan diet would be too expensive and time-consuming in college, and that being vegan must mean that I'm insanely unhealthy.

First of all, I'll admit that I'm lucky to be living in a city like Berkeley that offers plenty of vegetarian/vegan dining options. I'm also lucky to be living in an apartment with my own fully equipped kitchen. I'll also add that it's easier now that I'm not living at home since I don't have my Latina mom (love you mom!!!) guilt tripping me into eating the meat-based foods that she cooks. However, that's not to say that it's impossible for people to be vegan in different situations than me (if there's a will there's a way!). Because there are so many delicious vegan foods, I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, especially now that I'm informed about what actually goes into meat and dairy from both environmental and ethical standpoints.

As far as a vegan diet being expensive and time-consuming, it really depends on what kind of vegan diet you have. If your diet is full of mock meats and fake cheeses, it can get expensive, and it's also probably not the best for your health since it's highly processed. Eating a diet based on whole fruits, vegetables, as well as starches, carbs, legumes, and nuts thrown into the mix actually ends up being much cheaper and healthier in the long run. Think about it, some of the cheapest foods available (beans, rice, potatoes, etc.) are vegan by default. Being vegan may mean that you might have to cook more often or do a bit more searching when it comes to looking at menus when you go out, but it's definitely not an impossible or insanely daunting task. I've actually tried out lots of new foods and recipes as result of being vegan, which has allowed me to develop my cooking skills and probably would not have happened if I continued eating the way I used to. Let's be real, it's pretty cool to (somewhat) know how to cook in college instead of just eating pizza or Top Ramen every day.

BUT WHAT ABOUT MY HEALTH? I assure you, I'm fine. I eat plenty of foods that nourish my body and are free from hormones and other dangerous chemicals that are found in animal products. And if you're worried about how much protein I get, google "vegan protein sources" and you'll soon discover that there are many other ways to get protein and nutrients from non-animal products. Also, it might help to know that I also take vitamin supplements on a daily basis to ensure that everything is A-OK.

At the end of the day, I'm happy being vegan and I'm not going to sit here and get preachy with anyone about it. As long as people respect the way I choose to eat, I'll respect their choices as well. And if someone is curious about veganism, I'd be more than happy to show them some resources... ;)