Vegan Kickstart

I have, quite often, received comments and questions from friends and family who are edging their way into the more healthful way of eating - vegan.  Some are healthy eaters with a diet filled with plant based food.  Some are just wanting to cut out the animal abuse.  Here are some of my first pieces of information.

1. Check out Colleen Patrick Goudreau and the 30 Day Vegan Challenge 

 

When we first went vegan we found Colleen's Podcast - Food for Thought and it was a great resource. We've been lucky enough to meet her in person and hear her speak and are huge fans of her cookbooks, especially The Joy of Vegan Baking.  She gives tons of info and all of her recipes are great!

2. Other Cookbooks and sites

We love Happy Herbivore for simple, easy, yummy meals and Chef Chloe is a rising start (winner of Cupcake Wars on Food Network, no less!)  You can't go wrong with either of them!

3. Find a Vegan Meet-up

You may be the first person you know to go vegan, but lots of folks have been there.  Check out groups on Facebook or find a local group.  It's fun and you can trade tips and recipes in person.

4. Read The China Study and Watch Forks Over Knives

Knowledge is power and these resources will get you fired up to protect your health with plants and maybe convince someone you know to take charge of their health.

5. Eat some yummy food!

Whether it's some of Sugar Bean Bakery's cupcakes and whoopie pies, a Daiya grilled cheese sandwich or a pint of So Delicious' ice cream - there's tons of delicious food to enjoy that are not filled with animal cruelty or cholesterol.



6.  Be joyful!

One of the best, and most surprising, side effects of going vegan has been the feeling of peace that has come to us.  I never expected, although I'm not sure why, to feel so calm and peaceful just by changing how we eat.  But I guess when you take violence out of your meals, you can be filled with with this calm and joyful feeling too.

Kickstart some Compassion

I'm a big fan of Kickstarter, Happy Herbivore and compassion, so I love it when all three of those things come together (especially when it involves cute jewelry).

Our favorite Herbivore is doing a Kickstarter turning her adorable Herbie elephant logo into a sterling silver necklace.   Well, you better believe I was on-board!

Check out her project video here to learn all about it.

Her Kickstarter is fully backed but you can be sure to get your necklace by pledging still.  The program is open until September 1st.  And not only do you get the necklace but all the proceeds are going to benefit the Elephant Sanctuary.

Don't wait, reserve your Herbie today!!!

Sites for Easy Fun and Tasty Recipes

Vegans love to talk about food and are, on the whole, "foodie" people.  We're concerned with taste, texture, quality, sourcing and freshness.  So, when you're around a group of vegans, foods going to be a topic of conversation eventually.  From our favorite breakfast, to the best tofu cream cheese to where to get a great meal. And while we like to come up with our own veggie creations, it's always fun to get inspiration and ideas from other vegans cooking on the web. 

Vegan Stoner is a great resource for cheap easy but tasty meals.  Plush I love their fun illustrations.

Happy Herbivore is one of my new favorites.  Lindsay has a great cook book as well.  All her recipes are low to non-fat, filled with easy to source ingredients and fast.  I really love her chocolate zucchini muffins and chick-pea tuna salad.

The husband really loves to try out ideas from Vegan Dad.  The recipes here are very kid friendly and are perfect for transitioning vegans because it's filled with lots of familiar favorites and comfort food.  If you're working to change over your whole household, there are great ideas here from "hot wings" (above) to sausages or "fish" fillets.

With so many resources and ideas, you won't be stumped for an answer to the "what do you eat" question.  What's great is while all of these are tasty, you get real life feedback and experiences, and no excuses!