I've decided to go vegan!With all the issues I've been having lately (stomach pain, lack of energy, etc.), I know I’m not supposed to live like this!
I had planned on eliminating one big thing from my diet each week hoping the elimination process would reveal the underlying cause of the pain. I still think that’s a great idea, but…
Last Friday I had a wonderful lunch date with Ryan of Chase Daylight (Ryan is working on a whole new blog to be revealed soon!) at Designer Greens. It wasn’t until we were halfway through with our salads that I realized she was following a vegan diet. She was just so natural and fresh about it.
We discussed why she went vegan and how it’s progressed. In my mind I realized I always feel best when I abstain from animal products and started thinking taking the vegan leap just might be for me.
I’ve been a vegetarian (only using dairy and eggs) for almost nine years now. I’ve avoided going fully vegan because I was convinced it would be too hard… too weird… and too limiting. But a long, refreshing talk with Ryan certainly changed my mind on that!
So I came home excited about doing something good for my body. I made a few switches in my new big fridge and pulled my copy of Veganomicon off the bookshelf.
I’ve been eating 100% vegan for the past several days and the change has been effortless and delightful. I'm eating nutrient-rich foods and have been feeling great. Goodbye, stomach pain!
I am so excited about this. Veganism really opens my eyes to the possibilities of whole foods since I can’t just fall back on the normal meals I used to make and cover with cheese. I am experimenting with flavors and wholesome foods- all in the name of health.
I know about my B12, protein and calcium needs- so don’t worry about me. :-)
To show the possibilities of eating vegan I will post most of my meals for the next several days.. first post like that coming tonight!
Are you an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan or something else? Have you ever dabbled in a different way of eating?
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Wow!!! So exciting!!!! Can't wait to see your meals!! I'm almost vegan and I couldn't be happier!! Congrats on this big, exciting news!!
-A
Very exciting news! I'm glad that your new way of eating has been successful so far - yeah to no more stomach pain!
I can't wait to hear more about your meals, etc. over the next days and weeks!
I'm trying to eat more raw foods and haven't been eating meat in about six weeks or so. I have been eating some fish. I definitely don't miss the meat...
Yay for taking the plunge! If that's what your body needs/wants, then congrats on listening to yourself!
I'm an almost vegan pescatarian. That being said, I hate labels and eat what I feel like meaning a little bit of dairy, only farm eggs, and fish once in a while.
You know, I was a vegetarian for about 7 years but have been eating meat again for about 8. Lately I've been thinking a lot about where my meat comes from and wanting to cut back when I don't know exactly where that is. At home, I can do that, but it's difficult when eating out. I haven't quite figured out how I want to handle it yet. I feel better (and more satisfied/full) when I get more protein, so it's hard for me sometimes to avoid ordering meat, but I'm rethinking my options. I'm lucky to live in a place where there are great vegan/vegetarian options as well as humane meat on many menus.
I went to the naturopath yesterday and it's not sugar/alcohol/gluten diet for another six months. I would have normally had a melt down, but I didn't. I feel so SO much better when I am not eating/drinking these things. I would honestly tell you to find a good naturopath and have them test your for celiacs, and candida--which is a gut flora imbalance. There's so SO many things which cause upset stomachs and i have had NO luck with normal doctors. I would say go on a naturo cleanse, discuss veganism and go for it. Sometimes it can be just a simple elimination. Further, you can't take your normal diet and elimiate. YOu need to cut everything out and slowly reintroduce. Seriously..it blows. That why going to a naturo first and get tested may elieviate MONTHS of frustration, binges, and depressing days. I have cured myself, so to speak, in about two months after six months of trying everything. Just saying...trying to help you save months of frustration.
Wow, congrats!!!! It's awesome how food can affect the way we feel - I cut out sugar (almost all) and haven't regretted it at all. Best of luck!!!
Lol, whoops that was me ^^ (Healthy)
Anyway, congrats again :)
Wow, big decisions! Best of luck with veganism!
good luck! i'm sure it won't be that hard, and if it helps with your tummy troubles, you'll be so happy you there won't be any looking back!!
if you had to label me, maybe a flexitarian?
Yay! I can't wait to see your meals! I went vegan just over three weeks ago and am super surprised at how easy it has been. If you are looking for an EXCELLENT vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe, let me know! We have been finding a lot of good sweets recipes that are vegan! (I posted a few on my site, under recipes... I think ;) )
Ah!! Congrats :) Veganism is gonna be so good for you!! Cant wait to see all the goodies you come up with!
:D
I'm so excited for you!! Congratulations and I'm really glad you're finding it easy like I did. Yay!
See you tomorrow morning!
Congrats on finding a diet that you love! I've been vegetarian on and off for years since I was a kid and macrobiotic for a little while - all of which I liked but haven't been able to maintain. But I did learn so much from them, and still have the recipes in my arsenal!
I'm so excited for you! I hope this fixes your stomach problems for the long term. I have been 100% vegetarian since last December, and I haven't missed meat AT ALL. Like you, I also still have some problems with stomach pain and lack of energy. I went vegan for 2 weeks back in March because I wanted to see how I would feel. I honestly felt better than I had in a long time. Since then I've been about 85% vegan. I'm still trying to take the plunge and go 100% because I truly feel better when I eliminate all animal products. Sometimes I just falter and put my momentary cravings above my health and well being. Got to stop that! Anyway, I'm so excited to hear how your new journey goes! Keep us updated:)
Good luck with the veganism! That's exciting. I'm a pescetarian--the only meat I eat is fish. I've experiemented a little bit (never went full vegan though), and that seems to work for me :)
That's great! I've been reading your blog for a while and we have lots in common. I don't call myself a vegan (it allows for more flexibility when faced with limited choices) but I eat vegan about 90% of the time. Like you I noticed a difference in the way I felt immediately- it is awesome! Best of luck!
Go you! Gosh, I can't ever imagine eating completely vegan, it DOES sound hard, but hopefully your meals can change my mind?
That's awesome news, good luck on your vegan journey!
I was a vegetarian for 8 years before I started reading a whole bunch of vegan blogs almost daily. They have really helped me understand what a typical vegan meal plan looks like and have made it a whole lot easier to make the switch over to veganism.
I would totally recommend scouring vegan food blogs for food inspiration!
Think of how often we get bombarded with non-vegan food messages through the media and advertisements. Then try to see if you can balance that out with different perspectives from the vegan blogs. I find that has helped my transition so much. And I feel so much *lighter* now, which I wasn't expecting at all!