As the year draws to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about this space and what I can do in the new year to challenge myself (and hopefully you) in new ways. It probably doesn’t come across this way on the blog, but I often struggle with questions like – What am I doing to make a difference? What can I do to help people and animals? Am I growing on a personal level? Lately, these questions have gone mostly unanswered. Don’t get me wrong, I love sharing my recipes with you (and I know it makes a positive difference based on your feedback – thank you), so I have no plans to stop recipe development. It’s something I enjoy immensely more days than not. But there are other things I could be doing and I’ve felt this pull at my heart strings a lot in recent months. With only weeks to go until my cookbook manuscript is due, I’m feeling worn out and I’m sure this a big reason for the rut I feel like I’m stuck in. The good thing about a rut is that it usually prompts a change for the better (with time). Discomfort prompts motion.
In spirit of change, I’m starting a series on veganism this year – simple posts that can make the transition to a plant-based diet easier. I’m really excited about this. To be honest, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for over a year now, but I tend to suffer from the mindset that if I can’t do it exactly right or if I don’t know all the answers, then I shouldn’t do it at all. Well, this is a rather silly way to go through life, don’t you think? The truth is, I’m the only one holding myself back. I want to share whatever it is that I can offer and trust that it will be helpful for some of you. Even if you have no desire of going vegan or if you are already a vegan yourself, I still hope that this series will be inspiring and peak some curiosity about things you may want to know more about.
Here are some examples of questions I receive every week:
What can I replace yogurt with?
What’s a substitute for sour cream?
I have no idea what to do. Do you have a vegan 101 Series I can read through to get started?
What do you eat each day?
How do I get protein?
What the bleep is a flax egg????
What do I do if I have a craving for an old food?
Why do you soak beans and nuts? Will my husband fart less if I soak his nuts? (Yes someone wrote this once…I almost spit out my drink.)
I want to start TODAY…help me!
It occurred to me that it would be more helpful if I posted my experiences on the blog, rather than simply via email. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that a vegan diet isn’t about what you take away; it’s really about what you add in. I didn’t know this for a long time. For every food that I decided to forgo, I eventually added at least a handful of new, vibrant foods in its place. But first, I had to learn what it is I could add into my diet. This wasn’t easy for me in the beginning and I suspect it’s not for many. Three and a half years into it, I’m still very much learning.
To make this series a success, it’s important for me to have your feedback and input. I’d love to know some of the questions you are struggling with right now or perhaps things you struggled with in the past but triumphed over. Everyone loves a good success story, myself included. [Side note: I’m considering the return of reader success stories, perhaps in a Q & A format – would you enjoy this feature again on OSG?]
For those of you who are making some changes to your diet in 2013, I hope you’ll find this series timely and helpful in your journey. More on all of this very soon.
For more in this series, see:
Part 1: How To Make The Transition
Part 2: Replacing Dairy Milk
Part 3: Homemade Oat Milk
Part 4: Homemade Almond Milk
Part 5: Ten Tips for eating out as a vegan
I wish you a happy, fun, and safe New Year’s surrounded by the people you love! Happy New Year to you all. Thank you for reading Oh She Glows and bringing me into your home each week. I bid farewell to 2012 filled with gratitude.
This is such a great idea!!!
I am definitely interested in information on substitutes (yogurt, sour cream, heavy cream, butter) and on how to get enough protein without overdoing the soy. Looking forward to the series;-)
Angela, you do so much to help educate people on veganism!! Keep on doing amazing things :)
Hi there! I got a juicer for the holidays and plan on incorporating a juice a day to keep me energized…can you suggest 1-3 recipes for veggie juices please? Thanks!!
excellent! I am a new vegetarian (only a month in!) and I am also looking to incorporate vegan options as well…though I don’t know if I would ever go fully vegan.
There have already been several issues that have come up and I would be interested to see how others feel about it.
for example, I abhorr waste, and if it is a matter of throwing out meat or eating it…what to do? (like for example, my mom gave me a container of pasta and it had chicken it in, as she forgot I was vegetarian…i didn’t realize this until I heated it up at work for lunch…I really struggled with whether it was better to eat the meat or just throw it in the garbage. i ended up trashing it but that is now a guilt i have to face).
I am moving towards a vegan diet for to be both lean and green in 2013:) So I am in love with this
Thanks
Angela,
I just wanted to say, I think its wonderful you are putting this together. Congratulations on following where your heart is leading, and really doing what you love. I think this will be so beneficial to many people who are transitioning or contemplating doing so; or even to some who are already vegan! Its always good to read about someone’s journey, with their successes and failures-it makes something seem more attainable and possible; it provides a sense of support knowing someone else out there faced the same challenges etc.
Thank you for bringing such wonderful posts and recipes into my life and many others’! I can’t tell you how many recipes I’ve made from your website and served, especially to non-vegan friends, who have absolutely loved your creations!! (You’re helping me convince the masses my “hippie food” is pretty darn good :p) You are doing amazing things and you ARE making a difference. Never forget that. Happy New Year!!!
This is great! I love getting your advise on these issues.
I’ve been “leaning in” to Veganism for pretty much all of 2012, I still stuggle though with the social aspects of veganism, and the restaurants/travel aspect. I guess in addition to your practical attacks to such situations, what do you tell yourself/how do you stay committed when you’re with friends and family and there is very little on the menu to eat, and you feel like you’re missing out? And, are you always calling the shots on where you and Eric eat out? Doesn’t that feel a little uncomfortable? Anyhoo, those are my thoughts. I’m such a people-pleasing southern girl, and as of now I am cooking and buying vegan, but if I’m invited somewhere I’ll eat what they serve if there is no clear veggie option and I’ll order seafood if there is no vegan option at a restaurant, which is so common!
Thanks for all that you do, you have certainly impacted my household in a major, positive way!
Hi Angela! I’m really looking forward to this. I can tell you that the one thing I struggle with more than anything else BY FAR is how to eat a plant-based diet when others in my household are not, especially when I am preparing food for and feeding those other people. So far, I have found that vegan food just doesn’t taste as good, so I’m having trouble getting my family to be happy with me making a lot of it. I can get them to eat plant-based a couple times a week, but that’s pretty much it. So any techniques or strategies that you have heard would be great. I know there are plenty of vegans and vegetarians whose spouse and kids eat meat and dairy, so I’m guessing there are just some tips on how I can keep everyone well fed and happy. Thanks!!!
Hi Angela!
I just want to say that my boyfriend and I are on week four of going vegan. This is our second attempt. We have fallen off the wagon especially over the holiday season. But I want to thank you because I literally check your page daily and use your recipes for almost every meal. I feel good and I have more energy. Thanks again!
Roxanne
Goodluck and thanks for trying the recipes! I wish you the most success with your goals.
Hi Angela!
Could you do a post in this series on how I can create my own vegan recipes? Where do I start? What ratios do you use in baking? What ingredients should I use? Any other tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
This is a great post and I love reading everyone’s comments. I read a book called Healthy Eating, Healthy World by J. Morris Hicks that really convinced me to start changing my diet — for my health, for the environment and for animal welfare. I’m also taking baby steps and my family gets very defensive whenever we talk about my decision, as though I were trying to force them to change as well (their idea of moderation is eating meat twice daily!) Anyways, I’m glad I found this site! Here’s to more and more plant based diets!
I would love to know how to eat and cook when your partner isn’t vegan.
I don’t think Eric is vegan. Do you try ever to “convert him”? Are you sad that he hasnt adopted the diet that you have? Do you two ever eat separate meals? Does he ever want to go to a Steakhouse and you join him although it wont be the best restaurant for a vegan? My husband was never vegan when I was; we made it work, but there were times when I really wished he was.
I am curious how others approach this and of course how you two make it work!
Hi Angela. Thank you for your warm heart towards your readers. I must say that you, your blog and your recipes have definitely been an inspiration to me as I try to adapt my eating habits to vegan. Your baby steps approach is sooooo my way of thinking. Because when I try to do it all at once, I too, get paralyzed by trying to be perfect and then say “forget it” when it’s not.
My dilemma is my kids! Girlfriend, they are not into it all. I have to sneak it in. Like, one day, I went to Whole Foods and got the mock chicken salad, which I happen to love. However, I had the guy relabel it as chicken salad because my kids are super smart…they read labels, lol. So, is there a series that you can create for recipes that tweens and teens will like. I should mention that my kids are 11 and 16 year old boys who are football and lacrosse players. Very, VERY active.
I decided to go vegan but always have ate meat and dairy and all the stuff. Anyone have any advice for a person who is going vegan but family is not. I am hoping they will follow someday but my hubby is meat and potato person. I LOVE this blog! Does anyone have any ideas for good recipes for a newby all together. I will be following this series getting ready to print off now. It can seem a bit overwhelming though at first all the info. So thats why I am asking for advice for a good go to meal etc. Thanks so much!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so amazing!
You stated above: “…I tend to suffer from the mindset that if I can’t do it exactly right or if I don’t know all the answers, then I shouldn’t do it at all.” I do, too! And this is the year I’m breaking out of that box. I’m glad I’m not alone! Best of luck to you! Thanks for steering me toward veganism! Can’t wait for your cookbook!!!
I’m really looking forward to this series! I’ve been following a roughly 90% vegan diet, and have a new years resolution of going all the way!
I literally spit out my tea when I read the “will my husband fart less if I soak his nuts” part. HAHA! Still laughing over here! :) Thanks for the post – I love all your recipes and look forward to more vegan ones in the future. I’m not 100% vegan (love fresh seafood and eggs), but I do enjoy vegan recipes.
This is a great idea, because I know that people who are transitioning into a plant diet/veganism have loads of questions regarding food and nutrients. I actually have two that has been lingering for awhile and hopefully can get an answer. I have not been a fan of tofu/tempeh and eggless eggs, and was wondering if I can still be a healthy vegan without consuming processed vegan foods such as this. Also, I am allergic to nuts and soy and can not intake any nut or soy based milk. Is there any other alternatives which are nut/soy free and can still provide the daily requirements for calcium without all the added sugar?
I am not the main meal-cooker in my family, and because I do not control everything made, my family continues to use the unhealthy ingredients that I am trying to shift away from. What can I do to encourage my family that eating vegetarian (and now especially, since i am lactose intolerant, vegan) without sacrificing taste, with recipes easy for the skeptics to cook? I want to find recipes that will ‘convert’ my family to eating with a different mindset. Thank you for this series, I believe many of the ideas behind it are right up my alley!
There are many great ways to get protein in a vegan diet. Tofu is a must, but there are many grains and legumes that will supply plenty of plant based protein. My favorites are quinoa, lentils, forbidden rice, and black beans.