Inspiration - or HELP!

Where do I begin? How can I realistically do this? When I decided to stop eating meat in June 2014, I really did not know how to start.

I was lucky in that I knew of a great resource, my former sister and brother in-laws, Marla and John who created and run Vegan Street, and so I quickly shot Marla a message for help. What continues to inspire me is the gentle way Marla responded. Although she and John had been vegan for about two decades at that time and champion the cause, she didn't push me, but rather said to start here, "consider every meal you eat without meat a win".

"Consider every meal you eat without meat a win."

Wow, that sounded so easy and doable. I knew I could do that! And, my meat-free journey began. Within 3 months, I was happily navigating my new lifestyle and fully vegetarian. What amazed me right away was how great I felt. I felt lighter in body, mind and soul now living a life that was not killing animals (or so I thought at the time, but that is for another blog).

I was fortunate that 3 months after I stopped eating meat, I had a yearly physical. I was hesitant to know what changes this new diet was having on my body. Also at that time, my mother had a major stroke and so shared that news with my doctor. He thought it a good time to do a full panel of tests to get a baseline for everything. When he came back in the room with my results, he started with a question

"What have you been doing differently in your life recently?"

I joked "Clearly not exercising enough". But he knew something was different and dug more, "What have you done recently that would impact your health?" "I stopped eating meat 3 months ago", I said hesitantly.

"Okay, that would explain things. Your cholesterol (my low cholesterol was never perfect now matter how fit I was) (and other tests I have now forgotten the names of) all came back PERFECT! Let me get you a sheet on how to change out your protein with plant protein."

Your cholestorol...is perfect! Let me get you a sheet on how to change out your protein with plant protein.

So I was on my way! I eliminated meat and my doctor was not only encouraging, but helpful explaining that what I was doing would be great for me long-term to keep things like stroke and heart disease (also in my mother's family) at bay. This gave me renewed zeal to continue keeping meat out of my diet and also a desire to learn more.

I started reading labels

I mean, really reading labels and also going online to find out what was vegan, even accidentally. On the negative side, I found out things like white table sugar had bone char in it (Yuck - really?), many juices with added vitamins use animals for the vitamin part, even wine wasn't usually vegan, and did you know how many non-dairy products have dairy in them once you read the ingredients - even nuts?

Wow, I had a lot to learn.

On the positive side, a few things (besides fresh plants) are accidentally vegan - Oreos and Biscoff cookies, Swedish Fish candies, sourdough breads and many refrigerator and puff pastries, but you have to read and research because some are, and some are not. Not everything that is vegan is healthy, but certainly healthier for the animals, the planet and for me when I want to treat myself.