I know I’ve been off the air for a few weeks now but as it is my almost 4 months anniversary of my plant based lifestyle I thought I’d give you an update on how things are progressing.
In the weeks since my last post I’ve been in the USA, Germany and Ireland, I’ve celebrated Easter and my Birthday and my new lifestyle has been put through it’s paces. Here are some things I have picked up along the way:
Read, watch, listen and learn. I didn’t make the decision to move to a vegan diet on a whim but the whole area of plant based nutrition was alien to me just a few months ago and I needed to understand not just the broad strokes of what’s in and out but also all the more subtle nuances of a vegan diet. The internet has been key for me getting to grips with plant based living, there is truth in not reinventing the wheel and I have used several great websites, YouTube channels, documentaries and podcasts from which to learn about the how to and how not to, the pit falls and benefits of plant based living. It has been a huge support for me in the choice I have made, because being vegan, at times can feel a bit isolated.
Learn how to cook vegan. If you don’t already have a repertoire of vegan dishes, which most people don’t, find a good website (see some of the following links), you can buy a cookery book but it isn’t strictly necessary as there are so many great resources online. Vegan cooking is quick and I would say relatively easy and there is usually a vegan alternative available for your favourite meat dish, including, pizza, carbonara, lasagna…..etc. And they are nutritious, delicious and most of all healthy. Take a look at some of the following websites which I have used.
The Happy Pear Deliciously Ella Chef Chloe
If you are interested in giving plant based meals a try why not swop just one dish for a vegetarian/vegan alternative and see how you get on. I went cold turkey but making small changes can be just as effective.
Being prepared is key. Eating at home has become an easy routine for me, but travelling and eating out still remains my biggest challenge. If at all possible when on the road, I prepare and take healthy meals and snacks with me. If not I try to have an idea where I may be stopping or staying while on my travels and investigate restaurants where I can stop or available snack foods which you can eat. I found a great app/website called Happy Cow (click on the icon below for more details) it has brought me to some great places which support my lifestyle.
As always thanks to the support and kind remarks. As I am going to be staying close to home for the up coming weeks I will try and post a few more blogs. If anyone has questions they would like to ask, or topics they would like me to cover send a message, I’m always looking for ideas.
I will leave you with the following story: when I was on the road recently I stopped a a sandwich bar chain (which I had previously researched, I had my order rehearsed, the type of bread, the filling and a vegan dressing etc.) The conversation went something like this
Me: Can I have “my previously rehearsed sandwich order”
Deliperson: Sorry we don’t have that particular bread available
Me: Do you have another bread that is suitable for a vegan diet?
Deliperson: Bread x and y are gluten free.
Me: Great, but are they vegan?
Deliperson: Yes they are gluten and vegan free!
More research needed I think!