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Brand new.. nervous!
Started
by Vanessa Aumen
on December 19, 2009
Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself... I'm brand spanking new to this. I have toyed with the idea of becoming vegan before as sort of an experiment to just see how I feel. I always really liked Alicia, so I decided to buy The Kind Diet to see what I thought. I really love everything about it, and I feel ready to take the plunge. Now that I'm getting ready to actually dive in though, I'm so nervous! I'm afraid I won't be able to find the foods and ingredients I need... I sort of live in the middle of nowhere. There is not a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's or anything like that for more than 50 miles. I barely cook at all right now because I still live at home, and neither of my parents are very supportive of my giving veganism a try, so I'm going to have to start buying all my own groceries and cooking all my own meals. I'm super excited to start cooking, though, and to make this big life change. It's a little scary but I know I can do it if I really try. I'm so glad this website is here because I don't know anyone else in real life who is vegan that I can turn to for support!
i am right there with you vanessa! i do not cook very much, live in the middle of no where with no food stores like that, and do not have a ton of support! its very scary but we can def do it!
i was in the same situation as you a couple months ago.... i dont live exactly in the middle of nowhere but only know one vegan and they dont even live in my city. i still live at home and my family isnt even vegetarian....
ive been vegan since july, because of the book skinny bitch but recently i read the kind diet and what can i say, i love it. i do my own cooking , and so far, ive tried out a couple of alicias recipes and my family has really enjoyed trying out my food... ive made the chocolate peanut butter cup, the oatmeal cookies, and the black eyed pea croquettes.
theres no reason to be nervous, just enjoy it! if you feel like you need to know more about the lifestyle before you dive in, do some of your own research . i really recommend pcrms website (physicians committee for responsible medicine) theyve got nutritional info, recipes, and medical research that proves this is the best way to live. good luck!
I'd really never given cooking a try until buying TKD and have been cooking up a storm the last few weeks. I love it and this forum really helps when I feel alone in this whole process. :)It feels good to eat healthfully and to be conscious about what I'm putting into my body for myself, well-being of animals & the planet. I admire you for starting this and living in areas that aren't so vegan-friendly! Your decisions will affect not only you, but the people around you. Thank you for living a compassionate life. :)
Hey! I am new to the whole 'plant-based' eating as well. I just wanted to encourage Vanessa and Brooke and whoever else does not have all the resources they would like! I know it can be hard, but it is awesome that you still set out on the journey! That makes me root for you even more!! Much Love.
Thanks so much everyone; it's great to know that I'm not alone. It definitely helps when I'm starting to second guess myself about whether I can/should do this. Nice to know there are some other newbies out there in similar situations to mine :)
Don't worry, it will be great. I find it's more "hard" for others than it is for me.
They always are making comments like "it must be really hard", "I could never give up meat, dairy, eggs...blah blah blah". It's like ok that fine, that's you, do I care what you do? LOL. Or I hear the "that's so limiting" but I never feel that way about it, it actually set me free to try things I never would have tried. I also love how I bypass so much junk because it's not vegan. Especially at holiday time.
I also live in the middle of nowhere, and it's hard to shop. The next town over has a health food store, so I do most of my shopping there. My family is really not supportive, and always act offended when I bring food over because I don't use meat, or eggs, or butter, and because I won't eat any of their food. They also act like I'm some kind of bizarre monk and that I must hate myself and hate my life. That's not true. I love my life and I love my food, I'm very happy. You just have to go with the flow. You'll find what you need. Most stores carry beans and produce. And the best thing about being in the middle of nowhere is that you can grow your own (seasonally), and you can probably find a local farmers market that sells a great deal of what you need. You can do it, and you're going to feel amazing!
I live in the middle of nowhere too, but if there is a Kroger near where you live, try shopping there. They've expanded their organic and veg. sections vastly! They have a lot of the Amy's products too, and the Simply Decadent non-dairy ice creams. The cookies and cream one is to die for.It gets easier though the more you dabble in it. I've already been vegetarian for two years, and I'll be trying veganism for the second time on the first of January.Don't worry, you'll do great! And no one starts out a great cook. I've been cooking forever and I killed a ravioli recipe earlier this week.
Good luck to everyone else (like myself) that are new to this! Fortunately for me, my family has been surprisingly supportive. I appreciate their help very much but sometimes making a LIFESTYLE change can be a less than smooth transition no matter what. One thing I can say though is that each new day you've lived a better, healthier, kinder life, the more motivated and inspired you are by your own strengths. I've even surprised myself with my perseverance and willpower! Just go for it, you won't regret it when you're feeling great physically, emotionally and mentally! :)
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