The KInd Life Community Forum

That basically describes me all the time now, excited. I started my vegan journey April 7th after reading The Kind Life and the longer I do it and deeper I get involved, the more excited I get. I have been vegetarian for a little over a year but never made the dive to vegan because I didn't think I could do it. It made it a little more difficult for me being only 17 at the time I went vegetarian and living in house FULL of meat lovers. But despite the inevitable teasing from my brothers I was able to stick with it. However I still just felt ehh. For as long as I can remember I've been the pudgy kid. I can remember sneaking snacks and being ashamed of how much I ate, thus began my unhealthy relationship with food. I went vegetarian because I love animals, but I also thought it would help me get over this issue I had with food. It did a little, but with my mom being a wonderful cook/baker, there was always a tantalizing sweet tempting me and keeping me in my addiction. In my frustration I looked to something I found called The Daniel Fast, which is a lot like the superhero part of the Kind Diet. I did it for three weeks and loved it! But seeing it as a fast and not a new lifestyle I went off it and quickly fell prey to my previous destructive habits. Feeling helpless and frustrated again I looked to going Vegan. The more I read, the more I wanted to do it. I bought The Kind Diet and poured over it and other vegan blogs it lead me to. I decided to go for it. Regardless of what my family and friends said, I was going to do this for myself, the animals, and the earth. I started on April 7th, 2010 and honestly feel like my life began again. I've never felt better about my body, my health, and just all around. I feel like I'm making a difference everyday and feel more connected to myself and the world around me. My issues with food are dissolving away (as is the extra weight on my tummy!) And all of this to me is, you guessed it, EXCITING!

Hey Hannah! That is soooo great to hear! I've been vegan since the end of Dec/start of Jan after reading TKD and I felt exactly the way you did, and I STILL DO! It's super exciting to start this journey and have the opportunity to learn so much about yourself as you continue on. Although you said your mom is a great baker, maybe you can show her some of the amazing vegan treats from TKD and possibly cook together! The perfect way to bond with your mom and help her to see that there are better, kinder choices = )

I hope you enjoy the ride and wish you the best of luck!

-Kate