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New vegan in Dallas,TX living with meat eaters
Started
by Jennifer W
on January 1, 2011
I'm 23 years old and live in a suburb of Dallas, TX and have decided to go vegan. I have made this decision/resolution to change my life in order to become a healthier, better me. I want to use this coming year to concentrate on myself and take the steps toward a better, kinder lifestyle. I'm ready and confident in my decision but I am nervous to start this journey. I live with my parents and 21 year old brother. They are all very supportive of my decision and my dad, who has been trying to lose weight, has even said he will try anything once, so he will be trying different recipes as I go on this journey. However, since they are all still primarily meat eaters, I'm nervous about "staying on the wagon". I rarely have dairy products and primarily only eat fish or chicken now so I'm confident I can do this. Any tips on living with meat eaters and sticking to the kind life.
Hi, Jennifer! First off, welcome. The good news is you about to do the best possible thing you ever can for your health. I could evangelize all day about the many health benefits of a plant-based diet. Chief among then preventing (and reversing) heart disease, diabetes, stroke, certain cancers, etc. (I should probably mention btw that I am a physician) It fabulous too that you will be doing it in a supportive environment. Many people don't have that luxury as you will see on this forum and others and it makes their transition 10 fold more difficult. Also, if your Dad wants to lose some weight, if he converts with you, he most definitely will! That is a given. Feel free to check out my blog/site, as that maybe helpful too: www.theplantrx.com If you read the "about us" section - first you will learn more about me (the boring part) but you can also see my partner's (who I started the site and blog with - actually my ex-bf lol) story. Both of us lost weight. Then also check out the "personal stories and testimonials" page - I only have managed to get two of them up there because I have been so busy lately, but you will find that these people talk about the weigh loss as well. It's great to lose weight when it doesn't feel like you are trying! Also, if you like to read, you may find that a book called the "China Study" may further convince you and the rest of your family of the enormous benefits of a plant-based diet. Also, we have a "mini-experiment" starting in 2 weeks that will follow people over 60 days who are switching from a carnivorous diet to a completely plant-based one. We will be monitoring their health and transition. The will blog in real time. May be fun to compare your experience and theirs. Hope this helps. Kind Regards, Jenna
Thank you Jenna. I definitely will pick that book, "China Study", up this week. I definitely am interested in the "mini-experiment" since it will give great insite into how other people are handling the same things I'll be going through. I'm so glad that this site exists, even with a supportive environment. It's a great tool for people to use and get advise and even more support in their transitition to a plant-based diet and kind lifestyle.
Jennifer - search the threads, there are plenty of veg*ns out there who live with omnis. You may find some helpful advice.
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