The KInd Life Community Forum

I've never done this before: started a discussion i mean. I am not terribly eloquent with words, but i will try my hardest :) I am nineteen years old, and am just starting out, and i cannot believe how useful this website is. I have been a flirt for about a month now i would say. I've always been very committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, but there is so much that i didn't know, and i am just finding out about it now. Last night i watched 'Earthlings' (as i'm sure so many of you have) with my boyfriend's sister for the first time, and it really did change something inside of me. I know that sounds incredibly cliche'd, but all of a sudden i felt small and defenseless, and terribly, terribly ashamed of myself. And i want to be able to look at myself in the mirror every day without guilt, without shame, and with a self love, something i think can only be fulfilled when you love others. I looked at my friend and knew she was feeling the same. So now we are on the path to a clean life, and i am enjoying it every minute :) But i do have a bit of a query. You see, i am slightly anaemic. I get the black fuzzies (rushes of blood to the head) every time i stand up, and apart from that i do know how important iron is in everyday diet, especially for women. I do take a supplement for now, but what i would like to know is how to maintain the iron levels within my diet without eating beef, and also, what are good vegan sources of protein and calcium? Thank you :)

Oh thank you so much! I've just bought myself a blender so i'm really looking forward to making smoothies, thanks for your tips! :)

Floradix is well-respected in terms of supplements and I know they make an iron one, however I am not sure if it is vegan as not all of their products are.

Drinking rosehip tea daily can greatly improve your iron absorption levels. Molasses, lentils and dark leafy greens are all excellent sources of iron.