VEGANISM: WHERE TO START
You’d be hard pressed not to have seen someone talking about Veganism, and in particular ‘Veganuary’ on your feed with individuals, businesses and communities rapidly getting involved across the world. Plus, if you follow me you’re possibly slightly concerned that I’m being paid off by an oat milk company to telepathically send vegan messages to you in your sleep and for legal reasons, I’m going to have to decline to comment on that. What I am more than happy to disclose, however, are a few points on how to start your vegan journey and some things to keep in mind along the way!
You’re allowed to make mistakes
First and foremost, let’s make this known so we can all be a little kinder to each other and breathe a huge sigh of relief. Sometimes it can be difficult to believe this when the internet is awash with people ready to take the trophy for vegan of the year and belittle those who are starting out and trying something new. At the best of times, humans make mistakes and that’s actually incredibly important for our personal growth and development in the world around us. There will be times when you slip up, misread a label or buy a product with something in it (milk powder you elusive rouge, honey you sneaky syrup!) but please don’t punish yourself, accept that this happens to all of us and learn from the mistake! Maybe even consider having a close friend help you share the things that you learn along the way and openly ask for help. Also, please apply this ‘making mistakes is okay and asking for help is really cool’ belief system to other aspects of your life too.
Find your motivation and remind yourself of why you’re doing this
Are you going vegan for the animals? There are a multitude of documentaries, articles and informative videos out there which will show you the reality of the animal agriculture industries on animals and humans. For me, once I made the connection between the food I was eating and the animals it came from there was no going back. Simultaneously, as a human rights researcher, I also see the importance of a vegan movement which understands and respects human rights. Of course there are so many other reasons to go and stay vegan such as the environmental impact as it is one of the best individual practices towards combating climate change we can do. If you’re an individual or athlete who wants to eat a more plant-based whole foods diet for their personal targets then there are some really inspirational vegans out there who have done just that.
Make your fave meals vegan + swap out your regulars
If you didn’t eat lots of legumes before, chances are you’re not going to want to live off that for your first month of veganism (no shade legumes, you’re great). Do you love lasagna and eat it often? Then have a go at making your favourite dish vegan! Do you eat burgers, soups, roasts and sandwiches with animal products in them at the moment, because you’re in luck, they can all be veganised! Swap out your regularly used items for plant milk, vegan butter, vegan cheese, and plant-based cream and away you go! Don’t give up if you don’t like a swap just remember an earlier point, ask around for the best ones; I’m an oat milk lovin’, flora block spreadin’, sheese gratin’, and rice whip cream swirlin’ kinda gal myself.
Spend within your means
If you want someone who would happily live off Wicked or Plant Kitchen, you’re looking right at her; but I simply do not have the budget to do so! I save these for my treats or use them to bulk out cheaper vegan meals. This year I’m actively trying my best to make as many simple meals as I can – both for myself and to show others just how cheap plant-based eating can be. Also, I am an expert reduced sticker section shopper; building meals from whatever ends up in there is mostly fun and more often a necessity. I stock up on lots of beans, lentils, chickpeas, chopped veg and rice, building or padding out my meals depending on what looks good! Just know that you’re still a wonderful vegan even if you can’t do fancy food hauls all the time.
Look after yourself
Most of all we need to be self compassionate, do not let your love and respect for animals bring you stress or negate your ability to look after and respect yourself. Plant based eating, contrary to misconceptions has all of the necessary vitamins, minerals and proteins for you to live off, with many great foods being fortified (only difference is we take the vitamins instead of eating the animal that ate the vitamins – which is a win, right?) but it must, like any diet be followed with awareness, support and effective planning from the start. If you want to go vegan and have had issues with food in the past, I would personally recommend speaking to someone before you start so as to have guidance and support. Take your vitamins, take your meds, and take care.
Fight for a better world – your veganism should be intersectional
All of us are learning every single day and we must actively work to challenge biases and prejudices within our own practices, thoughts, and ways of being. By acknowledging and promoting the wealth of work, resources, experience and struggle among marginalised members of the vegan community, acknowledging the flawed comparisons and in particular speaking up about white-supremacy, ableism, sexism and fat-phobia within the movement, we can begin to shift power dynamics and actively fight for transformation. Yep, all social movements have flaws and fringes! If your veganism isn’t intersectional, it’s not vegan in my books. Remember, we can and should call out movements we are involved in! If you’re involved in projects, make sure they are diverse, if you have a large platform and get the opportunity to do so – pass the mic and redirect your audience to those who are better placed to speak on particular issues. Make sure you’re fighting for a better world for all and keep actively working to promote an inclusive environment which leaves no one behind.
Reach out – there is a wonderful community waiting to support you
I believe that for many, veganism seems daunting or lacking but there is a whole world of people out there who are so eager to help you and show you that this doesn’t actually need to be the case. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me when someone messages me with a question about vegan cheese substitutes, and I’d only love to tell you why I think chickens are entitled to be seen as individuals who deserve respect!
I’m surrounded by incredible people who are fighting for liberation every single day and it motivates and inspires me to keep fighting myself. Also my house is full of lovely vegans who cook very good food and that’s a massive bonus. If you’re not around many real-life-vegans, I have personally found an incredible community on Instagram of support and I’ve made some really wonderful friends there who are always willing and excited to talk about new foods, better forms of activism and exciting future goals. Follow a diverse range of vegan activists, recipe accounts, festivals and organisations. Fill your feed with vegan goodness to motivate and inspire you (a major shout out to veganlife.ie here who do a stellar job of showing off all the best bits).
These are just a few points to help you on your journey. If you’ve any questions please send them my way and remember, regardless of the month it’s always a good time to go vegan!
P A P E R M A C H E M I N D
Thank you to the wonderful Goose and Rabbit for gifting me my glorious vegan tshirt.
Thank you to the magical Julia for these photos in our fridge.
