Firstly… I will say, “Congratulations!” Second, third, and fourthly… Mother Earth appreciates you …animals appreciate you... and your own body\mind will appreciate you …for living the vegan lifestyle. Perhaps, this very morning, you were enchantingly awakened, by an auspicious sunrise, and now, you… are newly vegan. Consequently, you are wondering what new vegan wonders you can perform, with the rest of your day. In the following paragraphs, I will offer some suggestions to help… ease… your transition into veganism. Do I seem to hint that …maybe, it will not be easy to do? I do not mean to doubt you. It’s just that… well… you see… I was groomed for my vegan vocation, by the School Of Hard Knocks. My first attempt at a vegan transition …failed. (That story… another time). It may be your destiny to sail on a magic carpet, that gently lands you on the sands of success. But, for those on the hard bumpy road, let me say, “Though veganism is more than just a diet… the diet aspect… is, itself, a… hurdle.”
Let’s begin with an introduction… to some of the vegan food-products available, on the commercial market. Myself, I started by …replacing some everyday items like mayonnaise, butter, bread, cheese, and milk; …with vegan brands. This was my first move; because I was in love, already, with rice and beans, which are vegan …naturally. Soon after, I began “veganizing” traditional popular basics, as: chicken fried rice; lasagna with Italian-sausage; cold-cut sandwiches; burgers; pepperoni pizza; meat-balls\meat-loaf; holiday roasts; huevos rancheros; and on and on; until …wow …I discovered an amazing reality. If I am the first to tell you this, then …here it comes: vegans can eat any food\recipe in the whole wide world. How? Because: (A) animals are not food …the concept of “animals as food” is a facsimile… the GENUINE thing is plants for food… the COPY is animals for food. Do not get attached to the “copy” …the copy is false\mis-leading\harmful; (B) any recipe… from pork-pie to tiramisu… can be prepared with plants only… (this is why chefs can turn beans into cheeses\burgers); (C) when eating plants -plants only- in the correct manner …you will not sacrifice; you will gain …let me be clear… you may “give-up” an artificial-appetite, but your food-experience will become that of “ultimate satisfaction” …even better… than ‘before.’ As I mentioned earlier, “Veganism is more than a diet.” When I was a new vegan, I could not fill my pantry with dependable food-products, until I sampled across the entire “rainbow” of options. Through trial and more trial; finally, I found the items, I was looking for …to satisfy my taste. Since everyone’s taste is different, I suggest you try and try again, until you find the products that suit you. Or you may come to one of my Cooking With Compassion cooking classes [Natural Grocers, Vitamin Cottage - Wyoming & Montgomery] (admission is free). I am available, immediately after each class, to direct your questions. Also, I can walk you through the store, …pointing out stuff, directly, …right there on the shelf. Some vegan butter choices are …Earth Balance, Miyoko’s, Kite Hill, …and one of my personal favorites, Country Crock plant-based butter. For mayonnaise, I use …Follow Your Heart, Vegenaise, Earth Balance, Hellman’s Vegan Mayo, and another of my favorites …Sir Kensington’s Vegan Mayo.
NM Vegan | 32
