I'm going vegan to commemorate my birthday!

[earthmama4]

I am turning 36 on Saturday. My father died of coronary artery disease at age 41. My FIL had a quintuple bypass last month at age 72. DH has high blood pressure, and I am overweight and tired all the time. I have been ruminating for a while on what to do, and I feel in my heart, its time. I am going vegan, along with gluten free.

It will not be without challenges. My husband works in the meat department of a grocery store (which pays the best wage in the whole store!), and we get meat almost free. However, he always supports everything I do. He has tried vegetarianism and had several books on it when we met. He grew up on a farm and is disturbed by current food industry practices. So I am hoping he will get on board, along with my oldest three from my first marriage, who are old enough to choose for themselves.

So as a birthday gift to myself, I am starting a new life. All food that passes my lips will be a gift from mother earth to nourish and strengthen me, and I will treat it as such, rather than the recreation it has often been. I will not allow things that deplete me of strength into my body. I will give our precious toddler the gift of a truly nourished body, free as is possible from diet-related disease. I will give our soon to be conceived (or possible currently conceived) last baby the best possible start in life, a foundation of health. Our food will be a colorful celebration of earth's bounty!

[katroshka]

Good for you and happy birthday! I think it's nice to pick a special time to make big changes like that. I went vegan for New Year's 2000, and I like that I can remember how long it's been, and feel like it was a special decision to make at a special time.

My only advice is to not be too hard on yourself during the transition, it's not that easy for the first few months, so I would suggest not letting yourself go crazy about minor ingredients (especially when you are at a restaurant or someone else's home), but think big picture. A lot of new vegans try to be really strict with themselves, and it can drive you crazy!

Remember, it's a health/ ethical decision, not a religion. You won't go to omnivore hell if you eat some whey by accident. There will be plenty of time for you to decide how strict you want to be, so take it easy and enjoy your new diet, it really can be a lot of fun to learn all those new recipes and start something new!

[bandgeek]

That's so great!

I know I feel a TON better after changing my diet. I've lost 37 lbs since january and I don't have to deprive myself or work out all the time. I don't know how my cholesterol or anything was before I switched, but it would be interesting to see. Too bad I guess! I imagine I'm in much better health though.

As for the cost of groceries...don't worry so much. Even getting your meat for really cheap, vegetarian staples are usually cheaper. I buy dry beans and make batches of them and freeze them in 1 1/2 cup portions (equal to 1 can) so I have the frugality of dry beans but the convenience of canned ones. I do that with lentils too. If you can find time to bake, your gluten-free staples shouldn't cost much either. Also, if you buy any pricey vegan milk or ice cream, you can often get good deals by shopping at a store that spits out those coupons at the end of your order. It always gives you a coupon for the brand you bought or a competing brand. I buy almond milk and switch back and forth between almond breeze and silk because they taste the same to me anyway. I have a slew of $1.00 off coupons that make the milk about $1.50-$2 per half gallon.

[somegirl99]

That's great! Happy Birthday!