Chapter 1: My Vegan Journey

As the sole vegan among my family and friends, I often feel like the odd one out. While there are a few vegetarians scattered about, I am frequently viewed as the "strange" one. Thankfully, my family has started to accept my lifestyle choice, although they still struggle to grasp what veganism truly entails. For example, my mother once asked if eggs were considered vegan! My mother-in-law also insisted on giving me stuffed red peppers, blissfully unaware they were loaded with cheese and labeled vegetarian.

I personally prefer the term "plant-based" over "vegan," although I realize it can sound a bit pretentious. Whenever I mention being vegan, I can almost hear the eye rolls, as if I’m being difficult. Fortunately, dining out as a vegan has become significantly easier, with most establishments now offering at least one vegan option, although these aren’t always the healthiest choices.

My aversion to meat extends to meat substitutes; while I’ve tried them in the past, I generally avoid them. The surge in popularity for veganism has led to the emergence of heavily processed "vegan-friendly" products, which I feel somewhat contradict the original purpose of a plant-based diet.

Having always been passionate about food, my decision to adopt a whole food, plant-based diet was driven by a desire to consume primarily unprocessed plants. This often results in a slightly pricier grocery bill and requires considerable cooking time—something I find frustrating since I’m not particularly fond of cooking!

People often ask, "What do you eat then?" My brother-in-law frequently expresses disbelief, claiming I can't possibly eat anything and questioning how I manage to survive. This comes from a family whose meals predominantly revolve around meat. They were particularly surprised when I attended a carvery (a type of roast dinner common in the UK) and opted only for the vegetables and roast potatoes or a lentil roast!

A closer look at my diet reveals that I consume a lot of vegetables. I strive to diversify my meals based on seasonal produce, though it can be a challenge when accommodating a picky family. Breakfast is my favorite meal; I kickstart my day with porridge made from oats, fortified unsweetened soy milk, flax and chia seeds, topped with berries and a few squares of 70% dark chocolate. This breakfast has been my daily staple for years and remains my favorite!

Lunch tends to be the trickiest for me, especially with a busy toddler and pets vying for my attention. I often settle for a salad; today, for instance, I enjoyed a kale and mushroom salad dressed with a creamy cashew dressing. If I’m pressed for time, I’ll have avocado on rye toast or spread peanut butter on rye with banana slices. Leftovers from the previous night's dinner also come in handy!

Dinner is usually the one meal where we attempt to gather as a family, though this can be challenging due to my husband's work schedule and my teenager's social life. I try to prepare meals that everyone will enjoy, especially since my husband and teenager aren’t vegan and still appreciate meat. For example, last night we had black bean and sweet potato stew with brown rice and avocado, and tonight we’re having miso-glazed aubergine steaks with jeweled rice.

Snacks generally consist of homemade muffins and cookies, often chocolate-flavored! I’m fortunate that my kids enjoy berries and grapes, though they also love breadsticks and mini crackers, most of which are vegan. My go-to snacks are nuts, homemade popcorn, and my biggest weakness: dark chocolate—I can’t resist it!

Doesn’t sound too bad, right?

Maintaining this dietary lifestyle requires careful planning, preparation, and cooking, but it’s worth it to see my family consuming wholesome foods instead of bland, frozen options. I don’t judge others for their choices, as I have resorted to convenience foods in the past, and I’ll likely do so again. I’ll admit, there are days when I simply want to grab something quick and be done with it. It can be tough for my children when their friends pull out convenient, pre-packaged snacks that are considered "cool," while my kids munch on my homemade berry muffins and oat cookies!

I’m far from perfect. I often buy ready-made snacks for convenience, especially when we’re out and about. I’ll opt for easy meals when my husband is away since evenings can get hectic, and my toddler doesn’t want me tied up in the kitchen for hours. We do indulge in takeaways occasionally, but I usually prefer to eat something I’ve prepared, as I find that outside food doesn’t sit well with me.

Eating this way doesn’t require immense willpower; I genuinely enjoy it. I don’t crave processed snacks or greasy takeout because they make me feel awful. I don’t mind if others indulge; my toddler enjoys an occasional Happy Meal, but it remains just that—occasional.

A plant-based diet is far from dull or flavorless, and research on the health benefits of plants is overwhelmingly positive. There are numerous resources available (I’ll list my favorites below) featuring fantastic recipes that won’t break the bank. I enjoy burgers and fries, flavorful curries, and pulled jackfruit tacos, which are a family favorite. We also make homemade pancakes and delicious chocolate muffins—nothing is off-limits, and most dishes can be crafted using plants (except for vegan cheese, which I find unpalatable!).

Even trying just one plant-based meal a week or a month could surprise you—please let me know how it goes!

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 2: My Favorite Resources

Deliciously Ella has been my primary source of inspiration for both food and wellness. I own all her books and subscribe to her app, which I highly recommend. When I first sought to change my diet for mental health reasons, she was the first name that came up in my search, and I’ve been following her journey ever since!

BOSH! features two guys whose recipes are excellent for those just starting their plant-based journey and perhaps missing their meat and dairy comfort foods. While Ella is quite strict about avoiding processed ingredients, BOSH! incorporates treats into their recipes that are more recognizable.

The Happy Pear and even Joe Wicks provide fantastic vegetarian and vegan recipes. Local supermarkets often feature a section dedicated to vegan, plant-based products on their websites. I’ve experimented with BBC Good Food recipes but have had mixed results, often returning to Ella’s recipes for consistency and satisfaction.

This video titled "You Are What You Eat!" delves into the importance of diet on overall health and well-being, showing how what we consume shapes our lives.

The second video, "CAN YOU EAT PU$$Y LIKE THAT?!", brings a humorous yet insightful take on food choices and their implications, encouraging viewers to rethink their eating habits.