#i do think he is a pescetarian but *not* in the 'i sympathize with animals way' (LMAO no.

[feluka]

i love the care that went into this game. i like that anise is the only one in the party who isn’t a picky eater because she grew up poor. i love tear’s practical cooking and anise’s favourite ingredients being based on what she didn’t get to have. why the fuck does jade put potatoes on pizza. is this the pineapple on pizza discourse in auldrant

[veganchrys]

Two Years Later: Advice for Going Vegan

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I posted something like this. Back in December, I was asked to write a little piece for one of my friends at McMaster Veggie Club. She’s putting together an e-book all about going vegan. She asked me to write about how I transitioned, any advice I have, and any noteworthy vegan meals I’ve had. Since I didn’t post anything for my 2-year vegan anniversary (which was December 19th), I thought I would share what I sent in for my friend’s e-book:

I fully went vegan in December 2014 after a full year of transitioning. I had been on-again-off-again pescetarian since I was 14-years old. It was hard trying to go vegetarian in high school because, like most people, my family was full of meat-eaters. I remember my dad always teasing me when I didn’t want to eat meat. Eating meat was what we were told was best for our bodies – to make us strong and healthy. I was really surprised when I went home for a weekend back in 2013 to find that my whole family had been trying to reduce their meat consumption. My dad had even suggested I watch a documentary called “Vegucated”. At that time, we had also just adopted our second dog, Lilly, who had an abusive past.

After watching the documentary and after our experience with rehabilitating Lilly, I realized that being vegan was something I really wanted to do.  I realize that it didn’t make sense that humans sympathize so much with abused pets, but didn’t mind eating the abused animals on our plates. I tried going vegan overnight in December 2013, and managed to keep it up for about four weeks. But all the Christmas cookies and treats got to me. I decided to go back to pescetarian with the intention of going fully vegan in January 2015. I gave up seafood in August 2014, and started reducing my dairy intake in October 2014 after meeting my boyfriend, who is lactose-intolerant.

At that point, though, I was starting to doubt whether or not I could go vegan. It seemed too hard and too “out there” to actually commit to. But my boyfriend really pushed me and supported me, even though he was a meat-eater himself. He bought me the Oh She Glows book, and we used it every single day. By December 2014, I had gone fully vegan – and in January 2015, my boyfriend went vegan too! Soon after, I started up my blog for vegan recipes. I never knew I could be so passionate about something as I am for veganism and vegan cooking. I never see myself going back to eating animal products.

For anyone thinking of going vegan, or even just reducing their meat consumption, I would say that patience and timing is everything. Some people can go vegan overnight and others need a transition period. It’s all about doing what you can to minimize harm – for animals, for the environment, and for your own personal health. Take your time and get educated! Read books, watch YouTube videos, watch documentaries, and go to animal sanctuaries. It also helps if you can find a community of veggie eaters to keep you motivated – whether that be in person or online.

My last bit of advice may be a little hard for some to hear… But, it’s to not be a preachy vegan. When I first went vegan and learned about animal agriculture, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. I wanted to bring it up in every single conversation. I felt so angry towards people who didn’t seem to care. Of course I would love for everyone to be vegan, but the best way to make change is to live by example. Just live your life, offer to cook for your friends, politely turn down any non-vegan food you may be offered, and talk about veganism to people who are open to listening. Vegan jokes are the worst – being a preachy vegan just adds fuel to the fire.

Since I like food blogging and vlogging, I’ve been to a number of great vegan restaurants. My favourite ones in Toronto are Doomies, Hogtown Vegan, and D-Beatstro (where my sister actually works). At Doomies, I highly recommend the “South in Yer Mouth” – the best vegan pulled pork ever! Hogtown Vegan has amazing vegan comfort food, and D-Beatstro has unreal vegan brunch on the weekends, and also the best vegan donuts I’ve ever had.

I wish the best of luck to anyone trying to go vegan! I’m so thankful for all the veggie eaters out there for being my inspiration.