As most of you know, I’m vegan and have been following a vegan lifestyle for almost a full year. It’s been one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences in my life so far. I have a huge passion for sharing my meals and recipes with you because although I’ve been vegan for almost ten months, I can actually count on one hand how many times I’ve eaten a salad. We don’t just eat fruits and veggies in the raw, contrary to what the masses may have been told or believe.
I am so excited to share this video and post with you! It’s been in the works for about a month. I filmed for one week, then had to edit it all together and write out this post so let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and I’ll answer them.
So when I finally made the decision to go 100% vegan lifestyle, G was nine months old and showing interest in solid foods now that she finally had some teeth! At this point, I was already not drinking milk and pretty much didn’t eat meat because I hated it my whole pregnancy and always tried to cook veggie-based dishes for G because I felt like it was healthier than animal products. So I already didn’t mind not having meat in my food; it was cheaper! Then I watched two documentaries that sent me over the edge….
Cowspiracy and Forks Over Knives.
Forks Over Knives is the one that really resonated with me. I consider myself a health-conscious person, and after being presented with the possibility that eating animal-based products may increase the likeliness of cancer, I was honestly stunned. In short, the documentary explores how eating a plant-based diet could possibly keep you from getting cancer because you aren’t consuming casein protein – something they’ve found in lab rats that had tumors. They link casein protein with foods like meat, dairy and eggs, and that did it for me. I guess I look at it this way: I am a parent – my number one duty in life is to take care of, protect my daughter, and teach her the healthiest way of life. To me, that is eating a plant-based diet. (I try to use those terms more so than “vegan” as it sounds less snobby).
I won’t say it isn’t hard. I cook almost every day and going out to eat is a huge hassle because animal products are hiding everywhere… but I honestly am SO much happier since. I feel better, I’ve lost a ton of weight… literally the pounds have shed off of me, and I feel amazing when I cook – although I have to do it often, I am OBSESSED with foods. I love watching G eat healthy foods and enjoy things that nourish her body and mind.
I also really enjoyed watching Cowspiracy. I recycle, cloth diaper, and try to live as sustainably as I can. Cowspiracy sheds light on the issue of sustainability and the insane amount of resources we have to use to support the meat and dairy industry. Water is a huge one, especially for those living in California where they suffer from a drought. I believe that we need to care of our Earth, and eating a vegan diet (growing crops/plants) instead of mass raising, multiplying and producing cows, chickens, etc. for our own human consumption has proven to be significantly better for our environment.
Side note, and honestly not 100% the reason I transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, but I am SO much happier with myself as a person too. I am happy that I don’t contribute to the deterioration or mistreatment of animals, and happy that I can teach G about that too. I am following a vegan lifestyle for the health reasons mostly, but the fact that animals are not harmed because of my food choices is a total bonus, as I am an animal lover and always have been!
In a recent podcast I listened to by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau she talks about the idea of humanizing animals. Some startling information I learned in the specific episode are that pigs are slaughtered at 6 months for meat, beef cattle are slaughtered at 18 months all for our disposal. I also learned in a separate podcast of hers that cows are actually given calcium supplements, since they don’t eat grass like nature intended them to (they eat GMO corn feed) so they have to supplement the cows with calcium before taking their milk for human consumption. Why can’t we, as humans, just eat the calcium straight from the “grass” itself?! Plants!
(SEE VIDEO CAPTION FOR LINKS TO RECIPES I USED)
“You can change the world; you must change the world.”
Ellen Ross | Ask Away says
These look so delicious!!!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Lindsey Reha says
Loved the video Larissa! You did such a great job. Also wow, all the food looks so amazing! I'm definitely going to be trying some of the recipes ��
Rose Nika says
the food looks so yummy!
Life is just Rosie
Instagram
Amy Johnson says
This is an amazing lifestyle change. I would love the recipes, but I can't find them. Am I blind?
Kari Kriewald says
I really loved reading this post, lady! Every single recipe looks SO delicious! I'm bookmarking this page for my next grocery store run! xo
Lee Anne says
Thanks for sharing all of this, I liked reading about your experiences. I can't wait to try some of these recipes!
XO
Lee Anne
http://www.lifebylee.com
Carolyna Bauer says
What a wonderful change in your life!! Love hearing about your experience. XOXO, Carolyna
carolynabauer.com
Lacey says
Such a great post! Thanks for sharing. I was vegan for about 4 years, and now I do integrate fish and some dairy into my diet (I had a mad craving for yogurt and sushi that I couldn't shake!) but I still eat mostly plant based. It has been life changing!
xo Lacey
http://www.myboringcloset.com
Stefanie Eadie says
I love this post! I was vegetarian, and eating a lot of vegan meals for about a year. It was harder for me to find food I liked because I'm a picky eater, but the difference in how you feel just from not eating meats, or dairy is crazy!!! it just shows you how bad a lot of food really is for you! thanks for sharing 🙂 xoxo / Stefanie – According to Blaire
Kayleigh Adam says
This sounds so interesting! Props to you for testing it out, I don't think I would be strong enough!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
Kathryn Wesson says
I respect and admire you for being able to do this and to share with all of us! These foods look delicious – vegan or not!
Jessica Sheppard says
I always enjoy your food posts…you're super mom!!!
Candace Howard says
Thanks for sharing your journey!! All of these eats look absolutely amazing.
Best,
Candace
http://www.liveloveandREAD.com
Ashley Harig says
Hi Larissa!
First off thank you so much for this amazing blog post!
I have been following you on instagram for a couple months now which lead me to watch your Q&A, videos on your youtube channel, and now here following your blog.
I absolutely admire the bond you share & love you have for your adorable daughter!
My husband and I have always been health conscious about what we eat and products we use on our skin. My husband is self employed, I'm a stay at home mom, & we are trying to start a photography business that we hope will go full time. Right now we live mostly paycheck to paycheck so it gets very expensive for us to live the lifestyle that we desire.
I, like you became very cautious about what I was eating when I became pregnant with my son. I exclusively breastfed him for his first year and he is now 14 months old. (He still nurses constantly) I am extremely picky and protective as far as what he consumes and he has only ever had organic fruits and veggies. The more I research the more I want him to continue having a plant based diet.
His pediatrician has said to introduce solids one at a time for about a week to rule out any allergic reactions etc. So he hasn't had tons of different types of food yet.
So my question to you (if you don't mind sharing) is when you first started G on solids/plant based diet did you only try her on one food at a time? What kind of foods did you start her on first? Any rules on when to wait to introduce quinoa, beans, nut butters, etc? I know you talked about protein but what about iron do you have any helpful cheatsheets to show exactly how much she is suppose to get in a day? Helpful cheatsheets of groccery lists or foods to avoid? Or do you know where to direct me to find helpful information like that?
I am super grateful for all the links you posted at the bottom of this post. I am going to jump right in those today and my husband and I are wanting to do the vegan challenge as well!
Thank you so much for your time and being willing to share your experience to encourage others. There is SO much information on the internet that I find myself getting so overwhelmed when trying to research the healthiest approach for my son. So I very much appericate your detailed blogs and your honesty.
Thanks again!
Ashley
livingincolorblog says
Hey Ashley! Send me an email 🙂 Livingincolorstyle@gmail.com – I'll answer your questions in there! <3 thank you so much for reading!