14 Tips to help you #GoVegan!

So you want to go Vegan, good.
I thank you on behalf of every animal you will save.

But, how do you start, how do you stay? Well these 14 tips may be able to help you along your path. It's a great path, I can attest to that. You'll notice that every day you'll feel a little better, and as time goes on it's just so easy you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

And the clarity of conscience and the conviction that comes with the courage to perceiver is quite empowering. With every bite you realize just how much you were missing by not having a plant based diet before. Well, here you go.

1. Have a reason you want to be Vegan. You can do it for yourself, for the animals or for the environment. Any way it is good for you, for the animals and for the environment. 
2. Start with an open mind. By eliminating the preconceived notion that Vegan food has no flavor or everything has Tofu and constantly telling yourself that you hate Tofu will help you with your transition. 
3. There are a lot more alternatives to Tofu too. Explore your grocery store.
4. Expand your pallet. Experiment and try something new every week. Cook at home and give yourself a little extra time to prepare the meals especially in the beginning. Explore your kitchen.
5. Educate yourself on the Vegan lifestyle, this website's a good source!
6. Avoid convenience foods.
7. Eat your veggies.
8. Walk through the produce section slowly explore new items and discover recipes online that can be made with them.
9. Get rid of junk food, read labels reduce boxed and processed foods from your home and from your life. Fill your cupboard and fridge with healthy vegan alternatives.
10. Discover what is in it. Read the labels and remove anything with meat or meat byproducts. Educate yourself on what foods contain them and stop buying items that do.
11. Realize that Veganism is NOT a diet. It is a way of life. It goes beyond what you put in your body to what you put on it and how you interact with society. Veganism includes not buying any animal products or patronizing establishments who support animal products. While this is a difficult area realize that the grocery store is not going to stop selling meat because you aren’t buying it. Just avoid products that have animal origins.
12. Stay Strong. Don’t be embarrassed and stand in your truth. If you are ‘going vegan’ be assured of your convictions. When someone attempts to belittle you about your life style change, you have only 3 options... you can accept their argument and change your way, you can work to change their opinion or you can walk away from the conversation. Don’t be afraid to take option 2 and attempt to educate them in counterpoint.
13. Take it with you. If you are going somewhere, pack your own food. Going to work and your friends are going to a local choke and puke, opt out. Stay at your desk and eat your wonderfully compassion filled nutrition bomb of a lunch. Or suggest a place with vegan options.
14. You’ll get there; persevere. Don’t sweat it if you fall off the wagon at first. Pick yourself up and try again with even more conviction.