Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Since choosing vegan nearly 2 years ago now, I’ve met lots of people along the way who have been vegan for more than 20 or 25 years.  I truly marvel at their resolve and appreciate that they paved the way for many of us who are choosing vegan now.  I can only imagine that 20 years ago, people must have thought they were strange or fringe or social outcasts as so little was known about the health benefits of eating plant-based compared with now.

Today vegan food alternatives are readily available on mainstream grocery store shelves and their flavors/textures/prices are much more palatable than ever.  Plus, many vegan pantry staples are right there too, liquid aminos, nutritional yeast and so many ingredients that used to be relegated only to health food stores.

Along with the plant-based logic and popularity expanding so rapidly, there is also a heightened awareness about the virtues of eating organic and seeking non-GMO products.  I think this is such an exciting time to be vegan and to be aware of our food sources.  Having chosen this lifestyle for myself as an adult,  I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have grown up vegan, to have had exposure to this luscious way of living as a child.   There are now a growing number of children in this category and I wonder how much their parents are supported or chastised for raising their children vegan.

As an adult, I sometimes have to defend my personal choice and continue to field questions about sources of protein and calcium and the like.  Add the responsibility of children into the equation and I can only imagine how much that must be magnified on a regular basis.

For those of you with children or friends with children who may be in these shoes, I found this link to an ABC news report from a station in Chicago that aired this past Monday.  Click here to view Growing up Vegan.

I’m delighted that they did this segment, helping to raise a voice for parents that are engaging their whole family in begin vegan.   Bottom line, dietitians and physicians recommend a balanced plant-based diet to help ensure proper nutrition for the young ones.  Nothing we don’t already know, but a credible source to help support the message.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: 30 day challenge, compassionate eating, plant based diet, trying vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe