Originally published on Medium.com 25 May 2018
Having been vegan for almost two years now, two years of not eating meat and dairy, I know shocking… has made me understand how difficult being vegan can be. You see, it’s still a struggle for me to not being able to eat everywhere or having to constantly check the ingredients list of every food, but my understanding of veganism isn’t just about food. It transcends further to moral and ethical justifications of not using any animal products whatsoever. It equates to a cruelty free life. So just how difficult is it to be vegan in the twenty first century fast-paced world? In this article I will try to give some pointers on how to easily follow a vegan lifestyle through some tips I’ve found useful from my time as a vegan.
Before we start, the answer to the titled question depends somewhat on perspective, albeit not entirely. Some vegan food items such as fake meats and some alternative dairy products may be expensive or inaccessible to people in various parts of the world, so therefore I will exclude these items as vegan “essentials”. Considering all of this, while having a heart filled with acceptance and an open mind, let us dive straight in!
Ditching the meats and dairy!
The first step to becoming a vegan is to create the connection between what you put in your body and the evident harm it causes to the animals, to the environment and ultimately to your own self. Being aware that the animals we consume are sentient beings whose lives are valuable and are unfortunate enough to be neglected and abused, creates a sense of moral objectivism. Even if one partakes in the process of consuming animals, it is still bad nonetheless. Transitioning into veganism means to remove all these food items, whether they are animal flesh or their products (honey is included as well!) off our plates. Although this transition is hard, especially when you have to give up on your beloved cheese, it can still be done. Here are a few tips you can follow to keep your tummy satisfied and cruelty free:
- Look up easy vegan recipes:
Being vegan has opened my eyes to the myriad of recipes and food items I never knew existed when I ate meat. There are many easy to make recipes out there that are cruelty free and very enjoyable to make and eat! What’s nice about being vegan is how colorful the food I eat looks. I derive joy from the aesthetic of my meals. The vibrant colors of the veggies and the sides that really make my plate look like a garden. Here is a link for some easy vegan recipes you can make at home without having to spend exorbitant amounts of money while still being satisfied and healthy. Don’t limit yourselves to just these recipes, be creative! You can “veganize” recipes that you already eat, just without the meat or dairy, or you could use vegan alternatives to keep the authenticity of the recipe with a slight vegan twist.
2. Ethical understanding
A really hard task for new vegans or people that are considering veganism is the undoubtedly limited choices of eating out. The lack of vegan tolerance in some areas of the world can make satisfying vegan meals hard to come by. A solution to this would be to pack homemade vegan meals if you’re traveling, hiking or just going out to places that don’t serve vegan options. If these options aren’t feasible or viable, try getting whatever is on the menu that is considered VEGAN, i.e. salads, sides… I’ve come to the realization that waiting a few hours with an empty stomach is nothing compared to the lifetime of suffering and pain the animals experience. Some people may relapse to eating dairy or even meat, but my objection to this would be to understand that your 15 minutes of pleasure is not sufficient enough to justify the senseless murder of animals. For some people, the vegan transition conflicts with traditions and customs. Many cultures have meals whose staple items are meat and dairy. What I would suggest in this case is to maintain the spirit of the culture by “veganizing” the meals as to not be left out from the festivities whilst keeping your vegan lifestyle in check.
Cruelty free only!
Being vegan isn’t limited to your food choices only, it also encompasses animal products such as leather, wool and even goes as far as to avoiding products that test on animals like perfumes, makeup, skincare products and toiletries. Becoming vegan has made me realize that our everyday clothes and accessories underlie animal cruelty. A struggle I thought I had to deal with when I turned vegan was to limit my clothing options to be cruelty free. This meant that if I wanted to buy a perfume or toothpaste, I had to make sure that they weren’t tested on animals. However, that wasn’t the case at all! It turns out that the cruelty free industry is thriving and diligently working to mitigate animal testing. Animal testing is awful and very discrete. I was shocked to realize that even household products and pesticides were tested on animals! Thankfully for us vegans, the diversity of cruelty free options exist so that we can comfortably choose the styles and choices that complement our lifestyles. Whether it is faux fur, fake leather, cruelty free perfumes and medicines, they all exists!
If fashion is your thing and you want to stay well-dressed as a vegan, you’ll be surprised to know that there are many name brands, as well as vegan brands, that have a multitude of vegan options. Being vegan doesn’t limit you to boring fashion, a quick search for vegan brands can easily alleviate any stress of not dressing the part. You’ll be able to keep your sense of style, cruelty free. Moreover, being vegan will not stop you from smelling nice either. There are many vegan perfume options at any price points that you can easily choose from. In addition to all of this, maintaining your hygiene and well-being as a vegan isn’t difficult at all! There are many brands that are cruelty free whose aim is to keep your contentment and health in check without having to harm any animals!
Final thoughts
Although all of this information can seem overwhelming, the best advice that I can give to new vegans or people considering veganism is time and research. The transition is hard indeed; having to quit your favorite foods and stop using certain clothes and products cannot be done overnight. It’s fine to mess up. As long as you’re diligently trying to impact your life, you’ll realize the benefits of becoming vegan are numerous. Your health will improve, your contribution to the environment will increase and your overall involvement in animal rights, environmental rights and even human rights will be apparent. You will get used to not having to wear leather, or having to ask the waiter for the vegan menu at most restaurants you go to. However, being vegan will not be a label, but a lifestyle. If you’re trying to transition and still have products such as perfumes and makeup that are not cruelty free, use them and then buy cruelty free products. If you have leather and fur items, sell them to someone and then donate the money to your local shelter or animal sanctuaries. It is never too late to commit to this lifestyle of peace, compassion and understanding.