It's easier than you think!
By Jordan Ayres
GOING VEGAN
Going vegan may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually quite easy to get the hang of! If you're switching from a diet that includes meat, dairy, and eggs- there's a bit of a learning curve that can make the change seem difficult.
Most people are unsure of what to eat, where to find it and how to tell your friends and family that you won't be eating their appetizers. Every year, there are new vegan substitutes that are becoming more realistic and more inexpensive and widely available.
Well, we want to help you! On this page, we have gathered different sources we found to be helpful during the transition to veganism.
MOVIES:
There are lots of good movies and documentaries regarding veganism. Many of them can be found on both Netflix and YouTube! However. if you cannot find the full movies there, you can always go to the movie's website as well where they often offer it for free or inexpensive rates.
Here is a list of some of our favorites!
What The Health
Cowspiracy
Earthlings
Forks Over Knives
Vegucated
Live and Let Live
Speciesism: The Movie
Food Matters
Meet Your Meat
Unity
Plant Pure Nation
WEBSITES:
The world wide web makes it beyond easy to go vegan these days. Every answer you seek is just a few clicks away, and is accessible from almost anywhere, almost anytime! Here, we have compiled a list of our favorite resources for new vegans. We hope that they are helpful to you!
Challenge22.com - Challenge yourself for 22 days to follow a plant-based diet with personal guidance from mentors and clinical dietitians!
Cowspiracy.org/facts - Brush up on the facts about how an omnivorous diet impacts the planet!
Vegan.com - A huge database filled with guides, recipes, and news!
VeganKit.com - A website dedicated to showing you the ropes when it comes to wearing, eating and cleaning vegan!
Bosh.tv - A website perfect for easy to follow vegan recipes. Make cooking simple again!
VeganSociety.com - A hub for all things vegan. Recipes, fashion, news, challenges and more! All just a click away!
WhatTheHealthFilm.com/facts - A compilation of scientifically proven facts about the health benefits of veganism and why it is important to avoid animal products. All studies have been cited and are viewable.
VeganStreet.com/GuideForNewVegans.html - A perfect guide to going vegan that answers just about any question you may have!
BOOKS:
Millenial Vegan by Casey T. Taft, PhD - Perfect, short read for any young vegans! It teaches you how to navigate relationships, wellness, and everyday life as a young animal advocate.
Love for Animals, Large and Small by Ingrid Newkirk - a small book that gives you a glimpse into the world of animal abuse, and how a group of dedicated individuals can change the world for animals.
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer - A longer read, but it has rocked the world since its publication in 1975. It is the perfect introduction to the concept of speciesism and is a great tool for anyone willing to educate themselves.
Gristle by A Collection of Authors - Gristle is also a short book but is packed with information. It breaks down factory farming and food safety in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand.
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer - This book is part memoir and part investigative report that truly covers all things about why we eat animals.
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy, PhD - This book is an excellent introduction to carnism and everything that surrounds it. It speaks heavily about speciesism and explains the psychology behind our lifestyle habits.
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell - This book is reviewed as "The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications For Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health". It is a 20-year study conducted by the author himself along with his team, and it is truly revolutionary. If you are interested in the science behind nutrition, this is the book for you.