The top 5 resources to help you go vegan

If you’ve visited your gym this month, you undoubtedly know that health-related New Year’s resolutions are in full effect.  And while resolutions to exercise more are worthwhile, that’s only half the equation when it comes to becoming healthy, getting fit and staying in shape.  You also need to focus equally on what goes into your body.  Every day, people are making the choice to go vegan for their health, and they are discovering the myriad benefits not only to themselves, but to the animals and environment as well.  So if you want to give veganism a try, here are the top five resources that will help you get started (and they’re all free!).

21-Day Vegan Kickstart: The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, a very reputable resource-based organization, has developed a 21-day plan to help with the transition to veganism.  They offer a detailed, day-by-day meal plan, a daily message, nutrition webcasts, tips from celebrities, a community forum, and other useful supports to help you in your transition.

VegWeb: This website has recipes for every possible food you can imagine and many for those you can’t.  There are over 15,000 recipes that you can search by category, and each one has ratings from people who’ve made the dish and feedback.  If you think vegans eat only salad, some time browsing on this site will immediately change your mind.

VegNews: This is the top magazine for the vegan community.  It  has its own vegan starter kit, and it also provides the latest news in vegan products and issues from travel to recipes and everything in between.  It also has a robust website.  The next issue will be focused on vegan men, so stay tuned!

Forks Over Knives and Vegucated: If you love film (and even if you don’t), both of these documentaries set out a very compelling foundation for the reasons behind a plant-based diet.  Forks Over Knives is completely based around the nutritional aspects of veganism as told by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., two of the foremost experts on the subject.  Vegucated follows three New Yorkers who answered an ad to try veganism for six weeks and documents their experiences. 

Happycow.net: You probably won’t want to make all of your meals, and happycow.net can find vegan or veg-friendly restaurants near you.  They have a global directory of restaurants and health-food stores with information on the types of food you’ll find, directions, hours, and more.  You may discover vegan or veg-friendly resources near you that you never considered.

As you discover more about veganism, you’ll find your favorite resources.  You’ll soon see and feel the benefits and maybe even inspire your friends and family to become vegan too.  And who could ask for a better start to the new year?  

Re-imagined resolutions

When I was 15 minutes early to my exercise class today and there was barely any room for me to set up my weights on the floor, I remembered that it is, indeed, the beginning of January.  It's a time when everyone has shiny, new resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight.  While I applaud the new commitment to health, I have to ask what makes it different from last year?  Will they still be here in February?  History has shown time and again that most new year's resolutions don't stick.  When the going gets tough (and it always does), most of us find excuses and bail.  

Not you?  Well, I like your passion, but it's going to take more than that to stick to it.  Habits are incredibly hard to change.  If your resolutions are similar to mine, you're going to need a little help.  One of the first things you'll need to do is share them.  So to get you started, I'll share mine.  Okay, deep breath, here goes.

I resolve to lose 10 pesky pounds by becoming a healthy vegan, not a junk food one. Have you seen all the delicious, packaged (and processed) vegan food that's sprung up in Whole Foods?  And what about all those cookbooks with cupcakes, brownies, and every other mouth-watering dream?  I have convinced myself that, as long as I'm vegan, I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and however much I want.  Well, I'm here to tell you that because this has been my attitude, I've actually gained weight, not lost it.  I will use the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), and I will either write down or photograph everything I eat.  I will also sign up for the 60-day weight loss challenge at my gym with a friend at work (that's another secret to success - make sure you have moral support!).  I will resolve to exercise (vigorously!) at least 3 days/week and more where possible, and I will limit my breakfast burrito fetish to one day/week.

Okay, now I want to hear yours.  See you at the gym!      

2012: Year of Armageddon or Redemption?

Welcome to 2012!  If you listen to the political and economic pundits, it's not a year to be excited about.  The economy remains in the crapper, the coverage of possible Republican nominees is a circus, and the Mayans have even weighed in to say that this year is the end of the world as we know it (EOTWAWKI).  But amid all this gloom and doom, I find a reason to be hopeful.


More people are becoming vegan than ever before!  I've even heard the (admittedly unsubstantiated) statistic that the vegan population doubled in 2011.  Rarely is there an issue that has three easy entry points: animal welfare, environment, and health.  If you care about any of these issues, then veganism is for you!  We are quickly becoming mainstream.  I know there are vegans who don't believe someone can be considered vegan if their main motive isn't to alleviate animal suffering.  But I say, I don't care WHY you stop eating animal products as long as you do it.  Come on in, the water's fine!


If you are one of those considering a change in the vegan direction, or want to support someone who is, consider the 21-day vegan kickstart, offered by the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).  All you need to do is to sign up (it's free) and you'll get a 21-day meal plan and all kinds of tips, cooking instructions and moral support.  I would also recommend watching the documentary, Vegucated, which you can rent for $3.99 on iTunes.  It's about 3 random New Yorkers who agree to try veganism for 6 weeks, and it's non-preachy, educational and humorous.  It's a great foundation to kickstart your lifestyle.


So I am of the opinion that 2012 is not about the EOTWAWKI but about redemption - more people choosing to live their lives compassionately.  My hope for the future is in each one of you.  And I wish you all a year of hope and delicious vegan food!