Happy World Vegan Month!
This past Sunday, November 1st, was World Vegan Day and during the month of November we observe World Vegan Month.
We celebrate during this time to commemorate the founding of the Vegan Society in 1944 – the oldest organization dedicated to everything vegan.
The was 76 years ago! And to think how much has changed in reference to veganism over those many years. You might remember the “old” days of veganism when all that people thought about was how many ways can a person eat tofu; or you had to search out the once difficult-to-find health food store for anything that resembled a vegan ingredient; and things like “Beyond Beef” were way beyond anyone’s imagination.
But now, it’s getting easier and easier to find meat alternatives and other vegan options in grocery stores and at restaurants, and vegan blogs and cookbooks are becoming more mainstream. There’s always room for improvement, but for those who have chosen to transition to a vegan lifestyle and for those who already have, it’s a time to kick up our heels as more and more opportunities are presenting themselves.
But one thing we must keep in mind is that as we celebrate Vegan Month, we also have to practice kindness and appreciation.
There may be times when you fall off the vegan wagon and you have to know that that is okay. You need to be kind to yourself, wipe away your guilt and foster patience – you are not a bad person because this happens – you are human!
And some people may be just dipping their toe in the vegan pool or you may be plant-based, flexitarian or vegetarian. We have to acknowledge that any change toward eating and living a vegan life is a positive action. It might mean that a person decides to have a plant-based meal once or twice a week, or they might eliminate a specific food like meat or dairy or fish from their diet, or they might decide to never buy leather products – all these are wonderful moves toward making a healthier, more humane society that also has an impact on our environment.
Condemning or ridiculing people does not build trust or confidence in their choices, but acceptance for a job well done and offering a hand along the way will develop stronger bonds and initiate further positive decisions.
On many occasions I have heard people say they would like to be a vegan, but it’s too hard to maintain, it’s too strict and I get that. When I became a vegan, I wasn’t sure I could sustain it. I had spent a lifetime enjoying meat, cheese, and especially seafood. I also enjoyed my leather shoes and bags.
It’s not an easy lifestyle at first, but I believe that is the case with any major change a person makes in their life. It’s never easy at first, because it involves change and as humans we tend to shy away from change and upsetting the status quo. Change takes time and commitment. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing – certainly not at first. You have to travel the pathway that suits you best to find your way to a lifestyle you can maintain.
I have included here an infographic that I hope will give you something to think about when looking at transitioning to veganism or perhaps a plant-based or vegetarian or flexitarian diet. It’s entitled, “The 5 Secrets to Becoming a Vegan Champion”. If you would like to learn more and/or delve deeper into these 5 secrets, please do not hesitate to contact me at my email address veganvagabonds@rogers.ca.
As I reflect on November as Vegan Month, I just want to thank people for all their efforts to make this world a healthier, more humane place to live!
Just sayin’ is all!
Lou-Anne Hooper
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For more information on my online course for new and/or struggling vegans entitled, “The Vegan Journey: A Beginner’s Pathway (tips/tools/support)”, please go to the menu item Vegan Support Pathway.
