Finding Balance

I’m the only vegan in my family. Not just my nuclear family, but like my whole family. It’s not always easy and sometimes it’s easy to feel weird about it. Am I making dinners complicated at my moms? Should I just eat the pizza? The only vegan things at this restaurant are french fries and side salad. At least beer is vegan, right? 

Sigh.

It’s taken some thought, time, and patience, but at this point, 4 years later, there is a flow to things and I’m confident I’ll never go back. But did you know most vegans and vegetarians do? It can be hard out there.

If you’re going vegan, you can find free meal plans at every turn. That’s great! What’s not so great is you’re suddenly expected to go from eating “normal” to not just going vegan, but going “Whole Food Plant Based” overnight. It’s rough out there.

As if going vegan wasn’t a big enough change, now you’re expected to cook from scratch several times a day. And don’t you dare eat that Impossible Burger from Burger King! There may be traces of milk powder in the bun!! GASP!!! 

Seriously? Can’t I just have them hold the mayo?

Your best bet is to try your best and give yourself a break in the beginning. Sure, don’t give yourself a break with a chili dog, but if you slip up (like you know there’s 1/18th of an egg in grandma’s muffins), don’t freak out and just keep going.

In summary:

• Don’t be like those other vegans who give up because it’s too hard. Make it easy with vegan substitutes. 
• Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
• Give yourself a break when the only option is only 99% vegan.