Today's Veganuary email is, as the title suggests, about staying on track. 9 days into Veganuary, you might be wondering, what happens if I "slip up." What if I accidentally eat something with animals products in it? What if I intentionally eat animal products? Does it mean Veganury doesn't count or isn't meaningful or that you should give up? My response to this last question is no.
Veganuary is the perfect time and activity during which to practice, to learn, to make mistakes and assess how you can avoid those mistakes in the future. You're likely brand new to this, or at least a little new to it. Very rarely can we humans begin something and be perfect at it within 9 days.
Exceptions to this being Charlie Kelly and the keyboard, of course.
How do you keep going? How do you keep one "slip up" from defining your entire month?
Tackle your cravings!
Just about anything animal-based you're craving has a vegan version ready for you in the store or there's a recipe out there you can make at home. For me, when I first went vegetarian my only animal-flesh craving was tuna fish, not like a "fancy" steak of tuna, it was tuna from a can with mayo on white bread with chopped onions. At that time, there weren't great tuna substitutes (like there are now!) so I learned to make chickpea tuna salad. Smashing the chickpeas and tossing in a little bit of kelp or crushed nori and vegan mayo gave me exactly what I was looking for, without the mental turmoil of consuming actual tuna. And, just like every other animal product, as I moved deeper into my veg journey I stopped viewing those animal-based items as food. So, when I was craving "tuna" I was really craving the chickpea mash because that gave me the sensations and flavors I was looking for.
Side note : yes, I know that many people have opinions on the healthiness of processed or prepared foods whether vegan or not. The goal with Veganuary is to transition away from animals. If someone finds success in seeking out familiar flavors and textures, that's their journey and it's okay. They, like everyone else, can choose how often (or not) those foods stay in rotation long-term. So, like the kids say, don't at me about processed foods.
Re-assess who handles the cooking or how it is handled
For me, once I had gone vegetarian I wasn't ever touching the body of an animal to be prepared as food (I hadn't really done it before that either, as you'll remember from earlier blogs, I did not cook). I set firm and clear boundaries right away and have never had to fight to stay behind my line in the sand. However, not everyone is in that situation. If you're the only or main cook in the house, have a chat with your family about how they can help you. You can make the base of every meal vegan and a non-vegan family member can step in an add the animal products to their portion of the meal. When you're talking with your family, if you're met with resistance, remind them that this is your choice and your journey, you're not forcing them to do it too, but, you do now need some help or partnership in a new way. Coming from a place of love is a great place approach.
Reach out and find your people.
There's a whole new community out there just waiting for you to join them! Whether you find other vegans locally or online, having a connection to people who understand what you're doing and why you're doing it makes all of the difference. From recipe and product suggestions to ways to handle family or other social dynamics, there's a group out there ready to support you. All of us vegans were once new to it too, so you know someone has been in your shoes. Sometimes, that makes all the difference.
Remember why you started
Knowing you are showing up and living in alignment with your values, that you are taking a stand against cruelty is a solid motivator. Go back to your why as often as you need to. Re-watch a documentary (or check out a new one), visit a farmed animal sanctuary and learn the stories of the animals (or visit the website of one), talk with a trusted friend who supports you or a new vegan friend you've made this month, anything that reconnects you to the reason you started will help you stay on track.
Check out this podcast episode with my friend Laura who is the only vegan in her household. How are you staying on track? Do you have a process in place to turn to when things get tough or you need support? Tell me in the comments below.
I am looking for guests for Season 6 of the Did You Bring the Hummus Podcast! Podcast recordings will begin this month with a planned release beginning in March. If you're a vegan or know a vegan who would be a great fit for the podcast, fill out the Be A Guest Quiz here and I'll be in touch!
Need a little relaxation after the holidays? Join me Monday, January 13th at 8pm ET for my weekly meditation practice, Meditations for All. Sign up here: Meditations for All Can't make the next one? No problem, Meditations for All occur on alternating Mondays and Wednesdays at 8pm ET. Click the link above and check the calendar for a date that works for you. You can sign up for single sessions or one of my package options.
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I'm not Vegan but I enjoy your blogs and your creations. I know what your mean about trying to stay on track, that's me in life.
Grace is so important with any new practice!
That came up this morning on our virtual Reiki Share - a new mom, who's been with Reiki a number of years, said she had fallen off, and wants to reestablish her daily practice, and asked the leader for tips.
Bruce's first comment was acknowledgement of the challenge, and appreciation for her awareness!
I'm so grateful to live in an area where eating gluten Ø is acknowledged and mostly accepted! I still need to remember to 'ask' - and carry digestive enzymes, for times I'm in doubt!! It's easy to keep my own garden OG - and to shop for organics and regenerative.
Oh, this post is such a vibe! Staying on track is hard enough without life throwing curveballs, but your tips make it seem totally doable. I love the idea of giving yourself grace—so underrated and so needed. Thanks for keeping it real and relatable!