Vegan Overwhelm!

As I've been immersing myself in books and blogs that espouse the Vegan lifestyle and all the benefits it offers to health, mind, our animal friends and the environment, I have to admit, I'm getting a little overwhelmed.

There's so much to learn! I'm realizing it's a major, MAJOR change -- not only in the food I eat but in lifestyle.

Not to say I didn't realize this from the get-go, but I think maybe I underestimated the amount of time it would take for me to absorb all this information and begin to implement it.

I want this change to be easy. I want it to be enjoyable. I want to feel prepared (meaning I want to be able to explain my reasons for making this change, feel the conviction of my decision, and be confident in how I'm doing it.)

I'm a planner. I like to have all my ducks in a row and know how I'm going to proceed with whatever it is I'm doing. Right now that means I want to have meal plans in place, grocery lists prepared, ECOPO (Emergency Change of Plan Options) at the ready.

Yes, I want to know that there will be carrot sticks and cucumber slices in the fridge just waiting to satisfy my between-meal hunger attack or the after-work-snack-time with my hubby.

In a way it sounds silly -- I should just jump in feet first and never look back. What's the worst that can happen? I miss a meal (or two) because the fridge is empty and I can't get to the store for lettuce? But you see, for me, that creates stress.

I don't need any more stress in my life.

I have read reports (several actually) of people who were handed a life-changing medical diagnosis who went Vegan the very minute the verdict was revealed. I have read about people who, upon learning the benefits of a Vegan lifestyle or having watched a film documentary about the factory farming of animals, have stopped eating meat and dairy immediately. No meal plans in place, no stack of how-to books on their nightstand giving them the step-by-step instructions that I feel are needed. They just did it.

But I guess, we all enter into new lifestyles in our own way. While I know I'll make mistakes along the way, I'd rather they be few. I know being faced with obstacles and dilemmas can squash me, deter me, crush my enthusiasm and ultimately defeat me. I prefer to be armed with facts and knowledge, strategies and game plans that will help me jump over the hurdles and stay strong in the face of temptation (or criticism.)

So I've decided to ease into veganism. Or "lean into it" as Kathy Freston, author of Veganist would say. One step at a time.

I've decided I'm going to start with breakfasts. Today my goal is to come up with five easy to prepare breakfasts that are healthy and vegan. The next step will be to see what ingredients I'll need and pick them up while I'm out today (which may or may not mean locating stores that sell the needed ingredients!) After that I'll figure out to to prepare the breakfasts ... and just go from there.

Once I get breakfast squared away, I'll tackle lunches.

One step at a time.

Fortunately, I walk quickly :)