As part of the real vegan momma series, I’d like to introduce Mischelle, a Master Herbalist in training, vegan of nearly 3 years, and mother of two girls (who are also vegan). She is also a member of the Wellness Forum.
WHY’D YOU CHANGE? I initially started changing my eating habits because of some minor medical conditions that I just felt I could heal by myself. I started researching health and wellness and found a definite connection with diet there. The more I read the more I found a plant based diet made the most sense and as I began to transition to that lifestyle my body began to heal itself. After only 6 months on a plant based diet I was completely off all medication and feeling better then ever!
MAKING THE TRANSITION Transitioning for me was done at a slow pace. I first cut out refined sugar, which was a hard step because I was addicted to soda. Once I was comfortable with that (about 3 months) I cut out dairy, and lastly cut out meat.
MEAT AND DAIRY Meat and dairy were pretty easy to give up, which was surprising, considering that is what I had been raised eating, but by that time I had found a whole new world of plant based meals and was very excited about how great everything tasted. I also felt so good after eating which was a new feeling to me.
FAVORITE FOODS My all time favorite meal is definitely a big “Bajio” type salad. Romaine lettuce, caramelized (using agave nectar) onions and peppers, corn, beans, salsa, a little fresh guacamole. YUM! I could eat that every night for dinner!
A close second is spaghetti made with the brown rice noodles (Tinkyada brand) and home-made red sauce with plenty of veggies -zucchini, peppers, olives, onions, green beans, mushrooms. Whatever I have on hand goes in the sauce and I love it seasoned with plenty of fresh basil and garlic!
Another favorite is a good soup with homemade spelt bread and a big green salad. As for snacks I really love popcorn with nutritional yeast and sea salt on it. It’s so good, the nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy flavor. This same combination is also really good on raw cauliflower.
SWEET TREATS If I need something sweet and chocolatey I make a chocolate banana green drink. Sounds weird, but I promise it’s really good. Throw spinach, bananas, few scoops of cocoa powder, handful of almonds, and a little vanilla in your blender add a little nut milk of your choice and you’ve got yourself a delicious, nutritious smoothie. Perfect for the occasional/not-so-occasional chocolate craving.
FAMILY SUPPORT My spouse tries to be supportive. He understands my changing and he has definitely noticed what it has done for me, he just isn’t ready to join me.
Extended family, well…. some are supportive and some aren’t. Initially it caused a lot of strong feelings/emotions to arise but once everyone got what they needed to say out we have been able to agree to disagree. And in some cases, with time, some have even changed their eating as well.
BEST THING ABOUT
PRACTICING DIETARY EXCELLENCE The best aspect of this way of eating is feeling good and not having to diet. I don’t have to carefully watch what I eat. I can eat as much or as little as I need at meals and my weight easily maintains itself. I also feel so much more in tune with my body. I no longer have crazy cravings/addictions that get in the way of my body communicating to me what it actually needs.
BEING A MEMBER I joined the Wellness Forum because with a complete lifestyle change like this, that also happens to be very different from most of the world’s standards, you have to keep learning and relearning what made you change in the first place or you can slip back into old habits. I like that the Wellness Forum gives you plenty of opportunities to learn and to mingle with others who are on the same path.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS The best advice I have for anyone wanting to change is to do it!
Give yourself time, take small steps, and don’t beat yourself up over slip ups. It’s hard work, so focus on the overall and don’t get hung up on every little thing you eat.
As long as you are constantly trying to improve you will get there eventually.
Thank you Mischelle for sharing with us a little bit about your personal journey!
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