If you want to go vegan (or try a Meatless month), you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re looking for some bomb vegan cheese recommendations and something to help your chicken wing cravings, you’ve also come to the right place.
This is a nonjudgmental space for those curious about going vegan.
First off, I am so proud of you.
Whether you want to transition to being vegan, curious about doing a Veganuary (or Meatless May/March), or maybe incorporate a meatless Monday into your routine, you’re awesome. *heart hands*
Before we dive in, know that I am not perfect. Perfection was and never will be my goal. Veganism is about compassion, not about competition or perfection, or being better than anyone else. We are all on unique, individual journeys.
I try my best and to me, that’s what’s important. I challenge you to do the same.
What Does “Vegan” Mean?
Vegan is “a way of living which seeks to exclude as far as is possible all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”
Veganism is not just a diet, it’s a lifestyle. Vegans eat a plant-based diet which avoids all animal products (meat, fish, insects, dairy, eggs, and honey.) They also avoid animal by-products (leather for example), products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment. (source)
Some vegans eat honey, others don’t. Some vegans buy thrifted leather, others don’t. Some vegans dip their bodies in cow blood and protest in big crowds, others don’t. We are not all the same. You create your own vegan lifestyle. Do NOT listen to any one that says,”you are not vegan if you…”
All of this might be overwhelming.
Do not feel pressured to throw away all your leather, chuck your animal-tested cosmetics, or protest animal rights on a street corner. Use this month to become more aware. Check to see if the brands you buy are tested on animals or are certified vegan.
Again, it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
Step 1: Why go vegan?
Initially, I wanted to be vegan for health reasons. I have a sensitive digestive system. Animal products (especially dairy) made me feel like shit.
Whether you want to go vegan for your health, the environment, animal welfare, GOOD FOR YOU! Don’t let anyone try to tell you one reason is better than another.
Be clear on your why. Read about the side effects of animal products on your body and the environment. Watch documentaries that show how animals are treated in factory farms.
The Happy Vegan by Russel Simmons pushed me to attempt a Meatless March. Russel is not shy when describing animal abuse and factory farming. I was mortified. Things finally clicked for me. After my meatless March, I went back to meat. Then I tried it again and committed to a meatless May. Four years later, I’m still vegan.
Vegan Documentaries:
- Earthling (warning: graphic AF)
- The Game Changers
- What The Health
- Forks Over Knives (Netflix)
- Food, Inc.
- Hungry for Change (Netflix)
- Fed Up
- Cowspiracy
- Plant Pure Nation
*Click the link to watch for free on YouTube*
Step 2: What are the best vegan replacements?
If you’re just starting out, I recommend trying to find delicious replacements for all your favorite foods. Obsessed with BBQ pulled pork? Find a pulled jackfruit recipe. Don’t think you can give up your morning yogurt? Find a vegan yogurt that you like. Veganism is not about limiting yourself. You should not feel deprived or miserable. It just takes a little effort to find the right replacements for your taste buds. Keep in mind, your taste buds will change along the way and you’ll end up eating things you never thought you would.
Now, are processed vegan replacements healthy for you and good to eat in excess? I wouldn’t say that. Some are better than others. But, let’s be real. It’s damn near impossible to go from McDonald cheeseburgers to kale salads. If you’re going to make long-term changes, you have be happy and really enjoy what you eat.
Below is a list of everything that has helped me along the way:
Vegan Yogurt
Best vegan yogurt replacement: Silk Dairy-Free Vanilla
I’d like to forewarn you. A lot of vegan yogurt alternatives are disgusting. It took me awhile to find “the one.” I don’t like cashew or coconut based yogurt. I’ve really tried to like them to diversify my diet and not eat so many soy products, but silk has continued to be my favorite.
I like to add granola and fresh fruit to the vanilla flavored silk yogurt. (It’s my preferred flavor.)
Vegan Milk
best vegan milk replacement: almond milk, oat milk, rice milk
Milk is an easy one. Stop drinking dairy milk. Your body does not need it. If I can recommend ONE (easy) dietary change, it’s to switch to non-dairy milk. (click here for additional information)
I’ve rarely met a milk alternative that I haven’t liked. To be fair, I grew up drinking vanilla rice milk, so I love all vegan milks. I don’t discriminate. I’d say my least favorite is soy milk. It has a stronger flavor. I recommend starting out with almond milk and going from there.
Note: It’s also pretty easy to make your own plant-based milk.
Vegan Cheese
Best vegan cheese replacement: Chao, Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella, Daiya Shredded Cheddar, Violife and Nutritional Yeast
Cheese is another tough one. I’ve tried just about every cheese alternative and I’ll be honest, it’s hard to find a good one. Also, there are different vegan cheeses for different occasions. They are not all created equally. I like Chao for cheese and crackers. I like Trader Joe’s vegan mozzarella and Daiya shredded cheddar for homemade pizzas. I like nutritional yeast for pasta.
Bonus: My best friend who hates vegan cheese will only eat Violife.
My favorite cheeses overall have been homemade cashew based cheese. If you like to cook, I recommend making your own cheese.
Vegan Cream Cheese
Best Vegan Cream Cheese Replacement: Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (I also like Trader Joe’s brand cream cheese)
I know what you’re thinking. Shouldn’t cream cheese go in the cheese category? Cream cheese is so special, I gave it its own category. I love cream cheese and bagels. For awhile, I gave up cream cheese all together. BUT THEN, I found an awesome replacement. And Courtney lives happily ever after.
Vegan Butter
Best vegan butter replacement: Earth Balance
I recommend buying organic non-GMO vegan butter versus margarine (which is an accidental vegan item.) Some vegan butters can be hard to spread, so if you can find a whipped version, buy that one!
Vegan Eggs
Best vegan egg replacement: tofu scramble
There are vegan eggs. I’ve heard they don’t taste great and they are rather expensive. (I’ve never tried them.)
In my early 20s, I ate eggs for breakfast every morning. I was a fried egg on some avocado toast or scrambled eggs with veggies type of girl. Once I stopped eating eggs, they don’t taste the same and I don’t crave them anymore.
Tofu scramble is now my go-to. I cook vegetables (onions, peppers, or whatever is in my fridge) in a skillet. Next, I add firm tofu and break it up in the pan. Then, I add nutritional yeast and spices.
If you’ve NEVER cooked with tofu, I recommend reading this before experimenting.
Vegan Mayo
Best vegan mayo replacement: Hellmann’s vegan mayo
My choice for vegan mayo is the most similar tasting option, but not the healthiest. If you go to Whole Foods, there are many vegan mayo options that are organic/”healthier.”
Tip: add hot sauce to make spicy mayo, add to sandwiches/burgers/sushi/EVERYTHING.
Vegan Ranch
Best vegan ranch replacement: Just Ranch
Just Ranch tastes EXACTLY like Hidden Valley Ranch. Their chipotle mayo and garlic mayo are amazing as well.
Homemade ranch is easy to make, delicious, and a lot cheaper.
Vegan Burgers
Best Vegan Burgers: Beyond meat
Beyond meat is the most “realistic” store-bought burger. I love cooking them at home and adding vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and pickles on a sesame bun.
In the US, Beyond meat and Impossible meat burgers are sold at SO MANY restaurants nowadays. Most burger restaurants offer a (delicious) vegan option. Impossible meat even bleeds. It’s the real deal.
Vegan Hot Dogs
Vegan replacement: Lightlife Smart Dogs
These hot dogs are amazing. With onions, ketchup and mayo, I can’t taste a difference. Aldi brand hot dogs are fire as well.
Vegan Deli Meat
Vegan replacement: Tofurky Turkey slices
Oh my vegan god, I love Tofurky. Tofurky has a lot of great vegan products and their turkey slices are one of my favorites. It’s my go-to for a quick and easy lunch.
Vegan Bacon
Best vegan bacon: Upton Bacon Seitan
I swear Americans have this reflex that every time the word “vegan” is said, they must respond with “BUT BACON!!!” I’m too far in the vegan hole, I can’t relate anymore. (lol)
Seitan is a popular meat substitute made from wheat gluten. It tastes amazing, but when I eat it in excess, it doesn’t make me feel great. Upton bacon is a nice treat. I like to add it to my veggie burgers. I prefer it with things versus by itself.
Vegan Chorizo
Best vegan chorizo: Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo
Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo is one of my best friends. I put it on everything; tacos, pizza, pasta, and in my tofu scrambles. It’s amazing. Buy it. Thank me later.
Vegan Chicken
Best vegan chicken: Aldi Chickenless Patties
If you want vegan fried chicken, I’d recommend going to a vegan restaurant. If you want a chicken sandwich at home, Aldi’s chickenless patties are divine. For something different, I add them to pasta or cut them up and eat them like chicken fingers.
Aldi is a great place for vegans on a budget. They have vegan cheese, almond milk, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chicken patties– the list goes on. You get the point. They got everything.
Vegan Ground Beef
Best vegan beef: Gardein Beefless Ground
Gardein is another household vegan brand. They have a bunch of great vegan products. Their chicken patties are delicious as well.
I like to add their beefless ground in tofu scrambles and pasta.
Vegan Pulled Pork
Best vegan pulled pork replacement: Canned Jack Fruit
Jackfruit mimics the consistency of pulled pork and takes flavor nicely. You can buy fresh jackfruit, but it’s quite the chore to cook. I recommend buying canned jack fruit!
Click here for a great BBQ jackfruit recipe.
Update: I made pulled pork with mushrooms and it was EVEN BETTER! Here’s the recipe I loosely used: Vegan Pulled “Pork” Mushroom Sandwiches.
Vegan Ice-Cream
Best vegan ice cream: Ben and Jerry’s Dairy-Free Ice-cream
Ice cream is a staple in the American diet and not something you should have to give up if you ditch dairy. Ben Jerry’s has THE BEST non-dairy ice cream. It’s a bit pricey, but trust me, it’s worth every penny.
Vegan Protein Bars
Vegan protein bar replacement: Vega Protein Bars
These are hands down my favorite vegan protein bars. They taste like candy and the ingredients are great.
Vegan Protein Powder
Best vegan protein: Orgain Organic Plant Protein
I currently supplement with Orgain brand. I like the taste and consistency.
It can be difficult to find a vegan protein powder that is high protein and delicious. Sometimes it is too powdery and thick. There are some gross ones out there. I’ve tried tons of vegan protein powder and Orgain protein powder is my favorite.
Step 3: Where can I find the best vegan recipes?
I find most of my vegan recipes on Pinterest. To follow my Vegan Recipe Pinterest board, click here.
I prefer simple cooking like pasta, chili, tacos, tofu scramble, etc. On occasion, I cook vegan pulled pork, black bean burgers, or a nice quinoa salad. There are tons of wonderful vegan recipe bloggers, I’m not one of them. (lol) Here are a few vegan bloggers I love:
There are hundreds of vegan recipe bloggers. Find one that fits your lifestyle and taste buds.
Good vegan cookbook? Thug Kitchen. Thug Kitchen a great vegan cookbook for beginners.
Best Vegan Tips
- Join Vegan Facebook Groups (in your city)
- Go to vegan restaurants in your city, fall in love with flavors and find your favorite dishes (click here for my vegan city guides)
- Watch vegan documentaries (listed above)
- Shop for success, meal prep, and plan ahead so you always have options
Here’s a sample vegan grocery list:
Click here for the printable version.
I recommend meal-prepping on Sundays. Cook your rice, chop onions, etc. Make your week as easy as possible for yourself. Also, store some quick meals like veggie burgers or a frozen Amy’s burritos as a back-up.
Cheers to a Successful Vegan Journey!
Again, I am SO FRICKIN’ proud of you. I’m proud of you for having this goal. People (including family + friends) might roll their eyes. It might be (VERY!!!) frustrating at times. You may feel isolated. You may get emotional. Even after 3 years, I STILL get frustrated sometimes. You might not feel your “little” changes make a difference, but they can and they do.
By going vegan for 30 days, you can save 30 animal lives, 620 pounds of harmful carbon emissions, 913 square feet of forest, and 33,481 gallons of water. (source)
Your small changes are important and honorable. The key is to keep trying until you find things that you love to eat. Going vegan (or eating less animal products) isn’t about restriction or misery. It’s about taking a stand for animal welfare, the environment, and for your body while living and enjoying your life. Cheers to saving the world one veggie burger at a time!!!!
What are some of your favorite vegan replacements? What helped you go vegan? Any tips I forgot? Want to say hello? Comment below! xoxo
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