5 Things That Happen to you when you Become a Vegan.

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Here are the 5 things that happen to you when becoming a vegan. I hope you enjoy this blog in the lighthearted way it was intended.

Your eyes are opened

 

If you are vegan for the animals you've probably had the blinders removed in a rather unseasonable fashion. Perhaps, like me, you were watching a documentary for your health and stumbled upon atrocities you could no longer ignore.

Perhaps your story is closer to one of my friends, who was simply scrolling her social media feed and came across a video about pigs being sent to the slaughterhouse, it haunted her (the crying especially, she said) and she thought about it for two days straight....and became vegan. 

In the time I have been vegan I have made an effort to learn the facts, and even though I can't face watching documentaries such as Cowspiracy, Dominion and Earthlings....I know the facts and statistics behind them and understand the pain and suffering that is happening. I find it helps me to know a few statistics for the inevitable jibes, or if people are generally interested in Veganism.

It's hard to believe there was a time when I didn't realise what was happening, or perhaps I knew and buried my head in the sand, but I certainly didn't understand the depth it had gone....because as soon as I found out I stopped buying all meat, dairy and eggs. That day. And I haven't looked back. 

I go easy on people though...because the whole industry works on making people ignorant of what is happening, by showing them green beautiful fields full of cows that need milking. By placing huge (incompreshensably huge) factory farms full of pigs far, far out of sight. Even now they are trying to pass stricter laws....not to stop the pain and suffering of animals, but to make sure those brave activists can't capture it on film and show it to the consumers. And really...we should know where our food comes from.

Your story of how you became vegan might be a variation of these, or something completely different, but at some point you CHOSE to be vegan....and you know why you did this, which leads on to my second point....

**Incidently, I think hearing how people became vegan is one of the most interesting stories, so please do leave a comment of your personal story below.**

You realise you have power as a consumer

I never really thought I had any power over the companies/supermarkets etc, I didn't especially buy big brand names and figured they would get the meat/milk/cheese in anyway …but, oh how my view has changed.

I'm sure you have seen yourself how the 7%-10% of us are changing the brands and supermarket stock. They are listening to us, and if they don't listen, we make them! Supply and demand is, after all, good business practice and if we are demanding two vegan mayos- that's what we get (ideally we'd have more and I think the Hellman's launch will see the price decrease and other own brands pop up in due course)

In all seriousness, I have stopped buying all meat, dairy and eggs, and I actively purchase vegan alternative such as plant based milk and ice cream. I try to buy anything that says it is specifically vegan at least once to show my support (Hello, Vegan Cornetto's!) and I am really starting to realise the power we have, not just as a group, but as individuals too! And that is pretty empowering.

You start to look further than your food, to  hygiene products, clothes...even transport.

I have always tried to shop cruelty free (how ironic that a cruelty free product can contain animal product...surely that mere fact negates it!) but when I became vegan, I obviously had to reaccess my hygiene products, clothes, accessories- everything. I'm lucky in that I never wore fur or any large amounts of leather or wool. Everything went, except I do have a pair of Doc Marten Heel Boots (that I bought second hand) that are leather. Obviously, this isn't ideal for a vegan to walk around in leather- but- I marched into Doc Marten and bought the 'matching' vegan satchel bag and when they are worn out I will buy the vegan alternative. If people ask I explain they were bought before I became vegan and that there are cruelty free options available, I hope you'll agree that as long as I don't purchase new leather I am not contributing to the market and as a vegan I am actively boycotting animal products.

Thank goodness Converse are 'accidentally vegan' is all I can say!

I have easily managed to find vegan shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, deodorant (the one I used was already vegan and I didn't know- Soft and Gentle) and much more. Most of this research was already done by the wonderful Vegan Womble – more about them later.

One thing that has surprised me is that there is leather everywhere! I was contemplating buying a new bike and was looking at a Pendleton, when my partner pointed out that the seat and handlebars were leather! Something I hadn't even thought of! 

This rings true when buying a new car too. Veganism is a lifestyle and if I'm not willing to have animal product in my food, I shouldn't be willing to have my arse on it while I drive to work! 

There are, of course many alternatives and I have yet to find something that doesn't have a vegan alternative (albeit they are often far more expensive!) or of course, that I was willing to give up in the name of the cause.

Is there something in your life you haven't been able to find a vegan alternative to?

You talk about your diet a lot more and are more self aware

Yeah. This is an interesting one. I've never really been one to talk about my diet, but people are so damn interested as to where I get my protein! Or what supplements I take....or what I actually eat!! I have gotten more used to it now and I politely explain as best I can in as little words as possible that I get my protein from plants, that I don't need to take a supplement but I choose to take a Veg1 pill and that there are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 species of plants are edible by humans and that I am much happier with my variety of food.

I was so surprised by the amount of vegan options available, and with even more coming out weekly (Iceland, thirteen 100% plant based meal options!) it's easy to get a full freezer, and a full belly! I'm focusing more on a plant based diet now, as I feel it will help my health and the environment more and trying to have those special vegan biscuits or dairy free fudge on rare occasions. But, at the end of the day, I am no 'health freak' and I am vegan for the animals first. 

You make new friends....

I mentioned the Vegan Womble earlier, and I want to tell you about a fantastic place on the internet where everyone is friendly and help each other out, and if you have a question there are approx 7500 members to help you with your problem! This is the 'Vegan Womble Community Chatroom UK' on Facebook

If you are vegan or thinking of transitioning, I highly recommend joining and introducing yourself and your story, you'll be met by warm welcomes and hearty 'hello's. 

Thanks for reading, comment your story below! Check back every Friday for a new blog.