My 1 Year Veganniversary: My Experience So Far


On March 16,2015,  I made the leap to go vegan. I went vegan mostly for ethical and environmental reasons. Although, I had been eating a predominantly plant-based diet for health reasons beforehand.

The Transition:

My transition to going vegan was surprisingly easy. I just made the decision to not eat animal products and didn’t look back. I think part of the reason transitioning was so easy for me was because I ate a predominantly plant based diet, so I already had a base of recipes to work with.

I still wear some leather shoes and use some leather hand bags. I had them before I went vegan, so I am just going to wear them out. I have stopped buying new leather products though. I also have started using beauty and hygiene products that have not been tested on animals.

How Veganism Has Affected My Health:

I was already very healthy to begin with, so going vegan hasn’t made a huge impact on my health. I have lost a few pounds and my skin has cleared up a bit, but nothing dramatic happened. I recently got a blood test for the first time and my total cholesterol was 125 mg/dL.

Social Settings and Holidays:


The most difficult part of veganism has been the social aspect. It is nearly impossible to avoid making your veganism known. If everyone else is having cake or other treats that you always turn down, eventually you have to give an explanation. There also is navigating the balance between not being over-the-top and preachy, but also being open and talking about why you are vegan.

On holidays it can also been difficult, especially the first time around. Nearly every dish I had during the holidays is something I hadn’t cooked before and had no idea of how it would turn out. Then there is the issue of adding additional dishes to the menu and trying to not be in the way of everyone else.

When it comes to eating out, there are plenty of restaurants with vegan options (this may vary based on where you live). Happy Cow is a great resource for finding places to eat out almost anywhere. A lot of ethnic restaurants are also vegan friendly, since they have a lot more dishes that are vegetable/legume based.

For all these challenges, thinking ahead is the method that has worked best for me. Plan out your quick explanation for why you are vegan. Check out menus ahead of time, and eat before you go out if you have to. When it comes to holidays, check out recipes and try to find dishes that everyone can enjoy.

My Experience Overall:

Overall, I think going vegan is one of the best lifestyle choices I have made. It is a lifestyle that not only is healthy, but reduces your ecological footprint and the amount of suffering you cause to non-human animals. It is a lifestyle I plan on maintaining long term. All the challenges of being vegan in a non-vegan society are very minor when compared to the benefits.

Read More:

I’m Going Vegan! (and Why)


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