The Gay Vegans

Going vegan (Part I)

Note: This is Part I of a three part post.

Twenty one years ago I decided to go vegan. I had been vegetarian for about a month, with my last hold out being Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream. After a few months of thinking about it, knowing it was what I really wanted to do, I had one day of being vegan. Soon, six days later, I had a full week! (This was kind of a joke.)

As I have written many times, I decided to go vegan, and stay vegan, because of the animals. I wanted to live my truth and honor the person I knew I was, one who abhors violence and doesn’t want to have any part of it. For me, I wanted to do the least harm possible while on this earth. And so it began.

Pepsi and potato chips are vegan. So are Oreos. I learned right away that the way I looked at food had to change, that I had to make sure that whatever I ate had to be good for me, or at least that I ate more of the stuff that was good for me and less of the stuff that wasn’t good for me.

The idea of fruits and vegetables and whole foods was never at the top of my thinking. B-12? No clue. Kale? Never. I was so completely ignorant about food and how what I ate affected me, that now being vegan not only made me feel better about not being part of cruelty towards animals but also introduced me to an entire new world of food.

The biggest thing that I like to share about those first few days and weeks is that it was easy. Super easy. Even in the south in 1996. It was also cheap. The huge amount of vegan processed foods that we see today was not the case then. There also were few choices with vegan desserts. So meals with vegetables and organic fresh fruit for dessert was the deal. Oh, and portobello mushroom burgers. Those were so popular as the only vegetarian choice that I soon got over them. Even these days I shudder when offered one.

I am writing this series of posts because I get a lot of notes from readers who have decided it is time for them to go vegan. All they have heard is that it is difficult and expensive. Although it can be both, it certainly doesn’t have to be. In the next two posts of this series I will share some ideas.

To those just beginning the vegan journey, welcome, and congratulations! Your life (as well as those of the animals) is about to change immensely and you are going to love it!

Thanks for reading!

About Dan Hanley

Gay and vegan in the burbs (of Los Angeles). I blog about veganism, equality, compassion, activism, politics, spirituality, and our awesome life experiences. The "s" includes my husband, Mike! I want this blog to be a tool to build bridges among communities and to inspire people to get involved and vote.

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