Going vegan was the best decision I could ever make in my life. Since my tender age, I really felt a strong bond with animals and nature. In 2013 after watching a video on the barbaric and inhumane fur industry, I decided to get animal not only off my plate but off my lifestyle too. It was only at that time that I learnt about veganism and discovered how the meat industry was as awful as slavery, exploitation and inequalities.
The reason why I've decided to create this blog is to help you in your transition in going vegan in Mauritius and give you tips on how to eat out vegan and on a budget. Knowing that vegan products aren't always easy to get.
It is not as hard as you imagine. I became vegan overnight. If you are wondering, I didn't miss or crave for anything.. I guess it's because I was really motivated and committed. But I was really uneducated about veganism and how to eat healthily. Meeting daily requirements of essential nutrients in my diet wasn't my first preoccupation. I was so crazy about not eating animals that I was eating not-so-good food for my body.
Thankfully I started to do a lot of research and got in touch with more experienced vegans and being vegan is today a second nature.
Here's for you a small guide to help you to make the step to a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle:
STEP 1
Self-motivation.
Every single time someone ask me advice and tips to stay vegan, I always tell them the same thing. I tell them that they need to motivate themselves and GET OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE. Because for some of you, it won't be easy. It would be a lie to say that it is the easiest thing to do, but it's not impossible. What you need the most is to believe in your values and in your commitment. You will really need to motivate yourself, because let's face it, people around you will try to put you down and every time they will try to do, you just need to remind yourself of your reasons and motivation you decided to go vegan, whether for your love for animals and the environment or your health!
STEP 2
Researching & Connecting to vegan networks.
Research is ESSENTIAL. If you want to experience veganism at its best, you will need to do a lot of research and some readings. Vegan Starter Kit or The Vegan Society can be useful links for you and offers a wide range of valuable information. And books as Eating Animals (can be bought on Amazon or local bookstore) can help you because it really focus on animal suffering and the issues of eating animals. Really recommend it. A must read for everyone.
Animals Australia, Mercy For Animals, Skool of Vegan and Gary L Francione are vegan networks you should be following.
To sum up, educate yourself on:
STEP 3
Getting in touch with vegans.
Getting in touch with vegans and making friends with people sharing the same lifestyle as you will help you learn and feel more confident. You must be wondering, why more confident? Well, because if you are the only vegan in your family or surrounding, you will probably feel a bit lonely sometimes. And it's always good to know a bunch of people on who you can rely on for vegan issues and have fun around vegan gatherings!
Why not join The Vegan Society- Mauritius on Facebook or connecting to The Brunette Vegan for more exciting tips, photos and articles.
STEP 4
Telling your family and friends.
The next step is telling the people around you that you will not be eating or wearing animals anymore. This is very important for them to know in case you are usually invited out for dinner or at their place. It's always good to tell them beforehand so you don't end up eating a salad when everyone else is enjoying their meal. Please always bear in mind that no matter what, your friends and family should always support you. In the process, you could even inspire some of them!
STEP 5
Making provision.
You're almost there! Prepare a list of vegan goodies you can buy, frozen and packed. If right from the start you already have the must-have ingredients at home, it will not be difficult for you to make the switch!
Here's is a list for you:
Step 6
Going Vegan and Preparing your first Vegan Meal.
Now that you have researched, told your partner or parents; and bought vegan food, you can start right away! Check out one green planet or this online guide for delicious and easy vegan recipe.
I will soon write a more detailed post on STEP 5 and will tell you what are the essentials for a vegan diet and where to buy them!
Good luck!
xoxo
The Brunette Vegan
The reason why I've decided to create this blog is to help you in your transition in going vegan in Mauritius and give you tips on how to eat out vegan and on a budget. Knowing that vegan products aren't always easy to get.
It is not as hard as you imagine. I became vegan overnight. If you are wondering, I didn't miss or crave for anything.. I guess it's because I was really motivated and committed. But I was really uneducated about veganism and how to eat healthily. Meeting daily requirements of essential nutrients in my diet wasn't my first preoccupation. I was so crazy about not eating animals that I was eating not-so-good food for my body.
Thankfully I started to do a lot of research and got in touch with more experienced vegans and being vegan is today a second nature.
Here's for you a small guide to help you to make the step to a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle:
STEP 1
Self-motivation.
Every single time someone ask me advice and tips to stay vegan, I always tell them the same thing. I tell them that they need to motivate themselves and GET OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE. Because for some of you, it won't be easy. It would be a lie to say that it is the easiest thing to do, but it's not impossible. What you need the most is to believe in your values and in your commitment. You will really need to motivate yourself, because let's face it, people around you will try to put you down and every time they will try to do, you just need to remind yourself of your reasons and motivation you decided to go vegan, whether for your love for animals and the environment or your health!
STEP 2
Researching & Connecting to vegan networks.
Research is ESSENTIAL. If you want to experience veganism at its best, you will need to do a lot of research and some readings. Vegan Starter Kit or The Vegan Society can be useful links for you and offers a wide range of valuable information. And books as Eating Animals (can be bought on Amazon or local bookstore) can help you because it really focus on animal suffering and the issues of eating animals. Really recommend it. A must read for everyone.
Animals Australia, Mercy For Animals, Skool of Vegan and Gary L Francione are vegan networks you should be following.
To sum up, educate yourself on:
- Why go Vegan?
- Going Vegan: What is vegan, what does vegan eat, Vegan nutrition, Alternative, etc.
- Factory farming.
STEP 3
Getting in touch with vegans.
Getting in touch with vegans and making friends with people sharing the same lifestyle as you will help you learn and feel more confident. You must be wondering, why more confident? Well, because if you are the only vegan in your family or surrounding, you will probably feel a bit lonely sometimes. And it's always good to know a bunch of people on who you can rely on for vegan issues and have fun around vegan gatherings!
Why not join The Vegan Society- Mauritius on Facebook or connecting to The Brunette Vegan for more exciting tips, photos and articles.
STEP 4
Telling your family and friends.
The next step is telling the people around you that you will not be eating or wearing animals anymore. This is very important for them to know in case you are usually invited out for dinner or at their place. It's always good to tell them beforehand so you don't end up eating a salad when everyone else is enjoying their meal. Please always bear in mind that no matter what, your friends and family should always support you. In the process, you could even inspire some of them!
STEP 5
Making provision.
You're almost there! Prepare a list of vegan goodies you can buy, frozen and packed. If right from the start you already have the must-have ingredients at home, it will not be difficult for you to make the switch!
Here's is a list for you:
- Pasta
- Nuts & Seeds - such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seed, almonds or cashew nuts.
- Fruits - fresh and dried such as apricots, raisins, dates
- Non-dairy milk such as Rice milk, oat milk, Soymilk, Almond milk or Coconut milk
- Whole grains
- Legumes and Beans
- Your favorite Herbs and Spices
- Oil and Vinegar: Sunflower, coconut and olive oil, rice and apple cider vinegar
- Sauces: Vegetarian Oyster Sauce, Mushroom Stir-fry Sauce, Ketchups, Vegan Mayonnaise
- Tofu (know here as Teokon)
- Frozen products as sausages, burgers, etc.
- Flour - Regular flour, chickpea flour.
Step 6
Going Vegan and Preparing your first Vegan Meal.
Now that you have researched, told your partner or parents; and bought vegan food, you can start right away! Check out one green planet or this online guide for delicious and easy vegan recipe.
I will soon write a more detailed post on STEP 5 and will tell you what are the essentials for a vegan diet and where to buy them!
Good luck!
xoxo
The Brunette Vegan