3 YEAR VEGAN ANNIVERSARY.
On 9th January, I celebrated my 3-year vegan anniversary. I was ecstatic. Who would have thought that three years later I’d still be on this tied? Three years ago without adequate research or any coercion, I went vegan cold turkey.
I woke up and decided to stop consuming and dairy products and I’ve upheld that to date. What most people don't know is that this lifestyle chose me way before I could gravitate towards it. I had the worst acne breakout, multiple ovarian cysts and chronic arthritis all at only 20 years old. My body was failing me rather I was failing my body by what I was consuming. Lots of sausages, chilli glazed samosas and chicken tikka pizza made my day to day student menu. All this was causing damage that I was inherently unaware off.
On the 9the of January, I decided to lay off dairy products for a while in hopes that my acne would miraculously fade. My acne did fade but the research that I had gotten would not allow me to return to my old habits. I delved deep into the plant-based lifestyle, with a quest to understand the advantages of it and my mother's main question which was where I'd get proteins.
It has been three years and yes, I consume nuts cashews, groundnuts among others,(where I get proteins). With every change, comes lessons and this is what I’ve learnt in the three years I’ve been vegan.
- It is my journey.
Hailing from a family that consumes meat and has been a major consumer of this, it was difficult to see the idea to family members. In my first year, I struggled with visiting my family members as they did not cater to me in terms of food. I cut out the noise which came from family and friends who knew nothing about veganism but had a lot to say about its disadvantages. This is my journey and no one understands it better than I do hence will not listen to anyone who only brings hearsay to the table. This is my stuff and my life.
2.Plant-based is the new gold.
You are what you eat and if you have issues with your gut, please consider taking up a plant-based diet if not, increase your intake in vegetables and fruits. It will not only treat but in most cases heal you. So from this vegan to you, take it up.
3.It has been worth it.
I enjoy being vegan. I enjoy calling restaurants beforehand to inform them I live a plant-based lifestyle hence I have to be catered to differently. It has been worth it, my skin is clear and overall my gut is okay, so yes I’d do it all over again