How To Help Friends & Family Understand Why You're Vegan: A Guide

Question from a Reader:

My wife has been vegan for many years and I just joined her a while back (talk about a good way to improve a marriage!). 

I am getting resistance from friends (and our kids, college age) and wanted something to point to for them to see the benefits of being vegan.  I remember watching a video you had which was basically showing your transformation from pre vegan to vegan with oil and sugar, finally to where you are now, and I have to say the changes were so impressive! Can you point me to a video where you showed that?

Answer, Plus List of Resources:

Communication as Activism: Vegan Advice from Author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

image by @JLgoesVegan

On my Vida Vegan Con roundup I started collecting all the great advice from well-known vegan author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau that attendees shared on Twitter, but there was so much great advice I figured I'd make a separate post! Thanks to all the amazing "tweeple" who shared all these inspirational words! This was the most tweeted about panel of VVC thus far, and for good reason!

How to Blog: Tips for Vegan Bloggers from Vida Vegan Con

image from The Nail That Sticks Up

On my Vida Vegan Con roundup I started collecting all the vegan blogging tips from attendees who are at the panels, but there was so much great advice I figured I'd make a separate post! Thanks to all the amazing "tweeple" who shared all this great info! This will be updated until the end of the conference (Sunday night)

Advice for a new vegan

I recently received the following email from a woman who just went vegan. Please read it and let me know what advice you'd like to give to her in the comments below - I'm sure she'd love to have multiple opinions! : )

"I am about a couple weeks in becoming a vegan. I am feeling better by the day. I do find my emotions becoming more sensitive. I am grateful for this, but also a little anxious and down. The sensitivity of becoming vegan is coming on a little strong. I find myself caring more. This is all great, but different. I feel vulnerable. I was just curious to know if you remember symptoms like these and if so, how you dealt with them. Was your detox ever overwhelming at times? Also, I tried watching the documentary Earthlings, and I had to turn it off, I felt disturbed. This disturbing feeling is hard to wane. Should I just ignore the cruelty of animals, due to my inability to cope and know that being vegan is enough, or should I suck it up and continue to be informed. I'm confused. I know this will pass, but I just want to know how the beginning of your journey began and how you made it easier."


Here's how I will respond:

• I don't remember going through a detox. Not sure if that's because it's been so long (almost 7 years) or if I didn't experience it at all. However, I do remember feeling overwhelmed at times, with the amount of new things to learn about the lifestyle - my advice is to take it slow and be patient with yourself; this change will take time.
• You can read about my experience when I first saw Earthlings here. In summary, it was extremely hard to watch but it changed my life in so many ways. Shawn Monson summarized it well in the video interview I did with him, saying that we should take in the negative energy and purify it, and quoted Gretchen Wyler: "We must not refuse with our eyes, what they must endure with their bodies." Since Shawn said that, I have a whole new perspective on those "shock films" and remembered that quote while watching The Cove.
• Check out this article from my pals Maryl & Silvie: "Spring Cleansing Side Effect: Mental Toxicity"

Looking forward to reading your advice for her, and passing it on. : )

Green tips from Crossroads Trading Co.

These days I buy most of my clothes from consignment shops. This is eco-friendly (reusing clothes others don't want) and inexpensive. One of my favorite places in L.A. is Crossroads Trading Co. They have multiple locations, but I usually go to the one in Santa Monica. Last weekend I found a really cute t-shirt (which you'll eventually see in one of my videos), and I've often found great dresses there too. You can also recycle clothes you don't like there, and either get cash back or credit towards a purchase at the shop - they're picky, so make sure the clothes are in-style, clean, and in good shape.

I was thrilled to see this poster on their wall with green tips. It's not a clear photo, so here they are:

1. Support your local library instead of buying books
2. Unplug your cell charger from the wall when you're not using it
3. Switch to electronic banking and online credit card payments
4. Do full loads of laundry & set the washer to use cold water
5. Share a magazine subscription with a friend
6. Carry a reusable tote and just say "no" to paper or plastic
7. Get a reusable water bottle or coffee mug
8. Use non-toxic cleaner made from everyday household ingredients
9. Car pool or use car shares
10. Shop at Crossroads where you can get greener while saving or earning cash year round!

Friend going vegetarian/vegan

I got an exciting email yesterday from a friend I haven't spoken to in a while: he's thinking of going vegan (or at least vegetarian)! He said, "right now, I'm trying to transition away from meat and a generally crappy diet over the last couple of weeks. I've cut down to just lean turkey and will probably go completely meatless by Wednesday...Part of the reason I'm planning this is that I'm fighting in a boxing tournament at the end of March, so I'm looking to lose some weight, but I also need to keep my strength and energy."

I am thrilled, especially since he contacted me for advice. But I would love your insight too, so I can give him some really well-rounded tips.

#1 resource right now would be PCRM's 21 Day Vegan Kick Start

Here are his questions:

• Are there any good books or resources for beginners? (I suggested The Kind Diet, since it's half recipes and half informational; and Skinny Bastard (though I haven't read that)
• Beef and chicken is a big part of my current diet, so I'm going to need to replace it with something... (I suggested Gardein and some Morning Star products since they're similar to meat in taste/texture/appearance and easy to find)
• Is it possible to eat a vegan diet without spending ridiculous amounts of money on your food and/or spending ridiculous amounts of hours in the kitchen? (I said yes, and he could find inexpensive options at Trader Joes, Ralphs markets, and many food chains)
• Do you know many or any athletes who are vegan? (I pointed him to Brendan Brazier & VEGA supplements and Robert Cheeke)

What else would you suggest for him? Please leave your suggestions in the comment section below, and I will pass them on to him.

Some of you have messaged me separately and said:

• "Definitely Gardein, take him to Veggie Grill to see how good it can taste, bayou chicken sandwich. Seitan too, that helped me transition."