Keeping my New Year's resolution to become vegan

If you're anything like me, your chances of steadfastly sticking to your New Year's resolution are equivalent to the chances of simultaneously winning the 649 jackpot, getting struck by lightening and eating spaghetti without dripping tomato sauce on your white shirt.  In other words, it just doesn't happen.  At least that's what I used to think.

Since over a year ago, I had been making and breaking the same resolution over and over.  Prior to New Year's, I was hit by an overwhelming wave of compassion and burning desire to lead a kinder, gentler existence for the good of all species.  I resolved to become a tree hugging, granola crunching, body hair growing, hemp fibre wearing exemplary citizen of our mother, Earth.  My primary objective was to become a member of the vegan community.  Having been a vegetarian for five years, I figured I was already halfway there.  I mean, how hard could it be?  All I had to do was give up milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream – aaaaaaaah!!!  What kind of life was this?  What kind of twisted individual invented this bizarre lifestyle?

I was hit by an overwhelming wave of compassion and burning desire to lead a kinder, gentler existence for the good of all species. 

And so, I unsuccessfully attempted to become vegan in January 1996 and once again in January 1997.  During both attempts, I had grand intentions.  I took an all or nothing approach to veganism.  I believed I had to go cold tofu.  I immediately cut all animal products out of my diet and refused to wear leather, silk or wool.  It was this very approach that proved to be the death of my veganism.  I wasn't ready to make such sweeping changes to my lifestyle.  Normally a fairly healthy eater, I had violent cravings for all sorts of dairy and egg filled concoctions.  Suddenly, leather shoes became the most stylish fashion accessories on the planet, and let's not even mention those gorgeous wool sweaters in the store windows.  It wasn't that I physically needed these things to survive.  It was purely a psychological battle.  Tell this girl that she can't have something, and she wants it that much more!

This all or nothing approach made it difficult to stick to a vegan lifestyle. The changes were too drastic and too quick for me.  I fell off the wagon numerous times.  As I slipped on more and more occasions, I became frustrated and my commitment waned.  Inevitably feeling like a failure, I gave up my vegan quest.

All of this changed by the fall of 1997.  After attending the Vegetarian Food Fair, my faith in veganism was renewed.  I researched the vegan lifestyle and learned as much as I could about the vegan diet and nutrition, abusive practices in the farming industry and animal derived ingredients found in commercial products.  For my 1998 New Year's resolution, I devised a plan that gradually eliminated animal products over a three-month period.  Animal based foods were replaced by healthier, tastier vegan foods. If I did momentarily slip up, I didn't use this as an excuse to give up completely.  I allowed myself to make mistakes, after which I would remind myself of the reasons I became vegan.  My commitment reaffirmed, I would then immediately pick up where I left off. And guess what – you don't have to give up chocolate or cookies or any of your favorite treats! There are vegan versions of everything available at natural food stores and vegetarian restaurants.

I have now been a vegan for one year. Physically, I have never been healthier.   I look and feel wonderful and when I think about how my lifestyle is sparing some animals from pain and suffering, I feel even better.  All it took was a little education, a little dedication and a plan of attack.  Anyone can do it.  I am proof.