Gale Tobin on Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle

 

Gale Tobin on Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle

Going vegan is actually easier than expected. By knowing the right steps to take, you would realize how attainable it is compared to how the media portrayed it and how society has perceived it over the years. Veganism now is more manageable given that it is rapidly developing in the market—there are more vegan options available not only in the grocery stores but also in popular and local fast-food chains around the world. Clothing and footwear brands have also introduced vegan alternatives to leather, fur wool, feathers, angora, silk, and other animal-derived materials. Such movements have contributed to its rise, leading to many advertisements that have effectively highlighted its essence.

 

With animal agriculture proven to be one of the leading causes of climate change, going vegan must and should be considered. In order to transition to this lifestyle, one must be guided with the right set of facts and educated with a sensible set of principles. This lifestyle is not equivalent to what can be termed as “diet.” It is a commitment that one must uphold; seeing reality through the eyes of the victims—the animals that continue to endure pain and suffering for mere pleasure and human greed. While the list of common misconceptions persists, it is essential to educate people regarding the matter.

 

Gale Tobin has been a passionate vegan for 30 years. She has been through years when veganism was still unknown but the lack of support and accessibility did not stop her from sustaining the lifestyle. She shares effective tips that evidently worked for her and will certainly benefit those in transition.

 

Learn as much as you can

Before quickly transitioning to veganism, you must do research on its definition, purpose, benefits, practices, and costs. The emphasis should be on its nature as this will open your eyes to the truth while your actions will inevitably follow. Willingness leads to consciousness as consciousness leads to actions.

 

You must know the necessary information as you need to be equipped with the products that are essential to day-to-day life. With food being the priority, you need to know the alternatives. Effective ways to gain further knowledge are by watching documentaries that expose the reality behind the meat and dairy industry, reading articles on veganism, and attending events or seminars that display vegan commodities.

 

Find your source of motivation

You should know your reason for wanting to go vegan. Do you want to extend your circle of compassion to other animals? Do you want to stand for environmental sustainability? Do you want to match your ethics with your actions? It may be one of these reasons or it may be all of the above. Whatever your reason is for going vegan, make sure that it is something that will continually fuel you with passion and determination.

 

There will be numerous times wherein your patience will be tested. The people around you and even those closest to you may initially not understand or support your decision. This is why you have to know the facts about veganism, to properly justify your stance. This is also why you have to be firm with your decision, to not let any of the challenges sway you otherwise.

 

If you have a pet companion, a unique tip from Gale Tobin is to recognize the love and care being given to them—relate this to other animals as this will allow you to extend your circle of compassion. The key to going vegan simply lies in your ability to fully shift your mindset and choices according to what you know is right.

 

Start to add more food choices

Add more whole grains, vegetables, and plant-based protein before the transition. You must know what you need to consume so that you will not risk the chances of developing vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B12 supplements are essential for vegans because it is only found in animal-sourced food.

 

You must have a list of vegan recipes that you are interested in. You will most likely have favorite dishes that are not vegan, hence, research on how you will “veganize” the dishes. Another tip from Tobin is by finding meat and dairy alternatives in the market. As the vegan industry continues to grow, there are now countless plant-based meat and dairy products such as burgers, hotdogs, chicken, shrimp, butter, cheese, and many more.

 

Going vegan should not feel like you are depriving yourself of what you want to eat. By knowing the alternatives, spices, and seasonings to place, you will be able to replicate the taste of your favorite meat or dairy dishes without having to contribute to the pain and suffering of animals.

 

Plan how you will transition

Think of a strategy that works best for you. You can start by slowly cutting meat or dairy through scheduling, such as having meatless Mondays or dairy-free Wednesdays. You can also start by going vegetarian but take note that there are different types of a vegetarian diet: Lacto vegetarian (excluding meat but consuming dairy), Ovo vegetarian (excluding meat and dairy but consuming eggs), Lacto-Ovo vegetarian (excluding meat but consuming eggs and dairy), and pescatarian (excluding all types of meat except for seafood and consuming eggs and dairy). This will allow your mind and body to adjust to the lifestyle you want to achieve.

 

On the other hand, some may successfully transition to a vegan lifestyle cold turkey—abruptly and without a period of adjustment. Some vegans recommend this due to the ethics and concept behind veganism. They are in the view that it should be simple given that you already hold the awareness. However, not everyone may be successful in doing so considering that they have been accustomed to their culture, traditions, and practices.

 

With the right mindset and preparation, you will be able to figure the best approach as you transition to this lifestyle. You will certainly learn a lot along the way; understand every process, be open to changes, and revel in the fact that you are willing to take control of your habits.

 

Join a vegan community

Vegan communities are helpful especially if you are just starting out. They are willing to help out since they strongly advocate for this lifestyle. They also share plenty of vegan recipes, meat and dairy alternatives in the market, plant-based options in restaurants, and tried and tested tips for an easier transition.

 

By being open to their counseling, you will be able to learn a lot. Some vegans usually tell it like it is but do not take this as a form of criticism—they are simply passionate about their stance and want others to understand this. They fight for what is right; for voiceless beings that remain to suffer, for the earth that faces the consequences, and for the society that chooses to turn a blind eye. By wanting to transition to a vegan lifestyle, you are already headed in the right direction—so continue, continue to listen to that voice within. 

 

Originally published at https://galetobin.com on September 22, 2021.