Last year, around march 2010, I began the search for better health and well being. I was sick of my allergies and even though my adult asthma was very much under control, well, I was sick of that too. I began googling natural remedies for my body and stumbled across the plant based diet. The more and more I read online, the more excited I became about how simple the changes I needed to make actually were. Not only that, by making these simple changes, I would also be helping the planet and all the creatures, big and small that live on it. How cool. A 3 for 1 deal.
But I needed more information and I get like that sometimes. Before embarking on anything new, I get slightly obsessed and need to plan the guts out of it. Well, at least I used to be like that. Since adopting a plant based diet, I have mysteriously become more calm, more spontaneous, and just generally able to ride whatever wave comes my way and not need a plan in order to enjoy myself. Very freeing I must say. But I digress. Anyway so I needed more information…
I began reading The Kind Diet on the evening before Earth Day 2010 and finished it the next day, Earth Day. I also had my first official plant based vegan day that same day. This was all a coincidence and a pretty cool one actually!. I thought it would be a 1 month experiment to see if my health improved but that turned into 2 months, then 3 and so on and so on. The more I ate, read and soaked up information, the more comfortable and convinced I felt about the benefits of this lifestyle. It may not be for everyone and I completely understand that. I gotta say though, I feel good!!!
I feel grounded and balanced, happy and alive, awake and energized!.
So it’s been a year and I can’t hardly believe it. It went by so fast and I am so excited to embark on another years journey with a plant based lifestyle. No planning needed this time 
I must send a shout out to everyone who supported my decision to eat and live this way. I have heard horror stories of friends and family ostracizing individuals who choose this lifestyle and I experienced none of that. I experienced, respect, support, interest and love and I feel like one lucky gal. So thank you thank you so much.
I am honored (and think it’s so cool) to celebrate my plant based vegan anniversary alongside Earth Day. So go out and eat a vegetable today, drink a vegan beer, have a vegan treat and enjoy!.
Location:NYC
Happy anniversary & congrats! Very exiting. Def. cool coincidence bout earth day & your vegan anniversary coinciding! The stars were aligned!
I also am approaching my 1yr vego anniversary. I don't have the exact date down, but know its sometime at the end of May. Can't believe it's almost been that long.
Wasn't as difficult a transition into a vegan diet as I initially imagined it to be. I have to say, the most difficult part of being a vegan, was the social aspect of saying 'I'm a vegan'. Not always the warmest reception (which didn't stop me!). I have to admit a level of guilt too, because before this year I also may have scoffed a bit at someone telling me they were vegan (why?! I'm not so sure). It amazes me how some people probe & attack when hearing I'm a vegan, it's like I'm not attacking you for your choice to not be vegan, or trying to get to the bottom of someone else's decision to eat meat.
All in all though, I have support where it counts & I'm enjoying being a vegan. My goal for this coming year though is to learn more about the benefits of different veggies, grains & such.
Thanks for your beautiful response. I'm so happy the plant based journey has been a positive experience for you and that you feel supported. It's so important and great to be able to transition to this lifestyle without a whole bunch of hassle all around you.
[...] trapped in a routine that was not enforcing positive outcomes and most of all, not allowing for any personal evolution. Of course, while this was taking place, I never perceived it as such. It just felt like life. [...]
[...] -Living and loving the plant based lifestyle. [...]