Well it basically means that you do not consume or use any animal products or byproducts.

So, that steakhouse you go to every Sunday wearing your cowhide boots is probably out.

Being a vegan is actually easier and more delicious than one might think. The trick is to balance your diet out. Don’t just fill up on pasta, rice, and carbs. That will lead to health problems. If you are going to eat carbs, whole grains are what you are after.

Many people don’t realize that leafy greens, beans, nuts, soy, and grains can have just as much protein as meat. Plus the protein from these sources can be better digested by the body while containing a fraction of the calories.

After my meat loving husband read the book below, he recruited me to do what I NEVER thought he would do: become a vegan. I tried this diet not because I could not handle eating animals, although that is definitely a plus, but because I became aware of people close to me getting cancer. This is not right nor is natural. The number of people contracting this disease is alarming. Everyone has a theory as to why cancer is apparent in our society but no one would argue that it doesn’t have something to do with our horrible diet in America.

Cancer can be traced back to a deficiency of fruits and vegetables. There is such a lack of them both in most American Diets. Check out this book, it has all the information, diet plans, recipes, shopping lists, and more:

If you can commit to this diet for just a few weeks you will notice a difference. You still need to take care of yourself by taking a multi vitamin-preferably one with B12, and not a lot of Vit-A. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Drink lots of water. Also, try to do mostly organic produce and products, otherwise what’s the point? And everyone needs to cheat once in a while, give yourself a one day of the week (mine is Sunday) to enjoy something you love, otherwise you might go crazy and binge on everything you see. 

Ok, onto to some of the gross stuff that you should know…you might experience a detox depending on just how bad your diet was previously. This could mean headaches, gas, loose stools, etc. But what is strange is that once you get going you will see that your gas and poo don’t really stink! Think of wild animals, if you have ever been around elephant dung compared to lion poo, there is a huuuuuge difference in the smell. Elephants rely only on vegetation, and their droppings are hardly offensive. The lions on the other hand eat mostly meat, and if you are in close contact with their excrement, you will want to get the heck out of there.

Don't just try a vegan diet to be cool (well actually it doesn't matter why you do it, as long as you are doing it) but try it to be healthy! Even if you just cut back on animal products by half, that would make a big difference.

Some interesting facts about veganism:

1. Done right, you can lose a lot of weight.

2. By eating food rich in vitamins and minerals you will prolong your life.

3. Animal waste from factories and farms is one of the leading causes of pollution. This is largely due to cow farts…seriously.

4. Man vs. Wild star Bear Grylls eats a mostly vegan diet (except when he has to occasionally bite a snake's head off, or eat a turtle on the show)

1. Meat (obviously)
2. Dairy (including the beloved cheese)
3. Soy products like milk, tofu, cheese, fake meats, etc. (it is actually not so good for your body. tempeh and miso are okay though.)
4. Eggs
5. Sugar
6. white carbs (white pasta, rice, bread)
7. starchy vegetables (such as potatoes)

1. unlimited vegetables! leafy greens are best like lettuce, spinach, kale, etc.
2. fruit, fruit, and more fruit!
3. beans and legumes (lots of protein in these suckers)
4. ground flax seeds (sprinkle on your food to add a healthy fat)
5. nutritional yeast (has a cheesy flavor, delish on popcorn, added protein)
6. almond, rice, or coconut milk (tasty alternatives to regular milk)
7. whole grain rice, pasta, and bread