Ever wake in the morning to the aroma of spices from a hearty stew youâve been cooking overnight? If thereâs an easy and efficient way to do things that saves time being vegan is it! As a vegan, you can save more money, feel more energized, and be more creative with your meals both at home and on the go. When you first transition to a vegan lifestyle you may have a lot of questions on what to eat, what to avoid, and how to make the cooking process simple while you live your busy life. Here are 5 Tips to make being vegan a piece of cake!
Eat Whole Foods Plant Based
If you want to feel great, save money, and eat a balanced, healthy way, aim to eat a whole foods plant based diet. Eat foods as close to nature as possible while keeping the fat content low. Reduce or eliminate oils and keep processed foods to a minimum. Eat foods like grains, beans, legumes, rice, pasta, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Design your plate so it includes a healthy serving of your favorite vegetable, potatoes or a grain, and beans. Enjoy colorful salads and fruits.
Kitchen Appliances You
Need in Your Life
Your favorite appliances will be the food processor, blender, rice cooker, and the crock pot. Use your food processor for desserts, cashew cheeses, and ice creams with ingredients like frozen bananas. Process the frozen bananas until they are creamy and the same consistency as ice cream. Add peanut butter or almond butter, cocoa powder, or vanilla bean for flavoring, and youâll have one heck of a vegan energy drink. Blend up smoothies for breakfast. Use frozen fruits and frozen spinach, add a teaspoon of chia seeds and your favorite plant-based milk like almond or soy.
The rice cooker will simplify your life a lot. Cook your rice and vegetables in less than 30 minutes. Add seasonings or your favorite vegan sauce, resulting in dozens of delicious rice/veggie combinations. The crock pot is a brilliant invention. Cut up potatoes, add lentils or beans, celery, carrots, spices and let it cook during the day. You will have dinner at night ready when you return from work. Make the leftovers for your next dayâs lunch.
Cook in Bulk
Cook beans and rice in bulk and package them into smaller portions, then freeze. Combine the main components with vegetables enough for the week!
Become a Master Label Reader
More important than nutrition facts is the ingredients list. Look out for hidden additions like gelatin (animal cartilage), whey and casein (dairy products). As you go along youâll learn what is safe to eat and what to avoid.
Look for the Little Bunny
Animals are tested on for beauty and cleaning products so itâs best to look for products that specify they are âCruelty-Freeâ and have the little bunny logo. Peta.org has a list of cruelty-free products! It all comes down to learning a routine and with these tips, youâll enjoy a vegan lifestyle as easy as 1-2-3.
