Vegan for a month

[Emily Mum of 4]

Hi everyone,
Hubby and I are eating vegan for a month and reassessing it at the end of the month to see how we are health wise.
We are on day 2 which hasn't been too hard since we are both off work until Monday.
Anyone out there vegan with some tips/recipes? I made coconut yoghurt tonight and we absolutely love Quirky Jo's vegan chocolate mousse.
Any links to a vegan/thermomix forum would be appreciated.
Thanks all
Em

[judydawn]

We have a vegan section here on the forum Emily - http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?board=49.0

Tebasile's blog is vegan/vegetarian  - http://tebasileskitchen.blogspot.com.au/

This one's vegan - http://earthbliss.wordpress.com/

If you decide to continue on after a month then perhaps you should invest in the vegan book Rainbow Recipes, here are some links to reviews from that book and details of where to purchase it - http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=8449.0.

[Cuilidh]

Surprisingly, I find vegan very easy.  I have been vegetarian for years and years and years then, a couple of years ago my DH discovered he was lactose intolerant so we simply went vegan - for us it was an easy and seamless transition.

The Rainbow Recipes book is very good and I have found, for a non-TMX recipe book, the books from Revive Cafe in New Zealand have really tasty and interesting recipes as well - I have never had a fail with them (their book no. 3 has just been released and I've ordered a copy, just waiting for it to arrive).

Judy, I had never seen the earthbliss blog before, thanks for posting that.  I am about to try a new recipe from maplespice this weekend - sticky lime and chilli tofu with rice - looks very tempting.  I just found this blog a week or two ago and like the looks of many of the recipes.  There are heaps of other vegan / vegetarian blogs around.  My standby blog, though, is Quirky Jo's I have been in and out of her blog countless times and always find something new.

[judydawn]

Thanks for your information Marina, it will be a great help for Emily I'm sure.

[mrsb]

I'd really like to do this one day. Can you keep us updated on how you go? I'd be really interested. It will give me the kick I need to start.

[cookie1]

We are not vegetarian or vegan but try to have one or two vegetarian meals a week. DH used to complain a little but now he is fine. I find Jo's blog wonderful.

[meganjane]

We're like you cookie, 'Flexitarians' we're called.

I was just reading about John Nicholson, an Englishman who's written a book saying how his vegan lifestyle nearly killed him.
You need to be really careful when planning a vegan diet to ensure you are getting all the micro and macro nutrients.

Beans are a sustaining protein in a vegan diet but must be prepared really carefully as they contain phytic acid which actually inhibits absorption of key nutrients in the diet.
I would consult a nutritionist before embarking on any diet which completely removes a key ingredient such as meat.

[goldfish]

Excellent advice, MJ - I don't think people really understand all the implications of suddenly and radically changing their dietary habits.

[fundj&e]

do be carefully Emily Mum of 4

[Cuilidh]

All the above advice is exactly right, EMO4, nutritional balance and awareness of food combining is most important.  The major vitamin that vegans have to be aware of is B12 as it is difficult, but not impossible, for vegans to get sufficient quantities of this.  There are ways, of course, so don't be put off, just change - but perhaps change slowly, not suddenly.

[meganjane]

Please do keep us informed. As a student of nutrition, I'm always keen to learn how people manage on restricted diets. Any good recipes etc, please let us know!

[mrsb]

I'm really interested in how you're going?

[rowie]

We have recently started eating vegan the last two months as well. I have a sweet tooth and was beginning to miss my desserts. A friend recommended a webpage called "Wholefood Simply" which has lots of yummy vegan desserts. My favourite is a carmel slice. Have fun!

[judydawn]

I am not a vegan/vegetarian but I just spent far too much time over there on that site rowie    Great site for those who eat this way, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Kimmyh]

Thank you Rosie from me too. Great site. Have bookmarked a few things and I'm not vegan either. Going to try the caramels first 😊