3. Pantry Basics (& PDF) | Vegan Meal Planning

I received a great email the other day, asking what spices and other pantry ingredients are a good starting point for a new vegan.

I recorded a podcast episode to answer that question and I also put together a quick PDF listing all of the spices and other pantry items I use frequently. You don’t need a whole lot of exotic ingredients to start your vegan journey right now.

In fact, you probably use most of these ingredients already.

Listen to the podcast episode here....

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You can also listen on iTunes & Stitcher (for Android devices)

Download the pantry & spice basics here

What are some of your pantry staples?

Additional notes from the podcast:

Vegan sour cream-

*15 oz can of coconut milk

*1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice

*1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Place the coconut can in the fridge overnight.  Open can from the bottom to drain the water. Scoop out the “cream” and place in a small bowl. Whisk in the acv or lemon juice and salt.

2. 7 Tips to Start Your Vegan Journey....NOW

When I recorded my first podcast episode, I wasn't sure how the format would be. Since I get a lot of emails, I figure a Q&A format would be best.

In episode 2, I talk about ways to get started on your vegan journey with your family.

Listen to the full episode....

Recap from the podcast...

Replace ingredients-This is very important! Instead of feeling like you can't eat certain foods anymore, replace them with vegan alternatives. For instance, instead of dairy milk, use almond or soy milk. Also, instead of pork/chicken/beef sausage use a vegan sausage like Field Roast.

Start with breakfast and snacks-If you prefer to take a baby step approach, breakfast and snacks are perfect because there isn't as much of a difference in what you're eating. You can still eat bread (just check to make sure there's no eggs), smoothies, grits and oatmeal (use Earth Balance instead of conventional butter).

Why do you want to be a vegan? Is it for health? Is it for the animals or the environment?

Find a community. The Internet makes it sooo easy for us to connect with people from all over the world. Find and get inspired by like-minded people on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

Watch documentaries and read vegan books-They will motivate you to get started and keep going. I like Sistah Vegan, Skinny Bitch, Diet for A New America, Vegucated, Foodmatters and Forks Over Knives.

Don't beat yourself up- It takes time to get comfortable with a vegan lifestyle. Keep experimenting and it will get better!

1. Why I Became A Vegan

I learn so much from listening to podcasts that I thought it would be fun to start my own. I was going to wait until January but figured why not now?

It's funny because I recorded this podcast at midnight in my pajamas and a head scarf. Good times!

It felt so fun and natural that I will definitely do more episodes.

This episode is 5 minutes but feel free to skip the first 2 minutes since I'm rambling. lol  

Listen here…

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Notes from this episode:

*I became a vegan for ethical reasons....animal rights and environmental

*Sistah Vegan by Breeze Harper is the book that started my vegan journey

*Even though a whole food vegan diet with a variety of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes and grains is super healthy and amazing, not all vegan diets are created equal. I don't consider myself to be very health conscious vegan.

Thanks for listening!