How to be vegan
How I did it: I had already cut out dairy because of congestion (Google dairy + mucus), was used to eating a lot of fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grain products, and ate chicken or fish more than red meat, so I didn't find the process all too drastic. Eliminating eggs was probably the most difficult part, but a sacrifice I was willing to make. And anytime I start missing certain foods I just think of what animals have to go through!
Lessons & tips: Focus on the foods you CAN eat rather than those you can't (kind of like how they suggest you stop translating everything back into English when learning a new language), and start incorporating those more often. I use soymilk for my oatmeal and soymilk creamer for my coffee, so don't miss the dairy versions at all. I also buy orange juice fortified with calcium, so that takes care of breakfast. Peanut butter has become a staple, but there are also lots of mock meats you can use for sandwiches. Luckily there are tons of dried or canned beans to choose from and they're great for soups, stews, and chilies. Brown rice and whole-wheat pasta are not only healthier, but more filling too. Almost any recipe can be modified with substitutes, so you really don't have to miss much. Get yourself some great vegan cookbooks too (I love all the ones by Sarah Kramer!) if you're not sure about alternative ingredients.
I started a list on Amazon of some of the books that have helped me so far (including the Sarah Kramer ones), and have included the link in the section below. Hope it works!
Resources:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2FXUO4UMAUM4Q/ref=cm_pdp_lm_all_itms
