These small sweet and tart orange-like fruits are called kumquat. They boost your immunity and help in weight loss. Their peel is edible too. I found them during one of my photo outings in downtown Amman. Image © Diana - The Elephant Soul
Are you thinking about becoming vegan in 2020? What are the challenges and opportunities you could face? If you’re interested in trying this lifestyle but would like an honest perspective before doing it, then this is the article for you.
The last time I had meat was December 2011. However, it would take me many years till I became vegan. This is why in this week’s blog post I talk about the everyday practical challenges I’ve faced throughout my journey and the wonderful opportunities I have found along the way. Let’s dive in!
The Challenges
Availability – Depending on where you live, specific vegan staples are difficult to find. Going out to eat where little is known about your dietary restrictions can be frustrating, especially if you don’t find vegan-friendly options in the menu. Some items like tempeh, nutritional yeast, egg replacer, yogurt, tofu, agar agar, etc. might not be found locally.
Reliability – Specialty shops that sell vegan staples sometimes run out of stock or aren’t able to supply certain products again. It happens. Relying on those items for your regular recipes can be difficult if you require specific ingredients.
Socializing - Whether you go to someone’s house, a party or a restaurant, you might find it difficult to find enough options that leave you satiated. Other times, you’ll find yourself in a difficult spot when you’re being singled out as the vegan.
Affordability - When we lived in Nepal we didn’t find many suitable vegan options. Some of them (like nut milks) had to be ordered directly from an artisan or found exclusively at the farmers market. In Jordan we find various kinds of vegan cheese, nut milks, seeds, cake mixes and the like in most supermarkets. However, we find it challenging having to pay exorbitant prices for these goods.
Complexity - Some recipes require very specific ingredients; others can be very involved and take a while to cook. So if some of the necessary ingredients aren’t available, it can be challenging to come up with a substitute or a version that you like, especially if you don’t have much time or energy to prepare a meal.
The opportunities
1 . Discovering new flavors, ethnic foods, exotic ingredients and mixtures opens up the world for us as brand new vegans. By becoming vegan, you get exposed to so many wonderful staples. Some of my favorite ones are grains and legumes like dahl (lentils) and friekeh (green durum wheat), and spice blends like masala and sumac. A beautiful addition to any salad is pomegranate molasses, and to homemade pancakes is date syrup.
Olive picking is one of the fun activities that both locals and expats enjoy doing in Jordan. This image was taken during my first trip to an olive farm in 2018.
2. Cooking your own healthy foods (like homemade nutella, fruity protein bites, smooth cashew cream cheese, decadent desserts, creamy coconut yogurt, rich nut milks, cinnamon infused granola, etc.) and using creativity as tools to curate a collection of your favorite recipes will keep you mo-ti-va-ted! It is also a great way to try amazing recipes and share with your friends. I love this simple banana bread recipe. I pair it with a delicious coconut whipped cream on the side and top it off with toasted slivered almonds. So good!
3. Indulging in guilt-free / cruelty-free foods. This has been a big one for me. As of late, I have been making a healthy-ish dessert every weekend. I am amazed by how good I feel afterwards (if I practice portion control) and how delicious most of them taste. Bonus: When you bake at home, you save money as you’ll be left with ingredients that can be easily used in other vegan recipes.
4. Promoting the wonderful benefits you experience through this lifestyle as an alternative to standard processed foods that use animal products is very rewarding. For me, a way to open people’s minds is by making amazing food that will help them see the other ways in which you can eat well without involving animals .
Whether eaten in salads or squeezed into juice, pomegranates are delicious and rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals. Image taken during one of my photo outings at the market in Jabal Amman in Amman, Jordan
5. Connecting with likeminded people. It is true that it can be isolating not knowing other vegans in town. It happened to me the first year I came to Jordan. Being proactive, joining groups on social media and not being shy about reaching out to other people have helped. Also, since there aren’t many vegans that I know, I have also started listening to Our Hen House podcast, which helps me connect to a bigger community, while keeping me updated to the news and most recent developments in animal welfare worldwide.
These past years have been a blissful journey, one full of compassion, health and new flavors. It hasn’t been all easy and that’s why I thought I’d share my experience on the challenges I’ve found, as well as the opportunities of becoming vegan.
If the voice in your heart (or your health) is telling you to go vegan, I’d say just give it a try. Think about the wonderful benefits you’ll get. For example, your body will be nourished in a healthier, lighter and more nutritious way. Your choices promote a business model that is less destructive and more harmonious with nature. Your preference for plant-based whole foods will build or strengthen your connection to animals and you will get to live a kinder more compassionate life, knowing each night that your body is free from the suffering and harm bestowed upon another sentient being.
These days I tell people how grateful I am for being vegan and for being able to try the most delicious recipes, amazing products and cruelty-free creations around the world. To me, 3.5 years later, I can say that the opportunities outweigh the challenges.
What about you? What are some of the obstacles you have found on your path to become vegan? Leave your comments in the section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for being here.
Namaste.
Diana