The Hero’s Journey: Crossing the Vegan Threshold

Crossing the Threshold
Okay, so deep into this plant based adventure now (in case you missed it, Part I of The Hero's Journey is here).  The smoothies are flowing. I even picked up some dates from the world famous Hadley in Palm Springs!  Yes, it’s been and up and down week, but I’m still fired up about the journey.  It’s good for me, good for you, AND good for the environment.  Triple play.
 
Tests, Allies and Enemies
We knew there would be many tests and challenges here.  The first for me, and I’m guessing you’ve heard this myth too - there is not enough “protein” in plant based diets.  Well, with a little research, I discovered this is not the case.  Then there’s the other big question - How much protein do we really need?  We’ve all been carrying around false impressions about what is necessary.  Here are 5 myths around protein.   And find more about plant based proteins in the What the Health? blog.
 
Taking a deeper dive proved, in fact, how much protein we can actually get from plants. Yes, there is protein in a number of vegetables, consider these 6 plant based proteins. Talk about an eye opener. 
 
 Approaching the inmost Cave
After you’ve been on this a week or so, you will certainly face some obstacles.  You may find yourself at a party with friends, who don’t have dietary restrictions, or at a restaurant, with a menu that doesn’t jive with your new diet.  These challenges may seem foreign at first, but they quickly become part of your new language.  Trust me.
 
The important thing is YOU believe in what you’re doing.  Your closest friends will get it; and if a new acquaintance doesn’t or can’t appreciate your personal quest, they are likely not worth your time or energy.
 
Same drill with the extended family.  Having not eaten meat or chicken for years, not embracing Tom turkey on Thanksgiving was tough at first; but it was eventually accepted.  And there are typically many other food options.  Again, people who care about you will have to accept your new path.
 
Supreme Ordeal
Okay, so you’ve overcome the friends, family and outdoor dining dilemmas.  The next big step is to find your rhythm, especially at home.  There is a level of excitement in the adventure of it all. Trying new things.  Feeling stronger, healthier.  But let’s face it, becoming Vegan can be a logistical nightmare.  You really have to rethink your day, your marketing, and your budget. 
 
It’s disruptive, and that’s often the biggest challenge, especially for a family.  When mom or dad tries a completely new menu, with dietary restrictions, how will that affect common market patterns? And family dinner?  If you’re lucky, someone in your family joins you on this journey.  Otherwise, it’s creating new patterns.  The good news is that it all comes down to commitment and logistics.   Planning is everything.  If you are driven to see this through, just make a plan.
 
It will help to continue to read the articles, see the movies, and explore the recipes.  Mentors, examples and new experiences all contribute to the package.  Stay the course.  The rewards far outweigh the challenges.
 
Again, here are a few of the more successful films FMTV in this category.

1. What’s with Wheat
2. Raw Food for Life
3. Unsupersize Me
4. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
5. 100 Days in the Raw

 
And a few others, found on other platforms, still worth consideration:

1. Forks Over Knives
2. What the Health
3. Food, Inc.
4. Cowspiracy
5. Wasted: The Story of Food Waste
   
   

For Part II, here are some great articles with recipes for lunch and dinner (see Part I for breakfast). 
 
LUNCH
Work Lunches that take 15 Minutes or Less
20 Packed Vegan Lunch Recipes
32 Vegan Lunches you can take to Work

 DINNER
16 Dinner Recipes
30 Quick Vegan Dinners That Will Actually Fill You Up 
55+ Vegan Recipes That Will Impress Everybody at Your Table
 
I will look forward to joining you again next week for the final stages of the journey, kicking off with…Rewards!