All studies point to plants! If you want energy, to fight inflammation, lose weight, or just feel better, plants are the way to go. Studies show that a diet high in a variety of plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes) have lower rates of heart disease and cancer, and show an increased life span. A vegan diet also reduces animal suffering and lessens our impact on the environment. So, why not get started today!

Changing your diet can be pretty overwhelming! Some people can go cold turkey, but taking small steps can also prove to have lasting effects. Here are some tips to ease into long lasting habits.

1. Plan Ahead – look up recipes, plan a shopping list, and have what you need before you start. This will set you up for success in having the ingredients in your home so you don’t reach for something that you will regret.
2. Add One Recipe or Plant Per Week– jumping all in can be overwhelming to most. Find one recipe that inspires you, or try one new dish or plant per week and make it fun!
3. Find a Supportive Community– join Veganuary or a facebook group like Forks Over Knives. It helps to have support during any change, and you can exchange questions, product reviews, recipes, tips and more! Plus, it helps to keep us accountable in our journey.
4. Remember Your “Why” – Keep a post it note in a high traffic area to remind you why you are doing this! A change in your thoughts and perception will help create lasting change. Ask yourself, “what would a plant-based/vegan do” when faced with certain choices. Is your “why” to reduce animal suffering, to lessen your impact on the environment, or to feel better, a good reminder throughout the day will help you stick to your goals.
5. Be Patient & Kind to Yourself – making a drastic change in your lifestyle is NOT easy. There will be missteps and moments of weakness, and that’s OKAY.

When I first started a vegetarian diet, I tried to stick with what was familiar to me and adding and eliminating one thing at a time. Removing meat, but adding one protein in a week helped me to not get frustrated and i was excited to try all the amazing plants out there. The Buddha Bowl is a great first step to creating a meal plan with more plants.

The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest.

Dr. Michael Greger, Nutritionfacts.org & Author of “How Not to Die”.