veganism

10 Tips for Transitioning to a Vegan Diet

Published on May 24, 2017October 17, 2017 by The Planted VeganLeave a comment

This step is huge and one of the most important parts of becoming, staying, and thriving on a plant-based lifestyle. There is so much incredible research, and studies that backup the power of plant-based eating, knowing just how powerful it can be is helpful when transitioning into this lifestyle as well as sustaining this way of eating. Knowing the power you have on your own health can help you to make consistent and educated food choices. When I say research I don’t mean reading journal reviews, lengthy clinical studies, or even books… it can be as simple as watching some Youtube videos , documentaries (Forks Over Knives, PlantPure Nation, What The Health), or spending a little time on google looking up some questions or doubts you may have.

Knowledge is power!

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Why I Hate The Ag-Gag Bill

Published on August 13, 2015October 24, 2017 by The Planted VeganLeave a comment

You’ve probably heard or seen articles discussing the Ag-Gag bills being brought up, passed, or overturned in many states throughout the US. But what exactly is it and what does it mean? Today, I’m hoping to answer some of those questions as well as let you know why I get super annoyed by it.

So ag-gag is essentially a bill that has been passed in many states throughout the US in hopes to eliminate all whistle-blowing acts in animal agriculture. This bill allows no type of recording, monitoring, or exposure (without the facility manager’s consent) of the inside of an any animal agriculture facility. Basically, anyone that attempts to expose the truth, can be criminally punished.

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My Thoughts: On Dairy & Why I Went Dairy Free

Published on January 26, 2015October 24, 2017 by The Planted Vegan1 Comment

We are conditioned our whole lives to believe that milk is good for us, and that it’s essential to our diets. Between all the advertisements, promotions, and doctors, almost everyone is pushing milk as a healthy beverage vital for proper nutrition. We assume that all of this is true, and so most of us begin drinking cow’s milk as soon as we are weaned from our mother’s milk. Since becoming vegan and doing research on the meat and dairy industry, I’ve come to realize how wrong all of this is. Not only morally wrong, but chemically and biologically wrong.

Let’s first think about how it is biologically wrong for us to be drinking milk from a cow. So we are born, and almost immediately begin drinking milk from our mother. This breastmilk is perfectly designed to have all the nutrients and calories to sustain life, and help us to develop. We drink our mother’s milk, the person that gave us life. Cow’s milk, on the other hand, is not from our mother; it’s from a different mammal. In fact, it’s milk that comes from a mammal that gives birth to a 825 lb. baby. A calf is typically weaned from its mother’s milk between 7-8 months of age, as are humans. But we as humans continue to drink cow’s milk. Humans are the only mammal that continues to drink milk after infancy, and we also are the only animal that consumes milk from another animal. We don’t see dogs drinking milk from a cow, or cats drinking milk from a dog. It’s not biologically normal.

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10 Foods to ADD to Your Grocery List in 2015

Published on January 6, 2015June 26, 2015 by The Planted VeganLeave a comment

With the new year finally here, lots of people are beginning diets and making decisions to remove things from their diets. Taking foods away can be beneficial to your health, but it can also be disappointing and feel a lot more like a loss/failure if those foods make it back onto your plate. Removing things can feel negative and overwhelming. So instead, try adding things to your diet/life and slowly you will find that you don’t crave the “bad” foods as much! I love the concept of adding foods, rather than removing because adding is much more positive and you’ll be getting those nutrients from the good foods you add regardless of the other foods you’re eating. So here are 10 foods I think you should add to your grocery list and incorporate into your menus in the new year.

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My Refrigerator/Freezer Staples

Published on August 27, 2014July 22, 2015 by The Planted VeganLeave a comment

There are several things that I almost always have in my fridge and freezer. It’s important to find your own personal staples so that you are always prepared for when you’re in a rush. Also, by having healthy staples in your house you won’t be tempted by foods that may not be as nutritious.

What’s Almost ALWAYS In My….

Refrigerator:

Unsweetened almond milk (Silk): Almond milk is a necessity in my opinion. Because I don’t eat dairy, almond milk is my favorite milk alternative. I like to buy the Silk brand because it doesn’t have carrageenan like the other brands (Almond Breeze) do. Carrageenan is a seaweed extract that can cause many digestive problems, so avoiding it is important. I use almond milk in almost everything; oatmeal, poured over frozen fruit, smoothies, and different desserts. Continue reading “My Refrigerator/Freezer Staples” →