Top 10 Tips To Start Your New Year Right!
2018 is tipped to be the ‘Year Of Plant-Based Eating’… it’s being touted as the ‘Next Big Trend’.
We get very excited by the idea of more and more people embracing a plant-based lifestyle, however we want to make sure you approach changes in the best possible way, to ensure your long-term success.
Let’s face it, who needs another New Year’s Resolution that only lasts a few weeks and leaves you feeling disappointed that you didn’t follow through… yet again!?!
Plant-based eating will bring back your vitality and energy, and will also provide you with a little enlightenment along the way. We can’t wait to be a part of your 2018 plant-based journey!
So, to help you on your way we have put together our Top 10 Tips To Start Your Plant-Based New Year Right! Check it out…
Our Top 10 Tips To Start Your Plant-Based New Year Right
1. Get excited
You’ve decided to make a change! Good for you! Now is the time to get excited. Take some time to think about how good you are going to feel. It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust but when it does you will start to thrive. What an exciting prospect! The more you focus on the outcome, the easier you will find you can let go of old habits that were holding you back.
2. Start with what you can have, not what you will miss out on!
Start thinking about all the new foods that you would like to try. Think restaurant style if that is what excites you. Think of it as an exploration of food like you have never experienced before. It shouldn’t be a chore to nourish and fuel your body. Don’t waste time thinking about all the foods you think you will miss out on, as in reality if you truly embrace plant-based eating you won’t feel like you are missing out on anything at all!
3. Be prepared to make learning mistakes
When learning something new you need to accept you’ll make some mistakes along the way. All big changes are a learning journey, with little hiccups every now and again.
4. Be kind to others
Not everyone will understand what you are doing or why you are doing it, that’s just life. We have found the best way to feel good about our own choices is to be kind to others and understand that they only know what they know, and are making their choices based on their current knowledge. Respect their choices, even though they may not yet be ready to reciprocate.
5. Give yourself extra cook time
The reality is that while you are exploring new food choices, you will inevitably need to spend a little more time in the kitchen. Embrace it, put on some chilled tunes and enjoy the process.
6. Prep on Sundays
This is THE MOST IMPORTANT tip of them all! It is only listed at number 6 as it is something that often unnecessarily presents a stumbling block for many people. In reality though, if you don’t already food prep on a Sunday, this will change your life. Plan out the majority of your week, determine what components you can make on Sunday and store until needed, such as sauces, dressings, snacks, even full meals if they will store until you are planning to eat them. Then shop, have a big cook up and store accordingly.
7. Have fun with it
Don’t spend too much time doing too much research in the early days. Nourishing your body and soul is not meant to be hard work. Take note of how different foods make you feel, then eat more of what you like while allowing yourself to explore some things you have never tried before.
8. Be prepared for criticism, skepticism and opposition
As with any change that you make, there will be some people around you who struggle with the concept. Remind yourself when this occurs that their negativity is purely a reflection on them. By making positive changes in your life, they feel you are challenging their choices and they can’t help but become defensive. Remember, it’s about them, not you. Which leads directly to the next tip…
9. Be proud of your choices
It’s your life and your choices. You have made an extremely positive decision by increasing your plant-based food consumption. The impact on your health, the world around you and on animal’s lives is massive. Stand proud and don’t feel pressured to justify your decision if you don’t feel ready to.
10. Make it a gradual process
Small steps will lead to long-term success. Remember why you are making this change and then take small and gradual steps to make sure it is a permanent change for the better.
We hope these tips will help you make the most of the exciting journey ahead. We, along with many others, have been where you are now and we understand that there will be days when you feel overwhelmed. This is one of the main reasons we built Vee For Life – we wanted to share with you recipes and inspiration, and provide a community to guide you on your journey.
We are happy to assist you in exploring the plant-based world that lies ahead.
