Welcome to Vegan-uary!

By Nyles Pollonais

5…4…3…2…1… Happy New – wait, you’re giving up what? Welcome to 2022! It’s that time of the year when people are hoping to stick to new plans, regiments, and schedules in an attempt to better themselves and their lifestyles. A fad that has slowly started to gain some traction is Veganuary. During the month of January, folks celebrating the New Year try their hand at giving up all meat products for just one month. Well, if you’re starting this journey, you’re in luck! I did the same thing last year and I’ve written about it so you might know what to expect…

My grandmothers wondered if I would still get enough protein.

My friends thought it was a diet.

My brother worried that I’d lose my ability to cook.

What happened?

I went vegan on September 28th. What started as a month-long challenge, became a lifestyle preference. Along with clear skin, increased stamina in the gym, and an entirely new recipe book, here’s what I learned on the journey:

It’s Easier Than it Looks

When people discuss veganism, it’s often associated with some magical ritual of tree hugging and Buddhist-like self-sacrifice. In actuality it is none of those. There are a few different paths folks take to the vegan lifestyle: health, spirituality, environmental, animal rights, etc. I choose it for spiritual and health reasons. For me, it was more like a shift in the mind. Instead of, “I can’t eat that,” it turned into “I choose not to eat that.” I wanted to see how far I could take it.

Ironically enough – I started this process by having a vegan dish at a BBQ joint. I joined a few friends and opted for the quinoa, sweet potato, and rice bowl, among other veggies. The smells of their plates did not bother me as much as I thought they would. The first observation along this path was that I could fill myself on veggies, rice, nuts, and vegan items alone without having to incorporate meat — and without sacrificing any of the flavor or taste. There are so many alternatives to meat products as well! They might not all be healthy though… haha.

At home, I had to shift my mindset. Sure, I could opt for a meatless dish at a restaurant, but here, some things had to change. I cleaned out my cabinets, fridge, and freezer of meat products – yes, that meat seasoning contains animal products. I remade many of the dishes my mother had made for my brother and I that I had not realized were vegan. Dhal, a Guyanese stewed lentil/split peas dish and my mother’s favorite, was one of my first plates that guided me along this journey. There was also stewed cabbage, channa, yam, and even potato based curries. Though these tasted great with a side of rice, I still wanted something else on the plate...

Tofu vs. Seitan vs. Store Bought Alternatives.

My aim in the kitchen was to replicate the dishes that I ate constantly without the meat. I had a few options. My first choice was tofu. One night after not feeling like the cook I was, I decided to order out from the local Chinese spot. I ordered tofu and broccoli, and let me tell you — I was blown away. From that night on, I realized not only could I make tofu taste better than beef, but I could also use that same technique to replace the meat in my favorite plates. Throughout the process and with the help of plenty of YouTube videos, I learned how to cook tofu to add into my dishes, and boy did it save my pallet. I even gained new techniques and learned new dishes to prepare because of this path. BTW, 3 packs of medium firm tofu cost me around $5 and last me nearly three weeks.

Still, I needed more diversity on that plate. Here’s where I found seitan. Seitan is gluten wheat flour that can be cooked to mimic the texture of meat and used in dishes the same way tofu can. The only thing, however, is that this product is much harder to master than a simple tofu. I’ll just go ahead and warn you now: If you aren’t handy in the kitchen or pressed on time, this ain’t it! But, if you’re up for a challenge and have no other options, there are great creators on YouTube who will guide you through the process. It took me about three tries with the one bag of vital wheat gluten to actually find the best way to make it. By the way, a bag of this stuff cost me $5.68 from Kroger and lasted three weeks. If I knew what I was doing, it probably would’ve lasted longer.

Lastly (and I only say “lastly” because I’m still on this journey, and it’ll take more time for me to figure out other alternatives), is the plant-based meat options in the store. Here you can find anything from plant-based beef, chicken nuggets, sausages — you name it and Walmart’s got it. Let me tell you… one night I tried these plant-based turkey cutlets, and… I thought I was cheating. I thought I had misread the label and bought something that was actually meat. It was not. It was delicious, but it was not completely healthy. A lot of plant-based meat alternatives are packed with sodium. So with these, you’ve got to be careful about your intake and read the label on anything you’re purchasing. Even though the risks probably aren’t as bad as meat options, just know that all plant-based options aren’t healthy, so be careful.

Also, there’s the most basic thing you can do… eat more plants. Simply put, this is a plant-based journey. Try to incorporate more plants, fruits, nuts, beans, and vegetables and you’ll be on your way.

Energy and Stamina

My energy shot through the roof. I cannot explain it. Even after a week on the plant-based vegan lifestyle, I was on the treadmill running for longer durations and at higher speeds than before. It did not make sense. Even without working out as much as I had before and maintaining the same (if not more) food on my plate, I dropped excess weight in the matter of a month. Mind you, I had been working out and eating plenty of meat since March of 2021 and could not get the physique I wanted. In just a month’s time I looked like what would’ve taken seven months on a strict broccoli and chicken breast diet.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I decided to take two supplements, iron and vitamin B12. Kale has plenty of iron, but sometimes I’m not able to eat kale or the bunch in my fridge has spoiled. To maintain my intake of iron, I just supplement. I do the same with B12. There is a misconception that animals produce B12, but that is not the case. Mind you, I take the dry tablets without gelatin. Gelatin is a meat product and can be found in gummies. Surprisingly, Sour Patch Kids are vegan!!!

Spirituality

For me, going vegan is the blueprint for the next path – the first step if you will. Here’s what I mean:

Like starting any new path in life, you will be uncomfortable initially. Your friends and family may not understand your choice, but if it is right for you, it’s right for you. There are things and expectations you’ll have to let go of, but there will always be options if you stick to your path (the BBQ joint). You can incorporate old ways of doing things (old family recipes) but, you will have to find new ways to get around (tofu, seitan, plant-based meats). Lastly, you must look at the plate differently. As meat eaters, we are taught that the meat is the center of the dish and anything else are sides, beds, or accompaniments to the main. Whether the “meat” for you is family, a job, university, or whatever bedrock you base your life around — when moving onto the next thing, you’ll have to view everything on your plate as nutrients for your entire body.

So...

To my grandmothers… meat is the middle man. All protein comes from plants.

To my friends, it’s not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.

To my brother, my hand has gotten even better.

Join me this January?