The Kind Diet helped me transition!

When I was sixteen, I tried a vegetarian diet for a year, after watching a PETA film. I was unable to maintain this diet, and resorted back to my original meat based diet.

A little over a year ago, my boyfriend Richard, began researching the benefits of a plant based diet. Coincidentally, at the same time, I picked up a book by Alicia Silverstone, called The Kind Diet. The book served as an informational guide for our transition into a plant based diet.  A week later we stopped buying meat, and slowly weaned ourselves off of dairy products, while finding healthy alternatives. The next obstacle was reducing our amount of processed food.

With Alicia’s book I was able to transition into a plant-based diet slowly and effectively. The book introduces the idea of veganism, and allows you to transition through 3 levels. The first level “flirting”, you “dip a toe into the vegan pool”, reducing your meat consumption, Alicia educates you on healthy substitutes, and recipes which will allow you to experiment with exotic spices, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Her next level, “going vegan” you completely rid your body of the intake of animal-products, while still consuming convenience foods and meat substitutes you are able to experience the health benefits of transitioning into a plant-based diet.  Her last level in the book is the “superhero” program, cutting out all processed food, and committing to the principals of macrobiotics (which takes its principles from the diet of traditional cultures throughout the world), your diet is then built on the foundation of whole grains, vegetable, and other natural foods. In this phase, your body completely cleanses itself and you tap into a new energy source.

So why did I make the step? Ultimately, I chose a plant based diet for my health and the environment. Alicia educated me about the health/environmental effects of consuming animal products. Since adopting a vegan, plant-based diet I’ve felt energized, healthy, and I can’t remember the last time I was sick. My skin is clear and radiant, my hair is fuller, and my nails are strong. I feel alive! If you are interested in becoming a vegan I highly recommend purchasing Alicia’s book, here is a link to amazon.com! If you are interested in some of the recipes Alicia has to offer check out her website!