This January, how about going vegan?

"It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal." - Joaquin Phoenix

January, 12 years ago, in 2007 (I feel like I said 12 last year but it is really this year) Barry and I went vegan together with inspiration from the Stanford Inn, where we both worked.  6 ideas to help you make the transition to veganism this January 1. Nostalgia can be the greatest deterrent to change: It was hard for me, growing up a meat and potatoes girl giving up my "favorite" foods, or worrying about what it was like to go out to eat, even not getting to eat family recipes. Well, for those of you that have had the Waldorf Tofu Salad: that was a remake of one of Jennifer's favorite dishes before she was vegan. So to help you on this journey we want to try and help you recreate your family recipe. Send your favorite recipe and we are going to try our best to recreate it and then we will share it on our blog.  2. Get support from the experts: (I am not affiliated with any of these sites) a. Colleen Patrick Goudreau offers an amazing online program. My mom has done it and said it was amazing. "Each day during the 30 days, you receive a daily email with the motivation, inspiration, and information you need. Some of it is in video form, some written, and some in audio. You also receive recipes and daily menu ideas, as well as have the opportunity to connect with others taking the Challenge to provide and receive support! Sign up here. b. Veganuary: is a charity inspiring people to try vegan for January and throughout the rest of the year. Register here and they send you daily emails to help you out. I think that you can even pick a start date.  c. Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn from Plant-based on a Budget and World of Vegan created a budget friendly meal plan. "Eating healthfully doesn't need to be expensive. In fact, delicious plant-based meals that are packed with protein, fiber, disease-fighting nutrients, and lots of flavor can be super-affordable and easy to make. Let us show you how!Start meal planning today with our easy-to-follow one-week meal plan that shows you how to eat healthy plant-based meals on a tight budget. How tight of a budget? Our plans show you how to hack the supermarket so that you can get all the food you'll want for an entire week for a grocery bill of only $25 (that's just $1.20 per meal)." Get their meal plan here. 3. Find restaurants that are fun and delicious that you won't miss the meat in the amazing food that is offered. You can check out one of our meals, lunch, brunch or dinner to try one of our meals at Sanctuary Bistro. You can also check out: Millennium, Souley Vegan, Kaffa Ethiopian, Shizen, Butcher's Son for incredible meals that are all really different.  4. Educate yourself: Watch Earthlings, Cowspiracy, What the Health, or Vegucated. 5. Visit a Farm Sanctuary: Animal Place, Preetirang, Goatlandia, Rancho Compasion. 6. COOKBOOKS: get yourself some cookbooks. 1st switch your pantry over with the help of some amazing cookbooks. Sanctuary Bistro's Recipes for Everyday Living: A Loving and Easy Approach to Gluten-free Veganism, The Homemade Vegan Pantryby Miyoko Skinner, Vegan Richa Indian Cooking. There are sooo many.  Check them out. Share this with those that have not made the transition but are thinking about it and send me your non-vegan recipes. We are excited to veganize your recipes.  to share your recipe follow this link. Happy 2019!  Much Love,  Jennifer, Chef Barry, Jayden and Adeline.