Back to Basics
What you’re feeding into your body is the upmost important thing you can possibly do regarding all things self-care (besides hydrating, obviously). In the slew of different ‘diets’ and lifestyles such as keto, veganism, and vegetarianism rising in popularity, it can be hard to truly find the right choice that won’t end up in relapses or cheat-days.
Ms. Liz of @PlantBasedVibes on Twitter has been shedding light on the beauty and enrichment that a plant-based diet can bring into your life, and gives her followers daily inspiration and tips to successfully and satisfyingly achieve this goal.
Strike Magazine (SM): How long have you been plant-based, and what initially got you into it?
Plant Based Vibes (PBV): I haven't eaten red meat or poultry in 14 years, and I let go of dairy 11 years ago- though I do occasionally eat seafood, eggs, and other baked desserts that may contain some dairy. I grew up in a healthy household, my mom always cooked and she's a self-taught herbalist. I feel like in a way I’ve always been a health-conscious eater. In high school, I went vegetarian with a few friends; after having my oldest son, though, I realized I needed to stop being an unhealthy vegetarian (eating mostly pizza and fries), and really get back into conscious eating. Going vegan seemed like the natural transition after being vegetarian for so long, but after about three years of veganism, I realized that lifestyle didn't necessarily resonate with me so I decided to focus on a diet that would work best for my body- a diet based on plant food with the occasional animal protein.
SM: What benefits have you personally noticed from plant-based eating?
PBV: Plant-based eating really benefits you in a lot of areas of your life. I definitely don't spend as much on food as opposed to when I was vegan and always buying meat, dairy, and cheese alternatives. It's easier to listen to my body, now. I'm way more aware of what my body can tolerate, too. The process of grocery shopping, meal prep and cooking are so therapeutic- it's helped a lot with my mental health, mostly my anxiety.
SM: What would you think are some easy ways to start plant-based eating?
PBV: Find plant-based options for your favorite meals! If you like tacos, use black beans instead of chicken or steak. If you like curry chicken, try chickpeas. Also, get a blender and shop for fruit that's already frozen or discounted to make smoothies! They are quick and can replace an entire meal with the right ingredients. There are also SO many Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter accounts promoting plant-based and vegan foods- you can find meal ideas anywhere at your fingertips. Don't be afraid to try new things and shop what's on sale. You may not always get the fruits and veggies you want, but it's still fruits and veggies.
SM: What do you eat when you go out, or get fast food?
PVB: You'd be surprised at how many places offer decent plant-based meals. You can make Chipotle bowls without meat, cheese, and sour cream and it will still leave you completely full and satisfied. Restaurants like Panda Express have started to show more love to their veggies; you can get rice, veggies and spring rolls! A few places also have veggie burgers, just check the menu or ask! Try to find places that have lots of toppings so that when you remove the meat protein, you’re still paying for a nice full meal. If all else fails, ask if their fries are fried in clean grease, not with the beef.
SM: What are some misconceptions surrounding the topic that you would like to clear the air of?
PBV: I'm always debating on whether or not healthy eating is actually "expensive". I think if people valued their bodies and truly cared about giving their body the best possible fuel, the price tag wouldn't necessarily be as big a deal as people make it out to be. Food is always going to be one of our biggest and most important expenses. We have to eat to live. Putting good food in your body is just as important as fuel in your car and money in the bank so you can pay bills. Additionally, focusing on your diet can save you so much in medical expenses. A plant-based diet can save a lot at the grocery store, as well. It takes an effort to learn to shop right, though. You have to be willing to go to different stores, buy in bulk, and maybe travel a little bit outside of your community. You can create a grocery list and budget that works for you and your family; there are so many apps, saving programs, and coupons being both digital and printed now- you just have to be willing to do the work. There is also no pressure to completely throw out your entire diet and start over! Most of us just need to add a few more servings of fresh whole foods and cut back on a lot of unnecessary things like soda, candy, processed foods, milk, and cheese. I'm not totally against eating meat, however, I am going to tell you to be conscious of your portion and source. I believe that the plant-based diet is the most natural for the majority of people- heavy in leafy greens, grains, fruits, veggies, and legumes. Small portions of meat are good every once in a while. It should be simple! People make it very complicated.
SM: Do you find yourself craving foods that aren’t plant-based? What have you found that are good alternatives?
PBV: I eat what I want! I personally don't like the taste of meat, and I'm not even really into meat alternatives. I do eat cheese once a year on Thanksgiving, though, because my Aunt makes the BEST macaroni and cheese. I’ve also never really liked ice cream and the vegan/dairy free alternatives are absolutely delicious, so no cravings or complaints there. When I want something sweet I have a bean buy, granola, and turmeric latte with almond milk and honey, frozen blueberries, or pineapple! Apples can take care of a sugar craving as well, honeycrisp apples being by far the best.
SM: What’s your favorite recipe that you’d like to share?
PBV: Chickpea salad is the fav!
SM: Lastly, I’d love to hear about how you’ve begun to gift plant-based meals to locals from your area; what spurred you to start this?
PBV: Exposure is everything! You just have to get the food to the people. Sometimes accessibility is an issue, sometimes people don't believe the food is worth putting in the effort to go pick it up. You have to help some become believers, so I have no issue taking food to people or cooking for donations just so people can actually try the food. Once they eat it, and love it, the rest is easy!
Whatever the reason for your interest in changing your eating habits is, any small change or substitution can work wonders for not only your body, but your mind as well. Individuals like Ms. Liz, who not only reach out to the thousands on the Internet but her local community as well, work to change the culture around the dinner table and shine light on the lasting benefits it can have even outside of the kitchen. Later, when you begin to notice aesthetically pleasing pictures of plant-based starting to infiltrate your feed, it’s as Ms. Liz always says. It’s all in the name of “encouraging you to make better decisions.”
Strike Out,
Writer: Gillian McKendree
Editor: Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee