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    Home » Vegan cooking resources

    Open letter to a new vegan

    Updated: Dec 14, 2024 · Published: Sep 7, 2009 by Cadry's Kitchen · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ·

    Cadry petting a piglet.
    Cadry petting a piglet.

    Hello New Vegan,

    What an exciting and life affirming trip you have ahead of you! There’s so much joy in the days ahead as you’re transitioning to vegan.

    But I also know that changing the way we eat and live can seem daunting at first.

    I remember a time when no one I knew was vegetarian or vegan. I felt very much like I was forging this path alone.

    Now that I have new habits, new traditions, and new favorite foods, it can be easy to forget that there was a time when change seemed overwhelming.

    Take heart.

    With the growing pains of creating new habits comes the peace that is living a life in line with your own values and in a way that honors your health, well being, and respect for other living beings.

    To you, New Vegan, I offer these insights and tips from my own experience.

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Focus on your goal
    • Identify your cravings
    • Try new things
    • Create a community
    • Best of luck on your journey

    Focus on your goal

    Sheep getting petted.

    Consider what are the most compelling reasons to you to go vegan and keep learning.

    It keeps us inspired and empowered.

    Read Food Revolution by John Robbins and China Study by T. Colin Campbell.

    Stay abreast of news and research that is continually coming out about the healthfulness of a plant based diet and stay aware of the abuse that continues to exist within animal agriculture.

    Visit animal sanctuaries in your area or plan a vacation to visit one.

    The first time I held a chicken in my arms at Animal Acres (now Farm Sanctuary), I felt overwhelmed with both grief and relief.

    Her body was so small and fragile.

    I was acutely aware of how vulnerable she was and how much lighter her body felt than my own companion animals at home.

    I also thought of how many chickens I had eaten in my life and how freeing it was to appreciate her beauty while knowing I was no longer contributing to the slaughter of others like her.

    Like the story of the person walking up the sandy beach throwing starfish back into the water, all the while knowing he couldn’t save all of them, when I look into the faces of the sheep, goats, cows, and pigs I remember, “It makes a difference to that one.”

    Identify your cravings

    Cadry holding breakfast sandwich.

    Sometimes I’ll hear people say that their body knows what it needs because they had a particular craving. 

    Studies have shown that these cravings generally aren’t based on nutritional deficiencies, no matter how much we’d like believe that our body really needs a bar of chocolate.

    Research points to the idea that cravings are based more on our emotional state than nutritional needs. 

    We crave foods that are familiar.

    We crave sugar, salt, and fat.

    If these cravings were accurate pictures of nutritional deficiencies, we’d all be craving antioxidant rich leafy greens.

    However, which is more common in your life? Hearing about someone craving a cookie? Or someone craving kale?

    When cravings hit, identify the craving.

    Do you want something fried?

    Savory?

    Salty?

    Sweet?

    If it’s a toothsome, chewy texture you’re wanting, try out a plant based meat. I recommend Field Roast, Herbivorous Butcher, or Upton’s Naturals.

    Or get a vegan hot dog. Top it with all of your favorite condiments like stone ground mustard, organic ketchup, Vegenaise, pickles, three bean chili, or sauerkraut.

    Hands holding vegan BBQ sandwich.

    If you have a hankering for barbecue, try vegan BBQ Soy Curls.

    (Why do vegans eat things that taste like meat? <— Find out here.)

    If you’re jonesing for a hearty Italian feast, try noodles with lots of sautéed vegetables in pasta sauce or vegan buttered noodles with red wine infused mushrooms.

    After new habits and traditions have been created, you too may forget that there was a time when eating plant-based meals wasn’t second nature.

    Take heart in the knowledge that your palate will change.

    Keep introducing delicious plant-based foods into your diet, and you’ll begin to crave and desire them. Just relax and give yourself time to adjust.

    Try new things

    Gomen, lentils, green beans, and salad on injera.

    In the meantime, introduce yourself to some new cuisines and foods.

    Check out Happy Cow or Yelp and find some vegan, vegetarian, or vegan-friendly restaurants in your area.

    Discover the deliciousness of Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Ethiopian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Cuban, and Indian cuisines.

    Many times if we leave standard American fare, we see that there are lots of naturally vegan foods in the cuisines of other cultures that are vibrant and satisfying.

    Think about your favorite foods and consider ways to veganize them. Enjoy burritos? How about a refried bean burrito with salsa and avocado in a whole wheat tortilla?

    Buy a new vegan cookbook or two. Plan to make at least one new recipe a week.

    Create a community

    Cadry doing cooking demonstration at Iowa Farm Sanctuary.

    In this non-vegan world it can be easy to feel barraged by ads, images, and ideas that are antithetical to your goal of living more compassionately.

    People who want to adopt healthier behaviors like exercising and eating right are encouraged to surround themselves with others who support them rather than sabotage them.

    In the same way, I encourage you to surround yourself with people who understand and respect your goal to live a fully compassionate life.

    Find a few like-minded people and feed those friendships.

    Good places to look include vegan Facebook pages and websites like Meetup.com. See if there’s a Meetup group in your area for others with vegetarian interests.

    Attend functions like vegetarian pride parades, vegan cooking classes, animal rights conferences, health fairs, and animal sanctuary gatherings.

    Best of luck on your journey

    People walking down hill at Wilson's Orchard.

    As you’re transitioning to vegan, be kind with yourself.

    I know it can feel like a struggle when we do something out of the ordinary, but where has ordinary gotten us anyway?

    Ordinary factory farming? Ordinary heart disease? We deserve extraordinary.

    Small decisions in our day to day existence can have a big impact in our lives, in our hearts, and in our world.

    I wish you peace and perseverance as you enact change in your own life. We can let the world decide what is right or we can choose for ourselves.

    One thing is for certain, change is inevitable.

    We can be the change we wish to see in the world, or we can let the world change us.

    The choice is ours.

    All the best,

    Cadry

    More Vegan cooking resources

    • Text overlay: 50 favorite vegan Trader Joe's items. Collage with grilled olives, nutritional yeast flakes, Thai vegetable gyoza, and piquant popcorn on display.
      50 favorite Trader Joe’s vegan products (updated June 2025)
    • Text overlay: 50 vegan recipes with 5 ingredients (or less!) 4-panel collage with tahini dressing being poured, fried plantains, barbecue Soy Curls, and creamy banana nice cream.
      50 easy vegan recipes with 5 ingredients or less
    • Text overlay: 50 vegan air fryer recipes. 4-panel collage with jalapeno popper, onion ring, fried pickles, and vegan arancini.
      50 easy vegan air fryer recipes for every meal
    • Text overlay: Top 20 vegan recipes of 2024. 4-panel collage with salad dressing, sandwich, cocktail, and salsa.
      Top 20 vegan recipes of 2024
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    Comments

    1. Rita

      June 06, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      I have been a Vegan for over 5 weeks. I have lost about 10 lbs, which I did not want to do. Five pounds would have been enough for me. I became Vegan for health reasons. My cardiologist suggested I read The China Study, which I did and learned that through becoming Vegan I can eliminate my high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and maybe my Afib.
      After reading most of the book I decided to become Vegan immediately. I do have Salmon once or twice a week, but no meat, dairy, or eggs.
      When I did a Google search and your blog came up, I was super happy. I have added my email to your list and I have also printed out some of the above article.
      I see the last date on here in 2014, are you still doing this blog? I absolutely hope so. You are so very helpful!
      Many Blessings,

      Rita

      • Cadry

        June 06, 2016 at 3:58 pm

        Hi Rita,

        Thanks for your lovely comment! The China Study was a big motivator to me too. It was very influential in my journey towards a plant-based diet and ultimately going vegan. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor about your concerns regarding the extra weight you’re losing. Maybe she/he could recommend adding in some more calorie-dense plant foods like nuts, seeds, or avocados that would help pad things out again.

        I’m so glad to hear that my blog has been helpful to you! I am still blogging, and I write new posts about twice a week. If there’s anything that you’d like to hear more about, let me know. It’s always good to know what would be useful for people who are in the process of going vegan.

        All the best,
        Cadry

    2. Morgan

      March 09, 2014 at 9:47 am

      I’m just venturing into the life of veganism. I’ve had to cut out dairy due to lactose-intolerance for the past couple of years, and due to numerous events in the past couple months, I’ve decided that this is the path that I want to take. I love your comments and your ideology, it really speaks to me and lets me know that I’m doing the right thing. Thank you!

      • Cadry

        March 09, 2014 at 10:42 am

        That’s so nice to hear, Morgan. Thank you! If there’s any way that I can help, don’t hesitate to let me know! Good luck on your journey! 🙂

    3. Sylvia Clay

      October 04, 2013 at 8:03 am

      I have been eating more vegan and have slowly brought the male member into the vege world. One of his favorite dishes that I make is Eggplant Lasagna. I replace noodles with Eggplant. I added kale and eggplant this last time and he said he like the Kale better. I was shocked and a little miffed, but got over that and continue to experiment to improve our dishes. He still needs meat from time to time but I do not. I love your articles on a new vegan. Thank you.

      • Cadry

        October 10, 2013 at 12:17 pm

        I’m so glad to hear it, Sylvia! Thanks for letting me know and best of luck on your journey to you and your partner!

    4. McKenna

      July 25, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you for writing this, Cadry. I’m only a couple of weeks into my vegan journey and I’ve already faced so much criticism. This really lifts my spirits. : ) And now I want bbq slathered tofu…

      • Cadry

        October 10, 2013 at 12:16 pm

        Congratulations on the beginning of your vegan journey! I hope that it’s going well for you and that you’re getting into a groove. I’m sorry that you were facing criticism. I know how that disheartening that can be. Trust me, it gets easier! Thanks for stopping by!

    5. Alanna

      April 17, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Oh thank you Cadry!
      I am a new vegan. This is the most welcoming and informative post I’ve read. I look forward to following your blog. 🙂

      • Cadry

        April 17, 2013 at 12:32 pm

        That’s so great to hear, Alanna! Congratulations on going vegan! If there’s any way that I can help, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email! 🙂

    6. Bridget

      December 08, 2012 at 6:16 pm

      Seriously… I’ve been looking for an article like this for weeks. Thank you sooo much!

      • Cadry

        December 08, 2012 at 6:46 pm

        I’m glad you’ve found it too! You’re welcome! Being vegan is such an expansive way to live. I know it can feel daunting at first, but the growing pains are worth it! 🙂

    7. David Busch

      September 07, 2009 at 11:52 am

      That’s a beautiful post! And as a vegan of almost 2 years, I do find that I crave kale nowadays! 🙂

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    Hi, I'm Cadry!

    I’m the creator behind Cadry's Kitchen and author of Living Vegan For Dummies.

    I'm a longtime vegan, but I grew up eating a standard American diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

    That’s why it’s my passion to share mouthwatering plant-based recipes that taste like home.

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