Vegan products are having a moment right now, so there’s always something new on the shelf (this list is not all-inclusive; it’s just to help you get started)!
Vegan.com is a wealth of information, but it breaks things down by categories such as: ‘Your First Three Weeks,' ‘Cookbooks,' and ‘Grocery List' so it's not too overwhelming.
Main Street Vegan Blog for inspiration, resources, support, and one heck of a great podcast with Victoria Moran.
How to go vegan: tips from Vegan Lifestyle Coaches
Just want to know how to buy groceries? Here's a downloadable shopping list for you!
Read all of my Meatless Mondays articles from USA Today!
FOOD
Things you want to keep in the kitchen at all times: Protein, Carbs, Fat, Flavor, and Fun! This shopping list left out the ‘fun' part, so I'm going to help you out:
Easy grocery finds that are accidentally vegan (mostly junk food…but hey, we gotta have some fun, right?)
Vegan fast food list; my article in USA Today on vegan drive-thrus
“Gardein” is a 100% vegan food line that makes burgers, fish sticks, crab cakes, wings, sliders, meatballs, chicken…you name it. Almost all Kroger stores carry at least some Gardein products; here is a ‘Where to Buy Gardein' locator link for you.
MEAT:
Beyond Meat, Gardein, Tofurky, and more!
Grilled, fried, sammy, whatevs…you have plenty of options!
(Click on ‘chicken,' above)
Ocean Hugger Foods
Gardein Crabless Cakes and Fishless Filets
(Click on ‘fish,' above)
CONDIMENTS:
Mayo, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, and more!
(Click on ‘eggs,' above)
CHEESE & DAIRY
Can't give up cheese? Me neither. Fortunately, we non-dairy folks have tangy, stringy options!
Miyoko's Kitchen is my personal favorite. I am in love with her rich, smoky flavors and textures! [Lafayette, IN hack: available at Sunspot and Fresh Thyme.]
Daiya is a popular brand. It's more affordable and widely available than Miyokos. I love their pizzas and Mac & Cheese!
MORE ONLINE INFO
How to transition: The Vegan Clubhouse shows you how!
Vegan Starter Kit: Everything!
The Sistah Vegan Project
The Invisible Vegan: Making veganism more visible in the black community
VegNews Magazine online
R&B singer Mya speaks out
APPS
MUSIC
Official Grey Music (Start with Vegan Thanksgiving. Beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes…)
YOUTUBE
Mic (pronounced “Mike”) the Vegan: incredibly smart and informed
Ridiculously hilarious self-deprecating vegan and general know-it-all, JP
Post Punk Kitchen: vegan recipes, comin' atcha from Brooklyn
Bite Size Vegan: Meet Your Milk–and your milk's mother
Thug Kitchen: Delicious af
VIDEOS
Dr. Melanie Joy speaks about the psychology of eating meat
Cowspiracy (15-minute version)
Change your life in 60 seconds: series
Game of Thrones star…and more!
Mad Cowboy with Howard Lyman, former cattle rancher (see his book, below)
Earthling Ed on human rights v. animal rights
DOCUMENTARIES / FILMS
Before the Flood with Leonardo DiCaprio
EARTHLINGS Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. If you watch only one ‘vegan’ film, make it this one. (This link is free on YouTube.)
PODCASTS
BOOKS
Main Street Vegan books by Victoria Moran
Meat is For Pussies by John Joseph
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Dr. Melanie Joy
The World Peace Diet by Dr. Will Tuttle
Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman A former dairy farmer and cattle rancher transforms into a vegan advocate
Mind if I Order the Cheeseburger? by Sheri Colby What about abortion? Do vegans have oral sex? Dr. Colby takes every question seriously, and answers with grace and authority
RECIPES
BOSH! TV has so many easy-to-watch recipe videos, it had 1/2 a billion viewers its first year in production!
So many recipe blogs!
SUBSCRIPTION FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES
Pure Plant Nation About $8/meal; heat & eat
Purple Carrot About $12/plate; meals prepared at home; offers high-protein, GL ‘Performance Meals'
16 Food Delivery Services from PETA
COOKING CLASSES
Forks over Knives ($399)
Rouxbe Plant-Based Professional Course ($1,299.99)
NON-TOXIC HOME CLEANING
~These PETA-approved home cleaning products will have your home sparkling in no time!
~Though not all of their products are vegan*, I still like Norwex’s non-toxic, antimicrobial microfiber cleaning cloths and dusting mitts.
*All Norwex products are vegan with the following exceptions, which contain beeswax: Marine Organics Body Lotion, Marine Organics Shower Gel, Timeless Lip Balm, Timeless Silk Organic Hand Cream, Marine Organics Day & Night Creams and the Leather Shine. The Fluff & Tumble Dryer Balls contain wool. Norwex does NOT do any animal testing.
LOCAL TO LAFAYETTE, IN (USA):
Read all of my Meatless Mondays articles from USA Today! (Especially helpful if you’re local to Lafayette, IN.)
TGIF: Beyond Burger!
Nine Irish Brothers: Salads, sandwiches, Bailey's Vegan…
Freshii: Bowls, salads…
Sunspot: Grocery
Smittybread: Bread, most of which is vegan…
Azzip Pizza: Pizza with vegan cheese, vegan sausage, and vegan pesto…
Core Life Eatery: Healthful bowls, salads, wraps…
6th Street Dive: Avocado tacos, tater-tots…
Legacy Pub: Impossible Burger, Gardein chick'n, separate vegetarian/vegan menu…
Town & Gown: Vegan plate…
Lafayette Brewing Company: Beyond Burger, jackfruit nachos…
Vienna Cafe: Coffee, tea, cupcakes, cakes, muffins…
Sharma's Kitchen: Fine Indian dining
Digby's: Vegan Reuben…
Thai Essence: Elegant Thai dining
Three Carrots (in Indy): Upscale, 100% vegan restaurant
EMT: The Emergency Munchie Truck: 100% vegetarian/vegan food truck
* TO WRITE an ad, article, blog, interview, or other for you or your company
* TO SPEAK (live or virtual) as a Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator at your vegfest, office, school, or other
* TO CONSULT or COLLABORATE with on any project that includes a vegan perspective
* TO EDIT any writing project (including video captions)
Contact me on FB, Instagram, or Twitter, or email me directly at: veggiechel@veggiechel.com
Have a specific question/need not answered here? Message me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or shoot me an email!