Tips for new vegans

Some new vegans have been asking me for advice on what to eat. Here's a list of some things I've found helpful to have around. This is just a start, but hopefully it sparks some ideas. It will be continued in the future I'm sure. And I'd like to get ideas from the readers, too!

Trader Joe's mixed nuts "to-go" packs
I throw these in my pocket, keep a pack in the glovebox, and have them around at work. It's good to eat a handful of nuts and seeds every day, and these do the trick. And they have enough calories to satisfy a hunger urge.

Fortified Rice, Almond, Soy & Hemp Milk
I stress fortified because all of the above milks have fortified versions that are much better for you. They have added B12, Calcium and other essential vitamins. I like to use them all, so I keep them in a rotation. I can't really tell much of a differnce between them, honestly, since they're usually in my smoothies or cereal.

Kale & Collard Greens
Kale and collards have some of the highest nutritional content of any vegetable. I mostly put them in smoothies or pan fry them. I had some collards in my smoothie this morning, and it put a serious pep in my step!

A Blender
Seriously. I use mine every day. And it's nothing fancy. It's amazing how quickly I go through my greens and fruit. No more throwing out what's gone bad because it's all been blended. I wouldn't be able to get enough raw greens in my diet without it.

Larabars
Not all of them are vegan, but most of them are. They're also great pocket stuffers, and good before or after workouts. They satisfy the need for something sweet and crunchy, with minimally processed ingredients. There's no added sugar, just dates.

Earth Balance Buttery Spread
I love toast, and I love it with butter. I was no fan of margarine, but I'm telling you this stuff is nothing of the sort. It's fantastic.

Earth Balance Peanut Butter
On apples, celery, or on it's own. 'Nuff said.

A Crockpot
I never considered getting one of these, but it's great! And they're only $20 at Target. I basically toss in  a bunch of random veggies and beans, and it comes out pretty good! It's a great way to get in your veggies.

Larabars

I love Larabars. They don't have any crap in them. One of my favorites has 2 ingredients: cashews and dates. Or the one below: peanuts, dates, salt. Most of them have 2-4 ingredients, and none of them are chemicals. I stay away from most processed foods, but these are guilt-free for me.