If your family did not reach the conclusion to become vegan by unanimous vote then you may have to do some convincing. Then again maybe not! Whatever the situation here are a few reasons to share with your family why going vegan is good.

1. You will save money. Replacing meat with more vegetables and fruit is estimated to cut food bills by an average of $4,000 a year. That’s a family vacation a year or some other type of fun.

2. You are saving your heart. Heart disease is running rampant; not only among adults but children as well. Children as young as age 3 who are raised on fast food and junk food show early signs of heart disease, according to the Bogalusa Heart Study done at the Louisiana State University. Cardiovascular disease is found in one in nine women aged 45 to 64 and in one in three women over 65. The average American male eating a meat-based diet has a 50 percent chance of dying from heart disease. So heart disease is now targeting everyone in your family.

3. Longer life. According to a study done by Loma Linda University, vegans live about 15 years longer than meat eaters. I don’t know about you but I look forward to living and enjoying life as long as I can.

4.  You can eat the cookie dough raw and not worry about salmonella. Now that is a plus for the kids and well, maybe the adults too. The one thing I love about preparing vegan meals is the option to taste before I cook to make sure that it is just right.

5.  For the children this one is a biggie. You can help save animals. I would demonstrate this by watching Animal Planet, going to a nice zoo, or just talking about it because kids love animals. If you have a pet that helps as well. Tell your children that by going vegan you are eliminating animals and that going vegan will help save them. Ask them if they want to see their favorite animal killed and eaten.

There are many reasons to become vegan. What you have to do is decide which ones are best to share with your family. Visit vegan and vegetarian sites like Vegan Society and GoVeg.com and allow your family to learn more about becoming vegan. You can even order their free Vegetarian Starter kits to share more information with your family.

In my experience in working with vegan families, I have found that the adults tend to be more resistant than the children. So in the event of a spouse or other adults in the house, I suggest that you gather the research and plead your case.

If you have a hard time convincing your spouse to go vegan seven days a week, see if he will be okay with eating vegan a few days of the week. If he challenges that the kids will not get the nutrients they need, then show him the “Get Your Nutrients” section of this e-book and direct him toward the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine where he can read about a group of doctors, (not quacks, but real doctors), who encourage the vegetarian/vegan diet and provides information and resources for those seeking to know more.

For the life of me I will never figure out why it is so hard for people to accept change, but it is. Being a vegan is no different than being a meat eater. Meat eaters do not get their proper nutrients just because they eat dead flesh. It is the live food that matter most.

Of course you can share that as well.

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This article is an excerpt from Transitioning Your Family With Ease. For more ideas and advice on moving your family to a healthy vegan diet, including a sample meal plan, recipes, and planning tools. check this e-book out today.

photo credit: WordRidden

Contrary to popular belief, veggies don’t need any dressing up to make them taste good. Nature has done that all by itself. They are picked fresh from the earth filled with succulent taste. The best vegetables that you can purchase are organic and found fresh in stores, at farmer’s markets, or even better, your own garden.

Vegetables can keep without freezing or refrigerating them which is good for snacking on the run. If you are on the run or about to hit the road, you can grab a bag of veggies for the ride. Turn vegetables into snack sized pieces by slicing them into sticks, cubes, or chips. In this form, they are easier to manage. Pack them in plastic bags or small containers and you are good to go.

There are many vegetables that you can prepare for a healthy on-the-go snack.

Carrots can be cut into sticks or a veggie slicer can cut them into chips. Don’t waste time buying baby carrots because they are expensive and are not baby carrots at all. It is easy enough to take a regular size carrot and fix it up. The same goes for cucumbers, beets, peppers, squash, zucchini, and other rigid veggies.

Tomatoes are classified as fruits, but we will consider them vegetables here. Many people just eat them like a fruit. Add a pinch of salt and bite in. You can even purchase the smaller versions like cherry or grape and simply pop them in your mouth as you ride. Broccoli and cauliflower can also be eaten raw. Celery is a good vegetable because it is filled with water and can relieve thirst and hunger at the same time.

photo credit: judepics

What are vegetables without dip? Dip adds a flavor to veggies and even kids who turn their noses up to vegetables will eat certain ones if they are dipped in something. Many dips can be made at home with dry seasoning packets and a vegan sour cream or cream cheese. For a different taste add your own fresh herbs. Sweet dips, like yogurt based ones, are also good with veggie snacks. Dip can be stored in a container or a two-piece salad bowl. With the salad bowl, the dip doesn’t mix with the vegetables until you are ready to eat them.

Vegetables can be excellent snacks for those times when you on the road and can’t get home to fix a complete meal. They are healthier alternatives then chips and a candy bar. Take them in the car, on the job, or outside for a quick energy pick-me-up. No matter what way you choose to eat them, vegetables make healthy on-the-go snack foods for everyone.

Of course you do not need to do this overnight. It is a progressive journey that takes some years, some months, and others just a few days to convert to a vegan diet. The choice it truly a personal one, but I can say it is a good choice.

There are not bonafide steps towards a vegan diet; but, if you are on the fence about whether or not you and/or your family will go vegan, here area some steps to help you with your decisions.

1. Take your time in making this decision and don’t let people pressure you one way or the other.

2. If you want to convert your entire family, I suggest you have a family pow wow and talk about the benefits, changes, and reasons why you think going vegan is a good idea.

3. Read vegan magazines, books, and cook books to being to familiarize yourself with the vegan diet and lifestyle.

4. Try a 2/5 meal split. That means simply eat vegan two days out of the week and see how you like it. Locate simple recipes, like the ones in the Vegan Family Living archives and try them out. You may decided to keep it like that, add more days, or go back to your normal diet.

5. Step outside of the box and dare to be different. Don’t be afraid to try some cactus tacos or sloppy joes made with TVP. Explore foods you have never had before and find a recipe for them. If you are thinking of going vegan then you will have to have the right mindset to do so.

6. If you fall off the wagon a few times, don’t beat yourself up. No two vegans are alike. I read about a man who is vegan 364 days out of the year and on Thanksgiving he dabbles in a bit of the turkey. I know I may get an email or two but I myself will have some of my momma’s fish on occasion when I am in Oklahoma. The author Alice Walker considers herself a vegan who eats fish and eggs. The bottom line is that you don’t be so rough on yourself.

7. Transforms meals you already make. For example make your spaghetti with Boca Crumbles instead of ground beef. Or make beef stroganoff with portabello mushrooms. For an easy macaroni and cheese try this great recipe (kids love it) or for a tasty cheesecake try this one.

8. Eat at a vegetarian or vegan restaurant. Google your city for restaurants in your area.

9. Make sure the meals are balanced. I know from experience that a high carb vegan diet will keep or make you fat.

These are just a few steps towards a vegan diet. The decision to make the switch may not be an easy one to make but with the right tools, resources, and support it can be done.

If you feel like you are ready to make that plunge or you want to know more about transitioning to a vegan diet, I would like to suggest that you try my low cost resource, Transitioning Your Family With Ease. You might even think about Transition Coaching for a more intimate approach to moving towards a vegan diet.

Sometimes you just may not know where to go or what to do.

Here are a few tips that will help you along on your journey towards transitioning success:

1. Make sure that you block out all the negativity that will come your way. The bottom line is that you will get flack and it just may hurt. Just know that someone else’s ignorance to a situation does not have to be your downfall.
2. Ease your family into the transition. It can be difficult, especially for the adults in the family to adjust to such a drastic dietary change. Don’t force it on them all at once because you just might lose the battle.
3. Start out with 3 days of vegan meals and the rest your normal diet. Over time as the family gets used to the meals add another day of vegan meals and then another. Eventually vegan eating will be the norm in your home.
4. Understand how to substitute or replace meat and dairy in your home. There are many options available to replace what you were used to as a meat eater.
5. Make sure you have a plan. A workable meal plan is one of the best tools you can have for transitioning success. A good plan with healthy and fun recipes will win your family over.

Now maybe you look at these tips and wonder how you will get everything you need to succeed. How do you get your family to adjust well? How do you accomplish the task of menu planning. What are some vegan substitutions for meat?

If you are looking for a resources to help you with your transitioning needs; one that will guide you in simple yet effective ways, then Transitioning Your Family with Ease: Simple Paths to Vegan Cooking is the tool you need.