• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Shaking My Tofu

Plant-based health and wellness with ease.

  • Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Start Here

How to go plant-based: THE I-HAVE-NO-IDEA-WHAT-I’M-DOING GUIDE

June 2, 2021 by Ivy Chan

Share this...
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

various soupsIn this series: HOW TO DETOX: THE I-HAVE-NO-IDEA-WHAT-I’M-DOING GUIDE

Also have a look at: SOURCES ON PLANT-BASED, NON-TOXIC LIVING, 5 BRANDS THAT ARE MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR THIS BUSY MAMA BEE, Vegan, Gluten-free recipes from yours truly, Kitchen Supplies I can’t do Without , Recipes and plant-based tips I share on IG and Facebook

Congratulations-You have made the decision !

I am SO happy for you, friend! Even if you are “just considering” to stop eating animals, you have made that leap. I am proud of you. There are many reasons why I wish everyone was like you, but this post is to help you to keep on taking another step every day, without overwhelming yourself. I hope the below suggestions will be of help. If you have more questions, concerns, doubts, feel free to DM me, comment under this article, or, find me on IG or FB and I will be there to listen.

“To be prepared is half the victory”

The best thing to do right now is to stock up on as many whole foods, pantry items, colourful vegetables as you can. Definitely, do not even hang out in the nonvegan section of the store. As I said before, vegan does not necessarily mean healthy-neither does “plant-based”. Even if you are considering this new life for ethical reasons (animal rights, environmental issues, and so on), try to stay away from tempting, but highly processed, items *as much as possible*. If you can do some simple meal-prep and keep all the good stuff in sight for when the temptation arises, you are going to have a much easier time handling those cravings.

Balsamic baked tofu with kale + carrot quinoa

From PlateJoy recipes: Balsamic baked tofu with kale + carrot quinoa

Consider using Meal/grocery delivery services and meal-planners

I have a list of sources here with my honest reviews/thoughts. I have used most of the services included in that list, and some of them are still in my daily life. For example, I use Sakara from time to time (promo code: XOIVY), and for my husband, we get the Protein Bundle from Mamasezz . Grocery delivery subscriptions might be a good idea especially if you think you might be tempted at grocery stores. Just subscribe to vegan boxes, and you are good to go. We are all at different stages of our healthy/plant-based eating life. After all these years, I have recently started using meal-prep apps/ meal planners (again, I review some of those on that resources page). My favourite so far has been PlateJoy, but most of these services have free trial periods, so try for yourself.

Feel free to also look at the kitchen supplies I use daily.

When Hungry, Eat

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they go vegan is not eating enough. The amount of food you need to eat to feel satisfied may be different than you used to. You may need to eat more frequently. Don’t worry. Feed and nourish your body.

I know women who stopped menstruating after they went vegan, and they blamed the little amount of soymilk they were using in their coffee, because they had heard stories about soy. I know women who started to have extremely dry skin when they stopped eating meat, or those who started to feel unusually fatigued. In all of these cases, we realized that they were either not eating enough, or, they were eating the wrong kinds of food for their body type.

Focus on filling up on volume-based whole foods first- meaning fruits, vegetables, legumes. Most of these will have high amount of water so you will be hydrated while eating:) Then, complement your diet with healthy fats. I absolutely love nuts and seeds, and talk about healthy fats all the time, but it’s easy to overdo those.

Customize

I mentioned those who were eating the wrong kinds of foods for their body type. This is an important point to note: What is wrong for me might not be wrong for you. My husband can have multiple cups of coffee without any problem, but I would be awake all night if I have half a cup in the afternoon. Some people need more protein in their diet, some thrive on mostly raw veggies and fruits. Observe yourself, how you feel, how certain foods affect you; observe, and take your time. Do also keep in mind that things might change again. I have phases when I can have coffee in the morning, but for two weeks every month, my body rejects it completely. I adjust.

Work with your body, not against it.

Do have fun, and treat this new phase like an adventure

Discover new recipes, new spices, new produce, new books/influencers/podcasts, and really try out this new lifestyle. Try to have fun! Remind yourself of the reason(s) why you have taken this step, but don’t be harsh on yourself if you “fall off the wagon”. Just get back on it right away. Since 1998, I have heard all kinds of jokes, comments, some of which were extremely heartbreaking, or unsolicited advice. Things are changing, and I think people are more welcoming towards a plant-based life.  If you do experience a negative attitude from others, do remind yourself that, at the end of the day, you are doing this for yourself (and the animals, and the environment:)). Many times, those people are kind of curious, kind of envious, so don’t take it personally. The happier you are with yourself, with your decision, the less important it will be what others think.

Welcome, dear friend.

 

 

Before you head to the kitchen, did you know I have been accepting clients?! I’m slowly organizing the various parts of my life under one roof. Feel free to find out about my nutrition consultations, affiliate discounts, and articles (including links to recipes) here.

 

Thank you so much for considering to support my blog. The best way to show support is by sharing, liking, commenting. You can also follow Shakingmytofu on Instagram and Facebook. However you support me, please know I am truly grateful.

Help me spread the word!

I’m looking for new clients and have openings for the following month. I would love it if you would help me spread the word!

What I do: As a certified Ayurvedic Nutritionist, I help people build a balanced, joyful, peaceful life with the help of sustainable nutrition and movement plans suitable for their needs, goals, and lifestyle. I would love to help you, or someone you know, to develop and maintain healthy habits. If you know someone who might be interested, please feel free to send them to my website. There, you will be able to find my services explained in more detail. Reach out to me for bookings, and additional questions. I welcome and appreciate your messages. Thanks, and blessings- I am SO grateful for you!

Share this...
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Sources on plant-based living Tagged With: plant-based resources, vegan resources

Recent Comments

  • Ivy Chan on Warm, tummy-friendly smoothies for when you can’t do frozen bananas anymore
  • Ashley McEldowney on Warm, tummy-friendly smoothies for when you can’t do frozen bananas anymore
  • Ivy Chan on Coconut mon amour: Two sweets, one tangy, all yummy coconut recipes
  • Ivy Chan on Coconut mon amour: Two sweets, one tangy, all yummy coconut recipes
  • Ashley McEldowney on Coconut mon amour: Two sweets, one tangy, all yummy coconut recipes
Previous Post: « Cool and Calm Sensitive Skin
Next Post: How to cook healthy every day: The I-HAVE-NO-IDEA-WHAT-I’M-DOING GUIDE »

Primary Sidebar

HELLO REAL LIFE!

Welcome! My name is Ivy. I am an academic by training and a foodie at heart, in a small but mighty body. Classical with a twist, married to the love of my life, a proud mum of two little lions, and one little human. We have recently moved to the gorgeous state of Washington. I am back to a 4-year school to study Ayurvedic nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine. When I have time from school and our two-year-old, I like to read, write, bake, and consume more Medjool dates and dried figs than anyone I know.

Shakingmytofu aims to make plant-based life convenient, affordable, and adaptable for everyone. I will be happy if I can bring a little more light, health, and peace to the daily life. Feel free to spend time, have a look at the recipes, lists of plant-based sources (from snacks to clothing), images and articles. Contact me anytime with queries, suggestions, and collaboration ideas at shakingmytofu@gmail.com or simply by filling out the form below. Look forward to hearing from you!

About SMT →

Join the community


Search this site

Recent Posts

Granola in glass jar, next to 1/2 an orange

Ginger Orange Granola with “Super-Foods”

Intuitive eating: Ditch the diet by following these principles

A bicycle parked in front of a plate that says "follow that dream"

10 Quotes for Motivation

Mother playing with son

4 Foods to Free Your Natural Energy

banoffee-parfaits

5 Gut-friendly breakfast recipes: Ditch that sugar-coated cereal with these yummy alternatives

Archives

  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018

Categories

  • adaptogenic
  • detoxing
  • gut health
  • health and wellness
  • hormone health
  • Lifestyle
  • parenting
  • Recipes
  • skin health
  • Sources on plant-based living
  • sweets
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter


Footer

About the author

I am an academic by training and a foodie at heart, in a small but mighty body. I am married to the love of my life, and a proud “furry-mum” of two little lions. Want to collaborate? Contact me→

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Recipes

Granola in glass jar, next to 1/2 an orange
banoffee-parfaits