Adventures of a Vegan

Hello! My name is Ashlee. I am many things, mainly: a college student (for three weeks anyways), a student teacher, a sister, a cat lover, an environmentalist, and A VEGAN. Don't get scared off too quickly-- stay for helpful tips on being a vegan on a budget as well information you may not know about the vegan movement and nutrition information.

[vegasmo]

[adventuresofavegan]

Calcium for the vegan

I was recently at a family get together where when prompted why my coffee was sans cream I replied, “I’ve decided to be vegan”. She quickly responded to SOMEONE ELSE that I was so unhealthy and I would crumble within fifteen years because of my lack of calcium. Well, aside from supplements and almond or soy milk that I had this morning…broccoli, collard greens, soybeans, and kale are vegan sources of calcium. Educate yourself to defend yourself and spread knowledge.

[pixelmusings]

Love you more than those bitches before.. on We Heart It - http://weheartit.com/entry/53809716/via/pixelmusings

[adventuresofavegan]

Has anyone ever looked at you, like you might fall apart at any moment, "I can't be vegan, I'm more active than you, I need it"?

[adventuresofavegan]

Why Vegan? Why Now?

For my first post, I want to introduce myself. Not only as a person, but as a vegan. My name is Ashlee, and I just recently turned 21. I am a full time college student working in a school teaching first grade. I have a younger brother, and an otherwise tiny family. I live in Tampa, Florida in an apartment with three roommates. I have an adorable cat named, Sassy (who I adopted, of course) who you are sure to meet soon. Now for what you're (hopefully) here for... I have been a vegan since January 1st, 2013. 

I know some of you veterans out there are thinking, "This four month old baby vegan, who is she to start a blog?" and maybe you're right. However, I think you should know two things: I was a vegetarian for more than three years before "the switch" and my main goal of this blog is take the intimidation, misconceptions, and judgement out of veganism. 

This blog is sure to consume: pictures and recipes of vegan delights, pictures of me and my cat, nutrition tips and tricks to being vegan, and of course vegan activist posts. I am pretty mellow about being a vegan in that I never force my view on anyone or judge meat-eaters, but I do believe if we knew more about the meat industry as well as health and environmental benefits, more of us would make "the switch". 

Finally, my WHY. I get asked multiple times weekly (sometimes even by strangers) why I became vegan. As short as I can describe it, here we go. I became a vegetarian in high school when I learned that there is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING you get from a meat based diet that you cannot find in a plant based one, follow the blog for proof if you're shaking your head. In fact, given high cholesterol and bad habits that came with a meat based diet, a vegetarian switch was a health decision. Of course, I am a sucker for the ethical treatment of animals. Lastly, I believe in taking care of our Mother Earth; we cannot do that and continue to use resources it takes to feed and process meat without consequence. 

Going from vegetarian to vegan was a hard decision but was made for many of the same reasons. I hope you're interested in my blog and I look forward to sharing information as I gain it for myself.