Another Tuesday is here! I’m really enjoying receiving and sharing all of your amazing vegan stories, so keep them coming! If you want to be featured here in a future Tuesday, you can contact me and check the guidelines. I can’t wait to read your story!
Today, I’m sharing Elizabeth’s story. If you haven’t been over to her amazing blog, Enough Elizabeth, head over there now if you enjoy yummy vegan recipes, beautiful photographs, and fun reads. Her blog is so positive and pretty, and her story is truly inspiring. Here it is!
It all began when I was sitting on my balcony one summer morning, and came across a vegan “what-I-eat-in-a-day” vlog. I was intrigued by the video because the vlogger was a girl about my age at the time (16), yet seemed so aware of her eating habits and the impact they have on the world.
At the time, I was struggling with an eating disorder and was looking for any loophole that might lead to recovery. I was already following a bunch of vegans on social media and noticed that a lot of them had gone vegan either during, or right after recovery. I read recovery stories that told of people leaving calorie counting, restrictive diets, and unhappiness behind for unrestricted amounts of beautiful, nutritious foods on which they thrived. Right then and there, I decided to see where a vegan diet would take me.
For a while after going vegan, my eating disorder persisted. This was truthfully because I was not ready to recover. I did not yet understand that I had to heal my mind before I could transition to the diet I had been dreaming of. However, I continued to practice veganism because I immediately noticed amazing changes in my body that resulted from eliminating harmful animal by-products. My skin had a novel glow, my thoughts became far clearer, and everything seemed to taste a bit better. After becoming aware of the intense and vital ethical and environmental aspects of veganism, I began to wonder why I hadn’t made the decision earlier!
Then, after several significant life changes, I found myself prepared to embark on the journey that is recovery. That is when veganism came to play a larger role in my life than I ever could have imagined. When I began to recover, I started thinking about veganism instead of my eating disorder. I began to see that veganism isn’t just a diet; it’s a lifestyle that calls for loving both your own body and that of the earth. The most exciting part of recovery has been finally enjoying my own recipes and trying new vegan foods at restaurants. I can now focus on the aspects of veganism that matter, and freely embrace the health and joy that come with them. My world has evolved from a sphere of frustration to one filled with tahini, brightly colored breakfast bowls and an endless stream of recipe inspiration that I get to share on my blog!
Thanks for letting me share!
Wow! I can’t believe how healing it can be to transition to a vegan diet. I’ve stumbled upon stories where amazing recoveries, like Elizabeth’s, are empowered through a diet change, but also stories of mental healing and changed mindsets. Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for sharing your story, being inspiring and bringing such beautiful recipes and posts to the world! Speaking of amazing recipes, you should clearly check out her recipe for her molasses muffins with cape gooseberries. Seriously beautiful!
Again, if you’d like to share you favourite vegan recipe or story, contact me! Until next time, take care!
My Lighthearted Kitchen 