It’s been about six months since I started this blog, and as this little milesteone approaches, I’m excited to bring a contributor on board. My friend Brielle will be embracing a 30-day vegan challenge and has agreed to share her experience on Lazy Girl Vegan. Welcome, Brielle!

Brielle is a 20-something restaurant manager who lives in Northern Kentucky with her husband. We met way back in high school and used to go to yoga class together! While we’ve both been interested in healthy eating since we met, we’ve had different approaches. I’m a long-time vegetarian and current plant-based eater/99% vegan. She’s a meat-and-dairy eater but is conscious about the food she chooses, opting for sustainable options as much as possible. Since I’ve been yacking about how much I love plants, she’s decided to try this plant-based, clean eating lifestyle for 30 days.

Brielle and her husband 

She will choose one cheat day each week instead of going full vegan for 30 days. I think this is a great idea, because it sets realistic goals that she can actually follow. It be challenging in the first month of making a change, so I get that as a newbie, the cheat day makes the challenge seem more manageable, rather than a giant battle that is un-winnable.

 This is actually an important point that I want to emphasize through this project, as I hope for my blog to speak to both vegans and carnivores alike. Every step counts toward improving conditions for animals, the state of our Earth and our level of health, so don’t let the mainstream vegan rhetoric scare you. You don’t have to give up meat and dairy fully to make some better choices. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing. After all, two steps are better than none! Every step counts. 

Here are a few of the items that Brielle bought at the store for her vegan challenge from a local Kroger in Northern Kentucky. 
 

A few more things Brielle purchased from Kroger: 

 Next week, we’ll publish a post about her first week experience, so stay tuned and wish Brielle luck! If you’re a plant-based eater or full vegan, you know how rewarding this lifestyle can be. Have any tips for her? Feel free to share your insights in the comments! 

A Note
This information is not meant for medical purposes. We are not doctors. Though we are certainly hoping weight loss will be a side effect of this challenge, that is not the main goal here. If you want to begin a weight loss journey, please consult with a doctor and nutritionist first.