As a vegan, you’re most likely spending a large part of your time amongst non-vegans. This is especially true in the workplace. Depending on where you work, your co-workers may be very supportive of your vegan choices, and even interested in learning more about how they can become a vegan. Or, they may not want to hear anything about veganism, and be repulsed by the idea of a diet devoid of animal products.

Recently, there’s been a lot of information in the news about plant-based products, and even more hype around switching to a plant-based diet. You may have seen big chains such as Burger King® and Dunkin'® advertising products containing plant-based meat such as Beyond Beef® and Impossible™ meat. So why all the excitement about going plant-based?

If you’re looking for a great vegan-friendly city with Southern charm, check out Wilmington, North Carolina. Located in Southeastern North Carolina, Wilmington has views of both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean among other beautiful sites. With a university (The University of North Carolina Wilmington), an abundance of outdoor activities, amazing beaches, and a hip downtown, who wouldn’t want to visit? Not only has Wilmington got a lot going on, it also boasts a ton of vegan-friendly food and activities.

Hilo is a quaint town located on the Eastern side of the island of Hawaii. More commonly known as the Big Island, this Pacific Island is Hawaii’s largest, hence its name. Hilo is a sleepy town with access to some of the best and most beautiful sites that the Big Island has to offer. From lava flows, to volcanos, to plenty of exotic plants and foods, Hilo and the surrounding areas has it all! If you’re spending time on Big Island it’s highly recommended that you rent a car since public transportation is limited. This can be done at the Hilo airport as they have multiple rental agencies to choose from. However, both Uber and Lyft are operating on the island and is a viable means to get around Hilo town and the surrounding areas.

The Berkshires is geographic region located in Western Massachusetts known for its gorgeous scenery and numerous quaint towns. Due to the numerous small villages and towns, we’ve decided to group this region into one vegan city guide.

New York City is known as one of the greatest cities in the world, and rightfully so. Renowned for its world-class dining, theater, buildings, and museums, NYC has it all. Although it may be challenging to find an abundance of vegan-friendly options in certain areas of the country, if you’ve come to NYC, you’ve definitely landed in vegan heaven. New York City is even listed as one of the top ten vegan-friendly cities of the world!

After months or perhaps years of considering a vegan way of life, you’ve finally made the plunge to adopt a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle. Congratulations, you’ve done a wonderful thing for your health, the animals and the planet! This is just the first step in the amazing journey you are about to embark on. However, with any new beginning that you undertake, there may be a few bumps along the way. I too remember the challenges I faced with this transition from non-vegan to vegan, thus I have created the following points to assist those who are new to veganism. Find a Vegan Community Finding a vegan community may be one of the best ways that you can help yourself maintain a vegan diet and lifestyle. Prior to becoming a vegan I found it challenging to maintain a 100% vegan lifestyle due to lack of community. I did not have any vegan friends nor did I have an online vegan support system to assist me. When I finally became a vegan it was much easier as my partner at the time had adopted a vegan diet at the same time. I realize that many of you do not have the luxury of having a vegan spouse or partner, thus I strongly encourage you to find a vegan community. Know how to Select Vegan Food Now this may seem like a no-brainer but you would be surprised at how many brands and restaurants incorporate animal products into everyday foods. Below are tips for when you’re at the grocery store and at a restaurant. Grocery Store Shopping As a new vegan, I highly advise you to consistently read food labels while at the grocery store to ensure what you’re purchasing is vegan-friendly. I don’t know how many times I’ve assumed that a product was vegan only to get home and read the label and find out it was not. This may seem time consuming in the beginning, but trust me it is worth it for the peace of mind. The more labels you read the quicker you will identify non-vegan ingredients. I also recommend getting familiar with vegan food brands. Once you familiarize yourself with several vegan brands, you can be sure that anything you purchase from them is 100% vegan-friendly. This will make shopping much easier for you. Ordering at a Restaurant Now that you’re a vegan you’ll most likely be inquiring into vegan-friendly options while dining out. This question alone may introduce you to some like-minded people who are also vegan! I’ve met my fair share of waiters who also mentioned that they were also vegan once I inquired about vegan options. They often have great recommendations on what to eat. On the flip side however, you may encounter establishments where getting a vegan option is slim pickings. My advice is to do your research beforehand (if possible) if there are any vegan options at the restaurant. Most likely you will find something to eat, though it may not always be to your liking. Vegan Resources Aside from community support, it’s also important to have resources to lean on. Vegan resources run the gamut but may include plant-based nutrition websites, cruelty-free brands, cruelty-free clothing companies, and everyday vegan-friendly products. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on current happenings in the world such as new vegan establishments openings, or advancements in animal welfare and protection. By staying aware of what’s happening in the wide world of veganism, you’re able to tap into resources you may not have been previously aware of as well as connect with other vegans. Educate Yourself Educating yourself about the truths behind veganism is incredibly important as you may receive many questions about why you have decided to become a vegan. By educating yourself on the truths of factory farming, animal cruelty, environmental destruction and the health benefits of veganism, you are setting yourself up for success with whomever you encounter. This will help you if at any time you feel attacked or judged because you’ve made this decision. Knowing the truth will also help you during times when you may question your decision or feel pressure from others. Have Compassion and Patience with Yourself Throughout this transition to veganism it’s important to have compassion and patience for yourself as there will be times when you slip up. Veganism does not equal perfection, it is about doing as little harm as possible to ourselves, the animals, and the planet. There will be times when you eat a non-vegan food item or you wear something that is not cruelty-free. If this occurs remember that as a vegan you are striving to better the planet on a daily basis. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Have Fun Contrary to what public opinion may think of the deprived lifestyle of a vegan, I can definitely attest that you can thrive as a vegan, and have a good time as well! There are many great vegan-friendly restaurants and activities to participate it. Keep a fun lightheartedness about your vegan journey and don’t take yourself too seriously! ____________________ Veganism is about much more than just our food choices. It’s also about making the best choice for our body, planet, and animals. As a new vegan, there may be times when you’re tempted to give up due to external stresses, challenges, or public opinion. I encourage you to stay strong and remember the reasons why you became vegan in the first place. Find community, reach out to others, and be an agent for changing the world for the better.

In today’s society, there are a thousand and one fad diets out there on the market. From low carb to Atkins to Paleo, and everything in between, there are too many to keep track of! Many people begin a diet to lose weight, and will typically bounce from one diet to the next, trying to find one that works for them. Unfortunately, most of the time the weight loss that they may have achieved is gained back once the diet stops-and they may even gain back more weight than they originally lost

High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is a medical condition that is very prevalent in the United States and around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 75 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure. This is roughly about 29% of the adult population. Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for developing other diseases such as stroke and heart disease.

Hyperlipidemia, more commonly known as high cholesterol is an excess of cholesterol which builds up in the arteries. High cholesterol is a risk factor for developing peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke.1Unfortunately, high cholesterol does not have symptoms, and many people with high cholesterol are unaware of the diagnosis until discovered on a blood test.