My Plant-Based Journey and How It Shaped the Way I Live

My journey into plant-based living began gradually. One step led to another, guided by curiosity and a lot of questions around — compassion, impact, sourcing, and health.

Compassion - Impact - Source - Health

At the heart of it all was compassion.

This became real for me during a routine errand. I was asked to stop by a poultry shop — one that prided itself on offering customers the chance to “choose” a chicken, which would then be slaughtered right in front of them, cleaned, and packed. Witnessing this moment, shook me and it planted a seed.

It was at this moment that I decided to become a vegetarian, and initially, I found it quite challenging to give up eggs, so they remained an occasional part of my diet.

I continued being a vegetarian for about five years and during this time I began questioning everything that was on my plate, this soon shifted to everything I was consuming. It struck me: supermarket shelves never seem to run out. How do they meet endless demand? What happens behind the scenes so we can always get what we want, whenever we want it?

Those questions disturbed me. Because the answers — exploitation of land, labor, animals, and natural resources — became too loud to ignore.

That’s when it became clear that Every choice I make creates a ripple effect — on people, the planet, and our future.

Whether it’s what I eat, what I wear, or which brands I support, I’m connected to the source. And my choices matter.

🧘‍♀️ Health as a Form of Self-Compassion

Of course, my own health was also a huge part of the shift. We are what we eat — and food impacts not just our physical bodies but our emotional and mental well-being too.

Eating food rooted in compassion, sourced ethically, and free from harm brings a deep sense of peace.

Cooking whole foods has become one of my greatest acts of self-love. It’s a kind of nourishment that goes far beyond just filling a plate.

Knowing exactly what’s on my plate — and how it supports my body and mind — is priceless.

Mindful Choices for a nourished self and a better world

🌱 The Early Vegan Struggles

Transitioning to a fully vegan lifestyle didn’t come without its challenges. Temptations from dishes I once loved (OH, cheese!), the lack of ready options, family and friends questioning me, and the constant worry about whether I was doing it “right” — it was all part of the process.

The biggest hurdle? Protein.

Or rather, the myth around it. Every vegan knows the question is coming:

“But where do you get your protein?”

For a while, I wasn’t sure how to answer. I struggled, researched, learned, and experimented. And now?Getting protein through a plant-based diet is the easiest part of my meals. It’s effortless — a natural part of every dish I create.

Sure, I still get “brain fog” sometimes when I’m trying to add variety and nutrition — but that’s life. It’s all a constant work in progress. Like everything else, even our food habits are meant to evolve.

🛍️ Mindful Choices - Today, I make intentional choices — in what I eat, the products I buy, and the brands I support. There’s a saying that stuck with me:

"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want."

That truth hits deeply.

And while I can’t live the perfect life — and don’t claim to — this journey isn’t about perfection. It’s not a race, not a competition, and definitely not a performance. It’s my personal way of doing something that matters, however small.

It’s an act of kindness — to myself, to animals, to the Earth.

🌍 One Meal, One Habit, One Step at a Time

We all have the power to make a difference.