Will Feeding Your Spirit Release Excess Pounds?

by Ali Shapiro

Weight loss for the chronic dieter is not about willpower. It’s a wake-up call. It’s your body’s way of literally grounding you, often to a standstill. Those stubborn pounds are delivering a message: A lighter life is waiting.

Spirituality and its relationship to weight loss don’t often get discussed. Why? Partly because spirituality is hard to define, but mostly because it doesn’t offer a profitable quick fix. Let’s start with a working definition. In many ways, spirituality is the opposite of blind faith. It’s an inner knowing that comes from evidence: your experience. It starts by welcoming the unknown to a seat at the table of your life. Think “Wonder” Woman; embodying spirituality means wondering and then having the strength to live your questions. Over time, an inner authority develops based on what’s possible, not our doubts.

When we familiarize ourselves with this voice, we make choices that reflect our best, non-insecure selves. And most importantly, we stop listening to the other supposedly authoritative voices in our lives that shout things like, “Happiness only comes wrapped in a size two dress!”

My own weight loss success and years of client work have led me to discover the two principal areas where divine authority is knocking on the door:

Career. With all of us spending most of our time at work, it’s the most significant relationship we have. And yet, most of my clients find it the least meaningful. A job that reflects your values is a way to bring your spirit to life. When your core values are alive, you’re committed to being fully present. In this scenario, your work speaks directly to who you are, and you’re able to weather the inevitable highs and lows that come with any worthwhile endeavor. You feel substantial, so your body doesn’t have to be.

For example, one of my client’s weight loss efforts were thwarted by her binging. I explained that binging was power; it was her body asserting itself. After some digging, it was clear her work life needed attention: Was it a corner office or her life back that she craved? She found a company culture that would allow a work-life balance, and a position within this company that played to her values: learning, leadership and being creative. Her binging stopped and she dropped five pounds. Most importantly, she stopped obsessing about her weight and continues to be happier than she’s been in years.

Relationships. If we don’t have strong boundaries or support, we won’t succeed in any of our goals. Developing nourishing relationships, including with ourselves, gives life the buoyancy your spirit craves. It’s a high that cannot be extracted from even the most sugary cookies.

Another client of mine felt she couldn’t start dating until she reached her goal weight. It was only then that men would find her attractive. Or in other words, she would feel confident enough to feel vulnerable. I asked her, “What is the benefit of your weight?” After some coaching, we figured out her excess weight was serving as a shield. It was much easier to blame dateless nights on her weight rather than having to work within the boundaries of a healthy relationship where she would inevitably air her dirty laundry. With this acknowledgment, she slowly started dating again and – without changing her diet and exercise – lost four pounds.

So where to begin? With the questions. Ask yourself, “If I wasn’t so focused on my weight, what would I have to address?” And start to make small changes. With the momentum of each “small” success, you’ll be better equipped for bigger, sweeping changes.

The 1 percent of dieters who succeed have one thing in common: They all made major life changes.

For example, at the age of 26, I found myself deeply depressed and 30 pounds overweight. This wouldn’t sound so abnormal if it wasn’t for the fact that 13 years prior, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. I spent a year of chemo and radiation fighting for my life. Having faced death, why wasn’t I living each day appreciating my second chance? I blamed it all on my weight. This led to more weight and waiting; my weight served to procrastinate living.

After having cancer, I had internalized that life was a danger zone. To be safe, I hunkered down in a corporate cubicle. However, the real danger was continuing to live a half-assed life and missing out on the lessons that only a trauma like cancer can provide.

I slowly began to ask, “What if I go toward the fun, not the fear?” I gradually turned around my belief process through real world experiments. Over four years, I returned to nutrition school, traded in a cubicle for clients and a thriving health counseling practice and (most importantly) gave my spirit a chance to breathe, wonder and dance. Bit by bit, I’ve proven to myself that life isn’t so scary. It’s wild and wonderful. Being down 30 pounds without the old struggle is just the (organic) cherry on top.

The beauty in any transition is that you aren’t alone. Your body is your teacher, best friend and cheerleader. Its highest expression is the lightness you desire to feel. When my clients start sinking into their bodies instead of the frustration of generic women’s health magazines, they develop their inner heroine. Yes, they weigh less. But, they also discover the confidence, beauty and freedom they were ultimately trying to lasso. By the nature of our own spirits, no one can tell us who we are. We have to explore on our own. And, who would want to leave this world without the weight of that experience?

Ali Shapiro is a regular NBC Philadelphia contributor and works with individuals and groups to show them how to design their nutrition and life to experience waitless living™.

Q & A with Vegan Arm Wrestler Rob Bigwood

Rob Bigwood has been a professional arm wrestler since the age of 20. Currently 27, Rob is one of the top-ranked arm wrestlers in the Northeast and among the top 20 overall in the United States. He has won over 40 state tournaments covering the entire East Coast, as well as the PAC’s World Championship in 2006 (left handed).

What inspired you to become a vegan?

I first considered giving up meat after an arm wrestling tournament back in 2002. At the Pennsylvania State Fair a group of piglets caught my attention. It was too cute watching them wrestle around and fight for milk from their mom—it was no different than puppies. I got terribly sick to my stomach knowing that I had a bacon and egg sandwich for breakfast that same morning.

I was pretty unsuccessful for a few years. But when I moved to New York three years ago I set my mind on it and have been a strict vegetarian ever since. My diet naturally and gradually led to a vegan diet.

How did your life and health change after becoming a vegan?

Before starting I weighed 290lbs, and I felt lazy and extremely unhealthy. But now I am 225 lbs and feel like a totally new person. I made a conscious and ethical decision to give up meat and was willing to face the consequences (having no clue at the time what they would be). It is more important to practice what I preach than to worry about being a strong arm wrestler. At first my body did not feel right but it only took a couple of weeks to adjust. Eventually, I began to gain energy and consistently lost weight. I have never felt healthier in my entire life and it has been one of the best decisions I ever made.

What challenges have you faced as an arm wrestler who is vegan?

None, to be perfectly honest.  I still train exactly the same way and have a simple diet so I make sure to get the necessary vitamins, minerals and protein. I am also a huge fan of Vega supplements.

How does the arm wrestling community react to your diet?

Most of the arm wrestlers were shocked. They, like most people, don’t understand how I am that strong without meat, milk, eggs and etc. Most have known me prior to going vegan and really respect my decision.

What do you eat on a typical day?

For breakfast I usually mix oatmeal with sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, ground Flaxseed, raisins and cranberries. Or if I’m feeling lazy I will just eat some healthy cereal with soy milk and a banana.

I work in New York City so I’m pretty spoiled when it comes to finding vegetarian lunch and dinner options. I love Indian, Thai, Mexican and Japanese food. One of my favorite places to eat is Soy and Sake Village. I’m also a huge fan of Gobo, Blossom, and Candle Cafe.

As far as supplements I take liquid Vitamin B-complex, a multivitamin, and Vega protein shakes.  I keep things simple.

When you moved to New York and became a strict vegetarian, were there certain strategies or meals that helped you stick to the diet while you transitioned?

It was an easy transition for me because I would eat exactly the same meals minus the meat. I would replace it with tofu, beans or nuts. I also ate a lot of veggie burgers and frequently visited Whole Foods.

Do you do anything to encourage others arm wrestlers to try a vegan diet?

I have been doing the best I can with educating, inspiring, and breaking the typical stereotypes. I tell people, if not for the awesome health benefits, then at least make an effort for the animals. If being a vegan seems impossible then cut back on meat a few days a week; every effort counts.

People don’t realize the harsh cruelty and suffering these animals go through before eventually ending up the meat in your sandwich. Being vegan also means being green, it is the absolute best thing for our environment!

Rob Bigwood is a Senior Interactive Designer currently working at Atmosphere BBDO in New York, NY. For more information, visit his website.

How I Transformed My Life

By Philip McCluskey

As I sit in front of my computer and ponder the last four years of my life, I can hardly believe it was “me” living it. There have been many days that I would find my eyes welling up with happy tears and laughing at this newfound joy and happiness I discovered.

I’ve been overweight my entire life, tried over 30 diets and was always the biggest kid in school. At 400 pounds, I felt I was a victim to an obese father, a broken family and the list goes on. The thought of giving motivational lectures and authoring books on weight loss was so far removed from my reality. The only highlight of my life was my yearly vacation (escape) from work and even that ended up being stressful. But I was soon to find out that the Universe has a funny way of mixing things up a bit.

Four years ago, I switched to a 100% raw vegan lifestyle. Besides the dramatic weight loss, one of the things I discovered birthing in me was a desire to actually LIVE, to really live—like I never had before. I decided to take ideas that had only been in my mind or on paper and create a reality that would line up with them or would enable them to happen in sync. I really let loose here too: I included the girlfriend I always dreamed of, the freedom of traveling around the world and exploring, new friends, new business partners, family, love, life. My goal was to live with as much freedom and love that my heart could handle.

But, where to start?

Faith

Trusting in the Universe has been a wonderful learning process. Learning that I manifest the world around me was originally a new concept for me, and I have gained so much from it:

-There is no such thing as coincidence.
-I am a co-creator, not a victim.
-Responsibility is all mine.
-The Universe only has good things for me.
-Be still and know that everything is perfect.

From the moment I began to release the reigns a bit, I found that I was actually able to truly enjoy life for the first time. So, what happened? I began attracting new friends from all over the world. Raw food communities were popping up, and it seemed like support was everywhere. Companies began to contact me and opportunities for adventure began to present themselves. I got to share my story on CBS. People began to ask me to speak all over the world. “What luck,” some might say. Ha, no such thing! It all started with visualization and positive thinking.

Positive Thinking

I came to find that living life everyday with the attitude of having “The Most Amazing Day Ever” presented more than I could ever hope or dream for. I decided not to put my future in a box anymore but rather to be completely open to whatever was to come. Expecting the best in every situation and being in a space of gratitude, no matter what was gifted to me, was a new way of thinking that turned into a new way of manifesting. If we create the world around us with our thoughts and our intentions, why not create it the very best way possible, way beyond the status quo?

Here are a few tools I found that helped me along the way:

1.  Affirmations. Most people have a terrible day because subconsciously they don’t feel they deserve anything good in life, usually due to a lack of self-love. You can reverse that by affirming you love yourself in the mirror daily. I dare you. Do it until you actually believe yourself or until you crack up laughing.

I would tape notes on my mirrors and walls around the house reminding me to do my affirmations, including “I Love Myself,” “I Accept Myself,” and “I Appreciate Myself.”

2.  Creating Your Day. Create your day by writing down exactly how you want your day to go. It’s quite simple and should take less than five or 10 minutes. Don’t be skimpy on the details either. If you are having a problem with a coworker, write down how you would like them to act towards you and see that person as cordial and pleasant. Whatever the situation, see it in your mind and write it down. Get wild here; don’t limit yourself!

3.  Visualization. Spend 30 minutes once a week (or more frequently) and picture your future the way you want it to be. You get to direct your own movie and be the star!

Your goal may be to lose 40 pounds and go to work in a new tailored pinstripe suit. If that is the case, picture yourself as that person: trim, strong, muscular, confident and looking amazing in your new suit. Picture what it feels like when you walk around and interact with people. Feel the emotion of the moment. The emotion and intention are what sets the process of creation in motion.

I have been picturing myself as a trim muscular guy for pretty much my entire life. After losing over 215 pounds from a maximum weight of 400 pounds, I would say I manifested that dream or visualization. It may have taken a little longer than expected, but I’m still learning.

Accepting ourselves, accepting change, being in the moment, and creating with our words, thoughts and intentions is how we shift and transform our bodies, our lives and even our future. We have been taught to look outside ourselves for the answers. We run from guru to guru, from the hottest yoga teacher in India to the latest retreat in Mauritius, always looking, always seeking. Is anything wrong with any of this? Of course not. Just remember the hidden treasure is in an earthen vessel, which is you. You have everything you need inside you already. Yup, everything!

You are empowered to affirm, create and visualize your life to be whatever your heart desires. You always have been.

Philip McCluskey is a motivational speaker, author, and is incredibly passionate about raw foods! Being overweight his entire life, he surpassed morbid obesity and skyrocketed to a max weight of 400 lbs. After switching to a 100% raw vegan diet overnight, he has lost over 215 lbs, completed a 100-day juice fast and a 60-day liquid fast, and is on the fast track to rediscovering his new superhero existence. His recipe book Raw Food, Fast Food can be found at www.lovingraw.com.

Making Healthy Choices at School

When I was growing up, I was very fortunate to be surrounded by health advocates: my dad is a cardiac surgeon; my mother is a reiki master and aficionado of holistic and homeopathic medicine. As such, I was uniquely exposed to the nexus of Eastern and Western medicine, and our dinner table chats covered everything from the latest advancement in robotic surgery to the newest research in Co-Q10 therapies. And yet, I was a good 25-40 pounds overweight for most of my youth.

A clear example of knowledge without practice, I struggled to put all my parents’ valuable information to use because their tips on nutrition and exercise simply didn’t fit into my lifestyle. I was a high school student who had difficulty finding healthy foods on campus, and I had even more difficulty exercising moderation when I came home to a stunning array of healthful foods in delicious preparations (my mother is an enviable cook and managed to make even the blandest, ‘90s-era tofu taste divine).

It wasn’t for lack of interest or effort on my part either, either. I really enjoyed learning all I could about nutrition and alternative remedies, and I played three sports throughout high school. Compared to my friends, I thought I did a good job choosing mostly healthy foods. But the scale is indifferent to calorie source; it cares only about whether you use more than you consume, and I did not.

The problem was that the more I obsessed over how heavy I was, the heavier I became. By age 17, I had reached 175 pounds. On my 5’8” frame, this verged on obesity. From a medical standpoint, my dad knew how dangerous carrying so much extra weight could be, especially with the strain I put on my heart and joints by playing active sports. Both of my parents urged me to find a way to really live healthfully, and I attempted all manner of fad diets—no fat, lots of carbs; no carbs, lots of protein; no protein, lots of veggies—and none of them did any good. These diets are constructed with middle-aged women in mind, people with full kitchens and time to cook, not teenagers looking to lose weight. Even more problematic were the unforgiving eating guidelines, which sent even the most diligent dieters running for a box of “Ho-Ho’s” before too long. Inevitably, we find ourselves gaining back any weight that was lost, and then some.

In the end, I realized that deprivation was neither a good approach for myself nor, truthfully, anyone actually trying to lose weight (sadists are another issue altogether). It especially was not going to work for someone preparing to leave for college and looking to regain health while losing weight. I knew that starting college would mark the onset of my adult life, and I wanted to allow myself to live it to the fullest. I had already experienced so many setbacks due to being overweight: I had felt unnecessarily self-conscious for years, I had kept myself from trying new things, I had made the varsity sport teams only to be benched for the season because I didn’t have the endurance to play. I wanted to experience college, and the adult life that ensued, as my optimal self. Only once I had this inspiration and motivation could I pair it with the information I’d had since birth and effect the transformation I wanted to see.

I made the commitment to adopt a realistic, healthy lifestyle. This meant finding ways to take food off center stage—it wasn’t going to be the focal point of my life anymore, and fad diets were ruled out. Instead, I concerned myself with experiencing all that college had to offer. I aimed to “live consciously,” meaning I would avoid mindless grazing, and I also refused to feel deprived. With this new commitment to permanent lifestyle change, I lost ten pounds over the remaining six months of my senior year in high school. I lost another ten pounds during my first semester in college simply by remembering to be aware of what I put into my body.

So began the journey that would eventually lead me to publish “The Dorm Room Diet,” a manual I wrote during my freshman year at college wherein I documented all the tips and tricks I developed to establish healthy habits while living away from home, without ever feeling like I was missing out on anything.

The most important motto I continue to live by is this: “Substitution where you can, moderation where you can’t.” This means that if you are happy having an apple instead of a brownie, that’s a great way to cut back on processed sugars and simple carbohydrates on a regular basis. But if you’re at a friend’s birthday party, go ahead and celebrate with a piece of cake, or half a piece, or even a bite. Don’t deny yourself a crucial element of an experience that food provides. It is necessary to feel in control, and when something is off limits, the allure of the taboo makes it much more powerful than it ought to be. When the priority is health and establishing long-term lifestyle change, rather than a short-term quick fix, the pressure is off, and the success is on!

Here are some tips I developed to stay on track while enjoying everything I wanted to experience as I began my adult life.

1. Nothing is off-limits. Especially in college, the abundance of food (from buffet-style dining halls to late-night pizza runs to free-flowing booze) can be overwhelming. Remember that these are always available, and you will therefore have ample opportunity to indulge—and you should! But it also teaches a valuable lesson: if you pass up a grilled cheese or apple pie slice tonight, chances are it will appear again soon. The biggest thing is to remember that you can have it whenever you want, so there’s no urgency to gobble it all up while it’s in front of you. If you learn how to enjoy in moderation, you will never feel deprived. (This is a trick that definitely applies post-graduation!)

2. Always plan ahead. I identified five major danger zones specific to college campuses where it is tempting to unconsciously eat poorly. (Many of these are also relevant to finding a work-life balance). The FIVE DANGER ZONES are: studying, parties and campus gatherings, watching TV with friends, tailgating, and late-night chats. In each of these scenarios, it’s very easy to eat without thinking about it—how often do you reach into the nearest bag of crunchy snacks while catching the latest episode of “24?”—and the foods on hand are, more often than not, over-processed, pre-packaged junk. If you take a few moments to plan ahead—eat an apple before heading to a party so you’re not starving, keep a glass of water in your hands at all times, put aside a portion you’re comfortable eating of whatever your favorite tv-watching nosh might be and stick to that—you’ll spare yourself the torture and temptation.

3. Live consciously. Again, this is something that I started to develop as a college student, but it’s worth learning and applying at any stage in life. Figuring out how to put the joy and pleasure back into eating so that you can savor the many tastes and indulge (in moderation) in the things that you love is crucial to establishing a healthy lifestyle that lasts. Michael Pollan, in his book “In Defense of Food,” spoke about the “perfunctory” nature of American eating, attributing this development to the outright abundance of food in the United States and our collective removal from its production. In places where food and cultural appreciation are still inextricably linked, eating is a much-anticipated activity: meals are slower, food is chewed over, enjoyment is essential. If you can find ways to work these simple pleasures into your daily life—that’s not to say you need to prepare massive feasts from scratch everyday; even your boxed salad can serve as something to linger over and savor—you’ll be well on your way to ending the tyranny of food in your life.

4. Take action. It is important to become involved in what food is available so that you have the essential access to make healthful decisions every day. I grew up purely vegetarian, and though I did reincorporate a small amount of meat into my diet, it was crucial for me to find ways to have protein without resorting to the “mystery meat” served at the cafeteria. In high school, I managed to work closely with cafeteria staff and school administration to implement a whole slew of new health initiatives, including student-submitted vegetarian recipes, daily salad and soup bar options, and Odwalla juice to replace soda on campus. This kind of change could take place on a much larger scale on college campuses—and I am a major proponent of universities harnessing their purchasing power and their role as educators to blaze a trail towards healthy stewardship in America. But for those not looking to go head-to-head with the university president, here are a couple smaller-scale options:

a. Consult your cafeteria staff. Often, there are things in the fridge that they do not make available because they are unaware that anyone wants it. Make a point of voicing any allergies or specific food needs to the head chef or purchaser for your cafeteria, and more often than not, they will find a way to accommodate your needs.

b. See whether you can establish a farm-to-school program. This is a trend that is sweeping the nation, as more and more schools invest in purchasing a portion or majority of their cafeteria supplies from local producers. It saves on transportation costs, and the result is fresher, more wholesome food for everyone!

c. Food shop and pilfer. Once a week, I borrowed a friend’s car and ran to the local grocery store near my college. We were fortunate to have an independent health food store very near campus, and I would buy my main foodstuffs and snacks there, supplementing with salad items, whole grains, and cereals from the cafeteria.

d. Start a farmer’s market. While I was in college, one of my best friends established the first farmer’s market run fully by students. It came to campus every Tuesday and flooded the commons with fruits and vegetables, local dairy products, fresh bakery bread, and a slew of other delicious goodies. Depending on where you live, the local farmers and food producers are generally thrilled to partner with the surrounding community, both to gain exposure and sell their products directly.

3,287 Days of Veganism

Need some powerful pointers this Meatless Monday? Don’t miss Michael’s 5 Easy Breezy Tips for Transition at the end of his blog!

When I was a baby I would eat frozen peas straight from the freezer. They should have known then.

On Saturday, January 23, 2010, I celebrated my ninth year of vegetarianism, which, as I’m sure you’ve deduced from the title, means I’ve been meat-free for 3,287 days.

The extraordinary part of this tale is not the longevity of the commitment, but rather the fact that I never wanted to be vegetarian in the first place. You see I wasn’t one of those characters who purposely worked towards a more compassionate life because of some ethical uneasiness about eating animals. I was never a truth seeker, but rather a truth-stumbler, a by-the-way do-gooder, an accidental moralist.

My story begins nine years ago at an upscale seaside restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. The setting was lovely, with freshly starched table clothes and artfully prepared cuisine. It was the kind of restaurant where a big city foodie might dine if he had missed his connecting flight and was stuck in a place like St. Petersburg, Florida.

That particular evening I had chosen a rather pricey dish of chicken bathed in cream sauce to satisfy my hunger. My girlfriend at the time was vegetarian and was therefore subjected to a dreadful medley of over-steamed vegetables nestled in a bed (or rather futon) of desperately uninspired grains.

“Damn vegetarians,” I thought. “They ruin everything.”

When the food arrived, I grabbed my utensils, cut into the succulent breast, raised it to my mouth and…almost threw up? Wait, what?!

This once delicious morsel was no longer a morsel at all. The brilliant dinner had somehow gone from chicken to Chicken. My internal alarm was activated and I immediately began to panic. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t eat this food.

The next morning, in a desperate attempt to reclaim my barbarian ways, I tried to scarf down the heftiest turkey sandwich I could find. No go. Somehow that cute vegetarian girl with the steamed vegetables had gotten through my thick skull. The damage had been done.

I wanted to understand these inconvenient feelings and so I headed to the bookstore to read everything I could about vegetarianism and animal agriculture—a subject I literally knew nothing about.

Oh my God, every minute of every day, a land area equivalent to seven football fields is destroyed in the Amazon basin for animal production? Wait, vegetarians have only 40 percent the cancer rate of meat-eaters? Hold up, in the Unites States alone, 10 billion farm animals are slaughtered each year for food? What the what?!

After only a couple hours of ferocious reading, vegetarianism was no longer acceptable—it was vegan or bust for this guy! I didn’t know how I was going to do it, only that I would do it and I’d be damn good at it. I am nothing if not tenacious.

As I began to eliminate animal products from my diet, I noticed that something pretty miraculous was beginning to happen. The acne I had struggled with throughout adolescence disappeared overnight. My eyes got brighter. My body felt stronger. I started to feel good—really, really good.

Almost nine years later and 85 pounds lighter I still feel absolutely fantastic. The days of chicken and cream have been replaced with tempeh and steamed vegetables. The eye rolls I once so generously doled out to vegetarians have been transformed to grins and good conversation. And perhaps most importantly, the harm I once unknowingly caused has been replaced with compassion and thoughtful action.

After nine years of plant-based living, I can say with crystal clear confidence that adopting a vegan lifestyle is the single best decision I’ve ever made.

You know, Gandhi told me to be the change I wish to see in the world. Well, G, 3,287 days down, thousands and thousands more to go!

Top 5 Tips to an Easy Breezy Transition

1. Patience is a Virtue – “Wait! ‘Whey’ is a dairy product?!!! I had no idea!!!” When you first start eating a vegan diet, you’re going to discover that animal products have many a mysterious name and can be found in the strangest of places. Be patient, dragonfly! Transitioning to a new way of living takes time and a side order of patience will serve you well!

2. Respect the Process - “There’s no way I could ever give up cheese. Not a chance.” OK, so don’t give up cheese…for now. Just because I went vegan almost over night, doesn’t mean you have to! Compassionate eating isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Respect the process and allow yourself the courtesy to transition at a comfortable pace. The destination should be veganism, the roadmap should be your own.

3. Try the Eggplant - Even before I’d ever tasted eggplant I just knew I was going to hate it. And I was right! I think it’s one of the grossest foods on the planet. But the point is: I tried the ugly vegetable. When you begin transitioning to a vegan diet, you’re going to discover an array of foods you’ve never tasted. Don’t be afraid! Even if it’s a little scary, try the dang eggplant (or whatever your version of eggplant is). You just might love it!

4. Self-Educate for Success – You probably didn’t learn about veganism in school or at home, so how are you supposed to achieve success? The answer: self-educate for success. Grab a book or visit a website. Learn as much as you can about your new way of life and incorporate the new information as you go. Knowledge is power and power is rad!

5. Reach Out, Reach Out, Reach Out – I loathe asking for help, but sometimes it must be done. You’re not going to be an expert on vegan living right away, so find someone who is. Ask a friend, contact an organization or reach out to someone new. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, so hang up your pride and reach out, reach out, reach out.