I Can't Believe I'm Vegan Cara Pitts

I never expected to become a vegan. I was always a very picky eater - think little kid birthday party food. Pizza, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, fries, and never a vegetable. Living in San Antonio, everything was BBQ and our diet was very cheese heavy. 
My husband and I watched a few documentaries about the food industry and decided to make the change for good. He was able to change cold turkey, but I had to do it in stages.
Back in 2017, I was a full time caregiver for my grandmother and my then-fiance had gotten laid off from his job. As fate would have it, I had already become the go-to baker in my family and had created some vegan donuts that were a hit at our church and everywhere we took them. The church convinced us to apply for the local new business accelerator, and our family and community came together to get our bakery, Southern Roots, off the ground.
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
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Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
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There’s so many opinions going around about how hard it is to go vegan and cut things out of your diet. Today, I’m going to break down some of those for you. Be ready to take some notes, because I’ll be tossing out some recipes!
First up, dairy. Remember all the “Got Milk?” ads when we were kids? Did you ever wonder why so many kids are always bloated and gassy with stomach aches? Bingo. There are plenty of other ways to get enough calcium, like kale, collard greens, and chia seeds. Feel free to experiment and find which plant-based milks work best for you. I like the extra creamy oat milk, personally.
Next, it’s too expensive. Are there some vegan foods that are expensive? Yes. Are there some non-vegan foods that are expensive? Yes. People pay for what they want to pay for. The great thing is that more people want vegan food options so the demand is rising and that helps drive prices down. Many people starting out with a vegan diet look for the meat replacements, but there are plenty of ways to use vegetables like mushrooms in the same way you would use meat.
Have you heard anyone tell you that vegan food doesn’t taste good? Why wouldn’t you use seasonings like you always did? What about protein? Beans are a great way to get your protein in, also soy, peas, broccoli spinach, nuts, and tofu.
Some of my favorite brands are Impossible Meat, Thai Kitchen, Nature’s Charm, and Beyond Sausage.
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
Join our community at https://icbiv.captivate.fm/supersecret
Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
A Podcast Launch Bestie production
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If you’re lucky enough to be able to make the switch to veganism all at once, I’m proud of you! Some of us have to transition more slowly. In this episode we'll sort through the mind trash we tell ourselves about this vegan journey.
Here are some tips I have if you need to move slowly:
Slow and steady. Make one change at a time.When switching to meat replacements, don’t forget the seasoning.Make sure you’re eating enough calories. If you fall short, don’t beat yourself up. You can start fresh at your next meal.Always be prepared for potlucks and eating out, even if that means keeping a stash of protein shakes at work.Be prepared for the unsolicited advice. People are waiting for you to fall short, but you don’t have to let it get to you.Try a fruit and vegetable challenge with your family to get them more on board with you.Educate your kids, but let them make their own decisions when possible.
You can search for vegan restaurants near you using ​​https://www.happycow.net/
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
Join our community at https://icbiv.captivate.fm/supersecret
Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
A Podcast Launch Bestie production
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When you think of “vegan,” what comes to mind? I had always assumed that it was a white hippie thing. You don’t see many people of color when you do a google search of vegans. 
However, 2 of the 3 leading causes of death in the black community are stroke and heart disease. It doesn’t have to be this way. Those who enjoy a mostly plant-based diet are 52% less likely to develop heart issues, but you don’t have to give up your soul food. 
Black culture has been programmed to eat foods like chitlins, ham hocks, and neck bones in greens, but that doesn’t have to define our blackness. Our ancestors didn’t have a choice and they ate what they had to to survive slavery. They didn’t have DoorDash. There’s no reason for us in 2022 to keep eating like this.
When I switched over to veganism myself, I was my grandmother’s caregiver and I slowly made changes for her as well. After just a few months her labs were greatly improved, she had more energy, better memory, and she went off her diabetes medication.
What you eat is supposed to nourish your body, not knock you out.
I recommend a couple of documentaries for you this week: “The Invisible Vegan” and “Feel Rich; Health Is The New Wealth”
You can search for vegan restaurants near you using ​​https://www.happycow.net/
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
Join our community at https://icbiv.captivate.fm/supersecret
Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
A Podcast Launch Bestie production
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With me today is my husband Marcus and we’re going to talk about how he was able to change his diet overnight and why he really decided to. We’ll touch on how to help your kids transition to a vegan diet, the importance of snacking, our goals for Southern Roots to be a part of senior care, and much more.
You can search for vegan restaurants near you using ​​https://www.happycow.net/
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
Join our community at https://icbiv.captivate.fm/supersecret
Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
A Podcast Launch Bestie production
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Welcome back! Today we’re going to talk about how to manage road snacks, eating out, and how to feel full. Going on road trips or going out to restaurants can be difficult, but preparation is key.
Here are some tips from our experiences:
Pack lots of snacks.Research restaurants before you go and if there’s no vegan option there, eat before you go.Know yourself and your limitations.Bring your own dish to family functions or potlucks.
If you’re ever in San Antonio, definitely check out Binge Kitchen, Project Pollo, Cake Thieves, Blissful Burgers, and Earth Burger.
You can search for vegan restaurants near you using ​​https://www.happycow.net/
Don't want to give up your sweet tooth? Who said you had to? Head over to southernrootsvegan.com where we recreate southern classics with a vegan twist. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your first order!
Join our community at https://icbiv.captivate.fm/supersecret
Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds
A Podcast Launch Bestie production
Mentioned in this episode:
Join the community >>