I come from a huge meat-eating family. BBQs (braii) are like a religion for us. We would wake up early, drive to the Zimbabwean butcher in Southampton, and we would go home with the best quality meats. The men would huddle around the braii and the women would be making salads and other dishes to complement the meat feast. The atmosphere was just euphoric: all day drinking, listen to Oliver Mtukudzi or Jah Prayzah…It was a good time all round.
You’re probably wondering why I even turned to veganism when I was clearly so happy eating meat. Well, as with all stories of change, it begins with falling in love (kinda, not really).
I have been in love with my partner for 13 years. We met when I was 17 and we were best friends. At 22, we broke up. I hated him, I loved him, and I felt sorry for myself. I moved to a different country in a bid to move on and find myself. Once I felt I was sufficiently over him, I returned to gloomy England, only to see him and realize I was definitely not over him. We got back together and…I digress. The point is that he is vegetarian, and so is his entire family.
My partner is quietly vegetarian. He never talks about it and he never judges anyone who isn’t. He has never eaten meat and has no plans to do so. He made being vegetarian look simple.
The real impetus was I just started seeing animals differently. I am still on the journey to unpack what this means to me, but as I’m doing that, I don’t want to eat meat or any products derived from meat.
After over-indulging during lockdown and winding up in several food comas over the Christmas period, I made a vow to go vegan for two months and to give up alcohol for 6 months. I created an Instagram page to keep me motivated and also to follow other vegans for inspiration and advice given I knew virtually nothing about being vegan!
I have sought out other Black vegans on social media but this has not been easy. I am grateful to Black Vegans Rock because I have just started following people from this page for inspiration.
Being vegan has been super fun and a great and exciting adventure. I have eaten the most delicious food and I have made food I never thought I was capable of making. Once I took meat out of the equation, it allowed me to stretch my imagination and create wonderful meals. I also had inspiration from vegan cooks/chefs on Instagram and I am truly grateful for this.
Eating vegan food has been easier than I thought and I haven’t missed meat. I am in the process of trying to find vegan alternatives to my favorite meals and I am enjoying the challenge.
I am always searching for new recipes and before I went vegan I used to love oxtail curry with rice and peas so if you have a vegan alternative, I will love you forever.
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Instagram: @clueless_host
