Desperately seeking a mentor.....

Hi, I've been doing the vegan thing since March, although I was previously a vegetarian. I have no vegan friends and generally most of my friends think I'm crazy for living off juices and smoothies! I'm hoping someone might be happy to lend a bit of advice every now and then.I'm also struggling finding vegan (cruelty free) products for the sort of stuff you use every day without really thinking about like washing up liquid, shampoo etc. I'm in the UK and hoping someone might be able to tell me where to find stuff here.Thank you!

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  • Focus on the food first then worry about the other stuff. If you get the food down then stem out to products such as clothing and cosmetics and stuff like that. Don't make it too crazy and overwhelming at first. Good luck

  • Well, I can't be a local mentor from here, but I can tell you that my experience in being a successful high carb, mostly raw vegan has definitely revolved around having people I could ask questions when I found myself in a rut.  So feel free to send your questions into this forum as they come up.

    For me, I found fresh squeezed lemon juice to be my perfect cosmetic item.  I have natural brown hair to the top of my shoulders, so I squeeze about 1/3 of a lemon into a small container to take with me to the shower.  I then fill the container with water (about 3 ounces, I'd guess).  I pour slowly into hair and leave a bit left in the container.  Once I've massaged that into my hair, I rub my lemon-y hands on my face and neck.  I leave it on about a minute while I pour the rest of the lemon juice onto my hands to rub my underarms.  Then I just rinse everything thoroughly to finish.  I use only my hands, but you could use a wash towel if it feels better for you.  

    In regards to other cosmetic products, you could do a quick google search for vegan products for lots of options.  I just found that I use almost nothing cosmetic.  I like to use a bit of raw coconut oil for moisturizing face and body if needed.  I use no make-up anymore- just decided it wasn't useful for me and I didn't care to hide my perceived imperfections for the sake of others.   But there is a good deal of vegan make-up out there.  I let my hair do what it wishes and just pin it back if I am not loving it that day.  It's all saved me a ton of money and I am forced to be confident in my appearance as I am.  Plus, even vegan products have lots of undesirable chemicals in them, which I don't want to put on my body and more than IN my body.  I find HCRV diet makes my skin, hair, and general appearance far more acceptable to me than before.

    In terms of food, you just want to use something like this app called Cronometer that allows you to do a food diary and tells you what nutrients and calories you've consumed.  That way you can plan your meals around minimal nutrient deficiency and maximum intake.  You also want to aim for about 2,000 calories or more to avoid getting under-fed and craving less optimal foods.

  • Hi Catherine, I would recommend the UK Fruit Festival group on Facebook. I have a number of kind friends through Facebook in the UK that are also vegan. Other than that I would continue seeking for like minded associates. I traveled around the world quite a bit and now I am in Ecuador at a raw vegan fruit based community and farm.

  • 1. Don't only drink juices and smoothies. I think of that nation starvation. You gotta eat food. 

    2. Eat as much as calories as you want, 3000 is a good starter, then increase.

    3.  Head over to my blog. 

    4. I don't recommend organics, if you're low on funds. 

    5. If you can get: Oblepikha Siberica Shampoo, you'll be thankful you have, best cheapest shampoo.

    6. Take 6 days cold showers after workouts or work whatever, just cold shower no washing. Every other 2-3 days use shampoo and on 7th hot bath full wash, use good organic soap or not organic but free from detergents and shit. 

    7. Washing dishes? Doesn't matter what soap you use. 

    8. If you want really good on bananas deals over in uk 40kg for 20pounds but not organic. It's a good deal anyway, I recommend you going to, you know those shops sideway, right? Those pakistani dudes. If you keep buying from them then they offer you or you offer them good banana prices and other fruits. ;).

    9. Most of your friends are waste of time, get rid of them. Good friends will come over time, for sometime on this lifestyle you might be a loner, but you'll get used to it. ;).

    10.  Exercise daily. Again, for example: Head over to my blog.

    11. Cosmetics, don't recommend them.

  • Thank you all so much, I'm getting there!
    • glad to hear it, Catherine.

      Let us know if we can help in any additional way.

  • There's a few natural brands in Holland and Barrots :D 

  • I watched a show once and a lady would slice lemons in half then rub the open side on her armpits and because lemons naturally kill bacteria its supposed to be a super easy way to keep your armpits smelling good and clean. but if you cut yourself shaving this might be a super painful thing to do cause lemons are good for keeping cuts clean they are just not gentle though. hope this was helpful.

  • Hey Catherine, definitely give the "no poo" method a try, it really does work (I actually just posted a blog about it no that long ago), and use baking soda and apple cider vinegar to clean my hair. I hear you though as for not having any other vegan friends (I actually made 1 not that long ago where I live), and it can be difficult not being able to relate with someone on the same level in person. So if you need to talk I all ears! 

    I find that people will think differently for the most part when they learn that you are vegan, but it is just something that you get used to and adjust. You also get proud of this "weirdness" or at least I have, and am very proud to live this way. I actually bring a 2 liter mason jar of banana smoothie to work everyday, and now everyone is just used to the fact that this is the way I live, and is now normal to them. They even ask questions or are interested from time to time in what it is that I am having. 

    As for products, I don't reside in the UK as I am from Canada, so can't offer any advice other than products that you can get online.

    Take care!

  • Hi Carly, thank you so much, yes do let me know if your fiance has any good tips, Surrey is not far from me. If he knows any really fab shops I'll do a trip to find them! I've bought an enormous Dr Bronner's online. Thanks for replying!
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