I had heard of Thrive several times, but never checked it out until recently. To sum it up: Thrive is a site where you can buy organic items at a wholesale price, and even shop by certain "values"- gluten free, vegan, raw, etc. Because they are wholesale, the prices are drastically cut, which is always a nice thing to find when shopping healthy. They have a vast selection available; all kinds of foods including protein powders and supplements, beauty products, baby items, and more. There's anything from spirulina powder to baby bottles.

There is a membership fee of currently $60 a year, breaking down to only $5 a month, which is very reasonable, and for every membership bought, Thrive donates a membership to a low-income family.

Having recently gone vegan and gluten free, it's been a huge help to find a site where I can search for foods combining the two. Often something that is vegan isn't gluten free, and vice versa. Here I can shop for items which are both, as well as even adding in other values, like if I wanted raw snacks as well.

It was on a Saturday a little over a month ago, after one of many days of feeling very sick; I have been battling serious internal/digestive/stomach issues for two years, and each bad day leaves me disheartened and frustrated. Luckily, end of last year I found a fantastic holistic-based doctor who has greatly helped me and treated the main cause of my issues. Over these two years I have had bad days and good days, bad months and good months. I've done everything I thought I could to help my often extreme internal pain and discomfort. On this particular day, I was completely fed up with feeling ill, and made the decision: go vegan. It's helped so many others heal and recover, and I was ready to do anything to feel better. I also went gluten free to eliminate another irritant.

Going cold turkey vegan can be a tricky thing, depending on your previous diet. I have been low-meat and on and off vegetarian for many years, and had done several mild detoxes using supplements and herbs last year, so I haven't had as intense of a detox as some might, at least so far.



BENEFITS


The first things I noticed were:

Improved respiration (most likely from the removal of milk products)
Much less body and joint aches
Brighter, healthier skin
Much less/no nausea and discomfort after eating
Improved digestion and less digestive discomfort
Digestive regularity (if you get my drift)
Decrease in anxiety and stress
Improved mood and energy
Healthy appetite and loss of negative cravings

I'm sure I'll have even more benefits as time goes on; I began experiencing most of these within two weeks! It was as if my body was saying "ah, yes, finally, and thank you.". I was worried that I would be dealing with serious cravings for carbs and sweets like before, but it was actually the opposite; I began having cravings for foods I normally wouldn't eat or like, such as mushrooms, spinach, and berries. It helps that I can replicate pretty much all of the foods I like; my biggest "splurge" or comfort food is pancakes. I quickly found the best gluten free mix and egg and milk substitutes. Being vegan, and especially gluten free also, forces you to be a lot more creative and experimental in the kitchen; I've been loving trying and tweaking recipes. I definitely don't feel like I'm missing out on anything non-vegans have!

I first went vegan mainly for health, but after research and reading, I began to learn so much more about the animal industry and all the different aspects that make veganism the best choice. My whole life I've been disgusted by raw meat and seafood, eating meat sparingly and spending some time vegetarian. I never realized how much eating animals had been effecting me mentally as well- my mental state is incredibly improved. I feel fresher and "cleaner" already. There's no guilt or disgust with what I eat and drink. I know that no animals were harmed, and that what I'm eating is the best fuel for my body- and the best lifestyle for other people, animals, and the planet too. There is no single reason for going vegan; there's so many!

Through Instagram I've plugged myself into an amazing community of vegans, spreading positivity and awareness (and photos of the most delicious-looking foods). The vegan community as a whole is a thriving, active, happy collective- I'm amazed at how greatly health and happiness both goes together and spreads among people. Food is heavily celebrated; as fuel, as creativity, and as fun. There's not many things quite as cool as seeing vegan bodybuilders and athletes! I feel that having followed a bunch of such amazing vegans has also helped keep me happy and motivated.





DETOX

If you've ever done a detox, you know the side effects can be a bit tough, but necessary. The body stores up so much junk; metals, organic toxins, pollutants, illness, you name it. What's stored in your body and how much plays a big role in what you experience during and after detoxes. Detoxing is usually done through the ingestion of various herbs, but can also be done by the removal of irritants and negative factors, such as meat and animal products. Did you know that about 75% of people are lactose intolerant? Our bodies just weren't made for the milk of other species- or their meat. Meat, by the way, is one of the top causes of cancer, and carries all kinds of other junk, from bacteria to parasites, and the dreaded cholesterol.

I've struggled with acne and particularly cystic acne since my pre-teens; for the first week or so, a lot if it cleared up. Then my face began to break out in small to moderate pimples; this was my body's detox of choice, through the skin. At just past one month, I'm still experiencing some skin detoxing, but it isn't as intense as it was. This is very common! You may break out wherever you usually get acne on your body as well; back, chest, etc. Though I've had breakouts, my skin itself has became healthier in color and texture.

Your body will take some adjusting to the elimination of animal products in your diet, as well as a higher intake of fiber and other nutrients. Your system should become very regular with time, after some adjusting.

Other detox symptoms can include colds, mild fevers, sluggishness, and other things, but I personally haven't had any. I did experience some when doing herbal detoxes before. If you are considering going vegan, I'd suggest trying one or two herbal detoxes beforehand to ease the transition and help expel some of your toxins.




Changes

It has definitely been not only a dietary change but a lifestyle change; as before mentioned, my mental state has also been greatly improved. I've enjoyed reading veganism facts and information, even when it's a bit horrifying to see what's done to animals for a person to enjoy a few minutes of eating them. Plants provide every nutrient that we need, minus the harmful effects of animal products. With the food used to feed billions of factory animals every year, every person on the planet could be fed! Would hunger would be ended, the environment saved, and each person's health drastically improved.

I've been spending more time in the kitchen than ever learning recipes and tricks, and have created some of THE most delicious foods- even better than meat-based ones! And packed with more vitamins and nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, and fiber.

I've taken several tests through the year to monitor my organs, enzyme levels, and such, and would be very interested to see what's changed after a few more months and another test.


I'm open to any questions anyone might have, as long as they're not criticism! I'm considering also making a post of my favorite vegan Instagram accounts and blogs. Let me know what you would be interested in!


- Charity