Congrats Taylor!

I live in Niagara Falls Canada and do visit Buffalo a lot and have been to some really great vegan-friendly places!  Lexington Co-op has lots of great vegan groceries and as for restaurants I've eaten some of the best vegan meals I've ever had in Buffalo.  Merge on Delaware is awesome as is The Eights on Main and Amy's Place on main has tons on the menu that can be veganized with seitan!

Kristen- Thanks for the comment! Ironically enough I am going to Merge tonight for dinner :) I absolutely love it there they have the best food and live music, plus its restaurant week so I get three courses for $20.11 can't beat that. I have gone to Amy's place and i love it :) I will definitely try out The Eights -Thanks again :)

I am glad I saw this because I have been suffering with IBS for over a year. How did you make the switch? Did you just go cold turkey off animal foods and dairy? What about eggs? I don't eat much meat but I do eat chicken, turkey and fish. I have been suspecting that the dairy is bad for me. I even have problems with soy yogurt. Thanks for any info. I would do any change to my life that is necessary to get my life back!

Amina Ali- I read Alicia's book about a year ago and I tried being vegan cold turkey - I lasted about two weeks. I think I went about it in the wrong way. I went from being the girl that would eat everything to the girl that was extremely picky and I didn't like that. I did however notice an extreme difference in my energy and stomach issues within a week. So anyways a year later I had an interview that was really important to me so I decided to go vegan just for one week to get clearheaded and feel on my A game for the interview. Well a week came and went and I went to the Bahamas the next day and I had no desire to eat meat. I stayed at the Atlantis and my mom was kind of mad at me that she paid for the meals and all I would eat is vegetables, grains etc. I didn't care though because I just didn't want meat. About three weeks later I found myself starting to desire meat and dairy again so I sat down and watched earthlings. This movie changed me forever. Once you start looking at meat not as chicken, or turkey sandwiches and more as animal cadavers you get repulsed by the idea of eating it. Dairy I will say is a lot more difficult I'd be lying if I said I don't miss pizza and creamy dishes but that image in my head (from Earthlings) of the poor cows laying there that are malnourished and have these machines forcing milk out of them while there is blood and puss going into it is enough for me to not eat it again. I think they key is to do what works for you. I originally started this vegan venture for personal reasons but I stayed with it because I feel as though it is my duty to live a moral life and this just is one thing I can do to make me a better person and help the animals. I hope that helps :)

you go girl

Thanks Taylor!

I went off dairy over the weekend and my IBS symptoms (mostly spasm-like pain) are much better. I also suffer from acid reflux (GERD). So that is my next hurdle. I am going to stay off the dairy and try to kick the sugar next (baby steps). I am also going to check in the forums to see if anyone out there has any advice on the acid reflux. But I am pretty sure the dairy is a part of it.

I have been a veggie for a long time and I am making the transition to vegan -let me tell you people have noticed! At my church they noticed how happy I am, my children see how good I feel and as an added bonus my dogs love it because I am feeling more and more like being with them.

I am so glad to see your story! I have had IBS as long as I can remember... about 5 or 6 years old, though I wasn't diagnosed until I was a teenager. I'm now 34 and haven't figured out anything that has really worked for me. I did try an "IBS" diet for awhile and it helped some, but I felt like it was really lacking in nutrition. I've now been vegan for about 3 weeks and haven't had a stomach ache one. My digestion is functioning much better and my acid reflux is significantly better. I am hoping that in time... it too will go away.