Why We Chose a Vegan Lifestyle

Those who have followed my journey for a while know that I am vegan. What I have not shared in detail is why.

The decision did not boil down to one dramatic moment. It was about numbers, yes, but not the ones on the scale. It was about the numbers in my lab work. The numbers that measure inflammation, cholesterol, and long-term risk.

As a homeschool Mom of six, I carry a daily responsibility to show up well. I believe my life is in God’s hands. However, I also believe in stewardship. When my husband and I looked honestly at our shared family health history, including high blood pressure and diabetes, we decided we did not want to drift into those outcomes if we could help it.

Going vegan was a practical decision. We wanted better lab markers, more energy, and long-term stability. The weight shift was a natural side effect. The internal improvements were the real win.

One of the most encouraging parts of this transition has been discovering that healthy food can still feel abundant, satisfying, and deeply comforting.  I love cooking with my children and embedding a legacy of love through healthful food.

These three recipes are some of our favorites, and I am so excited to share.

Bon Appétit.

Tex-Mex Pasta Twist

If you feed a large family, you understand the value of a meal that stretches and satisfies.  This meal works because it is filling, simple, deeply comforting, and made with ingredients I almost always have on hand. It feeds our large family without feeling heavy.

An added plus? It reheats beautifully for leftovers.

Flatbread Pizza Delight

As a homeschool family, I treasure meals that double as connection points. We gather at the counter, spread sauce, laugh over topping choices, and wait together while the oven heats up. Dinner becomes more than food; it becomes shared time.

An added plus? Each person builds their own. That small detail makes dinner smoother and more enjoyable.

Protein Waffle Fruit Medley

Breakfast in our home needs to do more than taste good; it needs to sustain us. These vegan Protein Waffles have become a staple for exactly that reason.

Light, fluffy, and boosted with plant-based protein powder, they provide steady energy for full homeschool mornings. The vinegar reacts with baking soda to create the perfect rise, giving us waffles that are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

We top ours with fresh berries, banana slices, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes a spoonful of vegan yogurt makes its way on top. It feels special without being complicated.

What I love most is that these waffles reflect our “why.” They are simple. Intentional. Nourishing. They prove that fueling your body well does not have to feel restrictive. It can feel joyful.

An added plus? They freeze well and reheat easily, which makes busy mornings manageable.

Bottom Line: Stirring the Pot Changes the Plot

Whoever does the cooking holds the power of health. That is not just a dramatic statement. It is real.

The person planning meals decides what enters the home, what becomes normal, and what patterns are reinforced. Small daily food choices compound over years. They shape lab results. They shape energy. They shape longevity.

I cannot control everything. None of us can. But I can control what I place on the table.

That is responsibility. It is also a wonderful opportunity.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.