There have been years when by the third day of January, my resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Often, thats when theyre wiggly: promises to be more patient, be nicer. That hasnt stopped me from vowing to be more patient, but I am mindful of how hard it is to judge what, exactly, is more patient.

With that in my thoughts, Ive decided on one concrete plan. I will eat vegan for the month of January. I am totally in love with my morning yogurt, and I havent even been a vegetarian. I have no fondness for faux meats. So this wont be easy. But its just 31 days. And Im going to give it a good shot; they say after a month, habits and perhaps taste buds will be altered.

At the risk of distressing animal lovers everywhere, its not an ethical decision, although I signed up for the email nudges and advice from a British-based project called veganuary.com, which has support from many animal rights groups. And I dont expect to remain vegan come February.

But maybe like being nice, I will be more vegan. I think I might feel healthier with a more produce-heavy diet. And Im curious. I also admit this is a project much more appetizingly accomplished in a Southern California winter than in a northern Minnesota one.

I'll be keeping track here and at latimes.com/eatvegan of how it goes. Send along any ideas or advice you've got.

Can I do it? Follow my progress @mmacvean and "like" Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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A month without yogurt; giving the vegan life a try

TIME World Germany German Neo-Nazis Embrace Vegan Cooking, Techno Music, Stylish Clothes Far-right extremists recently launched a "Vegan Cooking Channel" on YouTube

(MUNICH, Germany) Neo-Nazis are keeping their black combat boots and bomber jackets in the closet as they try to force their way into mainstream German society.

Security officials say many young fascists are adopting more stylish and less intimidating images, with some branded nipsters after embracing hipster-style clothing as well as techno and hip hop music.

Far-right extremists even recently launched a Vegan Cooking Channel on YouTube featuring masked young men preparing simple recipes and providing household tips.

If the young people dont find skinhead types attractive, then they [the neo-Nazis] will simply die out, so they have to find something new, said Daniel Koehler, an expert on radicalization

Read the rest of the story from our partners at NBC News

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German Neo-Nazis Embrace Vegan Cooking, Techno Music, Hipster Clothes