Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
– Martin Luther King, Jr. (via thefameofhealthandfitness) Via My Voice.. My View.. My Vegan
my vegan story
I’ve always LOVED all animals! Just like most people do.. or think they do anyway. And I’ve also always thought of myself as compassionate. I cry when other people are sad, when anyone dies- even when I have never met them, and during most sad parts on tv shows or in movies.. But I would always cry the most if something bad happened to an animal! (Marley & Me was probably the saddest movie I have ever seen).. I have had lots of pets in the past 28.5 years.. which means I have also lost a lot of pets— family members— they all had personalities, quirks, feelings, emotions. I know they feel pain and I could never imagine how anyone could harm an animal..
But I continued to eat them.. with blinders on. Not thinking about it.
I had always admired vegetarians and had thought about trying it out. But I thought vegans were just crazy! I mean, why on earth would anyone want to give up cheese?!! I still always respected them, but didn’t think I had it in me. That changed..
On September 14, 2010 I randomly made the decision to be vegetarian (really pescetarian, as I was not ready to give up seafood) for a month or maybe until Thanksgiving and then see how I felt. I declared it on Facebook and on came the comments… “make sure you get all your nutrients”, “you need protein”, it’s natural for us the eat meat”… yada yada yada
That didn’t bother me though. I did get some support too :)
I immediately went on google and youtube and began my research. I watched peta’s glass wall video(really hard to watch, but it’s full of info). My friend recommended I read Skinny Bitch. I bought it across the street the next day and read it within a day and a half.. it would’ve been even quicker if work didn’t get in the way :) My eyes were now open! I felt enlightened, proud, and felt the good karma coming my way <3. Soon after that I read The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone.. which I also love!
Even with all this wonderful information I had learned. For some reason, I was still eating seafood and some dairy/eggs. It was super easy for me to replace milk, mayo, butter, etc.. AlmondBreeze, Vegenaise, and Earth Balance have all been part of my kitchen the whole time. Mostly everything in my home was vegan, but I continued to just be pescetarian while eating out, or at work.. I guess because I felt it was easier or I was lazy.. I don’t know.
On December 3rd, 2011. My friend Amanda (that’s also my name) at work told me she wanted to try vegetarianism and asked me if I would give her tips. I was so excited!! I of course lent her Skinny Bitch to read first! She was texting me while reading it.. she was as shocked an appalled just as I was. I told her to watch the glass walls video too.. (it helps if the smell of bacon still tempts you-to think of the screaming pigs in that video.. that’ll take care of that craving right away!)
The next day at work she tells me that she threw away all her meat, dairy, and anything else with animal ingredients! She wanted to go vegan! “Cold turkey”..
I decided that this was a great time for me to finally make the decision to be completely vegan too! It is a lot more fun if you have a vegan buddy :)
It has been about 6 weeks and I (we both) feel awesome! I have learned so much, and I learn more every day. I feel like my eyes are finally open. People ask me about it (some more serious than others) and I am glad to share the information. I still get the haters. I’m sure we all do. But that only makes me more proud to be vegan!
It is easier than I thought it would be. I guess the biggest challenge is eating out. Especially where I live in CT. Luckily I don’t go out a lot anyway. It’s much more affordable to eat at home. Cheese hasn’t even really been a big problem. Sure, sometimes I miss it.. But all I have to think of is the word “secretions” and I’m all good.. Seafood is harder for me than cheese. I’ve always preferred seafood to other meat anyway.. But I will get over it. Fish feel pain too <3
I love that I can now look at all animals in peace :)
Reblog this if you feel going vegan was the best choice you ever made
i agree :)
(Source: veganwithavoice)
How to Be a Victim
this is Freelee. i love her..
something a lot of people I know should watch.. Actually, I’m pretty sure everyone has played the victim at least once in their life..
the weather was dreary today.. when that happens, I like to close my eyes and imagine I am in a place like this <3
my FIRST blog post EVER :)
I must admit I am a total blog virgin. I’ve been reading/following many blogs/vlogs lately and have tons of ideas and thoughts floating around my head, so I figured I would try to start my own.
My posts will mostly be about food, veganism, animals and animal rights, nutrition, positive thinking, and funny stuff too.. I will try to limit the negativity for everyone’s benefit (like I try to during my everyday life), but some rants will probably sneak in there..
I figure this is the best way to get thoughts out and post the things I want to post that I sometimes don’t want to on facebook.. closed minded people don’t have to follow me ;)
