"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons, they were not created for men anymore than black people were created for whites or women for men." -Alice Walker
In 2008, I will transition to a vegan diet. My goal is to live a more cruelty-free life by eliminating my consumption of animal products completely; I realize any reduction is a step in the right direction even if I am never 100% vegan. And I’m not trying to convert you to veganism by writing about it, nor do I want to preach about what I see as a personal choice, not a political one.
I’ve been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for thirty years. In fact, at the moment, I’m the tiniest bit addicted to the nectar of the gods: 2% Fage Greek Yogurt. And I do like my homemade macaroni and cheese with cauliflower and garlic-toasted wheat germ topping. Indeedy I do.
But part of my strategy for achieving my wellness vision includes eliminating dairy and all animal products from my diet. I think I’ll feel better, have more energy, and be more responsible ethically and environmentally. So I’m going vegan (vee-gun) in 2008.
Like fellow Asheville blogger Christine Kane, for me it is a way to live more mindfully and to harness food in my life. As Geneen Roth has written: “Our relationship to food is a perfect reflection of our relationship to life itself.”
I’m not saying it’s for everyone. Perhaps it’s not for you. If you can’t see giving up your steak tartare or milkshakes or mac and cheese, perhaps there are other ways to be more cruelty free. How about shopping from companies that don’t test on animals? Or eating vegan once a week? Or eating vegan until dinner? Or wearing compassionate clothing? Or getting a vegan cookbook and trying one recipe in it each week? Or learning how to make 100 simple vegan meals in 10 minutes or less for both summer and autumn…
Intentions: Be mindful and intentional about what I put into and onto my body by wearing compassionate clothing and shopping for cruelty free goods from cruelty free companies. Let’s eat a more heart healthy diet in 2008. Let’s be more animal friendly. Updated: I’ll keep track of the transition here.
Resources: Cruelty-Free Pocket Shopping Guide, Pangea: The Vegan Store, Vegan Essentials, VegFamily
Blogs: Urban Vegan, Fatfree Vegan Kitchen
From the last alphabet challenge: V is for Vacant
"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons, they were not created for men anymore than black people were created for whites or women for men." -Alice Walker
Intentions: Be mindful and intentional about what I put into and onto my body by wearing compassionate clothing and shopping for cruelty free goods from cruelty free companies. Let’s eat a more heart healthy diet in 2008. Let’s be more animal friendly. Updated: I’ll keep track of the transition here.
