"Humans — who enslave, castrate, experiment on, and fillet other animals — have had an understandable penchant for pretending animals do not feel pain. A sharp distinction between humans and 'animals' is essential if we are to bend them to our will, make them work for us, wear them, eat them — without any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret. It is unseemly of us, who often behave so unfeelingly toward other animals, to contend that only humans can suffer. The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious. They are just too much like us."
— Carl Sagan
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| I saw these turkeys up close a few months ago and couldn't believe how beautiful they were. No more turkey for me. |
About a month ago I got sick with the flu. The first night I was sick I had all sorts of crazy dreams about animals. I don't remember many details, just that I was hanging out with animals in their natural habitats. I decided to do a full detox right after the flu. I thought, why not? I hadn't eaten for two days anyway. I did a two week detox consuming mostly liquids, smoothies and eventually fruits and veggies. In those two weeks, every time I thought about eating meat, I would get sick to my stomach. I kept thinking about animals and suddenly became conscious of their suffering and ultimate fate onto my dinner plate. I always thought I could easily be a vegetarian and I definitely understood the health reasons for adopting a vegetarian diet, but this was different. I really felt compelled to make this change. I began doing some research, pulled out a couple of my vegetarian cookbooks and found a vegetarian group on facebook for support and answers to my questions. I soon came across a documentary somebody posted on the facebook group called "Earthlings". I was only able to get through about ten minutes of the video. If you take the time to watch, it will explain much better than I could possibly articulate with words, why I decided to become Vegan.
Earthlings Documentary : http://www.earthlings.com/
Please be warned though, if you are at all sensitive, it will make you sick. If you are not sensitive, it will still make you sick. What I learned as the makers of the film captured footage of the meat industry and how animals are treated shocked and sickened me to the core. I will never be the same. But, it isn't just the meat industry. The dairy and egg industry are just as bad. There is so much that I am aware of now when it comes to the treatment of animals. In my opinion, the least I can do is not partake in the purchase and consumption of any more products that involve the use and cruelty of animals. This is a very personal decision. It has been surprisingly easy for me to make the changes I needed to follow the vegan lifestyle but I am still learning. Jose (my husband) watched the documentary. He made it all the way through. He was also very much impacted by the film but continues to eat meat. I have his 100% support and if he ever decides to be Vegan it will be because he decided to and it came from within himself. He has already made some delicious Vegan Mexican dishes for the family and talks about what he can do to slowly implement meatless options in his diet. My son will also continue to eat meat for as long as he wants. He is aware that I am a vegetarian and I am sure we will have many discussions in the future but I will not force him to eat or not eat anything he doesn't want to. They might change their minds in the future but it will be on their own time. I am very excited for this new path for myself. I have already experienced some positive changes in my health and I have become much more creative in the kitchen. Luis has recently had an interest in cooking and wanting to help in the kitchen as well. When he is part of the process of making a meal, he is more inclined to taste it and eat it.
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| Luis chopping vegetables for Crockpot Quinoa stuffed peppers. |
In the last month I have learned how to make sure I am getting enough protein and B-12. It hasn't been hard for me. Here are a few products that I enjoy that accomplish those things (along with taking B vit. supplements):
My next steps are to purchase a few more Vegan books and recipe books. I am also on a search for "cruelty-free" websites out there for other products such as personal care products and clothing, etc. I am looking forward to finding more Vegan communities and people who follow this lifestyle and sharing more information and recipes. I am open to answering questions and concerns. Wait, one more thing. This speech sealed the deal for me. It doesn't show as many graphic tortured animal images as Earthlings but he gets the point across. It is, in my opinion, the best speech ever !!!
I know this is a lot of information but for those who really want to know "why" I have made this decision in my life, I have laid it all out for anyone to read/see. I have nothing to hide and I had to get over the fact that this is yet another "label" to make me more "weird" than I already am but oh well. I am embracing my "weirdness" and who knows, maybe I will inspire somebody else to live more consciously and see animals as the beautiful sentient beings that they are.
