Hello readers! I just got chills saying that. Thanks for your comments on my "last meal" post. The past two days haven't actually been that tough, for all my whining I've done pretty well. I have to say that 95% of that is owed to my wife who has been a vegan for some time and 5% to planning. I've had to ensure that I have enough food at work for breakfast, lunch, and at least three snacks. I pre-planned and bought a big bag of a vegan, asian-themed snack so I have that already at work. However, I still need to bring enough food for the other snacks and meals. It's weird. I like the constancy of knowing I have something and not needing to decide what I want for lunch today. On the opposite side it is boring to eat what you bring all the time. I want something exciting and interesting for lunch. Leftovers - no matter how good they are - are not exciting. I don't know if I can trust myself to order out yet without a chaperone.
In addition to the vegan challenge I've been trying to give up drinking soda. For those who don't know me, soda is my crack. I have a lengthy love affair with soda (specifically coke). It has seen me through good times and bad. Brought me up when I'm feeling down and mellowed me out when I've been excited or upset. But since my motivator for changing my eating habits and diet is the ecological vice the moral/animal rights thing, I have to give up soda. Or, at least drink much less of it. It take almost 940 gallons of water to produce a six-pack of soda. I don't think I can give up red meat for ecological reasons (2,500 gallons of water for 1 lb. of beef) and not give up or at least limit my soda intake. I know all the other health reasons for not drinking (that much) soda, but those reasons do not motivate me.
I'm not denying the animal rights argument to support a vegetarian/vegan diet. It just doesn't jive for me and I'll tell you why. Research wars, research slavery, research oppression of workers, and research the Holocaust. Humans have caused so much pain and denied the rights of humans for so long. I'm sure I'll come around to the animal rights cause/argument. But, please think about the things you do that could help your own kind. Other humans belong to you more than the cows and pigs and chickens do. So please keep that in mind. I'm not a saint, I'm just saying.
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5 comments:
Being vegan IS a way of helping humans. Did you know that slaughterhouse workers have some of the highest rates of domestic violence, not to mention substance abuse and other problems that come with killing for a living? No one wants to do that job, which is why the industry has a 100% turnover rate. I could go on, but you live with me, so....:)
yeah but who else knows that.
How will they know if we don't tell them?
not sure if it's much better ecologically speaking, but in reference to your soda addiction i started buying zevia sodas. they are soft drinks sweetened with stevia (nothing artificial!). it's actually helped me kick the habit because when i do drink them i think of them like a "treat" due to the cost (about $1.00 per can) and i find that i don't drink as many also because there's nothing addictive there. or maybe also because stevia has a slightly bitter aftertaste...anyway, i have no more desire for sugary HFCS drinks for the first time in my LIFE! it's worth a shot. ;)
That is so cool that you are giving veganism a try, good luck and have fun.
About the need to worry about our fellow humans, yes, that is extremely important. I work as a women's rights advocate and educator in the Middle East. And my veganism in no way takes time away from that work.
Omnivores spend time shopping at the store for food and cooking and eating. Vegans spend time shopping at the store for food and cooking and eating.
It takes absolutely no extra time or effort to be vegan. Being a vegan does not in any way ADD to the oppression and violence being waged against human beings or take any time away from helping other people.
People always tell me to worry about humans first and then are shocked when I tell them about my day job where I lose sleep, risk my life and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to helping people. Then I ask them what THEY are doing to help their fellow humans that keeps them SO busy they can't possibly spare the time to buy beans and rice instead of burgers and eggs.
I'm glad I found your blog and I look forward to reading more about your experience with veganism.
(Also, with animal agriculture being the number one contributor to global drastic climate change and greenhouse gases, going vegan profoundly helps your fellow humans by giving them a planet to call home.)
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