I will admit, I was very hesitant to share my diet change with anyone. I have two close vegan friends who knew I was making the switch, but it has been hard for me to share with anyone else. My son has been incredibly supportive, even wanting to be vegetarian himself, and my husband has come around since I started. At first, I think he was worried that somehow I would never eat out again or would force things on him, but now he's seen that that isn't the case so he's more supportive about it. That seems to be where the support ends.Over the past few weeks, I've encountered people in my life who are less than supportive. I'm surrounded by comments about what I "can" or "can't" eat, what my food looks like or lacks, or making jokes about veganism in general.
Firstly, it's not that I "can't" eat something - it's that I choose to not eat it. I don't want to put the flesh of an animal, killed in an inhumane way and only for our gain, into my body. I don't want to consume the milk meant for a newly born calf who was ripped from its mother so the farmer could produce more milk. I fully believe that the animals used to produce our meat and dairy products are abused and tortured. And, I fully believe that in eating these products you are consuming the emotions of these poor animals, and that the hormones associated with those emotions affect our bodies.
Secondly, I really don't understand why people are so against others being vegan. It has nothing to do with them, and it's the most compassionate way to live... for animals and our planet. It literally affects no one and no thing. And how is it any different than someone saying they can't eat beans and corn because their stomach doesn't agree with them. I don't eat meat and dairy because my stomach (and sensibilities) doesn't agree with them.
Here's the thing... this is a forever thing for me. I didn't enter this lightly. I've been feeling unwell for quite a long time, and had a potential cancer scare in early 2018. I've been desperate to feel better, and to do anything I can to prevent myself from getting cancer, diabetes, or any other debilitating illness. I've spent a lot of time researching different ways of eating in order to make myself feel better. I had been vegan before, but didn't enjoy it, so I ignored the research. That's when I found Keto last spring. I tried it for a bit - didn't feel better (in fact, felt worse) - so I moved on to something else.
In one of the books I read, it said to look at the people around you and find the people who most look, feel and act the way you want to be - those who have already achieved your end goal. It says to surround yourself with those people, and you will achieve the goal you have set out to attain. If you surround yourself with people who eat junk food, you will not be as successful as if you had surrounded yourself with people who eat healthy and exercise.I looked at the people around me. There were two people in my life that I wanted to emulate. Both were super healthy and fit. My coworker - a runner and whole-foods-plant-based vegan - and my massage therapist - a yogi and "mostly" vegan (her words, not mine). I did a lot of research, and committed to six weeks to see how I felt. The six weeks flew by, and I felt amazing. After watching a few videos to solidify my choice, I committed to eating this way for the rest of my life.
I encourage anyone considering a vegan lifestyle, or looking for a way to improve their health, to watch these game-changing videos:
- What the Health? - an eye opening look at misinformation given to consumers
- Forks Over Knives - why going plant based is best for your health (available at the library)
- H.O.P.E. - showing how what you eat matters
- Food, Inc. - a look at where your food comes from
- Earthlings - a graphic video of how animals around the world are abused by humans
- Vegan 2018 - a look at how veganism has transformed through 2018
In one of my early posts, I talked about how this journey isn't just for my body, but also for my mind. I want to live a life that I can be proud of, and one that is full of happiness, peace and harmony. I feel like this negativity is going against everything I'm trying to achieve, and I think it's really unfair. Why are so many people concerned with how I eat, and what I do with my life? I'm eating healthier than I ever have in my life, feel great, look so much better, and yet everyone around me questions it.
Is it that they're insecure about how they're living? Are they struggling with contributing to the harm to animals, or destruction of our planet? Or, are they simply jealous because they see how happy I am, and how great I look, and they don't think they can adopt the lifestyle I've chosen, or they don't even want to?
Fine... I get it. But, I'm not going to let them destroy my happiness... destroy what I'm working so hard to achieve. This is MY journey. This is MY decision. If you want to be part of it, great.. please pull of a seat and make yourself comfy. If you are going to criticize me, make fun of me, or make me feel guilty... then please.. let me show you the door.
~ Alisa ~
