Call me crazy (it’s ok if you do, I probably would if I were you), but I’ve decided to give this vegan thing a shot. Maybe the hippies here are rubbing off on me. Regardless, I’m testing the water. We’ll see what happens. I’m sure I won’t be perfect, and that’s ok. The point is I’m trying. I’ve only been at it for a few days (and the first day I cheated and ate cheese), but I honestly feel better than I have in a long time. I guess all I’m saying is so far so good, but I’ll be sure to check back in every once in a while and let y’all know how it’s going.
In the meantime, I found this awesome vegan blog. The girl who writes the blog seems pretty cool; she went vegan for health reasons instead of moral ones and even has before and after pictures that show how effective it has been. She’s an advocate for healthy vegan diets (rather
than the more convenient temptation to just load up on carbs), and has a lot of good tips. She also posts recipes. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I’m cooking. Be surprised. It’s an added perk. I’ll be a good cook in no time! I hope.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no intention of becoming one of those die-hard, combative vegan types. I've never been one to tell others how to live their life, and I won't start now. I want to be healthy, and helping animals in the meantime is just icing on the cake.
Truthfully, I always thought the whole vegetarian/vegan movement was a load of crap. I mean really, the world of animal agriculture is not going to tip off its axis just because a few people are choosing not to eat meat or dairy. That’s just the way it is.
I’ve heard the arguments before; I’ve read brochures handed out on campus, even browsed a few websites, but I will admit that recently it’s been harder for me to ignore the things that are going on, and it's become even harder as I realize that I've been funding it. I know that, in theory, the practices don’t have to be inhumane, but the reality is that money matters and in the world of mass production that means that these animals are being mistreated. I refuse to get on a soap box about this, but it’s something to think about. If you want to read more, this is where I started. However, let me say now that I do not necessarily agree wholeheartedly with the entire vegan philosophy. I don’t think it’s inherently wrong to eat meat, but I do believe in the humane treatment of all animals, so if you choose to browse that website please understand that I’m not endorsing the whole “animals are here with us, not for us” philosophy.
I’m going to miss queso.
