Everyone likes pigs for one reason at another. Some for their cute little curly tails. Some for their fabulous roles in books and movies (Babe, Wilbur, and Piglet hello!) Others, for their sweet smelling offerings of bacon, ham, and pork. As the saying goes, to each his (or her) own. For me, I guess it, at times, has been all of the above. But mostly it is the fact that they are living, feeling, breathing creatures. Pigs, along with all the other animals that we eat, have had tough luck because they happen to have delicious tasting flesh. When written like that it sounds pretty awful. I have always been a big softie when it comes to any sort if living creature (except crane flies and spiders). Perhaps for that reason or perhaps because I am perpetually picky, I have never been a huge fan of meat. It always just kind of grossed me out. But, since it was part of every dinner, I ate it. But as I've grown older, and my eyes have been opened to the world of factory farming, I have lessened my meat intake drastically over the years. For the past couple of years, when making food for myself, I eat completely vegan. But, in the interest of not being a bother, I have continued to eat animal products at dinners, parties, etc. For September, I decided to go completely vegan - that meant no animal products in any way - whether it be food or other products (beauty, clothing, etc). And let me tell you, it wasn't easy.
Within the first couple of days, I was out for dinner somewhere, and realized halfway through the meal that the vegetables I was eating had been soaked in butter. I had already failed. I continued on as best I could for the rest of the month, but that wasn't the only slip up. I sadly found out that eggs are included in the process of making wine. I wish I could un-know this but I can't.
This post has been a long time coming because it is a difficult one for me to write. People seem to have really strong opinions when it comes to the vegan lifestyle. Whether it is because they believe in the importance of meat protein in a diet, or because they eat meat themselves and perhaps feel guilty about it, I'm not sure. But rarely, unless I am discussing it with another vegan, is it an easy conversation. Even the "good for you's" seem insincere. Maybe this is my own insecurity though. I'm not sure.
But I do feel strongly about it. I won't get all preachy here, but will just include a link or two if you want to read more about it. The conditions that those poor farm animals are put through are completely inhumane. Pigs are intelligent and I have no doubt they, like many of the animals that humans hunt and kill, can feel real and intense fear, sadness, and confusion.
We are lucky to live in a time when there are options. It is becoming easier and easier to find free range, grass fed, hormone free meat. It is also important to find organic animal products where you can - otherwise, that animal was being pumped with GMO, chemical laden feed. Eating vegan (and plant based) is a great way to know you are not only eating healthy, but also ethically and environmentally smart. That is important to me.
I'll stop there. But please take a look at a link or two, and give those lovely little creatures a thought. There are lots of ways to get protein! Mmmmm chickpeas and spinach and peanut butter and hemp seeds! (Not all at once of course...)
I promise my next post will be more fun. But this one was important. I failed. This was the only month that I failed. But I gave it a really good try. And since then, for about 90% of my diet, I eat vegan. I do have a serious honey addiction though… but those bees are going to make it either way right!
Thank you for listening.
If you want to read a little more:
This is Mary Mattern's website. She is a super bad ass and awesome vegan cook and strong supporter of the lifestyle: Nom Yourself
From the Vegan Society: Why Go Vegan?
Mmmmm best vegan food in North Vancouver: Buddhaful
Within the first couple of days, I was out for dinner somewhere, and realized halfway through the meal that the vegetables I was eating had been soaked in butter. I had already failed. I continued on as best I could for the rest of the month, but that wasn't the only slip up. I sadly found out that eggs are included in the process of making wine. I wish I could un-know this but I can't.
This post has been a long time coming because it is a difficult one for me to write. People seem to have really strong opinions when it comes to the vegan lifestyle. Whether it is because they believe in the importance of meat protein in a diet, or because they eat meat themselves and perhaps feel guilty about it, I'm not sure. But rarely, unless I am discussing it with another vegan, is it an easy conversation. Even the "good for you's" seem insincere. Maybe this is my own insecurity though. I'm not sure.
But I do feel strongly about it. I won't get all preachy here, but will just include a link or two if you want to read more about it. The conditions that those poor farm animals are put through are completely inhumane. Pigs are intelligent and I have no doubt they, like many of the animals that humans hunt and kill, can feel real and intense fear, sadness, and confusion.
We are lucky to live in a time when there are options. It is becoming easier and easier to find free range, grass fed, hormone free meat. It is also important to find organic animal products where you can - otherwise, that animal was being pumped with GMO, chemical laden feed. Eating vegan (and plant based) is a great way to know you are not only eating healthy, but also ethically and environmentally smart. That is important to me.
I'll stop there. But please take a look at a link or two, and give those lovely little creatures a thought. There are lots of ways to get protein! Mmmmm chickpeas and spinach and peanut butter and hemp seeds! (Not all at once of course...)
I promise my next post will be more fun. But this one was important. I failed. This was the only month that I failed. But I gave it a really good try. And since then, for about 90% of my diet, I eat vegan. I do have a serious honey addiction though… but those bees are going to make it either way right!
Thank you for listening.
If you want to read a little more:
This is Mary Mattern's website. She is a super bad ass and awesome vegan cook and strong supporter of the lifestyle: Nom Yourself
From the Vegan Society: Why Go Vegan?
Mmmmm best vegan food in North Vancouver: Buddhaful