Today is our two year vegan-versary. Over the past two years we've learned a lot about the positive health benefits of a vegan diet, about the benefits of being vegan on the environment, and about the horrific conditions in which livestock spend their entire lives. And while we may not be "perfect" vegans, we have found our stride and are quite confident that we will be vegan for the rest of our lives.
When we first went vegan, we experienced a considerable amount of trepidation. Would we be able to do this? Would we miss meat and dairy? Would we be any healthier? Would we be able to eat out again? I've blogged about many of these experiences, and you've shared your own with us, and on your blogs as well. I think most of us have found the transition to veganism to be far less painful, and much more rewarding than we could have anticipated.
The most unanticipated thing though, is our shift in thinking. There is no way we would be able to go back to a meat-centered diet. We went vegan for our health, we're staying vegan because we cannot conceive of eating meat again after learning how that meat is produced. (And some of you can say you told me so!)
Related Information:
- Living Longer and Better
- Intelligence in Childhood Leads to Vegetarian Diet Later in Life
- Vegan And Other Food Labels
- Gone Vegan
- Vegan Charities
ADDITONAL INFORMATION
Vegan Dating -- Or, Nice to "Meat" YouThere is an article in the Dining and Wine section of the New York Times entitled "I Love You, But You Love Meat" which discusses the perils of pursuing or maintaining a relationship with someone who doesn't share your dietary inclinations. Jane...
Vegans in JailSo tonight I learned that Ira Black, guitarist for Lizzie Borden, was in the Los Angeles County jail system this month for a misdemeanor charge. Since I don't know anything about Ira Black that news didn't make much of an impression. However, Mr.
Japanese Dolphin MassacreJust to prove I'm specifically picking on Canada... Here's a link to a story about the annual Japanese Dolphin Hunt. The dolphin hunt runs from September through April and results in the slaughter of thousands of dolphins annually. Thirteen...
Vegan ChristmasWe celebrate Christmas here. This year we had a few people over who were not interested in trying a vegan meal. So, in the spirit of the holidays, we suggested they bring the "meat" dish of their choice, and promised they'd love our sides. ...
OK, I admit it, I slippedI've been debating about whether to confess this or not. It's not something I'm terribly ashamed of, but I don't want to lose my credibility in your eyes. On the other hand, I'm blogging about my vegan experiences and I'm sure I'm not the only one...
Happy anniversary! that’s fantastic
i know what you mean, too. i can’t imagine going back to an omni diet. it’s become so very ingrained in my personal ethics and lifestyle that it would be a disservice not only to the animals but to my own conscience if i were to go back to a diet based on violence.
cheers!
Hi & Congrats!
As a new vegan too, I can also recall the minor hurdles… (and some uninentional slips) – But I’ve gotten great coaching and support from kind people and forums such as yours!
Thanks for all you do! Now go celebrate with something deliciously vegan & cruelty free!
We started for financial reasons, then realized [should say was shocked] the health benefits, then came the moral reality.
I became a vegan after realizing what the animals go through. I read “fast food nation” and found out. I have only been a vegan for about two weeks but I can not stand to eat meat anymore. During June I was in Nicaraqua and saw a chicken being killed. I was the only one in the group that did not have there chicken on there tamalian. And even though I ate meat after that I refused to eat chicken. I said hey I will get over it. Then after reading fast food nation I broke down. Now I refused to eat any dairy product and meat.
Hi Uncle Ray,
We haven’t found much of a financial incentive to go vegan. We’re always shocked that our vegan entrees at restaurants are pretty much the same price as the dishes our omni friends order. As for grocery shopping… we never bought steaks, and Jane was always pretty good about getting meat on sale. So we didn’t see any reduction in our grocery bills.
But we still feel it’s the right way to eat.
Hi Julia,
If you think Fast Food Nation was tough, try watching the Earthlings video (there’s a link under posts you should read on the right).
Anyway best of luck on your new path. It is a much more humane way to live.