Hi guys! How's it going? Today's post is a little different than my typical recipe posts. I'm taking Create N Plate and switching it up a bit. I want to share more of my life with everyone. Don't worry, I'll still be posting recipes along with all kinds of other fun posts. Variety! Who's excited?! Now on to today's post! We all know that I'm vegan. No surprise there. I am very compassionate about veganism and so grateful that I stumbled upon Earthlings last July. I never ate meat again after watching it. Shortly after I made the slow transition into veganism. I won't get too into detail of my transition though. I'll save that for another post. Stay tuned! Back to the topic, 3 reasons to go vegan. I got the idea for this post last night after I posted on Instagram about veganism. I can't believe that I've been vegan for almost a year. So crazy! I have loved every single minute of it. It's changed my life in so many positive ways and I know that it will continue to do so. That's why I wanted to share this information. I believe that knowledge is power. Being educated on things that you're passionate about is important. So let's all learn a little more and/or refresh our memories with 3 reasons to go vegan!
1. The Animals
This can be broken down into a few different parts and this is my main reason for adopting a vegan lifestyle. Last night I was inspired to post on Instagram mainly about factory farm animals and this is what I said, "I often get asked why I won't eat animal products because "it's not a big deal" and "everyone does it." I have many reasons for living a vegan lifestyle. One of the main reasons is because I could never imagine killing Jack (my rooster) for a meal. He's my friend just like all other animals. I wouldn't kill any of my pets for food so I don't want other animals killed for food either. Animals are not here to live a life of torture in a factory farm so that humans can have a steak for dinner, eggs for breakfast, turkey on Thanksgiving, etc. The products that you purchase in the grocery store are full of chemical additives and unnatural substances that are not meant for consumption. They cause diseases and cancers which is why so many people are sick. Adapting a vegan diet and lifestyle gives you the opportunity to heal yourself from the inside out just like I have done along with many many others. I do not want to consume something that has lived a life of suffering and is packed full of things that are poisons to my body. I want to eat foods that make me feel good and that I know did not harm any other beings in the process. That is one of the many reasons that I'm vegan and will not "just take one bite" of something containing animal products. Veganism is not a fad diet like Atkins, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, low carb diets, etc. It is a lifestyle and one of the most important parts of my life which is why I believe in it so much. Go vegan to save animals, the Earth, and yourself." When I walk down the aisles of the grocery store and pass the meat section I feel sad. I am sorry to all of those animals that had to suffer for a humans meal. Earthlings plays in my head and I can't imagine taking another beings life for a moment of satisfaction at meal time. By consuming a vegan diet you save about 200 animals a year. Think of all of the lives that would be saved if you, your friends, and family decided to go vegan. Tons! The second part of this is animal testing. A lot of people don't realize that there is more to a veganism than not eating animal products. But I'm sure that we're all familiar with animal testing and what goes on in those labs. If you're not familiar with it or want a refresher, this is really powerful. It's not only important to not consume animals, it's also important to not use products containing animal products or products that were tested on animals. "Over 100 million animals are burned, crippled, poisoned and abused in U.S. labs every year to test products. Yet 92% of experimental drugs that are safe and effective in animals fail in human clinical trials because they are too dangerous or don’t work." (source) It's so inhumane and unnecessary to test on animals which is why it's important to buy products that don't test on animals. I usually buy locally made products and they're all wonderful!
2. Your Health
Health is important. Taking care of your body is the key to a happy life. By adapting a plant based diet you are giving your body the nutrients that it needs to thrive. Think of a hospital. How many patients in a hospital that are sick with cancers, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc. are vegan? How many patients in a hospital that are sick with cancers, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc. are meat eaters? We all know the answer to those questions. In fact, tons and tons of people have healed themselves from those medical problems by adopting a plant based vegan diet. Meat consumption is known to cause cancer, heart disease, and many other problems. Dairy consumption is known to cause osteoporosis. Type 2 diabetes caused by a high fat consumption, not sugar. Plant based vegans have healed themselves from Type 2 diabetes and are able to manage Type 1 diabetes much better than those consuming a Standard American Diet. When consuming animal products you're receiving much more than just an egg, piece of meat, or glass of milk. Factory farmed animals are fed unnatural hormones, toxins, and antibiotics that are not meant to be ingested by humans. Almost all health issues that we face can be healed by eating more fresh foods. Physical health isn't the only important part, mental health is just as important. By eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables you begin to see such a positive difference in your overall mental health. It brings true happiness to your body. Fueling up with plant based foods gives you the energy to do things that you enjoy which results in happiness. I get excited just talking about fruits, so you can only imagine how happy I am when I'm eating them!
3. The Environment
Growing plants takes a lot less resources than growing animals. The animal industry causes more damages on the environment than driving cars. "A vegan driving a hummer contributes less to greenhouse gas emissions than a meat eater riding a bicycle." Isn't that crazy? "Livestock production is responsible for 70% of deforestation in the Amazon region of Latin America, where rain forests are being cleared to create new pastures." When those forests are destroyed the animals that created homes and lives on that land are destroyed as well. Each animal, plant, tree, etc. serves a purpose in this world and humans are wiping out too much, too fast. The pesticides, waste, fertilizers, etc. involved with livestock are now found in our waterways which has a huge effect on our ecosystems overall. It causes problems for the humans and other animals living in and near those waterways. It makes them sick, some to the point of death. There is nothing that they're able to do to stop it. Living a vegan lifestyle gives you the opportunity to help save the planet. It's a shame how badly we've become accustom to treating Earth and we need to become educated and aware before the damages become irreversible. There are so many more reasons to go vegan. These are the three that mean the most to me though and I wanted to share with all of you. Veganism has brought me success on Create N Plate and I have also found a wonderful community. The online vegan community is like no other! It's really great to be a part of it and continue to spread the message with anyone willing to listen. If you've read this and you're already a vegan then *high five!* and if you're a meat eater and you've read this then *double high five!* come and join us. My main goal is to educate others on veganism. You don't have to eat salads all day when you're a vegan. Heck, I rarely eat salads. I'm more of a chocolate almond butter cup person. But whatever you're eating, as long as it's vegan, is cool with me! Share your yummy food with me on Instagram or Facebook or email me a picture! We can be excited about your foods together. That's all I have for you guys today. I'm off to do some yoga and go to bed. Whatcha up to on this fine Thursday? Let me know and see you soon for another post!