Among our members there are some who became vegan years ago, some who are transitioning, and some who are new and curious about the concept.. so we decided to dedicate a session to the topic..
WHAT IS VEGANISM?
Simply put, veganism is abstinence from the use of animal products in both diet and lifestyle.
A great explanation of ethical veganism comes from the International Vegetarian Union: “Veganism may be defined as a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. In dietary terms, it refers to the practice of dispensing with all animal produce, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives.”
WHAT DO VEGANS EAT?
There are so many amazing [and seriously delicious] vegan foods out there, you may be surprised by just how many options there are! Here’s just a few examples of some of the foods vegans eat:
Every type of fruit: apples, oranges, berries, mangoes, pineapple, grapes, papaya
Every type of vegetable: asparagus, kale, broccoli, carrots, celery, zucchini, spinach
Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, almond butter
Carbohydrates: potatoes, pasta, bread, bagels, pitas, wraps, rice, quinoabeans and legumes: tofu, edamame, hummus, black beans, chickpeas, lentils
Non-dairy milks: coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, hemp milk, oat milk
Chocolate: many varieties of dark chocolate as well as non-dairy milk chocolates made from coconut, soy, or rice milk
Junk food: fries, onion rings, chips, cookies, cake, candy (check the ingredients, many of these products are only incidentally vegan)
Dairy alternatives: coconut ice cream, almond and coconut yogurt, coffee creamers, vegan cheese and cream cheese, vegan butter
Meat alternatives: tempeh bacon, veggie burgers, deli sandwich slices, vegan sausages, holiday roasts
OK, BUT WHY WOULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE?
Physical health. The first and most notorious reason of many going vegan is that the body seems to regenerate itself.. from losing weight to fixing hormonal imbalances and curing many [many] diseases.
Mental health including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, generalized anxiety, and eating disorders are some of the many mental benefits we can fix and prevent when changing our diet lifestyle.
Spiritual connection. Some suggest that when we eat animal products, we eat the negative vibrations of an animal which suffered, or died a terrifying and painful death. Others point out that in the case of meat, hormones such as adrenaline may still be present in the flesh of the tortured animal and so are taken into our bodies. Perhaps this explains the feeling of lightness experienced by many new vegans.
Peace of mind or ethic. In our hearts, we all know that hurting other creatures is wrong and that all life should be respected. But some people see spirituality is an abstract thing, divorced from our everyday actions. This disconnect allows them to consider themselves spiritual while continuing to consume animal products. When our beliefs and actions are not aligned, it can be distressing. Some people even try to change their beliefs - for example, by claiming not to care about animal suffering - to eliminate this distress without the inconvenience of changing their behaviour. Practicing veganism means rejecting this and truly aligning our actions with our beliefs.
We are blessed to live in a society where we can enjoy delicious and abundant food without harming or exploiting animals. A lifestyle which causes minimal harm to animals ultimately benefits everyone and everything else on the planet, because everything is connected. Whether your perspective is rational, spiritual or a bit of both, it simply makes sense to be vegan.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT..
When we eat food, the nutrients are used to build new cells. The food becomes us, and so we literally are what we eat. We can choose what we want our bodies to be made of - nutritious plant foods, or the flesh and secretions of abused creatures. It’s a choice between life and death - not just for animals but for the planet, ourselves and other people..
Stop and think.. what have you been eating these days? How have you been feeling lately? How is your overall health?.. And most importantly, what are you willing to do for yourself?
Whether your perspective is rational, spiritual or a bit of both, it simply makes sense to be vegan. Go for it!!
Extras:
◎ HEY LADIES our dear Daniela Marquez, women’s health coach, public health advocate, and active member lob, has been helping women achieve hormonal health through natural foods and self care practices so that you can have blissful periods!! Find her amazing programs and tips here: www.Daniela-Marquez.com
◎ A Profound Spiritual Awakening... www.KindEarth.net
◎ Easy [and delish] vegan recipes www.aCoupleCooks.com
◎ 15 Vegan lifestyle benefits that will make you never look back www.LiveKindly.co
◎ Thanks to El Paso Vegan!!
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