1 Year Anniversary

March 1 marks the 1 year anniversary of when I became vegan.  I could not be more proud!  This is a change that I never in a million years thought I would make, but after a year of research through websites, books, and documentaries, I know that it's the best decision I could have made for myself.


Here are a few changes that I've noticed:

-I immediately lost 10 pounds as soon as I went vegan.  The detox phase was a little brutal, but it was well worth it.
-It's easier to lose weight.  Though I've been maintaining my weight for the last year, it did go up a bit over the holidays.  In fact, it went up 10 pounds.  Oddly enough, as soon as I started eating healthy again, I dropped the 10 pounds within ONE WEEK!
-The whites of my eyes are whiter.  Who would ever think that they could get whiter? Well, they can, and mine are.
-I feel more humble; more relaxed.
-I automatically choose healthy food when dining out.
-Alcohol isn't a big part of my life anymore.
-I have a bit more energy.  One of the things I read about was that my energy level would go way up when I became vegan.  Nope!  That didn't happen for me.  I don't know if it's because I work two jobs and am always exhausted, but only recently have I noticed the energy increase.


Documentaries & books I would recommend (the exact order in which I read/watched):

-BOOK: The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone -- This book is what originally gave me the push to go vegan.  There isn't a ton of detail, but just enough to make you think and realize what you're doing not only to you body, but to the animals.
-BOOK: Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer -- I cried throughout this entire book.  My love for animals was confirmed after reading this and I realized that I don't ever want to harm animals like that.  But what about the family farms that treat animals decent, you ask?
-DOCUMENTARY: Forks Over Knives -- Back in August/September I started thinking about possibly going vegetarian and adding dairy back into my diet.  This documentary is the reason for why I will be vegan forever.
-DOCUMENTARY: Food, Inc. -- Very informative.  It didn't hit home like Forks Over Knives, but still has a lot of valuable information.
-BOOK: The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell PhD -- This book is the reason why Forks Over Knives was created.  The science is broken down for the layman.  We finally understand why we have never heard of this amazing diet and how doctors all over the world are shutting it down because of their financial ties to the meat and dairy industries.


One thing I've noticed throughout the year is that there are a lot of vegan "flirts".  This is Alicia's term for people who are interested in becoming vegan and make a few vegan meals throughout the week, but still eat meat and dairy.  I truly feel that you can't become fully vegan unless you believe in it.  I grew up in a meat and cheese family (from Wisconsin) and had a hard time giving all of that up, but after doing my research, I realized that it's something that would not only benefit me, but benefit the world as a whole.  I am saving 300 cows each year just by giving up meat.  That's pretty incredible!  There's no way I could have continued down this road if I didn't feel for these animals, or if I didn't understand the awful diseases that are associated with meat and dairy.

One year ago, I became vegan because of animal cruelty.  Now, my mind is split 50/50.  My heart aches for these animals that are trapped in cages, attacking each other from going mad because they don't have enough room to turn in a circle, and the inhumane way that factory farms slaughter them.  But I also understand the nutritional benefits from being on a plant-based diet.

Here is my pros and cons list for being vegan:

PRO
-Risk of cancer decreased
-Risk of heart disease decreased
-High cholesterol irrelevant
-Weight loss
-No medication
-No supplements necessary
-Feel great
-Eat incredible food
-Regular bowel movements

CON
-Can't eat cheese

*This Pros/Cons list is specifically relevant for me personally.

This is all I need to get by every day.  Some people have asked me if I ever get cravings.  I did for a very short period of time in the very beginning, but now when I see something that looks "good", I immediately think of how that animal got on that plate and the awful experience it had to go through just so I could taste something good.  Then I think about all of the disgusting things associated with that piece of meat.  I'm not talking about cancer and heart disease.  I'm talking about how chicken doesn't even naturally taste like chicken anymore, but has to be put through a chlorine tank to get rid of all the shit -- literally -- that is pressed into the feathers and skin, then is pumped with broth to make it taste like chicken.  Who is honestly interested in eating that?  Not me!

How about the fish that you eat?  Did you know that unless you are buying sea fresh food, then you are most likely eating farm fish?  There are so many fish in these ponds that they attack each other (just like chicken in pens) because there isn't enough room to swim, which also means that there isn't enough oxygen for them.  After the lack of oxygen and the wounds provided by fish attacks, bacteria forms in the fish that you then eat.  Enjoy!

And what about the sea fresh fish?  These fisherman are out on their boats for weeks at a time.  What happens to the fish that they catch on day 1?  They just sit in their tanks being piles on top of with other fish, again making it impossible for them to get enough oxygen to survive.  They always tell you that it's fresh off the boat, but really it's been 3 weeks since it was caught.

Just a little food for thought...

Anyway, becoming vegan was the best decision I've ever made.  It is something I plan on being for a lifetime and can't wait to experience all of the wonderful things that come with it.