This post has been long overdue. Five years ago, my life was
going along day to day just as I was used to – some highs, some lows but mostly
living a very good life. On the “what was I eating front”, my diet was not
ideal. Although I loved fruits and vegetables, I also loved many forms of junk
food full of fat and salt and honestly, I took the easiest way out when it came
to cooking.
A few years even before that, I had made a change that
brought me closer to veganism. After reading “Fast Food Nation” by Eric
Schlosser I stopped eating red meat but didn’t make the whole connection
about the totality of animal agriculture abuse, the unhealthiness of the
Western diet, the impacts on climate change and the abuse of the workers in so
many areas regarding how we grow and process our food.
Then, my daughter stepped in and took me by the hand and
walked me into the new compassionate world of living without using animal products
or any products tested on animals. Basically, I was able to see a whole new way
of looking at the world and those other creatures that live here with us. Here
is how it happened!
This is Liz’s story:
“Why did I go vegan? Nine years ago, I made the decision to
become vegan nearly overnight. I had a couple of vegan friends at the
time, and was curious enough one day to research online about why people become
vegan. All of the information about what happens on factory farms for
meat and dairy and eggs came up, and I knew right away I could not participate
in it anymore. I also learned about what happens in research and cosmetic
testing labs, and started using cruelty free products as well. Over time, I
learned of the environmental, and the health benefits of a vegan diet also, and,
more recently, have switched from a "junk food" vegan diet to a
whole-foods plant-based diet.”
Once she went vegan, she told me she felt the need to tell
other people – share and spread the important information about animal abuse.
She said “if only they knew the facts”, she felt strongly that they wouldn’t
want to participate in such horror. To accomplish this, she joined a local
animal rights group. With them she attended protests at a French restaurant
that served fois gras, the circus, and other organizations. She also helped
organize a local VegFest, participated in Food not Bombs - taking plant-based food
to be thrown away, preparing it and
handing out to needy people on the street and as a way to encourage plant-based
eating.
This is my story:
I was one of those people she was hoping to help see the
light. So, I watched Liz’s changes in diet and was sympathetic and cooperative
but not ready to make what I considered a radical commitment. I saw her using
soy milk and other products like tofu that just didn’t seem appetizing to me.
Despite her gentle but persistent attempts to have me see the light, I was just
not ready. Her most persistent yet respectful request was to have me watch
“Earthlings”. Somehow I knew that once I watched it, I would have to stop eating all animals. So, finally I
decided the time had come and I watched it. And, as I had thought, once I saw the awful truth and shed many tears, I had
to change. There was no going back for me.
Currently, Liz lives in CT and is member of a team of vegans
who organize a Compassionfest that takes place in July every year.
She has also
become a competitive runner and has started a local group of “No Meat Athletes”. They run together and show by example that you can be a successful
and maybe superior athlete without eating animal products.
They have T-shirts
that spread the word. She is also a member of Stronghearts Vegan Power running
team – soon to be competing at a Ragnar race in the Poconos of PA.
She also tries to promote new vegan restaurants to others –
on social media and by taking friends and
family to them. Another activity is her role as one of the cohosts on the SvelteYeti podcast - sharing info on running, transformational change and veganism.
She
has even inspired her Dad, a tennis player, to become a no meat athlete also.
So, Liz has changed (and maybe saved) my life. A vegan diet
and the compassion toward animals it represents means I don’t have that guilt
and anxiety that comes from participating and supporting (by using animal
products) in a system that abuses animals, abuses workers and is a large
contributor to climate change. Also, with a family history of diabetes and
cardiovascular issues, removing animal products from my diet is so much better
for my health.
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As parents, there is the idea that we are the ones leading
the way with support and advice for our children about life’s journey. Along
the way, I have learned that I can also
learn so much from my children.
Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks, eh?
