This week I made a major decision. I decided to become a vegan.... or rather, change my diet to exclude meat, dairy, fish, and any animal products. The term "vegan" has so much energy attached to it.
Why am I doing this? Well, this is a choice I tried out many years ago and found to be too difficult as a sophomore in college. I have always considered it one of the healthiest diets, but lacked the motivation and support to make the switch. But during this pregnancy, a few wires have gotten changed in my brain, and things that I let elude or delude me, are no longer things I can ignore. I have read nonstop over the past week about the food industry, the health implications of veganism, animal treatment in the food industry, industry standards, government laws about our food, etc. etc. I am feeling pretty well informed.
Simply put, there are four reasons why I am choosing to change my diet. And I will explain them in no particular order.
First. Environmental. When I told some people about my choice, they said, "what about fish? It's such a healthy option and wouldn't be cruel to any animals." Well, yes, I believe fish are an incredibly healthy option. They are rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Both necessary things for our bodies to function. However, the reality is that it is estimated that about 25% of what is caught in fishing nets is thrown away because it contains unwanted species. Some of that includes coral which is vital for ocean life. That's horribly wasteful. Mercury is present in fish at toxic levels in farmed fish. Mercury leads to birth defects and is cancerous. Most fish is harvested so unsustainably that many organizations estimate our fish supply will be depleted in just a few decades. I believe that our ocean is the most important part of our earth environment. The more we pollute and deplete it, the more difficult life on earth will become. If not for us, certainly our children. Besides the ocean, omnivores require so much more land, carbon, and plant life to support the meat that they eat than vegans. Methane from livestock gas contributes more to greenhouse gases than automobiles do. There are so many more environmental reasons that I won't bore you with. But for me, the environment is a big reason.
Second. Animal cruelty. This is one part of the discussion that turns a lot of people off because vegans have a history of being so in-your-face about it. I don't want to be in your face at all. I just want to say that at first I avoided delving into this dark side of the food industry because I knew it would bother me. But one day I asked myself, "Would you rather be informed or ignorant?" I choose to be informed. So I did my homework. And I cried. No, bawled. For hours. And I couldn't stop thinking about the needless suffering of the animals we eat for days. And I had dreams about it. I would clean the bathroom and involuntarily have images of animals suffering or do the dishes and see the tired, sad, fearful eyes of cows, pigs, and chickens looking back at me. I think the most disturbed I got was when I learned that research has proven that pigs have a higher intelligence level than dogs and 3 year old humans and have distinct personalities. Yet they are stuck in crates for months at a time, going literally insane, chewing at the bars on their cages. The males are castrated (some improperly, so their intestines fall out of their abdomens) without pain relief or anesthesia, the females immobilized to feed their piglets for weeks on end. Then one day they are stunned and dropped in boiling water (some improperly stunned) to die. We treat them like they have no feelings or value. Yet they are proven to have more intelligence than the dogs we love in our homes. I though of Porsche and Koda being treated like that and it literally hurt me. I couldn't let that one go. I thought, "If Americans really knew how pigs are treated, would they be so obsessed with bacon?" The plight of chickens and cows are no better, but I won't go into it. I'm not trying to make anyone disturbed or upset. I just wanted to explain my personal journey. The reality is that to compete, food companies have become factories and in order to produce so much, they don't see humane practices or killing (if there is such a thing?) as cost effective. The result is animal suffering. Even the USDA "organic" stamp didn't mean much when I researched what that stamp really amounted to. Animals still suffered horribly under that stamp we feel so good about buying. When I realized that eating these animals would create violence and suffering, it was a simple choice for me. Why not dairy or eggs? Again, I did my homework. Producing milk and eggs creates just as much suffering as producing the meat itself. That's all I need to say. The saying "Compassionate Consumption" had a new meaning to me.
Third. Health. A few years ago my dad was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The doctor recommended going vegan. He did for a few months. And guess what? Diabetes was reversed. Actually, there's loads of evidence that eating vegan can completely reverse Type 2 Diabetes. And there's loads of research that shows that vegans have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and inflammatory chronic illnesses. Did you know that vegans even retained less radioactivity in nuclear fallout than meat eaters? The most common argument I hear against it is that you won't get enough protein, vitamin b12, zinc, etc. It is true that eating meat is a complete protein and eating 1 oz of meat gives you more protein than 1 oz of legumes or nuts. However, within that 1 oz of meat you also have more saturated fat, and these days hormones, antibiotics, inflammatory agents, etc. Veganism done the right way can lead to zero deficiencies, plenty of protein, and none of the other crap that is in our meat. There are lots of world class athletes who are vegans and I'm pretty sure they are getting enough protein if they're able to do Ironmans. Don't get me wrong, vegans can be as unhealthy as omnivores. I see plenty of them eating so much processed soy (full of harmful plant estrogens), sugar, alcohol, etc. But if you know nutrition and you know how to make balanced meals and eat a wide variety of foods (especially locally sourced in-season foods), you can do it and reap more health benefits than any other diet. For me, with a family history including Alzheimers disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, the prospect of avoiding any or all of those, is worth giving up meat and dairy. For an in depth look at just the health aspects of veganism, watch "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix. It's a great documentary!
Fourth. And this is the most important to me. Religious. I hear the typical Mormon reader saying, "ummm.... that's not part of our religion." Well, you are right. Officially, it's not. Or is it? This is scripture, from our very famous Word of Wisdom (the same that prohibits Mormons from alcohol, drugs, etc):
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
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Why am I doing this? Well, this is a choice I tried out many years ago and found to be too difficult as a sophomore in college. I have always considered it one of the healthiest diets, but lacked the motivation and support to make the switch. But during this pregnancy, a few wires have gotten changed in my brain, and things that I let elude or delude me, are no longer things I can ignore. I have read nonstop over the past week about the food industry, the health implications of veganism, animal treatment in the food industry, industry standards, government laws about our food, etc. etc. I am feeling pretty well informed.
Simply put, there are four reasons why I am choosing to change my diet. And I will explain them in no particular order.
First. Environmental. When I told some people about my choice, they said, "what about fish? It's such a healthy option and wouldn't be cruel to any animals." Well, yes, I believe fish are an incredibly healthy option. They are rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Both necessary things for our bodies to function. However, the reality is that it is estimated that about 25% of what is caught in fishing nets is thrown away because it contains unwanted species. Some of that includes coral which is vital for ocean life. That's horribly wasteful. Mercury is present in fish at toxic levels in farmed fish. Mercury leads to birth defects and is cancerous. Most fish is harvested so unsustainably that many organizations estimate our fish supply will be depleted in just a few decades. I believe that our ocean is the most important part of our earth environment. The more we pollute and deplete it, the more difficult life on earth will become. If not for us, certainly our children. Besides the ocean, omnivores require so much more land, carbon, and plant life to support the meat that they eat than vegans. Methane from livestock gas contributes more to greenhouse gases than automobiles do. There are so many more environmental reasons that I won't bore you with. But for me, the environment is a big reason.
Second. Animal cruelty. This is one part of the discussion that turns a lot of people off because vegans have a history of being so in-your-face about it. I don't want to be in your face at all. I just want to say that at first I avoided delving into this dark side of the food industry because I knew it would bother me. But one day I asked myself, "Would you rather be informed or ignorant?" I choose to be informed. So I did my homework. And I cried. No, bawled. For hours. And I couldn't stop thinking about the needless suffering of the animals we eat for days. And I had dreams about it. I would clean the bathroom and involuntarily have images of animals suffering or do the dishes and see the tired, sad, fearful eyes of cows, pigs, and chickens looking back at me. I think the most disturbed I got was when I learned that research has proven that pigs have a higher intelligence level than dogs and 3 year old humans and have distinct personalities. Yet they are stuck in crates for months at a time, going literally insane, chewing at the bars on their cages. The males are castrated (some improperly, so their intestines fall out of their abdomens) without pain relief or anesthesia, the females immobilized to feed their piglets for weeks on end. Then one day they are stunned and dropped in boiling water (some improperly stunned) to die. We treat them like they have no feelings or value. Yet they are proven to have more intelligence than the dogs we love in our homes. I though of Porsche and Koda being treated like that and it literally hurt me. I couldn't let that one go. I thought, "If Americans really knew how pigs are treated, would they be so obsessed with bacon?" The plight of chickens and cows are no better, but I won't go into it. I'm not trying to make anyone disturbed or upset. I just wanted to explain my personal journey. The reality is that to compete, food companies have become factories and in order to produce so much, they don't see humane practices or killing (if there is such a thing?) as cost effective. The result is animal suffering. Even the USDA "organic" stamp didn't mean much when I researched what that stamp really amounted to. Animals still suffered horribly under that stamp we feel so good about buying. When I realized that eating these animals would create violence and suffering, it was a simple choice for me. Why not dairy or eggs? Again, I did my homework. Producing milk and eggs creates just as much suffering as producing the meat itself. That's all I need to say. The saying "Compassionate Consumption" had a new meaning to me.
Third. Health. A few years ago my dad was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The doctor recommended going vegan. He did for a few months. And guess what? Diabetes was reversed. Actually, there's loads of evidence that eating vegan can completely reverse Type 2 Diabetes. And there's loads of research that shows that vegans have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and inflammatory chronic illnesses. Did you know that vegans even retained less radioactivity in nuclear fallout than meat eaters? The most common argument I hear against it is that you won't get enough protein, vitamin b12, zinc, etc. It is true that eating meat is a complete protein and eating 1 oz of meat gives you more protein than 1 oz of legumes or nuts. However, within that 1 oz of meat you also have more saturated fat, and these days hormones, antibiotics, inflammatory agents, etc. Veganism done the right way can lead to zero deficiencies, plenty of protein, and none of the other crap that is in our meat. There are lots of world class athletes who are vegans and I'm pretty sure they are getting enough protein if they're able to do Ironmans. Don't get me wrong, vegans can be as unhealthy as omnivores. I see plenty of them eating so much processed soy (full of harmful plant estrogens), sugar, alcohol, etc. But if you know nutrition and you know how to make balanced meals and eat a wide variety of foods (especially locally sourced in-season foods), you can do it and reap more health benefits than any other diet. For me, with a family history including Alzheimers disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, the prospect of avoiding any or all of those, is worth giving up meat and dairy. For an in depth look at just the health aspects of veganism, watch "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix. It's a great documentary!
Fourth. And this is the most important to me. Religious. I hear the typical Mormon reader saying, "ummm.... that's not part of our religion." Well, you are right. Officially, it's not. Or is it? This is scripture, from our very famous Word of Wisdom (the same that prohibits Mormons from alcohol, drugs, etc):
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
5 That inasmuch as any man adrinketh bwine
or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the
sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up
your sacraments before him.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the abody,
neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for
bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with aprudence and bthanksgiving.
12 Yea, aflesh also of bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used csparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or bfamine.
14 All agrain
is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life,
not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of
heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
16 All grain is good for the afood of man; as also the bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17 Nevertheless,
wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for
the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley
for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ashall receive bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the adestroying angel shall bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
A lot of us Mormons believe this scripture to be somewhat vague and to be left up to our own interpretation. Versus 12-13 are pretty clear to me. The Lord explicitly says that it pleases Him to not use animals, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Well, given that we aren't in a famine, and that even in winter we have plenty of available food (unlike the pioneers at the time), we really don't need meat. Of course, this is just MY take on it. Not church doctrine, so don't quote me or judge me for my personal take on it. As I read this, I began to feel more and more guilty. I don't consider eating meat for every meal eating it "sparingly." I thought about my typical day: Eggs for breakfast, turkey or tuna sandwich for lunch, chicken and veggies for dinner. That's not sparingly. Especially considering the abundance of plant food available to me any day, all day, all year. I remembered hearing that Brigham Young once said (don't know where the reference is) that the unnecessary suffering or blood of animals would stand as a witness against us in judgement day. I was haunted by that feeling of guilt again, realizing that my meat consumption meant violence and suffering for another life form.
However, the most important part of the scripture that stuck out to me was the first part. Verse 4. Basically, the Lord is giving this commandment because He knew that in these days, evil men would conspire and could destroy us. Obviously it could apply to drugs and drug cartels, the alcohol industry, etc. At the time it definitely applied to those trying to poison the pioneers. But I had a bit of personal inspiration when I realized that these "evil men" could also be applied to those in charge of our food industry. Essentially, it meant the people who treat animals like garbage just to meet their profit margins or who know that the hormones and antibiotics are poison to our bodies, but use them anyway because it creates more productivity.
I have been praying and searching for answers from my Heavenly Father for a few days and I feel, that for me, this is a choice that makes Him happy and will bring great blessings to my life. Blessings like the ones He promises in versus 18-21.
I know this was a long post. But I have been thinking about this for weeks and have had so much on my mind. I needed an outlet. So there it is. This isn't an invitation to try and persuade me another way, or to debate this topic with me. I'm not trying to take a stand or get on a soapbox and judge anyone. This is just me, my feelings, my journey, and my journal of why this choice is for me. Everyone is his and her own agent and has the right to decide what is best for them and their relationship with God. I won't judge you or belittle your choices, because I know that behind each choice is a personal journey that everyone must take.
So far, I have not missed meat and dairy. My meals have been delicious and healthy and I feel less tired. I'm being very careful with my pregnancy and watching my diet to make sure I'm giving my little sprout what he needs to grow. Here is what I've been eating:
Dinner:
Sauteed kale, potatoes, carrots, cabbage with quinoa and homemade lemon tahini sauce.
Breakfast: Peanut butter on sprouted sunflower sourdough with 2 clementines
Lunch: Raw cabbage salad with edamame and soy dressing
Snacks: Chips and salsa, coconut covered cashews, cinnamon sunflower toast, cara cara oranges
Dinner: Steamed broccoli with heirloom tomatoes over lemon orzo with olive oil and cracked pepper
Dessert: Vegan chocolate cupcake from Cakewalk Bakery
Breakfast: Fiber One with almond milk and strawberries, fortified OJ
Lunch:
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Hummus and veggie sandwich on sunflower sourdough with cucumber, microgreens, avocado, tomatoes
Dinner: (in the crockpot as we speak) Butternut squash stew with tomatoes, sweet peas, onion, celery, carrots, garbanzo beans, and smoked paprika over couscous
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