Why Vegan?
I mean besides the fact that animals are cute AF...
Definition of a vegan: Someone who has the nutty idea that hurting animals is bad and doesn’t want to eat, wear, or use them.. ;)
Never in a million years did I think that I would be vegan, honestly. If we went back in time when a vegan or vegetarian was talking to me about their lifestyle, my response would have been one similar to the common carnist come back such as, “I love meat too much,” “I could never give up cheese,” “mmm bacon.”
Not only that, but most of my meals were portioned out to be generally 50% meat. I grew up in South Africa, where dried meats, barbecued meats, all types of meat, did I say meat? – were number one on everyone’s menu.
It wasn’t until I stumbled across PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, where I learned the horror behind my perfectly packaged meat, egg and dairy products. It hit me like a ton of bricks, I had been deceived all along. Commercials showing happy dairy cows, chickens bathing in the sun, farmers playing with their pigs, these animals aren’t happy! It was a lie!
At age 10 I decided to give up meat, but it didn’t last long, with the limited resources and support it didn’t seem possible. Fast forward to age 23, October 27, 2014, I woke up and decided to give up ALL animal products. After extensive research it made 100% logical sense for me to be vegan, we weren’t killing these animals for necessity, we were killing them for pleasure, for taste, for convenience.
If it is wrong to act violently towards animals such as dogs or cats just for fun or convenience, how can we justify the horrible things we do to other animals? A dog is a pig, a pig is a cat, a cat is a cow, a cow is a chicken. They all feel pain, loneliness, hopelessness, and fear.
I use to make excuses for eating, and wearing animals, and now I just feel really grateful that I’m armed with so much knowledge and awareness that I’m able to act on upon these values. I am now living according to my values of compassion and kindness, as well as being in the best physical, mental, and spiritual shape I’ve ever been in.
In this research process I have also learned that by eliminating these products and practices that exploit animals you can help lessen your ecological footprint, take health into your hands, and experience the peace of mind that comes from making such a powerful and personal contribution towards peace.
Knowing that I’m not contributing to the exploitation and suffering of these animals anymore is the best feeling. My goal here is to share everything that I’ve learn't on this journey with all of you, and I want you all to share your experiences with me!
Let’s get inspired together and help each other to live as cruelty free as possible. <3
