Veganism is a Choice You Make Every Day

Say 'Yes' to Being Vegan Every Day

Eating well equals being happy

My friend, Molly, decided to go vegan several years ago after reading the book Skinny Bitch.  This book describes some of the ways in which food manufacturers raise and process some of the most common meat and dairy products we eat every day. 

“My reasoning was around heath,” said Molly.  “Learning about the (growth) hormones and antibiotics that are pumped into animals is astonishing!”  That farmers would use growth hormones to make animals grow fat is a no-brainer, Molly said.  Larger animals means farmers can sell them on the meat market for more money. 

“Those hormones are still in the meat when we eat it,” said Molly.  “That’s what’s making us fat!”

Not to mention that humans have 70% less of the enzymes needed to break down animal tissue (i.e. meat) than carnivorous animals.

In addition to the dangers of eating meat that contains growth hormones, humans are the only mammal that regularly drinks milk after being weaned. Is it any wonder why so many of us are lactose intolerant?  The ability to digest milk as an adult actually resulted from a mutation dating back to the time of cavemen.  This genetic mutation was perpetuated over thousands of generations of humans and is now considered “normal.”  So, while we classify certain people as “lactose intolerant,” these people are actually the normal ones.

Even though Molly doesn’t eat meat or dairy, she cautions anyone who is thinking about becoming a vegan for health reasons to pay close attention to nutritional information.

“Because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy,” said Molly, who gives examples of vegan food that she enjoys in moderation.  “That means no processed junk.  No more Oreos (yes, they are vegan) chips, or frozen meals.  I know that going vegan sounds awful, but it’s really not.”

How Does She Do It?  Three Tips to Help You Stay True to a Vegan Lifestyle

In the beginning, it was the personal challenge that lured Molly into a vegan trail period.  But after four years, she now considers the vegan lifestyle part of her every day routine.

“It’s a choice (I make) every day to stay vegan, but I’m glad I say yes,” says Molly, who attributes her success to putting in just a little bit of extra work.

Here are three tips to sticking with a vegan lifestyle that have worked for Molly:

• Plan your meals ahead of time.  This way you aren’t left scrambling at lunchtime for options.
• Buy organic food when possible.  This cuts down on the amount of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that may be present in any type of food you eat.
• Cook at home.  Yes, it takes more time to cook and clean, but you will not only benefit from eating healthier food, you will also save money from not eating out!

Thanks to Molly for her perspective on being vegan.

Check out this recipe,submitted by Molly, for vegan chocolate pie.

Image from EveryDayHealth.com.