One More Chapter
A twenty two year-old's view on life, death,
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
That's right.
Many of my friends and family know me and think of me as someone who does "crash diets" and is obsessed with exercise and being health (except, clearly not over the past several months). And, therefore, I understand that people might think that this is a way for me to lose weight and get back to the size I want to be. Which, would definitely be nice after all the chocolate, bread and cheese that I've been eating over here in Europe. But this decision isn't a diet or a means to an end. It's a lifestyle choice that I want to make. And I think that most people would choose to make this decision as well if they did research into it. At first, I was thinking of just leading a vegetarian lifestyle, especially after re-watching the documentary Food Inc. But then I was noticing and watching more videos on YouTube of vegans advocating for the vegan lifestyle. And I must say, the more I learned the better it sounded. Being vegan not only benefits you, but also the planet as a whole. There are so many benefits that I couldn't not want to be a part of it. Then, I watched the documentary Earthlings. If you haven't seen this documentary, go see it. Though, I must warn you: it is extremely extremely graffic and disturbing. But, what I think is the most disturbing, it that the reason it is so shocking is because it doesn't hold back. It shows you exactly the truth of the meat and dairy industries and the horrors that they really are. Not only are animals that are being used as livestock leading terrible, torturous and shortened lives, but those who are producing milk, eggs and butter are as well. So, after seeing that documentary, I pretty much decided, yes I am doing this. And the rumors are all lies: you won't lead a deprived lifestyle on a vegan diet. You can eat as much as you want and you will take in a lot of calories. But these calories won't be coming from things that are harmful for your body or things that suffered and died for you to enjoy a scoop of ice cream that will only make you feel bloated and constipated later since dairy is bad on digestion. And here are the benefits of living a vegan lifestyle: 1. IT'S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT It is believed that the amount of land/agriculture used to feed the animals that are used for slaughter or animal-based products uses more than that which we get out from the animals. So, basically, we are using water/crops/land to feed animals that give us less than they take. And we could use that land to plant crops for ourselves instead of force-feeding innocent animals to get fat and then be killed. 2. IT'S BETTER FOR THE ANIMALS I mean, obviously. Though, I'm not ignorant enough to think that my single act of becoming a vegan will change the lives of animals everywhere or put an end to the cruelty going on out there. I just can't keep participating in something so terrible without feel guilty for it anymore. But, let's say more and more people stop giving their money to the people who buy meat from these slaughter houses and dairy farms...perhaps if we spread the importance of living a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, an impact might be made. 3. IT'S BETTER FOR YOUR BODY I could literally go on and on with the health benefits of becoming vegan. Yes, I hope that it will help me shed several unwanted pounds, but there is so much more than just weight loss when it comes to being vegan. For instance: - Stronger hair/nails - More energy - Better skin - It's been proven to reduce heart disease - Pretty much guilt-free (as long as you don't go overboard with fatty foods like nuts, oils etc.) - Most people on a vegan diet have near perfect blood tests - Helps prevent cancer - Helps eliminate body odor! - Helps with PMS/Migraines/Allergies - You are no longer consuming the antibiotics and hormones that are pumped into the meat we eat - YOU LIVE LONGER! 4. YOU BECOME A PART OF A COMMUNITY While sometimes the vegan community gets a bad rap about shaming those who chose not to participate in the lifestyle, there are a load of people out there writing blogs and making YouTube videos that just want to spread the love! Of course there are negative people. There are negative people who eat meat too and there are people who put those living vegan lifestyles down just as commonly. But living a vegan life is supposed to be about kindness and loving all living things. It's a peaceful way of life and there are people who truly embody it out there. And people in this community support each other and love to talk about new and interesting things about it, like new delicious recipes or positive vegan movements or companies. It's a pretty great world out there, and I would love to be able to help it as best I can. And I will just leave you with one quote that has stuck with me since watching Earthlings: "It has been said that if we had to slaughter our own food, almost everyone would be vegetarians." If anyone has questions, I would love to talk to you about it. I'm clearly new to it all and won't be "fully" vegan until I return to the United States (only because I rely on my host family to cook two meals a week, so I don't feel comfortable asking them to change what they make me) but I am learning more every day! Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille
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About This Blog:I started this blog as a way to challenge myself to write more over the 2014 year, but it has blossomed into so much more than that. I use it to let people in on what's happening in my life, talk about things I find important and to spread the news about amazing people, places and art. Archives
November 2017
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