I first became vegetarian in 1995 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 4), and I began to read about ways to cure her. I learned about people who had cured themselves from cancer through their diets, particularly macrobiotic, and the growing research documenting the terrible effects of meat and dairy products on [...]
Archive for May, 2007
Guilt as a Meat-Eater, Peace as a Vegan
Posted in animal agriculture, becoming resensitized, breast cancer, cruelty in egg industry, health benefits, return to meat-eating after being vegetarian, vegan, vegetarian for health reasons, vegetarian then vegan on May 22, 2007 | 2 Comments »
A Reluctant Vegan Becomes a Joyful Vegan (aka Don’t Take Away My Cheese!)
Posted in cheese, cruelty in dairy industry, freedom in being vegan, inspiring others, mindfulness, perception of vegans as extreme/freaks, supportive parents, vegan, vegetarian then vegan on May 22, 2007 | 3 Comments »
I have been a vegetarian my whole life—not because vegetarianism was imposed upon me by my parents, but because for one reason or another, I had a natural aversion to meat. My mother likes to tell the story of how, on our weekly trips to Friendly’s after church, I would order a hamburger but ask [...]
Persistence Leads to Veganism
Posted in dog and cat advocate turned vegan, hostile response from non-vegan friends, pigs, vegetarian then vegan on May 18, 2007 | 2 Comments »
I think even when growing up, I was never totally comfortable with eating meat — there was always a bone, a vein, tendons — even with ground-up hamburger meat, there was always an unidentifiable something in it. But of course, like most everyone else, I didn’t question that this was where I needed to get [...]
Veganism as Ethical Response to Animal Suffering
Posted in cruelty in dairy industry, cruelty in egg industry, excuses for eating meat, mindfulness, vegan, vegan doctor, vegetarian then vegan on May 18, 2007 | 2 Comments »
I was raised in a meat-eating household, and vegetarians were viewed as an exotic myth to scare children away from their steaks. I did not come across the word “vegan” until I was an adult. While I do not remember the exact moment, I am sure that I just decided at the age of 20 [...]
Desensitized Meat-Eating Child Becomes Vegan Adult
Posted in "humane" slaughter, becoming resensitized, children exposed to violence against animals, children/animal connection, connecting with animals, desensitized children, excuses for eating meat, freedom in being vegan, inspired by vegan husband, inspiring others, pig slaughter, religion and animals, resensitizing children, return to meat-eating after being vegetarian, small farms, vegan, vegetarian then vegan on May 18, 2007 | 3 Comments »
When I was young, my Grandparents kept a pig in their backyard. I thought he was the most interesting “pet” anyone had ever had. I named him Stinky because “he smelled like he needed a bath” – but not enough to keep me from cuddling up with him everyday, after school, for a nap. Stinky [...]
From Atkins Diet to Vegan Diet
Posted in atkins diet, connecting with animals, mad cow disease, perception of vegans as extreme/freaks, raised vegetarian, vegetarian boyfriend, vegetarian then vegan on May 18, 2007 | 5 Comments »
My journey to veganism was primarily food based at the start. I was raised in a lacto-ovo vegetarian home, but once I went away to college I hit the hamburger stand full-force. Fifty pounds later, I scaled back to healthier standards, but remained a meat eater, primarily because I didn’t know anyone who was a [...]
Vegetarian for Health, Vegan for Compassion
Posted in becoming resensitized, connecting with animals, cruelty in dairy industry, cruelty in egg industry, health benefits, inspiring others, speaking the truth, vegan, vegetarian then vegan on May 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I have been vegetarian for two years now. I originally cut meat out of my diet for health purposes (to lower my blood pressure, to lose weight, etc.), but I found that before long, I was rediscovering compassion buried deep within me, compassion that I had suppressed for so long because this is what our [...]
No Going Back Once Blinders are Removed
Posted in buddhism, environmental concerns, inspired by vegetarian boyfriend, mindfulness, reduce meat - then eliminate, vegan, violence on May 18, 2007 | 1 Comment »
I was probably a very “typical” vegetarian. I had slowly transitioned into it because of a smart, loving, vegetarian boyfriend, who had asked me some great, poignant questions like: “Could you kill an animal yourself?” Eating less meat, I slowly realized how much happier and better I felt about my food choices. Simultaneously I was [...]
Vegetarian (Near-Vegan) in High School
Posted in dairy cows, health benefits, parents' response, unsupportive parents, veg in high school, vegan on May 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I first became a vegetarian for the obvious health benefits, but soon learned of the cruelty and injustice inherent in the meat industry. I was devastated to think that I had been supporting such cruelty for the majority of my life.
I became a vegetarian in February, and was happy to discover your podcast about a [...]
Raised on Small Farm, Exposed to Pig Slaughter, Becomes Vegetarian
Posted in "humane" slaughter, animal agriculture, becoming resensitized, children exposed to violence against animals, children/animal connection, desensitized children, pig slaughter, small farms, vegan, violence on May 17, 2007 | 3 Comments »
I can’t tell you what a JOY it is listening to your podcasts. I have listened to all of them since I began listening in December. It was my first vegan podcast and it is by far the best. I am a vegetarian but thanks to your approach and your information, I am becoming more [...]
