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What Is Vegan

How do you do it?

By Ann TaroskyPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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When I started this vegan thing, I wasn't really sure what I was getting into. I did my research and read the magazines and books and just found it to be healthier. I was never in it for the activism. I just wanted to be better than the generation before me. As time went on, I educated myself and learned. What originally started as something I did for myself and my health turned into something greater. I fell in love with animals in a way I never thought I could. It felt like my body had done a complete 180. What I did not prepare for was the backlash, the questions, and the harassing comments from others.

So there I am, sitting there at dinner staring at the dead carcass of whatever is being fed to the rest of the family that night. It doesn't bother me too much, but I still find myself making an involuntary "ew" face. My Dad notices and thinks for a second and then says, "It's not like these animals were bred for anything other than for us to eat them. I mean... have you seen a cow?" That's when I pump the breaks. I have seen a cow and they are adorable, thinking, feeling beings. In my opinion, we don't deserve to define their life and what it is for. I hold back every urge to be outrageous for the sake of my family. If we were to kill and eat everything that was slower than us, well... I wouldn't have made it through gym class. What makes us different than animals like cows and pigs? I am trying to explain how I see things versus how everyone else does. Perspective is key here.

Vegan is a widely different perspective, one that often get a lot of attention because of how insane it seems. Stop eating animals? How? How do you get your protein? How did you give up BACON? What do you even eat? Salad? We've been eating animals for years, its tradition! Common statements and questions I hear all the time.

My family is supportive to an extent that most people aren't, which is where I consider myself lucky. There are plenty of people who have families that disown them or don't acknowledge the fact that they are vegan. My Mom will always go out of the way to cook something for me and my boyfriend (the only two vegans in the family). Let me tell you, she's really good at it, too! Now having the "vegan" conversation is on the same list as politics at the dinner table because of how heated it's been, but I take what I can. I just don't want everyone to argue too much and to avoid the eye rolls and scoffs.

Yes, I started this journey for health reasons. Yes, it was difficult at first and honestly, sometimes, it still is. I will say that my body is healthier than it's ever been. I lost 30 pounds removing animal products from my diet. I sleep better, I feel better, and I believe that it has helped in all areas of my life. Now I am doing it for the welfare of the animals, the environment, AND for my health. I want to make sure that animals don't suffer. Is it so bad that I want others to feel the same way? I want other people to see it from my perspective. Animals are equal to humans to me. I am not sure how to get other people to see it, but one day I think the world will change. Like I said before, perspective is key.

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