The Vegan Decision

During the week I made the decision to become a Vegan.

For the past several years, I had made small but constant changes to my diet and lifestyle.  My first choice was to stop drinking cow's milk.  I won't even go into the great feeling of disgust I encounter when I imagine drinking this white liquid that is produced from a female cow intended to feed her young.  I am a human, not a calf.  I now drink soy milk.

My next decision was to stop eating red meat.  Then I stopped eating pork.  Next I stopped eating chicken.  Honestly that should have been first...knowing the process of raising chickens.  Lastly I decided that even eating fish was considered a "meat"...an animal.  A living, breathing thing that can itself live and die and produce life.  It doesn't need to die to feed me.  Besides, I think it's beautiful to see the Koi swimming happily in a pond, or a dolphin jumping out of the water playfully.  To kill those for food is NOT humane.  

To not eat meat is not hard for me.  I wouldn't slaughter my dog or my cat and eat the meat for dinner.  What difference does it make because it is a cow, a pig, a fish, a deer, etc.  It is grossly unnecessary and shows that we are still nothing more than barbarians.  Sickening.  Besides I don't need clogged arteries, heart disease or any other illness causing death due to eating an animal.  Completely avoidable.

That was my decision about becoming a Vegan.  I suppose my feeling of a weight being lifted is due to the fact that I actually felt guilty, and ashamed for continuing to eat meat.  It was the way that I was raised.  Meat was the "main" part of the meal and I was provided very few choices in regards to vegetables, and I do not ever recall fruits being there at all.  As an adult, it is my responsibility to take care of myself and I do not use my upbringing as an excuse.  I am not perfect, and I do constantly make great strides in trying to better myself....for the better.