Vegan Does Not Equal Healthy

One of my vegan blogging pals, Danielle, inspired my post today:

Vegan does not equal healthy.  It should, but really, in today's world of vegetarian junk food, the two are not synonymous. This knowledge shocks people--can't tell you how many individuals have stared, mouth-agape, at me upon hearing this information.  But it is true.  I don't want to make waves, but the roots of Veganism did not begin with weight loss.  Although, sometimes that is a fortunate by-product!  :)

Being vegan is about compassion for the animals. I am glad there are so many health-concerned men and women who call themselves vegans.  I only wish that those who live it purely for personal health reasons, would call themselves "Complete Vegetarians", or something understandable like that. The title 'Vegan' denotes a spiritual, moral code of kindness, not a fad or diet, and I believe it is important to respect that.  

What do you think?

I don't wish to offend anyone with my views.  I recognize that we are all at different points on the path of awareness.  I certainly have a lot more room to grow.  And it must be said that the pursuit of good health often leads to veganism.  (That was my journey, after all.)  But learning about the animals themselves and accepting their souls to be as precious as mine, completely changed my heart.  I could never have stuck with veganism as a diet, but as a lifestyle of thoughfulness, it is as easy as breathing, for which I am deeply grateful...   

So, Vegan does not equal healthy--it represents infinitely more!  And even if the whole world disagrees with my choice, I am not afraid to stand alone, for I love being vegan!!  

a breakthrough?

While lingering at my dad's house tonight, he broached a subject to me that I was surprised to hear him voice.  Strangely, it felt like progress... 

The main course this evening was hamburgers and hot dogs, personally barbecued by Dad himself. Being aware of what would be served and knowing my husband and I would likely be the only vegans present, I brought along some animal-free patties.  I wanted to blend in with the festivities and not compromise my compassion.  (Well, I blended in so well that many family members, including my step-mom, thought I was actually biting into a regular old burger!  Knowing me, she nearly stopped in her tracks when she saw what she thought was on my plate!  Smilingly, I reassured those concerned parties that it was only a veggie burger, and as such, was no cause for alarm.  We all had a good laugh about it.)

But later on, during a conversation, my father randomly piped up,  

"There's something I doesn't understand about vegans--why is it that you eat foods that resemble meat but aren't really meat?  Why not just eat whole foods as they are?  Why do you try to disguise other foods as meat?" 

Well, his question quite surprised me!  But in a good way.  I was honored that he would even feel comfortable to voice his query to me, to trust that I wouldn't go off on some long tangent. We see each other fairly regularly, and this is the first time I can recall that he ever asked me anything about my being vegan in all the years I've lived this lifestyle!  I'm loathe to read too much into this, but it felt like a breakthrough!  Like a vegan dialogue of sorts had begun.  It was like the elephant in the room had finally been acknowledged in some small way.  How liberating!

Feeling caught a bit off guard by the question from my meat-and-potatoes father, after a brief pause I shared the first and foremost explanation I could think of.  It could have been better, it could have been worse, but it was honest.  I replied,  

"When everybody is enjoying a certain traditional meal, it's nice to be able to join in with them, but still hold to one's personal values."...

I said something to that effect.  I could have given any number of good answers but that was the one resonating with me at the moment. 

There's honestly nothing more to the tale, other than Dad mentioned that while he was at Costco the other day, he tried a sample of vegetarian meatballs and thought they tasted horrible, to which the only response I could really give was, "Oh, I'm sorry." But maybe next time he sees me, he'll have a new question to ask me about vegans or vegan food?  That would be cool!  Let's keep this dialogue going, that's what I say!  Dare I even hope?  It may be the tiniest of baby steps, but to my mind, it's a step forward nonetheless.

This amazing piece of literature started it all...

Diet For a New America 
How Your Food Choices Affect Your Health, Happiness, and the Future of Life on Earth 

by John Robbins, 1987, 1998

It stood out.  Only one title, among hundreds, on those heavily crowded campus library shelves. Still, it caught my eye.  So in late 2002, on one such library visit, I acquired it. I'd been interested in the topic of healthy living for many years, so picking up a book like this was fairly routine.  But the content of this selection was far from routine. In fact, I couldn't put it down! It was beautiful and horrific, all at the same time. I wish I could say that upon reading nearly half the book in one sitting, I immediately took action. But for whatever reason, I didn't feel prepared to make the vegan commitment. I think it all seemed too overwhelming at the time, living away from home, attending Dixie State College. Nevertheless, the book resonated within me to such a degree that I bought my own copy.

Years later, in 2006, I revisited "Diet For a New America" a second time. Again, I quickly devoured it, cover to cover. Yet before I ever finished, in my heart, I was eager to change--there was simply no way I could ignore the ugly truth any longer. I was finally ready! I immediately turned back to page one and read the book through a third time.  But during this round, I read aloud to my consenting husband, Jordan. He, too, was shocked and disturbed and felt compelled to change. He told me that what made his decision clear was discovering the true story about fuzzy little boy-baby chicks, tied up in sacks and wantonly thrown away, alive...

It has now been four years since that definitive April 2006 and we have never regretted our choice to live vegan--not for a moment! And unlike I had previously worried, it isn't a hard lifestyle to live after all! There's support and open arms for animal-concerned individuals at every turn. What a relief!  Except that it makes me sad that I didn't choose compassion all those years earlier.

I know I've gone on a tangent, but "Diet For a New America" is an amazing piece of literature--a wonderful book with the power to change the course of a life.  It certainly played a pivotal role in mine!  Author, John Robbins' concern for the welfare of farm animals, human health, and environmental responsibility is absolutely contagious! This title will always have a special place in my heart for setting me, and my husband, onto a path of greater peace, kindness, wholeness, and enlightenment. I feel so thankful...

"Happy Vegan Anniversary!  Four Great Years and Still Going Strong!"

Tell me how you feel...

I visited Vegan Dad's blog today.  He is ever an inspiration of vegan homecooked deliciousness!  I am nowhere near his level of genius, but perhaps someday I will achieve it.  :)

In his latest focaccia post, he touched very briefly on a subject that I have been mulling over in my mind for some time now.  I left him this comment regarding my concerns.  And if you feel so inclined, will you read it, as well?  Let me know what you think.  Cause I'd never want to hurt anyones feelings...

"As always, your food and your photos are wonderful!

I also think its wonderful that you don't type out all the specifics about the recipes of others.  It is a very respectful act, and I like that!  We can always go and get the book at the library or bookstore and look at the original.  Or hop over to somebody's website!

While reading your blog and others, I have thought about my own recipe posts and wondered if I have done anything that shows unkindness toward anyone.  I often take inspiration from another's recipe and change and alter it a little here and a little there, and then it seems to become my own creation.  So I often post an entire recipe out on my blog.  But I always give references and links back to those who inspired my meal.  Is this wrong?

When I started my food blog last Spring, I never really thought about others reading it.  I was just keeping track of my own favorites.  So entirely typing them out didn't seem to matter.  But my aim has evolved, and now I do have a small gathering of readers.  I am concerned that mayhaps my methods show disrespect to those who I mean to admire...

I guess I am just trying to say that I am grateful that you have integrity and respect for other chefs and their hard work.  I want to be sure and do the same as you.  Thank you for helping me think through things today!" 

(I forgot to mention that I take all my own pictures.  And for the 1% of the time that I don't, I make note of it.) 

Thanks again, blog pals, for reading about my concerns.  If you want, tell me how you feel...

Making a Statement!

I felt like making a statement today!  

So I wore my bright red Utah Animal Rights Coalition Tee which boldly proclaims on the back, 

"VEGAN!  No animals die for me!"    

I like this simple shirt very much!  I think it sums up my feelings pretty well!

Although perhaps it does so with a little more gusto than I would normally use to express myself...  :D