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Personal - Vegetarian |
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Vegetarian Pictures... |
During the summer of 2002, I was searching for some
ideas about solving the global problems of hunger and poverty. I
happened across an Internet article by Peter Singer which intrigued me
that the solution was in changing people's beliefs. Wanting to
know more, I checked out the only book the library in Bear Lake had
written by Singer, titled "Animal Liberation". I skipped reading
the cover and the prologue and jumped straight to page one. I did
not know the contents of the book or how it would effect me. I came away from my reading with a few new observations. First, I do not believe in causing unnecessary suffering. Second, I cause suffering or allow it to happen due to my actions and inactions. Third, factory farming causes animals to suffer. So, I chose to stop purchasing products of factory farming. That day, over a year ago, I stopped eating and otherwise consuming animals products. I swore off meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and cheese products, as well as leather goods. At first, I was particularly stubborn about not eating anything that had any animal products, but after some reflection, I adopted a 95% rule. The rule says that if I reduce my consumption of animal products by at least 95% any given day over my previous diet, then I can feel good about my action. This rule had come in very handy, particularly when eating out with friends or family. If there are no menu items that are animal product free, I will choose the ones that have the least animal products. This has helped at home as well. Kimberly, my wife, has not adopted a vegan lifestyle. Still, she will sometimes make vegan meals for the both of us. At the grocery store, she reads ingredients closely and purchases mostly vegan items. When a recipe calls for eggs, she buys them from a neighbor who has few chickens as outdoor pets. She has also found a company that sells eggs from free range, organically grown chickens. She uses about one egg a week. I sometimes forget that I have a 95% rule. I have to force myself to remember that in order to be a model of what a person can eat, I must not come across as too far off my rocker. The more I can make it easy to be vegan, the easier it will look to others. Perhaps this will make it more likely they will reduce their animal consumption. If I manage to encourage a person to ease off on the animal products, then this rule has certainly paid off with dividends. I have attempted to increase demand on various consumer products that are mostly or entirely vegan. From the grocery store, I buy Silk, Amy's, Morning Star, Boca, Garden Burger and Seeds of Change products. While some of these are not 100% animal product free, increasing the demand for these products helps to brings more to the store. In response, the companies that make these products may increase their product lines. At restaurants, I do my best to order vegan products. Occasionally, I'll get a chance to explain to the server what it means to be vegan. Here are some of the items I order when I go out to eat.
I have read that some people worry that eating a vegan diet would be unhealthy. I recently had a complete set of blood tests done. These results showed all of my numbers within the normal range. My doctor gave me a clean bill of health. In order to stay healthy, I do watch a couple of things. First off, vegan diets tend to be very low in vitamin B12. The cold breakfast cereal that I eat is fortified with B12 as is the Silk that I use as a milk replacement. I watch somewhat carefully that I get two servings of at least 50% the RDA of B12 each day. Second, I watch my protein intake. By eating peanut butter sandwiches, Boca burgers and fresh assorted nuts, I maintain a healthy level of protein. Finally, I get enough iron, vitamins B2, C, D and calcium from my breakfast cereal. I particularly enjoy Smart Start and Special K Red Berries. While I don't count vitamins, I do try to be mindful of what I am getting. I have found being a vegan for the past year to be a very satisfying experience. I feel that I am doing something to reduce cruelty to animals. As more and more people adopt a vegan diet, the demand for animal products will decrease. This will also decrease the strain on the environment from growing feed and disposing of waste from these farm animals. |
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