My biggest regret is that I didn’t go vegan sooner.
For years I knew about the suffering caused by animal agriculture, yet I turned away.
It is easy to turn away. The people involved with farming and animal slaughter do a damn good job of hiding the brutal realities. All we see is a package in the supermarket labeled as food. We call it meat.
Every step of the way I justified why I was still eating animal products:
🌿 It’s easier to eat what everyone else eats.
🌿 I don’t want people to think I’m any weirder than they already do.
🌿 I’m healthy eating the way I eat. Why would I change?
🌿 Chickens aren’t cute, fish aren’t land animals and really, how much pain do they feel…
blah blah blah
What did it for me?
Little by little I could no longer justify. I watched films and read books. The reality was right there in front of me.
Making the moral choice to stop eating animals was the first step. Then I learned that vegan could also be healthy and there was no going back.
What do I know now?
⭐ I know that there is overwhelming evidence that living a healthy plant-based lifestyle is the healthiest option.
⭐ I know that I look and feel my best when eating whole food plant-based.
⭐ I know that animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, responsible for at least 87% of greenhouse gas emissions annually.*
⭐ I know that millions of animals are slaughtered every day.
⭐ I know that I can get enough protein without eating animals.
⭐ I know that when I eat whole grain carbohydrates I feel satiated and I do not gain weight.
⭐ I know that it’s a heck of a lot easier to eat plant-based today than even a few years ago. (It’s actually fun!)
⭐ I know that cooking and eating plant-based brings me joy (as does sharing it with others!).
⭐ I know that eating plant-based (not processed foods) is cost-effective.
And I know that having taken a cooking class made it all a lot easier for me to learn how to cook plant-based. (So much so that we’re offering our own, affordable classes now. Click here to find out more.)
I have had to learn to forgive myself for not doing it sooner. And, I had to forgive myself that I didn’t raise my children with this awareness.
I’m not alone in my regrets either. I hear this over and over from other vegans and plant-based eaters.
Instead of living in the regrets, however, we now rejoice in our decision.
If you are just dipping your toe in looking for a new recipe or two, I applaud you!
If that recipe or two turns into mostly plant-based, then great. It all makes a difference.
And if you decide that you can no longer eat animal products and join the growing community of 100% plant-based eaters and vegans, we welcome you with open arms.
Whatever your choice, remember to have compassion for yourself. We’re all doing the best we can with what we have in this moment.