A Phase of Curious Looks

I have noticed that there are phases in my "vegan life" during which time I am confronted with a great deal of hostility. If it's not something you agree with, it can be difficult to understand that being a vegan isn't about losing weight or denying yourself chocolate cake. It is my conclusion that many people assume that they know a great deal about you once they learn your diet choices and in some ways, this is true. When I mention I'm a vegan, I can see eyes begin to glaze over and I can almost hear their inner monologues; "is this girl crazy? She must be a hippy. Is she on a diet?". Answer: No. Well, some might consider me a wee bit of a hippy but who isn't?... don't answer that.

Like I said, some of the assumptions made about vegans are true. First of all, there is a certain amount of idealism. That's not to say that I think my being a vegan will save all the animals on the earth. I am accountable to myself and personally I think factory farming as unethical and cruel so I'm making an effort, albeit small, to not turn a blind eye and participate in it's profitability.

Secondly, veganism is a healthy lifestyle so I won't completely discredit the diet claim. It's not about losing weight and if that were to be a 'vegan's' intentions I would give them a week before they go back to cheese and meat. Instead, changing your dietary habits is an educational process that benefits you in the long run. It could just be me, but every week I seem to come across some food product that has been banned or recalled. Am I being extreme? Probably. But there are many foods that we eat everyday and we have no idea where they're coming from or what's inside of them. Eliminating as many chemicals from your body might be a good idea! Milk, cheese, meat are all very good for you. They provide iron, protein and essential vitamins but just its equally important to be conscious of where your food is coming from.

And since when did it become uncool or stupid to try to be healthy? If eating vegetarian or vegan means that you choose fruit over cupcakes, why is that a bad thing? It is as if not eating a slice of greasy pizza makes you an outsider!

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