VEGAN

It's a word that elicits many different feelings. For those of us who wish to be vegan, it's a daunting task. For some, they don't understand the word. They either don't understand why on earth you would ever want to be vegan, or they've actually never been introduced to the idea of being vegan.

Being vegan is a lifestyle, choosing to leave out animal products in every possible way, including food and clothing. There are many reasons one may choose to become vegan, such as animal welfare, the environment (animal industry is devastating including water use, solid waste, and air pollution from animals, factories, trucking, etc), health, and/or religion. Or maybe because you're a philanthropist and you are working to increase the well being of humankind.

Well being of humankind you say? How can that possibly have anything to do with animals? Easy. The way we treat others, including animals, and what we do on this earth, has a direct impact on humankind.

I understand why people feel the need to eat meat. To eat meat is normal and expected. People have been eating meat for as long as we know. Why change now? Pretty simple and easy: life is different. We don't have to milk our own cows for calcium, we don't have to raise chickens for protein, and we certainly don't have to hunt to survive.

It's pretty obvious that if you follow a diet full of vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains, brown rice (a planned vegan diet), versus a diet of meat and dairy products, you will eat enough protein, ingest lower amounts of saturated fat, reduce your intake of processed foods, consume fewer hormones and antibiotics (given to the animals), eat plenty of fiber, and get all of the minerals and vitamins you will ever wish for. These are directly related to better bowel movements, stronger cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and the prevention of cancer, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and so much more.

Seriously, why not? You'll have a chance to live a longer and better life, not only for yourself, but for the environment, animals, and humankind, as you are choosing a path that includes more compassion.

We have options, and we are choosing the wrong ones. And that definitely includes our clothing. Fur. I don't even know where to begin. I really thought this was an obvious one, but I was wrong as people are still buying it. What's the point? To look cool, pretty, or rich? First of all, if you wear fur you have definitely chosen one of these answers and it's pretty obvious that you do not need a piece of clothing to make you feel that way. Secondly, you actually don't. Instead, you look brainless, unthoughtful, cruel, unnatural, and I could go on and on and on. Did you know that in other countries, such as China, their fur industry includes dogs and cats. You wouldn't wear a dog or a cat, why would you wear a coyote, raccoon, fox, or beaver? I will choose to not be graphic, but the information regarding the treatment of animals, whether raised on a farm or trapped in the wild, is easily accessible. If you have a heart, you will quickly find that it is wrong.

I wear wool and leather. I have always thought of these as byproducts of the meat industry, therefore it was ok and right as the rest of the animal should not be wasted. However, wool and leather production is also devastating to the environment and to humans as it is no longer produced in a more natural way using the sun, oil, air, and salt. Instead, chemicals and processes such as formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, and chrome-tanning are used, resulting in hazardous waste and pollution. Many countries, including the US and those in Europe are realizing the impacts of the leather industry on their land, therefore they are shipping it overseas to other countries such as India. Really?

Here's where it becomes personal. I am vegetarian, not vegan. I eat dairy and eggs. As mentioned earlier, I also wear leather and wool. My winter jacket has a strip of faux fur, which I am also now realizing is silly as it may influence other people to buy the real thing. On the other hand, it can show people there is a better option to their desire of buying fur in order to look cool, pretty, and rich.

It's not easy to all of the sudden change your life. If you see me out wearing leather shoes, they are old and I do not want to throw them away. They should not go to waste at this point. However, I am going to do everything in my power to never again buy leather, wool, etc. Luckily, there are brands that are fur free: Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson, Stella McCartney, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Limited Brands, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and The Gap. Favorite of mine is Matt&Nat, the line of eco-friendly and vegan accessories. Their motto is worthy: choose life, choose positivity, choose the golden rule, choose to be at peace with yourself, choose salvation, choose to make a difference, choose to be different, choose to be a diva, choose to be funky, choose to be yourself, choose to create a fashion statement.

I also like dairy and eggs. I am going to slowly work my way to becoming vegan. I'm going to start with only purchasing dairy and egg products that are local, organic, cage free, and cruelty free. With body, hair, face products, same thing. I will only buy environmentally and animal friendly products. The farmers markets and Whole Foods seem like great starts.

I have just realized my new year's resolution. To a better life for all. Happy new year.

Resources:
Health benefits of veganism
Environmental impact of animal products
Fur, leather, wool impacts
Fur 
Matt&Nat