November 2010 Archives
"Vegan" means you do not use, in any capacity, animals...for anything. It seems way out there for some of you, and even for me, I thought it might be a stretch. For the last few years I have been quite strictly, a vegetarian. This to me meant neither the consumption, nor the use (leather, fur, animal testing) of animal products in any of the products I use or wear on a daily basis. It was never difficult at all. I don't even like meat. Or leather jackets for that matter. But How could I go without my precious French toast, omlettes, or homemade pizza?!?
Being a vegetarian has more recently become a lifestyle and value to me than just a way of eating. I have trouble being around people who are eating meat. I have trouble even hearing about it. I try not to be judgmental, though, afterall, other's lives are not my own. My choice is for me, and it allows me to feel as though I am doing what I can to help the planet. I sleep better at night. But really, we all have access to the same information out there. It is staring at us all right in the face. Global warming, the war on oil, a multi-continent obesity epidemic, etc. Meanwhile people starve, sometimes even in our own backyards. But we don't think of that much, do we? Why? Because corporations don't make money on that stuff. They make money of getting you to buy what they are selling. And they do this by telling you that you need it. Enter: lobbyists for the dairy, tobacco, or bio-pharmaceutical industries.
You have a choice to believe them or not.
Coming to France and neither eating the canard confit, the caviar, nor the sausage, let alone the mass variety of cheese, would be like if someone were to come to France and not drink the cheap, wonderful, red wine. This would, in large part, also be like saying NO to the culture itself. But, what is culture but a long list of traditions that no longer make sense? We are educated now. Furthermore, we all have access to more information than ever. You do, if you are reading this online.
We all know what is happening to the planet, and yet we continue on in our own ways, pretending to be oblivious.
I guess if someone told me they did not want to ever drink wine, even if it were for a logical reason (like the fact that it is poison to your brain) I would think they were crazy. So, you are allowed to think I am crazy, when I say I never want to consume or use an animal in any way ever again. But I truly believe and must say that I am so much happier and better off for it.
Coming to France and being vegetarian, let alone vegan has
upset me a bit (hence this rant). The amount of French people who have laughed
at me when I say I am vegetarian...who have scoffed and actually said things
like, "why else do you think animals are here, on this planet, than for us to
use them?"And who don't even know of tofu nor have even heard of soy milk....
I mean, I might expect to hear something like this form a 75 year old retired trucker in Northern Alberta . But an educated, young, European? It makes me sick.
I am, and was, a vegetarian in order to do my part to save the planet. I recycle, compost, and ride my bike instead of take public transit for this reason too. I have recently been learning that the dairy industry is actually worse for the environment (mainly due to carbon emissions) than the beef, poultry, and pork industries combined. We all have a choice, every time we are given a fact. We can turn a blind eye; we can chose to think about it a bit; and/or, we can chose to act. I am acting, in the best way I know how. And it feels good.
From Monday through Friday I have been vegan since arriving
in France. It has been a month. A month of going with no meat, no fish, no
eggs, and no dairy during the entire week. If it were so difficult, you would
think I would go wild and crazy on the weekends, right? But I don't. Not at
all. I've not felt any need or desire for eggs, fish or dairy. The one and only
thing I 'treat' myself to on a Saturday or Sunday, is the odd cappuccino. Which
I could make at home with soy milk and enjoy even more, to be honest.
Some of you skeptics out there might see it as 'losing,' but there are so many fun and amazing things you become aware of in this scenario. Oat milk, almond milk, rice milk, hazelnut milk, soy, (of course) tofu, tofurky, sehtan, and my personal favorite, tempeh. I add lentils and green vegetables to every meal, and have more energy and am less hungry than ever. And I feel wonderful. I feel like I am glowing. Being a hippie is cool.
Going vegan has been so much easier than I expected. I am going to assume it is for two main reasons. 1. It has been a process. From me being 16 years old and not eating red meat, to being 20 and cutting out chicken, to moving to China and going full vegetarian, to now. And 2. I am not a Nazi about it. If I really MUST have a coffee with Baileys, then I accept the fact that feel as though I must. And so I will partake, in a little bit of milk product, on a Sunday morning. If I really want to put a bit of cheese on my pasta, because it does smell good, then on Saturday night, I will. But again, the point is, I've not felt that want or need these things. The alternatives are honestly so much better. Plus, you would be surprised at how little you really need.
Every decision we make has the potential to positively or negatively impact the earth, our environment, other plants and animals, the present, and most obviously the future.
When we make decisions to eat certain things like meat, it's not just our own body we're abusing; it's everything around us, too. Not to mention, it's murder. Furthermore, millions of people for hundreds of thousands of years, in thousands of cultures and languages, have gone without meat. We (humans) don't NEED it.
You don't need it.
Food, clothing, shelter. The three basic requirements. Enough food to sustain yourself. Enough clothing to keep yourself warm, and enough shelter to keep you dry. That's all we all should ever want or need. Clean air, Clean water, Clean food...these are luxuries in most countries. Even today, with all our 'development' and 'civilization'. Listen to yourself, when you say the words you are saying right now if you are disagreeing with me. Listen to your sentences. They don't make sense. You are and have been brainwashed by the man.
Science has proven so much, but corporations and religions are doing their utmost to counter act it. You chose who you want to believe. But I urge you, to try to at the very least, educate yourself.
Whichever way you chose to go, I promise, you'll still love my recipe for mushroom and tofu scramble on a baguette for breakfast.
Email me if you want the recipe;)
Lastly, here are a few views of our lovely little home full of hippies, love, and a lot of my stuff from China. In some freak event, it was sunny for a few minutes yesterday afternoon, so I was able to get these nice pics.
Here is the view from our bathroom, through the kitchen, and to the sitting room.
Our living room...
The bedroom...
And lastly, our little humble abode, from the outside.
