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Two reasons, better health and because of the book "The China Study."
A couple of years ago I would not even have considered an all plant based diet. I likely would have laughed at even the suggestion. I seemed perfectly health, so why change? That was until I had a heart scan taken and found that the plaque in my arteries placed me in the worst 1% of the population for my age group. My prognosis indicated a 10% chance of dying within the year and, unless changes were made, I would likely not live another 5. That, as you might imagine, got my attention. So over the last two years I've made numerous changes in my life, but only more recently I have also gone vegetarian.
Why now and why didn't I do it earlier? It wasn't until I read "The China Study" that the light finally went on. The book does a great job making the case that good health is heavily dependent on diet. A diet high in meat products is likely to lead to heart disease, diabetes, many types of cancers, etc. etc. Yet these health problems simply don't exit in societies (like China) that get their daily nutrition from plants. The direction for me seemed obvious, with a great deal of help from my wife, within a week after reading the book, I had largely converted. Amazingly, it really wasn't as difficult as I had imagined. It is not a radical as I had previously thought.
I look at the wake-up call I got a few years ago as a blessing. I'm fortunate in that I now have a chance to change my outcome for the better. With the changes I've made, there is no reason I can't live a long and productive life. I'm doing everything in my power to improve my odds. I want to live and I want to live healthy!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Tim K. said:Two reasons, better health and because of the book "The China Study." A couple of years ago I would not even have considered an all plant based diet. I likely would have laughed at even the suggestion. I seemed perfectly health, so ... read more
The China Study is very convincing. So is Diet for a New America (though slightly dated, pub in 1987). Animal protein and animal fat causes a good deal of stress on the body.
Why am I vegan? I think it comes down to feeling good. I feel good when I eat plants. It's as simple as that. Everything runs clean and I have great energy.
I also love animals!!
Kev
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Fifteen years ago I took a vegetarian cooking class for fun. The instructor spent the first half of the class explaining the basics and how doable it is was. THEN she showed us a video showing farm animals being slaughtered. That was a life changing moment for me.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not cry for these animals.
http://tinyurl.com/5uhk2sposted over 3 years ago | Report
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My husband said I have always been a closet vegetarian, preferring non-meat dinners. Last Christmas our son and daughter told us about the China Study, a book that talks about health and nutrition. If you haven't read the book, it is an eye opener. We also have read books by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.and Dr. Ornish. It was after reading these books that my husband and I became vegetarians. I understand there are different types of vegetarians. We prefer to eat plant based foods with no fat dairy and fish. We've been vegetarians for around 4 months and love it. We've both just had our physicals at the doctor's office and our cholesterol levels have dramatically improved. We are always looking for new vegetarian recipes. If you have some good recipes for us and others who might want to try this life style, please post them at http://www.dailymile.com/forums/nutrition/topics/112-healthy-recipes
posted over 3 years ago | edited over 3 years ago | Report
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It's been great reading everyone's responses!
I've been vegetarian off and on since my teens. Meat has never really appealed to me, and I knew it wasn't necessary for health. But about a year ago I stopped eating meat because I didn't want dead stuff on my plate. If I was eating beef or chicken or fish, all I could see was dead flesh. (Easy to be veg when that's how you view non-veg choices, huh?)
Over the last year, I've done a lot of reading and have virtually given up milk and eggs and cheese as well. Once I learned how dairy cows and laying chickens were treated, it was easy to live without their "products." So now my food choices are a matter of preference, health, and compassion, and I love that the way I eat doesn't cause more harm and suffering in the world.
My husband has drastically reduced his consumption of animal products, which I love. My twelve-year-old has decided to go vegetarian and we'll see how that goes as he enters Junior High (the age of conformity) next week. My 15-year-old son makes sure to comment "You know what would make this better? Sausage!" about every single meal I make for him. But I'm committed, for the reasons stated above, to doing what I know to be right for me and for my family.
Wish everyone was vegetarian, and meat-eating was the "alternative" choice!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Wow i think I'm the only one on here who hasn't read the China Study but maybe I should! I am vegetarian (though eat a lot of vegan products b/c dairy sometimes bothers me) really for the animal rights reasons.. It helps that I also don't like meat and never have. I became vegetarian when I was 11. I had been bugging my parents for several years to let me go veg but they thought (as many people did then) that I wouldn't be as healthy b/c i'd be lacking protein and other things found in meat. When they finally asked my pediatrician, he said that as long as I wasn't eating junk food, it was perfectly healthy. I just had to have a balanced diet which they made sure I did. I have to say, I ate tuna (canned, not tuna steak) until about 7 years ago b/c that was my mom's compromise - I could do no meat but a little fish for protein while I was growing and doing a lot of athletics. I gave it up about 7 years ago when a friend pointed out the obvious to me by saying "how is tuna different from any other animal or fish". It was the last time I ate tuna and I'm now completely veg :-)
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Maya N. said:Wow i think I'm the only one on here who hasn't read the China Study but maybe I should! I am vegetarian (though eat a lot of vegan products b/c dairy sometimes bothers me) really for the animal rights reasons.. It helps that I also don't like mea... read more
I haven't read The China Study either but I would like to now! As for me, I became vegetarian almost 13 years ago when I was a freshman in college. I grew up eating meat and potatoes, so when I got to the dorms, I was pretty thrilled that I got eat pasta and cereal all the time. It was also the first time I had vegetarian friends, I am sure that was a factor. Fast forward a few months and I actually started working at a health food store for several years during college and learned A LOT more about nutrition, and eating a more balanced vegetarian diet. I try to combine a lot of whole grains, fresh vegetables and protein like beans, tofu, eggs, etc. I also eventually went on to do a chef's training program at a vegetarian cooking school in NYC.
People ask me a lot why I became vegetarian (as I am sure many of your are familiar). They seem to think there should be a cut and dry answer like health, ethics, lose weight, just don't like meat, etc. For me, it's definitely a combination of a lot of things. I never had much of a taste for meat and as I have learned how to make delicious foods completely without meat, I've been pretty satisfied. Also, for me, reading Fast Food Nation really set in stone how terrible the meat industry is for animals, for the economy and the environment.
Meat confessions: I ate turkey for a few months this winter. I wanted to see how my body would react to it, if it was something that I was denying myself. I tried it a handful of times and realized that it just wasn't right for me. I am trying to add more fish to my diet for health reasons, and also ethically, I could see myself catching a fish and eating it, as opposed to any other type of animal. I also eat eggs and cheese, but I am curious about The China Study... I may decide to cut back on that, too.
That's my story!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Roz D. said:I haven't read The China Study either but I would like to now! As for me, I became vegetarian almost 13 years ago when I was a freshman in college. I grew up eating meat and potatoes, so when I got to the dorms, I was pretty thrilled that I got e... read more
Hi Roz,
Go to http://www.dailymile.com/groups/71-vegetarian-and-vegan-runners/discussions/154-best-veg-resources
to read a summary of China Study and Eat to Live.
Jackie
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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I'm a vegetarian for health reasons. When I became a vegetarian, I lost 100 lbs. and have been taken off all diabetes medications. (Before, I was taking 4 insulin shots a day as a Type II diabetic!) For me, it's the way to go!
I do have fish once every few months, and sometimes low-fat swiss cheese (lower in sodium than many other cheeses), but otherwise stick to the vegetarian lifestyle. I still remember the insulin shots very well, so I'm sold on this way of life!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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I became a vegetarian about 7 months ago for many reasons. Animal treatment, heath and environmental reason. After reading Fast Food Nation, I stopped eating red meat, and meat all together at fast food places (if I was forced to eat there with other people). After reading Skinny Bitch I decided to try cutting meat out all together, just to see how hard it was. It was so easy. Lately, I've been cutting back on dairy too. I haven't read The China Study but my boyfriend has and it's got him eating vegetarian at least 3 days a week.
At first I was scared I would feel weak and it would effect my immune system and strength for working out, but I haven't really noticed any good or bad changes besides shedding a few pounds. A great side effect of being vegetarian is that it makes you much more aware of EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. I recently moved back home after graduating from college and it's been tough for my parents. They've tried every argument possible to get me to eat meat again but I'm doing just fine without it and I don't miss the taste at all. They've backed off lately, and I've started cooking vegetarian meals once a week for the whole family. It helps them see that I'm not starving or living off rabbit food. From time to time I sneak in little facts or comments to help my vegetarian argument and remind myself why I'm vegetarian. It's a socially conscious and healthy way to live!
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Erica C. said:I became a vegetarian about 7 months ago for many reasons. Animal treatment, heath and environmental reason. After reading Fast Food Nation, I stopped eating red meat, and meat all together at fast food places (if I was forced to eat there with ot... read more
You're making great choices, and you're doing the right thing in continuing to live what you believe. I've been veg for almost 2 years now, consuming little to no dairy, no eggs, and very little cheese and I feel great!
Have you checked out "Vegetarian Food for Thought"? It's a podcast on iTunes and it's great. There's one titled "Teen Vegetarians" or something like that, and it's directed at teens and young adults, helping them to find ways to reassure their parents about their food choices. I've listened to every single podcast while running -- her voice is nice and the information is quite compelling.
Anyways, welcome to our group -- I'm glad you're here.
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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I became vegetarian almost a year ago. My wife and I decided it is a healthier way of living, so we made the switch, and do not regret it for an instant. Our meals are tastier, more creative, and good for us. I think in the long run, our diet will really pay off with better long term health.
The best thing for our way of eating is our subscription in a CSA. There are is a couple who has a local vegetable and flower farm. They bring us a large bag of produce every week during spring, summer and fall....I'm missing it right now! Try to find a local CSA and you will love it!
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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I have been a vegetarian for most of my adult life. My reason initially was that I really just never liked the flavor or texture of meat. I am the only one in my family though, husband and kids love meat.
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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less strain on my body, less strain on others (humans and animals), and less strain on our environments.
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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I have been veggie for over 12 years now, and I originally did it because I was reading about how healthy it could be, if done right. Of course, for the first few years, I didn't eat a balanced veggie diet--I ate lots of highly processed foods, with few fresh fruits and veggies. But in the remaining 10 years, I think I've fixed that =)
Now I'm eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and I have never felt better. In the last decade, I've also gotten much more into the political side of the veggie movement. As I mentioned in another post, I recommend Michael Pollan if you're interested in the food politics. He's not an animal-rights writer, but he touches on many of the other food politics issues of the day.
posted about 3 years ago | Report
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Always had the feel to do it, gave up beef around 10 years ago, then others 4.5 years ago. Has been great; however, I do eat fish (not very often), dairy products, eggs. Buy these things though from local farmers and can see the source, (chickens roaming, etc.). Has felt good since, both physically and mentally. Plus boosted the eating of nuts and berries, which I have always loved. Some think I am crazy, but I truly do love the taste of Tofurky!! Roasted with cut potatoes, cellery, and carrots, you bet, now I'm hungery.
posted about 3 years ago | edited about 3 years ago | Report
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I am a born-again vegetarian transitioning to vegan/raw vegan. I, like Jackie K., was a closet vegetarian in my late teens early twenties. I remember finding Veggie Life mag and falling in love. All the food looked so lively and vibrant but my family was not, is not, and prob will never be vegetarian and old habits die hard so I remained a SAD eater. It wasn't until I found out about the book Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Furhman in 2007 that the vegan was awakened again and from that point on I have been trying to adjust my life, thought process, emotions, habits, all of the above to live and eat the way I believe is best for me.
It was during the last quarter of 2007 and the concept was so unfamiliar to my family that it wasn't supported at all so once again, I was off the wagon. I spent most of 2008 trying to deal w/ why I back off of what I know is best for me and strengthening my emotions so if I had to stand alone w/ my beliefs then so be it. Also, old habits still had to die off so I took the later part of 2008 as my transition period and I ate mostly vegetarian (about 80%) some days and then all vegetarian on other days.
I decided that 2009 was my year (and for a lot more than just this) so I'm proud to say that as of 1/5/09, I am a vegetarian. And yes, I made a public announcement to my family and let the "yeah, right's" and sarcastic "ok's" roll of my back and pressed on. Since then I have cooked two vegetarian meals for my family and to much surprise (to myself and to them) they really enjoyed it. That was the validation.....not that I needed it b/c I didn't but it let me know that this time won't be a struggle at all.
I know that was a lot of info that I shared so forgive me...but anyhoo....I am a vegetarian...because I know it's good for me. Besides...we are what we eat, right? And there's no way that I would ever want to be considered a Fatburger. (no offense to the Fatburger restaurant franchise) :)
Thanks for listening.
~T
posted about 3 years ago | edited almost 3 years ago | Report
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well I grew up vegetarian, my ancestors as far as anyone remembers are vegetarian.
One insight is that, vegetarian doesn't necessarily mean healthy. You can have absolutely unhealthy vegetarian food as well. Most of my relatives who are no lacto-veg have diabetes, blood pressure etc.
But the lesson to be taken is that vegetarian is not necessarily bland. it can be very interesting and varied. And at the same time, vegetarian doesn't necessarily equate to healthy food.
moderation is th key definitely. It could just be that people not able to moderate when on meat because they find it appealing?posted about 3 years ago | Report
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My mom has been in and out of hospitals since I was 9 for multiple chemical sensitivities and recently had the opportunity to go to the Hippocrates Health Institute (http://www.hippocratesinst.org/). She came back raw vegan! (and was raving about The China Study book - I have to read it) I had been playing with the idea of going veg in college, and after hearing about how awesome she felt, I finally decided I would try vegetarianism for a week. I felt AWESOME - mental clarity, lots of energy - it was a rude awakening. Since then I've been on and off vegetarianism...I'm from South Texas and cannot say no to barbecue. I think that being vegetarian makes you more creative in the kitchen, because you can't just think "meat, starch, vegetable" for each meal. A lot of my reasoning comes from not only how veg makes me feel but also because I just flat out don't trust what is put in the meat that is brought to us in the store (anyone read Skinny Bitch?).
posted almost 3 years ago | Report
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I practice ahimsa, non violence- and I naturally migrated to becoming a vegetarian. During this time I had some blood work come back irregular and immediately made some lifestyle changes, and have found myself here several years later. I am an animal-rights advocate and could not imagine eating meat since!
posted almost 3 years ago | Report
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There are many, many reasons. But let's say that compassion for animals is number one for me.
I had been thinking about giving up meat for a long time. What finally made up my mind for me was accidentally running over a turtle with the lawnmower. That was seven years ago. The turtle lived, and I would see her around the yard for years after the incident - I could recognize her by the chipped shell.
I can't altogether explain why, but seeing how my carelessness had caused the suffering of another being just made the thought of eating meat disgusting to me on a very visceral level. I've only eaten meat twice since then, and got really sick both times.
posted almost 3 years ago | Report
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I've been a vegetarian for the past 10 years (I'm in awe as I type this...can't believe it has been that long!) and for the first 2-3 years I was purely vegan. I reverted back to being vegetarian (allowing myself dairy and eggs) because I felt it was very socially restricting. Non of my friends or family understood why I wanted to be so 'extreme' in my eating (when I was vegan).
I initially started my journey in vegetarianism because I refuse to participate in the killing of animals and their mistreatment, by being a consumer of their flesh.
I felt that it was unethical how we "farm" the animals and treat it with so little respect before brutally killing them in the name of profit and "lifestyle".
When I was younger and especially when I first started, I read a lot regarding this topic of ethical eating.
But when I grew older, I sometimes lose sight of why I'm still vegetarian.
I guess cynicism comes with age for me......
But I'm still vegetarian...because in part, it's mostly a lifestyle for me....and also it has been my identity.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of being how I am.
And I plan to carry on this way of eating for many many more years.However, lately I've been trying to up my mileage and noticed that I suddenly craved for meat. It really threw me off!
I have been taking iron supplements but it's not quite helping.Any ideas?
posted almost 3 years ago | Report
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I became a vegetarian shortly after meeting my girlfriend (now my wife of 13 years!).
Before we met, I was an ignorant carnivore. Meeting Jo made me start to think about what it was I was eating. After a particularly eye-opening and disgusting barbeque at a friend's party, I saw the light, and became vegetarian. The transition to veganism was one Jo and I decided to do as a natural progression in a desire to stop supporting the meat industry.
Fitness-wise, veganism has helped to give me a very healthy blood pressure. I am also anything but the poor stereotypical thin and weak vegan. If anything, I could lose a pound or two!
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I am Vegan for several reasons. One being that I am an animal lover and do not like seeing them being treated poorly, or harmed. Another being that I am a Christian and in the Scriptures it talks about when Jesus comes back how the Lion will lay down with the Lamb. It did not say that the lion will eat the lamb. So I believe that in that time no animals will eat other animals. So I could just live my life at status quo and eat the animals that God placed here for us, or I could step up and prepare myself for the comming times when every one and every thing will be Vegan. Also when God placed the animals here for us to eat I do not think he had in mind how we treat and keep our food animals!
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I'm vegetarian since 2004, for health and moral conviction.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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My beginning:
I had a friend's husband diagnosed with the "c" word.
They started the Hallelujah Acres diet 85% raw vegan- 15% cooked veggies http://hacres.com
I watched knowing "that was the right diet" to be on. But I wasn't willing to give up my breads, pizza, cookies, cheese, ice cream, steak, chicken, turkey etc... at the time. I told myself if anything ever happened to my health that is what I would do. Not really believing I would have to...Four years later- The "c" word comes up in my life. Instant crossroads.
I know now there is no question. I'm gonna do the H.A. diet. I sit down with the family & tell them what I am planning on doing & how it will effect all of us. I need their support. I spent about a month reprogramming my mind & preparing kitchen to be " vegan". (It wasn't easy to begin with... my taste buds were NOT happy!~ very spoiled they were!)June 1st the change began. Our kitchen was vegan & would stay that way. My daughter told me the night before that since the H.A. diet was having such good results, what could happen if I went 100% RAW Vegan. She asked me to consider it. I wanted to cry... I had warm fuzzy thoughts about the cooked food items I would enjoy with the 15% cooked. Now she was challenging me to go further & give up more. I thought about it all night. I woke up realizing that I was in charge ~not my taste buds. I had counted the cost further & was ready to go 100%. "Raw Vegan" here I come!
I told Brooke. Over night she had decided to support me in the house but out of the house she would be eating whatever she wanted to. She would be eating along with her brother & dad. I was disappointed as I thought she would do this scary thing with me but I had already gone off the deep end. I knew what I had to do. There was no option for me. I was 100%. I had begun the journey.
I set up my life to win. No temptations of anything not "RAW VEGAN" in the house- books to read to begin raw and stay raw vegan- recipes that were good from everywhere I could find- one woman who had been a Raw Vegan 25 years to talk to- a support group that met once a month an hour away- healthy phrases to renew my mind with- thinking about all the food I could have- retraining my thoughts to embrace my new lifestyle- "Goo, Glue, Mucus, & Disease I don't want any of these"- finding Dr. Schulze's great cleanses online- And praying a lot to have the grace from God that I needed to do this. Whew! Lots of grace needed!
It worked. I went through some major detox- flu like symptoms- severe acne facial breakout- hair thinned- metal taste in my mouth in the mornings- bowels very interesting- But Good things began to happen too- 32 years of horrible menstrual cramps stopped- weight began falling off (total of 30 pounds!) - skin changed for the better after the bad happened first (23 years of adult acne) - hair got shiny & thicker- I looked healthier- I felt better- my knees didn't hurt when I ran- and lots of other amazingly good things...
I have tried so many other ways to eat. Diet. Lose weight. This one is the one I want to stick with the rest of my life. It is the one I feel the best doing. It has had the most results. It makes sense. There is a grocery store close to anywhere I go with produce. That makes it so simple. I eat produce. ;o)
Today~ I focus on a "Nutritionally Dense Diet". I eat a "Plant Based Diet" with about 20% cooked added back in after the first year of 100% Raw. I read everything I can get my hands on... The China Study, The pH Miracle,The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss, Green for Life, Eat to Live, The Hallelujah Diet, Living on Live Food, & more. I also watch teaching DVD's from some of the best informed doctors & researchers to keep the info going in.
I started my lifestyle change June 1, 2004! I WILL NEVER GO BACK to the S.A.D. diet. NEVER!
All the benefits of eating a yummy nutritious diet are to GOOD to lose for any flavor that doesn't produce more life & health for me! It's just not worth it. I have gone to far to go back!!!I still stay away from processed foods. Just because a product doesn't have meat or dairy doesn't make it "healthy"! White sugar, white flour, white rice, chemicals, etc fit in the vegan category but none of them produce a healthier body! I eat Whole Foods! Lots of Greens! Plants not animals!
This is truly amazingly simple!I eat out of His Garden! :)
Genesis 1:29
Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;Here are some great sites that I hope encourage you. They do me!
http://www.phmiracleliving.com
http://hacres.com
http://drfuhrman.com
http://drmcdougall.comrecipes
http://goneraw.com
http://www.fatfreevegan.com
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com
http://www.chooseveg.com
http://vegkitchen.com
http://www.living-foods.com/recipes
http://www.veganchef.comRunning Healthy~
(living to eat that way too!)
ChariPS Another GREAT thing is... my daughter~ after watching my changes for 4 months jumped on the band wagon with me! And my hubby~ after a year of watching & reading... is on board 100%!
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Yay, so excited to find this group here!
I'm vegan for animal rights, 100%. I don't believe any sentient creature should suffer or lose its life simply so we can please our palates. I think the potential environmental and health benefits are good side effects, as well, but my personal reason is definitely the animals.
By the way, if anyone isn't aware of the treatment of dairy cows and egg laying hens (or other animals), these are some great links to check out:
Overview: http://www.mercyforanimals.org/factory_farming.asp
"From Shell to Hell": http://www.youtube.com/fowlplaymovie#play/all/uploads-all/2/VWyXmANaFH8
"Cage-free" eggs: http://www.youtube.com/fowlplaymovie#play/uploads/8/iaw6RVaumTA
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I know this is an older discussion, but what a great group of posts!!
Those who mentioned "The China Study" I would have to join in that group - I read this book this summer (even though I've been a vegetarian off and on in the past for medical reasons.) I am committed more and more every day to a vegetarian lifestyle. Those who haven't read the book - it's a MUST read!! It's not just about not eating meat though, it's about an organic and whole foods lifestyle....
My husband is a meat lover and I haven't gotten him quite as convinced, but since I'm the cook in the house I am "sneaking" in wonderful vegetarian meals that he loves them so much he doesn't even notice!! =) I feel so much better and healthier when I'm filling up on veg and fruits! It's definitely the way of life for me....Living Green.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Teniah Ashlyn H. said:I know this is an older discussion, but what a great group of posts!! Those who mentioned "The China Study" I would have to join in that group - I read this book this summer (even though I've been a vegetarian off and on in the past fo... read more
Teniah, you should show your husband the links in my post, above yours :).
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Oh, he's seen those videos and stuff before and he only really eats organic or wild game, but I"m just trying to get him to give that up.....No fish from fish farms or anything like that.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I actually started as a Daniel Fast when I began a Beth Moore Bible study last January. My husband joined me ( must have been a God thing) and we've been losing weight and feeling
better every day. John has so much fun trying to come up with new recipes without meat or dairy. His choices have been amazing!
I read The Hallaluah Diet and try to follow it... 85 % raw.And really got convicted when I read the China Study ( or something like that??)posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Years ago, my wife and I started reducing meat consumption (especially red meat) to make our diet healthier. Over time, we further reduced meat consumption as we became more aware of the environmental impact of meat production, plus the conditions under which the animals are kept. I guess it really was the further consideration of the moral and ethical implications (environmental and animal treatment) that led to the final step of becoming vegetarian..
posted about 2 years ago | Report
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It's not because I love animals,
really more because I hate plants. :)
(one of my standard jokes, forget where I stole it from)Actually, I never really decided to be a vegetarian. Read "Diet for a New America" many years ago and I decided to eat a lot less meat. Then, just lost a taste for it. I still eat swimming fish (not bottom dwelling crustaceans), so I guess I'm not really a veggie. But my goal was to eat lower on the food chain for mostly environmental reasons, and for health as well. Now, with the changes in the whole meat production industries (Food, Inc. etc), I really don't want to support the treatment of animals and the tax on the environment with my dollars.
Added benefit: Makes it easier to decide what to order at a restaurant. :)
posted about 2 years ago | Report
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in reply to what Chari M. said:My beginning: I had a friend's husband diagnosed with the "c" word. They started the Hallelujah Acres diet 85% raw vegan- 15% cooked veggies http://hacres.com I watched knowing "that was the right diet" to be on. But I wasn'... read more
good to see another raw athlete!!! :) Go Chari Go!
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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For me it all started when I was nursing. My daughter didn't do dairy well and I was already vegetarian. I was amazed at how much better I felt w/o the dairy so I never went back.....
Long story short... went from vegan to high fat raw back to eating meat (at recommendation of doc) now raw again, but LFRV!!! Feel amazing!
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I have mostly been a Vegetarian except some occasions. The reason for me being Veggie is based on Theory of Karma and Reincarnation! I know I may not make sense. There are five elements - Vegetables have 1, Four legged animals have 4 and humans have all the five elements. The payback for killing is relative to the elements present in that form. If you kill Veggies, you have lesser load and so forth. Since we cannot live without eating - try to take on as little as possible in this life span.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I would like to start slowly and become vegetarian. My husband and I are a few pounds overweight, he has high cholesterol, and my dear mother was just diagnosed with advanced cancer. Everything in my heart and life keeps wanting me to go vegetarian, but it is confusing on how to get started. I am not a big meat eater, so that's not the issue, but I am a gourmet home chef!! Any advice or reads to consider I would so appreciate!
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I naturally crave all kinds of delicious veg foods, but the book Eat to Live by Fuhrman, The China Study and others was good motivation to continue and also improve my nutritional intake. I love the way I feel eating vegan and the topic of superfoods, longevity and improved athletic performance is fascinating to me. I love all kinds of vegs and veg protein, my problem has been white flour (doughy heavy bagels!) and also I very occasionally miss a great homemade hamburger. Plus my husband had a total surprise (he's a runner and not overweight at all, but diet was less than ideal) stent procedure earlier this year, which was a scare, a good scare.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I found myself becoming vegetarian overnight - the trigger being a barbeque one weekend that brought the horrors of meat eating home to me.
I went to the shops the following Monday and bought veggie burgers and tofu, and simply went about making sure that, where I would have had meat before, I replaced it with something else.
As regards cooking, I find vegan food exceedingly rewarding to prepare, and better still to eat! There are a million and one vegetarian cookery books out there and I am sure you will find something to appeal to your gourmet skills.
You might want to contact the Vegetarian Society, www.vegsoc.org
You should find a wealth of information there, with advice on how to get started, dietary requirements etc.Hope this helps!
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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Health, ethics and laziness.
I gave up meat and went vegetarian because meat gave me chest pains(not to mention high cholesterol runs in the family).
I gave up all other animal products for ethical reasons this past October. Cutting out dairy has actually gotten rid of my persistent headaches ive had since forever!
My favorite thing about veganism is that it's sooo easy to prepare healthy meals! And I don't ever have to cook anything unless its like dried beans! :D Horray for the vegan way!
Also, with my busy schedule, I don't have enough time to cook a lot, and veganism is really easy to grab and go healthy foods with. Animal stuff, it rarely happens.
I also find i eat a lot less processed foods because now I have to do a ton of label reading, and even if some things ARE vegan, I won't want them anymore because of all the junk stuff in them anyway!(like hfcs) I know what I put in my body, and I feel great!Sadly only for like two months after going vegan I was without period cramps. Ticked me off when they returned. >_> But now hopefully exercise will take care of those in the long run.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I never liked the taste or texture of eating meat. I also did not like the thought of eating once living animals. It was the right choice for me.
posted over 1 year ago | edited over 1 year ago | Report
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The first time I considered becoming a vegetarian was on a 100+ degree July day back in 2006. I live in the middle of cattle country and have been around the industry all my life and never thought much of it. But on this one particular day, I pulled up next to a cattle hauler at a stoplight in Abilene, KS. There was something about watching them stick their noses and tongues out through the slats in the side of the trailer, just trying to get a little fresh air and a reprieve from the heat, that really affected me. It's amazing how cruelty can become commonplace when you're confronted with it all the time.
And yet, while I had been cutting my intake of meat for years, I didn't actually take the leap until earlier this year, when Barrett's esophagus forced me to make serious changes to my diet and lifestyle. I'm not quite vegan, but pretty close. (I'm not a good enough vegan cook yet to keep my wife happy. :-)
Anyway, in a nutshell, I think health concerns were probably the main "tipping point" in my decision to start living a vegetarian lifestyle, but it's really my morals and politics (along with the fact that I don't miss meat whatsoever) that will keep me here. I am an animal lover and that's a big part of it, but it goes beyond animal rights. For me, the bigger issue is that we, by default, have to take part in a system of food production that is not just corrupt and cruel to animals, but that is detrimental to everyone and everything that's involved in it. (Our collective poor health and obesity are a testament to this.) While I know I cannot change these systems on a large scale or even opt out completely, eating vegetarian, buying organic, and (my biggest challenge) buying locally grown food at least allow me to put my money where my mouth is. In a market economy, our buying choices and preferences are probably the most powerful vote we have.
Anyway, I write about this at length in my blog, if anyone is interested: http://www.prairiebiker.org/1/post/2010/07/politics-freedom-weight-loss.html
posted over 1 year ago | edited over 1 year ago | Report
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Deleted User
The same thing that happened to Chris O. happened to me. Five years ago I was behind a truck hauling pigs and it suddenly hit me that we (humans) were actually trucking them to be slaughtered for breakfast and lunch meat. I can still remember exactly what the pigs looked like in that tractor trailer. I've been a vegetarian ever since and only eat eggs and cheese from my local farmers market where I actually know the farmers and how they raise their animals.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I went vegan about 8 years ago. To be honest, I'm not really sure what spurred me to think about animal rights all of a sudden, but one night I was in a computer lab on campus -- probably should have been writing a paper -- and started reading up on animal use. None of it was new information... I grew up on a hog farm in rural Indiana and helped family on their cattle and dairy farms as well. I knew how bad it was for animals, I guess I just never knew until that point that it was even an OPTION to abstain from all that. At that point, I'd only known a couple vegetarians in my life, and I only vaguely knew what a vegan WAS -- but upon doing some research and learning that it was not only possible, it was easy, I knew it wasn't even a choice. The only right thing to do was to abstain from animal use from then on.
So, I just sort of decided then and there I wanted nothing more to do with it, ever and that was that. I was a broke student at the time and figured I'd eat what I had left in my cupboards and 'phase out' my animal products, but after a couple days of not eating any of the animal products I realized I just couldn't stomach it, so I gave them all to my roommate. The end.
posted about 1 year ago | Report
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All of the above. Moral conviction, healthier lifestyle, environmental conscientiousness. One of the nice but unforeseen benefits since becoming a vegetarian (about 10 years ago) is the diversity of my diet. I wouldn't have tried Ethiopian, Caribbean, Pakistani, or even Thai food before turning away from an omnivorous lifestyle. I can't imagine NOT eating such foods now. My taste buds would be too bored.
posted 9 months ago | Report
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Vegetarian (Ovo-Lacto to be more specific)
posted 9 months ago | Report
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my two reasons are better health and the unsafe food supply in this country. I have been a vegetarian for over 10 years and it agrees with me. I was grew up on a farm and we raised much of our meat so it took reading a few books about the food supply in this country and my former wife to help me see the light. I try to eat mainly organic and I have a 6 year old that is also a vegetarian and he says we do go to McDonald's because the food is not good. Can it get any better then that for a parent. I can say that I walk away from the table stuffed, but I don't have that feeling for long like when I was eating meat and my energy levels are more steady.
posted 8 months ago | Report
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