Vegan Diet Guide

By Holly Strohl

This article was submitted by Holly Strohl. Holly is 34 years old, owns her own vending business and has been vegetarian/vegan since 1987. She states, “I wrote the article basically for myself and to give those around me a clearer understanding of why I have chosen this lifestyle and how much it means to me. It was through the convincing of friends and family that I decided to share it with others. Hopefully you will feel the same.”

What do you mean gelatin is made from animal bones? Soap is made from animal fat? Waiter is this vegetable soup made with a beef broth? A far cry from those younger omnivore years of “Hey, she got the steak bone last week! Give it up! ” My parents have still not come to grips with my 11 year old dietary change. Aside from the common questions such as, “Are you eating enough? What did you eat today? What are you eating later? Eat something, but what could you eat?”, they felt it had to be a fad because it is too crazy to go without the meat centered diet we have grown so accustomed to for centuries. They have come to accept (but not understand) my food preferences over the past few years, except for the occasional meat offering from my father who claims to conveniently forget every so often.

It all began when a friend had asked me to join her at Concordia University in Montreal to watch a film entitled “Hidden Crimes”. It is an honest and frightful documentary displaying the horrific methods used by the factory farms of raising and killing animals. Everything from the debeaking of baby chicks to carcasses hanging by their hind legs, still alive squirming from the pain of being slaughtered. I could not stop visualizing these animals in my mind. Thinking of their suffering and fear that we inflict on them so that we can have that palate pleasing meal, and then not give it another thought except what to cut up and serve for the next day. Without a moments hesitation, I went home and emptied out my freezer and vowed to never ingest another food that ever had a face again. I continued to stand by my new dietary change and felt better emotionally and physically.

I began doing extensive reading on vegetarian health, recipes, associations, etc.. I became a member of several organizations and decided to learn as much about this new responsibility I had undertaken as I could. I began to learn what had originally started out as an ethical obligation to animal kind was in fact twofold. It was an obligation to myself as well. To eat healthier and take better care of my body which is what results when you follow a well balanced vegetarian diet. I experimented with new recipes and new foods. I familiarized myself with common vegetarian staples and made sure I knew of all the best health food stores. It makes me laugh when people ask, “How many ways can one person eat carrots?” It is this ignorance that will continue to exist as long as people are kept in the dark of what really goes on in the factory farms. It is true that some, whether this realization is brought forward or not, may not have the compassion to make such a change and sacrifice. Although, even if it touches just one more person, then hey – that is a lot less squirming cows to think about.

There came a point however where I had to reflect upon my own thoughtlessness and inconsistencies. The same animals I would not put in my mouth, I would not think twice to put on my body. So out went the leather shoes, purses, belts, jackets, etc… only to find that they do make fashionable items in synthetic fibres which are just as nice, not to mention, a little cheaper. It also made me think of the treatment of laboratory animals and animals in captivity (zoos and circuses). We do not have the right to dictate what kind of existence these species are to endure. Due to the fact they cannot speak or communicate in ways in which we feel are comparable to our own, does not mean they do not feel fear. I believe we owe the same to these special species we share our world with.

Aside from the animal rights aspect of the movement, there is also an agricultural issue to contend with. How many people could be fed if we were to reduce our meat consumption by just 10 percent for just one year you ask? 60 million. Which translates into 12 million tons of grain. The arguments and facts are endless. Animal rights organizations have reported to have tremendous membership increases over the past few years which is indicative of what increasing public knowledge can do to help.

So for the peace of mind of my parents, I have never felt healthier or stronger. Gone are the days where my idea of getting my serving of protein, vegetables and fruit was a Big Mac, French Fries and an Apple Pie. (I can hear some of you saying “Sounds O.K. to me” ).

As far as raising my children is concerned, they will be raised as vegans. Although, if they ever choose to discover what meat, fish, poultry or any other animal product tastes like, they will not be refused. They will however, be reminded of what it is they are eating, and the choice will be theirs. As far as my husband to be is concerned, the chances of finding him at this point are slim pickin’s, so to think that he will be vegan to boot… I don’t think so. But I’m sure with a few concessions and several good meals, it will work itself out.

So I shall continue to irritate my dinner hosts and send waiters/waitresses into an early retirement by not closing my eyes to the callous inhumane treatment we put these innocent creatures through and hopefully, in time, others will realize the same and turn to all the wonderful food alternatives there are out there waiting to be experienced and enjoyed. So for all of you wondering how many ways there are to cook carrots, have a seat you’ve got so much to learn!

This article was published at VegWeb.com on July 01, 2006

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