Why I Became a Vegan

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So I sent this email to my brother the other day because I’m trying to convert him to vegetarian/veganism (from here to be referred to as ‘vegism’ ) Well, no, I’m not really trying to convert him, just trying to get him to think about the reasons why I have and whether that is something he believes in. I find that a lot of people don’t really think about what they are eating and where it came from. Kind of like religion in that people are born and raised as a certain religion and stay in that religion because that is what they know and perhaps they don’t even think about it. Of course this is a generalisation, but I know that it does happen. Similarly, I know people who eat meat yet cannot look at when it is covered in blood, or in fact eat it if it still resembles the animal. Personally, I don’t think that is right and that is one of the reasons I give when people ask me why I’m vegan; I couldn’t kill an animal myself, so I don’t think I can justify eating it, it would be kind of hypocritical I think. I especially couldn’t justify it if my reasoning was; ‘but it’s just so tasty!’ So yeah, here is my journey to veganism, or to where I am in it, not that it’s a destination as such.

I became vegetarian about 4 years ago. I'd always had an inclination towards it, but never acted on it because I was worried that I would not be healthy, also I didn't want to make it harder for Mum with cooking or how that would all work out. So I researched it a lot more and talked it over with my parents and we came to a compromise of sorts; they totally respected my decision as long as I made sure I ate healthily.

I think what really drove me to take the step was chicken. Admittedly, that stuff is tasty, as is most meat (from what I remember) but chickens can be so, so gross. Firstly, they live in their own shit; secondly, when mum used to make spaghetti sauce she'd put chicken drumsticks in with it. This would make the meat all soft, flavoursome and easy to eat, but they would have all these little bones and weird black stuff on the bone and yuck. Also KFC chicken, sometimes it isn't cooked totally and you can see the little arteries and stuff :( Anyway, chicken was the biggest motive and continues to be the biggest turn off.

Also there is the issue of inhumane farming and killing of animals. There are so many documentaries online about this and I think the one that best covers all the issues is Earthlings; the first part of which is here:
Earthlings Part 1 - youtube
I warn you though, it is a little lengthy and very graphic. In fact I've only watched the first bit because I can't stomach seeing this kind of stuff - but I guess that is why I'm vegan!

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So, after a few years of being vegetarian I became vegan. Mostly I was curious about it, like, what would I eat? What is it like to be vegan? Truthfully, sometimes it's pretty damn annoying, I mean, there is a growing number of vegans around (especially in cities) but it’s still quite uncommon, so sometimes it is hard to find food when you're out. But I find it's even harder at other people's houses and at parties because people are just not used to catering for that lifestyle. So everyone will be eating the yummy looking food and happily bonding over it and I'm chilling out with my salad feeling all left out and forgotten.

But despite that, I just cannot justify, well, mainly eating meat, but also using any animal product or exploiting animals in any way. I don't need to eat animals or eggs or honey or drink milk to be healthy, nor to be satisfied. Essentially, if I did I would just be doing it because I was selfish or greedy. I read an article recently which really effectively summed up the vegan lifestyle and explored why the author chooses a vegan lifestyle. She basically says that we don’t NEED to exploit animals like we do, you can read it here:
Vegan Clothing Explained

So that is a pretty quick summary of how I got to where I am with my vegism. Are you a vegan or vegetarian? Why did you choose to become one? Or why do you choose not to?

- michelle