Why Did You Go Vegan?

Henry

I have a few reasons for becoming vegan, I will try to explain them all in a concise way.

My childhood was with a family who ate the typical Canadian diet of vegetables, fruits, meats, grains and dairy. My schooling explained that these were appropriate foods to eat and that if we did not have a varied diet according to (what I believe an antequated) diet chart, we would be very ill. Article continues below

Growing up, I had a fondness for animals. I never questioned eating meats and dairy, but I did not like to see animals get hurt. A few times in my youth, after learning about the way cattle and other livestock animals are treated and slaughtered, I gave thought to being vegetarian... But I never took that initiative, there was always meat on the family table during dinner.

I took an agriculture class in high school, and I will always be happy I did so, and here is why. One day, we took a trip to a ranch. That day, they were castrating and branding calves. Most of the other students seemed to have no qualms and even seemed to appreciate participating in the gruesome events.

I, on the other hand, only saw a gang of sweaty, dirty men, and kids I could not believe were my peers, tormenting baby animals. I caved that day and held a calves' legs as he bleated and squirmed, much to my disgust... but that event began to change in my mind what most of society seemed to believe as far as classing animals due to the roles we place them in.

I wouldn't become vegan for another 5 years. When I was 22, I met some vegans on the internet, and they convinced me to cut heavy meats out of my diet. Then, I discovered something on a few websites that I found personally disturbing...

I have a great affection for horses, and I found that Premarin, Prempro, Premphase and Premplus, which are menopause medications, are derived from the urine of pregnant mares!

They're confined in small stalls and rarely recieve the exercise that they need. Their water is cut back to concentrate their urine, and the harnesses rub them raw.

Since then, I've found a little encouragement in the fact there are other medications out there that contain conjugated estrogents found in plants like sweet potatoes, and yams.

Further more, I discovered that there's a disturbing practice of horse slaughter in this country, and that's where most of their foals end up! After learning that, I cut dairy out of my diet as well, because I know that those cows are often kept in poor conditions, and that their young calves are often slaughtered for their tender meat.

Consequently, after going vegan, I lost eight pounds in the first week. I have more energy and vitality than I have ever had, and I feel great. Plant materials appear to be MUCH more adequate for my body's needs, and I'm presently working on building and toning my muscles. I'm vegan, and I'm never going back.

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