Why I’m Vegan, And Why You Should Be, Too

What is veganism?

Many people think veganism is just about food. As you probably know, I became vegan for ethical reasons- I simply think that humans don’t have the right to abuse and torture other beings. That’s why I don’t eat, wear or use anything that hurt animals or contains animal-derived materials or ingredients, like shoes, clothing, belts, furniture, decor pieces, pillows, blankets, makeup.

Let’s start with the basics. Compassion and empathy are the keys and main reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle. Compassion for me is to identify with another’s suffering and wishing the suffering to cease. Compassion is stepping outside your own world, seeing the pain of others and even sharing it. Compassion is the desire to make the pain of others stop. Regarding animals, that’s where veganism comes.

Why I became vegan?

I became vegan because I opened my heart and soul. I had the courage to take responsibility for my choices and change for the better. in 2013, I watched a movie called Earthlings – it wasn’t an easy film to watch, but I told myself that I just have to watch it if I do support those industries. It was so hard not to turn away and close my eyes during this film. After watching it, with so much pain and tears- I became vegan – because I love animals and think they deserve to live happily &peacefully on this planet, just like we do.

where did the term ‘vegan’ come from?

Donald Watson, from Great Britain, created the term ‘vegan’ in 1944. He was the founder of The Vegan Society, His definition of veganism was:  “A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

Vegans choose not to support animal cruelty in any form, that’s why we avoid products that were tested on animals and contain animal-derived ingredients, visiting zoos and aquariums, or taking part in dog or horse racing. Vegans do love visiting and supporting animal sanctuaries though. It’s so much fun to see happy animals who were saved from the meat, dairy and egg industry, and are taken care of by amazing people. In the past I took part in building a “Freedom farm” with my friends here in Israel, it was such a lovely experience that gave us hope and positivity. Unfortunately, this farm was closed not so long after it’s launch due to lack of money and volunteers. But don’t worry, all the animals found warm, loving homes 🙂

Why should I go vegan?

For the animals

The hardest part about being vegan is not the food, but rather facing the darkest side of humanity, being aware of what’s happening in this world and how cruel people can be. 160 billion animals are killed every single year to satisfy human taste preferences. Yes,160,000,000,000 animals are killed every single year, most of them, after a lifetime of suffering. For the sake of financial profit, most animals are being caged inside tiny facilities. These facilities are so crowded that many animals even die from it. Because they were genetically and chemically manipulated, even their own bodies cause them a lot of suffering. Life for animals in factory farms are short, painful, desireless and violent, and at the end of them, there’s a mass extermination. Painful, careless death, in which animals are slaughtered. Cows, for example, could live to well over 20 years of age, while on ‘dairy’ farms they are usually shot between 3-4 years of age when milk production is no longer considered ‘profitable’.

Although most of us object to animal cruelty, we still take part in the cruelest, severe and violent cruelty exist. Paying for a hamburger, milkshake or an omelet means supporting the meat, dairy and egg industries, ensuring their continued existence and proliferation. For more information regarding animal cruelty, you should visit PETA’s website and watch the movie Earthlings– this movie made me go vegan. Also, check out The Best Speach You’ll Ever Hear and Why Am I Vegan by the musician Moby. 

For Yourself

There are many scientifically proven benefits to vegan living. More and more people are becoming vegan for health benefits: increased energy, lower risk of heart disease, less stress and anxiety, younger looking skin, weight loss/maintenance, protection against certain cancers, and overall feeling, just some of the claims that make people go vegan. we all want to be healthier, and when you think about it- it all starts in our plate. Animal products contain saturated fat, cholesterol, toxins and fecal bacteria. Eating animal products is linked to cancer, heart-disease obesity, hormonal issues, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Veganism is the kind of diet that allows you to eat a variety of vegetables, fruit, grains, and legumes – and to learn how healthy food can be delicious and satisfying.

Oh, and don’t you worry: there’s a lot of vegan junk food out there- vegan ice-cream, burgers, meat, cheese and literally everything that you love is available in a vegan, suffering-free version 🙂

The ADA position about veganism: ” vegan diet is healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegan diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes… “

For more information regarding vegan and health, check out Dr. Greger’s lecture and the movie Forks Over Knives.

For the Environment

One of the most effective things you can do to lower your negative impact on the environment is to avoid all animal products. Yes, it’s even better than recycling, not driving a car and using less water  – all combined. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, factory farming is the main cause of the ecological crisis, responsible for deforestation, greenhouse gas emission, pollution and water shortages. There is evidence that shows that changing the way we eat can have a big impact on climate change. An Oxford University study shows that meat-eaters are responsible for almost 2 times as many dietary greenhouse-gas emissions per day as vegetarians and about two and a half times as many as vegans. That means that a vegan diet cuts your carbon footprint by 50%. Considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet, making the switch to veganism one of the easiest, most enjoyable and effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment.

For more information regarding veganism and environmental impact check out the movie Cowspiracy

What about vegetarianism?

Vegetarianism is a step in the right direction because every step is literally life-saving. That’s also why it is important to take the next steps. The suffering caused by the dairy and egg industry is as horrible as in the meat industry, sometimes even more. Dairy cows are artificially inseminated, meaning that a man basically puts his hand inside her body to impregnate her. Upon their birth, the babies are taken from their mothers within minutes.  If the baby is a boy, he will be sent to the meat industry. He will live in a tiny space unable to move in an effort to keep his muscles from developing. After 3 months he will be slaughtered. If the baby is a girl, she will face the same life as her mother’s. Dairy cows will continue having babies to produce milk that and their babies will always be stolen from them. When they are too weak and don’t produce enough milk, they will be taken to the slaughterhouse.

As for the egg industry: baby chicks are sorted by their gender. Male chicks are useless to the egg industry. so they are killed right on their birthday. They are ground alive, gassed or thrown into the trash alive. Female chickens can live up to 15 years in nature, but in the egg industry, they are slaughtered in the age of 1-2. Until then, they live horrible lives of confinement, disease, and abuse. Egg-laying chickens in battery cages are not allowed more than a standard notebook size piece of paper as space. In so-called “free range” they are still only allowed the same 8 by 10 inches, they are just simply not in a cage. The term ‘free range’ is a misleading marketing scheme aimed to make people feel good about eating eggs, but in reality, it is still cruel.

There are so many plant-based alternatives to milk that are plant-based and healthier for you! soy, rice, almond, cashew, hemp, quinoa, and so many kinds and flavors. My personal favorites are almond, rice, soy and quinoa milk 🙂

 

And what about honey?

Honey is the energy source of bees; without it, they would starve. Honey provides essential nutrients during the winter months and other times in poor weather conditions. Honey is probably the product most frequently mistaken as vegan-friendly. There is a misconception that honey bees make their honey especially for us, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Beekeepers aim to harvest the maximum amount of honey. When farmers remove honey from a hive, they replace it with a sugar substitute which is way worse for the bees’ health because it lacks the essential micro-nutrients of honey. Unlike bees, humans can thrive without honey, and luckily, there are so many vegan alternatives to it: Date syrup, maple syrup, molasses, butterscotch syrup, golden syrup and agave nectar are all viable options, whether you need a product for baking, cooking and many other uses.

So.. how do I go vegan?

Do your research

There is so much information about veganism available online: articles, movies, and documentaries, all available in one search. If you have any questions about this subject, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message, I would love to help you as much as I can!

Join a community- try 22+ challenge

Joining a community of vegan people or people who are transitioning to veganism won’t only make your life easier, it will also encourage you to keep doing what you do! The 22+ Challenge is a challenge that started here in Israel and became a massive success. I was a mentor in this challenge when it just launched and I really enjoyed it- not only to help people but to see their process and how much they enjoy it. In this challenge, free of charge, of course, you will find vegan nutritionists, chefs, athletes, and people just like you who want to change for the better. You will get a plan and you will be able to take part in an amazing group, interact with them, talk with professionals and enjoy this amazing journey.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE 22+ CHALLENGE

Use social media

Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and blogs are filled with vegan people just like me who create content to help and inspire you. There are so so many of them, you should just search for “vegan bloggers” or “vegan food/fashion/bloggers” and you will find a lot of them.

For information about cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics, I highly recommend checking out Logical Harmony- It’s the best source! 

Be proud!

BE PROUD OF YOURSELF! You are making such a huge step towards a better life for the animals, for the planet and for yourself. This journey might not be easy for some people, but I promise you it is so worth it. Waking up every single morning knowing that you ARE the change you want to see in the world. You are saving animals- oh, it’s the best feeling in the world. I am so proud of you, BRAVO!

Nobody is perfect

Nobody is perfect. Veganism is just a step towards living more conscious life.

Even after 5+ years of being vegan, I make mistakes. Yes, sometimes you might eat something that contains animal products without knowing and without wanting to. It happens to all of us. On my last trip to Berlin, I ordered hot chocolate with soy milk and they made it with cow’s milk by mistake. I realized it only after drinking half of the cup. Yes, it sucks, but it isn’t your fault and you don’t need to make it harder on yourself. Move on and keep doing what you’re doing!

What should I do with all the non-vegan things I own?

Food: donate

If you have non-vegan food in your house- just donate it, there are so many people in need who will thank you. You can also give all of the food to friends and family who are not vegan. Don’t throw it away- it will just be wasteful.

Fashion/ accessories / home decor etc/ cosmetics

Donate

This is what I personally did with all my non-vegan clothing items. I didn’t feel comfortable wearing or selling them, because by selling them I make someone else pay for a product I don’t want anyone to buy,  so I took them all to charity and gave some items to family members.By donating everything I felt comfortable knowing those things go to people who need them.

Use until you find a better alternative that you can afford / until the item is falling apart

You don’t have to get rid of those items. You can just use them until they are falling apart, or until you can afford to buy a vegan alternative. You can also choose to use up cosmetics products already in your possession and then buy cruelty-free and vegan ones.

I hope this guide helped you and made you think.

Let me know if you have any questions or recommendations in the comments.

I will soon publish my ultimate guide to vegan fashion, so make sure you’re subscribed to my mailing list and follow me on my social media platforms so you won’t miss a thing 🙂

see you soon,

Noa

Sources:

PETA: www.peta.org

The Vegan Society: www.vegansociety.com/

One green Planet: http://www.onegreenplanet.org

Animal Cruelty Exposure Fund: www.animalcrueltyexposurefund.org/

PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19562864

Odyssey: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-vegetarian-isnt-good-enough