Like many people, I assume, ever since November 8th, 2016 things have felt a bit heavier. Going to bed on the night of the US Elections I just kept thinking, this can't be real...right? The host of the Apprentice is now going to be the president? I understand fully that I am Canadian and DT is not my president however I still felt like for everyone, somehow, this was going to be bad. Since his inauguration I think it has become quite clear - this will effect us all and we must find a way to support and be kind to everyone we can because as global citizens, we are all in this together. In the grand scheme of things, we are all just a blip in time but we need to make this blip as hospitable for all as possible.
For me, as November and December 2016 progressed I found myself less and less able to consume international news, less able to read internet comments from cowardly keyboard warriors and less able to understand the hatred I was seeing around the world and here at home. People not able to accept others because they are seen as "different" from them yet we are are all fundamentally the same, humans trying to make it...and I see this getting lost and it has affected me a lot. It was and still is taking it's toll on me and I had to find a way to try to deal with it constructively.
I have taken a few social media steps to help with this such as unfollow people and publications that talk about nothing except DT and the state of the world. I use Twitter less and less and I have started to follow "lighter" things to ensure my timelines were somewhere I wanted to spend some of my day. I am not burying my head in the sand, I know bad things are happening, I can't escape hearing about it and I started to think, how can I play my part?
I already donate to charity, support animal rescue groups and try to be as kind to friends, family and strangers as possible - although no one is perfect but I try! I started to think though...what more can I do? A few years ago I saw a documentary called "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix, Peter and I watched it together actually. After that I thought, maybe I should stop eating meat? Could I really do that? I don't think at the time I really felt I could or I was ready - in my head it seemed complicated. I personally knew a few people who didn't eat meat but the thought seemed overwhelming. As many people know, I LOVE ANIMALS. I think they are pure of heart creatures we are blessed to have in our lives, truly one of the greatest achievements of the Big Bang. Not only do animals make great memes on the internet, especially kitties, but they are amazing life companions or creatures of the wild to behold. I honestly like animals more than most people with a few wonderful exceptions!
So I started to consider not eating meat as my contribution - it is small in the grand scheme of life but with the other things I do, I felt like this could reconcile in my head my love for animals and leave less of a carbon footprint. I thought about it without mentioning it to anyone for a few months and then finally before Christmas I talked to Peter about it - he is my sounding board of reason, most of the time. He pointed out that I often times put A LOT of pressure on myself when I decide to do something, especially when it comes to diet and exercise and this is so very true. We talked about how I could maybe ease myself into it (which did not happen haha). Also I decided to not make any huge declarations of being a vegetarian because I wasn't even sure I could do it or where to even start.
With the guidance of some great folks including Brianna, Melissa and Tina I found some recipes, got some greater understanding and on Sunday, January 1st I made some of my first vegetarian dishes. As of right now, January 1st 2017 is also the last day I ate meat.
So how is it going? Well I have to say, so far so good! I have told myself that I may eat meat again and I am okay with that. Who knows what might happen in life, where I might be with no options or maybe an overwhelming urge I cannot resist - but I am going to be okay with it if it happens. Even if I were to eat meat 2-3 times a year, that is nothing compared to every single day. I have made some incredible recipes and some not so great ones, I have become excited about food in a very different way and when I think of what I am accomplishing in terms of the reconciliation in my head for animals, it feels...right. I am likely eating healthier than ever although that is not why I am doing this. I already ate well and I am not doing this as a diet or to lose weight - this is about my impact in the world, no matter how big or small and I am doing it for my mental health and for animals.
I come from a wonderful family of hunter and gatherers where meat was a true staple. Before I stopped eating meat, there were probably maximum 5 days a year I didn't eat meat and really that seems like too many. I remember even saying at some point, I can't imagine a meal without meat - it just didn't compute in my head. I am super surprised about not missing meat while I am eating any meal. My motto is - it needs to taste good and fill me, it no longer HAS to contain meat. I do think of meat - I mean bacon, am I right? I think of it most when I am hungry and I am still adjusting to the occasional lust for meat and I think that is normal. I am changing the way I think and my body from the inside - it's a big deal physiologically.
I in no way would ever try to convince someone else to do this - everyone needs to find their own truth and way to contribute nor would I ever look upon anyone as eating meat with any contempt. This is a personal choice and who knows how things will go but I just wanted to share my journey so far...and I am still not sure I would label myself as a vegetarian, we will see at 6 months - maybe then!
Thanks for reading xo
