Last year on January 1st, 2017 - a year ago today - I had my last taste of meat. Well it was processed meat on a pizza so not sure that is really meat but alas looking back, I should have fried a pound of bacon and gone out with a bang!
I have always liked animals but in the last 15+ years, really since getting my own pets, I have fallen truly madly deeply in love with the magic of animals. I donate to causes and help where I can but honestly after so much crap happened in 2016 (yes I am looking at you Donald Trump) I felt I just had to do more. I had been struggling for a while with the juxtaposition of loving let's say cats and dogs but being okay with eating pigs and cows even though I claim to "love all animals" so I made the move to becoming a vegetarian.
Now I must say, all of these thoughts and feelings only apply to my life with no judgement of others. I honestly think vegans and vegetarians have a bad reputation because people think all we want to do is convert and shame those who don't do the same. Don't get me wrong - there are those people and it isn't right. It is okay to share information (such as yes I still get all the protein necessary without eating meat OR did you know it takes 1799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef OR what is done to dairy cows to keep that milk coming) and talk about your lifestyle but shaming others isn't where it's at. I think so much of the bullshit in this world comes from just that - people thinking they know what is best for other's lives. I strongly believe in not eating animals and if someone wants to know more or it could change even a bit of their mindset great but I am on my own journey here.
I grew up in a meat and potatoes family and honestly before last January 1st, I rarely ever had a lunch or supper without meat - it seemed like, impossible. Why would I even eat a meal without meat? So I wasn't someone who just ate meat periodically or a few times a week, it was every.single.day. So this was no small change for me - this was one of the biggest lifestyle changes I have ever made. Now people who know me know that I am sort of an 'all or nothing girl' so this isn't the way I would recommend everyone doing it but for me, I felt I wanted to make the change - full on.
The biggest shock of it all? I don't miss eating meat. Don't get me wrong, there have been times, especially early on, where the smell of fried chicken going into Superstore nearly brought me to my knees or a breakfast sandwich packed with bacon didn't seem delicious and like I was missing out on something. What I have discovered though is a whole new world of flavour and food and spices and restaurants catering to a world without meat. It's extraordinary really - food I never would have taken a 2nd glance at it is so packed with goodness and it was there all along. I cook so much more than I used to and usually try something new every week - I mean, being a vegetarian isn't about eating a salad every damn meal that's for sure. That isn't realistic for anyone.
So my reasoning was first ethical but what I have found is that I also feel better mentally because I know I am doing good - such an amazing benefit. I have even cut way back on dairy, I do eat cheese (mostly in social situations or at restaurants) but I would say I eat dairy 1/10 of what I used to which is also a positive contribution. I also know I am putting stuff into my body that is of the earth and that is so beneficial for my well-being and longevity. We don't know what our genetics have in store for us long term but I feel like I want to do what I can to help my case for a long life now.
Recently, due to some skin issues that are not surprising to me - I am super sensitive and dry skinned - I have added some sustainable fish back into my life. It was a very hard decision for me and I honestly felt like failure. I talked to Peter about it, who has been nothing but supportive of my decision and a great taste-tester to lot of my experiments, and he helped me see I was still doing so much good yet I needed to couple that with what is best for my body as well. I don't eat fish every day, maybe once a week on an average week...sometimes not at all in a week..but I feel it is good for my body to add a bit back in and I have to be okay with that - this is my journey, no one else's and I need to be kind to myself.
I hear a lot of "I could never give up bacon" from people and I get it for the most part but for me, I have to say, I do not miss beef, pork or poultry at all and that is one of the most freeing experiences of my life both physically and mentally. I have learned not to base my happiness on eating a specific food or not eating a specific food. I have definitely made peace with knowing what I am doing is not a punishment for myself - it is the exact opposite.
I guess I just wanted to share a bit about my journey over the last year and what it's been like for me. I expect to continue the same into 2018 and hopefully for the rest of my life. It is my small contribution to the world while also enriching my own life - what more could one ask for?
My goal in 2018 is to start replacing all products where possible with cruelty-free products - why not keep the personal evolution going, right?
And one parting tip, if you see this symbol on any product you know that company, nor it's parent company, does not do any testing on animals.
I wish each of you an amazing 2018!
