So I set the goal to be vegan for a month.
Am I huge activist against animal cruelty? Not really. I mean, I don't like it when people are cruel to animals (and I REALLY don't like it when corporations are cruel to animals) but I've never like, marched on the capital about it, you know?
My religion puts a really big emphasis on keeping your body healthy. I'm not saying that every member of the LDS church is healthy, but we're encouraged to stay away from alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, coffee and tea that is not herbal.
God has not only revealed a word of wisdom on what we should stay away from, but has given us guidelines of what we SHOULD do. For example: eat fruits and veggies that are in season, eat and use wholesome herbs, eat plenty of grain,
and eat meat... SPARINGLY.
Meaning it should not be used- but only in time of
"WINTER and of
COLD and of
FAMINE, and times of
EXCESS HUNGER."
This is a doctrine of my religion, folks.
I've always felt really strongly about this, but since setting the goal to be vegan for a month (mostly because I wanted to experience it), I've reanalyzed my commitment to the above guidelines. I've never tasted an alcoholic beverage or smoked a cigarette or took a hit of anything. I don't really have a problem with the stuff I've been taught to stay away from. I have had a problem, though, with over-eating and I DEFINITELY have not eaten meat sparingly.
So I've been praying a lot about this for the past few months. I've been praying about my body and what I put into it. I haven't made a final decision if I'm going to be a vegetarian or not. I am feeling pretty set on only eating meat, however, if it is winter, or if I'm "in famine." I don't quite have an opinion on dairy yet, but I want to eat vegan to see what it feels like.
I was planning on accomplishing my vegan goal in the summer, when it would be easier. But through thinking about this a lot, I have decided to be vegan for the month of October.
Here's why:
1. Squash is in season which is a great meat substitute
2. If I choose to not continue being vegan, I will be in a habit of not eating meat and dairy by the time the holiday's come around and therefore will be a lot healthier :)
3. We're not visiting anyone or traveling this month, so I can be in total control of my diet.
Anyway. That's my little rant about my decision to be vegan for at least the month of October. I'm going to need a lot of help and recipes from all of you vegan friends!
Help me! Tomorrow, I'm vegan!
I've been thinking about this a lot too, mostly because I've done a lot of reading about all of the additives in foods & packaging, not to mention the hormones in meat and of course the cruelty and oftentimes filthy conditions that the meat comes from.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, thank you for talking about the church's doctrines and scriptures about food. It's definitely a helpful 'push' in the right direction. I don't think I'll have too much trouble staying away from meat, its just the dairy and sweets I worry about.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing all about your journey! :]
--
a fellow MAYBE vegan :]
Seve and I did the vegan-for-a-month thing, and afterwards decided that we just need to eat "fresher." So though we still eat meat and dairy, we try to only eat fresh things - nothing from a can or package, LOTS of veggies and fruits, occasional meat. Seve loves soy milk.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Bountiful Baskets because you get a TON of fresh, in-season produce for $15. It's our main source of food now and we love it.
V! Always V!
ReplyDeleteDidn't we talk about this on your visit up here? I feel a certain pride in this decision.
This approach (in my opinion) is ACTIVELY living the word of wisdom. When someone makes a choice to eat better, they are DOING what the word of wisdom asks us, rather than not doing some things.
Jas and I really like this http://slurpnburp-mithu.blogspot.com/2010/09/corn-and-boondi-koshimbir.html
IT'S AMAZING!
Hooray! I'm so excited you are joining me! (I cheat a little because as you know I'm not vegan by moral code, but to be kinder to my body) I have a vegan cookbook you can borrow. And we should find a way to cook with the nutritional yeast I bought.
ReplyDeleteGood job! I'm inspired by you.
ReplyDeleteAlso. I made a button. Just for you. It's on my blog. And I might change it later, but it is there for now.
ReplyDeleteYou go girl, I can't wait to hear about your journey and all that you experience and learn.
ReplyDeleteawesome! i have been studying the word of wisdom too and i feel much like you. we eat meat very sparingly, maybe only once a week (if that) and in tiny portions. we have loved eating this way and for me, i really feel like we're living the word of wisdom better than we ever have. it is so much more about the "do's" than the "don'ts." we focus a lot on the don't drink, don't smoke aspect but forget the things we should be doing like eating a plant-based diet. that document is so inspired!
ReplyDeletei recommend using quinoa as a meat substitute. you can use it for tacos, etc. and it is wonderful. it's delicious and a complete protein! also, my opinion on dairy: cultured dairy (we love kefir and yogurt) is awesome. and raw dairy too. the probiotics and bacteria are great for our guts, when our guts are healthy, we are healthy. pasteurized dairy, the way the average american eats it, not so good. just my two cents :)
Hey I found your blog through an acquaintance and just thought I would give you this link as food for thought,
ReplyDelete"The Do's In The Word of Wisdom" http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=728c1f26d596b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD.
This is a subject I feel strongly on and that we are to be grateful for all that God has blessed us with, including meat. I truly believe the best way to be healthy is a full well balanced diet and exercise, because we has humans are naturally omnivores and need the full spectrum of nutrients to be our healthiest.
In D&C 49:18–19 & 1 Tim. 4:3 it says that we, as part of our faith, believe in eating meat and not abstaining from it. I hope this helps, and you have a very cute blog and fun style! enjoy your trek to becoming healthier it will be very fulfilling!
Josh & Brandi:
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your comment and the link you left to that article. I do not agree that it is against our religion to abstain from meat, but we can disagree and that's fine :)
It's also important that you do not make lifestyle changes in ignorance. I take a daily B12 vitamin ANYWAY so I knew that cutting out meat was not going to kill my spine. Also, I liked that the author of that article listed MEAT SUBSTITUTES as great resources for the protein you need.
To each his own! Glad to know you are healthy and happy. Stop by again! :)
@Josh and Brandi:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts. I wanted to comment, but it got too long, so I've done a whole blog! Check it out:
http://dinosaursarefun.blogspot.com/2010/10/v-licious.html