Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.
Focusing on helping animals, protecting our environment and living a healthy and compassionate life!
I made a decision at fifteen that would change the course of my life. After viewing undercover footage from factory farms and slaughterhouses, I decided to go vegan. I was a lifelong animal lover and it felt wrong to support any industry that profited from their exploitation. I also became active in the movement to educate others about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Through Rhode Island Vegan Awareness, I was able to advocate for what I believed in. Rhode Island Vegan Awareness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advocating veganism for a more peaceful and just world for all life. We actively work to inspire justice and true respect for other species and the earth, educate the public with critical information and support the local community. Rhode Island Vegan Awareness is completely volunteer-driven.
At this point in 2019, I have spent twenty years living a
vegan lifestyle, organizing events, passing out free vegan food, helping
people transition to a vegan lifestyle and coming up with creative ways to
raise vegan awareness. It has been both rewarding and challenging, however,
I would not change a thing. Going vegan and dedicating my life to vegan
awareness is the best decision I have ever made. I have seen the growth of
veganism and am proud to be a part of the movement towards a healthier and
more compassionate world. In this essay, I would like to provide inspiration
and tips to those who are interested in transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.
More people are making the switch to a vegan lifestyle that is healthier for
themselves, our planet, and our fellow earthlings. Veganism is one of the
fastest growing lifestyles in the world. People go vegan for different
reasons including benefits to personal health, our environment and animals.
A healthy vegan diet can help you fight the leading causes of disease such
as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Animal agriculture is the greatest
contributor to deforestation, land usage, species extinction, ocean dead
zones, water consumption, and global warming.
Our society treats animals
like commodities, beings on an assembly line existing solely for profit.
Humans slaughter animals at an unconscionable rate. Over 68 billion farmed
animals are killed every year with no regard for their life or treatment. We
unnaturally pump these animals with hormones, chemicals and confine them in
tiny, filthy cages. We cut off their body parts while they are fully alert,
scald them alive in boiling water, rip their babies from them at birth and
often dismember them while they are fully conscious. It is very hard to
comprehend the cruelty we inflict on animals because it is hidden from us
and masked with propaganda and advertising. Connecting to animals and
expanding your circle of compassion is one of the most beautiful things a
human being can do. If you still consume animal products please take some
time to watch the film, Earthlings.
It is an amazing time to make a choice to live a compassionate and healthier
life! Setting a goal of living a vegan lifestyle is a great way to help you
achieve this. When transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, always remember to
practice compassion and patience with yourself. Although most lifestyle
changes can seem daunting at first, over time they become very easy. This
could not be more true than about the vegan lifestyle. Community and support
are both key to success with any lifestyle change. There are many great
resources to help you. One example is Challenge 22, an excellent program
that offers a free 22-day vegan challenge. By signing up for Challenge 22,
you will receive recipes and personal guidance.
Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be easy and fun. Start by making easy
swaps in the kitchen. You can easily replace cow’s milk with a variety of
plant-based options including almond, coconut, hemp, oat, rice and soy milk.
Try a variety to find your favorite. It is also very easy to replace eggs in
your cooking, baking and scrambles. The following are a few easy egg swaps.
Here are a few examples of easy egg replacers for baking: 1/2 mashed banana,
1/4 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup silken tofu, 1 TBSP ground flax seeds mixed with
3 TBSP warm water or 1 TBSP chia seeds mixed with 1/3 cup warm water. All of
these options work great or you could purchase a commercial egg replacer
such as Ener-G Egg Replacer. Scrambled eggs are also easily replaced with a
delicious tofu scramble or by purchasing Just Egg.
When it comes to cheese, your vegan options are endless. Experiment with
using nutritional yeast in your recipes or sprinkle it on top of your
favorite foods for an added cheesy flavor and nutritional boost. Buy a
commercial cheese or make your own. Vegan cheese brands include but are not
limited to: Follow Your Heart, Miyoko’s Creamery, Daiya, Chao, Treeline,
Kite Hill, Go Veggie, Violife, Punk Rawk Labs and Heidi Ho. Use Google to
find delicious vegan cheese recipes made from cashews or veggies.
Many of the items you have in your kitchen have a vegan version that is
available at most supermarkets. These items include, but are not limited to:
ice cream, yogurt, butter, coffee creamer, cream cheese and sour cream.
There is even delicious vegan mayonnaise. My personal favorite is Vegenaise
by Follow your Heart. Look for brands such as Beyond Meat (burgers &
sausages) and Gardein (chick’n, burgers, beefless crumbles, fishless filets
and more) to help you in your transition.
Get creative in the kitchen. Try making homemade veggie burgers, lentil
loaf, falafel or meatless meatballs. One Green Planet is an excellent
website for finding delicious vegan recipes. Try buffalo cauliflower for a
tasty and compassionate treat. Throw together a quick chickpea “tuna” salad
recipe from the Happy Herbivore using chickpeas, celery, relish, onion
powder, nutritional yeast, soy sauce and vegan mayo.
There has never been a better time to make the decision to go vegan. Replace
your favorite kitchen staples with a vegan version. Stop by your local
grocery store and try something new. Search online for exciting new recipes.
Visit a local vegan-friendly restaurant. Vegan options are everywhere! Keep
in mind that a healthy vegan diet includes a large variety of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Your options are endless.
Always focus on your why and the how will fall into place. Focus on helping
animals, protecting our environment and living a healthy and compassionate
life!
President, Rhode
Island VeganAwareness.org
Elite Miss Rhode Island 2019
Instagram: rivegan
Vegans Make A Difference is here to give vegans a voice! In STORIES, vegans relate why their choice became one of the most powerful decisions of their lives, rooted in the philosophy of compassionate living. They give touching and heartfelt testimonials of why we must expand the circle of compassion to our non-human friends, celebrating each and every one of them as unique and beautiful individuals.
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