A little off topic...
6 months ago I was finishing off a block of cheddar cheese I had picked up only a week before at the grocery store. There was something about devouring that cheese so quickly that really grossed me out. I realized I had a problem, I was a cheesaholic. No joke! So, I quit... it ALL. I am proud to say that I am celebrating 6 months as a vegan!!! I never thought I could do it until that moment, but I'm in this for life.
The cheese wasn't the only thing leading up to the decision. I had been contemplating my eating choices following the death of my uncle Wayne at the beginning of the year. He had been diagnosed w/prostate cancer about 6 years ago. After that diagnosis, he immediately flew, with my aunt to Hawaii (where he is from) and sought the guidance of a friend who specialized in natural healing. In addition to island herbs and supplements, his program consisted of cutting out all animal products of his diet (being Hawaiian/Filipino his diet consisted largely of pork and white rice). When he came back from Hawaii and went to the doctor a few months later, his cancer numbers had dropped significantly and continued to drop. He lived on that whole foods/no animal product diet for years. Then slowly, in recent years, his discipline diminished and he was back to eating his much loved pork and white rice. Sadly, when he realized the cancer came back, it was too late.
Visiting my uncle Wayne and cousin Mica in Hawaii ('82)
Sorry to be depressing, but wanted to share why and how this cheese burger loving girl went vegan one day. It's actually been the easiest thing I've ever done! My decision to go vegan is just one of many things that are changing right now for me. I am also going through a split from my boyfriend. We've been together for almost 12 years. We dated then lived together for 6 years in NYC, then moved out here to California for another 6. No drama, it's just run it's course. I can say that I am thrilled to live on my own for the first time ever! (Not thrilled about braces during my first single time in YEARS!)
We are all going through major changes right now. I know some of you are feeling discouraged. I hope you can feel some empowerment over the fact that you decided to make your life better and it WILL BE. Don't lose heart!
Some wise words from the Dalai Lama:
"Never give up. No matter what is going on, never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy in your country is spent developing the mind instead of the heart. Be compassionate not just to your friends but to everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace in your heart and in the world. Work for peace and I say again, never give up. No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you. Never give up."
“Compassion is most important for happiness. We must treat fellow human beings as equal, that is very important, but also all beings who have capacity for feeling. So the innate desire for happiness that is the basis of human rights extends to all sentient beings, including animals and insects. There are now some individuals and organizations who care about animal rights and are showing concern about the suffering or torture of animals. I have noticed among ordinary people, out of their love and compassion, growing efforts for promotion of vegetarianism. These are the right kinds of expression of compassion, very positive and encouraging signs.”
Some of the things I am grateful for:
p.s. Terra I was inspired by your doggy post, to share mine! I love that you are Vegan too:)
chester
(i got chester from a woman who couldn't care for him and his sister ruby anymore)
ruby
(chester's sister)
pepita
(she's the baby. i got her from our vet's office. someone had dropped her off, not able to handle her. she's got HIGH spirits! part terrior i think.)
i know i'm not supposed to have favorites, but...
