A little less than a year ago, I made the decision to become a vegetarian. Bored at work, I had started reading articles online about the horrible animal cruelty that has become so prevalent on America’s factory farms. Having grown up on a small farm in the Midwest, my idea of a cattle farm was vastly different from the ones I read about on animal welfare websites. I couldn’t believe the types of abuses that were commonplace on these large, industrialized farms. It broke my heart.
For almost 27 years I ignored it. I ignored the fact that the meat on my plate was once a living, breathing animal – a sentient being capable of love, joy, fear, curiosity, frustration and especially, pain. The more I read, the more I knew I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The choice to go vegetarian was something I contemplated for what seemed like a long time. I knew that for me it was the right thing to do, given my views on animal treatment, but at the same time I had so many questions:
Will one person going vegetarian actually make a difference anyway?
What will my (omnivore) family and friends think?
Where will I get my protein if I don’t eat meat?
How will this affect my life?
Can I even do it?
In short, despite my convictions, it wasn’t an easy decision, but one day I decided to commit to it. I haven’t looked back. In fact, I just continued to look forward.
Almost immediately after going vegetarian, I got involved with a local animal rights organization and started contemplating veganism. I knew I didn’t want to contribute to animal suffering, and the more I learned about the abuses that are so common in the egg and dairy industries, the more I felt like becoming a vegan was the right thing for me to do. However, the same questions presented themselves. As a lifelong lover of cheese and milk chocolate, I wasn’t quite sure I could do it. I mean, I really, REALLY loved cheese and chocolate.
I’m happy to report, however, that I finally did bite the bullet and commit to veganism, and I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself for it. I finally feel like I’m living my values. I’m doing something that’s good for my body, good for the environment, and most of all, good for animals. One person does make a difference, and even if you proved to me that it didn’t, I’d still be vegan because living what I believe in makes me feel good.
So, that’s my story. Stay posted for more info on factory farming, the animal rights movement (past and present), and veganism!
I like it!
Good for you. I’m glad you had the courage and decency to honestly contemplate and act on a difficult scenario. Glad that you upgraded to vegan
I went through some of the same things and thoughts that you did. I made the same choices.
Right is right. We live in a very self-serving, hedonistic society these days. Most folks look for daily excuses to violate ethics. It takes someone with character to challenge their habits or to dispel their ignorance. Few are willing to do this. Welcome to the elite (in a good way) club.
It’s the simple law of supply and demand. The more we pay for eggs, dairy, and meat, the more the supply increases. Obviously, this increases animal suffering. One person does make a significant difference.
When we cut demand, suppliers react by cutting down the supply.
Good job and keep up the good work. Always remember why you made the choice and you should be able to remain a vegetarian and perhaps even a vegan
Apollocreed: Thanks!
Perceptive: Thanks for commenting, and for welcoming me to the elite club! I am pretty excited to be a part of it.
Will one person going vegetarian actually make a difference anyway?
*Yes.
What will my (omnivore) family and friends think?
*They may think that you are completely weird and try to sneak me at into your meals. They may think it’s a fad and tell you you will be really sick if you don’t eat meat.
Where will I get my protein if I don’t eat meat?
*To be a healthy vegetarian you really need to make an effort cooking really balanced meals – eggs (free range) chick peas, lentils, nettle tea, spinach are some sources of protein. There are heaps of resources out there eg. peta website. What I found was that my meals were more interesting once I went vegetarian. More tasty.
How will this affect my life?
*You just have to make an effort with the cooking or else if you live on chips – as a lot of vegos might do – you’ll get really sick.
Can I even do it?
*Yes. but don’t be too militant about it. If you feel like eating meat and you can’t resist. Have a bit – think of it as weaning yourself off meat – or else you might end up just throwing in the towel later on.
I still eat eggs – don’t see the problem with it since I get them from a friend’s free range chickens that roam her backyard.