Veganism

Learning Experience # 2

10/15/2010

Veganism-My Learning Experience

A vegan is someone who, for various reasons, has chosen to evade using or consuming animal products. Contrary to vegetarians, vegans choose not to use flesh foods as well as- dairy and eggs, honey, gelatin, fur, leather, wool, down, and cosmetics or chemical products that are tested on animals. Veganism is the natural extension of vegetarianism, and according to proactive vegans, it is an “integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle.” From what I’ve read, Veganism is “a dedication to helping animals, the environment, and human health by educating the public about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and encouraging the spread of vegan food options through public outreach campaigns.” By being vegan, it provides a number of benefits to animals’ lives, to the environment and to our own health by living healthy lifestyle. There are several strategies to easing oneself into a vegan diet. Some people transition into a vegan lifestyle slowly by the means of vegan ‘analogues’- plant-based foods whose taste resembles animal products. However, others simply take out the animal products from their diet entirely and replace them with plant foods that they are already familiar with. I on the other hand, did not waste any time “transitioning” into my pure vegetarian diet (Vegan Action).

I chose to try veganism for four days, and within those four days, a great deal of appreciation grew; I began to really appreciate the diet that I ordinarily had- that including meat and dairy specifically. I found that after the second day of my experiment, I really began to crave the things that I usually didn’t think twice about. Along with avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs, I also pledged to not wear my favorite leather boots (which I normally wear at least twice a week). Even the little things, such as leaving my favorite Indian-stitched leather boots in my closet cubby was a difficulty in of itself. Not only did my...