5 reasons to go vegan....5 fun ways to do it

1. Health

In a world where we are presented with hundreds of different messages in regards to health, weight loss and dieting, it is helpful to stick to an eating plan that focuses on 1 simple rule EAT WHOLE FOODS.
There is a large amount of evidence to suggest that a vegan or strict vegetarian diet can assist in controlling weight and in the prevention of illness and disease.  The American  Heart association suggests that “vegetarians seem to have a lower risk of obesity, coronary heart disease (which causes heart attack), high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer”.

My primary reason for switching to a vegetarian and subsequently a vegan diet was originally to improve my general health. With the risk of sounding cliché, cutting out meat and dairy drastically increased my energy levels and I noticed that my often sensitive digestive system was beginning to settle down. It is extremely common these days to hear people complain of food intolerance and allergic reactions. By no means do I claim to be an expert on the body or its complex workings. However, I can be an honest judge of my own health and recognise that making small changes such as switching to Soy Milk, cutting out cheese and excluding red meat from my diet, has done wonders for my overall health and wellbeing.

A vegan diet is made up of only foods from plants: fruits, vegetables, legumes (dried beans and peas), grains, seeds and nuts. It can be varied and exciting, inventive and nutritionally rich!
Protein and iron sources can all be sufficiently accessed through a plant based diet, and the AHA states that vegetarians absorb and retain more calcium from foods than non vegetarians through such foods as spinach, broccoli and legumes. Who would have thought!!

2. Ethics/cruelty free

It is a pretty great feeling to know that no animals were harmed or killed in the making of my meal.
Factory farming and unlawful meat production is a very real issue which is often masked or downplayed by the mainstream media. It is worth taking the time to do some research and inform yourself about how your meat came to be on your table at dinner time. Highly recommended books such as the Omnivores dilemma or Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals’ are great reads to get us thinking about what we are putting in our mouths and who is suffering for our pleasure. 

3. Environment

I’m sure all of us are at least somewhat concerned with the very real impacts of global warming! UN’s top climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri states that “People should consider eating less meat as a way of combating global warming. UN figures suggest that meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport.”

By eating a diet of plant based foods, we are reducing the demand for mass produced animals and subsequently decreasing the devastating effect that factory farming is having on our planet.
Check out the short video ’Making the connection’ which addresses these issues. 

4. Self Sustainability

Now I recognise that some of us do not have the luxury of a fully fledged veggie garden in our backyards, but think small steps!! It is amazing the satisfaction you can get from watching your little seedlings grow into juicy red tomatoes, colourful chillies and fresh herbs! Using your home grown veggies or spices  to produce a nutritious, organic meal is rewarding beyond belief(kind of like producing your own artwork as a child from simply mud and water). A friend has kindly donated the picture below of her home veggie patch.

5. Oprah did it!!! (if you aren't convinced by the first 4 reasons...) 
Take-a-Vegan-Challenge

1.
is an achievable goal for all of us! Stay tuned for some great vegetarian recipes!!

2. Grow your own 

  Check out the following link on how to create your very own veggie patch/ potted herbs @ www.VeganOrganic.net

3.Attend the Sydney  cruelty free festival

4.Bake a batch of cupcakes from ‘vegan cupcakes take over the world’

5.Go out for a vegan meal.
Check out Happy Cow for a list of vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants