Evolution.
For some people – switching to a veggie or vegan diet /
lifestyle is something that they achieve pretty much overnight. And if you are an ‘all or nothing’ character
this may well be the best way for you.
For me, however, (a person who likes to learn things for
themselves and consider all the evidence), it was a little different. When I
look back now I see a gradual awakening that saw me progressing through a 5
year evolution from meatie to veggie to vegan - where I am now.
SO how did it all start? Well, I’ve always been a keen cook
and taken an interest in what’s in my food, But my evolution started when I met
my husband and I needed to cook more healthily in order to help him manage his
type 2 diabetes.
I read labels incessantly and learned very quickly that most
types of manufactured / processed foods were laden with a whole host of alien ingredients
that we simply didn’t want to consume. So I began cooking even more meals from
scratch using simple fresh ingredients. At the same time I became increasingly
aware of the widespread use of drugs and pesticides in food manufacture and
decided to eat (as far as I could) only organically produced foods (meat, fish
and vegetables).
To this end we even moved out of our beloved city centre
apartment so that I could have a garden and start growing our own vegetables –
which I did with an unexpected passion – up to 120 varieties of vegetables,
salads, herbs and fruits each year! Anyone who has grown their own produce will
know that it really does taste difference and picking something and eating it 5
minutes later simply can’t be beaten!
We also decided to keep some chickens and came across the
BHWT from whom we rescued 4 ex-battery hens. We loved (and still love) looking
after them and enabling them to have a chance at a happier life. It was at this
time that we decided to join in with the Meat Free Monday ethos and although not
always on a Monday, we did, for 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 days a week, refrain
from eating meat and fish. We loved it.
But when my best friend of 33 years was diagnosed with and
succumbed to an aggressive cancer – all our lives changed even
more. We both frantically researched, looking for answers as to why this had
happened and how she could be helped through a change in diet. In my ensuing
grief and anger I became even more driven to uncover the truth about our food
production. I also resumed my MSc in Health Science. Sally had read the ‘China
Study’ and had given up beef and dairy and this became a starting point for me delving
deeper into the nature of meat production.
It was whilst looking into meat production methods and
understanding more about where animals (such as our ex-bat chickens) had come
from and what they go through, that the issue of animal welfare started to
become a key issue for me. The more research I did, the more video footage of
horrific farm abuses I saw and the more time I spent with my own intelligent animals,
I just knew that Ino longer wanted to eat meat or fish. I could no longer
contribute to an industry that was based on pain, suffering, exploitation and
ultimately killing.
I was nervous about telling my husband Dave – but I shouldn’t
have been. He had listened to me recounting info and stories about food
production and animals every day and was totally unsurprised by my decision and
wanted to become vegetarian with me. So at the end of 2011 we made the switch.
I knew instantly that we’d done the right thing. I worried
that the transition might be tough – what about foods like bacon? All meaties
love bacon right?!... So we tried the plethora of meat substitutes that are on
the market and this did ease the transition to the stage where I used them for
convenience occasionally, but not through necessity. Instead I found that my recipe repertoire expanded
so quickly that I didn’t need to use faux meats.
But looking back on 2012, something was still niggling me. I
loved being vegetarian – I didn’t find it difficult at all. I didn’t miss meat
one bit because I had so many new foods to try it was absolutely liberating!
Still in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to do more.
By this stage I had changed all of our household products
and personal toiletries from not only organic but to eco friendly, containing
no animal-derived ingredients and never tested on animals. I vowed never to buy
any leather products, feather filled products, wool, silk or fur ever again.
Still there was something niggling.
I was continuing to do research into animal welfare issues whilst
‘armchair’ campaigning. I re-homed 2 dogs who became our absolute best friends
and I sought out work in an animal sanctuary / rescue environment (I’m now a QVT
at the Donkey Sanctuary).
Then 2 things happened. I saw a video called a ‘calf and a
half’ about milk production at one of Cadbury’s dairy farms and I watched a
lecture by Gary Yourofsky. After that every time I poured milk into my coffee I
felt guilty. Every time I ate cheese – it no longer seemed to taste as good –
and this was weird because David and I had been those very people you hear say ‘oooh
I can be vegetarian but I couldn’t give up cheese!!’ and every time I saw an
egg, Gary’s words ‘hen period’ (you need to watch the video) rang in my ears.
That was it.
For these, and for so many other reasons, I
knew that I needed to follow a vegan diet AND a vegan lifestyle. So this year
(2013) that’s what we did. And as the headlines about horsemeat and health
risks of eating dairy etc etc kept pouring in – we felt that we’d made the best
decision – possibly of our lives.
Hand on heart , I felt an actual sense of relief the day I
became vegan.
Some of that relief I believe, comes from an innate ‘knowing’
(that I’m sure all humans have deep down), that using and eating other species,
is, quite simply, morally wrong.
It is wrong because it isn’t necessary for our survival (in most
ways it’s detrimental to our survival) and it inflicts unimaginable suffering
and pain on our fellow species - who can think, feel and hurt, just as we do.
ALL species have the absolute right to live a peaceful existence on this
planet.
Becoming vegan made me feel like saying a million clichés –
the penny had dropped, the cloud had lifted etc etc. and this is something that
you hear repeatedly when others share their story of how they too became vegan.
I do wish I had done it years ago and I also wish I had done
it more quickly. But, I also know that, for me, this gradual evolution has
taken me to a point where, no matter what, I will categorically never revert.
But like I said at the beginning of this piece, if you have
a mind to, then going from meatie to vegan overnight CAN be done. Just jump right
in and ask the questions later – you won’t be disappointed, because I can
assure you that the positive physical and emotional impact will be immediate.
It will be the best, and most important life change you ever make.
Chantal xx
