Favorite Products

I'm new to the whole blogging scene & it didn't occur to me, until this morning, that I should probably put up a post about the new Favorite Products page (there is a permanent tab so you'll never have to search for them). I'll occasionally be adding to it, and shortly I'll be adding a resources page. I also promise to start sharing some great, easy recipes so stay tuned!

Veganism for weight loss?

People go vegan for a number of reasons but, in my experience, those who fully & successfully adopt it are those who educate themselves about how to do it properly. They also learn what the true health benefits are, what the actual cost is to the planet &, most especially, what the true cost is to other sentient beings.

 

What it is not, as many have come to believe through recent media coverage, is a fool proof way to lose weight. That is an added bonus for some people, when cutting out animal fat & processed foods. In truth, it's also easy to gain weight. My wife & I are living proof of that. In fairness, we quit Weight Watchers shortly after going vegan so our caloric intake went from greatly restricted, to zero restrictions.

 

However, we have greatly reduced our risk of countless diseases, & feel better physically & emotionally (colds have become rare & don't last as long as they once did. And it's done wonders for my chronic sinus problems), but calories are still calories & that's where the weight comes from.

 

I also LOVE to cook. I love it more than ever since going vegan. It's definitely made me more creative in the kitchen. Learning all over again how to bake & how to veganize dishes. Plus, discovering new ingredients & methods for using them has become invigorating. There truly is a vegan version of everything.

 

But I'm also a food addict. I can still eat cookies, cakes, donuts, ice cream, chips & dip, fries, pizza, burgers, "eggs," buttery (full fat) spreads.... All of them healthier than their omni versions, but too much of anything is going to put on weight. Going vegan is not a weight loss diet (it is also more than just food. It means refraining from all animal derived products, to the absolute best of your ability, from clothing to cleaning products. Diet alone, by definition, is a strict vegetarian).

 

Veganism is simply about peace & kindness. To the animals, the planet & your body. "Do no harm" is the single goal. In the world that we live in, it's not 100% achievable, but that doesn't mean to throw the baby out with the bath water. In reality, it's about compassion, which is more than just a sweet sentiment. Veganism = an ongoing act of compassion.

 

Absolutely, go vegan for the health benefits. Stay vegan for the benefit of everyone.