Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose.
— The Vegan Society

My journey into a plant-based lifestyle began in 2005 while I was studying in college. I practiced not eating meat for several years before finally commiting to veganism in 2013. Fast forward to now and this lifestyle has inspired me to eat more consciously and has made me more aware of the process of how food gets to my plate. I started this blog to create a space for inspiration and a way help teach others about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. To me, a whole foods plant-based lifestyle isn’t about sacrifice or restriction, it’s about being fully nourished without causing harm to centient beings. It gives me a sense of fulfillment and pride knowing that I’m standing up for the voiceless. 

So Why Vegan you ask?

Because we have the ability to make a difference in this world! One simple change in our lifestyle can benefit our health, environment and help save animals from slaughter. By simply choosing to eat food that is healthier for us, we can change the trajectory of our world for generations to come. Luckily, going vegan is becoming more mainstream and there are tons of learning resources out there, making it easier than ever before! Just think, every time we shop or order food in a restaurant and literally every time we eat, we are casting a vote for what we want. It’s all about economics y’all! When the demand increases, the supply subsequently follows.

FOR OUR HEALTH:

We now know that there is a link between cancer and consuming meat & dairy according to the World Health Organization, as processed meat and dairy are known carcinogens. The American diet consumes a staggering amount of animal products which are high in saturated fats and hormones making it extremely hard on our bodies to process. Meals are generally built around meat as the focal point, but the good news is that it’s very easy for us to get the nutrients we need to stay healthy just by eating plants! 

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:

There’s no denying that animal farming and agriculture has an alarming impact on the planet. Did you know that in 2019 there were 72 billion animals slaughtered just for food!? The United States alone uses 34-74 billion gallons of water for animal agriculture and most of the crops that are grown here are for the animals to eat. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-Animal Agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction. 

-Livestock covers 45% of the planet’s total land.

-1-2 acres of rainforest are cleared every second to make more room for animal agriculture. 

-Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

-5% of the water consumed in the US is by private homes, and 55% of water consumed in the US is for animal agriculture.

Wherever you are on your journey, I hope this helps you! I am putting together some resources to have on my blog for reference. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

If you are just starting out on your journey or need some insight, here’s a link to get my FREE VEGAN ESSENTIALS RESOURCE PDF sent directly to your email address! :)

With love,

Chenoa xo