Cooking without the use of animals is a great way to explore a variety of flavors and textures

Another year has gone by and Amy is still vegan. When she first started out, Amy was just trying to reduce her consumption of red meat. However, she ended up going all the way and becoming vegan.

Meatless Movement recently had a chance to chat with her.

Amy told us that, looking back, she regrets not making the switch sooner. She is so glad she finally made the change and am now living a healthier lifestyle.

Tell us more about yourself, please

My name is Amy, and I’m a native Californian. I didn’t grow up vegan, in fact it was the furthest thing from my mind. It was a slow and steady process for me. I went vegan for health and I have never looked back.

I started off trying to eat less red meat and this is where I ended up
Amy Ⓥ

I get mixed reactions when people find out I’m vegan. Most ask questions and are curious about what I eat. Some seem to be almost offended by my personal choice. It doesn’t bother me, to each their own…You do you! I’m just here to spread some vegan love. Here’s my story…

My only regret is not doing it sooner
Amy Ⓥ

If you would have asked me 20 years ago if I’d ever go vegan I would have laughed in your face. I loved my steaks bloody, and cheese was my favorite food group. I thought vegetarians were weak and couldn’t understand how one could survive on produce alone. I would never give up bacon and a fried chicken sandwich was life! My transition to a plant based lifestyle was slow and unintentional.

I remember hearing stories about the living conditions of chickens, the bloody and infected udders of a cow, and the fear that pigs felt before slaughter. What I didn’t know wouldn’t hurt me, my meat was clean and wrapped in plastic. As an animal lover and empathic human I justified my consumption of meat and dairy by thinking I was a superior being. It was easier to just turn a blind eye to it.

Throughout my early adult life I was plagued with different medical issues. My skin broke out constantly with rashes and acne, my digestion was all out of whack, and my weight fluctuated like the tides. I tried EVERY diet known to man and always ended back up at square one.

My 40’s were fast approaching. I couldn’t imagine entering the 2nd half of my life feeling like crap all the time. I craved a change. I started paying attention to what I was putting in my body and the direct effect on how it made me feel. I started reading labels and questioning what I was really consuming. Slowly, I began to change my relationship with food and it was no longer my enemy, but nourishment for my body.

Cue the documentaries! “Forks Over Knives” was a real “Game Changer” for me. I began to see the “Cowspiracy” behind what food was marketed to consumers. I was no longer “Milked” into believing that ” Eating Animals” was right for me. I felt “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” as I learned “What The Health” I was putting into my body. The more I learned, the better I ate. The better I ate, the better I felt.

Advice for budding vegans:

Seriously, why eat an animal when plants taste this good?!
Amy Ⓥ

Check the menu for plant based options before going out.
Buy a cookbook for ideas and put your own twist on them.
Take baby steps, transition slowly and go easy on yourself.
Eat the rainbow! Fill your plate with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

You don’t have to be vegan to reduce your meat and dairy intake. You don’t have to be vegan to make an impact. Wherever you are on your journey, congratulations for not following the norm. You are what you eat! So eat life…not death.