I’ve seen a handful of vegan documentaries including What the Health, Forks Over Knives and Vegucated. I recently watched H.O.P.E. What You Eat Matters and it is easily the best one I’ve seen. It is very thought out and well done. It’s not in your face or judgmental or scary like some documentaries might be. In my opinion, it’s honest and truthful, showing how important our food decisions are. It solidified for me why I’m vegan and why I will continue on this path.
I highly recommend everyone watches this movie. It’s about an hour and a half and touches on the aspects of our health, the environment, world hunger problems and the treatment of animals in our food industry. It also talks about the emotional intelligence of the animals that are very often seen as commodities. Even if you watch this and don’t go vegan overnight, I still feel that it’s important to learn about what happens to your body when you eat meat, dairy and eggs everyday, what is happening to our earth and how the majority of animals are really treated, specifically in factory farms. There are also former butchers and animal farmers discussing what they’ve seen. Knowledge is power and everyone deserves to know where their food is really coming from. The industry loves that people are ignorant to this information. If the industry can keep us disconnected from our food and seeing that food as an actual living being, they make more money. They want us to eat more meat, drink more milk, put cheese on everything. And in turn, the medical and pharmaceutical industries make money on sick people. According to real research, the more animal products in a person’s diet = more health problems. Obviously vegans have health problems too, it’s not a cure all, but there are so many stories of people who have reserved diseases such as heart disease, high cholesterol and type II diabetes by eating a plant-based diet.
I do recognize that there are people who are working in the animal agriculture industry who are great people and care about their animals. However, there are so many implications to eating a lot of meat for our bodies and the earth, that despite some animals being raised with care, I still believe vegan is best.
The other night, I was talking with Joe about all this while in tears. I struggle being the only one I know personally trying to raise their kiddos this way. I’ve tried meeting other vegans in Austin and I haven’t had luck yet. I feel alone sometimes in this. There are so many resources online including Facebook groups, YouTube videos and blogs, but it’s hard not having in-person support. Knowing someone else who is trying to go against the grain when it comes to eating, nutrition and raising kiddos. Joe’s comment to me was, “Changing the world is hard.” It’s hard to feel like my choices can really change the world, but they can. Every time I purchase food from the grocery store or a restaurant, I’m voting with my money. I’m saying whether or not it’s okay that this is happening to these animals and our planet. For me, it’s not okay anymore.
I know there are numerous other issues in our world including gun violence, sex trafficking, abuse, etc. I am not diminishing other issues. I believe God gave me a heart for this specific issue and that’s why I feel so passionate about it. I don’t want to come across as judgmental or arrogant. I want to try and share everything I’ve learned in the best way I know how. And that’s through this blog!
Please consider taking the time to watch the documentary below. Your choices DO matter and you can make a difference for yourself, others, animals and this planet.