That's right! It is possible to improve your health and the environment, and still enjoy your favorite foods. Not everyone can, wants to, or should become a full-time vegan. But reducing your intake of meat and other animal products is the only responsible choice for your body and for the Earth. Think about it - if 1000 people become half-vegan, that's equivalent to 500 new vegans in the world, and that will make a difference.
How do I become half-vegan?
It's simple. Every day, have one vegan meal, one vegetarian meal, and one meal of your choice (anything from vegan to steak+eggs+jello!). Keep your between-meal snacks vegan as well. Vary which meal you choose to make vegan. You do not have to be exact - if one day you have to skip your vegan meal, work in an extra one in the next 2 days. On occasion, go a whole day as a vegan or vegetarian - you'll find it's easier than you expect! If you get more comfortable and find yourself attracted to vegan ideals, switch your meat consumption to every other day, or only a couple times a week. Health Reasons
* Vegetarian women are less than one-fourth as likely as meat-eaters to get breast cancer, while vegetarian men have a 46 percent lower chance of suffering a heart attack. In addition, a vegetarian diet helps prevent strokes, osteoporosis, kidney stones, many cancers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney disease, peptic ulcers, hernias, obesity, gallstones, hypertension, asthma, and many other diseases
* Eating vegan meals is an automatic cholesterol-cutter, since only animal products contain cholesterol. A cholesterol level below 150 essentially rules out heart disease.
*One 21-year-long study that compared meat-eaters and vegetarians showed that the greater the meat consumption, the greater the death rate from all causes combined.
* Meat contains accumulations of pesticides and other chemicals up to 14 times more concentrated than those found in plant foods.
* The reality is that the average American takes in twice the amount of protein he or she needs. Excess protein has been linked with osteoporosis, kidney disease, calcium stones in the urinary tract, and some cancers.
* You are guarenteed to feel more energetic after a vegan meal!
Be good to trees and cows
Environmental Reasons
* Animal agriculture takes a devastating toll on the earth. It is an inefficient way of producing food. 70% of the grain harvested in America is used to feed farmed animals. Much of this grain could and should be used to feel people. Yet we will allow 60-65 million people on the planet to starve to death this year.
* More than half of all the water used in the US is used to raise and kill animals for meat. Waste produced by the animals pollutes our water.
* Forests are destroyed all over the world to create pastures for livestock. For every person that becomes vegetarian, an acre of trees is saved each year.
* The meat industry is second only to automobiles in terms of environmental destruction.
* You don't even want to know about the cruel and disgusting things they do to the animals that are raised for their products.
Vegan Foods
There are tons of vegan foods out there, and lots of awesome meals you can create. If you frequently cook meals in your own kitchen, grab a vegan cookbook and start experimenting. When purchasing food at the grocery store, just check the ingredients label on foods you are unsure about - if no animal products are listed, it's vegan! For balanced vegan meals, sample foods from all over the
vegan food pyramid.
Browse online for vegan recipes. When at a restaurant, ask the waiter about vegan options.
Suggestions: MY FAVE VEGAN FOODS
Craving a sweet treat? Try some chocolate Silk soy milk, or some of the best cookies I've ever tasted: Alternative Baking Company
Being half-vegan is not just about food - it's about respecting our Earth. Other ways to do so:
* Don't buy products that have been tested on animals
LINKS
I found a lot of my information from these links - check them out for additional vegan info!
* Make the trip to the recycling bin instead of just tossing your recyclables in the trash
* Bring your own bags to grocery stores. When at the mall, don't accept a new bag from each store - use your first one or one you brought. Reuse items and reduce waste in general!!!
* Spread the word about veganism!!
