Defining Veganism

Let’s get down to basics and address why we are pro veganism and what it is all about.

What Does It Mean?

Very shortly and officially, veganism (as defined by Wiki) is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals.

For us, veganism is one of the main principles and values in life. It is about making conscious choices to leave the least possible negative footprint behind while enjoying the rich world of delicious and various plant-based meals. It’s about caring for sentient beings, no matter if they are in front of our eyes or hidden behind the scenes.

Why Go Vegan?

If you are not yet vegan, you may be puzzled: why do so many people become vegans these days? Is it a cult? A fashion? I believe many vegans face these questions from non-vegans. I did (and still do) get aт avalanche of such questions myself.

The idea that veganism is just a fashion is far from the truth. With the abundance of information nowadays, more and more people every day become aware of the consequences of the farming industry on the environment, our health, and, most importantly, on animals themselves.

Nowadays, our society is highly focused on human rights, human needs, and individualistic values. As a result, no surprise that we discriminate against other species. We simply don’t ‘have time’ to add ‘new problems’ to our lives. And since animals cannot speak up to attract our attention to the struggles they go through, we can easily brush off their significance.

Yet, each of us believes we are kind and compassionate, and I am confident that it is true of humankind in general. We have a deep desire to do good to fellow creatures and would not harm others unnecessarily. This is why many people donate for a good cause they feel connected to, participate in volunteering activities, give a buck to a beggar on the street, and take a pet from a shelter. At the same time, so many of us actively contribute to the unnecessary suffering of other fellow beings (farmed animals). We are so busy with our lives that we don’t even stop for a moment to grasp the significance of this unconscious behavior.

Stop for a moment to think about it: where is this piece of meat on your plate coming from?

Isn’t it a product of a cruel, painful death of a living being? Is there such a thing as the humane killing of a being that does not wish to die?

Animal products consumption is:

unnecessary – we do not need animal products to thrive – in fact, we are better off without them. It is already proven by many scientific studies that primarily whole food plant-based diet is the most beneficial for our health on every stage of development (Might a Vegan Diet Be Healthy, or Even Healthier?, NCBI);
unhealthy – we overload our bodies with an excess of animal products, lacking essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This results in inflammation and many chronic diseases, e.g. coronary heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and many more (Modern Diet and its Impact on Human Health, Animal Products and their Potential Impact on Risk of Certain Diseases);
cruel – meat and dairy production comes at a cost of a miserable life for each farmed animal leading to a brutal slaughter (Factory Farming: Misery for Animals, Industrial farming is one of the worst crimes in history);
unsustainable – animal agriculture has a tremendous negative impact on the environment through the usage of the land, water, fossil fuels, and methane emission (Livestock’s Long Shadow);
psychologically disturbing – growing in a meat-eating society creates cognitive dissonance within each of us (a contradictory belief that it’s ok, for example, to eat a pig, but not a dog). This creates a heavy burden on the conscience, leading to a desire to escape discomfort and turn away from moral responsibilities (What the ‘meat paradox’ reveals about moral decision making). products

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
― Margaret Mead

Which Foods are Vegan (and Which Ain't)

Now that we clarified why people become vegans, let’s figure out what foods are actually vegan and which are not. Vegans consume plant-based foods and restrain from all animal products. That is animal flesh, any other part of animal bodies, including secretions like milk and the products made of such substances.

There is a mistaken belief that all vegans eat is just grass or salad. Most of us actually consume a wide variety of plant-based foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutritiously high foods. Legumes, grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, and products derived from them are the base of a plant-based diet. The tastes can vary incredibly, depending on the products and spices used. Check out yourself the recipes presented on our page, in the books, or other sources (like youtube or vegan recipe blogs).

Other Sides of Veganism

Many people mistakenly suppose that veganism is only about the food choice: plant-based over animal food. However, this movement is much more than that. The ethical decision to be conscious and not support animal cruelty is applied in every area of life. It’s about posing a question: is my choice moral? Has any animal suffered for me to enjoy my purchase/action? It’s about remembering that we do have a voice. We either support the industries that abuse animals, or we vote for more ethical companies and slowly push the cruelty off the market.

It’s just like political elections: separately, our vote may not be so significant, but we gain incredible power when we unite with the like-minded!

The most significant areas of animal cruelty nowadays, aside from animal farming:

fur and clothing industries (e.g., leather clothing and accessories);
zoos, oceanariums, and circuses;
pets that are removed from their natural environment;
cosmetics: using animal-derived products in manufacturing and testing on animals;
bloodsports: dogfights, bullfights, hunting, fishing;
pharmaceuticals: most of the commercial drugs have been researched and tested on animals, many include products of animal abuse.

How Can You Contribute to The Change?

It is no surprise that we often find excuses for change. It is terrifying to take a step in the new direction, unknown and unfamiliar. It may be especially frightening and even impossible to create a habit without having information at hand on how to do it correctly.

Luckily, there are so many books written, videos shot, and articles composed in the topic of veganism that can assist you if you decide to take a step. You can also contact us for a free first nutrition consultation on a sustainable and healthy transition to veganism.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Easy steps towards the change you could start making today:

Check out delicious and wholesome recipes we created for you here;
Find help on building healthy dietary habits here;
Find books we recommend for taking a responsible step towards a balanced diet here;
Contact us for a free personal consultation on vegan nutrition;
Shop for vegan supplements online at iHerb (use promo code BDA8290 for 10% off first order);
Find ethical and cruelty-free cosmetic brands at iHerb (use promo code BDA8290 for 10% off first order) or look for vegan and cruelty-free products next time you buy cosmetics;
Look for ethical alternatives to leather accessories. This brand we tried ourselves and absolutely love it for the durability and high quality.

Wherever you are in this journey, just remember that every little step counts. It is not about perfectly sticking to all the above but about making the most of one’s situation. No one is perfect, but together, with little changes, we can make a difference!

Remember that veganism is the easiest step we all can take to make the biggest positive change in our health, the environment, and fellow beings.