5 Things Vegans Wish They Could Make You Understand in Under 5 Minutes

I AM VEGAN.

I choose to be vegan for reasons above my own health. Many think Veganism is a diet that’ll help you lose the pounds. I know many long-time vegans who aren’t necessarily skinny or lean but are healthy and just as beautiful, if not more.

Veganism does not start and end on our plates. It begins with an intention–a change in perspective. And we all know humans are not comfortable with change.

I was vegetarian for four years before I made the leap. When I stopped consuming animal flesh, I made it a goal to, one day, arrive at becoming Vegan. I believe it is a path you would have to choose to take and for you to arrive at your destination, you would have to go through the journey. The intention must be there even if the change does not happen overnight.

My reasons for becoming vegan are very, very close to my heart. I am a yoga teacher who wishes to spread the message BUT I find it a struggle to talk about why the whole world should be vegan because after 5 minutes or so, I start to crack and shed a tear (okay, I would probably bawl). It is a very sensitive topic for me to discuss but today, in tribute to the World Day for Farmed Animals, I am pouring my heart out and sharing with you the 5 things I wish I could tell people who think being vegan is extreme, ridiculous, unnecessary or all three at the same time. We often take jokes lightly and usually have a comeback but if you could only understand what the deeper reasons are, you just might take that joke back.

1. Animal flesh and byproducts are not necessary for you to survive, let alone be healthy. I am a hundred percent sure you would be much healthier eating a good balance of fruits and vegetables than consuming animal meat, eggs and dairy especially ones that are processed, cooked in oil and are salt or sugar-laden. There are no nutrients in animal products that you cannot find in plant sources.

2. Animal food products are made to look appetizing and no matter how bad your Dinuguan dish looks, you’re gonna have to trust that it’s at its prettiest state. Once animal flesh (or in Dinuguan’s case, blood and innards) is served on a plate, we forget what it used to be. We forget that what’s on our plates once had a face, once had a life and that the journey from farm factories to our dinner table is one filled with suffering, sadness and violence.

The word factory in itself already speaks of mass production. When there are too many, spaces are cramped, food and water are insufficient and the turnaround has to be quick. Conscious, living beings are treated as products—as objects. When we say quick turnaround time, we’re talking 3 months or less. And because we can’t wait, factories have to rush the growth of these babies and inject all sorts of chemicals to expedite the process—all of these on the food you eat. They are stepped on, held on their necks or feet, kicked, stabbed or hooked and sometimes are left to suffer for hours before they die.

Sadly, there is no “humane” way to kill an animal for food. There are always cries, there is always blood, and most of all there is always FEAR from someone who does not wish to die but is killed anyway. I refuse to take part in that violence. I refuse to have someone else sacrifice his/her life just so I could eat.

3. Ending up in our stomachs is not their life purpose. Don’t think that there will be an imbalance (too many cows, pigs, chickens or fishes on earth) if you don’t consume them. They are bred because the industry demands that much too many of them are born—and killed. They are bred so fast that their mothers suffer from giving birth too much, too often, too soon. In fact, we would save much more land area, way more water and energy if we stop supporting the meat, dairy and egg industries.

4. Compassion knows no specie. Your baby, your pet puppy, that piglet or calf—no difference.

5. We say it’s hard to give up CHEESE or BACON but do we ever think how hard it is for these animals to give up their LIVES? Yes, lives are lost in the production of cheese and eggs too. The animals go through the same amount of suffering as those who are slaughtered. Oh and they’re eventually killed too by the way, when they can no longer lay eggs or produce milk.

There are Vegan alternatives to nearly everything you eat. It’s a fun challenge to explore plant-based alternatives to your favorite meat dishes. Please don’t forget that seafood is MEAT too. After all, they do have flesh as well.

Although many still make jokes about one being Vegan, I’m happy to say that I’ve also talked to many who are interested in transitioning and making that change. There will always be one or two things that you would find hard to let go of (mine was milk chocolate and ice cream). The great news is that the Vegan Community in the Philippines is growing. I have been Vegan for 6 months now and I don’t think I will ever look back. The beautiful community called Manila Vegans has firmly supported me as I transitioned and is still supporting me now.

If you are interested in becoming vegan, join the group on Facebook. Ask away in the forums and you are sure to find all the answers you need from real people who live a life free from cruelty.

And since the intention is there, why not take at least 8 hours from your day today to Fast Against Slaughter? Join the Global Movement to raise awareness on the crushing truth about factory farms and animal slaughter.

Vegans, what other things do you wish you could make people understand in under 5 minutes? Let me know in the comments.

“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” (May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may my words, thoughts and actions contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom.)

Featured Image: myjdl.com