Nearly 18 months into the vegan lifestyle, I find myself distracted from some of the commitments I was so passionate about at first: maintaining this blog, watching documentaries like they were the only genre that existed, and signing up for every animal save demonstration and veggie fest within a day's drive. In some aspects I feel I have failed the cause, but there is one thing that hasn't changed: my commitment to eat only plant-based foods, use cruelty-free products whenever possible, and engage in conversation about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Every now and then I dream that I have fallen off the wagon and eaten a hamburger or chicken breast, or at least been tempted to. In those dreams I find myself reasoning that "what Joy doesn't know won't hurt her." You see, Joy is my accountability partner in this journey, and she too remains committed to a life of meatless eating. But I find that even in my dreams I remain true to my conviction and either decline to cheat, or feel remorseful if I do.
My reasons for remaining vegan are the same as the day I first began this journey. I love animals and find it unnecessary to kill them to feed or clothe my body. I want to be a part of the solution for climate change, not a contributor to it. And most importantly, I want to be the best me I can be -- healthy, strong, energetic, and filled with compassion toward all creatures great and small.
My dream is that others would dare to imagine that they really can beat their addiction to meat and cheese and give up animal-based products in favor of meatless alternatives, because I know that in so doing they would experience the freedom and joy of eating without guilt and the health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
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