So, What's Next?

Nearly four and a half months ago Joy and I decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, eating no meat and changing many of the products we use, such as household cleaners and cosmetics, to ones not tested on animals. In mid-May, after watching a few eye-opening documentaries, we started the 30-Day Vegan Challenge.  Even before completing the challenge we decided to make veganism our choice for life.  On July 31, 2016, we became activists, attending Smithfield Pig Save, our first peaceful protest against the slaughter of animals for food.

So, what's next for us in this new vegan adventure? What is our vision...our passion... as we continue this journey?

For starters, we want to raise awareness of the health benefits of a whole food, plant-dased diet, and continue our fight against rampant and unnecessary animal abuse and cruelty.  We want to educate others concerning the harmful environmental effects of factory farming.  We want those we know and love to see that there is a more peaceful and compassionate way of feeding our families -- a plant-based way of living that will not only improve our health but also preserve the environment for generations to come.  And we want to see animals saved from the atrocities committed against them by those of our own species.

What are our plans for accomplishing these goals?  They are simple, really:

• Continue educating ourselves so we can put together educational programs to share with others
• Volunteer and align ourselves with organizations and individuals who desire to do the same
• Attend vegan festivals and advocate for animal rights every chance we get
• Continue sharing our journey with friends, loved ones, and folks we've yet to meet, both through our website and in presentations to groups that have an interest in learning more about what it means to be vegan

Would you help us by praying for open doors and by letting others know about our mission and our website?  If you know of a group that might be interested in hearing about the health and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle, would you please tell them about us? 

We're not asking for money.  We aren't selling products.  But we are seeing great benefits of this lifestyle change -- not just for us, but for our planet and the creatures who share it with us.  We believe strongly enough in its benefits that we want to share them with others.

Be an agent of change by joining us on this journey.  If you have questions, or if we can encourage you in any way, please email us at feelingveggiegood@gmail.com.

For life...for the animals...for a better world!

Dee Dee and Joy

Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

The Numbers Are In -- Change Is Good

After Joy and I finished up the 30-Day Vegan Challenge I decided to have my cholesterol re-checked to determine how much improvement there has been since adopting a whole food, plant-based diet. In many of the documentaries we have watched to-date, including Vegucated and PlantPure Nation, people switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet reported amazing improvements in their weight, cholesterol, and overall health.  Since my total cholesterol and LDL levels had moved into the elevated range at my last physical in December 2015, I was eager to see how things have changed in the past six months and, in particular, since making the switch to a plant-based diet in April of this year.  Drumroll, please....

Overall, I am pleased with my results.  The weight and triglycerides still need a bit of tweaking, but I am thrilled that I am within normal ranges and finally losing weight!

Bottom line:  I have finally found what works for me and am enjoying the benefits of better health, greater compassion, and a heightened awareness of world around me.  I am living proof that positive changes can have positive results.  The best is yet to come!!





Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

The First Day of the Rest of My Life: A Letter to Friends and Family

To my friends and family reading this, a lot of you may not know that on April 4th I went Vegetarian and on May 18th I started the 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Yesterday, was the end of the 30-Day Vegan Challenge and today is the first day of the rest of my life.

A couple of months ago I started watching various "what I eat in a day" videos on YouTube and stumbled across some "what I eat in a day vegan videos." I became interested and was determined that upon returning from a Spring Break trip I would go vegan. Well, that didn't exactly happen.

When I returned from Tennessee and Arkansas on this Spring Break trip, I watched the documentary Vegucated. My eyes were instantly opened and I decided that I was definitely going to go vegetarian and maybe later on I would go vegan. I then proceeded to watch Forks Over Knives, Cowspiracy, Plant Pure Nation, etc. It was after watching Plant Pure Nation, that I decided that I was going to take the 30-Day Vegan Challenge that I had seen on Cowspiracy's website. I realized that being vegetarian wasn't enough, and I didn't have any valid excuse to not go vegan.

“Veganism is not a sacrifice. It is a joy.” -Gary L. Francione

Over the past  few months I have become aware of how we're really treating our animals and how it's having devastating impacts on the earth. I've really had a shift of perspective and I've even become a little passionate. I could go into the horrific truths of factory farming, animal cruelty, animal testing, the destruction of forests  and extinction of species due to the meat and dairy industries but I won't. But I would highly recommend and encourage you to watch Vegucated, Cowspiracy, and Forks Over Knives. Or at least watch Vegucated and Cowspiracy (all three are on Netflix and listed on our Links & Resources page).

When I first wanted to go vegan, before I ended up going vegetarian, it was mainly because I thought it was cool and I figured I could lose some weight. To be honest I really didn't know what it meant to be a vegan. And after I found what it meant, I realized I didn't care about losing weight or looking cool. I wanted to go vegan for the animals and for the earth. I'm now living inline with my core values and it feels amazing.

For anyone who has heard about veganism or seen vegans, you may have seen some negativity towards non-vegans. And yes, there are vegans out there who will single you out and make you feel like crap for eating meat and drinking milk. But there are also vegans out there who will inspire you to want to go vegan. They will uplift and encourage you, not tear you down. I hope to become a vegan who encourages and inspires. I say hope to become a vegan, because I don't consider  myself fully vegan yet. I will consider myself vegan when I use my last animal tested product.

I'm sad that I didn't know about this earlier, but I'm glad that I found out about it now. I will most likely make mistakes along the way, but I will not compromise my values to spare someone else's feelings. I cannot wait to get my first vegan t-shirt, go to my first vegan festival, and visit my first animal sanctuary. I truly feel so happy and healthy. And I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me.

All my love,

Joy


Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

I'm a Vegan, Not a Freak

Two months ago, before I became a vegetarian, I would roll my eyes and mumble something under my breath if someone told me, "I am a vegetarian."  In my mind I would label them "hippie," "weirdo," or possibly even "freak."  Then I became one. Oddly, I didn't feel strange or eccentric or quirky -- I just felt BETTER -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually -- about my decision to give up meat and animal products in favor of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes.

As Joy and I finish up our  free 30-day vegan challenge today I can honestly say that deciding to embark on this adventure has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Over the past thirty days I have learned so much about healthy nutrition and supplements, how to live with greater compassion for animals and people, and the effects of our choices on the environment.

The 30-day challenge is not the end, but rather the beginning for me. As odd as it may seem to those who know me -- the coffeeholic and lover of Memphis barbecue, Gibson's donuts, and southern-fried catfish -- I joyfully choose to remain vegan, taking control of my own health by making better dietary choices and doing what I can to help the planet and all of God's creatures...human and non-human...who share it with me.

I am a vegan, not a freak -- but rather a newer, improved version of the person you've always known.Be happy for me and if you dare, click HERE to take the 30-day vegan challenge. Invite a friend along for the adventure.

Joyfully,

Dee Dee



Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

I'm Not Perfect (Day 10 Update)

I am not perfect. I'm not 100% Vegan (although some day I hope to be). I'm not using all cruelty-free products, because I have to finish using up the products I currently have. However, in the future I intend to only purchase cruelty-free and vegan products. I don't feel like I can call myself vegan yet, all I can say is: I've adopted a vegan diet, and plan to turn it into a vegan lifestyle. I've probably made some mistakes and I'm sure I'll make more. I may eat something in the future that contains milk or butter and won't realize/know that until after I've eaten it.

“Being vegan is not about rules or doctrine. It’s not about restriction or self-denial.”
― Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

 Being vegan is not about being perfect. Instead, it's striving to do everything you can to help the earth, and all the animals you share it with.

“It's a pretty amazing to wake up every morning, knowing that every decision I make is to cause as little harm as possible. It's a pretty fantastic way to live.”
― Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Today marks day 10 on The 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Double digits . . . wooh hoo! I've been loving it. I look forward to receiving that e-mail each morning with either a video or audio message for that day. I feel like I can be meat and dairy free for the rest of my life! I love eating vegan-friendly entres knowing that no animals suffered just so I could satisfy my appetite. Knowing that I'm not giving money to a horrible industry. Knowing that I'm treating the earth with more kindness. It's an awesome feeling. I'm happy and feel healthy. I plan to update every 10 days while on this 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Look out for more updates!

"Why are you vegan?" - Because I listen to my heart not my habits

          --- Source: pinterest 

Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com