World Vegan Month: I went vegan because...

Happy World Vegan Month...

A blog post not about Motherhood? Yes I do occasionally write those haha and this one is something I am very passionate about. I have been vegan now for almost 3 years and those who read my blog/follow me on social media will know I am also raising my girls vegan (with the full support of my husband/their dad who is also trying to make the transition). With this in mind as World Vegan Day (1st November) and World Vegan Month (November) rolled around I really wanted to celebrate it on my blog a long with some fellow vegans. I have wrote a very long winded blog post on Veganism before with tips on going vegan, reasons for being vegan and busting myths attached to being vegan, I did not want this to be a repeat of that (I will link that post at the end). I more wanted this post to be plain and simple; why do we do what we do? Why are so many people choosing to live plant-based and raise their children plant-based? Why go vegan? Well get ready because myself and some other remarkable vegans are going to tell you why we made the BEST decision of a lifetime. 

I went vegan because... 

I guess I should start with myself. I went vegan because I learnt the reality of consuming animal products. In all honesty it started with meat giving me severe morning sickness so that was gone, it then went onto finding out my daughter was allergic to dairy (now with the information I know I would say it's just because that cow milk is NOT for humans but I am getting off track). Then from this I delve into the world of veganism, gained more knowledge and soon eggs were gone, honey was gone etc Anything and everything that could cause harm to animals, gone! I fell into Veganism and it was the best decision I ever made for both myself and my two daughters who I am also raising vegan. It has done wonders for my health and I have two very healthy little girls; I know it is doing good for the animals and is 100% the best way to look after our planet and battle climate change. Started off as just a lifestyle change for minor reasons and now I am a vegan activist for the animals, for the planet and for my health (and the health of my daughters of course). 

Lisa (aka The Viet Vegan), 29, Canada 

"I was initially vegetarian to help with my eczema, but I went vegan because I learned that unlike what we were told in school, cows don't need to be milked, they produce milk like any other mammal: when they are pregnant. Their babies can't drink the milk when humans drink it, so their babies become the veal industry, and the cows endure a lot of trauma from repeating that process over and over. After learning that and the impact of animal agriculture on the planet, I transitioned over a year and discovered that eating vegan can be easier than you think and is a great way to live in line with your values".

Claudia, 22, Lincoln England

"I went vegan because I failed miserably at sober October. I wanted to attempt dry January and whilst researching things to stop consuming for a whole month I saw an advert for 'Veganuary'. I thought that this was more realistic for me since I was a student in my second year of uni where the drinking culture was rife. I completed 'Veganuary' and realised how easy it was! So I stuck at it and now two and a half years later I haven’t stopped. Began as a challenge and stayed for the animals, environment and health".

Tyler, 24, Aberdeenshire

"Why I went vegan: I have always been very health conscious since joining the Army so I’ve always been interested in eating a healthy diet and putting the best foods into my body, the more research I did the more I was seeing the health benefits of eating a varied plant based diet and the more I was seeing the serious health risks of eating animals and their byproducts. I watched documentaries such as What The Health and that was it I committed to going fully vegan. So the first reason I went vegan was for my health but then I learned the horrors of the meat and dairy industry and how unnecessary it is for these animals to suffer for my taste pleasure".

Joel, 25, Aberdeen

"I went vegan because I realised my reasons to eat animals were non consistent. After we got our first cat I began to question how I could love one animal and accept that she feels pain and could suffer but ignore the fact that billions of animals were killed for me to eat food. It was all very sudden and I went vegetarian for a few months with aim to go vegan. I had always known that bad things went on in animal agriculture but, like a lot of people, I told myself that my meat came from some suffering free fantasy land. I quickly realised that there is  no good reason for an animal to die for me to continue living. I phased out all animal products and then changed cleaning products/household products I use and then toiletries. This was all over a few months".

Shania, 19, Aberdeenshire

"I went vegan for many reasons. I am an animal rights supporter, killing animals or hurting them in any form is wrong and killing cannot be humane. Climate change is the biggest reason as it is the biggest issue of our generation ad will be for generations to come, this is mostly down to the meat and dairy industry. I do not want to be part of this, I want to be part of giving younger generations the opportunities and experiences we have- instead of facing the consequences of our actions through climate change. Lastly, veganism solves all my skin problems (when I eat healthy) and vegan food in Glasgow is ace, more choice and easier". 

Keely, 24, Edinburgh.

"I went vegan for many reasons, it started to do with my health, I wanted to feel better on the inside and do my body some good. I then watched a vegan documentary and that’s when being vegan became less about myself and more about animal welfare and the environment. In short I cannot justify eating a dead animal or torturing an animal for what it can give me (eggs, milk etc) I see them as living things and cannot believe I ever felt any different before! last but not least, the meat and dairy industry is destroying the environment we live in and how can I add to that destruction? I won’t!"

Laura, 35, Kintore Aberdeenshire

"I am vegan because I cannot bear the thought of any animal suffering in any way so that I can enjoy a few minutes of a meal. In this modern world that we live in, it is absolutely not necessary to eat/use/wear animals when there are vegan options available. Animals are here with us, not for us. Taking their milk, eggs and bodies for our own use is not only unethical but it is unnatural. Our vegan life extends well beyond diet, it encompasses all areas of our life and I sleep better at night knowing that each day, I've done as little harm as possible to the sentient beings we share our planet with". 

Charlotte, 27, Aberdeen

"I am vegan because, simply, it is right. Logically, environmentally, ethically and morally; there is no sound argument that can defend a non-vegan lifestyle. My world view is summed up by Dr Paul Farmer's quote "The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world". The life of an animal is just that: a life. Animals are not a commodity and humans have no right to treat them as such. Ask yourselves, if animals could talk- would you eat them then? Would you skin them alive? Would you rub burning chemicals into their eyes? Would your tear their newborn babies away from them? Would your grind them up if they weren't useful to you? I don't think so- but why does the lack of speech mean a life is forfeit? Veganism is compassion and love and peace, and is the only way forward".

Zoe, 25, Cruden Bay

"I went vegan because I felt like it was a natural transition from being vegetarian. I love all animals and I had been vegetarian for a very long time before going vegan. I always felt like a hypocrite just being vegetarian as I know the egg and dairy industry is heartbreaking. With some help from my wonderful vegan friend I did 'Veganuary' this year and I have never looked back since! I know now that I am vegan, I'm doing everything I possibly can to save the animals and to save our planet".

(I do not own this image)

Vicki, 28, Ellon Aberdeenshire 

"I am vegan because I believe speciesism is wrong. We do not have the right to dictate what is done to another earthling purely based on their species. Animals have a right to be here. In fact, they have MORE of a right to be here. It is the natural world. It's time we started living with animals and not using them for our benefit".

Short and sweet...

Like I said I wanted this to be a short post with some insight from fellow vegans, so I will finish off here. 

To anyone reading this who is not vegan, I challenge you to consider the reasons you have read, really do your research and just try to make a small change towards a vegan lifestyle. I swear you will not regret it and it is in the best interest of yourself, the planet and the animals. 

If you are vegan and reading this then why not join in? Comment below your "I went vegan because..." I would love to read it.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this blog post, I really appreciate the participation. Also thank you to everyone for reading. Don't forget to share and follow me on my social media (Instagram- @laurajanelifex , Facebook- LauraJaneLife). 

Happy World Vegan Month! 

[For more vegan content read my previous blog post- Lets Talk About Veganism]