Veganism on a personal scale.
However, I must affirm that I believe that the capitalist meat industry is cruel. Barbarous, even. Luckily, the industry here in Egypt is not so well-developed because we don't own so much technological capital like the in the US and Europe, so there is some gentle human proximity with animals. However, it pains me to think that I'm eating chicken that have been gathered in a large room with probably awful ventilation, caged in those small spaces that don't leave them room to walk and live normally. It troubles me to think that the milk and yoghurt I consume come from a cow that is being continuously milked, without breaks that a normal lactation includes. I hate thinking about the hormones that make the chicken and cows more meaty, more fatty, and the infinite other standards needed for a profitable meat industry. It's nauseous.
I could happily become a vegan, because veganism is not only about the food, it's a complete healthy lifestyle. I love the way it just makes you a more aware human being, who considers the sources of your commodities. Thinking that the furniture in my room could have been manufactured from wood obtained by 'slash and burn' methods... the clothes I wear are made by poor Asian women working in inhumane conditions.. well, that slays my conscience. I personally cannot accept the fact that my existence could be harming other beings, other souls in the world. It doesn't fit. It hurts. So should I be vegan?
To be honest, I love fruits and vegetables and my diet is approximately 60% vegan. I know that if I ever became one, I'd probably heal the anxiety and improve my micro-biome, mood and health in general. I know I'll be happier and more guilt-free when it comes to food. I know that veganism will allow me to protect the environment, choose my products more carefully, and acquire a balance of existence. But still.. is this the right choice?
I don't want to be a labelled human being. I want to free of constraints and restrictions. Why not choose my own diet instead of becoming a follower? So yes, I won't become vegan, but one day, I'll be mostly plant-based. My meals will mostly consist of raw vegetables and legumes, I'll reduce my intake of dairy, never use refined sugar, limit use of processed foods and canned stuff. But I don't mind buying fresh, hormone-free chicken and meat. I also have no problem eating fish that weren't bred in fish farms (they are brutal, believe me). The sources of my food is what I should probably be more aware of.
Veganism doesn't necessarily mean being healthy, because it can disrupt your body-balance. We were born omnivores and our biological characteristics are a proof of this. We can successfully digest meat, dairy, fruits, seeds and vegetables. However, the processing, the chemicals, hormones, sugar is what our bodies can't deal with.
I want to be more plant-based because I want to live longer. That doesn't mean that I'm obsessed with life, nor that I want to live to be a hundred years old. No. I want to be a functional human being as long as I live. I want to help others, fix my society, love, learn, grow, hurt, experience, and be a meaningful soul on Earth. I want the world to celebrate my existence. Sometimes I wonder about those people who have been so ignorant to their bodies and at the age of 40, they're already wrecks, aftermaths of over-worked bodies with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Mainly, I cannot control what diseases should inflict me, but I can play a part in that issue, too. At forty, I want to have enlightened a couple of human beings, built a school and started changing things around here. At forty, I don't want to swallow dozens of pills. And I have the choice, right?
It all depends on you. You can make the choice. And you know what? You can make a difference by achieving the balance you can only reach. You don't have to be vegan or vegetarian or any other label. You can only be you. So be you.
Comments
Post a Comment