Almine’s recommendation of What the Health as a documentary to watch, has sparked quite a bit of interest.
Question:
I thought I’d try a vegan diet for a week and went grocery shopping. But contrary to what you had said, it cost more (not less) than my usual groceries.
Almine:
Only if you try and duplicate the old way of eating with vegan packaged and pre-prepared foods. The purchase of whole foods and vegetables should be less. Whenever human involvement is in food production, it becomes more unhealthy and spendy — especially with a “specialty item”, which a vegan product is considered to be. Besides, the substitution of soy for meat in such products makes them not a good choice, due to the phytotoxins in soy.
Question:
From what I’ve seen of the movie so far, the science is not particularly complete – they seem to focus only on processed meat, and “fat” and not refined carbohydrates, a problem at least as big.
Almine:
Emerson said that if a truth is meant for you, it will inevitably find its way to your ear. Truth doesn’t need to be substantiated, by one who has accumulated personal power, it is immediately recognizable. I have been loosely vegetarian before — meaning I don’t cook meat for myself, just for my family. But I will eat it if I’m having dinner and someone has prepared it for me.
I knew that when the time was right, I would know to change my eating habits as needed. For me, the time is now. The scientific studies may not be overtly given — just referred to — in the movie. If you need to see them then research them. As for the refined carbs, well watch the rest of the movie… I try to avoid white foods, but that’s just my personal preference.
What the Health
Filmmaker Kip Andersen uncovers the secret to preventing and even reversing chronic diseases, and he investigates why the nation’s leading health organizations don’t want people to know about it. Link
Initial release: March 7, 2017
Directors: Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn
I had been a vegetarian in the past for several years.
But due to illness etc. I suddenly found myself to eat meat again and my body with all the
spiritual tools helped me to heal quicker.
After my surgery last year something strange happened for a few months now. I felt drawn to
eat quite a lot of meat, also a lot of food which I loved suddenly. In our family we always were
aware what is good etc….
Now I slow down with meat again, but I must say, that I did not deny myself out of guilt or
responsibility towards our mother earth or the animals any appetite of meat. As people do
I blessed the food and thanked the animal for their life. The connection between me and
the animal world has deepened anyway and I thankful can say that this in itself was a great
journey for me.
What I will do next – for sure meat only in small portions or less, but I cannot say.
Love always
I saw the same thing. People who don’t eat meat will survive the explosion of virus, heavy metal and radiation polution…. In the end, it won’t be a choice. It will be the only way. I still eat meat but with a very small portion once every week. I am working on my veggie and fruit diet for the past year and getting more serious the past few weeks..
I went vegetarian about 35 years ago. I knew the day would come when it was time and one Sunday I knew that was my last bbq with meat. The best way as others have said is to let it happen and go easy. Comments from friends and family were tolerated and soon people accept your new choices. When we receive an invite to supper I always let the hosts know my preferences beforehand and offer to bring something along or I just say if you have a salad and buns I’m ok. If meat winds up in some of my food I don’t make a big deal of it and occasionally I will try a piece of bacon or fish. The smell of frying bacon or a roast in the oven still brings back fond memories. A while back I read an opinion that most animals raised for food know what they are getting into when they incarnate and by us not consuming their flesh you are denying them the opportunity to experience life. I thought about this aspect in view of perhaps rethinking being vegetarian but decided that I still wanted no part of an industry that provides such a poor environment and processing for animals to be exposed to. For people who still feel the need to have some meat in their diet try to source out ethical growers and producers.
I am a vegan for 4 yrs now and prior to that a strict vegetarian. I have to agree with Almine when she says that the vegan diet becomes costly when we try to find substitutes for food items such as cheeses and meats.
My advice would be to educate yourself thoroughly when it comes to a vegan diet. Explore the best way to transition for your unique self.
I think it’s time for people to face the realities of where your meals come from! My list of recommended movies/documentaries:
Okja
Earthlings
Cowspiracy
Forks over knives
Vegucated
I have no doubt that once you watch these very insightful documentaries, meat will leave you! Your mind will automatically make the necessary shift to help you make such a life-changing decision!
Make it happen!
The simple fact for me remains consistent in my desire to not consume meat, and it is this: eating meat demands a being to end its life prematurely in order for one to sustain. Eggs and dairy have issues, and one could argue about enslavement of animals for our benefit, but the wholistic and natural transition of those source of sustenance is possible. Meat categorically requires the premature death of a being, and thus inspires the cycle of death to keep repeating in our world, something we are trying to overcome fully. It shoots spiritual progress in the foot as nature reflects Us, and what we kill there we ultimately kill in ourselves. There is an ancient proverb Christ spoke to a man who was trying to find samadhi as a butcher, and the premise was no matter how hard you try, if the habit or livelihood works against life it won’t fully assist your total surrender. Ultimately it is an individual choice and that remains golden, but I would argue it is an absolute to put eating meat in the past to establish sacred Earth. And as far as cost, putting quality aside, any restaurant you go to the vegetarian option is nearly always the cheapest. It is possible for those trying to transition, I promise. 😁
Perfectly said!
My body has been pointing me in the direction of vegan the last couple months, though where I live it will cost more. Choice is also limited. Being anemic I do not feel 100% sustained on vegetables only …at least not yet. I do hope I can get to that point soon.
Christina, you could try this product, it is herbal based extract and iron rich whole food supplement:
https://www.florahealth.com/ca-en/floradix/
Christina: the whole “vegetarians/vegans don’t get enough iron in their diet”-thing is – I’m happy to report to you – complete and utter bullocks =) I implore you and others to please do your own research using sources which are *not* produced by those with hidden agendas: often affiliates of the dairy/slaughter industries do sneaky things with information, paying and manipulating it in misleading ways.
The fact of the matter is that the foods with the highest amount of iron in them *are* vegetarian to begin with; the worries are unfounded. It is *not* difficult to “get enough” on a vegetarian diet, that is old, outdated information; it is simply not accurate!
Not only that but the iron you *do* happen to get from meat is a less efficient way to consume and absorb iron into the system, as it must be broken down & turned from its’ natural state back to the kind find in plants & veggies & fruits before finally being utilized by the body. This is a massively wasteful process and iron already has an extremely low bioavailability(although btw this can be increased by taking vitamin C supplements and also avoiding calcium supplements while taking supplemental iron).
I also second the floradix product if you are concerned! I have dealt with severe anemia in the past throughout my teen years(I have had issues with gastric ulcers which went undiagnosed for way, way too long; they occasionally come back, too). At one point, it was so bad that I was threatened with blood transfusions and taking 1200mg of iron per day(yes, 1200, as in 1.2grams, I wrote that correctly it is not a typo, lol); the floradix is an awesome product and super easy on the tummy which is a plus! =)
As for me: I am a strict lifelong vegetarian(in my early 30s now) – my dad was a dairy farmer who also slaughtered & butchered his own meat for us, his young family, to eat. He was always very, very open with us, right directly from the very beginning, with how exactly the meat got to our plates; nothing was ever hidden about this process. This approach seemed to be fine for both my sisters and my mother, but as an animal lover from the start we joke that it “traumatized” me because apparently, from the very beginning, even when I was a baby, they could not get me to eat meat… not even a single bite!
I have also had periods of 3, 4, even 5 years scattered throughout my life where I lived a vegan lifestyle and I do feel, in my heart, I will likely get back there one day, too when I am in a more stable place in life(I too am currently living in Vancouver, BC, and only working part-time while I complete my studies and yes, the other commenter was not kidding about the expense!).
[Just wanted to share my own experience with vegetarianism too, as others were doing, since I feel like it is a big part of my life =)]
Oh, and I forgot to say one thing!! It’s not about eating “vegetables only”! Nuts, seeds, fruits, beans, grains and grain products, fermented products, the list goes on and on! =)
Quinoa is also an amazing grain – the only vegetarian supply of full protein . Also rich on iron. Mix with parseley and make ot a super food😎
I love you beloved Almine, with so much Love, Gratitude,Praise and total Trust I enjoy my journey with your guidance and teachings. I always listened to my body and respect the choices she has. My body start having less and less desire for meet for the last 10 years and one day It wasn’t a choice anymore that was September 2012. I appreciate that you respect others by eating what they’ve made. I did that for a while now I try to eat what ever it is offered so they don’t feel uncomfortable and still respecting my choice of not having meet at all. I buy fresh vegetable and fruits making every thing at home although they are few items that I buy organic I am happy, it is not expensive and the more of us buy more vegetables they cheaper they become. I live in Vancouver Canada, this is the most expensive city to be vegan. I also go to California twice a year or as needed for Belvaspata work and staying with my friends, there I buy local and organic very cheap. California is much better and you know in States the Income is higher or equal yet everything is less expensive. I am surprise to hear people are concerned about price. However I almost never in my life had pops, drinks full of sugar, ice creams, chips…junk food …. that will make the cost rise.
Please try lovingly you’ll enjoy it slowly but surely only if you are there. Don’t push yourself, I never do, it will back fire. Change also need to happen gradually I don’t think our body like a sudden change. unless you do a 5 months purification and right after staying vegan. that is something else. I shared my experience hoping to help those that are looking for change in their eating habits. all the best
Another point is here in Alberta, Canada there are also ethical hunting. For example my family can live off a wild moose for the entire year. It can feed several families for that matter. First Nation and Metis still hunt and use all of the animal. In this regard, eating meat takes on a different meaning. Beside this yearly gift, my husband and I are almost completely vegan. It rings absolute truth to us. We still eat our honey from the local bees and are now the proud guardians of two hives. We also eat eggs daily, but we took it upon ourselves to raise and nurture our own hens and a rooster who live a beautiful life outside, free to roam and explore within a large garden space (safe enough from the coyotes and foxes) . Every step of responsibility gives us a lift in consciousness, and we feel that much more healthy for it. Bless us all.
It rung true to my ears ! deeply greatful 🙂