Being Vegan Sucks

Yes, you heard me right, (or read me right?). I hate being a 'vegan'.

So why don't I go eat a bacon sandwich, you ask? Well, here's the thing.

I DON'T WANT TO EAT ANIMAL PRODUCTS. That's it really. I choose to not eat meat or dairy. It makes me feel healthier. And I love animals.

I wrote my dissertation on 'veganism', promoted the lifestyle and justified it using all the evidential support I could gather. I watched the documentaries, read the books, scoured the internet for facts. I learned the horrific truth, and now there's no way I can ignore it.

I don't preach. I don't care if you love steak, that's your prerogative, as this is mine. But I am so sick of being chastised because of the way I choose to eat. I don't judge your dietary habits, so why are you judging mine?

People ask questions; they're curious, naturally. What do vegans eat - they ask. Well, the answer to that is everything, bar flesh and dairy products. It really isn't that hard, otherwise we wouldn't do it.

I like the vegan community - some of them are militant which drives people away - but most of them are kind and caring souls, similar to myself. I choose to eat this way for compassion, for both animal and humankind.

The contradictions I see every day in meat-eaters enrage me. They despise animal cruelty, but don't think about it when buying cosmetics. They sign petitions to stop the Yulin dog-meat festival, yet sit there eating a ham sandwich whilst doing so. Where's the line? Why choose to care about some animals and not others? That's just my stance on it. But I don't call them out. I keep my mouth shut - I lock my opinions away, because it's the polite and correct thing to do. I'll answer truthfully - if I am asked. Otherwise, I stand by the phrase 'live and let live'. So why can't the rest of you let me live?

I'm sick of being painted with a vegan brush, labelled and almost excluded from this 'normality' that is meat-eating. So much so that I almost want to rebuke the label of 'vegan'. How sad is that?

If I simply said I had a lactose intolerance and an allergy to meat, no one would care. I would seldom be plagued with questions because it would be deemed intrusive and rude. I might be pitied for not being able to eat bacon, but I certainly wouldn't be asked question after question about my diet. So why is it that when the word 'vegan' comes into the equation, people think they're entitled to start plaguing me?

Please stop asking me ridiculous questions. I don't miss bacon, or any meat for that matter. I like vegetables, I eat plenty of protein, and no, I am not malnourished. I'm drinking a cappuccino, about to eat a packet of crisps. Surprisingly, crisps, which are made from potatoes can be vegan too. It's almost like it's a vegetable or something.

Running Away from Cancer

I have reached a dead end. Late nights, early mornings, too much coffee, not enough sleep. My light is faltering. I'm neglecting myself, pushing my mind to the limit, to distract myself from the reality.

My Dad has cancer. He's very unwell, and my life is changing in a way that I am struggling to comprehend. My Mum has only just recovered from cancer herself, and I really struggled during that time.

My health and fitness has declined, along with my mental health. It's time for me to slowly take back the reins of my own life, and empower myself.

Me being me, I like to challenge myself in the most ridiculous ways possible. So... I have decided to run the London marathon.

With the inspiration from my parents illness, and the urge to better myself, I feel that this challenge will push my every limit, and give me the answers that I need. At present, I'm looking for answers in places that will never give me any. I'm abusing myself with excess.

Time to heal.

Discovering Yoga

Namaste everyone.

Things have been pretty hectic lately - I've just moved to a new place in London, and I'm beginning a new full time job at the end of the month, which means I can start saving for travelling!!

All this has left me stressed and feeling very unlike my usual self. I suffer with depression and to be honest, it's been getting to me. I forget that it's literally an imbalance in my head, not just me being moody. It's difficult, and I get really hard on myself. So I search for a solution, and I found yoga.

I've tried yoga before of course, and it's beautiful. But I never practice regularly.

It was beautifully sunny outside, probably the last real day of summer, and I still felt strange. Armed with 4 yoga magazines, I stepped outside, completely naked, and did something I never really do. Sat down on the grass and closed my eyes. I listened to all the noise around me, the cars, birds, the occasional plane. I felt the grass between my fingers (and bum cheeks). I was so present in this moment, and it felt amazing.

Slowly, I began to hold some yoga poses from the magazines I had placed in front of me. They were moderately challenging; I could hold most of them, but not for too long. This yoga session felt different though. It wasn't just exercise or stretching, but a real spiritual experience ,that somehow calmed me thoroughly. I felt peaceful.

Since that yoga session a few days ago, my chakras feel more realigned. I feel that I am behaving better in myself and managing my own though cycles better. All thanks to yoga.

I will definitely be doing it more. The joy and peace I get is second to only meditation. If only the rest of the world could slow down a little more, maybe we'd all feel more peace.

Namaste.

I'm PUBLISHED!

Vegan Life magazine is one of my absolute favourite mags, and I was privileged enough to do an internship there a few weeks back. Anyway as you can see, they have published one of my articles that I wrote for them!

It's my first piece of published work, and I am so pleased with how it's turned out. I love the team at Vegan Life - they're all so kind, and my experience with them was nothing but amazing.

Dreams can come true guys!!!

Nature’s Secrets to Looking Young

Want to discover the fountain of youth without spending money on surgery or expensive moisturisers? Look and feel better with these age-defying health tips.

Beauty comes from within. Eating the right foods can make all the difference when it comes to winning the fight against aging. This means eating a diet rich in variety: green leafy vegetables, nuts, plenty of fruit and complex carbohydrates. The vitamin C in fruit and veg is a great antioxidant for skin, while the fatty acids in nuts and avocados replenish collagen. Eating right boosts your immune system, resulting in glossy hair, strong nails, and less wrinkles. Taking vitamin supplements can be beneficial for those who struggle to get all the nutrients that the body requires through food alone.

Drinking water is tantamount to having healthy skin. Not only will it give you more energy, flush out toxins and reduce fatigue, it also replenishes skin cells, keeping them hydrated. The body is around 60% water, and serves a number of vital functions. These include lubricating joints, flushing waste, repairing cells, and regulating body temperature.

Exercise promotes blood flow, resulting in better circulation and glowing skin. Along with the amazing benefits like weight loss and overall improved health, working out helps you sleep better, improves moods, and helps keep you looking your best.

Getting 7 – 8 hours’ sleep a night helps your cells to repair. Lack of sleep not only makes us physically tired, but it also affects our skin, resulting in dark circles and puffiness, paleness and bloodshot eyes. Lack of sleep causes your skins PH levels to drop, creating redness, a lack of moisture, and even triggers acne breakouts.

Eliminate or cut down on bad habits such as smoking and drinking. Enjoying a few glasses of wine at the weekend is fine – but excessive regular drinking could lead to skin problems such as rosacea, bags, burst capillaries and acne. Smoking is arguably one of the worst habits, depriving the cells of oxygen and inducing premature aging. It narrows the blood vessels, reducing blood supply and depleting your skin’s elasticity, contributing to loss of collagen.

Cut out (processed) sugar. You’ve probably heard this before, but sugar is the cocaine of the food industry. Not only is it addictive and can lead to weight gain, it also causes your insulin levels to spike. Sugar causes inflammation, which produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin; two essentials your skin needs to avoid wrinkles. This inflammation also increases the effects of acne and rosacea. Try consuming natural sugars such as fruit, and if you do crave chocolate, reach for the dark stuff. Not only does it lower risk of heart disease, it also contains antioxidants.

Quitting dairy is beneficial for your body and skin. Approximately 75% of people are lactose intolerant (*8). The cow’s milk that we drink contains a lot of hormones, both artificial as well as naturally occurring from the pregnant cow it was milked from. These hormones can aggravate acne, as the skin’s glands produce more oil.

Unfortunately there is no remedy to turning back the clock, but with a healthy lifestyle and a positive outlook, anyone can look and feel younger, regardless of age.

No, I am not just a 'vegan'

Labels. They're for clothes, not humans.

I don't reject the label 'vegan', because I love what it stands for. But similarly I don't like being defined as simply that. It creates an image of who I am without any other knowledge of me.

Being a vegan is difficult. I don't just mean it's hard finding vegan food at a restaurant or whatever, in fact that's pretty easy now I'm used to it. What's difficult is hearing people in your life tell you that they think veganism is stupid, or have them question you, often in a derogatory way, asking what you eat, asking if you miss bacon etc. I'm often the subject of jokes, all meant lightheartedly I think, but nonetheless, not something I want.

Vegans are often put into a generic category: hippies who like to moan at meat eaters. This is not true. I cook my omnivore friends bacon. I even touch it with my vegan fingers. I ate meat before, but I wont eat it again. That doesn't mean I think everyone should become a vegan.

I am a vegan because I want to be. It's best for my personal health, because I have extensively researched it and ensured that I am eating the right nutrients etc. I choose to be vegan because I love animals and I don't want to eat them. Now tell me why I deserve to be interrogated for my personal choices when they don't affect anyone else?

I get it. There are the silly vegans who moan about everything and live in a bubble. That's not the majority. There's good and bad everybody, some are more upfront and passionate. Some are also too preachy which I don't agree with. I am just a normal person (well, the normal bit is debatable) who eats a lot of great food and tries to not hurt people or animals. I don't ever preach or moan to others about their eating habits. So why are they doing it to me?

Please, next time you take the piss out of vegans, or ask a vegan where they get their protein, remember that vegans are just people who eat a vegan diet. Not another breed of human. If you don't want a 'vegan' to discuss your eating habits or ask you why you eat meat, then please mind your own business and don't ask me if I miss steak. (I don't, ftr).

The philosophical vegan...

My heart was thumping. Each heartbeat echoed in my ears. My chest had gotten so tight, each breath I drew inward seemed to get trapped in my throat. I could see my heart almost beating out of my chest, and nothing could calm it. 

I didn't know at the time, but I was having a mild panic attack. 

I'm recovering from depression. A long, deep depression, which started many years ago. It flares up occasionally, but this time it stayed. I turned to pills, despite loathing the dependence. But now I'm getting better, with only laughter as my medicine.

I knew it would be a difficult journey, with troubles along the way. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, as they say.

But no matter how long you stay in the light, the darkness always comes. 

I had just finished work. The sun was fierce in the late sky.

My phone rang. 

My Mum was crying.

My Dad was very, very ill. 

But pain has many faces.

The tears soon came. Violently. Harshly.

My heart felt like it was about to implode inside me.

You can't pray for the pain to disappear, but you can pray for the strength to get through it.

I guess I always knew a day like this would come, and though I'd never be prepared, surely this was the worst timing? I'd just come off medication for depression - surely I can't handle this?

Everything happens for a reason. 

Everything is temporary; pain, life, time. Holding on to anything too tight only hurts more once it's gone.

Wasting time hating the universe for dealing me this hand in life will not make it any better. The only thing I can do is move forward, accept the past and focus on the now. It's the only way to stay happy. I need to be strong for my family and myself, and I believe I can do this by remaining as balanced as possible and focusing on positivity.

We control our own happiness.

Have a positive day! Namaste xoxo