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There was a time when Ryan and I used to mock vegans, considering their lifestyle extreme and unnecessary. "Why the heck would someone willingly choose not to eat bacon? Are you kidding me?" Little did we know how blind we were.
We chose to ignore the harsh realities of the world - the dying reefs, the burning Amazon, the polluted oceans, and the general depletion of our planet's resources. However, our curiosity led to research, research led to discovery. Our greatest fear of our planet dying was missing one trait: compassion.
Going vegan/plant-based was the logical choice for us if we wanted to do our part help the planet. We tried to find reasons why veganism was wrong, but all we found were opinions. The facts weren’t adding up. The sudden realization that we were responsible for the planet's well-being shook us to our core. Although corporations are primarily responsible for the damage, we wanted to do our part in making our world a better place. It dawned on us that change had to come from within ourselves if we wanted the world to head in the right direction. Living a more ethical, sustainable, and conscious life became our goal. Our reasons for going vegan remain unchanged to this day, and we have no intention of going back to animal products.
We understand that change is difficult, but we realized that if we used our purchasing power, we could help make a difference, slowly forcing corporations may be more responsive to a growing market. We know we need to strive towards making the world sustainable for future generations. Thought we know it's not possible for everyone, 100%, we're not blind to that. But if you are in a position to do everything you can to help out, here are the top three reasons why we chose to go plant-based and why you should consider it too:
It's common knowledge that our planet is in peril, and if you're not already aware, it's time to start caring. The resources required to raise and slaughter a single cow are staggering.
Livestock consume 70% of the Earth's water, which could be better used to nourish humans. The sheer number of cows, chickens, and other animals we breed for consumption is entirely due to high demand for animal products. Additionally, cow manure releases methane and nitrous oxide, which are major contributors to climate change, and the resulting pollution can have devastating effects on natural wildlife. This much waste is simply unsustainable. The ozone layer protects us from life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and cataracts, but it is being eroded by the buildup of animal waste.
A vegan diet requires only 20% of the land needed to feed a meat-eater, and the grains used for livestock could instead feed human populations. By supporting local and organic farms, you can help support families and small businesses while making a positive impact on the environment, rather than contributing to the destructive practices of large corporations that prioritize profits over sustainability.
Eating meat is not a necessity for living a healthy life, and this can be easily verified with a bit of research. While I'm not a medical expert, my personal experience of being meat-free for 5+ years speaks for itself. However, it's important to do your own research and figure out what works best for your own body. Vegan nutritionists may give advice that doesn't suit your body, so it's essential to prioritize your health and determine what dietary choices will lead to a longer and healthier life, while helping out planet.
All the necessary nutrients, such as iron, zinc, calcium, omega-3, vitamin D, vitamin A, and more, can be obtained from plant-based sources like vegetables, grains, nuts, fruits, and beans. There's nothing that meat can provide that vegan foods can't. In fact, studies consistently show that plant-based foods provide more of these nutrients than animal products. You can easily get all the protein your body requires from plants without having to contribute to animal cruelty. Tofu is a great source of protein as it contains all eight essential amino acids, iron, calcium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, and vitamin B1.
By researching and understanding the nutrients your body requires, you can make informed dietary choices to lead a longer and healthier life. Going vegan doesn't mean just eating salads all day; you can still indulge in your favorite foods like hamburgers, tacos, pizzas, and much more by simple veganizing them. You'd be amazed what you can make vegan/plant-based.
This may sounds a bit nuts to you, but please, consider this with an open mind:
Speciesism is a form of discrimination or prejudice. It involves treating members of one species as inherently superior or more valuable than members of another species, often resulting in the exploitation and mistreatment of animals. This ideology views non-human animals as being lesser beings, and justifies their use and abuse for human purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific experimentation. Like racism and sexism, speciesism is considered to be morally unjust and discriminatory, and many animal rights activists advocate for the recognition of animal rights and an end to speciesist practices.
Consider this: have you ever thought about how much you love your pets; you give them names, you cuddle them, you spend time with them, call em your child and even give them more nicknames? But what about the pig on your breakfast plate, or the cow in your burger? Do you enjoy watching cute pig videos on the internet while simultaneously consuming them? If you care about justice in the world, (if you've gotten this far, you absolutely do) it's worth reconsidering the food you consume.
Your body shouldn't be a graveyard for innocent beings. There are plenty of videos available online that take you behind the scenes of slaughterhouses and expose the true nature of the industry. I won't go into the gruesome details, but if you're up for it, you can watch them here. Viewer discretion advised:
They’re hard to watch, but it’s important to know what we as a collective are doing to these animals. The creature are stripped away from their privilege to enjoy a happy life, like any other living being wants to do. If you pay for it, you’re supporting it.
Going vegan is not just a trend or a fad, it's a conscious decision to make a positive impact on the world we live in. By choosing a plant-based diet, you are not only improving your health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also taking a stand against animal cruelty, reducing your carbon footprint, and conserving our planet's resources. You have the power to make a change, and every small step towards a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle counts. So why not join the millions of people worldwide who have already made the switch to a vegan lifestyle? Your actions can make a difference, and together we can create a brighter future for ourselves, our planet, and all living beings.
Welcome to Dos Punks, the home of creatives, Mimi and Ryan! We like to make things that'll make you say "hell yeah!" Thanks for stopping by.