Is It Possible To Convert Others to a Vegan Lifestyle?
One thing many people attempt to do is to push their values and beliefs on to others. In fact, it is unfortunately one of the things that vegans are infamous for.
Because it is such an emotional issue and one that involves things that are deeply passionate and that seem very urgent, many vegans will do very extreme things to get attention for their cause.
The suffering these animals endure is remarkable, and those who are connected to it and wish to prevent it may feel that pain almost as if it is their own. So of course they are eager for it to end.
The sad thing about it is that the more urgent and pushy we may be to explain why the issue is important, the faster it seems the rest of society dismisses us. They do not want to feel responsible for the pain that the animals are enduring.
They do not feel personally involved in the way these animals are raised or the things that happen to them before and after they are slaughtered. We have been taught that food just simply comes to us in these pre-packaged forms and we should be grateful we have anything to eat at all.
Truth be told, being vegan is a luxury. We are lucky to have the option. Some places are not so lucky and they are impoverished enough that if they are not eating meat they are starving. So of course there is a lot of high tensions around attempting to convert others to a vegan lifestyle. We want to help spread an ideal of love and unity and peace for all, including the innocent animals.
But it is simply something that is difficult to do. We are all very personally involved in the foods we eat and the lifestyle we live. Asking someone to give up meat can almost feel like asking them to give up their mother. They don’t respond to it well.
However, one of the greatest ways to lead is by example. We may not get very far preaching and spouting out facts and statistics and trying to guilt trip people for the way they are eating. But they will see us and admire that we have made a choice that is out of the norm. many people will say they have thought about it but they know they could never do it. You can take this as an opportunity to ask questions. Like, why can’t they do it?
You can inform them on ways it has made you feel better, and things that you do to make it easier for yourself. You can even suggest they simply try a meatless Monday every once in a while just to get used to the idea. Even one day of not eating meat makes a difference in the life of the animal that isn’t being eaten.
If you practice what you preach, you will have more sway.
But try not to be too pushy, or you could push others right in the opposite direction!
Helpful Tips for a Budget-Friendly Vegan
Eating vegan can seem like a very costly thing to do
And while that may be true at times, especially if you are eating all organic fruits and vegetables and indulging in pre-made vegan products that can cost a fortune, there are actually quite a few ways that you can take buying vegan to the next level and still manage to save some money when you do so.
If you are lucky enough to live near a farm, there are sometimes options to become shareholders in that farm. Some places will offer to give you the pick of the litter with their crops and provide bags of fresh fruit and vegetables every week or two for a simple investment in the farm. That can save a lot of money in buying fresh organic produce and provide you a great variety of foods you may never have even tried before.
Another thing you can do is learn what foods are in season and buy them in bulk when the opportunity presents itself. A lot of foods can be frozen or canned and stored for later use. There are a lot of ways you can save money by learning the different tricks to preparing foods for future use. For example, you could dehydrate vegetables and set them aside in airtight containers in a cool, dark space so you can have access to them later on.
Going vegan doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. It can be very useful not to indulge in foods that you know are expensive and instead looking for things you can buy in bulk. Some places, like apple orchards or grape orchards, will allow you to give them a small fee so that you can go out and pick your own produce to bring home. That can amount to quite a lot of food! Think in advance rather than feeling limited to what you find in your grocery store. Look into local food co-ops and other places where you might be able to get a discount on produce that is in season. Farms, orchards, and even some grocery stores may offer bulk rates for large quantities of in-season produce.
You still may want to be wary and ask if these foods are grown with commercial pesticides or if they are grown organically. Just because food may come from a local farm, it doesn’t mean that they are growing it with organic methods. Always look into your sources and ensure they are credible before buying.
Buying foods that are in season is a real game changer for any vegan on a budget. Living a healthy lifestyle can often times feel very costly, but if you weigh the pros and cons, what you spend on healthy foods that prevent diseases may end up saving you much more when it comes to your health later on down the line. But you don’t always have to sacrifice; buy in season, starting now!
How Understanding the Human Body Can Benefit Vegans
Some people go into veganism with a very basic understanding of our bodies and the importance of nutrition. This can lead them to believe that simply eating more vegan foods will somehow magically ensure that they are living a healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. A vegan lifestyle may appear healthy on the surface, but you really have to get into the nitty gritty of nutrition to understand how to live vegan properly. If you do it incorrectly, you can risk causing serious damage to your heart or other organs that need specific vitamins and minerals to thrive.
In fact, it is thought that vegan and vegetarian women have a higher rate of developing anemia than those who practice a more conventional meat-eating diet. And that is to be expected if they are not taking the care to nourish their bodies and think about the foods they are eating.
B12 is a vitamin that comes exclusively from animal sources. If you have taken animal sources out of your diet, then the only other option is to get foods that are fortified with it if you want to combat iron-deficiency. Without enough B12, it can make it difficult for your body to absorb and utilize iron. Not only that, but foods that vegans eat are often low in iron, while animal products are high. That is just the fact of the matter. Fortunately, there are several other ways you can get iron, such as in eating leafy green vegetables, tofu, and broccoli, or ingesting vitamins or supplements.
Make sure you do everything in your power to get your vitamins from food sources, as those are the easiest for your body to absorb. And if you are going to eat foods you know are rich in iron, eat foods alongside them that are rich in vitamin C to aid in absorption. That way you know for sure exactly what your body is getting.
Unfortunately, it is not enough to buy all the self-proclaimed vegan foods and call it a day. Having a very thorough understanding of your body and the way it works will help you to make sure you are not going to be deficient in anything that your body needs to thrive.
Cognitive functioning can be affected if you are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids; another nutrient most often found in meat products. There are several supplements out there made for vegans and anyone else who may need them, so be sure that you are giving your body all the tools that it needs to avoid deficiency.
If you fear you may already have a deficiency, explain your diet to your doctor and tell them your concerns. They may be able to do blood tests and provide supplements that will help to get your levels back to normal before it causes serious damage, or prevent worse from happening.
If you are new to veganism, you have an advantage. You now know just how important a knowledge of your body’s needs happens to be, so you will have the preparation you need to thrive!
