My Vegan Story

If you would have asked me 3 years ago about veganism, I would have told you it was something hippies did, lol. I honestly had no idea what being vegan was all about. I was familiar with vegetarianism, and although I never was a fan of meat, and was super picky with which meat I ate, I never thought about NOT eating any animal products completely.
My journey began with a desire to become healthier. I was introduced to a book which changed my life completely! Not only did it change the way I looked at health and fitness, but it also opened by eyes to the world of veganism. That book was The 80/10/10, not really a 'vegan' book per say, but a plant based book which mentions veganism.  That was enough to spark my interest and put me on a whole new path! I instantly began to research the word 'vegan'. What I discovered is, there is so much more to veganism than just diet. It is a beautiful compassionate world and I wanted to know everything about it.
Months into my new lifestyle, I watched Earthlings, which was one of the hardest things I've ever done, I cried through the entire film. Then I continued educating myself with other documenteries like Blackfish, Specie-ism, and Forks Over Knives. I read The China Study, Whole, The Starch Solution,  and I watched Gary Yourofsky's epic speach on YouTube as well as lots of undercover videos of factory farming. I also attended my first Vegetarian Food Festival and met Gene Baur from Farm Sanctuary! Let's just say, diet is just a teeny tiny part of this life. Once your are educated, you cannot go back. Once you see the devestation, you cannot unsee.
Veganism has not only educated me and opened my eyes to the crazy amounts of misinformation I have been fed all my life, it also made my life so much more meaningful. Each day I feel so amazing, head is clear, full of energy, my conscience clear, and my heart full of compassion. I not only decided to take a certification in plant based nutrition, I also began blogging about vegan food and all the wonderful aspects of being a health fit compassionate vegan! I am loving this incredible vegan life, and each day I feel so lucky to have been handed that book! Though, this is my vegan story, it is also the story of how we became a vegan family, mother, father,and son!  That is the biggest blessing of all!