A couple years ago, I decided to try being a vegetarian for a year. My younger sister had been one for a while and I wanted to see if I could do it as well. In other words, I did for the LOLZ. It turned into a forever lifestyle change. This wasn't because I was busted up about people killing and eating animals, I grew up in the boonies of Southeast Arkansas surrounded by Rednecks, but the fact that I didn't have a desire to eat ham, beef, and chicken. Can't really stand the taste anymore.
Last January my mom did this thing called Veganuary. Basically, you go vegan for the month of January. For those of you that don't know, there is a huge difference between being a vegetarian and being a vegan. Vegetarians have the ability to eat seafood and dairy. Vegan's will not put anything that comes from an animal into their face holes and I love dairy and seafood way too much to give it up. So, this month I'm currently participating in Veganuary (again the LOLZ thing).
Two things that I can say about going vegan are this: It is easier to do it when all you can afford are peanut butter sandwiches, cabbage, and cucumbers. It is not easy when you are in a college Caf and are surrounded by cheese foods, eggs, cheese, milk, fish, cheese, and cheese. The second thing is that it has been soul sucking. I have had to cut out practically everything I love. Chocolate has milk in it. Regular sugar is granulated with animal bones. Eggs are from chickens. Some breads have sugar and milk in them. SOUL SUCKING.
However, I have learned to be creative in making food for myself. At home, I made tofu stir fry with cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. I even found some nice vegan options for Taco Bell. So, yes, I am hungry and missing the foods I love, but I'm kind of eating healthier. Being a vegetarian, I can eat those fries that are fried in the same grease as the chicken. I can eat all the pizza I want, but being a vegan means knowing what is in the food I'm eating. The choices of food that I've had so far this month have all been healthy.
Another thing I've noticed, aside from the ever-so-slight weight loss, is that my acne is clearing up. I have no idea if this is scientific or anything, but the acne that I had on the top of my forehead and around my chin are gone or unnoticeable. My face feels cleaner and looks brighter as well.
So there are benefits, but I can't wait until this month is over.
