Vegan Lifestyle

The vegan lifestyle is a philosophy and way of life that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.

Why should you consider choosing the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle?

There are two possible answers to this – to be healthier and happier and to lessen the impact on the planet and the creatures that live on it.

Become a Vegetarian or Vegan to Be Healthier and Happier

There is a long list of health benefits to choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

Let's start with the one most people think about the most - weight loss. A vegan diet is generally lower in calories and fat than a meat-eaters diet, and for many, it helps the pounds melt off.

Have a family history of cardiovascular disease? Choosing a vegan lifestyle also has the benefit of being a heart-wise dieting decision. Lower fat, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure - these are all things that are 'side effects' of a vegan diet. They are also things that your heart will thank you for.

Would you rather avoid cancer? Many studies show that by removing meat and animal products from a diet, the chances for developing cancer drop significantly. Many types of meat, when cooked, emit carcinogens (cancer causing agents) that are being taken into the bodies of meat-eaters.

Want to feel better? Research has shown that staying away from meat and animal products lessens a number of health problems such as diabetes. Becoming a vegan also means you will be dialing into more of the vegetables and fiber-full grains you should have been eating all along, that will help your body stay in top condition.

Choosing a Vegan Lifestyle will Lessen Your Impact on the Planet and its Creatures

Let's start with the simplest reason to avoid eating meat in this category. Have you ever looked into the beautiful brown eyes of a cow and then thought, 'time to slaughter you now for a meal.' How sad that you look at a living creature and think of killing it when there are plenty of other things to eat that are actually better for you.

This is only made worse by the fact that these animals are not even killed humanely to become a meal. Instead, cruel slaughterhouses and other vile treatments are the only life these innocent, gentle creatures know before they end up on your plate.

Next, is the environmental difference you can make by becoming a vegan. In order to have all that meat in the grocery store there have to be a lot of animals out there being raised for the slaughter. Each of those animals is going to eat fields and fields of grain that could be used to feed hungry people around the world. In areas where grains are not plentiful, all these animals are overgrazing the grounds.

Now consider all the water these animals drink, and the waste coming from those animals, and seeping into the ground and eventually our water supply.

Even if you don't consider the waste going into the ground, there is still the waste going into the air. Cows are the biggest source of methane in the world. Methane is one of the greenhouse gasses that are causing climate change.

Add this all up and the only sensible answer is becoming a vegetarian or vegan for your health as well as the health of this planet and it's future.

Many famous people have embraced a healthy vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Have a look here for famous vegetarians and vegans

As to vegetarian vs vegan,take some time to figure out for yourself, what group you would like belong to. Look here for some differences, many people start out as vegetarian and then take it a step further by becoming vegan.

Good Kharma Thought

If you want peace, stop fighting. If you want peace of mind, stop fighting with your thoughts.

...Peter McWilliams