I officially became a vegetarian during my senior year of high school after effectively being one for some time before that. As a child I’d always felt guilty when eating meat, and it came to a point where I just couldn’t do it in good conscience. As I looked into vegetarianism and learned why a veg lifestyle is good for animals of all types (humans included!) and the planet, I realized that to truly feel happy, whole, and conscionable, I had to live a cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle.
My journey to veganism took a similar route: I effectively ate vegan for a year before making the official switch. I found that vegan eating—and the vegan blog community especially—opened up so many new vistas of culinary fun. But since I’m the type of person who is really uncomfortable when I feel like I’m inconveniencing someone, during that year I would occasionally eat non-vegan foods. If a friend made dinner with dairy products, for example, I would feel way too guilty to turn her down and I’d eat it anyway. But then I’d feel even more guilty for going against my beliefs. It was no good.
Those days are long since over. I can’t live my life worrying about pleasing others; ultimately, I am accountable to myself, and I never felt 100% pleased with myself when I knew that I’d compromised my moral beliefs just to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. After all, feeling selfish because I’m doing what I can to end animal suffering doesn’t even make sense. Nearly eight years after my official switch, I still feel just as strongly that I made the right decision for my ethics and my health, and I haven’t looked back.
Going vegan can seem daunting if you don’t know any other vegans or you’re not sure you even understand which foods are and aren’t cruelty-free. If you have any questions or just want to learn more, please email me. I’m happy to talk, and I understand that not everyone’s journey is the same. No judgment here. :)
vegga 
Your story to veganism is so much like my own. I always felt guilty about being vegan, like I was doing something wrong. I would eat vegetarian because it was more convenient for those around me. Only recently have I been able to truly own my vegan lifestyle and it is awesome! I don’t feel like I should apologize or feel bad for inconveniencing those around me. Thanks so much for sharing! It’s awesome to know there are others out there like me!! And congrats on living your truth. So refreshing to hear!
Michelle
LikeLike
KELLY I REALLY ENJOYED READING YOUR COMMENTS ON COOKING AND WONDERFUL PICTURES OF FOOD .DID YOU KNOW I LOVE TO READ COOKBOOKS,AND ALL SO LOVE COOKING.I WISH I COULD BE IN YOUR KITCHEN AND WATCH YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GRAMMY
LikeLike
Through One Green Planet and Forks over Knives as well as all the Farm Sanctuary’s (Gene Bauer) – Woodstock Farm Sanctuary – Edgars Mission Farm Sanctuary etc. etc. sharing their ideas en recipes, I have realised that there is a very strong VEGAN community out there. The highlight of it all is when finding a recipe through one of these sites and following the author to their blog is when I find young kids like yourself and others that are setting the trend and leading a new generation of young people into a compassionate world. I am a golden oldie, only turned vegetarian around 2010 and ethical/moral Vegan 2013. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, your fears and strengths, your recipes and discoveries.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the kind words, Elsje. I feel very lucky to have such a strong community behind me, and it’s a joy to share my recipes and thoughts to gently persuade others that living compassionately is not difficult. :)
LikeLike
Hey love your thoughts about being Vegan. checkout my new website http://www.veganonthego.ca
LikeLike