It feels like it's been longer than that.. but not in a bad way.
I feel like I've learned so much, and absorbed so much, about being vegan. Obviously as a vegetarian of two years.. I knew what "vegan" literally meant. But I hadn't really looked into all the small details. The recipes. The controversies of soy. All the alternatives for eggs and dairy. The many different reasons for going vegan.
I'm just more informed now.. and it happened in quick order.
I have also been trying to spread that knowledge.. albeit, on a personal level. No protests for me so far ;)
Like I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I was completely devastated by the Earthlings documentary. After I recovered, I asked my mother to watch it.
Generally, and much to my dismay, she seemed unaffected by it. All the standard excuses. "Well, I don't think that happens in most places." "I can't be certain where my meat comes from, but it doesn't bother me."
*sigh*
But after actually discussing the issues with her, and explaining that although I'd like everyone to stop eating meat.. to dramatically reduce the demand by cutting back, would also help. I explained how there's literally nothing "good" about meat.
It's not good for our health.
It's not good for the planet.
And it's obviously not good for the animals.
Those were all things she couldn't really deny. And it's particularly hard to ignore all those things, when your only reason is, "But it tastes good."
Several hours later, she came back to talk to me.. and said, "Well.. I've thought about it.. and I'm willing to try the Meatless Monday thing. If I like it, I'll consider giving up meat."
I was grinning from ear to ear. She completely admitted that she wasn't doing it because she was moved by the documentary, but rather, that she saw how important the cause was to me.. and that she could understand the logic behind it.
Honestly, I don't hold high hopes that she'll go vegetarian. But even if she reduces her intake by 20%, we're all the better for it.
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