A journey of finding myself...

[Sarah Myles Raymond]

Watching a documentary in first grade about how dolphins were trapped in the same nets as tuna fish - taught me that meat was not a plant in which my innocent mind always thought. This was the start to my displeasure in consuming meat. I soon after started a "nature club" and attempted to save a panda in fourth grade.  In my teens I transitioned into a vegetarian lifestyle in rebellion of my Father trying to pass off the deer meat he acquired into every dish we ate. It stuck for many years until I became a young adult and was on the road so much for work that it became inconvienent to not eat meat- and I forgot my ways. Then early in 2011 I was watching a documentary called "One day on Earth" and unknowing was exposed to a cow being slaughtered. One moment I was thinking, aww what a pretty pure white cow and then I was horrified at what I saw them do that cow. Until this day that one moment on Earth is burned into my memory and  I again found my way to being a vegetarian. I never questioned animal bi-products and could not fathom that harm would be done from milk & eggs and never took the time to question it - Until I sat down to watch Vegucated. How could I have never questioned this!? I almost immidiatly decided to start my journey to being more vegan. I baked vegan goodies (chex mix & gingersnap cookies) for the past holiday. I have stocked my cupboards of egg replacers, spices & herbs. My fridge is overflowing of veggies and fruits. The cheese products I leave for my husband, who has no intentions of joinging me on this journey - but stands by me anyways. I feel postive about the changes in my diet and lifestyle that are occuring  - one that I believe I always was suppose to be on but lost my way a few times in life.

[Ashlee Piper]

What a journey, Sarah.  Thanks for sharing, and welcome!  It's always amazing to recount our early memories of animals and our first exposure to how they're really treated.  If you've been vegetarian for some time, you'll probably find this transition pretty seamless.  Eliminating dairy did more for me personally healthwise and physically than even losing the meat.  Excited to see how your journey goes and let us know how we can help ya!

[Tiffany Mikkelson]

For me it was man 2 years ago now. Wow.

I watch Oprah and the episode she had on was about the meat industry or something. I just remember Lisa Ling went through a Cow factory and they more or less showed what happens to these cows. Of course you could only hear the shot to the head and the poor cows around the one that had got the bullet scream in fear but that stuck with me. It made me give up beef for sure. Then turned vegetarian for a year.

I to lost my way and went back to my old habits until November last year when I decided enough was enough and went back to vegetarianism then I found Vegucated on Netflix and I turned vegan that week. I haven't looked back nor do I really miss what I use to eat. 

Thank you for sharing your experience and helping to remind me of my journey as well. :-) So excited we are in this together. :-)