Skin Deep Beauty by Christine Lindsay

I still remember how betrayed, deceived, and horrified I felt when I was 3 years old sitting at my kitchen table for family breakfast eating bacon and I found out that bacon actually came from pigs. That feeling has stayed with me my entire life which is why I choose to eat a plantbased diet. While I ate vegetarian most of my life, I wasn’t always this way. I do understand what it feels like not wanting to give up certain foods, and traditions. I ate vegetarian most of middle school and high school, but I started eating poultry again in my late teens and into my mid 20s. I did it because I believed I needed it for protein.

I’m an empath so I’m really sensitive to energies. I was feeling so depleted of energy a few years ago, but then I noticed the more vegetables I ate, and the less meat I consumed, the better I actually felt. It made sense. I was literally consuming the energy of a terrified, anxious being that was slaughtered to death for my consumption. They say we are what we eat, so how could I expect to not have anxiety while I was literally consuming it? I started out vegan, but now I choose not to use a label for myself. I eat a plantbased diet. I start each day vegan. If I decide I want to eat a slice of pizza, or a slice of cake when I’m out with my family I will, and I won’t hold it against myself. My body will feel it so I make my choices wisely. I’d like to believe that one day I will be able to eat a slice of pizza or cake out on the go, and know that no animals were harmed in the process of making it.

Dr. Melanie Joy Exposes The Secret Reason Why We Eat Meat

72 billion land animals suffer each year before being slaughtered to become meat for our consumption. Author of “Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction To Carnism”, and founder of Beyond Carnism, Dr. Melanie Joy says that “without an awareness, we can’t make our food choices freely.” She created Beyond Carnism, which is a US based, international organization dedicated to exposing carnism, which describes the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. They expose human rights violations, environmental degradation, and human disease that all comes directly from the meat industry. Their mission is to empower non vegan consumers to make rational, authentic food choices through awareness raising, and training to help create a more just and compassionate world for all beings. You can get educated by watching The Secret Reason Why We Eat Meat, a 17 minute startling, animated video available at Beyond Carnism.

If eating vegan is something you’re considering you can take the vegan pledge, and sign up for the 1 Month Vegan Challenge hosted by Veganuary. They will help coach you through it, and provide you with a wealth of resources, and recipes. Their mission is to create a world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction. If one month of veganism feels too extreme, try a one week challenge!

Eating plantbased is a conscious choice I am taking to do my part in making a difference for the animals. I know at one point in my life I believed I couldn’t eat a plantbased diet because I was so busy, and needed on the go options. That’s why I love that it’s now easier than ever to eat plantbased! I remember when my only options were a veggie burger from Burger King, Subway, or French fries, but the menus have been updated! Here’s some go-to plantbased fast food items.

Dunkin Donuts Vegan Menu

-Bagels – Cinnamon Raisin, Plain, Everything, Sesame

-English Muffin

-Hash Browns

-Oatmeal (available at participating locations)

To drink:

-Espresso

-Hot/Iced Black Coffee

-Hot/Iced Coffee with almondmilk or oatmilk

-Hot/Iced Lattes with almondmilk or oatmilk

-Hot/Iced Macchiatos with almondmilk or oatmilk

-Vanilla, Hazelnut, Toasted Almond, Blueberry, Raspberry, Coconut Flavor Shots

-Mocha Swirl

-Bold Breakfast™ Black Tea

-Harmony Leaf™ Green Tea

-Decaf Breakfast Tea

-Hibiscus Kiss™ Herbal Infusion

-Chamomile Fields™ Herbal Infusion

-Cool Mint Herbal Infusion

-Iced Tea – Sweetened or Unsweetened

-Coolatta® Frozen Beverages in Strawberry and Blue Raspberry

-Americano

*plantbased sausage patties are available at some locations!

Wendy’s

-Baked potatoes

-French fries

-Garden salad

-Apples

-Home style potato’s

-Juicy Juice Apple Juice

-All Natural Lemonade

-Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch

-Minute Maid Light Lemonade

-Nestea Sweetened Iced Tea

-Nestea Unsweetened Iced Tea

-Nestle Pure Life Bottled Water

-Wild Berry Lemonade

-Wild Berry Tea

McDonald’s

-Garden Salad

-Fruit and maple oatmeal

-Apple slices

-Coffee

-Apple pie

Vegetarian option- grilled cheese

Pancakes

Burger King

-Coffee

-Impossible whopper (make sure to tell them you can’t have it on the grill with the meat cooking)

-Apple sauce

-Dutch Apple Pie

-Garden Salad

-French fries

-Onion rings

Subway

-Veggie Delight

-Vegetables

-9-Grain Wheat

-Flatbread, Artisan

-Hearty Italian Bread

-Italian (White) Bread

-Roasted Garlic Bread

-Sourdough

-Wrap, Spinach

-Wrap, Tomato Basi

-Black Bean Soup

Taco Bell Vegetarian Menu

-Black Bean Quesarito

-Blackbean Crunchwrap Supreme

-Power Menu Bowl-Veggie

-Bean Burrito

-Cheesy Rice & Bean Burrito

-Cheesy Roll Up

-Cheese Quesadilla

-Chips & Nacho Cheese Sauce

-Black Beans & Rice

-Cinnamon Twists

-Cinnabon Delights

-Hash Browns

Another super easy way to stay consistent with your plantbased diet is to drink Vegan Shakeology! Each protein shake is packed with super foods, and includes all the recommended daily nutrients. I also suggest you check for any local vegan restaurants in your town.

No matter what your reason is to make the shift to a plantbased diet, you are making a huge difference! Thank you for helping the animals, and our planet!

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