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I have to be honest and say that the most eye opening and life changing experience for me this year was choosing to be a vegetarian. This change was a result of lots of reading and time. For years I have always thought about not eating meat. Especially, since I love animals and support animal rights. I hate that I was a contradiction for most of my life. I will admit it. When I was young I was so consumed with the issues in my life that the world around me wasn't reality. Not that I was selfish, but my life has brought me many things to focus on and the food industry was not one of them. Being an art student, I had endless projects and sleepless nights. My work was my focus and most of the time my work was inspired by my life experiences. Yet, more to be consumed by.
I will say, that for a long time I was uncomfortable about eating animals. I was never a big meat eater anyway, mostly eating chicken, but there was always that voice saying "don't do that" in the back of my head. I was even grossed out by raw meat and didn't enjoy touching it. (which I still am) Forget about even picturing slaughterhouses and dead animals, the thought of these images made my cry. Not until I was out on my own was I more involved with knowing what I was eating and where my food came from. I started reading books on natural cleaners and organic foods and it changed my life. The year 2006 was when I started to make things happen.
Now, on the last day of 2009, I am so proud to say that I am meat-free, corn-free and on a strict organic diet. I have taken the steps that were necessary for me to be here today. All those years of wondering and not being fully aware brought me down the path of seeking knowledge and making changes that matter. The truth is, this planet is our responsibility. We were put here to live our lives and replenish the earth that gave us life. Its no one else's job but ours. As children and young adults we aren't fully aware of the horrible things going on in the world. People keep these horrible things far away from our ears and eyes creating this naive barrier to reality. This needs to change. As we grow up, that barrier starts to crumble because we are now living and working in the real world. As much as the government and big corporations try to keep that barrier from breaking, we eventually break through.
I love to cook. Always have. The women in my family all have the "food gene" and I am happy to be a part of that. There is one key ingredient to being a true cook or chef and that is to know where your food comes from. If you want to make healthy, yummy dishes you must use the best ingredients. That's a fact. Most of the food people make are not up to these standards. The "stuff" they are using are either processed chemicals or tortured, unhealthy animals. These do not make a good meal. Nor do they suffice for comfort food. Are you really comfortable about putting shit on the table for your family to eat? Well, thats what you are doing. You might as well give out plates of feces and hope for the best. You can bet I won't be coming over for dinner anytime soon!
I feel that our senses have taken over. Just because something tastes good doesn't mean you have to eat it. Its called greed and millions of you suffer from it. "Who me? Greedy? No!" Yes, you are. So wake up and turn things around. So many living creatures suffer and die just so you can have them on a plate. It seems so worthless. There is no valid reason for eating animals. Nor is there a good reason for eating processed food. You might as well get on your knees and pray to the big corporations who are feeding you. Sadly enough, they are your God.
I started my website, d+eco, to help people be aware of what they are eating and how to help the planet. I have a brain, therefore, I choose to use it. I have a voice and I choose to speak up every moment I can. I am fearless, I choose to act on emotion and good morals and spread the truth no matter what gets in my way. I am an inspiration, I choose to lead others in the revolution towards positive change. I have a heart that dies every time I think of an animal being tortured and people supporting that behavior. I have a soul, I choose to fill it with positivity and warmth and help the unaware and the weak. And despite all my anger and disgust for the human race, I still have hope for all of us.
So for 2010, I ask that you all get the facts and know the truth. Stop being selfish and greedy for once and think about the bigger picture. Take a look at yourself and start making changes. As you kiss your children good night, think about their health and their future. As you go over your bills for the month, see what you can live without and start spending where it counts. When you go food shopping make sure you read labels and if you don't know what it is than don't buy it. Explore new ways of cooking and add vegetarian meals to your weekly dinners. Think of all the animals that suffer and choose to help them suffer no more. Support sustainable farming methods and give the "farm" back to the "farmer". Once in awhile, donate to a charity and help make this a better place to live. Teach your children the truth without creating a wall from reality. Stupid, ignorant children are not strong leaders of the future.
This all may seem like so much to some of you. But it really isn't. This is the way we should all be living. These are the choices we should be making. These are the goals we should be setting. We are the human race. We are supposed to be the smartest race of them all. Its time we act like it. Evolve for change.
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