Why did I go Vegan?

Hey there, my name is Olivia. I am a normal human being, like you. Yes, it may be hard to believe seeing as I don't consume pigs or cows or fish or eggs or cheese...and no I don't even eat chocolate. It's hard to wrap your head around, it was for me, so I'll give you a moment for it to sink in.

OK. Time's up.

Veganism isn't some alien concept that people adopted in order to torture themselves. And just because it seems to be getting more and more popular, does not make it a "fad" or a "trend". Some follow it as a way to challenge themselves, or because they seek change in their lives; while others use it as a way to maintain a healthier lifestyle - a "cleaner" diet.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with what being Vegan entails, it is a practice that refrains the use of animal-derived products. While it may feel impossible to even begin thinking about eliminating all of these elements from your diet, it can be done, and it doesn't have to affect your everyday life...whatsoever.

I must admit that before going Vegan, I was Pescatarian for 6 years.

I vividly remember the day I made this change too. 12 years of age. Returned from school. My Geography teacher had kindly shown us "Food, Inc." - probably the most chilling yet enlightening documentary I had seen in my entire life. My mum made us meatballs for dinner that night. I vowed from that meal onwards that animals were no longer going to be my food.

But it wasn't that easy.

Being 12 years old means decisions are still not fully under your control. My mother wasn't going down without a fight. I settled for a Pescatarian diet, but, by the end of that same year, I managed to turn my entire family against eating meat.

6 years later, finally a legal adult, and living on my own for the first time ever, I found it hard gaining proper balance. I realised that being Pescatarian might not help keep my bank account afloat - especially as a student. Now aware of my lactose intolerance, I also realised that my diet basically consisted of fruit, vegetables, eggs and a lot of soya milk.

That's when 2019 hit me. It was time to go the full length. I love sushi, and scrambled eggs are probably the best thing God may have given to us - but - I needed something to make me feel like I was giving back to our planet and I truly believe that Veganism may be the answer to world peace.

Day 10 on my Vegan journey and I don't think I will be going back anytime soon. Keep reading my blog for updates and recipes that are keeping me afloat...