Spring Cleaning: Your Body on a Vegan Diet

Spring. It’s a time to turn over a new leaf, a kale leaf perhaps. Vegans everywhere are quivering in their seats (possibly from 3 servings of cold brew) to welcome new members into the clean eating community. Will you join?

If humans were meant to eat bacon, it would grow on trees. “But whey-t, what about protein!?” a student athlete might ask? Welcome to planet Earth, where plants growing out of the ground contain protein! Nuts and seeds are the most obvious substitutes, but spinach and sea kelp are protein champions commonly forgotten!

You probably remember a film from health class called Food Inc., which exposed the mass production of meat in America for what it truly is: ruthless murder. Animal rights should concern you as human beings with a conscience on this Earth.

Involvement

Chickadee Rapids, vice president of the Vegans For Animal Rights Student Organization of New Jersey, said, “I consider eating animal products to be murder because it involves taking the life of an innocent animal. I believe human beings are wired to know this injustice and that both anxiety and mental illness stem from this deep-rooted guilt that society teaches you to hide.”

Her outlook reflects the passion she has for the organization. The organization spreads awareness with events, posters and activities. Rapids explains that the student group has an agenda of life and love, and she mentions their peaceful work with their sister group, M.E.A.T. (Meat Eaters Are Tyrants), who meet every Friday evening to meditate.

Another vegan assembly, Vegan Best Friends (VBF), is a community that meets, cooks and provides support in health and wellness goals.

One member, Autumn Sage, said, “This assembly makes me feel so in tune with the culture. Interacting with people who think exactly like me is so refreshing. Being vegan is my favorite thing about myself because it reassures me of my superiority in society. People are threatened by those who are more healthy than themselves.” VBF has a spot at the local farmer’s market and weekly meetings. To join, follow them on twitter @Protestingforthechickenontheroad.

Goals

By mid-March and April over 40 percent of Americans will have lost site of their resolution made for the new year. According to data collected from exit polls at Whole Foods, the majority of these resolutions involved adapting to a healthier lifestyle. A vegan lifestyle is the most natural and rewarding changes you can make in your life.

People concerned about the limitations or restrictions they may face simply have to change their mindset. The biggest concern for most Americans is the absence of pizza and mac and cheese (both of which are available in vegan options). The goal, however, is to move away from indulgences, imitation products, or preservatives and instead move towards whole, healthy and clean natural options.