My vegan experience, my ultimate decision, AND my first vegan muffins!

This past week, with the exception of a single slice of cheese (rote habit when making a veggie burger, I didn't even notice until I was halfway through!), I took veganism for a test-drive. I already abstain from beef and pork (see previous post about animal cruelty, my own personal thoughts on intelligent animals, etc.), but to give up milk? Eggs? Chicken?! CHEESE?!

The main reason for my vegan trial was desperation. I've been battling some of the worst chronic pain I've ever had (second only to my bout with TMJ). Sinusitis is the potential culprit, but the ENT I recently saw said that the blockage showing up on my CT scan - the one causing horrendous pressure behind my eye, in my face and through my inner ear - may be a cyst. For now, I can only treat the symptoms and try to minimize sinus inflammation/irritation.

I've been told for decades now that a dairy-free diet is better for chronic sufferers of sinus problems. But, being the cheese-lover that I am, even my lactose intolerance could not persuade me to eliminate dairy. Several weeks ago, however, I met a couple who made me think twice. They were staying at The Caves in Jamaica, and since there are only 11 guest cottages, Caves is the kind of place where you make friends. As almost all of the guests are strutting around in their swimwear from sunrise to sunset, I was able to admire both of their finely chiseled bodies - wrinkle-free - practically no body fat - and was convinced they were maybe a few years older than Tad and I. And man was I inspired to hit the gym when I got back home.

Anyhow, as it turns out, this couple were in their FIFTIES. I literally didn't believe them at first. They are both committed vegans who shared their stories with me and encouraged me to look into it. Still I was skeptical. Despite all the research showing that a plant-based diet can significantly decrease the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, etc., and despite my desire to become more cruelty-free, I didn't think I'd ever be able to give up dairy.

A few weeks later I'm using oat milk on my cereal and replacing butter with canola oil, just to see if my symptoms decrease even slightly. I can't say that I've seen a huge improvement, but I can say that it's been much easier than I thought it would be. I realize that humans are omnivorous (out of basic nutritional necessity), but my long-time aversion to consuming the dead flesh of something that had a mother has inspired me to really weigh the pros and cons of a vegan lifestyle. Aaaaanddd....

I've decided that it's not for me. (I know there are people out there saying, "Well duh. Humans need meat to survive. And besides, if we all stopped eating meat and animal products, the food chain would be severely disrupted, there'd be an ecological disaster..." etc.) While those things may be true, the way in which we produce these animal products is disturbing and damaging not only to the environment - it cuts food production nearly in half. Do the research on how many people we could feed by switching over to more grains and vegetables. Do some more research on the process by which a dairy cow is used for her milk (including the taking away of her calf after only a few days - dairy calves are used for veal; forced pregnancy; an alarmingly shorter life span... I could go on forever). Look into how beef cattle often wake back up during the final stages of slaughtering. Peer into the cages on a poultry farm and watch them suffocating, crowded next to a million other chickens competing for space. I know, it sounds like I'm contradicting myself - why on earth would I not go vegan given all of these horrific facts? Not to mention the way big agribusiness has taken pollution to a whole new level?

Because a plant-based diet is not entirely sufficient. It truly isn't. Yes, there is protein in soy (but be careful, non-organic soy is often genetically modified... too much soy can actually hinder your ability to take in essential nutrients from other foods, etc. etc. etc....), but non-animal protein just doesn't cut it. In fact, vegan moms who nurse their kids don't pass on enough nutrients to their children. Let's not stop there, though; sadly, there have been (I think it's 4 now?) cases in which infants whose vegan parents fed them soymilk/apple juice and only plant-based foods have died of starvation. And yes, some of their parents were charged with murder, manslaughter, and/or cruelty. First-class proteins, as they're called, are absolutely essential for proper nutrition. And all of them are animal-based.

So... what does all this mean for me personally? I've come to the conclusion that I can keep it cruelty-free, cut back my risk of disease, and still get my first-class proteins. By eating only local, organic, free-range eggs from small farms and fresh, wild-caught seafood, I can avoid contributing to the suffering and inhumane treatment of animals. If the day ever comes in which humans are once again hunter-gatherers instead of mass farmers, I may eat me some steak! But, since it's highly unlikely, salmon and frittatas will do for now. I'm also committing to no dairy. Regardless of the cruel and disturbing way by which milk is mass produced, cow's milk (especially today's hormone-laden cartons) isn't all that healthy for adults. So, no cheese or ice cream for me.

I'm excited to supplement my diet with more creative options, such as black bean burgers and coconut-milk ice cream. In fact, I tried a vegan recipe for pumpkin muffins today, and they are deeeelicious. :) Unfortunately I'm out of pure cane sugar and had to used refined sugar, which I've been trying to avoid, but I made some modifications (cut the sugar to less than half, used only one T. molasses, added 1 tsp. of vanilla, used whole wheat pastry flour instead of refined white) - and I was quite happy with the results. I will be eating these suckers for breakfast. Thank you, Post Punk Kitchen, for the base recipe:

http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/the-best-pumpkin-muffins/