The definition of a vegan is someone who abstains from eating and using animal products and their byproducts. Some items are obviously non-negotiable such as meat, dairy, and eggs. Items such as honey, silk, and refined sugar are debatable. Gelatin and whey are also avoided as well as coverings such as wool, leather, suede, and sheepskins. Pet store purchases, circuses, zoos, and rodeos are also avoided. There are many more considerations to be taken and it’s a personal preference as to how far you want to take it.

If living a vegan lifestyle is something that appeals to you, there are many avenues you can pursue to you learn all about what being vegan entails, and how to stock your cupboards with vegan friendly food staples. You can also learn how to substitute the foods you already eat with vegan alternatives and how to meet your nutritional needs, also address common myths about the vegan diet, and learn how to avoid non-vegan food.

Also keep in mind that living a vegan lifestyle is often associated with lower risks for health problems, including colon cancer, heart attacks, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, though certain measures do have to be taken by vegans to ensure proper nutritional requirements are met.

Veganism is a lifestyle choice that, when all things are considered, involves asking and answering questions about the ethics of animal husbandry practices, the moral dilemmas associated with killing living things for food, and even about the chemicals and proteins that are ingested that may not contribute to overall health and vitality and may also be counter to our current evolutionary state as human beings.

Someone who identifies themselves as a vegan may simply follow a vegan diet. However, many vegans consider it a lifestyle and have ethical, environmental, or spiritual reasons for their choices. They avoid animal products not only in their food but also in the products they use. Some foods, such as sugar, vinegar and wine, are often processed with animal products. For example, charred animal bones are commonly used in the processing of sugar and the fining of wine. Although it is very difficult to avoid absolutely all products that may have some components made from animal products (such as cars and computers), those following a vegan lifestyle try to minimize their use as much as possible.

Some vegans try to buy only from vegan companies whenever possible. Some support more traditional companies who try to offer some products that are free from animal ingredients. Others take a hybrid approach. Such choices are based on various criteria, but include personal preference, economic concerns, and a desire to improve conditions for humans, animals, and/or the environment.

In addition to eliminating animal derived food sources, many vegans choose not to use silk, wool, animal skins, or personal, cleaning and other substances that contain animal products. In practice, this eliminates leather goods and certain fabrics, soaps, detergents, glues, and cosmetics. A vegan household is one where every attempt as been made to live consciously and in harmony by not doing harm to the natural world or its inhabitants.

The benefits of living a vegan lifestyle are numerous. Increased vitality and health are high on everyone’s list of top benefits. Taking the time to make conscious choices in one’s diet, lifestyle, and personal concerns leads to being less in tune with the persuasive influences of consumer culture that involve mass marketing, subliminal psychological manipulations. There is now considerable evidence that clean brain chemistry means clear thinking. Clear thinking means the ability to handle stress and keep things in perspective-two things that help to empower yourself by making decisions that are right for you. Many other life areas are positively impacted by pursuing a vegan lifestyle, and everyone has more options than ever before to find the solution that feels right for them. Vegans aim to live a simplified, harmonious lifestyle that is lived consciously and in cooperation with the greater whole.

Our food, clothing and shelter choices have repercussions felt around the globe. When we choose a non-compassionate meat diet, it affects starving people in other countries where this meat is produced at their expense. Some say it takes 16 times more land to produce the same amount of meat food as vegan food. If we eat an all plant diet, then we open the way for 15 other people to have sufficient nourishment.

The term ahimsa is often associated with vegan philosophy. It refers to noninjury or not causing harm to other living beings. Mahatma Gandhi based his theory of passive resistance on this ethical virtue.

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Article Written By J. Foley

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