Thursday, April 28, 2011

What is this blog?

This blog is a place to share my journey living a low fat raw vegan lifestyle in Australia.


I'll be sharing some of my experiences transitioning to this lifestyle from a SAD (standard Australian diet) eater. Only a few years ago I was still consuming animal flesh, bovine mammary excretions (aka dairy) and chicken ovulations. I never ever would have believed that I could willingly give up animal products. And now that I have.... I can't ever imagine turning back.






I became vegetarian for a couple of weeks, and then one day watched a documentary that changed my life. Earthlings. Check out http://www.earthlings.com/ - truly enlightening.


Becoming vegan took a bit more effort than simply "cutting out meat". After all, there are hidden animal products everywhere. Would you expect to find milk powder in vegetable burgers? What about fish in packaged breadcrumbs? Egg-based glaze on bread?


Or how about some of the hidden non-vegan ingredients? Gelatine. Cochineal. Tallow. Lanolin.


It takes time and patience... but, like moving to a new neighbourhood, you eventually get the hang of it. The important thing is not to beat yourself up if you do accidentally consume animal products. Learn from the mistake and move on.


After becoming vegan, I became introduced to raw veganism. I immediately dismissed the idea initially, but every few months ago I'd stumble across some forum or website touting the benefits of a RAW plant-based diet. Could I really give up my breakfast oatmeal, or my lentil soups, or my tofu stir-fry? Funnily enough, I had entertained similar thoughts when becoming vegetarian and vegan.


Moving to a raw plant-based diet was an even bigger adjustment, because it involved the transition away from cooked food. I started out eating a typical high-fat raw diet (with "gourmet" raw recipes) and then progressed to a low fat raw diet. In hindsight, I probably would have moved to a low fat COOKED diet, and then to a low fat raw diet.


The distinction between the different types of raw/cooked diets (i.e. low fat versus high fat) is an important one, which I will expand upon in the future.


This blog is about living healthfully, nutrition, fitness, emotional poise, veganism, animal rights... and more. My only goal with this blog is to share my experience and perhaps open up others' minds to new possibilities. The ultimate message is that no matter who we are and where we have come from, change IS possible. We may not be able to see that possibility in this moment... but every moment is a new one, and the moment of change may be right around the corner.



Peace to all x