What’s keeping you from going vegan?

By Gloria Stovall

I pray you are well, not focusing so much on the news; and finding creative ways to lift your spirits or entertain yourselves.  As for me…I have been busy-working, writing, reading romance novels, making soap and lotion, daydreaming and not watching the heartbreaking news.  As a matter-of-fact, I just finished concocting one of the most delightful vegan desserts I have ever ventured to make, and I must say, it turned out superb!  I must admit I made this exquisite dessert without using a single measuring cup or spoon, indeed, one of my downfalls as I loath taking the time to measure ingredients, precisely.

Some of the extraordinary beauties of the vegan lifestyle are the creative recipes, cruelty-free and sustainable products you can literally fabricate out of thin air.  For example, I absolutely love cooking with bananas as they are a natural sweetener with amazing binding properties, so this afternoon I combined two ripe organic bananas with organic almond flour, a little brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, oats and a dash of salt.  I combined and mixed all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl, poured it on a baking sheet and let it bake for about 30 minutes.  To call this dessert delectable, is an understatement, and greatest of all, it is vegan, gluten-free and healthy, if you will.  

I realize a number of my readers are vegan, but for those who are not, I am curious to know what is keeping you from going vegan?  Up until about fourteen years ago, what kept me from going vegan was not wanting to relinquish eating animals and animal products.  When I was a child, one of the highlights of my youth was eagerly anticipating my beloved mom’s delicious cooking, and let me tell you she was the most marvelous cook ever, especially in the morning for breakfast, I would be sitting at the kitchen table devouring homemade ham with fluffy scrambled eggs, pancakes and buttered toast or sometimes I would just have a bowl of Cheerios with dairy milk; and for dinner my dear mom would make the most tender chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, hamburgers, ribs and occasionally, steak.  You must understand, as a child, yes, I loved animals and nature; but the word vegan, environment or sustainable was not on my mind and never in a million years, would I have predicted, I would be a vegan as I loved eating animal protein and products so much that the thought of going without was unfathomable.   In other words, I never thought I would have the drive, mental strength or ability to live without consuming, chicken, steak, hamburgers, pork chops, cheese; etc., so for the longest time, up until fourteen years ago, that is what prevented me from going vegan.   

What is keeping you from going vegan?  What is it about the vegan lifestyle that is making you feel apprehensive?  You know the vegan lifestyle is the most awesome lifestyle on the face-of-the-earth as it incredibly reduces animal cruelty, significantly helps the planet and does wonders for your health, so what is keeping you from going vegan?  Believe me, I was in your shoes at one point and I know that change is scary, to say the least; but I think it might have a lot to do with society and wanting to fit in with everyone else, if you will.  I am the only vegan in my circle of friends and family, but you know what, that is tolerable, as I know my vegan lifestyle is positively influencing those around me, so it is all good. What is keeping you from going vegan? 

Thank you always for reading my blog entries and following me! I welcome your comments and appreciate what you have to say.  I might be adding a page to my site with a listing of trustworthy animal organizations that are providing food; supplies and veterinarian care for the injured and abandoned animals in the Ukraine.   Have a blessed week and thank you always for following my blog.  I will be in touch soon!