Dan Buettner is a National Geographic explorer who traveled to Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece to research the lifestyles of centenarians, people who live to be 100 or more.
I finished reading his book The Blue Zones last night.
The areas he visited are proven to have the largest concentration of people who live long, healthy lives.
It was a very easy read filled with interesting information that confirms my decision to embrace a plant-based diet.
It's funny how when you choose a path in life that is right for you, people and things come your way that help you along that path.
Yesterday, Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage wrote a poignant post about animal rights.
She so beautifully voiced everything that I feel on the subject.
8 years ago I took charge of my eating habits.
Several years ago I became vegetarian.
And a few weeks ago I gave up all animal products.
She so beautifully voiced everything that I feel on the subject.
8 years ago I took charge of my eating habits.
Several years ago I became vegetarian.
And a few weeks ago I gave up all animal products.
Just today, I happened upon a blog called Just Human Beings (a vegan couple who run a B&B in Cornwall UK) and a documentary they posted entitled Earthlings.
I watched it.
I gasped. I cried.
My youngest son said "if it is going to make you sad, then don't watch it".
But pretending it doesn't happen doesn't change the reality of what humans are doing to animals each and every day.
For food, for clothing, for entertainment, for experimentation.
A co-worker whose mom recently had surgery for lung cancer is on her own path to wellness.
She said that her uncle always said "this world is walking around in a coma".
To be alive, we must be aware.
I continue to walk, to read, to create and to nurture.
I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Have a bright and beautiful day!
Have a bright and beautiful day!
41 comments:
Lovely crochet rocks such a lovely idea :)
You certainly have made some big changes in your life, Tammy. And becoming a Vegan is really HUGE! It does seem that you have been headed that way for awhile as far as I can tell with the foods that you eat. Is it a challenge to find acceptable products there? Or when you are out to eat?
Wishing you the best with this....I think I could be a Vegetarian, but I like ice cream and cheese too much to become a Vegan!!!!
Hugs
Jan
I was so struck by your words, "To be alive, we must be aware." So true.
No matter what the topic, I hope we are always open to seeking the truth so that we don't end up "walking around in a coma."
Great post!
Tammy, you are my idol. I applaud you for your decision and for your change in lifestyle,
Meredith
Hi Tammy,
Thank you for sharing this post today and I think you are doing a wonderful thing for changing to a healthy lifestyle. Wishing you all the best with the changes.
The book looks interesting and will see if I can get a copy.
Enjoy the weekend
hugs
Carolyn
I can tell you have a kind heart; does giving up animal products mean you don't use leather? That is a byproduct of the meat industry. Just wondering.
Beautiful post and beautiful pictures. I have thought a lot about being a vegetarian. Hubby does love his meat though. We ARE originally from Nebraska, home of most excellent beef. I'm with Jan though, I like ice cream and cheese too much to be a vegan.
Thank you for your thoughtful post.
Blessings,
Betsy
I tried to watch the movie but just couldn't make it past the fist 10 mins. So terribly difficult and so very sad. Heartbreaking knowing it's all true.
Congrats. on becoming vegan, don't think I can give up dairy though. No meat/poultry of any type for 37 years....not that wonderful but at least it's been a little bit good for both me and the animals hopefully! Must look for that book - and perhaps move to one of those places!!!
Happy weekend Tammy.
Hugs - Mary
I'm glad you're moving in a direction that feels so deeply right to you. That kind of certainty turns obstacles into nothing more than little ripples in a fountain.
Have a lovely weekend!
GREAT, great post, Tammy...food for thought, AND now I've got the 80's song from The Fixx in my head from your title. Humming a happy tune - Happy Mother's Day - Tanya
We started a leaner eating regimen as of yesterday.. I'm hungry! Your rocks just made me think.. I could crochet some thread around my agates, couldn't I? I might try that! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Hi Tammy....You definitely have made very big changes in your life.
For myself, I could not give up cheese, Greek yogurt, milk, etc. Too weak. ha!
You know that I always wish you the best, Tammy. Susan
Your way of life obviously makes you happy. I've got to get going on this. I admire what you've done. Be proud of yourself, girl!
Brenda
It seems I'm not the only one who can't live without cheese....
I'm glad you know the direction you want to take, and are taking it. And thank you for giving us something to ponder.
P.S. Be sure you get enough balanced protein. (I know you will.) :)
MY dd became a vegetarian about a yr ago for the same reasons, and I think she feels a lot healthier too!
I just love those stone covers, any chance of a tiny pattern for them??
Wonderful changes you have made. I will go to your links and watch the documentary. Have a wonderful weekend
I commend you for the path you're on! I eat mostly vegetarian, but (obviously) not totally...I still eat a little chicken, pork, and fish. I'd have a really hard time with going vegan - love dairy (cheese, ice cream, Greek yogurt) too much.
Dearest Tammy,
No doubt if you walk away from meats that you live healthier!
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Hi Tammy
The post ignites certain thoughts. Good post. Loved the crochet frocks for your stones. When could we see all of them in one pic?
Hi Tammy. I applaud you in finding what is right for you. One of my daughter is vegetarian. She made the decision when in her teens. Unfortunately it didn't stop her from being diagnosed with MS last year but she says that her healthy lifestyle is so much in her favour. I could easily give up eating meat. In fact I hardly eat any. I just love the vegs. My husband, on the other hand, loves his meat. I think you just have to find the path that is right for you! Well done!! Joan
wow Tammy such a thought provoking post, I'm almost afraid to watch or look up the links, will def have to try. I was veg for years when i was younger but relented & started to eat meat again. well done to you for such a strong stance on very serious issues
Karen x
It is an informative post, Tammy!! Your rocks look good :)
I am a vegetarian since I was born. And for toiletries I use genuine herbal products. That is actually good for kids also because even the baby products have mild chemical compounds.
Even if my family is vegetarian, I feel the plant based diet only increases immunity; for kids growth, they still need something extra. There are many vegetarians in India.
But I differ to say that being a vegetarian increases life expectancy. No amount of walk /exercise will increase that either. Of course, it will keep us healthy. But science says that everything is mapped into genes when we are born and those are hereditary. If a long life is mapped in genes, it will happen. Sorry, I hope you don't mind. To me, it doesn't matter how long I live, but how I lived. So I try to be positive, though it has been difficult after losing dear ones.
Thought provoking post Tammy. As i grow older ikind of prefer vegetarian food to meat but I'm not vegetarian . I love the crochet rocks n the bougainvillea
Hi Tammy I love your crocheted rocks-they are just so neat.
we all need to listen to our bodies, cause if we listen most of the time we can figure out what we need.
my diet has evolved threw the years too, I was a vegetarian for many years in the 70s and 80s but I kept eliminating foods and when it got down to that I decided I couldn't eat veggies and fruits either cause I was killing those too by destroying the seeds;I needed to rethink. I had gotton down to 100 pounds and just had to change my diet-and went organic.
15 years ago I was so sick, and with no help from doctors at the time, and threw much trial and error, I figured out I had celiac, so life is a journey-and we need to adapt threw the years.
good post. Kathy
Beautifully written, Tammy. And thank you for linking to my post. I applaud your decision and feel, as you do, that it is the only humane choice. I admire you so!
xo
Claudia
I admire your passion and your commitment. And, your statement to be alive, we must be aware is very insightful. There is a lot of existing going on instead of living. I have no doubt you will be successful in your life changes... that's who you are. blessings ~ tanna
I've heard about that book and really want to read it. Sounds fascinating. Congrats on becoming vegan! I agree that there is too much suffering going on that we can't turn a blind eye to it. Just because we don't see it every day doesn't mean it's not happening.
Nice post, Tammy. Made me think a lot. Though our diet is mostly plant based I don't think I can become a vegan.
That sounds like an interesting book. We've made huge changes in our eating habits and have been eating less and less animal products. I'd love to eliminate them all together but can't seem to find enough protein alternatives. I love beans but I don't want to eat them at every meal. I'll be so happy if we can get the protein figured out so we'll never eat animal products ever again. It'll be so good in so many ways.
I'm interested in the documentary you mentioned. I'll look into it. Have you seen "Food Inc." and "Forks Over Knives"? They are excellent documentaries as well.
Have a wonderful, plant based weekend! :-)
I totally understand making that life choice Tammy.
Our culture has an unnatural food obsession with unnatural foods - I'm becoming more aware of it all the time. It makes me turn to more nuts, grains and veggies - anything not packaged. I admire your conviction and subsequent changes.
my sister in law and her family have been vegan for about 14 years and love it. Good luck with your change!
I've been gardening more than crocheting but need to get back to stash busting!
Enjoy your day......
Oh my goodness Tammy, thank you for writing this inspiring post.
I can't even bear the thought of animals being hurt, I was close to tears so I couldn't watch the rest of the video.
I'm so glad you have given our other earthlings a voice through your post and linking to the video.
Enjoy your Sunday
hugs
Shane ♥
A very insightful post Tammy ... you've got me rethinking a lot of things here ... diet, and our imprint on the earth. Thanks for the links, and I think I'll grab a box of tissues and have a look at the documentary. Enjoy your weekend (lovely photos again!) Wendy ;)
I wish you well in your new changes! It's nice the book confirmed it. Wishing you a happy mother's day too!
Happy mother's day Tammy. What a beautiful post. The photos are marvelous and due to my diabetes I am trying to direct my diet to only foods that come from the earth. I am using the Mayo Clinic diabetic material. I will look up that book. Blessings.
QMM
Hello Tammy, I would like to wish you a Very, Wonderful Happy Mother's Day. Neat Photos.. Hugs Judy
Great post, Tammy, and well done to you! I could only make it to the 17 minute mark of Earthlings as it was so unbearable to see how humans treat animals. I too am leaning back towards a vegan lifestyle after being pescetarian for 7 years, vegan for nearly a year of that time. As always, thanks for the links.
I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day (well, it's Mother's Day here in Australia anyways). xo
Taking our own health in our hands is so important - good for you. I get so mad when I see another sugary cereal introduced or the fast food burgers getting bigger. Where will it end? It's very sad to see people take their health for granted.
Wishing you a most wonderful Sunday my friend!
xo Catherine
Your posts are always so thoughtful and speak to me on many levels...everyone walking around in a comma explains alot!
Thank goodness or conscious, caring and Loving people like you Tammy...
Peace♥Love♥Light to you
oxo
Very well said and thought provoking. I've always admired you educating yourself and making changes in your life that are not just better for you, but for other living things. I agree that most people are in a coma (I always am or is it brainfog) and so caught up in their own life that we do not really sit back and contemplate our surroundings. That's what I love about you, you take action. I did stop eating at TGIF, so for me that is an accomplishment...lol!
Post a Comment