At 30, I became a vegetarian. I’m officially three years in and it’s been a really great diet and lifestyle change. I grew up eating meat…alot of it. But, over time, it no longer fit into my lifestyle and there is a growing list of reasons why this has been a positive and sustainable change for me. If you’re wondering if I miss eating meat – not at all :). I

REASON #1: MORE MANAGEABLE & AFFORDABLE DIET

Let’s be honest – unless you’re a really good at it, preparing and cooking meat so that it’s savory and tasty is hard. I’m not a good cook. 100% of the time that I used to make it, it turned out dry and tough.

Plus, meat is expensive. I got to the point where I questioned paying for it, knowing that it wouldn’t turn out good. My friends, that’s what I call a waste of money. But okay, let’s say that – unlike me – you prepare meat that leaves you licking your chops afterward. There’s also the fitness aspect…

REASON #2: BETTER EXERCISE REGIMEN

A couple years ago, I started working out intensely and became much more in tune with my body. I could feel and see the meat sitting on my stomach, it looked like I’d swallowed a basketball and I felt sluggish. Once I cut the meat, my workouts improved and I felt lighter, had more energy, and my tummy flattened out (still not as flat as I want to be though lol :)).

REASON #3: IMPROVED HEALTH

I started a journey to reduce my exposure to chemicals and toxins. Eating animals is known to increase risk of disease, because you’re taking in whatever the animal consumed and, through factory farming, animals are known to be mis-treated and pumped with dangerous substances. Not to mention plant-based diets are much more beneficial for your health. I don’t ever get sick anymore!

REASON #4: ANIMALS ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD

Animals are smart, loving, loyal, and protective. They have souls and families and they feel pain. There’s no biological benefit to eating them (we can get protein from other safer, less destructive sources). So, I don’t care to have such amazing creatures killed when there’s no reason for it.

REASON #5: MY DOG IS MY BFF

I love my dog, Nino, he’s my best friend. But in some cultures, dogs are food. It’s unreal that humans can see them as anything less than companions. Because I love him so much, I don’t want any animals to hurt.