Written by Daniel O’Keefe
With preparation and planning, can average Joe go vegan for a month?
Last semester, I wrote an article on veganism. I went to Mississauga for a day where I spoke to Alice and Gemma Stanton-Hagan, a set of identical twins who had lived the vegan lifestyle for more than a year at the time of the interview. I was intrigued. I really knew nothing about veganism at the time. I had heard of veganism, and thought it was like vegetarianism. Kind of right, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Although usually thought of as just a diet, veganism is a lifestyle.
The vegan lifestyle seeks to exclude the use of animals in every way, particularly in diet and clothing. This can be for many reasons: disagreeing with factory farming; believing strongly in animal rights; opposition to animal testing; or for religious or spiritual reasons.
The bottom line is that if it came from or was tested on an animal, then it won’t be used.
There are, of course, variations among vegans. Some will keep pets, while others won’t. This could present an issue because many animals, cats in particular, will die unless they consume certain proteins, found only in meat. Some vegans will refuse to sit on a leather chair, while others will use one if there isn’t a fabric chair available. It comes down to an individual’s decision on issues such as these. There is also the matter of pre-vegan, or “pre-gan” possessions. While it would be ideal to have a purely synthetic coat or pair of shoes, it is the lesser of two evils to keep the leather shoes or wool-insulated jacket than to throw it out. If a perfectly good article of clothing was thrown out, then the animal died for nothing rather than just for the clothing.
As I learned more about veganism, it became more fascinating to me.
Then I wondered if I could ever go vegan. I’m not quite the “meatatarian” in the Wendy’s commercial, but I am a person who enjoys a good steak. Roast beef is a personal favourite. I find seafood divine. There is little I wouldn’t do for bacon. And I laugh every time I see that “I love animals – they taste great” bumper sticker.
So I bounced the idea off some friends. “What do you think about me going vegan for a month?” Some found it interesting, while most people looked at me, laughed, and said, “You won’t last a week.” They told me to put an ‘emergency steak’ in the fridge for when I went through meat withdrawal.
So I took this as a challenge, and here we go. I, Daniel O’Keefe, do solemnly swear to live the vegan lifestyle to the best of my ability for the month of February.
This isn’t the first time that I have radically changed my diet.
Just this past summer, I gave up all synthetic sugars. Going from five cans of coke daily to none was difficult, but I did it. It was by far one of the hardest things I had ever done, but I was determined, and saw it through. Therefore, I believe that I can replicate this success for veganism.
I knew that this would take a great deal of preparation, so I took a trip over to the campus Wellness Centre to get some information on iron and calcium, two essentials that I felt I might miss out on with a vegan diet. I also have some multivitamins and supplements that I take to ensure proper nutrition. Furthermore, I had to make my clothing vegan. I have only worn leather running shoes for the last decade; however, I found a pair made with only synthetic materials. I also picked up a fabric belt to replace my leather belt. I have changed my diet to vegetarianism since returning to school so that the adjustment to veganism would be easier. I feel that I am as prepared as possible.
There are only two possible exceptions to veganism that I will make for February. I am not positive if my jacket has wool in it because I cannot find a label listing its materials anywhere. The first exception is my “pre-gan” jacket. The second exception is that my multivitamins and supplements may not be vegan. The bottles with the ingredients listed are at home (not in Guelph), and therefore difficult for me to check. However, other than these two possible exceptions, it is my goal to remain true to the ideals of veganism for the entire month.
When February begins, so will the Vegan Challenge.
I will provide weekly updates and accounts of the experience, and you can follow the challenges and changes every week here in the Ontarion. Wish me luck as I commence the Vegan Challenge.