Benefits of a Major Lifestyle Change

What have I gained from this major lifestyle change?

Health. Happiness. Confidence. Passion. Compassion. Understanding. Respect. Interest. The list is endless. Since becoming vegan, I have made major life discoveries, and it would be so selfish of me not to share them because I, truly and genuinely, believe anyone and everyone should have the privilege to experience all of these benefits. 

Now, firstly, there are many different reasons to go vegan and each one is completely valid and makes, only, positive differences in the world, and yourself. Whether you are a junk-food vegan, a plant-based vegan, a high-carb low-fat vegan, you are still VEGAN and save so many lives, so many resources that are becoming so scarce to the environment, and are opposing to hypocrisy that is of the meat-dairy-egg industry. 

By abstaining from all animal products and by-products, you emerge yourself in a world of compassion, love, and not to mention, good food. 

Personally, I have adopted a lifestyle of a more health-conscious vegan. Nonetheless, the driving force for my decisions has always been, and will always be because of my love for nature and the animals. An innate part of me has always been so paranoid about each and every aspect of possible health repercussions, just living in the world we do today. Since becoming vegan, and notably, a health-conscious one, I know, that my health will never be subject to so many of the major killers of, particularly, the Western World, diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers. So, in that, I have gained confidence in my health, something that had troubled me for so long, notably after some readings I got back from a blood-test a few years back. I had been diagnosed with a thyroid conditions. From that moment, I would not allow myself to succumb to declining health and I had reversed an possibility of that succumbs-ion with diet and nutrition. 

Now, I'm not talking 'diet'. I'm talking a nutritious lifestyle change that, I believe, is NECESSARY to us all, if we want to make a difference. By eliminating processed foods, animal products and any other harmful things you could put into your body, I had not only reversed HYPO-thyroidism, but I had brought back my health above and beyond what it ever was. Replacing any toxic foods and things with whole-plant foods, I have conquered my body and had complete control of my health.

Now, those benefits are so so notable, but the largest benefit, in my opinion, was my perspective on life in general, and my appreciation for everything. I immersed myself in research on the topic. Study after study, recipe after recipe, blog after blog, vlog after vlog, article after article, I had become an insider to the movement, transitioning from my spectator past. 

With that, I have brought others with me and they, too, find these same benefits. 

There is nothing more nourishing than whole, healthy, plants...

 Sunshine...

And knowledge to the world in which we live that is so corrupted by the hypocrisy of the dominating, slaughter housing industries that we can all stand up against and become that voice of indifference. 

Everyone has their own story who comes to this movement whether your benefits are reducing acne, losing/gaining weight whatever need be, gaining health and happiness, opening your eyes, discovering a passion for compassion, getting fit, staying alive, beating illness...

But each story needs some influence, which is why I encourage everyone to BECOME a student to life's lessons and teachings and educate yourself on the world and what is our future. We can make a difference.

Visit

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

http://www.nationearth.com/

https://www.vegansociety.com/

http://www.cowspiracy.com/

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Give My Body LIFE

 Give. My. Body. LIFE.

That's the best way I can express how I feel about eating whole, unprocessed, nourishing, colourful, rad, beautiful, healthy, beneficial, and diverse foods. Think about it, it's often referred that, WE ARE WHAT WE EAT. 

Who wouldn't want to be fresh, fun, colourful, beautiful, clean, pure, healthy, refreshing, SWEET, and did I say FRESH?

Stop making your body a graveyard if you haven't already begun to nourish it with healthy, LIVING foods, and start now. Veganism is NOT hard, expensive, or extreme. What IS extreme is murder, abuse, decay, rot, everything involved in the inhumane mistreatment exhibited in major meat, dairy and egg corporations.

Two of the things I love above all other things (other than my family and friends and their well-being) is health, animals, life, and the planet. Not only does being vegan help the animals, but it also helps the environment.

• Humans eat twice as much meat as we did 30 years ago, primarily of chickens, cows, pigs and sheep
• All of the above animals require an IMMENSE amount of water, feed as they produce GREAT amounts of waste and methane gases
• The climate change emissions of the combined animals exceeds those of all forms of transportations
• The unnecessary industry DESTROYS and steals land
• This land could be used as crops to feed the hungry
• Not to mention, the land involved to grow feed for the ANIMALS could be used, as well, to feed the hungry
• Water is WASTED
• DEFORESTATION
• The air, water and land is poisoned by the by products of meat factories
• The natural resources of the earth are being DRAINED 

IT TAKES 20,000 LBS OF WATER TO PRODUCE ONE POUND OF BEEF WHILE IT ONLY TAKES 60-130 LBS OF WATER TO PRODUCE A POUND OF POTATOES, RICE OR ANY OTHER GRAIN

Not only all that, but it is deemed that a plant based diet is half the cost of a meat-centred diet.

I would say sorry to get preachy here, but I won't because it is something seriously frightening. It affects the human race, the animals, the EARTH and something must be done.

For more information here are some excellent websites:

https://www.vegansociety.com/try-vegan/why-go-vegan

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-frazier/vegan-diet_b_3996646.html --> For newbies

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/reasons-to-try-veganism#.htVJ73xWB4 --> For humours

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/going-vegan/#slideshow=slide5

"MY BODY WILL NOT BE A TOMB FOR OTHER CREATURES" 

~ Da Vinci 

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Living your life right, awake and asleep - sleep, exercise, food

Whoever you are, you have no doubt woken up one morning, probably after a long night with hardly any sleep or had a restless sleep, with a cough, a headache or, my favourite, a groggy throat accompanied by muscle soreness. Although we should aim for at least eight consecutive hours of undisturbed sleep each night, sometimes that late night tea or eager discussion can keep us wired or can affect our sleep cycle. The key to having a restful, pleasant sleep is to abstain from the thing that will have our brains on a constant run, aka, smart phones, tablets, laptops, any screens, and even books. In some cases, a book can put you to sleep because your eyes are so tired and heavy, while other times the plot only escalades, intriguing you more.

The most relaxing thing for me before bed is to reflect on my day and, in a stressless way, think about the next day. Growing up with obsessive-compulsive thoughts, I was constantly wired. Making checklist after checklist, anxiety running through the roof as I recount different scenarios. It wasn't until recently I have been able to manage my hyper-active mind. I find with meditation and deep breathing, the entire body, as well as the mind has the chance to relax and live in the moment.

Alongside that, I often practice yoga to maintain balance and power in myself. Calming, soothing, and stress-relieving, it is something I recommend we all take part in. 

To add on, another key component to a healthy, soothed mind, is a healthy body. What better way to treat your body than with the right fuel and exercise. 

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to be active, and while living an active life, to be present, including when you nourish yourself. 

So many people slave for hours at the gym on a machine, practically in a dungeon. Getting cardio in is fantastic, but there's more to exercise than trudging on a harsh surface continually, going, literally, nowhere. Don't get me wrong, I do go to the gym daily, or when I can, but I also take into consideration that life is happening OUTDOORS. Even walking with your best friend, your dog, your mom, your dad, sibling, or running along the lakeshore, cycling through the city, and exploring your surroundings releases endorphins, maintaining happiness while keeping your body healthy and fit. 

Finally, nutrition is the most important aspect of living a balance life. Again, many unsatisfied people will slave hours at the gym, but return to their comfort, or what they believe to be it. Fast food or processed junk. Many people are, sadly, unaware of how damaging this food really is, no matter if you work it off or not. You can always differentiate someone who nourishes their body with what works for them with whole, organic health foods, from someone who just ordered a Big Mac with an extra order of fries or a ready-made frozen meal out of a package. People GLOW when they are nourished right. Through their skin, eyes, hair, body, physicality, body language, nails, the list goes on. Their vitality is so rich and luminous. 

Since being vegan, my skin has cleared up, I am hardly sick, my hair is softer and thicker, my skin softer, and my overall well being and energy is thriving. I have never felt so good in my life. So many foods nowadays are jam-packed with unnecessary hormones, sodium, fat, processed sugar, and toxins to the body. Veganism isn't a restricting diet, it's a life-prolonging and enhancing lifestyle. For so many reasons, ethically, and health-wise, living a plant-based lifestyle is a win.

In closing, by staying healthy, you will be happy no matter what, I promise. 

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Inspiration Day

Throughout life, moments are so precious and we can so easily take time for granted. Time that we have with loved ones, passions, or even just life itself. Before I had adopted this mindset of cherishing and valuing every moment of incredible life, like many, I could have easily found myself in a rut. It is so crucial to remember that no matter what happens, there is always something positive to look to. And with that, there is always inspiration surrounding, something I carry with me everyday. Whether that be from friends, family, figures, nature, things, ideas, or even pets, the love and positivity is always available.

Inspiration, to me, is something you feel and immense amount of love for, and something that gives you hope regarding yourself. Inspiration makes you feel good, and bout yourself too. Finding inspiration from others is not only important, but finding the fire inside yourself to ignite that spark to be artistic, loving, beautiful, whole, healthy, and positive is also vital. Of course you have to laugh at yourself occasionally or acknowledge that you may be imperfect in one way, but that is the most perfect thing about life (Something I had previously expressed in my Loving your whole, imperfect perfect self post). 

I have so many things to work on still, and I love that because it gives me such a satisfying task in my life. Something so dear and personal, I have the privilege of calling it my own.  

With the things that are inspiring to me, (and I recommend everyone do this) I have a list as to why it does.

In closing, I find inspiration everywhere, in nature, in friends, family, activity, movement, people, and most importantly, the journey and imperfectly, imperfect idea of life. So go out there, take that yoga class, cook that recipe that taunts your taste-buds, go for gold, find inspiration, better yourself, for you are bettering the world. 

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