Next Step

I've been a vegetarian for over four years, now.  It's not something I really have to think about anymore.  I just don't eat any meat.  That simple.  I know what plant foods to eat to have a healthy, balanced diet.  What I'm struggling with is no dairy.  For my 34th birthday, one of my wishes was to

adopt a vegan diet.  This month, I'll be 35, and I haven't gotten very far with my wish.

I know what cheeses don't contain rennet.  I buy organic dairy products.  I found a local

farmer that sells raw milk, kefir, and yogurt.  For a while, I told myself that maybe that was fine.

But, the voice in the back of my head kept telling me that I knew better.

Even if I get my dairy from local, organic farmers, my consumption is still contributing to the 

inhumane treatment and slaughter of cows.  Just like humans, cows only produce milk after

giving birth.  To keep producing milk, cows have to be continually pregnant and birthing

calves until their bodies are spent, and often in pain.  Even on friendly organic farms.

Once they can no longer produce calves and milk, they are sent to slaughter (usually

for dog food since they are too damaged for human consumption).  

Since male calves are useless to the dairy industry, they are sold to veal farms .

There they are kept on chains so short and in crates so small they are prevented from

 having any movement - no lying down, no turning around (keeps the meat pale and tender). 

Luna

I'm not going to lie - I drink a lot of cream in my coffee, enjoy cheese, and

of course ice cream.  But, I've reached a point where I no longer enjoy these

things without the pangs of guilt.  So, how much am I really enjoying them?

This is in no way to cast judgement on others.

I respect everyone's choices, as I hope for others to respect mine.

This is a personal choice, a journey that's right for me.  And, for the record, I can't

call myself "vegan" as I eat honey (from a local apiary) and I use eggs for baking.

But, I have my own chickens, know how they are raised, so I'm okay with it.

We all have to make choices that are right for us, not follow the rules of a label.

I don't like labels.  And, my chickens don't have a vegetarian diet, either.
Since they are free range, they eat bugs, grubs, and worms.

I'm already considered a freak, the black sheep of the family.
I make my own cleaners and beauty products.  What I don't make must be cruelty free.
I refuse to wear leather and suede, most wool, and absolutely no feather earrings or hair clips that are
all the rage right now (roosters always die from the stress caused by painful plucking!).
I will not bring my kids to circuses, most zoos, and Sea World is always off limits.
 Instead we visit animal sanctuaries.  This summer there will be trips to here and here.
Why not take it to the next level and really piss people off?!  ;)

So, no more dairy ... for me.
I'm anticipating a  bit of a struggle.  But, I'm ready for it.
Hopefully, this will become second-nature for me as being vegetarian did.

(I know the pic is of a chicken, but I don't have any cows.  So you'll have to enjoy Luna, instead.)