Veganism is not about abstaining from 100% consuming and using all animal products, as that is obviously not going to happen in this age. It is about removing one self as much as possible from the disgusting cycle of the continued exploitation and suffering of other living creatures. As a plant based ultra distance triathlete that is my goal for continually evolving the health in my life and helping others aspire to the same.
Or you can do nothing and live blissfully ignorant with a lack of awareness, sensitivity, and conscience, Darin. The choice is yours.
Blood Lipid Panel Test
Test Value Ref. Range
Cholesterol 123 mg/dL 140-199
Triglyceride 48 mg/dL 0-149
HDL 48 mg/dL >=41
LDL 65 mg/dL <=100
VLDL 10 mg/dL 0-30
Overall, I was very pleased with the results. I mentioned these to my Advanced Nutrition professor and she said something along the lines of, "excellent, you must have good genes!" I have noticed that she (and other professors) talk about genes genes genes so much. Why can't it be due to a good diet? The 66% of overweight/obese Americans do not simply have bad genes, but if someone is healthy or a really great athlete it is so often due to good genes. Migrant studies go against this gene theory. If you take group of people from one culture with significantly better health then we have here in the US and put them in this country and watch them take on the diet and physical activity characteristics of the US, what happens? They adopt the diseases and health risks of their new home and habits. Showing the impact of a crappy Standard American Diet is more powerful then your genes.
9 comments:
i would be very interested in your honest take on the book "good calories, bad calories" by gary taubes
I've read ABOUT the book :P but have not gotten my hands on it (yet)
I have visited a couple eco-villages which you would love. At some of them they consume eggs, fish, and sometimes a little meat. The thought is that animals are able to take food (mostly grass, that we can do anything with) and keep a better ecosystem (instead of more crops). This is a great talking point for people like you are talking about. A lot of farmers think that they are more like this then you are when they are in fact wrong. Basically there is a cool middle ground as long as you are not morally opposed to meat which I think is a bad position to take even if you are. It just alienates farmers who grew up with it. I grew up raising rabbits for meat and chicken for eggs and it taught me to value every bit of material that you get from them. The eco village I am most familiar with is Dancing rabbit. Google to check it out. You would love it there.
not for nothing, but aren't alot of professors liberal..most liberals (I do realize I am grouping here) attribute most things to either luck or exploitation. Individual striving or merit is usually looked down upon. Check for the pattern. It isn't bad choices that make people fat. It's where they live. It isn't people's fault they are uneducated, it's the governments fault or their geographic location...most of the time, personal responsibility..the whole concept that we individually are responsible for the state we are in, is missing from the equation. I know you will think this is bullsh*t...but the next time something comes up, bring it up...dollars to donuts you will get a spiel about how it isn't ever anyone's fault for the shape they are in, economically, physically or spiritually.
me, I think you eat right and exercise and are mindful. Good job.
The China Study is an excellent book to read if you doubt being vegan leads to better health. I wish I could get my husband to read it. I've given up meat and am down to very little other animal-based foods. I'll get to vegan eventually. Still expanding my repertoire of recipes.
From my experience in the nutrition classes and with my nutrition professors, I would agree with what you say Christine.
About Good Cals Bad Cals and The China Study. I have read The China Study and from what I think I understand about Good Cals Bad Cals is that they are conflicting books. I know there is tons of research and info for and against both. I am obviously vegan and support that side of the story ethically and from a health mindset as well but cannot comment specifically on Taubes' book.
Great points!
I was raised on a farm and recenty returned. Like a previous commenter said, you learn to value all of your livestock and crops. I am a vegetarian, and even though beef cattle are raised on our farms, I know that the care that we put into them goes toasted another family having a healthy, vaccine and hormone free meal.
I love coming across posts like this...
First, "veganism" is the same as Christianity. There are certain tenants that you must live by in order to consider yourself a vegan. If somebody calls themselves a Christian, then goes out and has willy-nilly sex, gets drunk and high, they shouldn't rightfully call themselves a Christian, unless of course they intend to never do all of those things ever again. Philosophies and religions require adherence to the tenants and rules in order to consider oneself a member. For vegansim, this means the avoidance of ALL animal products. Your admission that nobody can completely avoid animal products points to the fact that veganism is a failed philosophical ideal. It doesn't work. Consider this small example; you know those 3 bundles of kale you just choked down? Were they organic? If not, guess what? They were probably sprayed with pesticides! And do you know what pesticides are intended to do? Kill pests! Cruelty and death free? I think not. If each life is truly as worthwhile as the next, wouldn't it be more pragmatic to kill one cow and be well fed for almost a whole year vs. killing billions of "pests" so you can eat enough cabbage to get your required amount of nutrients? If you are running and step on a bug, does that pose an ethical dilemma for you? It should, because guess what? Humans don't need to run to survive. The only reason that you run is for pleasure. So, the only reason the bug died was for your pleasure. See? That sounds stupid, because it is. Indefensible really. Just like veganism.
Oh, and re-read my post and think about the fact that honey is a controversial item for vegans. *face smack*
p.s. Shopping purely organic doesn't get you out of the woods either, because consider the amount of bugs and small animals killed in the process of getting the food to you, regardless of organic vs. conventional farming methods. Facts are facts, and the sooner people face them instead of favoring crazy-ass dogma, the sooner a meaningful conversation about sustainable farming can begin.
One concession I will make is that when dining out, unless I am familiar with the restaurant and their sources of food, I will order vegan items. Intensive factory farming is inexcusable, and I encourage everyone to do the same.
@ Anonymous - Thanks for the comment. You have seen my definition of a vegan. One who does their best to not take in any animal products. Aside from a vegetarian, who simply avoids certain types of animal products. That's where I stand, sorry you disagree.
Post a Comment