As I write this first post, I look down at my keyboard and see the remains of my final carnivorous meal scattered across the keys- a smudge of grease on the "T", a cheesecake crumb wedged between "K" and "L". If you're curious: I had a BBQ chicken wrap with blue cheese sauce, cheesy chips and cheesecake. If you're still curious: no I cannot move any more. I'm about to have a food baby. So all I can do is sit back, let my stomach hang out in all its cheese-bloated glory, and think about the challenge ahead.
One month of Veganism.
Let me first explain to you that I am the last person anyone would expect to go Vegan. I love meat, I love cheese, I love eggs, I love milk. Everything that's on the list of Vegan "No-no's" is on my list of "yes-yes-yes-can-I-have-the-biggest-slice-please". Scrolling through my Instagram, I see far too many pictures of cheese boards accompanied by captions that convey pant-wetting levels of excitement.
*heavy breathing*
So why go Vegan?
The truth is, I've always been curious about Veganism. I gazed at Vegans in wonder and bewilderment: more power to them, but how the hell do they manage?! Have you ever had something you've always wished you could do, but never thought you could, so you didn't even bother? That's what Veganism was like for me, until I saw a documentary that changed it all. The documentary in question is called Veducated and you'll find it on Netflix. I won't go into too much detail (I don't want to spoil it for anyone, it really is worth a watch),
but in summary, the documentary follows three regular New Yorkers on a six week challenge to follow a Vegan diet. Although the documentary is very informal and light hearted for the most part, it hit me hard. It had me sobbing into the sleeve of my dressing gown as I finally faced a grim reality that I chose to avoid for 20 years: innocent animals suffer a hell of a lot to become food on my plate- even if it isn't meat. It had me staring down at my body and wondering why I've never given it the chance to be the best it can be. So why not give it a go, what have I got to lose?
Anyone who knows me knows that health lies deep deep down on my list of priorities in life, so deep down that it's probably coated in a thick layer of dust, and will wither when it finally sees sunlight. My friends and family joke that I'm the world's worst diabetic. And I am. Even since my diagnosis seven years ago, I've eaten whatever the hell I wanted. My real weakness? Anything sweet. Chocolate, cake, sweets, biscuits- you name it, I want it. It's with a red face that I admit to nearly finishing a whole packet of Tuc biscuits in one go once. AndIWasAlsoDippingThemInNutellaButThat'sAMinorDetail. I always jokingly complain that my diabetes should have been given to someone else who would look after it more. But even though I'm joking, that's how I behave. Although I always inject my insulin, I pretty much pretend that my diabetes isn't there. And if I don't stop doing that, I'll be hauled off in a coffin before you can say "Pass me the sugar".
So here goes. I'm twenty years old and I'm finally going to do something nice for my body. I'm going to fill it with fruit and veg, rice, pasta, grains, anything plant based, and see what kind of difference it makes.
Since I really am the unlikeliest vegan ever, I thought it would be amusing for myself, my friends and family, and perhaps some strangers out there, to track my progress as I battle with the inevitable challenges to come. I also hope that doing this will help me stay on track, because believe me, I'm more than aware of what a mammoth task this is.
I'm afraid, I'm excited, and I'm going to wipe the crumbs off my keyboard now.
Until next time,
Katie
