The Future of Wellness

Starting this entry was perplexing for a number of reasons. Should it start with commenting on all the babies being born by close friends and how that may be the motivation for this? What about the vegetable garden I started growing, or how there is no longer any rotting flesh in my refrigerator? However I start this, the one thing that I am trying to avoid the most is the idea of becoming a preacher for veganism.

My boss occasionally asks me, “Are you a vegan?” Which is always followed by me replying, “No, I’m a Miller.” However, both statements are accurate. Now I can say I’m a vegan Miller. If only more of my family would follow suit, we’d have less health problems in the family.

I’m not a member of PETA. The only thing I’ve killed myself for my own consumption has been fish. I’ve only seen a hog and lamb killed for meals that I’ve partaken in. Conversely, I have eaten a lot of meat products throughout my life. It wasn’t until recently that I started questioning where the meat came from, or how the animal was handled. Nor did I consider the implications that consuming these things would have on my health and well being. Growing up, it seemed natural to eat animals. Comically, it was unnatural to avoid meat products! And now that I’m grown up, I’ve realized that this is all for the benefit of industry. Conspiracy, I greatly reject that notion. The USDA is clearly in favor of the corporation, not the local farmer, or our children’s health.

Put aside the notion of the animal, where it comes from, how it got there, and the process of getting that to your plate. The truth is, plant based foods provide everything one needs to be healthy and lead a healthy life. Rice, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables can all be provided from non-processed means without laboratory enhanced chemicals. That is what will help me fend off doctors and medicine – ten, twenty, and thirty years from now. It’s what we do now that effects later, so why not do it right? Why not grow our own gardens? Why not buy only from locally produced companies? Why doesn’t the majority of the human population question what is in their food and where it comes from?! “Be the change you want to see in the world …”

I’m documenting this change here (with recipes): http://sarasotavegan.com/

Tags: lifestyle, meat consumption, PETA, Vegan, vegetarian