Today I met an old good friend and we went for a walk out again. I was able to take over some Vegan cake for him and his girlfriend which felt cool just to express that sharing of Vegan stuff and to be integrated and involving and promoting. It was strange as I guess at the end it was a saying bye really. We hadn't seen eqach other for 4.5 years until this last month and now it will likely be atleast another couple. There was a handshake. he's not a man hug type of guy and that's okay. I felt good in the sense of being a person now who can cope and work well with change. I think of Tao masters I've met who have this overall connection to things and seem able to understand more that fundamental idea that change is the only constant. I'm getting better at that it seems but I'm not there yet. I'm hoping to feel that in the rest of my trip as I finish off.
At night I visited a cool girl -friend. We joke we are like brother and sister. I felt sadder leaving her than my friend earlier but it was all good on the whole. I do feel it's important not to make it too sad. We had some nice times and we'll keep in contact. We have good affinity with one another I believe and we'll meet when we're meant to.
She said thanks for Diet for a New America but doesn't want to read the factory farm stuff. That's all good and fair. She is vegetarian anyway. Hopefully she'll enjoy the health stuff.
As I write this it's interesting over hearing my folks and sister talk. My Dad is speaking about the cruelty of the current killing of badgers for supposedly weeing on hey causing the cows to get ill. My Dad is saying why can't it be just fenced off properly rather than shooting them. My sister's reply was 'we need to all just become vegan'. It's cool to hear that as I write this as sad as it is.
I've started to The Lucky Ones by Jenny Brown. A very Veganesque book. About a lady's fight to help farm animals. It makes me so sad that so many people aren't able to open their eyes more. Again thinking back to the blog post about the hardest thing about being Vegan.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Monday, 26 August 2013
Monday 26th. Run. Meeting an old friend. Football, football culture, ego and now Vegan
Today I met with an old friend at 2pm for a drink in the pub. I stuck with soft drinks (see my other blog). I chatted with him and his girlfriend which was really cool. The only vegan thing that came up was him saying so I hear youre Vegan now. I just said yeah it's been a lifestyle change in the last year and it's worked out really well. There wasn't any judgement and it was just nice.
I got out for a run after. See my run blog. That went well.
Later I went to the football with my Dad. The first match for 4.5 years. It was funny how a lot went through my mind. I enjoyed the match. An interesting 0-0 draw and nice to be at my childhood teams ground 'Old Trafford' again.
I thought back to a few days ago when a friend posted something on the Vegan page of football fans celebrating with a slogan along the lines of 'how great would it be if these people could be so passionate about something that truly meant something'.
It made me think about what a big part of my life football has been. Getting so excited, in tears over matches and now I truly feel I have accessed a deeper part of me. The excitement is still there for football but I kind of realise there's something so ego about it. I feel there must be some soul in the art form but I feel 99% of what all fans feel is all about ego. I'm sorry if that sounds arrogant but it's my observation. It's all about attachment to. The excitement of the goal and winning.
It's strange to feel back on all that part of my life and wonder if it was all just a waste. What did it really mean in the great scheme of things. It was cool but maybe a lot was just surface that I misunderstood as having real depth. I thought of everyone in Old Trafford. Likely people who ate meat regularly. The small proportion of Vegans and that brainwashed mentality of giving it no thought at all but looking away.
In my spiritual development group we speak of working with the heart (subduing it) and that makes sense. Being vegan helps that so is such a great grounding in life. It stops that attachment to things like football for me I guess. I thought about the SAFE campaign of people holding the dead birds which I couldn't go to and made me think that that's what truly means something and a key to truly make a difference, by altering the foundations of how we eat.
Life is changing so much now. It's so weird to think of all the football arguments and the stupid dramas around it when it should never be like that. Great to really be looking at spiritual teachings and people like Gandhi and Einstein for what's important. I love how they talk about vegetarianism. It does seem like my Veganism is something so true in m life that really makes sense.
I got out for a run after. See my run blog. That went well.
Later I went to the football with my Dad. The first match for 4.5 years. It was funny how a lot went through my mind. I enjoyed the match. An interesting 0-0 draw and nice to be at my childhood teams ground 'Old Trafford' again.
I thought back to a few days ago when a friend posted something on the Vegan page of football fans celebrating with a slogan along the lines of 'how great would it be if these people could be so passionate about something that truly meant something'.
It made me think about what a big part of my life football has been. Getting so excited, in tears over matches and now I truly feel I have accessed a deeper part of me. The excitement is still there for football but I kind of realise there's something so ego about it. I feel there must be some soul in the art form but I feel 99% of what all fans feel is all about ego. I'm sorry if that sounds arrogant but it's my observation. It's all about attachment to. The excitement of the goal and winning.
It's strange to feel back on all that part of my life and wonder if it was all just a waste. What did it really mean in the great scheme of things. It was cool but maybe a lot was just surface that I misunderstood as having real depth. I thought of everyone in Old Trafford. Likely people who ate meat regularly. The small proportion of Vegans and that brainwashed mentality of giving it no thought at all but looking away.
In my spiritual development group we speak of working with the heart (subduing it) and that makes sense. Being vegan helps that so is such a great grounding in life. It stops that attachment to things like football for me I guess. I thought about the SAFE campaign of people holding the dead birds which I couldn't go to and made me think that that's what truly means something and a key to truly make a difference, by altering the foundations of how we eat.
Life is changing so much now. It's so weird to think of all the football arguments and the stupid dramas around it when it should never be like that. Great to really be looking at spiritual teachings and people like Gandhi and Einstein for what's important. I love how they talk about vegetarianism. It does seem like my Veganism is something so true in m life that really makes sense.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
23rd to 25th. Trip to Newcastle
Arrived and my friend had made a Vegan curry which was great. I was really grateful for their consideration and thanked them for this. There were only a few questions just asking about my becoming vegan and I was able to be very cool and calm about it. It was good that at no point did I feel I was being hassled or anything. It was interesting how they mentioned sometimes enjoying having some vegetarian food and mentioned too how one of their parents was quite anti vegan food if they were out and it was offered as an option... a kind of but none of us are vegetarian kind of response. It made me think again of that quite rigid thinking. I think too of the idea that eating meat is in fact a cult. I'm thinking this could be a topic to write more about. My friend in NZ had this same quite rigid thinking and is dominant in meat eating. I guess similarly without really knowing why and being closed to change. The meat eating cult again.
The next day we had a lunch out and it was easy for me to veganise a salad I had without the cheese that would've come with it. They had some soy milk in which was good so I was able to have some nice cereal and fruit which was cool. I appreciated that. My friends ate meat but I felt cool and happy that they were doing their thing and being respectful to mine.
It's interesting again though as deep down I don't ultimately respect people actually eating meat. well I respect the people but I don't feel they are aware enough to make the best choice. I've tried to understand this and I guess it's fair for me to understand and respect where people are at right now and that I can help them move forward. I get upset when people are judgemental of my Veganism when I guess I'm the same about them but the thing is it isn't each to their own as I've said before. We are leading the movement forward. Is it self righteous? well it's certainly righteous but I think self -righteous is a negative term. As Vegans we do guide the way forward for the way to eat. It's something I firmly believe doesn't have a counter argument ultimately, like Feminism doesn't or equal rights for black and white people doesn't. It's a positive social movement and we are pioneering this change. It's that responsibility I need to keep coming to terms with and proudly take on board as part of my responsibility to the world.
On Saturday night I made a curry from the step by step menu from the Revive book which was great and I sent them the recipe when I got back. I hope that can help them a bit. I did say you could put other things into it as I felt that was best to be kind and not indoctrinating but hope they can make a choice to have a vegan day or to make some even minor steps in that direction.
I felt great on Saturday night to not drink alcohol and had just one the day before (more in my other blog). I had a few dreams too which I think were linked to this. Again in my other alcohol blog.
This morning I was able to get lunch at a coffee shop and veganise their vegetarian breakfast by having battered potato rather than an egg. Was happy I came through it all well. I got the train back feeling all cool and calm like it had been a very pleasant weekend.
The next day we had a lunch out and it was easy for me to veganise a salad I had without the cheese that would've come with it. They had some soy milk in which was good so I was able to have some nice cereal and fruit which was cool. I appreciated that. My friends ate meat but I felt cool and happy that they were doing their thing and being respectful to mine.
It's interesting again though as deep down I don't ultimately respect people actually eating meat. well I respect the people but I don't feel they are aware enough to make the best choice. I've tried to understand this and I guess it's fair for me to understand and respect where people are at right now and that I can help them move forward. I get upset when people are judgemental of my Veganism when I guess I'm the same about them but the thing is it isn't each to their own as I've said before. We are leading the movement forward. Is it self righteous? well it's certainly righteous but I think self -righteous is a negative term. As Vegans we do guide the way forward for the way to eat. It's something I firmly believe doesn't have a counter argument ultimately, like Feminism doesn't or equal rights for black and white people doesn't. It's a positive social movement and we are pioneering this change. It's that responsibility I need to keep coming to terms with and proudly take on board as part of my responsibility to the world.
On Saturday night I made a curry from the step by step menu from the Revive book which was great and I sent them the recipe when I got back. I hope that can help them a bit. I did say you could put other things into it as I felt that was best to be kind and not indoctrinating but hope they can make a choice to have a vegan day or to make some even minor steps in that direction.
I felt great on Saturday night to not drink alcohol and had just one the day before (more in my other blog). I had a few dreams too which I think were linked to this. Again in my other alcohol blog.
This morning I was able to get lunch at a coffee shop and veganise their vegetarian breakfast by having battered potato rather than an egg. Was happy I came through it all well. I got the train back feeling all cool and calm like it had been a very pleasant weekend.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
22 August. Day out with family. Meal out at night
Had a great day out at a farm and at Tatton Park with the family. Ate good Vegan food throughout and enjoyed just connecting and feeling good and calm and patient throughout. The evening had a few interesting Vegan moments while all being great. We ate at a pizza place and I met a couple of old friends I hadn't seen for ages. I knew there were Vegan options so expressed before that the choice was all good with me.
I gave my order and asked for all to be Vegan and felt totally comfortable in me doing so. At the table my person to the left offered me some 'baby lamb' as a joke. Again it's strange how horrible it is to write but I know he totally didn't mean it in a horrible way. He's just not awake yet. My friends also had a mini chat about working at a fish market in Australia 10 years ago I was there too. They then kind of apologised part way through. I realised they were genuinely trying to be cool and sensitive but I actually worked there too and was able to say it was okay and actually chip in with a silly thing that happened to me while I worked there when a dead fish somehow slapped me on the face. Again gross to write now but it was funny at the time and fitted the tone.
I very comfortable had soft drinks all night probably the first time I've done that and feeling comfortable in me to do that was really cool. See my drinking blog for bit more detail.
In a pub later on there were beer mats unusually saying about what nutritional value you could get from eating insects. I didn't want to get into makor evolution discussion etc but my friend asked what I thought and I said it would seem to make sense that since we descended from apes that in the past eating insects could prove useful and be easily digested. Seemed fair enough.
We had a chat too about my Vegan cake I'd brought over to a friends house. It was again interesting as my friend spoke again totally from a good heart about if you could tell the difference and then wondering if it would be different from a 'normal cake'. It's funny how we learn to see that a chickens period in a cake is normality. Again not berating him at all, not coming from a bad place in anyway but just seeing things from that omnivore angle while making efforts. all in all a great Vegan evening. :)
I gave my order and asked for all to be Vegan and felt totally comfortable in me doing so. At the table my person to the left offered me some 'baby lamb' as a joke. Again it's strange how horrible it is to write but I know he totally didn't mean it in a horrible way. He's just not awake yet. My friends also had a mini chat about working at a fish market in Australia 10 years ago I was there too. They then kind of apologised part way through. I realised they were genuinely trying to be cool and sensitive but I actually worked there too and was able to say it was okay and actually chip in with a silly thing that happened to me while I worked there when a dead fish somehow slapped me on the face. Again gross to write now but it was funny at the time and fitted the tone.
I very comfortable had soft drinks all night probably the first time I've done that and feeling comfortable in me to do that was really cool. See my drinking blog for bit more detail.
In a pub later on there were beer mats unusually saying about what nutritional value you could get from eating insects. I didn't want to get into makor evolution discussion etc but my friend asked what I thought and I said it would seem to make sense that since we descended from apes that in the past eating insects could prove useful and be easily digested. Seemed fair enough.
We had a chat too about my Vegan cake I'd brought over to a friends house. It was again interesting as my friend spoke again totally from a good heart about if you could tell the difference and then wondering if it would be different from a 'normal cake'. It's funny how we learn to see that a chickens period in a cake is normality. Again not berating him at all, not coming from a bad place in anyway but just seeing things from that omnivore angle while making efforts. all in all a great Vegan evening. :)
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
end of 21 August
Had an incredibly powerful day today and felt emotional at the end. I had a good walk out today with Ric and took some great photos. It was later on when our family friends came over. We had a load of Vegan food and shared. I was asked as usual about being Vegan which was all cool. I'd bought my Dad 'Diet for a new america' and it was interesting how my Dad actually started to talk about how cruelly animals were treated and how we just turned a blind eye to it and talked about cows getting killed and how horrible it was.
My sister said she never knew he cared so much afterwards. My Mum said how he'd always loved animals. My sister and me then had a conversation about bringing a kid up Vegan which I said I thought was right and for me would be a no brainer. My Dad then said about how sad it was but how it wouldn't make a difference if we stopped eating them. I said how it would and how it would keep spreading outwards which was positive. My Mum then said about she looks at it as each to there own and I explained about it being like a movement similar to how Feminist movement helped women to get the vote and it was about helping others to see clearer.
I felt it was all cool and a good Vegan promoting evening mentally for everyone.
My sister said she never knew he cared so much afterwards. My Mum said how he'd always loved animals. My sister and me then had a conversation about bringing a kid up Vegan which I said I thought was right and for me would be a no brainer. My Dad then said about how sad it was but how it wouldn't make a difference if we stopped eating them. I said how it would and how it would keep spreading outwards which was positive. My Mum then said about she looks at it as each to there own and I explained about it being like a movement similar to how Feminist movement helped women to get the vote and it was about helping others to see clearer.
I felt it was all cool and a good Vegan promoting evening mentally for everyone.
20 August
Had a great 3.5 hour run. see details on my marathon blog. Felt good and energised.
Had a nice evening with Kelly at the comedy night again. Enjoyed eating lots of good Vegan food throughout the day.
Had a nice evening with Kelly at the comedy night again. Enjoyed eating lots of good Vegan food throughout the day.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
19 August
On a trip out with the family to Castleton for a trip through the caves. Named comically 'The Devil's arse'. Was all really good and was nice to spend time with Gran particularly. Had loads of good Vegan food throughout the day and constantly feel stocked up on all the goodness I need and finding out more about nutrition etc which is always really enjoyable.
I read some of my You can do it Marathon book which I feel is definitely going to help me come through Auckland Marathon on 1 November. I also got some DHA pills delivered after doing quite a bit of research and realising a top up of this could be a healthy option for me at this point to be sure i'm really getting all I need.
It's been great how becoming Vegan has really gone hand in hand with constant interest and research into food and nutrition while at the same time enjoyiing cooking too (the cooking part atleast while I'm in NZ anyway)
I'm thinking when I get back to NZ I will be getting onto the Thrive diet idea by Brendan Brazier to help all the marathon stuff. I can tell how since I saw my folks last I am calmer and more compassionate. I know i have cultivated well in NZ. I feel it's my personal development group and then becoming Vegan which are key. Food really is thy medicine. I think too of that great study about the Vegan diet being used in a prison to great effect. It does seem like it constantly just filters out of my being :)
I read some of my You can do it Marathon book which I feel is definitely going to help me come through Auckland Marathon on 1 November. I also got some DHA pills delivered after doing quite a bit of research and realising a top up of this could be a healthy option for me at this point to be sure i'm really getting all I need.
It's been great how becoming Vegan has really gone hand in hand with constant interest and research into food and nutrition while at the same time enjoyiing cooking too (the cooking part atleast while I'm in NZ anyway)
I'm thinking when I get back to NZ I will be getting onto the Thrive diet idea by Brendan Brazier to help all the marathon stuff. I can tell how since I saw my folks last I am calmer and more compassionate. I know i have cultivated well in NZ. I feel it's my personal development group and then becoming Vegan which are key. Food really is thy medicine. I think too of that great study about the Vegan diet being used in a prison to great effect. It does seem like it constantly just filters out of my being :)
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