This may be your last day of the Ghost-Free Journey, but hopefully you will continue this journey going forward. You have done an amazing job considering some difficult issues, facing social concerns, and challenging yourself with different food choices. It’s been a pleasure for us to help assist you. You brought such a love fun-loving attitude to your challenge, as well as enthusiasm and persistence. We are here if you want or need support or encouragement along the way.
Where ever you go, and however you proceed, please remember and consider the Ghosts that are hidden in our machine…..food, entertainment, fashion, and vivisection. FOR THE GHOSTS, Rosemary & Donna
What would you like to focus on today, and how can we help you go forward in your transition to a vegan lifestyle?
Coach Donna and Coach Rosemary
The opinions we express as GFJ Coaches are ours personally. We are not professional health practitioners. Neither are we treating a specific health care issue. That means we are not offering advice on health-care problems. If you are experiencing a health-care problem, it is important to seek the advice of a health professional. However we are experienced, practicing vegans and we look forward to coaching you on your journey..
I would love to hear what other people struggled with and how they overcame the tough bits. I am sure there will be things that come up that I am not even prepared for…
I truly believe that with strong conviction I can make this happen in my lifestyle. I love animals… all animals and if I can make the difference for one or more, I am happy.
Kelly, this is a great launching point for discussion and feedback. I think you’ll do wonderfully, especially having strong conviction and desire to extend compassion to all animals.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. There is a wonderful vegan community out there, from blogs, to books, web resources, and individuals who care and will help along the way if you run into obstacles. It’s estimated that you’ll save 98 non-human animals in a year with your Ghost-Free choices! Best wishes for a joyful vegan journey!
Hi Kelly, I was vegetarian for over 20 years, and sometimes a lazy one. I have been vegan for a year now as a result of diving deep, and having a fully immersive experience with the content of this project. I didn’t become vegan to impress anyone around me, I needed to find it for myself and it needed to fully make sense, because it is a leap from vegetarianism. Making this film, and engaging fully in the subject matter is what opened my eyes to the entire system that consumers support — being vegan means making different choices; ones that consider the hidden and countless lives behind the products. Also, being vegan doesn’t mean that’s it’s always easy or perfect. Sometimes it’s not possible to be 100%, it’s about doing your best — like we try to green the earth, and care about fair trade. Cheese was the hardest for me to give up! And guess who keeps me vegan? Fanny, the former dairy cow that I feature in The Ghosts In Our Machine. She is my friend, and her story taught me the realities of the dairy industry. Thanks for trying, and good luck on your journey. It’s different for everyone, but I think what is universal is that we start ‘seeing’ differently; the Ghosts are everywhere! – For the Ghosts, – Liz Marshall, Director of The Ghosts On Our Machine
Thanks Liz!! I can’t wait to see the Documentary and will definitely be reaching out on the website for inspirations and guidance.
Hi, I began towards veganism in July of 2009 – 3 Years!! For me the hard parts are summer picnics and christmas cookies. I believe the most important part is to not create demand on animal products. If I mess up I forgive myself and Immediatly-not tomorrow- get back on board.
I think the best way to ensure you are a vegan for life is to have personal relationships with the animals. I have friends – Duncan and Nugget who are the greatest pigs. They run and leap (and leaping for 1000lb+ pig should not look as easy and free as it does) for joy when they see me, they throurghly investigate me and then subcomb to belly rubbs. I have my own rescued Chicken- Jasmine who reminds me everyday how intelligent she is, and how she has like and dislikes and joys. One is to run and scratch in the dirt. I have cow friends that would have been veal. Dairy is the only reason there is veal. I think of the cycle of slavery that cows endure, being crudly artifically inseminated and being pregnant while being milked, then having thier babies taken from them, knowing thier daughters will endure the same slavery and pain and saddness they do and thier sons even worse a fate and I know from all these animal friends that I can never betray them. If a BLT smells good to me I just think of them. I think of the running and leaping with joy that they would never get to do.
That being said-The smell of meat no longer smells good to me, anymore then the smell of human flesh would smell. I would not eat an animal if I was starving because my life is not worth more that any animals.
If you need an extra boost study the affects of animal protien and your health and you’ll do it for yourself as well.
Or think of all the starving people that have thier food and land diverted to feed cattle… all the rainforrests cut down for the same…all the polution rasising animals causes… There are too many reasons to ever go back and billions of reasons to stay Vegan, Look me up on FB if anyone wants and any help. https://facebook.com/amy.decker.v
Namaste
Jasmine enjoying her pasture-she never saw pasture before I rescued her.
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Jasmine <3
How sweet she is! Thank you for sharing your photo and your experience, Amy.
LOVE! I hope one day to rescue some friends… I want my own little Farm Sanctuary!!
Thank you for the very thoughtful advice.
🙂
Very sweet, so happy she is safe!
Hi Kelly!
I think there are lots of little hard bits along the road. Restaurants are my biggest pet peeve. (HUGE in fact) I get annoyed when I have to fiddle with everything, and I’m vigilant at checking food. With this annoyance though, comes an opportunity to educate others, and for that I’m thankful. While out at dinner with a friend I ordered a deep dish pizza (ridiculously good!) I got vegan cheese and vegan sausage, along with pineapple and some green peppers and onions (I love food) My little pizza came with cheese sprinkled on top. I asked to speak to a manager, then went out to my car to get the literature I always have with me. I explained that I don’t need my food to look pretty, I need it to taste good, and have no animal products. I explained that it’s not an allergy, but an aversion, and why. The literature backed up what I was saying.
Like Liz, I have that special someone that keeps me fighting. Her name is Gloria, and she is my rock. Being an advocate can be hard, images are hard to see, stories harder to read, and we can all get down. I think we’ve all got that rock, and mine is without a doubt, Gloria. We’ve got a bond like no other and when I see her, my heart flutters with joy. Visiting sanctuaries renews me. Gloria lives at Farm Sanctuary, with Fanny! My friends Norman and Ashli cow live at Snooters in Canada, along with my little buddy Belle, she’s a potbelly pig. I have a turkey friend, Timothy, at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. They’re all SO important.
Most important? Having support, in friends, or with us. You always need someplace that is safe, where people will hear you out and help you through.
Congratulations for even taking this journey. It’s brave to do the total opposite of what most people around you are doing! For me, the hardest part was finding out why people stop eating dairy and eggs. I’d been vegetarian for 15+ years and had other vegetarians in my life but no vegans. A couple years ago I used the term “dairy cow” in a conversation and someone clued me in to the facts. Shortly after was the first time I googled the issue. So, the hardest part was, and still is, knowing the truth (realizing what you’ve learned thus far is bullshit) and then often feeling like you’re the only person in the room who knows!! I thought cheese would be really hard to give up so I made allowances for a while but like anything else the anticipation is worse than reality – after a few weeks of “cold turkey” the habit was broken and the craving disappeared. It’s still sometimes difficult or awkward to go to restaurants or dinner parties but that’s just something that works itself out. My tactic there is to be very honest with the host and ask what I can do to help with the menu. Everyone does this really, no matter what you eat, so it’s not that weird. But some people do take offence or ask questions about nutrition or ethics so be as prepared for that as you want to be. I still couldn’t tell you where I get my B12 or iron but my levels are always higher than necessary! As for changing my eating/shopping habits…there was a learning curve for sure. I gained about 10 pounds the first year but it’s all working itself out now and going in the other direction very nicely. For that, cookbooks are awesome. I recommend the Fresh series and Veganomicon. For every other aspect of it…I recommend keeping up with this great project and staying really familiar with Jo-Anne’s work!
I’ve been veg for a few decades, became vegan a few years ago. Initially, letting go of cheese was the most difficult. But after I stopped eating it, I felt more at peace, finally moving on and letting go of something I knew was wrong. I did not want to support such cruelty. At this point, it no longer appeals to me, the smell alone makes me gag.
There was a time I struggled to find decent shoes and belts. But that is no longer an issue since vegan shoes have become pretty mainstream. I still have an issue finding belts, most of the vegan belts are not very stylish. But, I continue in my search!
Non-vegan restaurants can be a challenge. Usually there are a few dishes to choose from, I typically end up with a pasta dish. Although I have received some pasta dishes sprinkled with cheese, even though I requested none. I have also found restaurants add animal products to certain foods I didn’t expect– like adding chicken broth to a marinara sauce, or adding cheese directly to the sauce. I always have the waitstaff check with the kitchen before ordering.
Cars! Finding a better quality car that does not have leather seats, impossible. This is a big issue for me at the moment.
A common theme that triggers the transition from omni to veg seems to be a personal relationship with a non-human animal, and experiencing their sentience on an intimate level. This is true for me as well.
My transition from omnivore to vegan was a process that took place over 3 years (from omni, to pescatarian, to vegetarian, to vegan). Each step I took was propelled by a personal connection with a specific animal or animal experience and my exposure to information that made each step one that I could no longer step down from. With this connection and knowledge, came the inevitable conclusion that I could no longer contribute to their suffering. I finally felt the connection between saying “I love animals” and loving animals”. Why on earth would I pay someone to kill an animal for me to eat if I love animals? When this fell together, I felt more at peace, inside and out!
Practically, on an everyday basis, what this means to me is to choose vegan food, clothing, and products with as much consciousness and integrity as I can. However, I don’t pine over asking a waitress if I’m traveling for example, if my vegan burger bun has whey or traces of egg in it. Some vegans strive for that level, and I’m not discounting , it’s just not significant enough (in a situation like this) for me at this point. There are social issues that are challenging, like hosting parties/dinners with non-veg’s and dealing with all those details of what to prepare or bring and explaining it. I’m not going to sugar-coat it; it can be awkward and uncomfortable sometimes. I try my best, and always fall back on honesty if I question what to do. Then, there are the non-vegans who just outright challenge or judge my vegan choices. I mostly see this as their attempt to rationalize their choice to eat animals and animal products so they can feel ok about themselves. This helps me not get into a defensive mode. Why would I need to defend myself, anyway? Cognitive dissonance is powerful, and I try to focus less on those confronting, and more on reasons why this is important to me. It’s all a process and progression, with each of us experiencing it in our own unique way. I’ve never felt better in my life. All in all, this has been a significant spiritual journey for me and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. For the Ghosts!
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THANK YOU all for the lovely words of encouragement and advice. I feel that this has been a very eye opening experience for me and a path that I would like to stay on. I had one of the busiest days ever today and was able to stick to my guns and push through. Although I felt informed before I really feel that I know more now and would have a hard time falling backwards. I will remember that no one is perfect all the time and to think of the sweet animals. Rosemary – when you said that being ghost free will save approximately 98 animals each year, that will be my reminder and mantra.
For the Ghosts.
Kelly
It was our pleasure to assist in your GFJ, Kelly. Please let us know how you’re doing along the way, and if we can help you in any way, let us know. You know where to find us. For the Ghosts, Rosemary and Donna