I know this will fall mostly on deaf ears.
If it impacts even one person, it will have served its purpose.
I am 60 and vegan, meaning I avoid all animal protein--meat, fish, eggs, dairy. October will mark three years of exploring this lifestyle.
On this recent road trip of 23 days, I slept in at least 8 different beds and ate at countless restaurants. I spent two weeks at elevations over 7,000 feet. With the exception of cheese on pizza, some serious stay-awake-to-drive chocolate snacks, an impromptu birthday party that had cupcakes, a s'mores-around-a-fire-pit event and the yummiest chocolate milkshake in an out of the way (very unvegan) drugstore in Texas, I stayed true to my eating style.
Yes, I only had french fries with that milkshake. (So who complains about that?)
The great news is that there are incredible restaurants waking up to super delicious concoctions of spices, veggies and all things vegan and vegetarian. And Yelp is ever ready to help you find them.
But here is my discovery: a typical American woman (which I am) should not have had it so easy in these 23 days. I should have had aches and pains and swelling and all manner of other complaints that creep up on us, especially with miles sitting in a car, various altitudes, and needing the energy to share care for 5 kids. Though I normally workout, steps were the closest thing I came to exercise. I should have come home at least one pound heavier (which I did not).
I have to attribute my preservation on this trip to the eating. I am totally convinced that we are munching our way into disease and general deterioration of health with our typical American fare. And after this trip, I am more convinced than ever that we can impact that by saying goodbye to all meat and mostly goodbye to all things not vegan.
I tell my grown kids (nearly or in their thirties) that I won't hound them about it now, but I will definitely revisit the what-they-eat topic as they approach 50.
If preservation interests you, by all means consider what the American lifestyle dictates in the area of food.
Can one travel and remain happily vegan (or at least vegetarian)?
I am happy to report, Yes.
To that one person who hears, thanks for listening. Happy health (and travels) to you.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
