And that´s how Veganit started…
About a year ago, my family, some friends, and I traveled to Japan. The trip was incredible. One of the experiences that most impressed me was staying in a Buddhist temple on Mount Koya – a mountain in southern Osaka.
Our temple was called Kumagaiji. We slept in traditional Japanese-style rooms, bathed in an Onsen, meditated, listened to the monks chanting mantras, and even attended special celebrations! It was a true cultural and spiritual immersion in the Buddhist universe. The monks were noticeably quiet, conveying a lot of calm and serenity. They were attentive and always careful and besides that, they had a vegetarian diet.
When we were served our first meal, many of us looked dazed and confused. Our guide, in a gentle and kind voice just said: “animals are sentient beings, so we don’t eat them”.
During those days, I felt my heart at peace, my head lighted and my body relaxed. I felt amazing living the Buddhist philosophy. This was the first time that I questioned my diet and my way of thinking.
After our trip was over, the guide´s words were still stuck in my head and so, I decided to learn more about plant-based food. I read a lot of articles, watched documentaries, talked to nutritionists, doctors and other people who were vegetarians and / or vegan. I was shocked! I had no idea how the agricultural industry works: from the torments that the animals go through, the environmental impact it causes, the additives and drugs they put in the animals’ food and the consequent health problems and diseases caused by the consumption of animal products…
After researching a lot, I concluded that opting for plant-based food and avoiding using animal products has immense benefits. And, given that we are aware of all the problems caused by the agricultural industry, if we have a choice about the type of food and the products we consume, it would be more sensible to adopt a lifestyle that causes a less negative impact on animals, on the planet and in ourselves.
With all that in mind, I made a decision: after the school year was over, I would – and eventually did so – gradually try to include as many vegan meals in my diet as possible. Of course, I did not do this by myself! Fortunately, I had the maximum support from my parents and my brother who joined me for a month. We all loved the experience!
I was so excited about this new lifestyle that I decided to create a page where I share recipes, articles related to plant-based food, disclosures of sustainable products, among others… This way, I may be able to encourage families to choose a healthier, more sustainable, and happier lifestyle.
