vegan

Going on a barefoot journey.. again

In 2014 I bought my first pair of Vibram 5 finger and Innov8 minimal shoes. It went very well. I transitioned very smoothly and never had any injury.

Then I stopped running for a while, and started again seriously in September 2022.

But a few weeks ago (June 2023) I took my Vibrams and ran a couple of miles. This went well. I think the Vibrams are a bit nerdy, so I went ahead and bought the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III ladies molten lava.

https://vivobarefoot.fi/scripts/timthumb.php?src=images/products/b_209092-03_side.jpg&w=230&h=230&zc=3

Since 18 months I am a vegetarian. I also stopped eating dairy when possible. So that makes me a flexi-vegan.

Veganism is not about ideological purity, it is the effort that matters. It is all about doing your best of making the world more tolerable for all species.

Eating lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts did not make me lose weight though. The Weight Watchers did.

Here are some pro's of eating flexi-vegan:

• I think it is cheaper, no need to buy expensive meat anymore
• Cooking is cleaner, no more fears for salmonella
• Fruits and vegetables don't get over its date as soon as meat
• Frozen vegetables are ideal to keep in stock: so no need to do groceries that often
• Cooking is easier
• The kitchen does not smell anymore

Now if you also stop eating lots of sugar, transfats and refined products, you will notice your shape will improve.

Even when you are old, like me.

Today is 2nd Easter day as we know in the Netherlands. It's a special day and I will explain why.

Last week I heard about the book Ooit aten we dieren in the Rudi & Freddie podcast. It made a huge impression because I came to know that for my beloved cheese, cows are suffering big time because they are separated from their veals. The veals are not allowed to drink the milk. The milk is for us humans.

I also learned that the little bulls are killed because there is no need for them.

That is so sad.

Also pigs and chickens are treated very badly so we can eat them. Pigs actually scream when they know they are slaughtered. Chickens are just stuffed in-chicken-ly into boxes. They break their legs and wings.

And all because we want to eat them.

The question is, is that bad? Because we humans are on top of the food chain, are we not?

The answer is, animals suffer. So the question is: Can they suffer? They can. And very much so.

The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but “Can they suffer?” – Jeremy Bentham (An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (Philosophical Classics), The Principles of Morals and Legislation