I explained how we male vegans make up less than 1% of Americans, as most vegans are female.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that there is only one other male vegan blogger featured in Care2’s post this week about saving money as a vegan.
Care2 is “the largest online community empowering people to lead a healthy and green lifestyle” so I take it as a major compliment they found me and asked me to participate in their money-saving post for vegans.
I decided to take a different route, and instead of making my tip about food, I made it about fitness. Here is what I said in the article:
“One smart and easy way I save money as a vegan is that I refuse to pay for gym membership. Granted, I still work out regularly: I mountain bike, I run, I do push-ups while my five year-old son sits on top of my back. I even do pull ups at a nearby playground. Plus, I do a minimum of three 10 minute walks per day while I record my daily YouTube videos.
I believe America has a double standard when it comes to working out: that you must have six pack abs to be ‘healthy.’ That’s asinine. That’s like when a person goes on a diet by eating nothing but salads and drinking diet soda.
Instead, you can have a healthy heart by not only committing to a vegan diet (which causes you to never consume more than 0% of your daily cholesterol allowance) but also by finding practical ways to ‘work out’ for free, like I do. No, I don’t have six pack abs, but my doctor tells me I’m one of the healthiest patients he has for my age.”
I now invite you to check out the entire article, which features the other 9 vegan bloggers as well:
Mr. Spock proclaims, “The fear of death is illogical.”
Captain Kirk replies, “The fear of death is what keeps us alive.”
Both men make brilliant points; and together, they present a perfect paradox:
The fear of death is illogical and yet it keeps us alive.
Now at age 35, happily married with a wife and 2 kids, a “real house”, and a solid career, my life is clearly settled.
I’m no longer trying to figure my life out like I was back in 2001 when John Mayer’s “Why Georgia” was such a relatable song; as he ponders his “quarter-life crisis” proclaiming, “I wonder sometimes about the outcome of a still verdictless life… Am I living it right?”
It’s inevitable that at some point, I am going to die, so it’s truly illogical to allow myself to believe otherwise.
I assume that for the human race, that mystery of not knowing for sure what happens the moment we die only adds to the fear of dying. I don’t fear death itself, though.
The moment I die, I’ll immediately know for sure whether my life of faith in Jesus as the Son of God was the right call.
If I was wrong about Christianity, I guess the worst that could happen is I’ll learn that ultimately I was simply part of some elaborate Matrix scheme inside somebody else’s head.
My fear isn’t of death itself or what happens after I die; it’s about missing out on my future in this life. My actual main motivation for not dying is simple and predictable:
There are 3 people are greatly depend on me for the rest are their lives.
Granted, I have a life insurance policy in place to pay off the house if anything happens to me. But beyond finances, I am motivated by the desire to finish out this storyline that has been set in place.
What started as a romantic comedy back on October 5, 2006 when I met my wife, has now evolved into a family sitcom.
I see the world through the eyes of a writer. So I, as the protagonist, can’t let myself die. I can’t just disappear right when the story is really getting good.
So what exactly do I do each day in an effort not to die?
Well, before I answer that, I quickly accept the fact that if the Lord decides to take me at any point, He can and He will, as Job told God:
“A person’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
So I get it that I could randomly have a brain aneurysm and that would be the end of it.
But I instead focus on what I can control, not what I can’t.
For example, I refuse to talk on the phone while I’m driving. I always wear my seat belt.
Plus, I know that as an American man, I’m much more likely to die from preventable health issues than anything else.
Unless I’m really proactive on my end, as a stereotypical male, I am especially in the running to die of a heart attack, diabetes, stomach cancer, or prostate issues.
Therefore, I run. I mountain bike. I take walks throughout the day.
I obviously don’t smoke.
And while it’s not a popular decision or lifestyle, especially as a masculine American man, I have committed to my vegan (and therefore vegetarian and kosher) lifestyle for years now.
Yeah, I get it. I could totally be setting myself up to be the Mr. Play-It-Safe who Alanis Morrisette speaks about in her classic song, “Ironic.”
It’s not that I’m not trying to overwrite God’s predetermined number of days for me. Instead, I am trying to outsmart the more subtle and predictable ways that as a man, I might die too young.
Therefore, I try to make a point everyday not to die.
One shared stereotype between atheists and vegans is that they bring up the topic within 5 minutes of meeting people. In theory, they both have extreme beliefs and lifestyles that many other Americans don’t feel comfortable with accepting.
Atheists deny the existence of God or any kind of higher spiritual power. Meanwhile, vegans deny the need to consume any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) in order to be healthy.
Both extremes deny things that most people can’t live without: God or edible animal products.
It’s almost an impossible question; to ask, “Which is more difficult, to become an atheist or a vegan?”
(That’s of course assuming you’re not already an atheist or agnostic; or vegetarian or vegan.)
I think much of the difficulty in legitimately asking and answering this question in a public online forum is that it might be easier for the participants to become more focused on bashing each other’s beliefs than it is to actually simply answer the question I am proposing. Hopefully, that’s not the case…
If you live your entire life believing in God (or at least some kind of spiritual higher power), it seems it would be nearly impossible to just switch off that fundamental belief; especially knowing that to believe in God is to accept accountability for your life, once it ends; assuming there are eternal rewards and consequences, accordingly.
It seems that if you truly believe in God, even if you’re a “lapsed Catholic” or a “backslidden Baptist,” you still wouldn’t be able to declare there is no God; because in your heart, you still would believe there is.
In my mind, to choose becoming an atheist over a vegan means you are already heading down that path of non-belief; that you’re already quite skeptical of God, or at least of the general public’s view of what God is supposed to be like.
But my perception is, that is not how most people (at least here in America) are.
On the other hand, if you are used to eating meat, dairy, and eggs, you could switch to just eating veggies, fruit, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. However, it would take much education to realize it could be done.
Most people still believe the myth that vegans don’t get enough protein. But I feel I’ve done a good job of busting that myth.
Look at me. I’ve been a vegan nearly 4 years now, and a vegetarian more than a year before that, and kosher (no pork/shellfish) for several years before that.
At 5’9”, 155 pounds, and age 34, I have remained in the perfect weight range. Notably, I am clearly not underweight.
If I wasn’t getting enough protein, it would be pretty obvious.
Of course, my doctor confirms I am getting enough protein, as well as all other nutrients I need; and that I am “healthier than most 34 year-olds” he’s seen.
He even commented that he “wasn’t surprised” to learn in hindsight that I am a vegan; since I waited for him to assess my health before I broke the news about my plant-based lifestyle.
I say that not to brag, but to provide evidence that when you actually replace animal products with the proper plant sources of fat, protein, and iron, becoming a vegan is actually an intelligent and efficient option.
Plus, by being a vegan, by default, you consume less than 1% (basically 0%) of your daily allowance of cholesterol. You still consume a lot of fat, but virtually no cholesterol.
But in my experience, most people either A) don’t know this, B) don’t believe this, or C) don’t care.
Therefore, there are many people who believe in God but who are unable to bring themselves to believe that becoming a vegan is a sustainable lifestyle. They would have great difficulty in denying their belief that consuming animal products is necessary for proper nutrition.
That’s why I think it’s such a great, and difficult, question to answer.
Assuming you’re not already an atheist or agnostic, or vegetarian or vegan, which is more difficult, to become an atheist or a vegan?
I think I am the perfect person to propose this question.
That’s because I am not the stereotypical vegan. Most vegans, as this infographic below demonstrates, are liberal, non-religious females.
Meanwhile, I am a Libertarian (socially liberal, fiscally conservative), religious male.
For me personally, the answer is obviously simple: It’s easier to become a vegan, but impossible to become an atheist.
My faith is God is non-negotiable. Sure, I will go to my grave with questions I don’t understand about God, but to me, that’s what real faith is anyway.
And I’ve already been living the vegan lifestyle for nearly 4 years.
I’ve “been there, done that” when it comes to answer the vegan question.
But what do you think? What’s your answer?
Assuming you’re not already an atheist or agnostic, or vegetarian or vegan…
Which would be more difficult: To become an atheist or a vegan?
Hello and welcome to my healthy lifestyle blog! A blog dedicated to posting information and recipes on nutrition and health, for individuals and families alike. I have a keen interest in nutrition for myself and my family. What to cook or bake, that makes me feel good about what I’m serving, is one of my biggest challenges and concerns. I’ve taken some favorite recipes, whether they are for vegan, meat, poultry, fish or baking, and added other nutritious ingredients, without compromising the flavor. Along with cooking more nutritious meals, my family and I try to make physical fitness a part of our life, everyday.
Vegan Broth Recipe
I created this vegan recipe from only vegetables and fruit. I freeze off any of the broth leftovers, and use it at a time when I need a quick and nutritious meal. It acts as a good base. For the meat lovers in my life, I add beef, ham, chicken, pork or fish, which all work well in this vegan broth because of its subtle flavour. Barley or beans, which are both high in fibre, also do well in this broth. Leftovers are brought back to life when added to this broth. I use organic ingredients whenever I can. I sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast before serving (available at most health or bulk food stores). Nutritional Yeast is high in folic acid and tastes just like cheese.
Vegan Broth Recipe – Ingredients:
1-2 medium or large peeled and chopped yams This simple recipe makes a hearty and nutritious vegan soup that can be enjoyed in the winter as well as the summer.
1 large peeled and chopped onion
4-5 peeled and chopped carrots
4 celery stalks, chopped
1-2 peeled and chopped garlic cloves
Handful of chopped herbs – basil, rosemary, oregano (optional – you can add one, all or your own preference)
Few stalks of chopped celery
1 -2 Large peeled and chopped apple, pear or both
Filtered Water
Vegan Broth Recipe – Instructions:
In a large stock pot, I throw in all the ingredients. I fill the pot almost to the top and bring to boil and let simmer for a few hours. I then remove from it from the heat and using a hand blender, blend all ingredients until uniform. I only take out the amount I need, add whatever other ingredients I might like to add, and season to taste. The longer the soup is left to stew, the better the flavour. I add seasonings after all other ingredients are in the broth, especially leftovers, to avoid over seasoning.
My family has now officially been (and have remained) vegetarians for 4 years now; we converted in December 2011. (Of course, about a year after that, I went and have remained a strict vegan.)
Therefore, I feel the time is appropriate for another vegan/vegetarian post…
Seven months ago our family did a vegan/vegetarian tour of Pensacola, Florida. What we found was that Pensacola is indeed an extremely friendly area for those of us who live the alternative lifestyle of an organic, non-GMO, plant-based diet family.
However, unfortunately, Destin is absolutely not a vegan/vegetarian-friendly town.
We thought it was, as Whole Foods’ website was showing they had a store in the Destin mall.
But when we arrived, we soon learned the Whole Foods hasn’t been built yet. This was a major bummer, as we were depending on buying most of food supply there.
Our resort condo had a full kitchen, so the plan was to cook most of our meals there. Without a Whole Foods, this was much more difficult.
At first, we thought we had a saving grace in that Destin has a Fresh Market. Not so much.
I was officially disappointed as their foods were highly processed; even containing artificial colors made from petroleum.
We bought a few things there, but ultimately, we quickly learned that we would have to compromise in eating non-organic, GMO grown food.
Ultimately, though, the current plant-based score of Destin, as a whole, is extremely low. It’s comparable to just any other town that has chain restaurants.
You learn this the moment you Google “vegan restaurants Destin.”
A few of the restaurant choices were based on my son.
We took him to The Pancakery for a special M&M pancake for his 5th birthday. He loved it!
I special ordered off-menu a veggie burrito, but for the price and the size of it, I definitely was missing Whole Foods!
As much as I hate to admit it, because I love Jimmy Buffett so much, my wife and I were similarly disappointed at Margaritaville.
It was the first time we’d ever been to Jimmy Buffett’s theme restaurant. I must admit that the staff was extremely accommodating as to helping us figure out what we could eat there; as they did have a special vegetarian menu already printed up.
My wife is a vegetarian so it was easier for her to order. But for me, as a strict vegan, I had to explicitly explain what vegan means: no dairy, no milk, no butter, no eggs…
Ultimately I paid $17 for a few grilled veggies and pasta.
Again, the staff was nothing but helpful. However, it become obvious that as a chain restaurant that likely depends on Sysco (like nearly all chain restaurants), I assume their food was canned, boxed, and GMO; which is what is served in most prisons and public school systems, to my understanding.
My son was perfectly happy though. It was because of his birthday day that we were actually there. He had the $7 mac-and-cheese; which the waiter admitted was just a box of Kraft (which contains food dye made from petroleum).
We also paid another $6 for him to have to special battery-operated light up cup, filled with a cocktail of more food dye, as well as high fructose corn syrup.
Granted, when you go to a themed restaurant, you’re paying for the environment more than you are the food.
And I must admit, we definitely appreciated sitting right there on the Gulf of Mexico, with open windows looking out on to the harbor; while Jimmy Buffet’s music played.
Plus, the waiter brought my son some ice cream, knowing it was his birthday.
But the whole drive home my wife and I felt so horrible that we had just paid over $60 for that meal. (We tipped well there, as we did a The Pancakery; as we do not hold it against the individual establishment or its servers just because they’re not truly equipped for a plant-based family.)
Our experience with Margaritaville would have been the same way at pretty much any themed restaurant. We could went to the Rainforest Café and I’m confident my review would be the same.
Here’s the bottom line: Our family loves Destin. We will absolutely be going back the next chance we get.
But first, we are going to wait for that new Whole Foods to be built. That will take care of the issues we experienced.
Because then we can have a go-to restaurant as well as a trustworthy place to buy our groceries to cook meals back at the resort condo.
As for now, though, Destin is definitely not (yet) a vegan/vegetarian-friendly town.
Family Friendly Daddy Blog 