The “V” word

Yeah, um…not that “V” word, the other one…VEGAN.  While it’s become a bit more commonplace in larger cities, for the most part it still seems as though people are turned off to this word as if it is reserved for dirty hippies and crazy activist. I call myself a vegan, but the truth is I am not a true vegan. I still, while mostly unintentionally, fall short in some of my clothing and product selections. My choices are, however, becoming more conscientious and continue to evolve. Do I eat a vegan diet? Yes, but not just vegan.  I eat a whole foods, plant based diet and I’m in love with this style of eating. It consists of fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, seeds, nuts and other plant based products. I feel healthy, strong and agile and feel good about myself. From what I’ve studied, a whole foods, plant based diet appears to be the healthiest “diet” on the planet.  Ironically however, you could be a vegan and eat nothing but junk food which would be horribly unhealthy.  French fries, Oreos, heavily processed fake meats etc. are all vegan but don’t make the whole foods, plant based list, sorry.

Anyway, back to the topic…the word vegan seems to have some stigma attached to it. The new terminology (for the health conscious anyway) is expressed, as I mentioned, as a whole foods, plant based diet or just “plant based.” So technically, I should just say “I prefer a whole foods, plant based diet.” For some reason this seems to be more palatable for the meat eaters and the veg curious. It also implies health conscious, meaning it isn’t just about saving the animals. It means consciously choosing healthy, unprocessed plant foods in their most natural state.  It just so happens it’s also best for our planet (and the animals appreciate too.)

So it’s seems, for years, there’s been this stereotype of a skinny, granola crunching, hippy vegan. I think this may be disappearing, but maybe not yet. What do you think? What do you envision when you hear the word vegan? Does the word scare you away from ordering vegan menu items? Does it, indeed, have a stigma attached to it? Do you prefer the term whole foods, plant based diet?  And what does this picture have to do with the “V” word?  Nothing, I just like it.  My buddy TR always takes great iphone photos and I love beach shots, hopefully you will too:)

Happy Meatless Monday!