A fact that most people don't know about me is that I love to study nutrition. Well, I suppose if they've looked in my refrigerator they do. I became very interested in it about a year ago, and while I wasn't as much of a hippie back then, I started eating better. Meanwhile, my family thought I was developing an eating disorder, but that's a story for another day. Other than being the only high schooler to turn down a Snickers bar, I also started to think about veganism.
I had read a million articles, seen a million news stories, and they all claimed a vegan diet could lower cholesterol, clear skin, and improve hygiene. Not only that, but people also claimed to have lost weight and gained muscle as a vegan. I did not want to lose weight, (though I'd never turn down a little extra muscle) but this was still intriguing to me, loving animals as I do. And yet, to this day I am still a happy carnivore. Why? These are my top 3 reasons:
(1) I do not believe a vegan diet is the healthiest for me.
About a year ago, when I began eating fruits and vegetables for the first time in my life, I had some. . . intestinal problems. I am fairly certain this is normal, and I know my body could adjust, but I don't think I could ever be as healthy on a vegan diet as I am currently, which just goes to show how everyone is different. Vegans tend to take in a surplus of carbohydrates, and my body does not respond particularly well to these, especially grains. Despite there being vegan sources, I respond much better to animal protein.
(2) I like fat!
Butter, steak, eggs, bacon - all among my favorite foods. I know I could still have coconut and other nuts (is coconut a nut - I'm not sure), but it's just not the same. I would take generic butter over fancy, unrefined, cold pressed olive oil any day. My body also responds well to fat, as my skin has gotten considerably brighter and clearer, and my hair healthier. I have more energy on a higher fat diet and I never feel slow or sluggish. It is easier to take in enough calories and my food tastes better. I'm not worried about health problems either, such as heart attack or stroke (which I will likely post about sometime soon). In short, I will not be giving up my fat.
(3) Going vegan does not alter the big picture that much.
I left this reason for last because it may be quite lengthy, as I still don't have a solid opinion on the issue. Basically, I have always thought there must be a reason that animals cannot speak or express themselves in the same way we can. If you are a Christian, you may recall that the Bible says nothing about whether animals go to heaven or not. I must assume they do not, as it would explain a lot of things. Many believe the reason for our place in the food chain and in nature is absence of a soul in the animal kingdom. This seems the most likely theory, in my opinion. Despite wondering at the reason for it, I do believe that humans have dominion over animals.
First of all, understand that I am in no way defending man's torture of animals. I am fully aware of the hell they go through and the evils of slaughterhouses. I've watched most of the video clips on PETA's website as well as done a lot research myself, and yet, it is not enough to turn me into a vegan. Yes, I hate it. Yes, I wish it would stop. Yes, sometimes I feel like murdering some of those slaughterhouse workers. But will going vegan really accomplish anything?
The only way we can stop this is by fighting for animal rights. Going vegan does not alter the big picture significantly. Maybe if we all stopped eating animal products, it would, but that will NEVER happen. Put simply, going vegan is like watching a fist fight. You watch, you wish you could go break it up, but you don't. You stand there and wait for it to be over. If you want the fight to end though, you have to stand up and go against it. "Not participating" earns you no bragging rights.
In conclusion, those are my reasons for being a carnivore. I hope it made sense, and you saw more than just a page full of jumbled words. If you are vegan, I would love to hear your opinion, as seeing both sides is always beneficial. I guess all that's left to say at this point is, "Pass the bacon!"
Or broccoli. That's cool too.
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Friday, July 19, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Don't Call Little Girls "Pretty"
Today, I think I'll start with a story.
Without going into too much detail, I just found out a week ago that my grandfather is dying. He has 3 months to live, supposedly, which isn't at all relevant to this post other than that it explains why all of a sudden my long lost relatives are popping up left and right. I don't remember half these people, considering I have not seen them in over a decade, so we had to spend a little while going through that awkward, "Oh, how you've grown! Do you have a boyfriend yet?" stage.
So a couple days ago, my great aunt and uncle came to visit. But when I went to my grandparents house the for the obligatory couple hours of small talk, the first thing my aunt commented on was how "pretty" I was. I don't know them well, so we couldn't really do the awkward hugging thing. They don't know me well, so I guess it was just a good conversation starter, whether it was true or not. So it got me thinking: is commenting on physical appearance doing more harm than good?
Think about it. How many times have you complimented a friend on new clothes, or a hair cut, or their manicure? How many times have you heard your relatives point out your appearance before you're even an arm's length away?
It makes sense, obviously. The first things humans notice is appearance. We use appearance to judge people's intentions, thoughts, moods. We notice changes. So when your friend comes up to you with a new haircut, you notice. They expect you to, and if you don't, they point it out. They want you to compliment them, because that is what society considers "polite".
We say these things so often that they have become instinct. You say it, even if you don't mean it. And in my eyes, it's pointless, and maybe even a little detrimental.
This mostly applies to little girls - you know, before puberty. My grandmother used to call me pretty all the time. Or I guess I should say, she used to comment on my appearance all the time. I don't remember her ever congratulating me on anything that actually mattered, though I'm sure she did. She probably called me after my 2nd grade awards ceremony, after my choir performances. But guess what? I don't remember any of that, because for her, it always seemed like my appearance was the most important thing about me.
I suppose it's not her fault, and I don't blame her, but the point is that those thing stick out in a child's mind. I remember one time specifically, when we were looking at pictures of me as a baby. I was around 8 at the time, and she was showing me a picture in which I was 18 months. I remember her giggling and pinching my arm, saying how chubby I was as a child. It pisses me off that I remember that. It pisses me off that I can't remember my kindergarten graduation, but I remember this, as well as all the other negative comments. The mole on my neck, my dirty hair (which was dirty because I was too busy doing all the things kids should do to wash it).
Not that it was always my grandmother, because it wasn't. My mom did it too - while trying on clothes, or shopping (gosh, I hated that), or by telling me I could never wear a strapless dress. Looking back, I wasn't overweight AT ALL. I was a skinny kid, and I still have a somewhat good metabolism. I am not complaining about my life by any means, because I had a good childhood, and these days I consider myself a very confident person. I'm just telling you how it was for me.
I know other girls went through this too, and I know they probably had it worse than I did, in most cases. But I'm getting off topic again. Obviously, you shouldn't make negative comments, but how can it harm a girl to tell her she's pretty?
Well, first of all, it doesn't mean anything. People throw around compliments all day long, and kids especially, are used to being admired. By dwelling on how "cute" they are, all you are doing is showing them that the first thing and most important thing people will notice about them is their physical appearance. Not their personality. Not how hardworking they are. NO. These things don't matter, as long as you're pretty, right?
On that note, it makes me want to strangle a kitten when I hear people say, "Oh, you're going to be so pretty one day." When a child hears that, what do you think it does? Do you think they take it as a compliment. NO. You are simply enforcing the idea that they are not good enough. But hey, they might be some day.
The crappiest thing of all is that those people who make all the little comments are not at fault. They are just fellow victims of our close minded, brainwashed society. Our environment is entirely to blame, and it makes me so MAD. I know it wasn't always like this. There wasn't always a bathroom scale behind everyone's toilet. Girls didn't always learn about how to lose weight before learning what sex was. People used to just eat when they were hungry. They used to have bacon with breakfast and cook with lard. They used to live.
What happened?
Society brainwashed us all. That's what happened. So now here we are, with anorexia, and heart disease, and God knows what else. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so what business do you have telling a girl whether she's beautiful or not? Let her enjoy the few years of bliss she will ever have. Don't you dare tell her she needs to lose weight. And think it through before you tell her she's pretty.
Without going into too much detail, I just found out a week ago that my grandfather is dying. He has 3 months to live, supposedly, which isn't at all relevant to this post other than that it explains why all of a sudden my long lost relatives are popping up left and right. I don't remember half these people, considering I have not seen them in over a decade, so we had to spend a little while going through that awkward, "Oh, how you've grown! Do you have a boyfriend yet?" stage.
So a couple days ago, my great aunt and uncle came to visit. But when I went to my grandparents house the for the obligatory couple hours of small talk, the first thing my aunt commented on was how "pretty" I was. I don't know them well, so we couldn't really do the awkward hugging thing. They don't know me well, so I guess it was just a good conversation starter, whether it was true or not. So it got me thinking: is commenting on physical appearance doing more harm than good?
Think about it. How many times have you complimented a friend on new clothes, or a hair cut, or their manicure? How many times have you heard your relatives point out your appearance before you're even an arm's length away?
It makes sense, obviously. The first things humans notice is appearance. We use appearance to judge people's intentions, thoughts, moods. We notice changes. So when your friend comes up to you with a new haircut, you notice. They expect you to, and if you don't, they point it out. They want you to compliment them, because that is what society considers "polite".
We say these things so often that they have become instinct. You say it, even if you don't mean it. And in my eyes, it's pointless, and maybe even a little detrimental.
This mostly applies to little girls - you know, before puberty. My grandmother used to call me pretty all the time. Or I guess I should say, she used to comment on my appearance all the time. I don't remember her ever congratulating me on anything that actually mattered, though I'm sure she did. She probably called me after my 2nd grade awards ceremony, after my choir performances. But guess what? I don't remember any of that, because for her, it always seemed like my appearance was the most important thing about me.
I suppose it's not her fault, and I don't blame her, but the point is that those thing stick out in a child's mind. I remember one time specifically, when we were looking at pictures of me as a baby. I was around 8 at the time, and she was showing me a picture in which I was 18 months. I remember her giggling and pinching my arm, saying how chubby I was as a child. It pisses me off that I remember that. It pisses me off that I can't remember my kindergarten graduation, but I remember this, as well as all the other negative comments. The mole on my neck, my dirty hair (which was dirty because I was too busy doing all the things kids should do to wash it).
Not that it was always my grandmother, because it wasn't. My mom did it too - while trying on clothes, or shopping (gosh, I hated that), or by telling me I could never wear a strapless dress. Looking back, I wasn't overweight AT ALL. I was a skinny kid, and I still have a somewhat good metabolism. I am not complaining about my life by any means, because I had a good childhood, and these days I consider myself a very confident person. I'm just telling you how it was for me.
I know other girls went through this too, and I know they probably had it worse than I did, in most cases. But I'm getting off topic again. Obviously, you shouldn't make negative comments, but how can it harm a girl to tell her she's pretty?
Well, first of all, it doesn't mean anything. People throw around compliments all day long, and kids especially, are used to being admired. By dwelling on how "cute" they are, all you are doing is showing them that the first thing and most important thing people will notice about them is their physical appearance. Not their personality. Not how hardworking they are. NO. These things don't matter, as long as you're pretty, right?
On that note, it makes me want to strangle a kitten when I hear people say, "Oh, you're going to be so pretty one day." When a child hears that, what do you think it does? Do you think they take it as a compliment. NO. You are simply enforcing the idea that they are not good enough. But hey, they might be some day.
The crappiest thing of all is that those people who make all the little comments are not at fault. They are just fellow victims of our close minded, brainwashed society. Our environment is entirely to blame, and it makes me so MAD. I know it wasn't always like this. There wasn't always a bathroom scale behind everyone's toilet. Girls didn't always learn about how to lose weight before learning what sex was. People used to just eat when they were hungry. They used to have bacon with breakfast and cook with lard. They used to live.
What happened?
Society brainwashed us all. That's what happened. So now here we are, with anorexia, and heart disease, and God knows what else. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so what business do you have telling a girl whether she's beautiful or not? Let her enjoy the few years of bliss she will ever have. Don't you dare tell her she needs to lose weight. And think it through before you tell her she's pretty.
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