Michael's Story
Hi, I’m Michael and here’s my story (starting from age 27)…
I spent a large portion of my life thinking I was happy because I spent most of my time/money trying to make others happy.
However, in 2010, I was really struggling in life, my relationship, and work. I knew something had to change.
At the same time, my dad had been exploring new ideas on food and introduced me to The China Study, a book that covers the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet.
After reading the first 50+ pages, I knew changing my diet and lifestyle would be a good decision so I went vegan (diet only) the following day.
It was pretty easy eating a vegan diet. I started with a 4 day juice fast and then continued with eating fruits and vegetables. In the first month, I lost 30 pounds from only eating raw fruits and veggies! I definitely acknowledged having more energy too!
But you can only eat raw fruits/veggies for so long before getting tired of it (no offense, FullyRaw Kristina). I eventually incorporated cooked foods into my diet, along with “junk foods” that were still “technically vegan” like Oreos, non-dairy ice creams, and snickerdoodle cookies.
Fast forward to 2016…
6 years after becoming vegan, I realized I truly had no idea why I actually became vegan. Sure, I knew I wanted to be healthier but that wasn’t a big enough reason to continue eating this way (at least for me) so I took an honest look at my life and asked myself, “why am I vegan?”
I realized I initially became vegan because everyone around me was doing it. I ate this way because I thought it would make others happy.
In that time, I decided it was best for me to eat whatever in order to, for the first time in my life, actually take control of my future, which included eating meats and cheeses. However, it only took 2 short weeks for me to realize how much happier I was when I followed a vegan diet.
Those 2 weeks really uncovered my initial reasons for becoming vegan and since then (April 2016) I haven’t questioned my reasons.
I am very solid in my conviction that eating a vegan diet is the best way to live and I don’t see myself going back to the standard American diet (SAD) ever again.
Fast forward to 2018…
I met Sarah and have never been happier. We were married in June 2021 and have been managing this website ever since. We love everything about veganism and will never go back to our ways of being sick and unhealthy!
Sarah's Story
Hiya! I’m Sarah! I’m a wife and an amateur cook. I learned everything I know from Gordon Ramsay. He didn’t coach me or anything. I just watch a lot of T.V. 😂
Oh! I guess you want my story huh? Let’s get into it, shall we?
My vegan journey began in January of 2016. I had been in and out of the hospital for months, and no one seemed to know what was wrong with me. I was experiencing stomach pain and vomiting after almost every meal.
Since doctors couldn’t tell me what it was, I started doing my own research. I discovered other individuals with the same ailments who learned that their bodies could not digest red meat. It was a total shot-in-the-dark, but it was worth trying. I figured I would cut out all meat, and see if my symptoms went away. My original plan was just to become vegetarian, but that was before I had a very eye-opening experience.
The day I switched to vegetarianism, I realized I had no idea what to eat. I searched the web for vegetarian recipes and tips. It was then, that I stumbled upon a video that would change my life. It was a film that showed the realities of the dairy industry. I watched as they inseminated the cow against her will, forced her into pregnancy, took and killed her little boy, and then forced her into the process all over again… until they ultimately killed her as well.
To understand why this hit me as hard as it did, you should know two things about me. First, I want to be a mother more than anything in the world. And second, in the United States, 1 in every 6 women are victims of sexual assault. I am the “1”.
The moment the video ended, that was it. I was vegan. I refused to take part in any industry that inflicted such immeasurable pain on a living being. That choice led to so many incredible experiences. I’ve protested and marched with PETA. I’ve sang to cows at a slaughterhouse. I’ve single handedly funded and hosted the largest Dominion screening in my state. And most importantly, I met the love of my life… My husband.
Veganism has cured my stomach ailment, made me a healthier and better person, and given me the beautiful and compassionate life that I have. And I’m so excited to share it all with you!