Thinking about these one month challenges and imagining a challenge that involves just giving thought to what animals and animal by-products are involved in the ingredients in each of our meals. They say that awareness is everything and awareness is definitely always the first step before change occurs.
Most all of us can agree that hurting animals pains us–most of us would say it pains us deeply. With that said, I am not suggesting this challenge is going to make us feel super comfortable, but it is, after all, a challenge!
If we do nothing else but just give awareness at each meal, maybe the next step would naturally be to start tweaking some choices. An example of a very simple swap would be using mustard, ketchup, a non-dairy/non-egg mayo (like Just Mayo) or even avocado, instead of traditional mayo, as a condiment.
Some really simple swaps, require nothing but reading ingredients. Plenty of breads have eggs, cheese and other animal by-products in them, plenty are void of all of those. Bagels are a great example (unless they are egg bagels). Choosing a breakfast of oatmeal, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, raisins, and cinnamon (zero animals hurt in that breakfast) over eggs, bacon, buttered toast and coffee with milk (all containing animals) is a choice that would not only better the lives of animals and the condition of our planet, but bonus round—you will be all that much healthier (and lighter in body and soul) too.
But really, for today, this Vegan (Feast) Thursday, I am just imagining us all simply being aware. If you really love animals, remember that love always requires sacrifice!
If you have any great food swaps, let us know! Peace…..