My Short Life as a Vegan

Some people live to eat, and others eat to live.  Me?  I love food, which is no surprise to people.  I also love trying new recipes, restaurants, etc.  Thus far I have been very lucky to have also experienced the world and the various foods that other cultures provide.  There is so much to learn about an area just from what the locals eat. 

Anything can be inspiring.  Sometimes, I will go out to a place, have a meal, and figure out how to make it, and what I would do to tailor it more to my taste.  Everyone is different, so when trying out a recipe (with rare exception) I use the main ingredients, but change the quantities.  One of my favorite places to eat in Las Vegas is Ri-Ra, which is an Irish pub.  There isn't anything I've had that I didn't like.  They make these amazing honey-Jameson wings, and easily the best pork chop I have ever had.  I have since re-created those wings the best I could, and they are pretty amazing.  I will have a recipe up soon for them.  By now, you're probably wondering how any of this is related to the post's title.  Well, here it is.  A little side story about me:

Before being vegan was a thing, I was.  In high school I was having some horrible intestinal issues, or so I thought.  They never could figure out what the problem was.  It turned out that I was lactose intolerant.  After that, I went through a vegetarian phase.  Yes, I was one of those "meat is murder", and "PETA is amazing" kids.  Now I realize how horrible PETA is, and how irritating it is when people push their views on others.  Oddly enough, my mom was far more accepting of my meatless ways than anyone else.  In fact, I had other family members say I was negatively affecting their businesses because they are cattle ranchers, and I wouldn't buy beef.  I know they were exaggerating, but it was still upsetting.  Looking back, it's embarrassing to think of how I acted when it came to food.  Fast-forward, and I'm out of high school.  I had started eating meat again, well, everything but red meat.  Then, one day, we drove by In-N-Out.  Prior I was never a fan, but as we drove by, I felt like I really needed a cheeseburger.  I still have issues with milk, but on the occasion where I want something dairy, I have medication to help.  Now, I am all about having what I want, when I want it, but not going overboard.  So, long story short:  Found out I was lactose intolerant, became a vegan without knowing, then went back to eating meat.   

What did I learn?  Well, vegetarianism and veganism did not change my body.  At least, I never felt like it did.  So many people talk about how being meat-free changes their energy levels, stamina, skin, etc.  My body never experienced any of that.  I never had a spiritual awakening, and did not feel any more connected to Earth and its many different inhabitants.  There are days when I don't feel like eating any meat and/or dairy products, and I often wonder if it's my body communicating, or if it is a bit from my past.  I did learn the following: (1)  To listen more to my body, (2)  I can't eat like I used to,  (3)  Youth truly is wasted on the young, (4)  Never limit yourself unless you medically have to, (5)  Indulgence is necessary once in awhile, (6)  Don't push your views, regardless of what they are, on others, (7) Love you, and (8) You are not in control of your body.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and sometimes it's better to just listen.