AGEING IN THE GARDEN OF VEGAN

Text by Eyesman for Globe Magazine

LOCAL RESIDENT, Rosanna Morales, has published her book “Ageing in the Garden of Vegan”. This book looks at how changing to a vegan lifestyle can be beneficial to health, particularly as we get older. Rosanna is 62 years old and has been a vegan for four years. It is refreshing to see a vegan advocate who is in the more mature stage of life speaking out. There is such a culture of youth within the vegan movement. Veganism is not just a “young people only” movement.

I caught up with Rosanna, who explained that it started with a visit to the doctor’s and the likely scenario that she would become, as she says “part of the medicated generation.” She therefore consumes no animal product at all, living a strictly vegan lifestyle.

Her book starts with an invitation to reconnect with the natural world. Talking to Rosanna, it was obvious that she has a deep love for all animals. “I was always affected by the pain and suffering we cause animals, through farming and our consumption needs, so for me it was easy to switch to a vegan diet. Once I tried it for a few weeks, I noticed some of the health benefits. I felt better, had more energy and it felt as if a cloud had lifted.”

“If you think about fish farming, you may not realise the amount of pollution it creates, the antibiotics that are injected, and the pain these creatures suffer. When I now see a burger or a piece of salmon, I think about how much pain and cruelty has gone into that meal.”

Rosanna explained “Being vegan is not just about health and animal cruelty. It is about the effect our farming industries are having on our planet.” She also highlighted that we are also damaging our seas by our over-fishing and the plastic waste that is contaminating our seas. The book, although not a medical guide, does contain some information about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle for health. All the information is backed by leading doctors who favour a plant-based diet. There is an explanation about fibre and gut health that is ground-breaking research.

“I have been following many doctors and activists who claim the benefits of veganism for your health, for the planet, and for stopping animal cruelty. My two gurus are Dr. Michael Greger, and Earthling Ed, both who were kind enough to give me some of their time so that I could interview them for the Vegan Curious programme.”

Rosanna says her book also contains some nutritional information which people may find useful when considering adopting a plant-based diet. It also has ideas of setting up a vegan kitchen, how to shop to avoid hidden animal products, and cooking for friends and family who may be vegan. There are many substitutes for ingredients found in common recipes, and Rosanna has highlighted some,

and written some basic recipes in the last chapter.

“It is meant to be used as a guide. I am not trying to teach older people how to cook. My books aims to get people thinking of the ingredients they are using and their nutritional value.”

Rosanna is very happy with the choices she made when she decided to change to a vegan lifestyle. She calls it “lifestyle” not a “diet” because there are many layers to being a vegan. There are aspects in her journey that she regrets. Some family and friends, especially at first, did not accept her change, and were worried she would not get enough nutrients, or that it would be a passing phase. Rosanna’s passion to share her journey is very clear, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Most people, she says, eventually respect her and she feels the initial reaction is the guilt coming through when you are a non-vegan. She thinks most people are caring enough to be saddened by cruelty to animals, the effect of climate change to our planet, and to other humans being treated like slaves. But they choose to detach these thoughts in the choices they make on their plate.

Rosanna hopes her book will help particularly older people to embrace and adopt a planted- based diet, perhaps beginning with small steps. Not everyone can become a vegan or adopt a plant-based diet overnight. The book was written, as a guide, to ease the transition and encourages the reader to always seek advice from your family doctor.

The book is written in very easy language and is packed with information which can be followed up by further research. If you are interested in finding out more about a Vegan Lifestyle that will be beneficial to your health, read Rosanna’s book. It is available on Amazon as a paperback or kindle version. It is also available at the John Macintosh Hall library. You can also follow Rosanna on her Facebook page called ‘Rosanna’s Vegan Nutrition’, and you can catch her, as she co-hosts GBC’s Vegan Curious. Rosanna has been contributing monthly articles on Veganism for Globe Magazine.