VEGAN VOYAGE

As someone who was born and raised as a vegetarian, I never really understood why I had to be different from everyone else. My picky diet always seemed to be a burden to so many decisions in my life.

In elementary school, kids didn’t understand why I couldn’t just eat meat like everyone else. I faced childish jokes like kids trying to sneak meat in my lunches and deliberately waving chicken fingers and hotdogs in my face.

It wasn’t until I reached seventh grade that I started to understand more about why I was vegetarian and how my diet affects the world around me. It was just another weekend night with my dad and I scrolling through Netflix to see what new entertaining movies could catch our eye. Being the documentary geek he is, he chose the film “What the Health.”

After as little as 20 minutes into watching, my entire view of what goes on my plate was changed. I was now seeing what happens behind the scenes to getting my gallon of milk or carton of eggs.

The truth is, the commercially bought meat, egg and dairy products are produced more inhumanly than many think. Farm animals are put through treacherous conditions before they are killed in gruesome ways.

Although this may be the norm to most Americans, I believe it is something that we need to reflect on and see how the products we buy in the grocery store are detrimental to our environment and the animals living in it.

I can truthfully say that since I have become vegan I have noticed myself feeling healthier and more active overall. As someone who dances competitively, it is demanded that I have to have the energy that keeps me strong with endurance.

Even if committing to a vegan lifestyle is not an easy process, taking little steps to cut out animal products is doable. Trying out different substitute products and the vegan restaurants options we have in Athens can also help broaden the mindset of those interested in vegetarianism or veganism.

Question of the month

Who is the most influential woman in your life?

“My mom. She’s the only girl I can talk to and connect to. She understands me.”

-- JARELI MARTINEZ CCHS freshman

“My aunt (Abbey) because she’s always been very supportive of everything and is not afraid to tell me ‘don’t do that’ or ‘do that.’ I love her.”

-- ISABEL CHASTAIN, CCHS sophomore

“The most influential woman in my life is my mother. She (is) very influential. She pushed me to get good grades, (and) just stand out and not fit in.”

-- YAKHI PITTS, CCHS junior

“It’s gotta be my mother. (She) has been through a lot. She’s basically been my mother and my father figure for almost half of my life.”

-- NATHAN PAREDS, CCHS senior

“My grandmother, aka my nanny, because she has held this family down for as long as she’s been alive. She’ll be 75 years old this year and she’s still going strong and taking care of my grandfather.”

-- CLAUDE JOHNSON, CCHS School Resource Officer