INTERVIEW WITH A VEGETARIAN:
A personal transition story

Raylon Smith, Staff Writer www.vegsarasota.com

"Bottom line is that I just simply don't believe animals were meant to be our slaves, and they don't have to be."

Q: How long have you been veg?
A: Just over 5 years. I'm much closer to a vegan diet now than ever,
but always conscious when I eat dairy occasionally.

Q: What was the most influencing factor that started you on this journey?
A: My Fiance exposed me to the knowledge and demonstrated cooking skills out of this world! Once you have the knowledge, your heart knows what is the right thing to do.

Q: Was it a matter of exposure to vegetarian living?
A: Somewhat, but that knowledge comes over time as one lives the life themselves.
It gets better as it goes along as long as you don't stop learning and trying new foods :)

Q: Would you recommend any veg books?
A: I'd love to read Erik Marcus' book, Meat Market.

Q: Would you recommend any veg films?
For those on the fence, ' Meet Your Meat' is a must-see. I' m waiting to see ' The Witness' and ' Peaceable Kingdom'

Q: Is there anyone in the veg community you've been exposed to who has impacted your decisions in some way?
A: All the authors of those articles that provide such good insight into the health and environmental effects of animal products. No specific person I can think of.

Q: Favorite Dish?
A: That's a tough one, there are so many! I'd have to go with Sushi though, I love the variety of flavors, textures, and colors.

Q: Favorite Spice?
A: Has to be garlic, I think I put garlic on everything I eat haha. It's so healthy and it can be used in such a wide variety of ways, chopped, pressed, roasted, cooked in oil etc... I just love that deep rich flavor.

Q: What is your favorite cuisine?
A: Asian, I Love sushi and stir fry's because you get so many different flavors.

Q: Do you have any companion animals?
A: 2 cat's who share my life. They're great pals and so loving. I am thankful to be able to take care of them.

Q: Tell us how you transitioned into a veg lifestlye after eating meat your whole life
A: My story is one of a development that started over 5 years ago and still continues today. It began with cooking in the home, and eliminating all meat products for vague ethical reasons. That was before I was even aware of how animals for food are treated for US consumption. As the home cooking transformed, dairy was eventually cut out as well as I learned more health-related reasons. I personally continued to consume fish when eating out, but that grew very rare and I eventually dumped that habit after about 18 months as well. As I learned that it was entirely possible to get all the appropriate nutrients from a plant based diet, I could not justify the continued consumption of animals. The more time that goes on, the more you learn about factory farming, nutrition, drug therapy of `food´ animals, negative side effects and the health risks of eating animal products. Also the easier it becomes to wean off of the convenience-above-all mentality that American culture has instilled in everyone for everything. A wise woman once asked me something like, "If people will put high-test gas in their car that they'll have for 5 years, or travel all over town to get just the right chair that they'll have for 3 years, why won't they put healthy food in their bodies that they'll have forever?"

Bottom line is that I just simply don't believe animals were meant to be our slaves, and they don't have to be. I definitely believe that animals - all animals - have feelings. There)s a world of information in the local natural foods store, why go on the same way your great great great grandfather did? Isn't it time for a change in the world? If you think yes, then I say start with yourself, do it at your own pace, and never stop learning.

-Raylon Smith