I don’t like to write much about that theme. It’s very personal, controversial and somehow sad. Leaving milk and the common table, was a strange step in my life. In addition to that, being dependent on the pharma industry was maybe not what I as an individual, coming from former milk farming and hunting families, was wishing for. It feels very stupid, to give up the reached self-sufficiency and makes one vulnerable and dependent on humans and pills.
Anyway – since childhood, I never felt well in consuming dairy products. For me the taste of milk ranges from steel, to very delicious, to the smell of puke. Depending on the quality and preparation.
In my understanding, it was normal to consume it. Back then, I also couldn’t make a connection to my frequent ear and throat infections. When I think back, it might have been a cause.
One day in my twenties, someone told me about someone elses mother, who was lamenting about the strangeness of humans, who do consume milk from other creatures (she was not vegan, just talking about the strange habit we cultivate).
It was the point, when my mind started to ask itself about why we do that. I read the first time about veganism. And to be honest, I would have never thought about before, that it is truly possible to live without dairy. The whole idea about that gave me great relief. At least when it came to bodily pain. "Ah, I don't really have to consume that?" After gaining this insight, I just couldn't help myself as slowly quitting.
I also started to think and feel about the industrial usage of animals. I wasn't aware of mass and battery production until then. All this differs somehow on how I saw farming in my own youth at my family's places. Of course there was a dead or used animal in the end. But we also had to survive somehow. It was a necessity. And there was a honored relationship with the animals.
What mentally and socially has to be undergone or faced, is a different part of turning to a vegan diet.
Guess those experiences, differ from person to person, culture and heritage. Today, I'm quite happy about no longer consuming animal products. But I would never want to force anyone to do the same.
Difficulties
I still find it hard to make choices, about gear and equipment for living in the colder climate, where I am. Part of me says: I don't want animal skin shoes, part of me says: I don't want plastic. And to be honest, as a designer I have to admit, that leather products still look way greater than the substitutes. And they old greater also. It’s a real dilemma. It is very strange, what modern live has made with us.
I’m still experimenting with the right amount and product for supplementing iron, vitamin B12 and D3.
Food is a very delicate theme in society and industry. I still like to share the plates with conventional eating humans.
I learned to cook from my family.
My recipes are vegan.
Hope you enjoy.
Be aware of your vitamins.