…and I stayed for the animals, the planet, and everyone else. Growing up on a dairy farm gave me a close-up view of what operating a large dairy farm looks like. My dad has always been passionate about raising dairy cows and running a successful business. We lived on a 2,000-cow farm throughout my childhood. When I was a young adult, my parents briefly left the farming business, but my dad felt pulled to the way of life and returned to raising dairy cows.

My parents started a much smaller dairy farm with under 100 cows and began selling raw milk. They continue to raise dairy cows and run this business today. It is hard work. They work harder than anyone I have ever met and do their best to care for their animals humanely. Still, raising animals to produce food for human consumption has an outsized impact on the environment. Also, dairy cows are sent for slaughter after they are too old to continue the repeated cycle of becoming pregnant, giving birth, and giving milk.

Part of my cognitive dissonance about not only living a plant-based lifestyle but also promoting the same is that I do not wish or intend to disparage farmers. I watched Forks Over Knives with my parents when it was first released, and we all found the information compelling. My parents have modified their diets significantly to support me and their health along with my plant-based journey. It pains me to see animals harmed in any way, and I know firsthand that even when farmers, like my parents, do love their animals and treat them as humanely as possible, the animals ultimately meet the fate of an early death in a slaughterhouse. 

My goal in providing education about plant-based eating is to help people make informed dietary choices. A plant-based eating pattern is a pillar of lifestyle medicine for a reason. Eating predominantly whole plant foods confers health benefits. Navigating the process of converting to a plant-based eating pattern myself over the past few years has shown me that making such a huge life change is challenging, so I want to support others. 

All diets should be well planned, whether plant-based or omnivore, but eating a plant-exclusive diet does come with a few unique challenges with simple solutions, such as supplementing with vitamin B12. Please follow me on this journey if you want to eat a more plant-based or exclusively plant-based diet for whatever reason: health, compassion for animals, decreasing your environmental footprint, etc.

How have your eating habits changed throughout your life?

*This website and blog information is not medical advice. Please consult your medical professional if you are changing your health behaviors, including starting a new diet or exercise program.