Oh, the irony

Last night I was working, and it was slow, but I was feeling. All of a sudden, My throat got scratchy, my tonsils flared up, my ears started to have stabbing pains in them, and I got a sinus headache. Ibuprofen didn't help much, and by the time I got out of work this morning, I was exhausted and feeling crappy. I made a stop at the pharmacy on the way home to pick up some cough drops and some cold medicine. My lovely, wonderful, and amazing partner let me sleep in until 2pm, and I feel a bit better now. Unfortunately, I'm not 100%, and I'm a little worried I may have H1N1, or something just as bad. For now, my original plan is on hold while I recover. Hopefully I will not loose any inspiration over this.
Wait, though, did I disclose what my original plan was? The plan is to blog about the undertaking of me cooking from my favorite recipe books on a bi-weekly basis. Also, I wanted to blog on my discussions of veganism, animal rights, or stories told with people in my regular day to day life. I'm hoping this will help me to see the small changes that I help contribute to in other people's life. Also, I'm hoping it will inspire any reader of this blog to take action of ANY kind on subjects they are passionate about - no matter how small the action is.
Here's to getting out of this illness alive!
~Jamie

A year gone.

I've officially been Vegan for a year and a half. I've been so inspired by the compassionate words of others, and I've learned so much through those that have been advocates for the animals, that I made that choice for myself; for the world. I've seen videos of chickens being brutalized, ignored while they cry out in pain, by the hands of humans. These same videos have shown me the connection between what most people consider to be a normal diet and how every single bite they take of that normal diet directly contributes to that brutality. I made the best choice I could possibly make because my money speaks much louder than my words to these companies. I just stopped buying things with animal products in them. It's really not as hard as most people think it is. All that it is, is me making a small change in my life; a change that is so so so rewarding, compassionate, giving, healthy, eco-friendly, and deeply active.
I've done so much research about my dietary change, animal rights, the cost my lifestyle has on this world as a whole. I've thought about it so much. I've listened to people who are advocates for the animals, and I've eaten up every word of it. I'm not a very impressionable or swayed person. What I am is reasonable. What I am is empathetic. What I am is passionate about what I think is the right thing to do. One of the persons who's offered me so much inspiration, education, entertainment, and support is Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. Colleen is the host of a very moving podcast called "Food for Thought", which is chocked full of beautiful stories, moving first hand experiences, and plenty of facts about Veganism, animal farming, and animal rescue (to name just a few). Colleen and I have never met, talked, or even emailed each other. She's a Vegan world superstar, and she's my roll model (even though I'm 28 and probably a little old for roll models). Colleen never seems selfish, crass, or imposing. She's graceful and insightful and giving. I can't say enough about her. That's why today I've finally made the decision to donate to her show, and become a "Compassionate Cooks Member" at the highest level.
I'm not made of money. Sometimes I live paycheck to paycheck. I do have some savings, and a credit card, and so I made the decision to give as much as I possibly could during this "giving season". I've been debating with myself for too long on weather to spend the money or not, but I know that spending that money - giving it rather - will help to teach others about a compassionate lifestyle. I may not be getting much in return, but it's the best money I've ever spent.
I strongly urge anybody who is inspired by somebody, or a non for profit, to donate what you can - even if it's only 5 dollars - because every little bit helps. It really does. Why waste money on stocking stuffers that somebody is just going to re-gift or throw away when that money can go to support something meaningful?! Christmas has gotten way out of hand for consumers. This is a way to do something that means something, a way to take action. Please donate this holiday season.