My Vegan Story

Posted on by Sarah Cooley

So I was asked a question on formspring.me

How long have you been a Vegan?  And what turned you to choose that lifestyle?

So I thought I would tell you guys the story.

More details on the conditions mentioned in this video. (definitions from WebMD)

  • Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localized chest pain that you can reproduce by pushing on the cartilage in the front of your ribcage. Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause is usually unknown.
  • Fibromyalgia syndrome affects the muscles and soft tissue. Fibromyalgia symptoms include chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points at certain parts of the body. Fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms can be relieved through medications, lifestyle changes, stress management, and other fibromyalgia treatment.

Here is a video from almost a year ago when I first went raw.

The chips were riceworks – Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps

The two documentaries I think EVERYONE should see:

Food Inc

King Corn

  • http://twitter.com/jnamadan Jeff Namadan

    Great video. I'm in the process of going vegan (following the Vegan in 30 Days book) as I'm tired of the food I've been eating. Was thinking about vegetarian, but the “food gateway drugs” you mentioned would be a distraction and I would cheat. Plus I want to just be healthy and know what I'm eating. Only day 6, but already cut out red meat and dairy. Poultry & fish are the big ones for me. Only did 1 cleanse day so far though I had to cave for a veggie burrito as I needed food as I was hungry.

    Still, I know this is going to be the best path for me. Thanks for sharing your experiences and keep up the good work!!

  • http://randomsarah.com sarahcooley

    @jnamadan I'm glad to hear your story, keep sharing your experiences as well. I hope you can get all the way vegan in 30 days!

  • http://www.teresafunny.wordpress.com/ Teresa

    This is amazing. You are amazing. What you're doing is AMAZING. I literally just gave my brother the Cherry Pepsi I had taken out of the fridge before sitting down to watch this.

    I have a digestive condition that worsens (obviously) when I am eating more processed foods. I was in the ER twice last year for it, and it didn't dawn on me until recently that the choices I was making about what I was eating was causing this condition.

    It is SO empowering to be able to choose something alternative, something healthy (I still am apprehensive about that word – reminds me of being a 13 year old kid and being told I needed to eat “healthier”), something natural, etc. This lifestyle choice has made me realize that I'm super passionate about Food Policy and I'm changing my major to Food Studies. So, I really relate to your story. Thanks for sharing!

    Teresa

  • http://twitter.com/jnamadan Jeff Namadan

    Just watched Food Inc. and my switch to a vegan diet is now going to be less than 30 days. Most likely this weekend. Eating an organic apple to put me at ease for the evening!

  • http://www.teresafunny.wordpress.com/ Teresa

    also, I wanted to add that “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser is also a really good read/documentary.

  • http://randomsarah.com sarahcooley

    Wow, thank you! I realized the same thing about my body, and it is hard to change your diet, but it gets easier!

  • http://randomsarah.com sarahcooley

    Congrats! Even though Food Inc. isn't specifically about being vegan, I'm so glad that you feel inspired to make that change!

  • StephieMay

    Thanks for sharing everything you do. I'm neither vegetarian or vegan, but my interest in the topics have been growing a lot lately… I would love to try at least a vegetarian diet but fear doing so at times. Though, reading your posts and watching your videos are so interesting to me, for reasons I don't even completely understand. I plan on watching Food, Inc. later today or hopefully tomorrow as I've heard about it before and now is as good a time as any to learn more. Thanks again for what your doing and I'm looking forward to more from you :)

  • http://randomsarah.com sarahcooley

    Let me know what you think after you see it. I would love to hear your reactions!

  • Jenna Taylor, M.D.

    Hi, Sarah-

    Just “watched” this blog post. Great story. Thank you so very much for sharing. :) I’m a physician who lives in California that advocates a plant-based diet (vegan – no meat or dairy). As you stated there are many conditions that can be completely reversed reversed simply by adopting a plant-based diet: heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, (Obesity), and some cancers! There is even now data published this year showing that an animal-based diet most likely also leads to cognitive disorders such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as depression. But I digress, what amazes me about you is how well informed and educated you are at such a young age. You are truly inspiring!

    Thus, other than telling you how impressed I am by you, I am wondering if you might be interested in doing a video testimonial like the one above for my blog/site. As a hobby I have created a blog called “The Plant Rx” as a resource for those who are considering transitioning to a plant-based diet. One of the pages I have is going to focus on real people and their stories and success stories as a result of a vegan diet. I would love to get a younger more educated audience like yourself. Please lmk if this is something you might have any interest in. Feel free to check out the site for yourself. It is: http://www.theplantrx.com. You can email me directly from that site as the email address is on the main landing page (home page).

    Again, Thanks for sharing your story. Kind Regards, Jenna

  • Theplantrx

    Stephie – check out my site. It may be of interest to you. Jenna (www.theplantrx.com)