Vegan for Life

Today marks my first year as a Vegan. Growing up I never fail to eat my vegetables because of all its health benefits. My mom was a pescatarian and sometimes a flexitarian. She was my inspiration to eat healthily and avoid meat as much as possible. When I was a child she would always tell me and my siblings to refrain from eating junk food, processed food including meat as it is carcinogenic (cancerous). I guess she was right all along because if I only paid more attention to my diet when I was young, then I wouldn’t have lost my gallbladder at the age of 34. 

As I grew older I realize that it is “payback time,” indeed. My diet changed drastically after my laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) operation. I decided to cut down on eating pork and went for chicken meat instead and the reason being was, it is easier to digest. Losing a gallbladder may not sound like too big of a deal since it is not a major organ, but I guess I was wrong. I experienced heartburn whenever I eat something even with very little fat content in it. I felt bloated and once in a while had constipation issues. So I increased my fiber intake, I even switched from white to brown or red rice. In spite of it all, I still feel like there is something wrong with how I live my life. It did not occur to me however, that one day I will make the switch to veganism. 

Vegetarian vs Vegan Diet: What is the difference? 

Most people confuse vegetarian and vegan diets to be the same. According to healthline.com, Vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, game, fish, and shellfish. Certain types of vegetarians also exclude eggs, dairy or other animal by-products. A Vegan diet, on the other hand, can be viewed as the strictest form of vegetarianism. Veganism is currently defined by the Vegan Society as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty as much as possible.

Why the switch? 

I became vegan primarily for ethical reasons as well as to live a healthier lifestyle. At first, I was a little concerned because I am not sure if I’m ready to give up eating meat yet, but all my worries were finally put to rest after reading informative articles and watching Netflix documentaries’ “What the Health” and “Cowspiracy.” There’s a lot of documentaries that tackle how switching to a plant-based diet is beneficial to health and the environment but these two definitely got stuck in my head. 

For the love of animals

“I love animals,” I hear this a lot from pet owners including myself before becoming a vegan. We feed and rescue helpless animals, we even open our homes to neglected ones to give them another chance in life. But I still don’t think it’s fair. If we love animals, we have to love them equally not just the ones we share our homes with. Animals are friends,  not food. They feel pain, physically or emotionally just like humans do. We’re not God, so taking the life that is gifted to them is not our decision to make. 

On helping the environment

According to independent.co.uk, study finds that veganism is “the single biggest way” to reduce our environmental impact on the planet. 

Avoiding meat and dairy could reduce the carbon footprint from food by nearly three-quarter. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce an individual's carbon footprint from food by up to 73%. 

Health effects of vegan diets

For many vegans, nutritional choices center around taking better care of the earth’s resources and the environment, ethical issues about animal care, the use of antibiotics and growth stimulants for the production of animals, the threat of animal-borne diseases, and the health advantages of a plant-based diet. In addition, the potential of allergies from dairy products and lactose intolerance have fueled the popularity of soy-based dairy substitutes.

Vegan diets are usually higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins C and E, iron, and phytochemicals, and they tend to be lower in calories, saturated fat and cholesterol, long-chain n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B-12. In general, vegetarians typically enjoy a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers (source: acedemic.oup.com).

I developed an allergic reaction to poultry products particularly eggs and chicken, as well as seafood like shrimp and crab when I was a kid. I thought I have to deal with it for the rest of my life. I think that is why transitioning to a vegan diet is a piece of cake for me because I don’t have to deal with avoiding certain kinds of food anymore. 

Veganism is here to stay

Becoming vegan is not just a diet, it is a lifestyle. It’s a choice I made because my body is not a graveyard. And no it is definitely not just a phase, like what most people thought. It’s not something that will pass and soon enough I will go back to eating meat again. Education is the key to fully understand what veganism is all about. It is not enforced so please, don’t criticize vegans and disrespect just because you are not, to each his/her own. 

One thing is for sure ... once a VEGAN will always be a vegan, FOR LIFE.

Going VEGAN: Because I Care

It’s only been a week since I became a vegan and so far so good, I have nothing but good things to say. Some might say that becoming a vegan is just a phase and that there are people who, after switching to a plant based diet eventually go back to eating meat. Well, we all have reasons to our food choices and my reasons for going vegan are primarily to eat healthier and live a more compassionate lifestyle. Transitioning from being a vegetarian to a vegan was not so hard after all since I’ve always loved vegetables, I cannot survive a day without greens but no one said it would be easy either.

At first, I only wanted to try a plant based diet for a week because I have doubts that I can carry on without meat or dairy but only after a fews days I already noticed that I don’t feel bloated anymore however, the most challenging part for me is eliminating dairy from my diet because I grew up consuming lots of it. I have sweet tooth, I mean who doesn’t? I cannot live without eating my comfort food like ice cream, cookies, cake, etc. but guess what? it’s not the end of the world, there are non-dairy options which I’m excited to try soon. I survived without dairy for a week and I can do without it for the rest of my vegan life.


I also wanted to lose weight I even resorted to intermittent fasting but it caused my monthly period to become irregular which is kinda frustrating so I told myself that maybe I really need to focus on what I eat and not just my eating habits. Education is the key to understand things that are a bit unclear. It’s easy to believe that vegans are not getting enough protein from plants but after watching documentaries on Netflix like Cowspiracy, What the Health, In Defense of Food and Food Choices, I learned that protein initially came from plants and that protein deficiency was never an issue but the bigger problem is the cause of cancer which most likely is linked to carcinogen found in meat. My body is not a graveyard, therefore, I have to eat food to keep me alive and well and not bring me closer to the grave. One thing is for sure, I have made up my mind to finally go vegan... there is no turning back because of all its health benefits, it is also beneficial to the environment and animals. It is best to use all available resources on the Internet for good than to believe in myths that have no basis. 

I guess my only regret becoming a vegan is not doing it sooner. I know, guilty as charged. I am an animal lover so why just now? I am a pet owner, I feed homeless dogs and cats because I feel sorry for them that they’re not lucky enough to find a loving home. I even feed our neighbor's chickens and care for them like my own until I can no longer bear the guilt. I am being a traitor by making them feel that I genuinely care yet I still eat their kind? Aren’t cows, pigs, and chickens animals too? They also have feelings and they fear for their own lives. Only God can take away the life that is borrowed and we are not God to make the decision to end the life of these animals.   I am sick of feeling guilty but it’s never too late to change and be the voice for those who cannot speak. I know I cannot change the world overnight by going vegan but what matters is that I feel better that I am doing something about the situation and not just pity these helpless animals. We only have one planet and we all deserve a life worth living. 

I love animals and I will not eat them. Veganism is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. 

In the mood for Melt Darkroom (A review)

Melt owners Lora 
Arellano and Dana Bomar

Darkroom is 
here to stay

When Melt Darkroom was launched late last year everyone got excited about this beet colored lipstick thanks to the creative minds of Melt's lady bosses Laura Arellano and Dana Bonar who are professional MUA themselves. Just an FYI, Laura is Rihanna's makeup artist and behind most of her looks in her music videos so you know what to expect from ladies who know makeup so well. 

Nope, it's not a shoe box. 
Just my lippie!

Freebies

My first purchase of Melt are By Starlight and Space Cake because Blow and DGAF were out of stock during that time. I instantly fell in love with both, it screams 'me'! I don't care whenever I get weird stares from people like I'm from another planet or something. I love wearing daring lipsticks not because I want attention but I just love make up so much someday I swear I will make a living out of it, lol. I became obsessed with super pigmented lipsticks and eyeshadows I tried other makeup brands and lippie shades such as Five 11 Cosmetics' Free (Almost blue green in color) and Manic Panic's After Midnight (Electric Blue). I've been stalking Melt's website to see what's new until about a week ago they reached 1 million followers on Instagram so they had a 24 hour SALE offering 25% off on every product just by using the code "meltmilli". I wasted no time and bought Darkroom immediately before it's sold out.

Darkroom swatch

My Melt box came via USPS a week after I placed my order which is fast for international orders it usually takes a month to arrive. My very first Melt package came in a white box, now it's black so there's quite a mystery in there. Unboxing this product is the most exciting part. What I loved about Melt is that no matter what the quantity of your order, you always get a postcard and a cute freebie, (sweet!). I got a pocket mirror then, this time it's a mini Space Cake lipstick keychain (yay!). Melt just so love their customers you will feel it at the very moment you opened that box. I'm just really happy with the packaging to start with. 

The signature scent of vanilla and clay stays with Darkroom. I still like the gooey texture it glides easily but compared to By Starlight, it doesn't leave a pink stain when you remove it like a lip tattoo or something. It's still long wearing though not as matte compared to other liquid to matte lipsticks (read my previous review about La Splash Cosmetics in Ghoulish). Great news is, Darkroom doesn't leave your lips dry but applying a small amount of lip moisturizer before and after wouldn't hurt. A lip primer is a must for every MUA but I think any Melt lipstick is good to go with or without it. 

NYX Siren is a good dupe for Darkroom 
and Maison for Limecrime's Salem

Lovin' my Darkroom

Melt Darkroom is good to have especially if you like to play with colors a lot just like myself and would like to try something different, either you're going for a grunge look or simply want to look elegant on a night out. Price wise, there are cheaper alternatives in the market but bear in mind that quality makeup ain't cheap although surprisingly, some cheaper brands can come up with a better version so it would really help to read product reviews before buying. Better yet look for a product's 'dupe' (duplicate) but make sure it is safe to use. Since I'm an animal lover I go for cruelty free, vegan makeup just like Melt and Limecrime. I've been a NYX fan because their makeup is affordable and the quality is good too. I've purchased NYX Siren in the past and I noticed that it is a good dupe of Darkroom. I have NYX Maison too because I was so in love with Limecrime's Salem then. La Splash in Ghoulish became so popular because it is the best dupe of Limecrime's Cashmiere at the moment.

I'm still a Melt fan and looking forward to try their new products in the future. I'm still in the hunt for cheaper alternatives because makeup is forever. So there.