Seven months ago Lou Ann and I became vegan. We were staffing the world premiere of the movie “Eating You Alive” for the Illuminate Film Festival right here in Sedona. The documentary is about how what you eat can dramatically affect your life in a negative way. Millions of people die each year of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Heart disease and stroke alone killed 17 million people in 2015. The film followed the journey of several people who were either chronically or terminally ill. The movie showed how when people choose a whole food plant based diet they can actually completely reverse their disease and heal themselves!
While watching the movie we also became more aware of the horrible treatment of millions of animals that are slaughtered in the name of a good steak, burger or other animal body part. I had crossed my personal Rubicon. I couldn’t go back to eating the way I had. We met Milan Ross after the premiere who wrote the book titled “The Change”, transforming yourself and your body into the person you want to be. He weighed over 400 pounds and had lost half his body weight. We were now on our own new journey of a whole food plant based diet.
Lou Ann has way more determination than I. Once she has made up her mind to accomplish something, there is little that will deter her. Perhaps her 14 years of Catholic training was a help. I had no training in completing anything. And Lou Ann is also a tiptoer, I know that is not a real word but it describes how she approaches some things. When we go swimming in a pool or to the ocean she gradually enters the water a few inches at a time to get acclimated to the wetness. Me? I have to take a running start and leap into the water and get the shock over as soon as possible. I was not going to succeed with being a vegan if I just decided to give up cheese or dairy. I know me, If I didn’t go all in I would have found a way to justify and would have failed. Thankfully Lou Ann went all in as well.
I have lost 22 pounds, Lou Ann’s genetic high cholesterol plummeted 31 points. I feel younger than I have in years. I feel less dense and sluggish. I feel like a “light” being! I work for a solar company whose owner is a Seventh Day Adventist. When I informed Greg that we had gone vegan he exclaimed” It’s the number one thing you can do for the planets health; even more than solar.” All over our globe huge forests are being destroyed to create prairie land so people can raise cattle and other grazing animals.
I am not here to convince all of you to become vegans. Everyone’s health is their own choice. I am only sharing Lou Ann’s and my experience the last seven months. If it feels like something you would like to try, please do. I know the animals would love you for it! Another movie that is helpful that was in the last Illuminate Film Festival is titled “What The Health”. I highly recommend that film as well. I wish you the longest, healthiest, wealthiest life filled with love and joy and all that your heart desires! From my heart to yours, Thomas