The Vegan Bumble: Part One

Kay Mira · The Vegan Bumble Part One

My journey toward veganism began unexpectedly during my teenage years. Around 16 or 17, I found myself at my cousin's dining room table, savoring one of my favorite meals—a double bacon cheeseburger. Each bite was a delight: the salty bacon, creamy cheese, and perfectly flame-broiled patty. But midway through, I paused, staring at the beef patty's texture. A sudden realization hit me: this was once a cow. Questions flooded my mind like—where did it live? how did it die? This is its flesh! The thought made me nauseous. I set the burger down, unable to continue. From that night, I stopped eating red meat.

However, I continued consuming other meats. A few years later, I challenged myself with "No Meat May," dedicating a month each year to abstain from all meat. In the early 2000s, living on a small island offered limited meal options. I cooked most of my meals, relying heavily on cheese to make dishes more palatable. By the end of the month, I was eager to return to my usual diet. I treated myself to chicken fettuccine from a favorite restaurant. The aroma was enticing, but upon tasting the chicken, it felt off. I tried again, but the meat tasted strange. Had I altered my taste buds? Meat now seemed unappetizing. Accepting this change, I embraced vegetarianism.

In the early stages, my diet included:

• Breakfast: Smoothies, cereals, or oatmeal.
• Lunch: Taco salads minus the meat, or sautéed cauliflower with lemon.
• Dinner: BBQ tofu with onions and green peppers, or pasta with marinara sauce and a side of steamed vegetables.
• Snacks: Lentil or black bean burgers from local spots, yogurt, nuts, and fresh fruit.

Over time, I fluctuated—reintroducing seafood, then poultry, then reverting to fish and conch only. I settled into being a pescatarian for a while. But then came the documentaries...

To be continued in Part Two.

Definitions:

• Vegetarian: A diet excluding meat, but may include dairy products and eggs.

• Pescatarian: A diet that includes seafood but excludes other meats.

• Vegan: A diet and lifestyle that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and often products like honey.

Sources: Healthline, Wikipedia