Hey there! My name is Alyssa and I’m from Seattle. I run the Instagram and blog @hippie_dust and think this is a great opportunity to come out and tell the story behind why I went vegan and continue spreading the word through social media.
To start off, I have always identified with animals and felt close to them spiritually from a young age. My parents always had pets and it didn’t take me long to personify them as well as feel a great sense of compassion for every animal I ever crossed paths with. After owning my cat, Cosmo, for 16 years now I suddenly realized how sad it was that I ate other animals, yet would never hurt him… let alone even fathom eating him. From that thought on, I couldn’t justify differential treatment among species. I finally went full vegan when I watched several documentaries about the truths of climate change and the food industry, and I couldn’t handle the guilt of eating meat and not doing all that I could for animals and our Earth as a whole. It is our only habitat, and it doesn’t need us; we need it. So, I took the plunge and stopped eating all animal products, thus reducing my carbon footprint by more than half. And I did this all, easily, while pursuing a double major in Political Science and Law at the University of Washington! So, I know anyone can do it.
My beliefs were solidified by the health benefits and avoidance of diseases that are now scientifically proven with a vegan lifestyle, and also by how much better my body feels after making the switch.
Go vegan! For the Earth, for the animals, and for your body. Living a peaceful, compassionate, and conscious lifestyle feels better than eating meat simply for a flavor preference, believe me.
