I decided to become vegan because I know that eating animals causes massive environmental damage, untold human suffering in terms of the abuse of workers in slaughterhouses and industrial animal processing, preventable human suffering in terms of human health and well-being (heart disease, diabetes, other "lifestyle" disease), and last but not least, the extreme torture, mutilation, abuse, and suffering of nonhuman animals who we have created to be enslaved for our use and preferences.

I reject the cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty once and for all. As an admitted foodie, foodaholic, and fat girl, I derive great pleasure from eating, and I can honestly say that I live to eat rather than eat to live. So I have been astounded to find that I do not feel one iota deprived by my choice to stop eating animals and their secretions. It's amazing. There's no other word for it...except maybe miraculous.

I'm a former carnivore. Or maybe I should say "carniphile." I used to love eating meat. Love. So for me, giving up the eating of animals was not an easy decision, or one that came naturally. It was the end result of a long process, with a lot of tentative steps forward and fearful steps back.

I won't try to tell the whole story of that process here. If you're interested, you'll find that story elsewhere on this site. Suffice it to say that, since I've made this life change, I couldn't be happier with the difference veganism has made, in my outlook on life, my spiritual and physical health, and the way I view my fellow human and non-human animals.

I'm also very fortunate in that I'm making this journey together with my wife, Hannah. One thing that has happened, as Hannah and I have educated ourselves about vegetarian nutrition and animal welfare, is that we've been talking to each other quite a lot about these topics, and, as bloggers who enjoy writing about our lives and issues important to us, have felt inspired to start a weblog chronicling our experiences with veganism.

We've been profoundly inspired and educated by others who are writing on these issues, and I'm hoping we can add in some small but meaningful way to the growing chorus of voices speaking on behalf of animals.

If you're a non-vegan reading this out of curiosity, let me assure you that I'm not out to "convert" anyone, or judge anyone. We're not experts by any means, and as of this writing we're still pretty new to veganism. We're just finding our way through life as best we can, speaking our truth as best we can. If you find some value in what you find here, that's fantastic. And if you are a vegan, or especially a new vegan, I hope you'll add our voices to your online community. Welcome!