The Awakening That Changed My Plate and My Heart
28 years ago, I went vegan for vanity. I thought avoiding meat would slim me down, but life had a bigger lesson in store. I soon developed a passion for all living things. I realized I wouldn’t put my dog on my plate, so why would I ever put an animal anywhere near my fork?
That awakening transformed my relationship with food and life. Veganism became more than a diet…it became a moral and spiritual commitment. Every creature, from the smallest fish to the largest mammal, deserves a life free from harm.
The Emotional Lives of Animals
Science has shown that animals feel emotions just like humans. They experience:
• Pain ~ not reflexively, but consciously
• Fear and Joy ~ they have complex emotional lives
• Social Bonds ~ friendships, grief, and love exist across species
Even sea creatures are emotional. Octopuses, for instance, are highly intelligent… they solve puzzles, open jars, and play dead to avoid threats. Pigs are as smart as 4-year-old toddlers, and they form deep bonds with each other. Cows communicate, mourn, and display joy.
Every bite we take has consequences, not just ecological, but deeply emotional.
The 9 Sentient Beings You Should Never Eat
1. Octopus
• Highly intelligent problem-solvers
• Capable of play and evasion
• Feel pain and complex emotions
2. Pig
• Smarter than a toddler
• Social, emotional, and empathetic
• Full of parasites and sensitive to stress
3. Cow
• Sacred in many cultures
• Form strong social bonds
• Experience grief and emotional attachment
4. Chicken
• Remember faces and solve problems
• Experience fear, joy, and curiosity
• Factory farming causes immense suffering
5. Sheep
• Form close friendships
• Experience grief when separated
• Highly sentient emotional beings
6. Fish
• Feel pain and distress
• Capable of memory and problem-solving
• Overfishing threatens entire ecosystems
7. Dolphin
• Complex communication systems
• Self-awareness and intelligence
• Suffer in captivity and human exploitation
8. Rabbit
• Social, playful, emotionally aware
• Learn routines and tricks
• Victims of meat and fur industries
9. Elephant
• Exhibit grief, joy, and social intelligence
• Strong memory and problem-solving skills
• Poaching causes trauma and suffering
Conclusion
Choosing plants over animals isn’t just ethical… it’s scientifically, emotionally, and spiritually sound. When we eat vegan, we protect intelligent, emotional, and sentient beings. Every meal becomes an act of compassion, and every bite supports a healthier, kinder world.
Join me on this plant-based journey. Protect sentient life. Respect the intelligent, emotional beings around us. Book your holistic wellness coaching today!
