Wow! I can’t believe I didn’t post this earlier! I delivered this speech in the summer of last year at an event in Del Mar, CA. I gave this speech not long after I became vegetarian. It was a lot of the research I did leading up to this event that changed my views for good!
“Let Food Be Thy Medicine” Speech
The main thing that made me make the choice to become vegetarian in the end was the meat industry itself … the seeming complete lack of humane morals in the way the animals are raised and treated, business morals in the way farmers are treated and social morals in the practices used to deliver “quality” meat. These facts on top of being an animal lover and health enthusiast put me over the edge.
As I say in the speech, my goal is not to turn everyone vegan (although good on you if you are!). I wanted to create some awareness of some very simple but tough to digest (haha) truths. I can’t prove to you that a whole-food, plant-based diet will safeguard you from all disease. It won’t. If I can convince you that there may be some truth in what I say, you can search out the facts and make your own decision on how to feed yourself and your family.
I mentioned Chef Stuart Dodds in my speech, here is a link to his website.
Tom,
You’ve made some really great points. I became vegetarian earlier in the year and really should work towards becoming vegan. Like yourself, I did so mostly because of moral reasons. I love animals and felt like a hypocrite eating them when I know I don’t need to.
Since giving up meat I feel much healthier. My weight training has not taken a hit either. It’s been about six months and I don’t regret it a bit.
Al