Lindstrom Eric C. - The Skeptical Vegan: My Journey from Notorious Meat Eater to Tofu-Munching Vegan--A Survival Guide

Copyright 2017 by Eric C. Lindstrom

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Eric C. Lindstrom

Cover photo credit: Eric C. Lindstrom

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1760-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1761-9

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to
Jen, my vegan wife;
our vegan babies;
and our vegan dog.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

I am fascinated by the relatively rare and uniquely human phenomenon of transformation. The best stories are those that tell of overcoming, redemption, and glorious afters contrasting with prosaic befores. The Skeptical Vegan is a story like that: relevant, inspiring, instructive, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Eric Lindstrom isnt just a skeptical vegan; hes an honest one. He shares every pitfall, inconvenience, and temptation of this journey, while at the same time tempting us with its possibilities: physical renewal, a genuinely sustainable way to live on planet earth, and the ability to look at a cow or pig or chicken without the subconscious guilt of a predator who was never meant to be one.

I relate to Erics experiences on many levels. Like him, I approached veganism obese and ravenous. Food was my drug, and only rich foodsmeat, cheese, ice cream, pastriescounted. Fruits and vegetables were garnishes, and grains a mere foil for butter and Alfredo sauce.

While Erics original impetus for going vegan was a bet with his wife he couldnt bear to lose, I wanted to take this step for the animals. I knew that vast numbers of them were, and are, abused and slaughtered in an agricultural system confidently assuring us that their sacrificed bodies are whats for dinner. My spirit was all in, but my flesh weakened in the face of a fluffy cheddar omelet or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

The details of my turnaround are different from Erics, as yours are or will be, but the result is the same: a way of eating that offers health (for me, that includes over sixty pounds left behind decades ago) and a way of living that promises purpose. The choice Ive made, as well as Eric and other vegans, combined with a significant reduction in animal food consumption by millions more, means that were killing half a billion fewer animals in the US annually than we were ten years ago. We did that. And we can do more.

My only complaint about the book youre now holding is that it ends. Thats okay, though, because when its over you get to have your own adventures. And as you create your vegan story, you can carry with you the thought: If that guy could do thisgood Lord, he practically ate entire carcasses!I can do it for sure. A better life awaits, and a kinder, saner worldbut first: a really good read.

Victoria Moran

Author, Main Street Vegan

Host, Main Street Vegan podcast

Director, Main Street Vegan Academy

INTRODUCTION

We strive for a world where every earthling has the right to live and grow.
Thats why we dont eat animals.

Ruby Roth

T his book is a love story. About a man and his meat. A love that couldnt last forever.

We live in a world where 97 percent of the population considers that animals are food. That somehow, opposable thumbs rocketed us to the top of the food chain. This perceived superiority is evidenced nightly on our dinner plates, which traditionally are centered around meat. Mammals, birds, fish, even reptiles. No meal is complete without some form of meat drowning in some amount of brown gravy.

I know this as a fact, since I lived this way for the first half of my life. I was a notorious, unstoppable, insatiable meat eater for the better part of my life.

And then one day, I woke up. Vegan.

This book is meant to inspire. Like the 1980 United States mens Olympic hockey team. But replace the hockey puck with a millet patty, the hockey sticks with carrot sticks, and the Russians with bacon. No one ever imagined that the meat could be beat. It was a true Miracle on Rice.

My story proves that anyone can turn their lives around and go vegan. For their own health, for the environment, and for the animals. Whether youre currently a vegetarian so addicted to cheese youre unable to take that next step or a full-on meat eater who might be curious about what it would take to lead a healthier vegan lifestyle, this book details the drama of my own personal journey from carnivore to skeptical herbivore and, eventually, on to ethical vegan. It proves that anyone, at any age, can become a card-carrying, tofu-loving, hemp milk-drinking vegan. Even if they currently start every day with over easy eggs, crispy bacon, buttered toast, Greek yogurt, and cream in their coffee.

To say I had a penchant for meat is an understatement. Imagine, for a moment, William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet . But Im Romeo, and Juliet is meat. I stand below meats balcony, the moonlight glistening off her fat. But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it bone marrow, Juliet says. Whats in a name? That which we call a roast. By any other name would smell as sweet.

Or taste as sweet. I cant lie: a roast tasted sweet. I was madly in love with meat.

Growing up, I only read Dr. Seusss Green Eggs and Ham . As a teenager, I listened to nothing but Meatloaf. Later in life, Kevin Bacon was my favorite actor and Meatballs was my favorite movie. I pretty much ate meat, or some animal-derived food, with every meal.

It took me more than forty years to finally turn my life around in more ways than one by becoming veganovernight. Went to bed masticating meat, woke up pigging out on plants.

Throughout this book, youll find out why being vegan is a lifestyle and not a diet , and that there are varying levels of veganism, from Level 0 to Level 11. A sliding scale challenges the notion of a dichotomy that says, technically, youre either a vegan or youre not. More on this later. Of course, the notion of rating anyone based on a number is completely wrong and ridiculous. But, for the record, Im a solid Vegan Level 8.

The bottom-line definition all vegans agree on when it comes to a vegan diet is that we dont consume meat, fish and seafood, dairy, or eggs. Meat includes all marine life, and dairy includes butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice creamin case you were going to ask. In addition to this dietary guideline, vegans try to live their lives with as little impact on the planet, the environment, and animals as possible by not supporting overtly nonvegan companies. This is outwardly represented by not wearing or using leather, wool, or silk (or any other material derived from an animal) and by purchasing toiletries and other household items that are certified vegan and cruelty-free. Keep in mind that some cosmetics may be labeled cruelty-free and still contain animal ingredients. I know, its a lot to keep track of.