Ditching Meat? My No Meat Challenge Experience

Meat was always a staple in my Filipino diet. 🍖♨️🔥🥩🥓
With a majority of meals being meat-based, it was simply the norm, and I never questioned it. My favorite animals to eat are chicken. They are soft and tender plus juicy! But then, something unexpected happened.

Through a shared love of nature and interest in content creation,
I met Illy, my online "twinny" from Greece. 🏛
As we bonded further, I was drawn to her passion for a cruelty-free lifestyle. She's a strong advocate for sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.

Her dedication to vegetarianism and her advocacy for ethical eating practices sparked a curiosity within me. I began to question my own assumptions about food and its impact on the world, while also strengthening my compassion for animals.

This led me on a journey of exploration. 🤔

It all started with a New Year's resolution 🎉 – I went all in, hard-core ahead from the start. Let me tell you, those first 3 months were intense. Meat cravings hit me hard, and the smell of grilling burgers? 🍔 Chooks to go? 🍗 BBQ? 🥓 Forget about it – major temptations are everywhere!

My family wasn't supporting my decision either. They were all like,

💪🏼 But I held strong, determined to conquer this self-made
"No Meat Challenge."

My mom, wasn't a huge fan of my new thing, and yeah, she got frustrated sometimes. 💢 Even my friends were like,

⋆｡˚ ☪︎ ˚｡⋆ Some even thought I was going Muslim or something! A few jokes later, things were cleared up, though.
(づ◡﹏◡)づ

Overall, it was definitely tough. But hey, there were some cool parts too,

Most people tell me, "Elly, some of the food contains meat, here's for you," handing me lettuce and cucumber (bless their hearts, they were trying!)

Here's the thing, though: a lot of people have surprised me with their thoughtfulness. Some even start preparing vegan options when they know I'll be there for events. It's these little gestures of respect and hospitality that truly warm my heart. It shows that even though we have different dietary preferences, they care about making me feel included.

Forget the struggle! Plants are loaded with fiber, the secret weapon for smooth sailing in the bathroom. Trust me, vegetarians know the feeling.

But facing the reality, I can't single-handedly stop everyone from breeding and slaughtering them. So, I made a personal decision. If the thought of pigs or chickens being killed truly bothers me, then I need to take action, even if it's just a small step.

For me, that means not contributing to that system myself by choosing not to eat meat. So now when I eat my food, I don’t feel the guilt.

Choosing to become vegetarian has instilled a sense of discipline in me. It requires willpower to control my meat cravings and remain true to the values I hold dear. This commitment has shown me the importance of following through on what matters most.

In the past, I wasn't picky –

But becoming health-conscious has changed that. Now, I make more mindful choices about what I put in my body. After all, as the saying goes,
"You are what you eat."

One of the coolest things about making healthy choices is how

In college, I remember bringing plant-based snacks like cucumbers and lettuce to class (Tita made that snack for me) . Little did I know, one of my classmate don’t like it and never tried it before!

He watched me eat them like a cow, and eventually, he decided to give them a taste. To my surprise, he actually liked them! He even mentioned appreciating the fresh flavor more than he expected. Hearing this made me incredibly happy (inside) – it showed the power of positive influence in action.

Okay, let's be honest – munching on raw cucumber and lettuce isn't exactly flavorful. But here's the thing: it's kind of grown on me! Maybe it's because the blandness makes me appreciate those truly flavorful meals even more.

Sure, I won't win any awards for best tasting food ever, but it plays a role in my food journey. It keeps my taste buds in balance, ready to rock out with delicious flavors. Who knew blandness could be so cool, right?

in the Philippines and many experts link it to dietary choices. A diet high in processed foods, excessive meat consumption, and unhealthy fats can contribute to cardiovascular risks. Witnessing this firsthand among those around me has motivated me to adopt a healthier lifestyle, one that avoids these potential early high maintenance lifestyle.

Many people told me they want also to try what I am doing but the question is "How far they can go?" For me, I made it because I want to, not because I need it or what. If you also want to try to live healthy, try to be flexible at first. Don't start like me who immidiately ignored the ham during Media Noche. Try to reduce your unhealthy food consumption slowly. Trust me when you get into this part. You will not regret it. Your body will thank you! For sure.