Vegan

I've tried it, thought about it, researched it, prayed about it, and finally decided.  I am a vegan.  I know too much now to go back.  Here's why, in no particular order:

1. For health reasons.  I feel better physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I have lost weight and have more energy.

2.  For environmental reasons.  I've learned that animal agriculture accounts for more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels and creates waste that pollutes the waterways and ends up in the oceans. Rainforests are being destroyed to make room for pastureland for animals and the crops required to feed them.

3.  Because I love animals and don't want to eat them anymore.  I've seen videos of how animals are treated in factory farms, and I don't want any part of it.

4.  For hungry people. There is more than enough land on the earth to produce enough food for everyone living on it.

5. I believe it's God ideal for humans.  The first people in the Garden of Eden were vegan, and someday when God restores everything to perfection, we will be vegan again.  God created animals with the breath of life in them and gave us dominion over them, which means we're responsible for taking care of them. 

2 Peter 1:3

In the car, having a discussion with Noah, I came to a conclusion.  The topic was: Why did God design it so that the best time to have children physically is when you're young but mentally is when you're too old to physically bear children anymore?  I think it's so we would be forced to rely on each other (the old on the young and vice versa) and more importantly, so we would have to rely on God.   If young people were as wise as they are strong,  and if old people were as strong as they are wise, everyone would think they have no need for God. We need the strength and energy of the young and the wisdom and experience of the old, and the only One who can provide energy, strength, wisdom, experience, and everything else we need for life is God.

Update/midlife crisis

It's been a full week since I cheated on my vegan diet.  Today I went to the Wellmobile and got my blood tested with shocking results: my total cholesterol dropped  from 278 to 186 (from Oct. 20, 2015 to today), and my LDL dropped from 198 to 116!  Triglycerides are also down from 120  to 96. Blood pressure dropped too. I have lost 20 pounds.  All my numbers were well within the normal range.  I have more energy and feel better in every way.  All this encourages me to keep going.

I think this lifestyle change is my midlife crisis.  I've been evaluating my life and contemplating what changes I need to make for the rest of it.  I don't want to be overweight, unhealthy, and tired for the rest of my time here.