No Longer Vegan....

I never expected to make this video when I went vegan almost a decade ago (March 2014), but a lot has shifted for me in the last year, and this video opens up about why we no longer will be adhering to a strict vegan lifestyle.

My biggest change is that I started craving animal products after giving birth to our son, Max. I never had this feeling during my pregnancy, but about six months postpartum, my body kept telling me to eat eggs. I thought at first I would be able to adjust my supplements/the food I was eating to fix whatever hole in my diet was creating this craving. I upped my fat and protein intake. I ate tons of chia/flax/hemp seeds for omegas. I supplement with b12, vegan Dha, choline, and vitamin d.... I eat tons of calories. I came at my vegan diet from a place of preparation and a lot of personal education, but no matter what I switched my mind kept going back to eggs, and then I started craving chicken and steak.... it was a really strange experience for me because in the past I always looked at animal products and "non-food" like i never felt restricted because I never even considered eating them.

This physical craving and our experience moving to the woods, getting to know farmers, and setting up our homestead made leaving the vegan lifestyle even more appealing. We realized that we could become self-sufficient much quicker if we got animals on the property in a typical farming/homestead tradition instead of what we had originally planned of having farm animals on the land in an animal sanctuary model.

I know this news can be hard to hear if you are a vegan and have been following us for our vegan content. For those of you who aren't vegan, you might be confused at why this is "such a big deal," but this was a way of thinking, an ideology, a lifestyle that we were part of for a long time. I am grateful for this chapter of our life; it helped me open my mind to so many things in the world. I grew as a critical thinker. I ask more questions about all of the systems in my life that serve me. But at the same time, in the last few years, Lou and I both have felt like we no longer want to live inside any other boxes and want to have space to be free to do what we feel is best for us. I want to raise our son to trust his intuition, so it is time for me to do the same thing.

Thank you for all your love, support, and understanding. We are so grateful for this community and look forward to how things unfold from here.

[eleventhclara]

Okay, I need to preface this with I don’t care what you guys eat, and this isn’t a judgement at all, but Lou saying “I don’t want to be stuck in a box” when you guys live in shipping containers cracked me up.

[robinprice]

A huge sign of maturity is to give yourself the opportunity to evolve. It’s so simple. I imagine that having your lives online you feel a bit of hesitation because maybe you’ll get negative feedback. Honestly though I think it’s great that you allow yourself the opportunity to change your mind. Not only about this but about all things in life. I can’t imagine how my life would be at 59 years old if I stuck to all the decisions I made at 30.

[tn]

I am one of your ‘I don’t care what you eat fans’ but I know this was an incredibly hard video for you. Always be true to yourself and your family, for the rest is just noise. Looking forward to a fabulous chicken coop and Max loving the baby chicks 🐣🐣

[portraitsofvancouver]

It take courage to change directions. I had a hard time being a full time vegan. I just read a running book where a runner goes vegetarian every other day and eats meat the other days. Over the years I found that chicken noodle soup helped when I had the flu. And my 74 year old granny neighbor says cheese is very important to her. I know this was a hard choice but it may make life more easier and feeling healthier. I wish you guys the best in this new nutritional journey!

[willowbrooke]

As someone who was vegan for years and is now about to pop out a baby any day now, I am so happy that you are considering your health and everything post baby. I am still mostly vegetarian just as preference but animal products have saved me during this pregnancy as far as nutrition and energy. Please continue to care for yourself and family and good luck on this journey :)

[gouda]

I think there is a huge difference between being a regular consumer of massively farmed products as opposed to being self sufficient and living off the land the old way before the huge corporatized slaughter houses came about. You guys do you! You are doing it right

[manonheider]

I really can‘t wrap my head around you guys wanting to hunt deer and kill fish. To me this feels so extremely far from veganism, it‘s a huge change I honestly don‘t get ethically.
😔💚

[patriciamcgill]

Clearly, not been a hasty decision for you, so kudos to you both for being so thoughtful about this, and frankly about all of your decisions; big or small. No matter the circumstance, you always “do you”, which your audience seems acutely attuned to, and hugely respects. Thanks for your openness.

[jdsell]

No pressure - make the right choice(s) for you and your family. I feel that you're putting more pressure on yourself than anyone else will. Love your videos and the opportunity to see a different lifestyle - everything from van life to boat life to where you are now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings so honestly and openly.

[rosetheinfamous]

It's commendable how Raw, Open, and Honest you are being with everyone to which you owe no explanation. Much love to you and your family on this next chapter. ❤️ It's a personal choice and everyone should except that .

[andie]

I appreciate your honesty but do feel it will be a massive leap as a viewer in the difference from eating eggs from your own chickens to shooting and butchering a deer! Please give us a warning if you're going to show such things as that's when people like myself will have to tap out, I don't want to see that 🙈

[RAW-zzgt]

Hi, I just have to make an educational correction. Veganism is an animal rights movement, not a diet. When people say, “they are no longer Vegan, ” it really hurts the movement. Vegans follow a plant-based diet for moral reasons. People who are not Vegan can follow a plant-based diet for its health benefits. My point is, true Vegans don’t recognize it’s wrong to exploit animals one day, then decide it’s okay somewhere down the line. It’s a lifestyle and a life long commitment. Therefore, no such thing as an “ex-Vegan.” True Vegans change their whole lifestyle solely for the purpose of animal liberation, and that will never change. Please, out of respect for true Vegans, consider changing the title of this video. Thank you. 🙏🏼❤️

[ClareWitchbaby]

I’m not vegan and I’m so many ways am so far removed from your lifestyle (I live in Brooklyn NY, I’m not vegan, I’m definitely an indoor cat) but your videos have meant so much to me in showing me what’s possible as far as alternative lifestyles. Proud of you for doing what’s right for you! Thank you for sharing your story!

[cattygirl]

The simple fact that you look so sickly is enough to tell you that the diet you were eating isn’t good for you, most can’t do veganism because it does such a toll on the body. Hope you get well soon

[MsSatification]

I never comment on videos, but I'd just like to say that I love the respectful way you talk about this. I wanted to be vegan for a while but I have realised that for me personally I tend to get stuck with restrictions. It triggers stuff inside me. So I never restrict anything in my life. But I often cook vegan. So I get that you don't want to get stuck inside this box of doing it only one way.
Listen to your body and do what is best for you, that is always the best. Nobody is in your position and makes your decisions except you. And raising chickens is so much fun I think :D

[sharpebeaton]

I love this community of "Wild We Roam-ers". Everyone's comments are so supportive and I am also proud of you both for sharing your thought process on this new life change. I have been vegan for a number of years and have recently started adding eggs, fish, and cheese. Like Lou, I am still 90% vegan and feel good about my choices. Also, we so want to see chickens and goats on the homestead!!!

[meanon]

Quit veganism about 5 years ago and my family instantly said I looked better. I look back at pictures when I was towards the end of veganism and while I was a healthy weight my face looked so skinny. Building muscle was tough, I didn't use workout supplements then and I don't know and now it's much easier to gain muscle. I perform better at upper body exercises, roughly 40% better. Buying leather again is a huge bonus. When you're a vegan, just buying a real good pair of winter gloves and solid or stylish footwear is problematic.

[temperancelightfoot]

The two of you are amazing. The world needs more conscientious young people like you, who reflect and deliberate on their life decisions. You are incredibly generous to share this process with your audience, and I hope people are kind in their responses. You need to do what is best for you and the wellbeing of your family. Wishing you the best as you move forward.

[Elinkettu]

This video must have been so hard to film! Thanks again for being so very vulnerable on line and for being so honnest. I've been vegan for almost 8 years now and I understand so well that your convictions or desires even vary in life! Honnestly not happy to hear you talk about hunting or butchering but very happy that you are able to listen to your body and what your gut tells you to do! It's so important nowadays to be able to be true to yourself! And I feel you set a great example of "well things change and that's the beauty of life"!

[shelleyhelmond]

if you didn't become vegan due to ethics, then this probably is a decision you can come to terms with. I am vegan because I want to eliminate all suffering as much as is possible within my means. I try not to judge, especially people who aren't aware of practices in animal agriculture and the suffering caused by that. Whenever I consider eating animal products, all I can visualise is an animal suffering and I just can't do it. This is my personal choice and everyone must make the choice for themselves, but I believe that choice should be an informed one.