I would like to start off by saying that this is the first time I have written anything on N24, and am still not even sure if this piece will come up in the right place, but in saying that, I had to put pen to paper and respond to the last few articles submitted by “Maureen Dent” – I have been enthralled to say the least and could not hold back any longer. – please bear with me as being dyslexic, my writing skills are not of the greatest. I don’t have a facebook account and only opened this one a few months back so that I could enter a Rolling Stones competition.
I would like to first off tell you all a little about myself so that you all will have a better understanding of where I am coming from. I’m 41 years young, have two daughters ages 21 and 14 and am in a very loving relationship. I stopped eating meat when I was about 23 years old and stopped eating fish about 7 years ago. I am a very passionate animal person and not even insects befall any ill treatment in my home (unless it is by accident). I don’t wear leather and keep the PETA and BWCSA websites close on hand as I am constantly checking the ‘DO NOT” and “DO” test on animal company lists, especially if any new product comes my way. I don’t take medication as I cannot be sure what has and what hasn’t gone through animal testing – but I cannot say what medication I would use if my life depended on it, but to date I am very healthy. I am a big believer in herbs and oils and believe that every vegetable, fruit or herb can be used for some ailment. I try my best to not have too many harsh chemicals at home, and try and use alternatives - for example, I use bicarbonate soda, salt and white vinegar to clean out the drains – and it seems very effective.
We live very simple lives and I try and live my life by example both spiritually and emotionally. I don’t bombard or insult people around me because they might be doing something I disagree with, by this I mean; eating meat, using products that are tested on animals – I am not talking about direct cruelty, because then I would step in. My partner and oldest daughter both eat meat, my 14 year old stopped eating meat about 8 months ago, and this was her choice, as I never preach – I just live by example. My partner supports me 100% in my beliefs and is why he loves me so much, but he is a meat eater, to be fair though, his consumption of red meat is now only limited to the weekends and he has chicken once a week and fish once a week – this for him is by choice and not through me – maybe I am rubbing off on him a little bit – but one thing is for sure, I don’t see him ever stopping as he enjoys his meat too much – oh and we love our braai’s (soya schnitzel for me of course)..
I know that this is all long and drawn out, but what I want to say is that I can, to a certain extent, understand Maureen Dents views, BUT, going about it the way she has is only going to get people’s backs up – we all live different lives and were all brought up differently. I have quietly noticed that a lot of people are trying in their own little ways to live more environmentally friendly and this is great. I see a lot more people recycling, I see a lot more people separating their garbage… but when someone like Maureen comes along – these same people just feel “well to hell with it – I’m not going to even try anymore”.
I, as a women, love to by hair free – I do this for myself as I prefer it and not because anyone else dictates it to me. I also find it cleaner, especially in the nether regions – now here’s my question, Maureen, you say you don’t use toilet paper, I’m vegetarian and couldn’t imagine going without my beloved bog roll – what about “that time of the month”, don’t you need to use toilet paper then – I just can’t wrap my head around this……. Now as for the claim about not using soaps because of the chemicals, have you ever popped into your local health shop – there are lots of them around, here you can find chemical free soaps and shampoos. I love these heath stores and can generally find what I am looking for at any given time. Another great thing about heath stores is that most of their products are locally produced.
Another question I have for you, when you purchase clothes do you always check the labels to see where it is made – I know I do, and I try my best not to get anything produced in China…. But in saying this – it is sometimes unavoidable, this I know – but would like your answer to it.
I’m not perfect, but do the best I can and hope that people like me for this reason and not for trying to make them something that they are not…
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