Feet!!

According to Katy Bowman (a movement expert/educator), as well as many other experts, being as shoe-less as possible is the healthiest way to go. After a few years of no or minimalist shoes I agree wholeheartedly!

Min this day and age we need protection for our feet, however. The method below is in the plans for my family's footwear. Happy shoe-making!!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/07/flip-flop-refashion-part-1-braided-straps.html

2015

2015 is nearly apon us! Here are my plans for the new year...

1- inspire more people to go vegan (and whatever else I can do)

2- minimize 'stuff' to create a peaceful sanctuary

3- be more mindful of what comes into our home and what I eat

4- more loving (unplugged) family time

5- pay off a credit card and start on the next 

6- have more quality family time

It's always great to share to ensure accountability! How about you?? 

Bliss Seeker

I have a great passion for eBooks. Specifically kindle books on my tablet. Lately, I've been reading and finishing 1-2 books a day. Books on minimalism, tiny homes, yoga, meditation, and the list continues to grow. 

One of my favourites is called, "Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to downsize, declutter, and simplify". Not only did I find it helpful and inspirational to downsize, declutter and simplify but it changed my outlook on something pretty huge. Let me tell you a story.....

I was walking with a friend on a waterfront trail and we stopped to talk to a couple of women. We found out these women were teachers, as was (still is) the friend I was with. We were all talking and smiling. When one of them asked what I did I said, "I work at SuperPet" and the body launguage instantly changed. Both women nodded, stopped smiling and turned away from me, still facing my friend. Another women joined us, friends with the other two and they talked about how they were all teachers, doing what and where. Afterwards she asked me what I did and this time I said, "I'm the administrative assistant at SuperPet" and the body launguage instantly changed again. The other two women turned towards me once again. 

I thought about this occurrence of the past years, wondering what I would say that might have been different with each change in my situation, especially after closing my business and becoming 'only' a stay at home mom, since that doesn't begin to cover it but I don't feel a 10 minute conversation is needed/desired either. After reading the passage (below) in this new book I have a brilliant answer.... "I am a Bliss Seeker"!! 

What a perfect description that anyone who knows me would have to agree with. I love what it means to me, love the definition of it, I love what it implies and how it even rolls off my tongue. It's perfect.  

#BlissSeeker #VeganKim #Patchoulimoon

Big Future Life Decision To Be Tiny

Recently my husband and I came across a documentary on the Tiny Home movement. We are now hooked. 

If you are not familiar, it's homes that are small. Real small. Like, usually under 300 SF small. Many are on wheels. So, it's like a combination between a cottage and camper. And it's the ones on wheels that we are interested in. No permits to buy and the only rules to follow are road rules for towing. Working lights on the back, under the required towing weight rated for your vehicle and under 13.5 feet tall. 

We now have a 10-year plan. We have a decade and a bit before our daughter finishes school to purge and use up our excess 'stuff', to enjoy our furry family (2 out of 3 furries and all feathered will be gone in that 10-year span) to focus on our daughter, build a tiny home and find and buy land, while reducing debt to enable us to buy said land. 

This is a retirement plan, a minimalist plan, a plan to get back to nature and really figure out what our true passions are. Which brings me to my question and next blog post....what will we DO when we are living in our tiny home on forested land, all alone?? 

To Wear It Or Not To Wear It: Vegans wearing animal products

Yes, my husband and I continue to wear our pre-vegan clothing that isn't vegan. Apparently, we aren't 'advertising' for vegans, I've been told. 

I don't live my life for advertising or other people's opinion of me. MY life is about love. It's about intention. It's about the energy of those things. 

If someone was to ask me about my down-filled coat I would tell them how ashamed I am of that coat. And why. I believe it would be a learning experience. I might feel different about a fur or leather coat but I am still vegan and still a good person. Not to mention, there's the cost factor. I can't afford two brand new winter coats, willy nilly. 

We considered ourselves vegan from the moment we decided NOT to vote for cruelty, torture, rape and murder of our animal friends, with our money. But, we still ate the animal products we had in the fridge. 

Same with clothing. Although I am ashamed that I contributed to it ever, I did. But, it's too late now and wearing it or not isn't going to change that. 

It is my opinion that nobody can be 100% vegan. Drywall isn't vegan. Vehicle tires aren't vegan. Many plastic bags aren't vegan. Vaccinations.... I'm sure I could go on and on. 

According to vegan nazi logic we should give up the Lab we bought from a breeder before we were vegan and the birds from a pet store. For the sake of 'vegan advertising'?? No thanks!! 

It is the attempt that matters (to me).

As long as you aren't hurting anyone NOW what you decide to do is your own business and we won't take your 'vegan card' away. The vegan police/nazis can leave the vegans alone who are in it for the right reason. 

Peace ~ Love ~ Vegan

Many blessings,

Kim

Vegans Hating Vegans

Yesterday, I was on a facebook vegan group and a few others and I were getting bashed. By other vegans! That's right, it seems that some vegans are into it for the animals and some to feel superior to others.

My position is that as long as you are making a conscious effort to NOT harm animals in any way then you are vegan. I still wear my non-vegan clothing from pre-vegan times. The damage has already been done. I voted with my dollars to Hearn animals back when I didn't know better but wearing them NOW doesn't hurt animals NOW. 

Some choose to give away or sell the items and that is their choice. It makes no difference to the already harmed animal. They get points for doing their BEST in the moment. 

Needless to say, it didn't make me feel any better that holier than thou vegans were against me. Maybe because I thought they were good people and now I was disappointed in them..? Maybe I felt less than..? Who knows but I also had an awful lot of supportive people by my side. People who said they couldn't afford to replace all their vegan items. People who said it was personal choice/opinion. 

Then, I watched a YouTube video of one of my favourite vegans, 'Durian Rider'. What would he say, "fuck em". He and 'Freelee the banana girl' have a lot of haters. Great people always do. The photo below was at the end of the video, seemingly just for me. Now, I feel better. All I needed was a different perspective. 

From a 'Durian Rider' YouTube video
Found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W5_11u4Xwg

^^ Me getting a different perspective. ^^

“It's a pretty amazing to wake up every morning, knowing that every decision I make is to cause as little harm as possible. It's a pretty fantastic way to live.” ― Colleen Patrick-Goudreau 

Guest Post!! My Husband's Vegan Story

I am excited to announce my first guest post, my husband!! We get asked all the time to tell our story. I posted the quick version earlier tonight but here is his story...

My story

Yes, I spent over 20 years in the farming industry (mainly dairy) , I was born and raised in it. I also was raised a trapper in my early years and was an avid hunter as well for about 30 years. 

I married a vegetarian 5 years ago, she never forced her views on me just gave insight every now and then. A few years ago I saw a picture of pigs being hauled out of Toronto and people (activists) were giving them water through the holes in the trailer at the Toronto livestock exchange. It was that picture that started it all for me. 

I am a heavy construction worker and I mainly work on the highway 401 (longest highway in Ontario). The same day the picture was taken  there was a bad accident just up from our job site, it was -34c and the traffic was getting backed up to us.

I was running a machine that day and I had the heat cranked and was still bundled up, the traffic had come to a complete stop, I looked beside me on the highway and there way a tractor trailer hauling pigs to Quebec. That was the day I made the connection. These poor animals are being sent to their deaths, it -34 and they are freezing! My heart sank , I told myself that was it and I never looked back.  

My wife, daughter and I are vegan for life. (Vegan since March 1, 2014)
~Chris Mills