I first became interested in a vegan lifestyle in 2012 when I was working at a dead-end job. I was constantly stressed and as a result, developed poor eating habits that almost ruined my health. I developed atrial fibrillation (or afib). My cardiologist suggested a cardiac ablation and when I saw the electrocardiologist who was to perform the procedure, he informed me that I could bleed out as a result of the blood thinners I'd need to take leading up to it and said the procedure might not be effective. Before I left his office, I decided not to have the procedure, that I'd quit my job, and I'd adopt a vegan lifestyle.
I felt better quickly and the afib episodes stopped.
After this, I was feeling better and more comfortable, so I became careless. I slowly started eating more and more meat (as well as other crap foods). There was just so much pressure. I had a tough time because bad food was all around me. It's around all of us. My husband wasn't too interested in eating healthier, so I fell back into really bad eating habits.
About six months ago, I started having trouble walking. My Achilles' tendon in my right foot became inflamed and the way I was walking started to make my whole right leg hurt. I began to practically drag it around. It affected my whole life. I honestly thought I was going to have to file for disability and just quit life, but I remembered how much cutting out meat products helped me so much before. I decided that I needed to embrace the vegan lifestyle again...for good.
I am happy to say that since I did this, I've regained the use of my right leg and the pain in both my heel and knee are gone. My body is definitely coming back into alignment. I realize now that the purines in the meat I was eating caused such a build up of uric acid that gout had set in. I feel amazing now. I feel like my old self again. I'm more informed and feel like I'm part of an actual community this time around. I've also become creative and more open with trying new, healthy foods.
I was so inspired by the launch of this website that I started a local Meetup called "Black Vegans in Austin". A few people have joined so far and I'm hoping they'll come out to the first event. More support is always helpful and I'm interested in hearing why they've embraced the vegan lifestyle.
I love to cook and I share a lot about my journey on Instagram. My blog is in the works and I reach out to other people who are hoping to change their lives on my FB page. I'm @lifemusic_atx on Twitter.
