This is why.

I made a lifestyle change in August 2011.  I went VEGAN!
I am a meat, milk and cheese lover!  I am very concious of my family's health and nutrition and I'm always looking for ways to be healthier.
Early in August 2011 I spent a weekend reading "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss.  He shares a memory of growing up on a farm.  He said the cows and chickens would get sick in their area, so they got rid of the cows and the chickens.  No meat, eggs or milk.  Jethro wrote that after these animals were no longer used on the farm and they were strictly following a vegan diet he and his family never got sick.
When I read this I remembered that I had "The China Study" by Dr. T. Colin Campbell on my bookshelf, but had never read it.  I picked it up and read it in a weekend.
Because Dr. Campbell was pro animal protein out in the field and then converted to pro plant protein after doing his research, it made this book very convincing for me.
I was hesitant to make the change because I love to cook. I thought if all I was cooking were grains, vegetables and fruit I wouldn't be able to create fun dishes anymore.  I was wrong.
I have found so many vegan websites and cookbooks where not only are the meals delicious, but they are beautiful and fun to make.
I jumped in with both feet and didn't waver.  I LOVE IT!  I feel better, I look better, I lost weight and I'm not getting sick.
In November 2011 I had my annual examination with my doctor.  He was so excited when I told him I had been eating a vegan diet and recommended I read "The China Study".  I laughed and told him that's exactly why I had made the change.  My BMI is just under 20 (19.8) which is in the healthy range.  He suggested we do a lipid panel along with Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 labs.  My Cholesterol was 146, Vitamin D was 34 and Vitamin B12 was 1200.
I am not a die hard vegan.  I will wear leather, I eat honey and I allow myself some sushi on special occassions.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are my eat meat sparingly time.  However, I've found that it doesn't make me happy like it used to.  We'll see what I do next year.  I also use an Isagenix IsaLean Shake every morning for breakfast.  This is a whey protein shake so it's a vegan cheat, but this shake has a ton of B12 and Vitamin D and I credit that for my levels in my lab.
My reason for creating this blog is to help other people in their quest to be healthier.  If you are a strict vegan or just choose to eat an occassional vegan meal I hope what I find and share on this site will be beneficial to you.