I’m not sure how long ago Jamie Oliver was quoted as saying, “stop being a vegan and start enjoying what you eat”, but I only heard it for the first time the other day. It felt a little ironic to me, as I only truly started enjoying food when I became vegan. It’s of course understandable that you could only know that when you actually become vegan. I like Jamie and I think he is creating a healthy food revolution in many regards. I do look forward to the day he becomes vegan, however.
Besides discovering living foods and their incredible benefits, becoming vegan also taught me to be conscious about food … to think about where it came from, the energy and life force it holds and how lucky I am to be transferring that life force into me. It’s such a powerful process when you really think about it: a plant has lived and breathed the earth’s elements … soaked up the sunshine, filtered rain water. Then we, hopefully consciously, get to transform this energy into us, so that we may live our greatest potential, fueled by life force energy as it was all intended, really, in the beginning.
While Jamie Oliver isn’t yet vegan (and I do hold expectation that he will one day stop eating meat—why not?), he is doing some great work to transform the way we all think about our food and health. He’s working to at least get people to be conscious about not consuming junk and highly-processed “food impostors” and chemicals. To start thinking about what we’re feeding our kids. To put fruit and vegetables back on dinner plates.
Right now, after making healthy food choices a high priority in the UK, Jamie has set his sights on the United States where obesity has become the norm and many children can no longer identify what fruit and vegetables are (yes, this is true). In his quest to bring healthy food choices back to American schools and homes, The Naked Chef has started a petition to highlight its importance and start a movement towards health (you can sign it here).
Jamie’s mission is an important one that we could all pitch in and help with. No matter how small a contribution we can offer, it can help lead to not only greater health in America and in the countries so influenced by America, but also to a shift in consciousness.
A better diet, as Jamie is pushing for, also leads to clearer thinking, which leads to better choices, which leads to even better choices. Of those who directly benefit from Jamie’s work, some may awaken to find they have a passion burning inside that could influence others in ways never thought of. Even if Jamie doesn’t become vegan, those he has encouraged and helped to become healthy may blaze a vegan trail to encourage others in this fabulous, conscious way of life. With every transformation to good health comes unlimited potential. The wonderful thing is, we can all help to make it happen.
Jamie Oliver was recently awarded the 2010 TED prize for his contributions. Here is his speech…
Main photo courtesy of EatBoutique.com
I agree with you Shan, despite always considering myself to be a ‘foodie’ I didn’t truly start to love or appreciate food until I became a vegan, these days I have such a deeper connection with the food that I prepare, and I find such a joy in sharing healthy, fresh, cruelty free food with friends and family, I never enjoyed cooking when I was an omni and now creating meals is like a celebration of health and life and friendship.. sounds dippy but that’s how I feel.
I also feel like Jamie will one day become a vegan, he had such a good heart, I don’t really see how it can be any other way.
awww, i just started watching and enjoying his show. that’s such important work he is doing, i am surprised to read that he said something like that. unfortunately, being who he is, his comment will only give credence to and perpetuate the existing stereotypes about veg*ns. too bad.
great post shannon! i totally agree. and ditto to nikki. i was asleep until i became vegan.
I agree with you both ~ I was totally in a big fat slumber until I became vegan. How refreshing it has been to wake up!
Nikki, I don’t think it sounds dippy at all. I’ve experienced the same thing ~ food has become about connection ~ to the planet, to others around me, to animals and to myself.
Yeah it’s funny isn’t it… as hard as it is to see Jamie as a vegan right now, I too think he’ll wake up at some point. He does have a good heart.
That’s true Wendy ~ hopefully he will change his viewpoint at some stage (and be vocal about it). Soon I hope!
My absolutely amazing plant-based life began the day I kicked out anything with a mother or a face. If you want clarity beyond belief kick out processed chemical laden food like substances from your pantry. I have watched our entire family blossom!
Vanessa, I couldn’t agree more. Isn’t the transformation incredible?!
Interesting you posted this… I always thought Jamie would become vegetarian one day.
He’s evolved quite a bit through his career thus far. Starting as the ‘naked chef’, world cuisine, seasonal eating and organics, trying to create change in the younger generations…
I feel he has a compassionate energy about him. Given enough time, education and awareness, he’s likely to natural progress onto this path… I hope so at least : )
I genuinely hope he does. The world needs a vegan Jamie Oliver!