Veganism FAQ

Since becoming a vegan, I have gotten many questions regarding my diet. Some are with good intentions, and others are just to start and argument, but regardless, I figured I would address the main ones right here for y’all!

1.   What even is a vegan?

A vegan doesn’t consume anything that comes from a living being. So that means no meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin. Also, depending on how strict of a vegan a person is, they also may avoid products tested on animals, and most vegans avoid wearing fur, leather etc.

2.   BUT PROTEIN???

plantbaseddietitian.com

There are PLENTY of vegan protein sources that can help your muscles go big and strong so don’t you worry. Some of my favorites include tofu, tempeh, nuts, beans, veggie burgers quinoa, and peanut butter!

 3.   Don’t you miss bacon???!!!

No.

4.   So you only eat vegetables?

Hell nah. Vegans do enjoy lots of yummy fruits and veggies, but we also enjoy grains, nuts, beans etc. I try to keep my diet as plant based as possible, but I also enjoy sweet treats every once in a while.

5.   Don’t you crave desserts?

Who said I couldn’t have desserts? Dairy-free ice cream is delicious, and Oreos happen to be vegan as well! Also, Pinterest is a great source for fun vegan dessert recipes!

greenmomsmeet.com

6.   What about overpopulation?

If everyone began to gradually decrease the amount of meat they eat, then factory farmers would most likely gradually decrease the number of animals they bred for food, and the ecosystem would balance out.

7.   But humans are natural carnivores!

Carnivores: short digestive tracts, sharp claws, and curved fangs

peta2.com

Humans: long digestive tracts for vegetable matter, flat thin nails made for protection from dings, and flat teeth for grinding at plant protein. Even human ‘fangs’ are waaay flatter than carnivores’.

8.   Don’t cows have to be milked?

On factory farms, cows are artificially inseminated so that they constantly have milk. The hormones cause their udders to be engorged with milk, which leads to infection and intense pain. When the cow’s udders are attached to the milking machines, the udders grow external infections. When they can’t produce a large amount of milk anymore, they are slaughtered. They also have their babies taken away from them right after birth and the calf are made into either veal or are raised to be dairy cows. So yes they have to be milked, but not the way factory farmers do it.

9.   Being vegan is expensive!

  Yes, buying mock meats can get expensive, but living a plant-based lifestyle by eating mostly grains, fruits, veggies, beans etc. can be pretty cheap, and extremely doable for a college student.

10. But plants can feel pain!!!

Nah fam, they don’t have a central nervous system sooo…

I hope you guys learned some stuff about veganism! I have only been vegan for 6 months so I am in no way an expert but I do have some experience. Being vegan has been such a rewarding choice thus far and I’m so excited to continue living this lifestyle. Let me know if you have any more questions about veganism and I will be sure to answer them!

xoxo,

Allie

College Has Improved My Mental Health

March 2013

At 15 years old, during my sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with severe anorexia nervosa, acute depression, and anxiety. All throughout my recovery, including during my three month stay at U of M C.S Mott Children’s Hospital, college was a huge motivation for me to recover. I knew that if I didn’t get healthy, mentally and physically, my doctors wouldn’t let me move away. For the next 2 ½ years, I worked my ass off in recovery. I ate foods that scared me, got out of bed when all I wanted to do was sleep, and learned ways to calm myself down when I began to feel an anxiety attack coming on. I found an amazing therapist that helps me sort out my emotions, and I’m now on the perfect dose of my anti-depressants.

Move-In Day (August 2015)

During my senior year of high school, my parents and doctors decided that I could move away to college in the fall. I was overjoyed, but at the same time scared. How would I deal with my anxiety and depression without my therapist? How would I manage to adjust to a new environment and new stressors? Would I do okay eating in the dining hall? All of these thoughts terrified me. But with proper planning, by the end of August I felt not only ready, but also very excited to move to East Lansing and start fresh at Michigan State University.

MSU vs. Oregon (September 2015)

Now, a little over a month into my freshman year of college, I can say something that I never thought I would: college has helped tremendously with improving my mental health. Since I moved in, I have not had one anxiety attack. There hasn’t been a single day where my depression has been so consuming that I felt physically unable to get out of bed. I haven’t skipped a single class, and I’ve been taking my medication consistently, which was always a struggle for me before. I’ve been eating what I want in the dining hall, instead of what has the fewest calories (I even ate french fries for the first time in probably four years!). My workout routine has been more consistent than it has been in a long time, which really helps clear my mind. I’ve even met new friends! I’ve become more outgoing and willing to reach out to new people than ever before. I’m confident. I have reached a level of self-love that I never thought was possible. I’m living away from home for the first time ever, I’m on a huge campus with over 50,000 other students, I’m taking 15 credits while being involved in clubs and service learning, and I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.

Now I understand that I’ve only been here a month. I haven’t experienced finals week, a fight with my roommate, or extreme homesickness, and I know these things may provoke my anxiety, or make me more depressed. But as of now, I’m happy, and that is all that matters.

September 2015 (happy)

March 2013 (sick, miserable)

The F Word

(Buckle up kids, this is gonna be a long one)

       Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Despite it gaining more attention in the media recently, largely due to international icons such as Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Miley Cyrus publicly identifying as feminists, it still remains a movement associated with aggressive, man-hating women. I am here today to tell you that is not the case. I do not hate men. In fact, I like men. I think they’re cute and enjoy kissing them from time to time. However, I do hate the notion that men are more powerful than women. I hate the idea that men are better suited for roles of leadership. I hate that women in other countries are having acid thrown at their faces, and are being shot for standing up for women’s rights to education, and yet there are people who STILL think feminism is a joke. I hate that I am considered an “annoying feminist” for sticking up for the rights of myself and everyone else who identifies as a woman.

Ameneh Bahrami

     People think I’m crazy when I say I can’t see myself ever dating a man who doesn’t identify as a feminist (or at least agree with feminist ideals), but how is that an odd thing? I don’t see a problem with wanting a partner who respects me as his equal, who doesn’t objectify me or underestimate my strength. And if any men out there are reading this, first off, you rock. Second, you are allowed to identify as a feminist! Being a feminist doesn’t make you feminine (not that that would be a bad thing bc duh) and it also doesn’t make you any less of a man! Respecting women is pretty cool in my book, and I think a lot of other ladies would agree.

 I went ahead and asked some fellow Spartans why they feel they need feminism and these are their responses:

“To know that we have a place in the world”

– Anna, 19

“Because I have friends who are female and they deserve the same rights as I get by being male.”

 –Ryan, 18

“Because we live in a rape culture, because there hasn’t been a woman president, because covert sexism trickled into every facet of life. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, because the word ‘feminism’, a word that means a movement for EQUALITY has worse societal connotations than any swear word I could ever say. Because I’m labeled an angry prissy bitch for wanting an equal place in society. And also I need intersectional feminism. If we don’t address it for everyone, then it’s not worth having the rights.”

 –Audrey, 19

“Because people expect me to be emotionless and are surprised when I am vulnerable and do things that are uncharacteristic of men.”

-Justin, 18

“Because I still feel that my intelligence is seen as inferior to men’s intelligence. Because I don’t think its fair that since age 12 I have constantly had to worry about being taken advantage of. I’ve even been harassed in large crowds and in broad daylight. I work just as hard as any man and yet I make less! Fuck that. I believe that women of all races, ages, and classes have been shortchanged by society and feminism is our voice and our way.”

-Eloise, 18 

 

Why do YOU need feminism? Let me know by leaving a comment or tweeting me at @allieetzin using the hashtag #WhyINeedFeminism

MSU Drinking Game

What’s college without Wine Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday? An academic institution meant to further a student’s knowledge and prepare them for life? Boring.

In honor of Thirsty Thursday and in preparation for homecoming weekend, I present to you The MSU Drinking Game.

Take a shot…

·      For every moped you see.

·      Every time someone says the word "combo".

·      For every Yik Yak post bashing the next football team we are going up against.

·      For every “Go Green!” you hear (and for every "Go White!" response).

·      For every long-boarder you see.

·      Every time you see someone wipe out on their bike.

·      For every drunk person spotted at Conrad’s on a Friday/Saturday night.

·      Every time the CATA almost runs someone over.

·     Whenever the train wakes you up.

·      Whenever someone complains about the train waking them up

·      For every complaint heard about the toilet paper

·      For every time you do something just for the free t-shirt

·      Every time you step outside and think, “man, I love my school”

Can you think of anything I left out? Make sure to leave a comment and let me know. Happy homecoming weekend to you all! Turn tf up (safely of course) and use my code for a free Uber if you need it (alliee97ue)!

xoxo,

Allie

Things To Do Instead Of Slut Shaming!

Considering verbally judging a woman on her sexual promiscuity? Pause! No need to pull that asshole move. Instead, browse this list of alternatives to hating on a fellow female.

1.    Read a book!

Perhaps pertaining to how women can do WHATEVER THE FUCK THEY WANT.

2.    Listen to Queen Bey or Nicki Minaj!

Listening to ‘Anaconda’ or ‘I Woke Up Like This’ is a sure-fire way to empower not only yourself, but realize that all women are hot as hell and can be as SEXUAL AS THEY DAMN WELL PLEASE. 

3.    Learn to not give a fuck!

Really. It’s none of your damn business anyway. Shit.

4.    Punch yourself in the face!

Wondering what it feels like to be slut-shamed? Now   you know! Congratulations!

5.    Literally anything else


Hope this was helpful! and remember, ladies:

xoxo,
Allie

The Worst Kinds of People in College

I am generally a very tolerant person. It takes a lot to get me visually angry because I try to always remain positive. However, since moving to college about a month ago, I’ve grown more impatient regarding other people’s annoying habits, and I am sure that if you are in college and live on campus, you can relate to these too.

1.   People walking on the bike path.

I don’t know if it is that you can’t read, can’t interpret visual symbols, or you just straight up don’t give two fucks but the bike path is for BIKES. Last time I checked, you don’t have two wheels for feet and handle bars for arms. Today a girl walked right in front of me on the bike path, causing me to crash my bike trying to swerve out of the way, and in the process I fucked up my knee pretty badly. 

Then she goes on to say “Oh I’m fine don’t worry about it. It’s totally okay!” Um, I wasn’t going to apologize but…

2.   Those who take FOREVER at the dining hall salad bar.

   I understand that it is a very tough decision whether lettuce or spinach will better match your Instagram aesthetic, but I have 30 minutes before my next class so please just assemble your caesar salad and move on with your life, so I can move on with mine.

3.   Students who brag about their high school GPA/ ACT score.

 
Fun fact: NOBODY GIVES A FUCK. That shit stopped mattering the moment you walked across that stage with your diploma. If you have to keep reminding everyone that you got a 4.0 and a 33 on your ACT, please begin to dedicate your college years to making sure that you did not, in fact, peak in high school.

                                        4.   Fuckboys

In my first month of college, I have come across more fuckboys than I have come across 4.0s (and I’m no dumbass). If I had a dollar for every time I got invited to “Netflix and chill” or every time I got asked if I needed help at the squat rack, I wouldn’t have to worry about the crippling amount of student debt I’ll have four years from now.

5.   Judgy People

Immediately after I typed that, Microsoft Word so kindly reminded me that “judgy” is not in the dictionary. Luckily idgaf. When you start college, you meet people from all different walks of life. There will be people on the floor of your dorm with a different race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status than you.  There is this thing you’re supposed to do in college that might be foreign to you. You’re supposed to LEARN STUFF. Allow that concept to extend outside of the classroom and beyond academics. Not only will you meet people with different social identities but also who make different life choices than you. Some people drink (okay a lot of people drink). Some people do drugs (okay there are a lot of those too). And if you don’t like that kind of stuff, then DON’T DO IT. Stop judging other people’s life choices and just worry about your own.

Let me know of anything I left out, and if you agree or disagree with my list. Also feel free to rant in the comments. Let it all out. Scream. Yell. Abuse the caps lock key. And please leave suggestions for what you want me to write about next. Thanks so much for reading. I hope you have a kickass day, and eat all of the carbs your heart desires.

xoxo,

Allie

Who The Hell Are You?

*eyes widen*
*clears throat*
*shuffles notecards*
I'm glad you asked.

My name is Allie. Well, it's actually Alexandra but nobody calls me that. I'm a 17 year old freshman

at Michigan State University. I created this blog to document all of the shit that happens during my years away at college. So a little bit of info about me:

I'm a Sagittarius. I don't really follow astrology but I know that means I am a half horse half man who shoots arrows at people. So I guess that's kinda accurate.

I'm a passionate vegan. No, I won't shame you for eating meat, and I won't be offended if you eat a double cheeseburger in front of me. I won't approve of it, but I also won't be an asshole about it.

I am a proud puppy enthusiast. My little shih-tzu Baloo is my child. I bring him everywhere with me and take more pictures of him than a first-time mom takes pictures of her newborn child.


My hair color changes constantly. I've had brown, blonde, red, purple, and almost-black hair. My favorite is red, and let's just say I like to pretend my
blonde phase never happened.



I love lifting weights. I go to the gym 5-6 times per week (depending on my school schedule) and I love pushing myself to be the strongest person I can be.

That's really all I can think of for now, so I hope you guys enjoy my blog and make sure to leave feedback on what you want me to write about next!

xoxo,
Allie