What Do Computers and Vegan Diets Have in Common?

The Anatasoff Berry Computer, built in 1939

This analogy came to me the other day. I'll use myself as an example.

I'm 76 years old and I didn't grow up in the era of the computer.  It seems that many of this generation started with the computer in the womb, and began texting their parents when they were ready to come out!

Learning the computer and all of this current technology can be challenging to say the least!  From looking out of the window of my generation, this technology, especially the way it’s always evolving, is a mind-blower!  The wiring of our brains has to let go of the way things were done before and adjust to a new way of learning because this technology is necessary for us to function in today's world.

I was thinking that this computer age is an analogy to be compared with the changing of one's dietary habits.  Today, we have new information about health and nutrition and the learning about the prevention (and in some cases the reversal) of health conditions caused by the Standard American Diet.

Most of us have been raised with the SAD (Standard American Diet) diet. But now, new dietary information (just like the with computers and technology) is out. We have been programmed with myths about protein – what the best sources are – and how much protein is actually necessary for good health and longevity.

Because this is such a topic of interest to so many, I would like to make the transition to a plant-based diet as simple as I can for you:

• Start by educating yourself about the benefits of a plant-based diet, and familiarize yourself with the education that vegan websites have to offer.  Check out VegSource, VegParadise and Vegan Bite By Bite, which has interviews from medical doctors about vegan diets.
• It is important to re-condition the mind about good health from your previous programming. Dr. Neal Barnard (Physicians for Responsible Medicine) has a kickstart program about the transition to a plant-based diet. This program helps to start the transition. These resources are valuable for your support in making dietary changes.
• Google the term "harms of animal and dairy products" and you will get websites such as Rense.

Photo Credit: Responsible Eating and Living.

Many people transition to a plant-based diet for spiritual and/or ethical reasons as they also recognize that health is not only on one level.  We are spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.  In my humble opinion, spiritual is number one and it is of great importance to nurture no matter which path one is on in life.

There are many who believe in the karma theory, or as Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his essay on The Laws of Compensation in 1841 (or as Jesus Christ taught) "As you sow, so shall you reap."  These references and resources are all part of a strong foundation for adapting to a plant-based diet.  The mind is so strong that it takes a great deal of powerful ammunition to convince the mind in accepting these new dietary changes.