I do for sure. So I ask myself, why do I eat them?
Dennis and I have supported an organization called Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) since 1994. My draw to their work was to stop using live animals in medical research. It is truly mind blowing how many animals are mercilessly killed each year. As technology has progressed, there is ZERO reason to do experiments on animals, and PCRM is the leader in shutting down animal labs.
Saturday night I was invited to their pre-cruise bash in downtown Houston, which started with a really fun line dancing class! It was followed by vegan hors d’oeuvres and time to get acquainted with other supporters. It was also my first chance to meet the founder and president, Dr. Neal Barnard, a physician who founded PCRM in 1985. He is a lovely and generous man who will be a key note speaker on the cruise. It was a true honor to join him and a small group for a vegan dinner after the bash.
I will admit, and actually did so to Dr. Barnard directly on the drive back to our hotel, that it has taken me awhile to TRULY connect loving animals to NOT EATING THEM. Yes, over the years I have been a vegetarian, a pescatarian, and a full blown meat eater. But except for 3 weeks at Hippocrates Health Institute in 2018, I have never been a vegan. That is why I am on this cruise; to experience and learn about veganism and the positive influence it has on the body and the planet.
Even after only half a day on the ship, I have eaten some delicious food, met open and engaging people, and even did a little dancing last night! I love doing the stairs instead of the elevator, and got in 15,000 steps yesterday! My balcony cabin is very comfortable, and I feel like I’ve made an excellent choice doing this cruise.
By the way, not everyone on this MSC Cruise is part of Holistic Holidays at Sea. The diversity makes this very interesting as I’m meeting all kinds of people.
I’m excited for Monday as I have a full schedule of presentations to attend today. Let the learning begin!
Freebirds Frolic 
It sounds amazing! I bet the food is too! What a cool adventure. Thank you for sharing this with us!
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I certainly understand the health benefits of going vegan. It’s all a matter of choice.
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Good for you, glad you are having a great time.
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Wow, thank you for the shout-out, Diana! Kind, thoughtful, generous people like you are the reason the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is able to be a strong advocate for better, more accurate, human-relevant research methods, and push for health policies that save human lives too. YOU help make it all possible! Thank you so much… and I’m glad you’re having a fun (and delicious!) journey.
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