This is a “let’s get real” post that I’ve been trying to figure out how to write for a few weeks when I made the decision to incorporate some animal-based products back into my life.

As someone who was a very proud vegan, it was very difficult to admit to myself that something was off. For over a year now, I’ve been dealing with long periods of lethargy and depression.

I thought it was a vitamin deficiency at first… I made sure I was taking B12, Iron, and Vitamin D supplements. I even got my vitamin levels checked when I was experiencing gallbladder problems to make sure.

Everything checked out fine! After I recovered from getting my gallbladder removed, the lifelessness I was feeling was still present, and even more so noticeable.

I decided to add eggs and fish into my diet a couple of times a week and I can’t explain to you the immediate difference it seemed to make.

If you follow me on social media, you’ll probably see that I have all of these projects going on… new book “Decaf For The Dead” coming out, StarShine Magazine is back, and I started a side business of writing, design, and marketing for other businesses and brands… This is how I used to be: inspired, creative, motivated…

The past couple of years, slowly but surely, it all faded away. What we eat plays a huge role in our lives, and while I initially enjoyed the energy, health, and clear conscious being vegan gave me… all of that (aside from the clear conscious) doesn’t exist anymore.

It makes me wonder if being vegan doesn’t agree with me long-term. Not just physical health, but also my mental health. As someone who has binge-eating disorder, the restrictions of being vegan can trigger a binge.

While I will always support the vegan lifestyle and ethical treatment of animals, I do need to take care of myself… which is why I’m now considering myself “plant-based”.

What does that mean exactly? Along the lines of being flexitarian, I will still eat primarily vegan, but with one or two meals a week that offer animal protein. As for my skin, hair, and cleaning products, those will still remain to be vegan and cruelty-free.

While I know this decision is my business, I did feel the need to come clean with anyone who enjoys my food posts. I don’t want to misrepresent myself in any way. Support and advice are always welcomed, but please be kind and understanding.