ESL 47 literacy Porfolio - Research Pages

Introduction

In today’s world, food choices impact not only our health but also the environment and animal welfare. On this page, I would like to share about my personal story why I chose to become vegan. These are 3 main reason as below that I would to explain:

1/ Ethical concerns about animal cruelty

2/ Health benefits

3/ Environmental sustainability.

4/ Challenges and Overcoming Them

5/ Conlusion

This decision was not made overnight but was the result of personal experiences, scientific research, and a growing awareness of how my choices affect the world around me.

Ethical Concerns:

One of the most important reasons I became vegan is my deep compassion for animals. Thirteen years ago, while traveling to the countryside in my hometown, I saw a truck fill with pigs being transported to the slaughterhouse. Their eyes were filled with sadness and fear, and in that moment, I felt an indescribable pain in my heart. It was as if they knew what was coming but had no way to escape or express their terror. That image never left my mind.

After witnessing that scene, I decided to stop eating pork and beef. However, my journey toward a plant-based lifestyle did not stop there. On another trip, I visited a local market and saw chickens being slaughtered. The sight of a chicken struggling for its life after being placed in boiling water was deeply disturbing. I couldn’t ignore the suffering anymore, and from that moment, I chose to stop consuming all meat, including poultry, fish, and seafood. It has now been 15 months since I fully committed to a vegan lifestyle, and I have never felt more at peace with my choices.

Beyond my compassion for animals, my Buddhist beliefs also played a significant role in my decision. In Buddhism, the first precept is “Do not harm any living being.” This principle resonated deeply with me, reinforcing my choice to adopt a cruelty-free lifestyle. Buddhism also teaches the law of karma—the idea that our actions, whether good or bad, will return to us in some way. When we consume meat, we indirectly participate in the suffering of animals, and I did not want to carry that burden. Aligning my diet with my spiritual values has given me a sense of harmony and purpose.

Health Benefits: The Positive Impact on My Body

Since transitioning to a plant-based diet, I have noticed significant health improvements. Before going vegan, I suffered from depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and irregular heartbeat. After eliminating animal products from my diet, all of these issues disappeared.

Scientific studies have shown that a plant-based diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains provides essential nutrients while lowering saturated fats and cholesterol.

Not only do I feel physically healthier, but my mind is also clearer and more at ease. Choosing a cruelty-free lifestyle has allowed me to align my actions with my values, bringing me both emotional and physical well-being.

(https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-benefits#reduce-diabetes-risk)

Environmental Sustainability

Beyond personal health and animal welfare, the environmental impact of animal agriculture is another crucial reason I chose to go vegan. Livestock farming is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution.

• Producing just 1 pound of beef requires over 1,800 gallons of water, while plant-based foods need significantly less. (https://waterfootprint.org/resources/Hoekstra-2008-WaterfootprintFood.pdf)

• The meat industry contributes to 80% of global deforestation due to land being cleared for animal feed crops. ( https://earth.org/how-animal-agriculture-is-accelerating-global-deforestation/)

• Factory farms produce massive amounts of waste, contaminating water sources and harming ecosystems.

By switching to a plant-based diet, I know that I am reducing my carbon footprint and helping to preserve natural resources for future generations. Even if one person cannot change the entire world, millions of small choices add up to a significant impact.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle was not easy at first. Social gatherings, family meals, and eating out often made it difficult to stick to my plant-based diet. There were moments when the smell of grilled meat or traditional dishes from my culture tempted me.

However, my belief in karma and the principle of not harming living beings helped me stay committed. Whenever I felt tempted, I reminded myself why I made this choice in the first place. Additionally, my family supported my vegan so I found it easier on this path.

CONLUSION

I understand that not everyone can give up meat overnight, and that doesn’t mean people have to become fully vegan to make a positive impact. Even small actions—such as reducing meat consumption, trying plant-based meals a few days a week, or choosing ethically sourced products—can make a meaningful difference.

Each person has their own journey, and I don’t expect everyone to change their mindset just because of my story. However, I believe that when we take the time to reflect on the connection between humans, animals, and the environment, we can make more conscious choices. In Buddhism, there is a saying: “Cause and effect are inseparable.” Even if we cannot be perfect, every step toward a more compassionate lifestyle creates positive energy and a better world.

At the end of the day, every choice we make matters. Whether big or small, every step toward kindness and sustainability helps create a better world for all.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Source 1:

Thích Nhất Hạnh. (n.d.). Being a Vegan Is a Great Happiness [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/uZUKeFv44FY?si=zz2bAOo-fmAX1HqO

Annotation:
In the video Being a Vegan Is a Great Happiness, Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh shares the spiritual and ethical benefits of a vegan lifestyle. He emphasizes that veganism is an expression of compassion and mindfulness. he explains that eating in awareness means understanding the suffering behind what we consume. By choosing plant-based foods, we reduce the harm done to animals and the planet. Veganism, according to him, is not only a personal health decision but also a way to live in harmony with all beings and nourish peace within ourselves and around us.

Student Analysis:
After watching this video, I felt deeply touched by Thich Nhat Hanh gentle but powerful message. He reminded me that every meal is an opportunity to practice compassion and mindfulness. I chose to become vegan because I’m a Buddhist, but this video helped me understand more clearly that being vegan is also a way to stop contributing to suffering. I realized that this choice allows me to live more fully with the values I believe in: love, kindness, and non-harming. Listening to Master's words gave me peace and strengthened my confidence in living a conscious and compassionate life.

Synthesis:
This video aligns strongly with my values around ethical living and spiritual awareness. While the article by Hoekstra focused on the environmental side of food choices, Master Thich Nhat Hanh message brings in the emotional and spiritual dimension. Together, both sources show that being mindful of what we eat supports a more compassionate and sustainable world. Veganism, as Thich Nhat Hanh explains, is not just about avoiding animal products—it’s about transforming the way we live, love, and connect with the Earth and all living beings.

Source 2:

Hoekstra, A. Y. (2008). The water footprint of food. https://waterfootprint.org/resources/Hoekstra-2008-WaterfootprintFood.pdf

Annotation:
The article The Water Footprint of Food by Arjen Hoekstra explains how much freshwater is used in the production of different foods. It introduces the concept of "virtual water"—the hidden water used to grow crops, raise animals, and process food. For example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires 15,000 liters of water, while vegetables use much less. The article emphasizes the impact of dietary choices on global water use and environmental sustainability.

Student Analysis:

After reading The Water Footprint of Food by Hoekstra, I realized that eating meat isn’t just about personal taste or tradition—it also has serious environmental consequences. For example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires about 15,000 liters of water. Learning this helped me feel even more confident in my decision to become vegan. I now see that this choice aligns not only with my Buddhist values of compassion and non-harming, but also with my desire to live sustainably and protect our planet more greener.

Synthesis:

This article align with my concern about Environmental sustainability. It shows that water use is not only a farming issue but also a consumer responsibility. By understanding the water footprint of food, I can see that being mindful of what I eat supports both environmental and ethical values. Hoekstra’s research connects personal action to global sustainability, making it clear that our food systems are deeply tied to the planet’s water resources.

Source 3:

Petre, A. (2022, March 30). 6 Science-Based Health Benefits of Eating Vegan. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-benefits#reduce-diabetes-risk

Annotation:
This article presents six science-backed benefits of following a vegan diet, including lower blood sugar levels, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, improved kidney function, and potential protection against certain cancers and heart disease. The article explains that some studies suggest vegan diets can reduce the chances of developing certain types of cancer, such as colon and prostate cancer, due to the high intake of plant-based nutrients and the exclusion of processed meats.

Student Analysis:

This article is important to my understanding of how a vegan lifestyle can impact not just the environment and animals, but also my personal health. Cancer was the main cause of my parent's death, and my older sister just overcame lymphoma 10 years ago. These things that marked a deep influence choosing vegan can influence my health outcomes is empowering. This information reinforces my decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle, not only for ethical and environmental reasons but also for my long-term health.

Synthesis:

This article supports a key point in my final project: veganism is not only an ethical and environmental choice, but also a powerful health decision. By including evidence about reduced risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, it strengthens my argument that going vegan benefits both individuals and society. It shows that choosing a vegan lifestyle is not extreme—it’s a logical and science-supported step toward a healthier, more compassionate life.