...I've never liked the idea of eating animals. But...I so loved the taste that didn't stop.

Growing up, I had very severe allergies. I was sick all the time. I'd just seem to start getting better when I'd get sick again. I now know I was having allergic reactions to things.

When I was tested for allergies, the doctor had a card with a list of all the things for which I was being tested. Foods, molds, etc. Her general practice was to check mark any item that gave me a reaction. About half way through testing, she got out a new card and announced she was doing things differently for me. She was going to check mark the things I wasn't allergic to.

I almost died when I was 12 from an allergic reaction to pennicillin. When I was 17, I started reading about how animals were often shot full of antibiotics to keep them healthy until they were killed and eaten. I was still sick most of the time, and I was still guilt ridden about eating meat.

As a New Year's resolution, I decided I'd give up meat. I have never willingly eaten meat, fish or poultry in the 23 years since then. I noticed within a few months of giving up meat that I stopped getting sick as often, which definitely gave the boost I needed to stay away from meat.

Now...I don't even know if my body could process meat!