When people ask me what I believe about food — whether I am vegan, vegetarian, or otherwise — I sometimes find it hard to give a simple answer. Food, after all, is one of the most intimate ways we participate in the world. It matters deeply to me not just what I eat, but how the food came to be.
This week, I wanted to share a little more about my philosophy of eating, and why you will often hear me refer to myself as a regenerative eater rather than a strict vegan or omnivore. These are my own personal experiences and beliefs — not a call for anyone to change their path, but simply an invitation to understand mine.
Conventional, Organic, and Regenerative Organic Eating
First, let’s start with a simple overview of the types of agricultural systems most of us eat from:
Conventional Eating
This is the dominant method of food production globally. It is often highly industrialized, relying heavily on synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and large-scale monocultures. Animals raised conventionally are frequently kept in confined, stressful environments with minimal welfare considerations. When eating from conventional sources, I truly believe that veganism is the most ethical choice. Removing oneself from supporting animal suffering in these systems feels necessary.Organic Eating
Organic farming moves away from synthetic chemicals and promotes healthier soils and ecosystems. Animals in certified organic systems must be treated with a higher standard of welfare — access to outdoor spaces, organic feed, and no antibiotics or growth hormones. Here, I feel that incorporating certain animal products like milk, cheese, and eggs — products where the animal continues to live and thrive — can be a positive and symbiotic choice. Utilizing animals without taking their lives can be an ethical part of organic food systems.Regenerative Organic Eating
This is the gold standard I aspire to. Regenerative practices focus not just on sustaining, but on healing the Earth. Building topsoil, enriching biodiversity, sequestering carbon — these practices weave animals into the ecosystem as vital participants. In regenerative systems, even the respectful harvesting of an animal's body becomes part of a larger, life-giving cycle. Death is not isolated from life. Rather, it is honored as an exchange — one that, when done carefully and gratefully, strengthens both the land and the spirit.
My Personal Practice
I do not consider myself a vegan, even though most of what I eat is plant-based. I believe in regenerative eating — in honoring where my food comes from, minimizing harm wherever I can, and actively supporting the health of the land that nourishes me.
When you see animal products appear in my cooking, they are there with intention. They come from animals that lived good lives — often on small local farms, grazing in sunlit pastures, playing vital roles in the renewal of soil. Their sacrifice is not ignored. It is seen, it is thanked, and it is treated as sacred.
I believe that every plate is a prayer. Every bite is a choice to either diminish the world, or help renew it.
Why This Matters
We are living in a time when our global food system is one of the greatest sources of environmental harm. Soil depletion, water pollution, loss of biodiversity — these are the costs of "cheap" food.
By making conscious choices — whether that means eating more plants, choosing organic dairy, supporting local regenerative farms, or simply being aware of where our food comes from — we can begin to heal that wound.
I believe that minimizing abuse, reducing our global impact, and enriching the ecosystems we live in are sacred responsibilities. And I believe we can each participate in that in a way that aligns with our bodies, our communities, and our spirits.
Thank you for walking this path with me. May your meals nourish not just your body, but the living Earth we all share.
Wild, Rooted, and Free.
— Anony All