Undergraduate / VEGANISM; Cornell college; IDEA / CENTRAL STORY TO MY IDENTITY [2]

Prompt:
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
It could also be a response to this prompt:
Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

I'm applying to major in Nutritional Sciences and minor in Global Health in the CALS if that makes a difference..

If you really want to find out who around you is the one with the nutrition degree just announce "I'm vegan". First come the pitiful facial expressions that seem to say "you poor thing". Then I'm bombarded with questions about how on earth I can resist bacon and what I would do if I was stranded on an island with no plants and only animals. Lastly, before I have even said a word, people justify their dietary choices as if I had attacked their whole belief system when I asked for no cheese on my salad. It's this defensive reaction that convinces me that I'm doing the right thing. I have never told someone that they should change their diet. I'm not a doctor and it's not for me to say. I only hope that others will see my choices and consider a change for themselves and for the planet.

I was not raised a vegan. I used to love my double cheeseburgers with ketchup and pickles only and a girl toy. But when I watched films and did my research about where these products actually came from, I realized I could not go back to a meat filled diet. I could not eat knowing that my food took the life of another living being.

Jonathan Safran Foer says "We can't plead ignorance, only indifference." I'm a vegan because I know that my actions have an effect on others. I'm a vegan because I want to minimize the number of deaths I'm responsible for. I'm a vegan because I care. I care about the world that I live in and I want to do everything I can to make it a better place.

This is a very, very rough draft. I started with the goal of explaining my veganism in a way that shows that I'm caring and responsible but the more I read it I feel like it may come off as a bit preachy or pretentious sounding to the reader (especially if they happen to be an avid meat lover or hate vegans). But this was the best topic that came to mind when I thought about what I'm passionate about and what defines me. So I basically just want to know if I'm going in the completely wrong direction here or if I just need to add/edit some more. Thanks so much!

Undergraduate / Surrounded by nutrition; Cornell CALS - experiences/interest in Nutrition [3]

This is a pretty rough draft, sort of a "train of thought". I just want some feedback on where I should start editing. Also, it's pretty important to me to include the fact that I run a nutrition/health blog in there but I don't know how to fit it in without it being awkward. Please help!

How have your interests and related experiences influenced the major you have
selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences?

I have always been surrounded by nutrition. My mother works for a weight-loss surgery clinic (I refer to them as the anti-gym). My older sister was always trying fad diets and my father is diabetic. Being a vegan, I also have to be fairly educated about nutrition so I don't hurt my body. But my personal interest in nutrition started about 5 years ago when, like many unfortunate pre-teen girls, I was unhappy with my body and wanted to lose weight. Because my family was very pro-McDonald's, I had to take it upon myself to make choices and being the uneducated 12 year old that I was, I chose to simply not eat. My mental and physical health deteriorated and I was miserable. I fluctuated between trying to be healthy and trying to be emaciated for quite a while.

Two years ago, I started running in an effort to burn extra calories. I didn't know this would be what saved me. Running is addicting. I joined the Cross Country team and I started to get competitive; it became less about beating the fat and more about beating my race times. I wanted to be the best that I could be, and for that to happen I knew I had to work on my nutrition. After hours upon hours of research and experimenting, I found nutritious foods that worked for me and my body. I felt amazing and my running showed it.

After this experience, I became even more intrigued. Food is such a powerful thing. A wonderful philosopher once said "In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties." I think it is so fascinating that we live in a world where the people with an overabundance of healthy, natural food refuse to eat it while people overseas would likely give anything for that same food. I plan on working to fix both of these problems in my life; by studying Nutritional Science and Global Health at Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I believe I can make a real difference in the world.