What Ashton’s Saying…

Hello Colleen,

I must thank you for being my catalyst. It has been a month since you came and spoke at my school. 31 days, 100+ podcasts, and several fantastic cookbooks (including yours of course) later I am unspeakably happy with the change I have made in my life. As I mentioned when I briefly spoke with you that day I came into the presentation considering giving vegetarianism a try, I have often broached the possibility but always turned away. Being vegan was never even considered How can I afford that? What if I miss my favorite foods? There were too many things keeping me planted right where I was and the world around me was eagerly working to keep me conferable in that place. It is so easy to be willfully ignorant. In one hour you wiped it all away and spoke so clearly to the power of living a compassionate life.

I have always hated cooking. I realize now I only hated two things both of which are so easy to conquer. I always hated touching dead animal flesh. I could eat it, but make me have to touch it and I cringe. Since the few things I knew how to cook were animal-centric I relied on processed and fast foods compounding the unhealthiness of my eating of animals. I was also afraid to cook because I was terrible. I now allow myself to learn from my failures instead of using them as an excuse to give up. Of course I am going to make mistakes. There is nothing else I would expect to pick up and be perfect I should expect the same of cooking.

You are right to push your podcast so heavily during the presentation. Anything not answered was found and more. I can now stand stronger in my convictions than I ever could have without your gracious giving of so much knowledge. You opened my eyes and were there to hold my hand along the way. A month later and I already feel confident in my new way of living.
When ever I stop being an unemployed college student I will be sure to support the podcast as much as I am able.

Thank you so deeply,

Ashton