VEGANISM: A TRUTH WHOSE TIME HAS COME

Exploring the Truth of Vitamin B12 and Vegans

2012-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is a vitamin that plays an important role in the function of the brain and nervous system, the metabolism of cells, DNA regulation, and the creation of blood. The normal range in an basic blood test is 200-900 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter). Levels below 80 clearly represent B12 deficiency. A blood test is not an accurate test for vegans who also consumes algae or spirulina because they contain B12-analogues that mimic true B12 in blood tests while actually interfering with B12 metabolism. A blood test may not be totally accurate for other reasons too, explains Dr. Gina Shaw: "Just because there is a low level of B12 in the bloodstream, this does not mean that there is a deficiency in the body as a whole, it may well be being utilised by the living cells (such as the central nervous system). More reliable tests appear to be that of homocysteine levels and Methyl Malonic Acid tests." Dr Gina Shaw, D.Sc, M.A.- source: http://libaware.economads.com/b12issue.php. When the vegan community has been surveyed, there were long time vegans that did develop Vitamin B12 deficiency, but some developed deficiency only after 5 years of being vegan (it is estimated that we have a 5-20 year reserve in our liver).

Some health practitioners don’t feel that vegans get B12 deficiency any more than non-vegans; a certain percentage of the general population becomes deficient; for various reasons such as: they lose their own Intrinsic factor (a glycoprotein necessary for the absorption of B12) - malabsorption problems - or alcohol, drugs, antibiotics, and smoking could affect ones’ stores of B12. However, if a vegan does not supplement B12, it can result in a dietary deficiency. Because of the recirculation of B12 in our bodies, it may take 20-30 years to become deficient after eating a strictly vegan diet.

Vitamin B12 is apparently a necessary nutrient; but only a miniscule amount is needed (less than 3 micrograms per day). Vitamin B12, no matter where it is sourced from, is a microbe or bacteria produced by micro-organisms. Rather than killing a cow to eat him/her because the cow has B12 stored in their gut, vegans choose to take a liquid B complex (with B12) or a vegan sublingual nugget/dot (proven effective) or sprinkle B12 fortified good tasting nutritional (savoury) yeast on their meals, and let the cow live his/her life.

It is debated whether we can or cannot reabsorb Vitamin B12 in our own body (there is controversy over the bacteria being produced too low down in the intestines to be reabsorbed). Some sources say there is B12 in the natural environment when we drink from rivers and eat out of organic/veganic gardens, but this has not proven to be reliable. Rumor has it that Nori, unpasteurized miso, a certain mushroom, or comfrey contain some B12, however B12 that is sourced from micro-agriculture; cultivated on a bed of yeast, seems to be more count-on-able. Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula; a B12 fortified good tasting Nutritional Yeast is highly recommended as a delicious way to get your B12 supply. There are also many B12 fortified vegan cereals, soy milks or plant-based meats.

A delicious way to ensure you are getting your small daily requirement of vitamin B12

When being compared to the “normal range” – we are being compared to flesh eaters and those who are drinking the milk of another species; this is not the “normal” that vegans want to be compared to (because frankly, we don’t think it’s normal to exploit, harm and eat other animals.) I question if there are some answers that we do not yet know. After 33 years of being vegan, I’m totally convinced that we should be eating plants, so therefore we should be able to get all we need directly from plant sources and sunshine, easily. That’s the B12 controversy. That’s the issue that has not been resolved in the minds of some vegans. Perhaps vegans need less Vitamin B12 than their omnivorous counterparts or are not eating “B12 supplemented Twinkees” (see below). Perhaps people didn’t wash the microorganisms off their food and were less sterile than we are today, or some other possibility, but for now, vegans should supplement, because very low B12 intake can cause anemia, nervous system damage, and has serious consequences such as dementia or fatality!

"We do have to look at the reality that most grain products, especially those that are called "enriched grain products," cereal, breads, and pasta, and whatnots, are typically enriched with B12. So, although you might be eating Twinkees, it's enriched with B12, which means you're taking a B12 supplement every day. What we call the normal level of B12 is based on testing people who are supplementing with B12 at every meal. This is an abnormally high level of B12 compared to the normal population or compared to a population which isn't supplementing..." Douglas Graham; doctor of chiropractic, long-time raw foodist, author of the 80-10-10 Diet, and professional fasting supervisor.

After investigation, it’s reasonable for vegans to supplement Vitamin B12 or they are putting themselves at serious risk. It’s an absolute must (according to vegan medical doctors) for pregnant vegan mothers and children! Infants that drink only their vegan mother’s milk might have limited reserves of B12 and can develop deficiency within months of birth. Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can result in severe and permanent neurological damage. That explains this:

"The American Dietetic Association recommends supplemental vitamin B12 for vegans during both pregnancy and lactation to ensure that enough vitamin B12 is transferred to the fetus and infant. Pregnant and lactating women who follow strict vegetarian or vegan diets should consult with a pediatrician regarding vitamin B12 supplements for their infants and children.”

It is inexpensive to supplement, it is water soluble and won’t accumulate in the body over time, and has no known side effects even when taken in large quantities, and is a precautionary measure. If vegans supplement with B12, generally they are at far less risk of heart disease than the general population. However, if vegans don’t supplement with B12, they might be at more risk! Strong evidence has been gathered over the past decade that even slightly elevated homocysteine levels (which can be elevated from B12 deficiency) increase risk of heart disease and stroke and pregnancy complications.

“But there is room for improvement in any diet, and the analysis, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggested that vegans who have low intakes of vitamin B12 and possibly omega-3 fats could lose out on the benefits of healthful plant-based eating. Inadequate B12 is associated with elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is linked to increased heart disease. But that's an issue only for vegans who fail to supplement with vitamin B12. Those who consume recommended amounts of B12 have healthy levels of homocysteine.” Source link:http://www.whatsonchengdu.com/wine-msg-14.html

"Studies have found that people who have low levels of vitamin B12 (including those who are not classified as deficient in B12) tend to have high levels of homocysteine. This reduces life expectancy and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attack and stroke) and dementia. This is another reason why it is very important to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin B12, from supplementation and fortified foods. It is not simply about avoiding overt vitamin B12 deficiency, but about avoiding high homocysteine levels and the negative health consequences of this. I recommend that vegans supplement with 5 to 100 mcg of vitamin B12 per day, or 2000 mcg as a weekly dose."
Amanda Benham, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist www.humanherbivore.com

Position of the American Dietetic Association:

"The vitamin B-12 status of some vegetarians is less than adequate due to not regularly consuming reliable sources of vitamin B-12. For vegans, vitamin B-12 must be obtained from regular use of vitamin B-12-fortified foods, such as fortified soy and rice beverages, some breakfast cereals and meat analogs, or Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula nutritional yeast; otherwise a daily vitamin B-12 supplement is needed. No unfortified plant food contains any significant amount of active vitamin B-12. Fermented soy products cannot be considered a reliable source of active B-12. Vitamin B-12 status is best determined by measuring serum levels of homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, or holotranscobalamin II."

A B12 deficiency can cause an interruption of normal metabolism and result in the accumulation of substances like ‘methylmalonic acid’ and ‘homocysteine’. Tests showing increases in these metabolic products are used to diagnose early B12 deficiency. Elevated homocysteine levels occur long before any of the following symptoms are noticeable:

Some reported Symptoms of B12 deficiency

*Mild problems with the nervous system characterized by numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, or down the side of the body. For example, symptoms have been described like this: “a weird ‘zinging’ thing that went from jaw down the arm.” -or- “sharp stabbing, tingling pain in the palm of one or both hands”. These sensations are reversible in early stages; however, damage to the nervous system can become irreversible.
*Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, constipation
*Itchy, tingly or sore tongue, sores at the corners of the mouth and sometimes along the edge of the lip.
*White spots in the skin, resulting from melatonin becoming absent in the area –or- paleness
*Nerve shock in the side of the body. It can be felt coming on a few seconds before it hits, and then it hits almost like a mild but deep electric shock and quickly subsides.
*Shortness of breath, when walking just a few yards, respiratory problems
*Eye twitch, usually in one eye or the other -or- facial pain, usually on only one side of the face at a time, blurred vision, abnormal gait, memory loss, disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, personality changes, cognitive decline, depression
*deafness has been associated with B12 deficiency link: http://www.ajcn.org/content/69/3/564.full
*Infants typically show more rapid onset of symptoms than adults. B12 deficiency may lead to loss of energy and appetite, failure to thrive, movement disorders, or developmental delays. If not promptly corrected, this can progress to coma or death. It is very important for pregnant vegans to supplement and supplement their young child with B12 (and vegan DHA).

Doctor Recommendations and dosage:

"I knew forty years ago that vitamin B12 would become the last bastion for meat-and dairy-lovers (and the industries that profit from them), because this is the only criticism with any merit that could be lodged against the McDougall Diet (a plant diet). In order to avoid that condemnation and the small risk of harming anyone, I have recommended and printed in the beginning of my books and DVDs the following advice: If you follow the McDougall Diet for more than 3 years, or if you are pregnant or nursing, then take a minimum of 5 micrograms of supplemental vitamin B12 each day." John McDougall, MD drmcdougall@drmcdougall.com

"In over 60 years of vegan experimentation only B12 fortified foods and B12 supplements have proven themselves as reliable sources of B12, capable of supporting optimal health. It is very important that all vegans ensure they have an adequate intake of B12, from fortified foods or supplements. This will benefit our health and help to attract others to veganism through our example. National recommendations for B12 intakes vary significantly from country to country. The US recommended intake is 2.4 mcgs a day for ordinary adults rising to 2.8 mcgs for nursing mothers. The German recommendation is 3 mcgs a day. Recommended intakes are usually based on 50% absorption, as this is typical for small amounts from foods. To meet the US and German recommendations you need to obtain sufficient B12 to absorb 1.5 mcgs per day on average. This amount should be sufficient to avoid even the initial signs of inadequate B12 intake, such as slightly elevated homocysteine and MMA levels, in most people. Even slightly elevated homocysteine is associated with increased risk of many health problems including heart disease in adults, preeclampsia during pregnancy and neural tube defects in babies." Stephen Walsh, Ph.D., Trustee of The Vegan Society [U.K.]

We're vegan because using other animals needlessly for human purposes is unjustifiable. As vegans, we oppose all harm, sexual assault, oppression, slavery, and murder - no matter what species the victim is; human or any other fellow sentient animal. So since we will always be vegan, B12 supplementation is in order, at this point. But the facts are not all in on the B12 controversy. Upon the recommendation of vegan health professionals, it’s wise for vegans to supplement; even if it is just sprinkling fortified nutritional yeast (which adds a delicious cheezy flavor) on your meals daily. It would greatly benefit the vegan community if we could create scientific studies comparing vegans and their B12 levels

A Model of The Perfect Vegan

2012-01-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

Is there such a thing as a perfect vegan? I think it’s technically impossible unless you live as a hermit outside of society. From antifreeze, lubricants, paints, emery boards, hydraulic break fluid, crayons, specialty plastics, buttons, plywood adhesive, pharmaceuticals, high grade steel, water filters, bandage strips that contain animal products –to- buying vegan food at Whole Foods which also sells animal products - it becomes unrealistic to be a perfect vegan. But this does not then mean that we should not avoid animal products wherever we possibly can. Even the smallest amount of an animal product can be big business and finances exploitation, and we become a part of the demand for these products to be supplied.

Aspiring to be a perfect vegan is certainly nothing to criticize or condemn. Attempting to be a perfect vegan is not a silly inconsequential aspiration. Some things we just can’t help, such as driving a car that has tires that, in the vulcanization or formation of the tire, the standard industry practice is to use stearic acid; often animal-derived. But aside from things we just can’t help, what would a perfect vegan look like? I started to think of virtues, high qualities or beautiful acts that I have admired in different vegans. From compiling these virtues in various vegans, I’ve creating a model of the ‘perfect vegan’:

The perfect vegan would be healthy as a statement to non-vegans that they won’t die from becoming vegan. The perfect vegan takes care of his/her own body so he/she can continue to be a voice for animals. He/she is responsible to get tested so he/she knows that they are getting all their required nutrients. The perfect vegan is living testimonial that vegans can be very healthy.

The perfect vegan would spend their time working to abolish the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, breeding, buying and selling, and other human purpose; to eradicate this unjustified speciesism. Just because humans CAN and WANT to oppress others, does not mean they SHOULD. This is the necessary education the perfect vegan would impart. Since the beginning of time, society has been built upon the enslavement of others and upon exploitation. The thinking that "it’s okay to oppress any animal; human or nonhuman” is what is needed to be reprogrammed in human consciousness. The perfect vegan would help change perceptions. He/she would guide other humans out of their misguided behaviors.

The perfect vegan would be totally assured and would know that veganism is right, civil, and the opposite of the widespread violence afflicting this world. He/she will not be apologetic, not shy to speak up for other animals. The perfect vegan would be eloquent if ever asked to speak on the subject, always keeping in mind “it’s about the animals” not about “the activist”. The perfect vegan is a voice for those who don’t speak our language and therefore needs us to be their voice. (For some reason, many people are numb and deaf to pigs screaming and begging for mercy in a slaughterhouse.) The perfect vegan can hear the obviously audible screams and feels it is his/her obligation to speak up.

The perfect vegan stops and pulls over on a busy highway to help a turtle crossing the road. The perfect vegan brings the turtle to safety in the direction he/she was headed. The perfect vegan grabs that turtle from the hands of someone who wanted to turn him/her into turtle soup. The perfect vegan brings that turtle in the car and releases the turtle on his/her own land; a vegan sanctuary.

The perfect vegan would not dress in someone else’s skin! Upon becoming vegan, they would burry their leather and their (new expensive!) wool sweater, with a ceremony. They would donate fur coats to wildlife rescue centers for orphaned wildlife. The perfect vegan realizes that being dressed in animal’s skin is not a fashion statement they want to make, any more than they want to model human skin.

The perfect vegan comes from a place of purity. He/she is so gentle that dogs in the neighborhood are drawn like magnets and come with wagging tails to meet him/her, while their “person” looks on in amazement, or a young child looks the perfect vegan in the eyes and comes for a hug from this person they’ve never met while the mother explains that this is unusual behavior. Forest deer will eat from his/her hands. The innocent ones instinctively feel the purity and the harmlessness emitting from the perfect vegan.

The perfect vegan would hand-carry spiders out of the house, one by one, taking ages, rather than vacuum them up. He/she would have a cup and a piece of cardboard and catch insects in the cup, cover with the flat piece of cardboard, and then escort outdoors. The perfect vegan would use their soft (synthetic) flannel hat to catch flies and gently grab them and release them outdoors. He/she would also use ‘capture and release’ rodent traps, and try to keep families together when relocating them. In fact, the perfect vegan would clean their kitchen every night, leaving nothing to lure the rodents into the home as a trap, so they would not have to then be caught and relocated and possibly breaking up their family, or where they might get eaten by an animal in the house. The perfect vegan would keep his/her door closed so as not to invite mosquitoes inside to get swatted.

The perfect vegan would communicate nicely with other species, befriend them, help them and rescue them, do right by all species of animals, not some while ignoring others.

The perfect vegan happens to sleep (and cuddle) with his/her canine companion (on a doggie sheet on top of the covers), and ensures that they live a long, very happy, healthy life. The perfect vegan would not think of buying or selling a living conscious animal or supporting 'breeding', and would have rescued their canine friend. The perfect vegan would learn to feed their dogs (metabolically omnivores) a balanced vegan diet; (being sure to supplement their nutritional requirements that are not naturally met from a plant diet), so as not to be a part of the demand for institutionalized exploitation of other animals, as far as possible.

The perfect vegan might attempt to grow some of his/her own food, veganically; marrying the principles of organic with vegan. The perfect vegan would not use animal products as fertilizer, but instead use compost, rock minerals, hay, as well as grow nitrogen-fixing plants like lupines, clover, broad beans, peas and beans, etc. The perfect vegan enjoys and plants trees; lots of fruit, flowering and native trees.

The perfect vegan sees ‘The Big Picture’ – not just their small limited world – and seeks to lessen their own environmental footprint and help heal our ailing planet; which is home to many thousands of fellow Earthlings. Over 29,000 recorded species of fish, 6,000 recorded species of reptiles, 9-10,000 species of birds, 1,000 amphibians, 5,400 mammal species and 1-2 million insect species (of sentient animal) also share the same planet. Because of human activity, widespread species extinction is occuring. All species, including us, are on the endangered species list, in reality. Our planet is home to many billions of human and nonhuman animals, and the perfect vegan considers the health of our planet and what he/she can do to help heal it. The perfect vegan smiles inside because she/he knows just being vegan and thereby opposing animal agriculture (the #1 culprit in environmental degradation), he/she is doing more than most to lessen his/her own environmental impact.

The perfect vegan cares about all injustice and opposes all oppression; whether the victim is oppressed based on species, race, gender, age, class, nationality, religious or sexual preference or any other unjustifiable reason to oppress sentient individuals. The perfect vegan uses rational discourse to relay this message to the public.

The perfect vegan uses their life as a statement that wearing, exploiting, killing and eating other animals is fundamentally wrong. He/she will inconvenience themselves and always verify ingredients, bring their own food when travelling, etc. because they are making a stand, with their life’s actions, knowing it’s not really much of an inconvenience compared to the holocaust that other animals are facing every day at the hands of humanity. Auschwitz happened because of racism…slaughterhouses happen because of speciesism. The perfect vegan wants no part, not even minuscule. The perfect vegan does not want complicity in the crimes against nonhumanity.

The perfect vegan would speak and write in such a way that it would reach into the soul of every vegan of every group within the vegan movement. He/she has the power to bring out the vegan that lives within everyone. The perfect vegan speaks to the soul in all humans, because in our souls, we all agree that being vegan is “the right thing to do”.

Veganism is Rational

2011-12-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

Vegans, sadly for us, often hear remarks like ‘Yes I love animals; I love how they taste’ or “you know plants are living things too’ or ‘what about plant suffering?’ or ‘under your new laws do we give rights to the mouse or chipmunk and prey animals?’ or ‘fish are not sentient’ and other irrational remarks, which inspired this blog post.

In the vegan ideal, all animals have the birth-right not to be harmed by humans, because humans do it unnecessarily. We don’t need to use animals for survival as evidenced by many long-time vegans. Because humans do not NEED animals for survival, it is ethically wrong to harm other animals just for some selfish and perverted pleasure like “(fill in the blank with some animal product) tastes good”. I’m pretty sure that humans would taste good to flesh eaters if barbequed and seasoned up. Because someone tastes good to people, does that justify commodifying a conscious animal’s life, kidnapping a mother’s newborn, sexually assaulting, enslaving and owning someone, or murdering fellow sentient animals? Without hesitation, the answer is emphatically no, and I know this to be Truth even if the whole world disagreed with me. Because you like the way someone tastes is not justification for the oppression of our animal cousins. (Besides vegan food tastes delicious.)

A free-living animal generally kills out of necessity, for survival, not for amusement or (distorted) pleasure. They are not fortunate like we are to be able to thrive without using animals for food. We must rise out of what is customary in the light of what is right. Leaving off using animals for food, clothing, entertainment, breeding, buying and selling them, for their bodily secretions, experimentation, vivisection, animal testing, for sex (bestiality) is the next level that humanity will live on as we become more civilized as a species. (Yes, I clumped bestiality in with the other human uses of animals. I’ve recently read articles about “animal brothels” and “animal prostitutes” and countries (Denmark) and states of the U.S. where it’s legal to have sex with other species of animals. Yes, this is abuse and wrong and one more perverted way that people use animals. However, sending them to a slaughterhouse to be butchered or experimenting on them or anally electrocuting them for their fur coat or any other of all the many offensive ways that people use animals - is also repulsive.)

Trees and plants are living, react to stimuli, and should be treated with reverence. Even inanimate things should be treated with respect. But an animal is not a thing. An animal, unlike a plant, is a feeling, breathing being, a fully conscious creature, an individual with interests; those with whom we share being members of the animal kingdom. It’s their world, too. Oh, and yes, fish are sentient too, as are bees and butterflies. Animals, with a nervous system and pain receptors, who feel both pleasure and pain and who try to escape harm, are sentient beings that come in the form of insects, rodents, reptiles, primates (including humans), mammals, fish, and birds. So, if you want to care about plant “suffering”, I don’t have a problem with that, but you logically must care about animal suffering first. If you care so much about plants suffering, vegans consume far less plants because they don’t inefficiently funnel large amounts of them through animals, but consume a small amount of them directly, (thereby leaving more that could potentially feed starving humans instead of bred and farmed animals, while protesting animal agriculture; the chief culprit in environmental degradation.) Vegans are not responsible for the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest (large plants that are the lungs of the Earth) that are cleared for farming animals for food. And seriously for those who really do have a concern, you can become a vegan-fruitarian and eat only what is offered without killing plants or animals.

It is unfortunate that in nature predators kill their prey (sometimes horrifically, bite by bite); an individual with a life and companions, who wants to live. This is an aspect of nature that I do not embrace. If I were in the natural environment and saw an animal being hunted from a human or nonhuman stalker, I would try to save them. It might be a step forward for humanity to just let the free-living animals be; no interference, and focus on human exploitation of animals, and eradicate that. But my personal stance would be to help free-living animals that needed help, as we would do for humans.

We can stop breeding; stop bringing animals into existence only to be born into slavery; to be the property of a human. Veganism is a very rational ideal. It’s not based on a triviality like “I like how someone tastes”, but on justice for all, what is reasonable, nonspeciesism, what will heal the planet (that we all share), and other lofty qualities. Veganism is for everybody! And the rewards are plentiful. But we don’t become vegan for the rewards…it’s purely because we don’t want to participate in harming and/or exploiting other animals. (But we DO get rewards.) And if humanity adopted vegan living…the planetary benefits to all of Earth’s inhabitants would be awesome beyond our comprehension! From any angle you examine the vegan ethic, it qualifies as a solution to what ails our world. Veganism is reasonable – it is The Truth (with a capital T). All this world needs is more vegans…please join this social justice movement. Our aspiration is only to live civilized in our relation to other sentient animals. It makes sense. It’s rational.

1951 early (abolitionist) essay - Leslie Cross

2011-12-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

The following essay was published in 1951 in The Forum

VEGANISM DEFINED by Leslie Cross;
one of the founding members of The Vegan Society

Recently the Vegan Society adopted revised and extended rules which among other things clarify the goal towards which the movement aspires. The Society's object and meaning of the word "veganism", have until now been matters of inference and personal predilection, are now defined as follows:

'The object of the Society shall be to end the exploitation of animals by man"; and 'The word veganism shall mean the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals."

The Society pledges itself 'in pursuance of its object" to 'seek to end the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection and all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man.

Membership in the Society is available to all who wish to see the object achieved and who undertake to live as closely to the ideal as personal circumstances permit. An Associate makes no promise as to behaviour but declares himself in agreement with the object. The door is thus widely opened, and the Society welcomes all who feel able to support it. Direction and management of the Society's work, however, rest with the members.

The effect of this development is to make veganism unique among movements concerned with animal welfare. For it has crystallised as a whole and not, as are all other such movements, as an abstraction. Where every other movement deals with a segment - and therefore deals directly with practices rather than with principles - veganism is itself a principle, from which certain practices logically flow.

If, for example, the vegan principle is applied to diet, it can at once be seen why it must be vegetarian in the strictest sense and why it cannot contain any foods derived from animals. One may become a vegetarian for a variety of reasons - humanitarian, health, or mere preference for such a diet; The principle is a smatter of personal feeling, and varies accordingly. Veganism, however, is a principle - that man has no right to exploit the creatures for his own ends - and no variation occurs. Vegan diet is therefore derived entirely from "fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and other wholesome non-animal products," and excludes "flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey and animal milk and its derivatives.''

In a vegan world the creatures would be reintegrated within the balance and sanity of nature as she is in herself. A great and historic wrong, whose effect upon the course of evolution must have been stupendous, would be righted. The idea that his fellow creatures might be used by man for self-interested purposes would be so alien to human thought as to be almost unthinkable. In this light, veganism is not so much welfare as liberation, for the creatures and for the mind and heart of man; not so much an effort to make the present relationship bearable, as an uncompromising recognition that because it is in the main one of master and slave, it has to be abolished before something better and finer can be built.

Veganism is in truth an affirmation that where love is, exploitation vanishes. It possesses historical continuity with the movement that set free the human slaves. Were it put into effect, every basic wrong done to animals by man would automatically disappear. At its heart is the healing power of compassion, the highest expression of love of which man is capable. For it is a giving without hope of a getting. And yet, because he would free himself from many of the demands made by his own lower nature, the benefit to man himself would be incalculable.

Leslie Cross, (Vice-President,Vegan Soc.)
39, Willow Crescent East, Uxbridge, Middx.

Source Link: http://www.ivu.org/history/world-forum/1951vegan.html (published in 1951)

For more writings by Leslie Cross, go to: http://www.candidhominid.com/2011/07/leslie-cross.html

What do you wish EVERY VEGAN would wake up and realize?

2011-12-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

Katia Luto - I would like to see vegans dropping all racism and sexism. Seeing disgusting racist and sexist comments from vegans on Facebook has been my greatest disappointment since becoming vegan. I still respect vegans for simply being vegan. But, some still need to make the connections between ALL forms of oppression.

Scott Kujak - That there is more than one way to promote and advocate veganism.

Ken Hopes - A vegan friend just Facebook'd an invitation to come out and enjoy free horse carriage rides! I wish all vegans understood that is is about rejecting exploitation.

Heidi Woodruff - You are making a difference just by living vegan.

Dian Hardy - That we are a tiny minority of the worldwide population, the majority of whom have not enough food to survive, lack housing and basic sanitation and see their children die young. That we, this tiny minority, may have right on our side, but what about those who struggle for the rights of minorities, of people of color, those in prison, those bullied for being gay or geeks. We need to reach out further and embrace other embattled groups, make common ground, coalition, and realize the truth of other struggles.

Mary Elizabeth Cianciolo - That we should quit squabbling amongst ourselves about minor issues and focus our energy on the big picture.

Maya Shlayen - That veganism is a moral obligation (and not just a lifestyle choice); that we have a vegan world, if we are willing to work for it and create it.

Doris Lin - That we are part of a larger social justice movement, and there is no place for racism, sexism, homophobia or any other oppression in our movement.

Grace Lorraine - That the single most important thing we can do is inspire others to embrace the vegan lifestyle. (Relatedly, how collecting signatures for bigger cages, passing out booklets equating veganism with "reducing suffering" (and other activities like that) not only squanders time, it generates the sense in people that they have "done enough already" for the animals--even though those people still are not vegan.)

Leah McKelvie - That non-vegans aren't "the enemy."

Danny VeganBatman Nichols - I wish every "vegan" would wake up and realize the true definition of the word vegan and truly understand why the word HAD to be created in the first place. I wish every vegan would wake up and realize oppression in ALL its forms; In governments, religions, families, work places, schools, doctor's offices, etc....I wish every vegan would wake up and realize that being vegan is to be non-speciesist, and that it's not enough to simply not to be speciesist, just as it wasn't enough to simply not be racist. Just as with rascism, people needed to speak up or act whenever they saw racism, and that's what brought real change; not people sitting comfortably in their homes happily not being racist. It takes pointing it out and shunning it. Social pressure is the single most effective tool for bringing about change, so until speciesists are made to feel as awkward as racists do now, we still have a long way to go.

Sos Orangutans - That being vegan is good, but that efforts don't stop there. It's more of a starting point for helping the planet. If you're going to be a vegan, don't chuck out lots of plastic for animals to choke on it. Don't be a gas guzzler that's going to burn them in oil spills, either. Killing animals is both direct & indirect. If you love the animals, be vegan, but also be a good environmentalist, because the animals also need clean, healthy habitats to live in, in order to survive.

Janice Stanger - Need to stop killing the planet with toxic chemicals, need to stop deforestation and any use of palm oil, need to stop consuming so much period.

Dale Hiebert - That promoting anything less than veganism is doing no one any favors and vegetarian is not a step towards being vegan. Also vegan is more than a diet. Oh, and vegan is love and violence doesn't belong there.

Debbie Basha - We can educate...every day...all day...by example, by sharing...by being!

Shane Andrews - That Vegans would understand that humans are also animals and are also deserving of Love and respect. It is not uncommon for Vegans to celebrate the deaths of meat process workers and hunters. It is not right, these people still have family, friends and animal companions. Veganism is Love, it is not hate.

Lai Sityar - That if we condone animal welfare and say that this and that is a "step in the right direction" instead of educating nonvegans about veganism and the aboilition of animal use from the get-go, we're never gonna be close to a vegan world. Also that we keep thinking of vegans as "superheroes" and promote veganism as a way of saving lives instead of it being the right thing to do. We are taking away the focus from the animal's plight when we make it about us and our vanities. It has always been about us which led to where the world and its inhabitants are now, so we have to elevate each of our consciousness in order to make real and permanent change because this worldwide insanity just keeps escalating.

Bonnie Shulman - That each of us is more powerful than we realize; that by being positive and gracious we can instantly undo years of prejudice against veganism and vegans.

James Nottingham - I wish vegans would stop turning on each other!

Jenn V Keller-Lowe - That your not going to make everyone turn vegan, some people will never "get" it.

Narelle Mavracic - I wish that Vegans would realise that we are a global family united by the same cause, love, respect, honour and dignity towards all sentinet beings, including each other.

Mark Jordan - www.humanemyth.org, and the truths in the book: Speciesism by Dunayer

Shawn Neitzel - That we are all on the same team, and we don't need to be fighting amongst each other about who is "more vegan". Just sayin' =)

Melissa Vegan-Keller - I wish they would realize that it is about the animals and that we need to stick together and fight to win this.

Donna Anderson - There's no 'I' in vegan.

Sara M Plues - About how welfare reforms and single issue campaigning can be counterproductive and; not really helping long term. And I'm still realising this! The millions of animals are relying on us to stay clear headed.

Robin Skov - that we are all one no matter the species.

Melissa Clem-Vegan - having an elitist attitude does the movement no good and only serves to alienate people who might otherwise be interested in veganism!

Susan Kate McKinstry - Try not get depressed because of all the cruelty in the world. Show everyone how doing your best to live ethically can make you a happy person.

Michelle Statham - If we all convince one person to be become Vegan and in turn they convert another we would have an epidemic. Hoorah

Anita Vegan-Mahdessian - that a silent vegan is an enabler and that just 'leading by example' is not good enough.

Debbie V Barnes - I wish that vegans would stop judging and condemning each other..... we are all different and none of us are perfect :-) If vegans can't get along then who the bloody hell can? I have seen both hard hitting and gentle approaches make a difference. Veganism is more in the spotlight than ever before so I wish we would all wake up, stop bickering and get on with making a difference. After all.....it's the animals that are important ♥

Vanessa Earthchild - I find that many vegans on here focus mainly on diet ingredients. I wish many vegans would look at the big picture and realise everything we do harms sentients and there are many changes we can make to our lives to reduce harm. It doesnt matter to me if poeple have a 100% animal ingredient-free diet or 95% animal product free. What's the point in trying to perfect that and ignoring how the plants are grown and ignoring the many other harmful aspects in our lives. Its animal harm we are trying to change not animal harm inflicted through diet ingredients....at least thats how I see it. I also wish many vegans would be less judgmental and more patient when trying to convert outsiders. No one is perfect and everyone is a potential vegan. Only a few people are born in to veganism - so shouldnt judge.

Kyle Krakow - I wish we would stop wishing. We need to understand that changing our diet is a good start, necessary start— but it is not enough. If we're not physically acting on the responsibility we have for the animals, we're not affecting any measurable changes that bring them closer to liberation. We need to realize that the agents of their enslavement and slaughter do not take seriously our demands (let alone call it quits) when our concerns don't transcend personal lifestyle choices and consciousness. We need to realize that while outreach and education can be crucial to building a compassionate movement, these approaches alone are very clearly insufficient. We don't have centuries to work with. And even if we did, the animals being effaced from existence right now don't have time for anything less than a real effort on our part to confront and dismantle the industries that profit from their misery. So should we continue educating and instilling empathy wherever and whenever the chance arises? Absolutely. But if we keep convincing ourselves that all the animals need is more vegan outreach, we are profoundly deluded. We've got to realize that while there may be cause for celebration and back-patting at times, the state of the planet is such that we can devote every waking minute to total liberation and still not be doing enough. Most of us may take the animal holocaust seriously, but it's not often enough that this urgency is reflected in our actions.

Making a Stand

2011-12-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

I made a stand to be vegan thirty-three years ago; a protest to the “the way it is”. Veganism defines civil disobedience. When becoming vegan, we make “a stand” to disobey the uncivilized behavior of humanity towards other animals. I made many “stands” along my vegan journey. When I say ‘making a stand’, I mean to adopt and then remain resolute in position or attitude.

In my early vegan years, I realized (with the help of friends) that beside not purchasing or consuming animal products, that I could not serve fish (or any animal product) in a restaurant (or work for any animal exploiting business.) I had to make a stand that I could not participate in animal exploitation in this way; beyond the products I consume. I didn’t want to sacrifice ‘living as a vegan’ for ‘making money’. (Yes I realize it is challenging to make money and not be involved in animal exploitation since our society is heavily built upon animal-slavery.)

Though not an original thought of mine, I made a stand to be vegansexual, and I have complied with that stand. I have zero urge or desire to be intimate with someone who doesn’t care about the oppression and murder of other animals. And if someone wants to roll around in the sack with me -wink- they have had their vegan epiphany.

I made a stand never to purchase chocolate that's not fair trade, vegan and organic. Once I learned of the human slavery of the Ivory Coast’s cheap cocoa beans - where approximately 40-50% of the cocoa beans are sourced from, I wanted to be sure that I was opposing both nonhuman animal slavery and human slavery. Hershey Bars (and the like) would not taste good to me knowing young boys in Africa were enslaved for the cocoa beans (and bovines were enslaved for the milk). Slavery doesn’t taste good to me.

I made a stand to no longer eat in non-vegan restaurants. After three decades of veganism, it is just too sickening to sit around with other animal-eating humans as they relish in corpses and the products of misery. I also don’t enjoy the vegan food being contaminated with animal products. It is not always possible to support vegan businesses. I do sometimes have to shop at grocery stores, but I don’t ever have to support a non-vegan restaurant…and so…I made a stand. It’s been easy to live up to. Recently, arrangements were made to say goodbye to my niece and family and meet at a non-vegan restaurant, without my knowing and I felt obligated, so I went. Her boyfriend’s child sat across from me and had her first, one and only, vegan rap…which she initiated…and which ended with a giant hug…so I guess it was meant to be that I went this ONE LAST TIME.

I made a stand never to be physically violent towards people, as well as other animals. I was beat-up twice by my dad, (which is not his usual nature; he lost it). I know what it feels like to be the victim of physical violence. Because of what I experienced, I would never see that as an option to do to someone else; human or nonhuman. Being a woman, I can’t defend myself from the strength of a man, physically, and so I can empathize with the oppression of other animals. I’m surprised more people don’t draw from their life experiences of racism, sexism, homophobia or physical abuse – and use them as sources of empathy for fellow sentient animals and the unjust speciesism they endure.

I made a stand to try to become a person that others would want to emulate – exemplary; those who know me would of course want to become vegan because of the super cool person that I am. Well, I failed miserably at this one!

The moral of the blog is we make a stand to become vegan, and then we grow with the vegan ideal through the years. I often hear those who don’t like what they perceive as “the most vegan contest” type of behavior, but dedicated vegans simply feel like they’re making a stand for all breathing, feeling fellow inhabitants of Earth.

Long time vegans - like me - have proven that living vegan can stand the test of time. Veganism stands to reason no matter from what angle you examine it. It’s a social justice movement that is standing up to the majority and saying the violence inflicted on sentient animals is unacceptable. Vegan pioneers are standing up to the lies perpetuated by propaganda, commercials, and society’s way; money-powered-exploitation trumps decent behavior. We can’t stand the utter nonsense that dribbles out of human mouths about how they have a right to harm animals. We’re vegan and we’re standing up for other animals. We’re standing our ground and refusing to compromise; unyielding in the face of the majority and following what we know to be Truth. We don’t want to stand alone. As a species, if we don’t adopt vegan living, we don’t stand a chance. The Time is Now - for making a stand.

Excellent Vegan Speech - by Angel Flinn

2011-12-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

Angel Flinn and Poof; the magic rabbit!

The vegan ideal embodies the highest of spiritual and ethical aspirations – non-violence, harmlessness, reverence for life, and the cultivation of compassion toward the innocent. It is cause for celebration that we are blessed with the ability to bring such noble qualities down to earth by simply eliminating from our lives the products and practices that require the exploitation of other beings.

And yet, even in a time when, more than ever, the world needs us to put these basic human values into practice, this powerful ethical stand continues to be marginalized by society. The example that is set by the increasing number of individuals who embrace these principles is too often vehemently opposed, trivialized, or simply ignored. But the effects of this paradigm shift in perception are far-reaching, and the rewards of making such a change are beyond measure.

By doing nothing more than simply living as a vegan – which means to eliminate one’s support for all products and practices that exploit animals – people can greatly lessen their ecological footprint, take their health into their own hands, play a part in eliminating world hunger, and experience the peace of mind that comes from making such a powerful personal contribution toward the beginning of peace on earth.

Ironically, it may well be that the survival of our species, and perhaps even life on this planet, is dependent upon our learning the very lessons of empathy, responsibility and self-control that the vegan ideal embodies, and which our society seems so reluctant to embrace. By living the vegan ideal, we can address, all at once, the many, seemingly different issues that are crippling our civilization and threatening our very survival.

From world hunger to climate change, mass extinction to escalating violence, the catastrophic problems we are facing are clear indicators that we are in need of transformation on a global scale. With our society and our world within sight of a major breakdown from resource scarcity and subsequent political conflict, it has become crucial that we face up to the need for a radical shift, beginning with a change of perception inside each one of us.

More and more people are recognizing the prejudice and injustice inherent in enslaving and slaughtering animals, in order to feed our collective appetite for flesh, eggs, milk, and other products sourced from industries of exploitation. It’s no secret anymore that animal concentration camps are the breeding grounds for all sorts of infectious diseases. It’s also becoming known that the consumption of animal products is detrimental to human health, and that industrialized animal agriculture, including so-called ‘free-range’ and ‘organic’, is implicated in some of the worst crimes against the planet. As consumers become increasingly aware about how inefficient it is to cycle grain through animals to produce food for humans, even the truth about the animal industry’s role in world hunger and food shortages is starting to come into the open.

And yet, it somehow appears that the light of veganism is so bright that people are afraid to open their eyes to it, even individuals who are deeply involved in other social causes. What is it that makes us cling so stubbornly to practices that are clearly unnecessary, devastatingly cruel, and, if left unchecked, will almost certainly end up destroying us?

Our collective appetite for products that come from the bodies of animals has driven us to create systems of animal farming that are not only completely unsustainable in the long-term, but are also immediately damaging to natural eco-systems, populations of wild animals and the citizens of developing nations.

As the human population continues to grow, and industrialization expands ever further, it brings with it the excesses of animal agriculture, and we currently run the risk of driving into collapse the essential life-preserving systems of the planet itself. Livestock's Long Shadow, the now well-known report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, stated that "livestock production is one of the major causes of the world's most pressing environmental problems, including global warming, land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity."

In addition, our society is desperate for a solution to our many social problems. Our pandemic of violence is becoming increasingly severe, from school and workplace shootings, to sexual assault and domestic abuse, and of course, the unrelenting displays of military might that claim the lives of both soldiers and civilians.

But it’s not surprising that we experience such widespread aggression when we remember that not only do we habitually fuel our bodies (and therefore our minds) with products of violence, suffering and death, but we pretend that there’s nothing wrong with doing so. We try to avoid the truth of where animal products come from, by buying them in neatly wrapped packages, but we cannot help but be aware of it in our deeper selves, and the violence that is implicit in our meals and in other aspects of our lives – from clothing to cosmetics – permeates our culture on all levels from personal to global.

All over the world, around the clock, innocent beings spend the duration of their lives imprisoned and enslaved. All the while, they are brutally tortured and are eventually violently killed. And all over the world, people who are otherwise kind, gentle and caring, continue to ignore – and even participate in – this unspeakable cruelty.

Our indifference toward the suffering of other creatures is an accepted societal norm that calls out for us to realize that basic human values apply to other animals as well as to our fellow humans: justice, empathy, and respect. By extending these values to include those beings who have committed no other crime than that of being born nonhuman, we actually have the power to create new standards for human behavior, motivated by our collective desire for a better, safer world for all.

Veganism is an acknowledgement of the responsibility of the individual – the recognition of our personal obligation to minimize the harm we cause by our existence, and to develop in ourselves the qualities necessary to become citizens of a better future; where no one is oppressed, where no one is treated as a means to an end.

It is a demonstration of one’s awareness of fundamental principles of justice – an ongoing declaration of our conviction that acts of brutality and oppression are not excusable simply by virtue of the species of the victims. Veganism is nothing less than the evidence of one’s commitment to the principle of nonviolence – the determination to eliminate our support for cruelty carried out on our behalf.

When we advocate for the widespread adoption of vegan values, we speak for the entire population of humanity’s victims – from wild animals who are hunted and exterminated to make way for the ravages of human excess, to domesticated animals who are bred and confined (whether in crates or in pastures), and ultimately killed.

These billions upon billions of sentient beings are considered, by today's ‘civilized’ society, to be nothing more than chattel property, and their owners are legally entitled to subject them to many forms of barbaric cruelty in the name of profit, convenience or pleasure.

This cycle of exploitation not only burdens our planet with the weight of a population of billions bred into existence solely to serve the desires of humans, it also prohibits us from moving forward into a more peaceful and prosperous future, the inhabitants of which reject violence and bloodshed as a matter of principle.

The pandemic of violence in the world calls out to us to reevaluate our relationship with non-human animals – who are the victims of the most extreme forms of our collective violence – and to recognize that they are no more meant to be our possessions than are people with different-colored skin, women, children, or any other sentient beings. They too, are individuals, who value their lives, feel pain, fear death, and have a right to live free from oppression.

If we truly seek a peaceful world – a world in which people do not live in fear of one another, and a world in which humans are not universally regarded as the most violent species on the planet – then there is simply no way we can sidestep veganism as the key to the future we are seeking.

The world stands at a turning point. We simply cannot go on as if our old ways can continue to sustain us. If we are to have a future, the people who live in that future will not be dependent on products that are a result of exploitation, suffering and environmental devastation. We will not source our food from animal farms or slaughterhouses, but from fertile gardens, vibrant orchards and veganic farms. People will be kind, compassionate, gentle and just.

The vegan ideal represents nothing less than the next evolutionary step for humankind. This quantum leap may seem far-fetched from the position we are in today, but it is within this very change that we will ultimately find our hope for the world of tomorrow.

Angel Flinn is outreach director for Gentle World (http://gentleworld.org)

Striking at the roots of patriarchy by Maya Shlayen

2011-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

December 6th marks the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montréal. On this day in 1989, a lone gunman – Marc Lépine – walked into the school and specifically targeted women for shooting. After killing 14 women and injuring 14 other people, he committed suicide. His suicide note blamed “feminists” for ruining his life. As Canadians the country over commemorate this tragedy, we are encouraged to reflect on how violence against women continues to permeate our culture and negatively impacts all of us.

According to Statistics Canada, the average woman still only makes 71% of what the average male makes, and that gap has not changed substantially in the past decade. The overwhelming majority of spousal abuse victims – 8 out of every 10 – are women, and 1 in every 4 women in North America can expect to be sexually assaulted as some point in her life.

Although men who commit sexual assault are in the minority, their actions occur within the larger context of a culture that relentlessly commodifies the female body at ever possible turn. From bikini contests to strip clubs to the use of supermodels to “sell” consumer goods, the message is clear: the female body exists for the sexual gratification of men. Thinking, breathing, feeling human beings are reduced, in our consumer culture, to a means to someone else’s ends. This hypersexualization of our bodies creates a tremendous amount of pressure on us to look and act sexy all the time, because we are told (implicitly and explicitly) that our primary measure of worth lies in our ability to please men.

The idea that some bodies exist for the gratification of others is, of course, obscenity. Yet all of us – male or female, feminist or not – subscribe to that very idea, not only through our constant pornification of the female body, but also through something else, as well: our consumption of animals and animal ‘products’.

By virtue of their sentience, all animals – human or not – care about their lives, and wish to avoid suffering and death. Despite having no nutritional need to consume animal ‘products’, and for the sole sake of our gastronomical pleasure, we sentence 665 million ‘farm’ animals (not counting fish) to miserable lives and hideous, premature deaths every year in this country alone. As we pause on this day to challenge the obscenity of men presuming ownership of the bodies of women, how many of us will challenge the equally obscene (and mutually reinforcing) notion that the bodies of non-humans exist for the gratification of humans?

When a sense of ownership over someone else’s body is presume from the get-go, it results in a power balance that invariably favours the ruling group at the expense of the disadvantaged. We’ve all heard of cases where men have walked out of sexual encounters feeling that all was fair and consensual, while their female partners were left feeling abused. A possible conclusion to be drawn here is that at least some men have a sense of entitled when it comes sex, acquired over a life of indoctrination that equates masculinity with aggression and power – the latter being defined, in our patriarchal culture, as the capacity for violence and subjugation. And that’s exactly why it’s absurd to claim, as some do, that women can empower themselves by participating in their own commodification. Sure, the woman at the strip club ‘chose’ to work there. But that ‘choice’ was made in the context of a culture in which women do not have the economic resources that men have; in which she was taught, from a young age, that it is her job to please men; and in which the men who pay to watch her degrade herself have been taught, from a young age, that they are entitled to sexual privilege over women. Victim-approved exploitation is still exploitation.

The same thing applies to our relationship with non-humans. “Humane” exploitation – which is a misnomer, because animal use involves unspeakable violence – is a delusion that ignores the structural dimension of said exploitation. That is, ‘domesticated’ non-humans are genetically manipulated freaks of nature who exist in a permanent state of vulnerability. Bred into existence for their utility to their human owners, non-human individuals – who are nothing more than chattel property in the eyes of the law – are continuously tormented and abused for the duration of their short and miserable lives, right up to the moment of slaughter. That last moment – at which point we rob them of their lives – amounts to a brutality that no words could condemn strongly enough. The idea that hideous violence inflicted upon vulnerable beings can be reconciled with anything that can be coherently described as “humane” is sheer fantasy. Along with the ‘choice’ of women to self-commodify in a patriarchal society, or the ‘choice’ of workers in a capitalist society to toil in an exploitative work environment, “humane” non-human slavery seems to be the latest in a series of moral delusions serving to reassure an oppressing group of the supposed legitimacy of their oppression over others.

The connection between patriarchy and non-human exploitation becomes especially obvious if we look at the use of female animals. Hens, who would only lay a few eggs a year in nature, have been genetically manipulated by humans to lay several hundred per year. Since laying an egg depletes nutrients from her body, her utility to humans is dependent on the extent to which her female reproductive system can be exploited, and her body harmed. And once her productiveness ends at a fraction of her natural lifespan, she is slaughtered.

Similarly, ‘dairy’ cows are exploited for their ability to lactate. Because cows, like all mammals, need to give birth before they can lactate, they are restrained annually on something called a “rape rack”, where they are artificially inseminated. When their baby is born, he or she is taken away, and the mother’s milk that was meant for that baby is instead stolen by humans. The horrific grief that this separation causes both mother and calf, and the agony of the aggressive milkings that follow, are far beyond anything to which mere words could do justice. Interestingly, this milk – meant to help a calf gain several hundred pounds in the span of a few months – has a high fat and hormone content, which is linked to increased estrogenicity and breast cancer tumor growth in women. We exploit the breasts of bovine women to obtain a “product” that harms the breasts of human women.

If you’re a feminist, and you’re not a vegan – why not? If you’re against exploiting the vulnerable, and you’re not a vegan – why not? If you care about justice and non-violence, and you’re not a vegan – why not?

Condemning gratuitous violence against a disempowered group is easy to do when it’s someone else that’s doing it. But if we’re every going to sort out the chaotic mess that is our world, the onus is on every single one of us to re-evaluate and ultimately reject the “might makes right” paradigm of violence and domination that we have come to accept as being “in the natural order of things”. All forms of injustice are related and mutually re-enforcing. As long as we tolerate oppression of any kind, we will necessarily be tolerating – and re-enforcing – oppression of every kind.

This December 6th, say “no” to violence against women by rejecting the notion that some bodies exist for the gratification of others. Say “no” to patriarchy by rejecting patriarchal violence at its root.

Is Veganism a Choice?

2011-11-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

Whether ‘to have’ or ‘not to have’ a baby is a choice. Dragging a newborn baby calf from his/her mother soon after birth so you can steal the calf’s life sustaining milk – is not a choice; it’s a crime – and most of humanity is complicit and then call their crimes “a choice”.

Why choose to bring a baby into an overpopulated, ailing and endangered, violence-filled planet? Why choose to bring a baby to a planet when that is the worst environmental footprint one can possibly have in these times of planetary destruction and species extinction? To quote Doris Lin from a poignant article on human overpopulation:

“The most important thing we as individuals can do is choose to have fewer children. While cutting back on your personal consumption of resources is laudable and may reduce your environmental footprint by 5%, 25%, or maybe even 50%, having a child will double your footprint, and having two children will triple your footprint. It is virtually impossible to compensate for reproducing by consuming less yourself.” source: (http://animalrights.about.com/od/wildlife/a/HumanOverpopulation_2.htm)

Why ignore this (or the other) scientists that are Nobel Prize recipients who have predicted the human race will be extinct in 100 years because of global warming? (http://janebovary.hubpages.com/hub/100-Years-Left) Okay – you still want to bring a child here, that’s a choice…a questionable one to me, but a choice.

Is having sex with a 5 year old girl, a choice or a crime? Is owning another person as a sex slave, a choice or a crime? Not everything that people "choose" to do should be considered a choice, but sometimes something we should stop them from doing. Why do the majority of people choose oppression with their choice? Why do people choose to harm feeling animals when they don’t have to – what kind of choice is that? "Because they taste good" should not supersede every sentient animal's interests to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Relatives that know me; that know both my brother and I (who have been vegan for decades), therefore they know it is possible and they know why, – choose not to be vegan. They, with ‘their choice’, choose to unnecessarily harm other feeling animals.

While out to dinner, my nieces’ boyfriend’s daughter (who is twelve years of age) was asking me a bit about veganism when we chatted for the first time. She “chose” to sit across from me and she “chose” to question me. So I did my usual speaking on behalf of other animals and their plight. At one point, her father, at the other end of the table, looks to his child who is looking to him with questioning eyes regarding what I’m saying - and he replies “It’s a choice” (being vegan, that is).

From my point of view, becoming vegan is not “a choice”, it’s an ethical imperative, and I believe it should be for every human being. It’s unjust to deny other animals their inherent birth-right to bodily freedom from human use. I, and many other long-time vegans, have proven that it is unnecessary to use fellow sentient animals for any reason. Just as no one should have the choice to kill you and barbeque your leg or perform so-called scientific tests on you or parade around in your skin, no one should have the option or “choice” to enslave or harm or kill other animals. Obviously, the great majority of people are speciesist and not deserving of being given 'free choice'…and therefore we need new and more civilized laws to protect innocent persecuted victims; whether those victims are human or another species of animal.

We always have a choice between doing what is right and doing what is wrong…all the time, in all our daily actions from practical to spiritual. If veganism is a choice, it is a choice to follow ‘what is right’ - and it comes with many personal and planetary rewards. Living, day in and day out, knowing that you are doing the right thing, uplifts one's life and gives it more meaning. So is being vegan, a choice? Well for me, harming others is not a choice. However, if you are still participating in unnecessarily harming other fellow sentient animals...then please make the choice to live vegan. Vegan living is THE ethical choice.

Is it 'unnatural' to feed dogs a vegan diet?

2011-11-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

Beautiful; she was fed a vegan diet most of her life

Some say that feeding dogs a plant-based diet is unnatural; that an animal-based diet is their natural diet. We have experimented for three decades, and have been successful in caring for canines and feeding them totally vegan. So now it is proven by us (and many others) that dogs CAN thrive from the plant kingdom. So I say to canines and humans in one breath, if you can survive without causing harm to other feeling animals, why choose to be a part of harming fellow sentient animals?

To me, it feels like we’re taking our best friends along with us on our evolutionary journey. In the last three decades, we have fed them vegan meals consisting of well cooked legumes and grains as the main part of the meal. We've learned to add cooked carrot, butternut squash, or sweet potato (an orange colored vegetable for beta carotene which the dog forms into Vitamin A in their body). We also include a small amount of raw vegetables (grated carrot or beetroot, finely cut greens or cabbage, or sprouts). To this, we add a variety of supplements that may include: VegeDog powder, B-12 fortified nutritional yeast, (non-animal derived) Taurine, a dash of (non-animal derived) L-carnitine, vegan vitamin D powder (if lacking sunshine), kelp and sea vegetable flakes for mineral content, etc. Taurine is supplemented for the prevention of heart disease (in an herbivorous diet for dogs) and both Taurine and L-carnitine even sometimes replace drugs if the canine is already diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Some commercial vegan kibbles/treats now include Taurine and L-carnitine. Finally, the meal is topped with a bit of oil that makes it irresistible.

It's not well-known that canines are metabolically omnivores. However, their physical requirements are not that of humans. They require more protein than we do. They manufacture their own vitamin C when needed. Certain foods we commonly eat are toxic to them. Metabolically speaking, dogs have a few characteristics of an omnivore such as being able to convert carotene to Vitamin A (a feline can't do this), Tryptophan to Niacin, Cysteine to Taurine and Linoleic acid and Arachidonic acid.

To become vegan, regardless of species, so it seems, takes evolving out of the killer instinct. Kisses; our rescued dog in New Zealand, was abandoned in the surrounding woods. We bonded immediately when she came to me from out of the forest. When she was young, and shortly after we found each other, she killed a bird. I reacted very upset. She never has killed a bird or other animal again. I was just being honest that harming other animals upsets me. Dogs appreciate honesty. Kisses can run right back into the surrounding forest. She does not have a leash, rope or a collar; she can run away to live freely - easily. There are small animals as well as water for her to drink everywhere; she could sustain herself and live free of my imposing a plant-based diet on her. She chooses to live with us. Real life experience speaks louder than what you read on-line or in books.

Beautiful was a Golden Retriever who epitomized the word ‘beautiful’. As a young dog, some of us witnessed her killing a mongoose – before she came to live with us. She ‘veganized’ and her nature grew gentler on a plant diet. When Beautiful was introduced to our rescued rabbit friend, there were three of us in a calm and quiet space. I was in the middle to be sure the introduction went smoothly and it did. Beautiful soon began protecting our rescued rabbits from other dogs that came near. She would let them know with her body language and snarls - to “back off”. We have photos of Poof (the magic rabbit) (smile) jumping on her and playing. Beautiful went from a killer to a protector of rabbits.

Breaking the spirit of a horse is to me, unthinkable…to break their natural expression of freedom. But to break ‘the spirit to kill’ – is thinkable. We experimented in these realms with about 10 or so dogs that we shared life with, plus “rent-a-dogs” (wink), that were all fed a whole foods vegan diet, as well as some commercial vegan kibble. What animals have evolved to do that enabled them to survive in a particular environment is “natural”; but only for that environment. However, our canine companions are no longer in that free-living environment. Does the domesticated dog that has been heavily manipulated by years of selective breeding even resemble a "natural" dog such as a wolf or dingo? They are rescues from the 'system of domestication' and they're living with us. It has been one of my greatest joys to share life with dogs that evolved out of their “natural ancestral diet” to thrive from the plant kingdom.

The facts are in…the proof is in the plant-based pudding…our three decades of living with vegan dogs shows that we have taken our canine cousins along with us for the ride! To me, what seems "natural" is a reality where sentient beings show respect toward other animals who don’t want to be viewed as a commodity for human use. I speak for every animal - without question - nobody wants to be yours or anybody’s next meal; even if you say a blessing or prayer over them or thank them!

Every animal is ‘a somebody’ - a unique individual that should have the basic inherent right to freedom from harm by humans, and even to be helped by humans. It's a speciesist mindset to think that only humans deserves the basic right to freedom from being enslaved, assaulted and sexually assaulted, commodified, tortured, and murdered. Any animal that CAN suffer should have the birth-right not to be made to suffer by humans. This is really elementary stuff...stuff we probably felt as a child but were indoctrinated into believing animals are for human use, much like the thought pattern of women are for men and people of color are for Caucasians; a mentality that needs to be “risen above”.

We and our dogs feel like we rescued each other! Our dog friends are happy, healthy, and hurting no one...isn't that “natural”? So is it unnatural? No more unnatural than a dog eating a cow, or a dog eating cancerous animals, or a canine eating factory-farmed animals out of a tin can, or stealing the breath of life out of one animal to feed another animal. Commercial standard pet food contains slaughterhouse offal, grains considered 'unfit for human consumption' (moldy, for example), waste products including: intestines, udders, heads, hooves, condemned parts rejected for human consumption including 4-D animals (animals used for food that are picked up dead, dying, diseased or disabled) and sometimes cats and dogs that have been euthanized along with the drugs that killed these animals that doesn't cook out, (and turns companion animals into cannibals).

Our canine companions live as long as their counterparts or a bit longer, and they do that without participating in animal exploitation; so I really don't see the argument against it that both non-vegans and vegans maintain. Being considered for the Guinness Book of World Records, is the dog Bramble, that was propelled into her 28th year being fed exclusively organic lentils, brown rice and vegetables; a plant diet. Source: http://dogsinthenews.com/issues/0209/articles/020918a.htm

The Pet Food Institute, the trade association of pet food manufacturers, has acknowledged the use of by-products in pet foods as additional income for processors and farmers: “The growth of the pet food industry not only provided pet owners with better foods for their pets, but also created profitable additional markets for American farm products and for the byproducts of the meat packing, poultry, and other food industries which prepare food for human consumption.” - Pet Food Institute. (Fact Sheet 1994. Washington: Pet Food Institute, 1994.) In other words, when we purchase standard commercial pet food, we are aiding and helping those institutionalized exploiters of animals to increase their profits.

And just because something is "natural" does not mean that it is good. Killing other animals might be natural in the "natural" world, but is it good? Is killing other animals ever good? Killing other animals can be avoided in humans and dogs. There IS an evolutionary process. Not that long ago cannibalism was “the way things are” in New Zealand (where I write to you from) and surrounding islands like Vanuatu. Yesterday’s “natural” is tomorrow’s “unnatural”.

For information on how to successfully feed dogs ‘vegan’, go here:

http://www.veganpoet.com/articles/dogs-can-be-vegan-too.htm

http://gentleworld.org/good-nutrition-for-healthy-vegan-dogs/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWMheRz8wVE

I'M VEGAN AND........fill in the blank.

2011-11-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

In honor of World Vegan Day 2011, I posted this fill in the blank question on Facebook. Here are a plethora of vegan testimonials, pleas, and statements in response.

Jessica Barnett - I'm vegan and I've never felt better!

Leah McKelvie - I'm vegan and antispeciesist.

Toran Tanner - I'm vegan and love it.

Tracey Chiancola - I'm vegan and I'm hoping you will become vegan too.

Janne Högström - I'm vegan and never felt better, both mentally and physically. Join me!

Bridget Vegan-Is Love - I am vegan and AWAKE! ♥

Rich Lysloff - I'm vegan and wish everyone else was too!

Alexa Reed - I'm Vegan and Catholic.

Sharon Prymaka - I'm vegan and reborn.

Rhea Parsons - I'm Vegan and prouder than I've ever been in my life!

Jillian A Mills - I'm vegan and Sexy! and....it's the best decision I've ever made in my life.

Urosh Sredojevich - I am a vegan and a freethinker.

Shannon Tweedie - I'm vegan and it is NOT a tedious concept to grasp, and I embraced justice for animals as soon as I learned about it. I wish others would stop hesitating and do the same!

Monica V Lucas - I'm vegan and I wish everyone were.

Christopher Boot - I'm vegan and that will never be enough.

Heidi Woodruff - I'm vegan and you should be too! It's easy, it's better for you and better for the planet - but most importantly it's the morally right thing to do.

Tierra Chapman - I'm vegan and‎ animals are my bliss, and I simply refuse to be a part of the misery that they suffer!

Liza Moore-Vegan - I'm vegan and live a guilt free life!

Karen V Sibert - I'm vegan and Happy.

Michal A. Kessler - I'm vegan and I having a searing desire to help others awaken, and to not only eat vegan, but to LIVE vegan a well.

Robert Ribic - I'm vegan and I love all and everything.

Emmy James - I'm vegan and it was the best decision I've ever made.

Tanya Verrall - I'm vegan and I hope you come and join me... then we can all feel this great!

Savannah Kronson Bach - I'm Vegan and enlightened in a very dark world!

Barbara Huning - I'm vegan and I'm bending the arc of history towards justice!

Missy VeganOddity - I'm vegan and it made me the person I was meant to be and I can't imagine not living this way!

Jarek VeganSpirit Zawisza - I'm vegan and no one is harmed.

Alan O'Reilly - I'm vegan and vegans rock!

Stephanie Marie Heckman - I'm vegan and I'm a REAL animal lover.

Vera Cristofani - I'm vegan and I recommend everybody to be just to all animals as well.

Alice Schmalice - I'm vegan and there's no going back EVAH!

Michael Tiedemann - I'm vegan and have never been happier knowing that I am not contributing to the exploitation of non-human animals and that I am making a difference in the world. Oh, and the health benefits are just a bonus.

Nerida V Monk - I am vegan and I was born vegan. It just took me a while to figure that out!

Diane Gandee Sorbi - I'm vegan and once you know the truth, it's the only ethical choice.

Janet Weeks - I'm vegan and I don't care who knows it!

SavannahVegan Kronson Bach - I'm vegan and I love everybody else who is one too! Bless each and every one of you on this thread!

Ele Goudreau - I'm vegan and I wish I could do even more to end the suffering of animals.

Lindsey Sanders - I'm vegan and it feels completely normal and good.

Leah Waters - I'm vegan and I haven't doubted my decision for a second.

Kenneth Butland - I'm vegan and animals are my friends.

Megan TheVegan - I'm vegan and I'd give anything to stop the murder of innocent animals.

Sue Ⓥ Rivers - I'm vegan and if you knew what I know, you'd be vegan too!

Susan Gallagher Cassidy-Ray - I'm vegan and it is the very least one can do to end animal exploitation.

James Nottingham - I'm vegan and I am in it for the long haul, and if I stumble, I will get up and keep on going.

Rex Tyler - I'm vegan and I live to love the animals that be, murdered in the wretched world thats known as Planet E.

Alex Corrigan - I'm vegan and compassionate.

Alastaur Daly - I'm vegan and I respect other sentient beings and their right to life and freedom.

Phillip Dolittle - I'm vegan and compassionate, sexy and cruelty-free!

Barry Taylor - I'm vegan and don't understand why everyone isn't!

Vanessa Earthchild - I'm vegan and wish veganism wasn't called a diet and wish more people respected human and other animals and tried to limit harming them. I am happy I had my eyes opened to the many ways we harm others.

Tom McCracken - I'm vegan and filled with LOVE for ALL.

Pearl Lotus - I'm vegan and so - being - the change we want to see in the world - justice, peace, equity, respect, kindness.. and abundance, within thriving ecosystems.

John Bussineau - I'm vegan and able to sleep better at night knowing I am doing the "right" thing for my self, animals, and the planet.

Ignatz Ziller II - I'm vegan and Loving it ♥

Adriana Jones - I'm vegan and it's the least that I could do.

LouiseVegan Osh - I'm vegan and I will help change the course of our civilization.

Quincy Vegann Kirsch - I'm vegan and 'out and proud'. I only wish I had been born vegan. Actually in a way I was, so I wish I had been raised vegan so I would have nothing to be ashamed of. And because I believe in Justice for all.

Cheyenne Bradley - I'm vegan and thus am the change I wish to see in the world!

Sue Henderson - I'm vegan and I couldn't possibly be any other way.

Sarah C Panullo - I'm vegan and guilt free. :)

Isobella Geneva Merritts - I'm vegan and evolving into the best I can be.

Charlotte Mussman - I'm vegan and it's the best thing I have ever done for my life, for my health, and for the animals around the world, and for human kind! GO VEGAN on this day and everyday: WORLD VEGAN DAY!

Judith V Barnes - I'm vegan and so are you. You just don't know it yet.

Brandon Becker - I'm vegan and straight edge.

Brandon Becker - I'm vegan and oppose speciesism.

Brandon Becker - I'm vegan and desire animal liberation.

Danny VeganBatman Nichols - I'm vegan and concerned the word vegan is quickly becoming the new vegetarian.

Marty Deason-Fahling - I'm vegan and I feel good!

Elemental Cow - I'm vegan and it opened my eyes. And while it gave me peace of mind to know I no longer am part of the torture and murder of sentient beings, I myself am tortured by this knowledge. Therefore, it is now my duty to help put an end to this culture; it has become a part of me.

M Butterflies Katz - I'm vegan and see it as basic minimal decency shown towards other sentient animals.

Cheyenne Bradley - I am vegan and living and breathing it - every single day, it is who I am, for the animals, the environment and people.

McKenna Grace Fisher - I'm vegan and I will always fight for the lives of all sentient beings until I draw my last breath!

Kim Frost - I am vegan and intensely proud to be so - a loud voice for our fellow companions on the planet and Mother Earth herself. I will be a proud vegan until the day I die! Love Love Love!

Vegano Martin - I'm vegan and practice meditation.

Jenn V Keller-Lowe - I'm vegan and I wish the rest of world could see through our eyes..peace ♥

Kelly Carson - I'm vegan and I know it's just not enough.

Megan TheVegan Wilmore - I'm vegan and EMPOWERED!

Sue Tupper - I'm vegan and I've never looked back.

Daniela Carvalho - I am Vegan and I work spreading veganism! Hoping one day Everyone will be!!

Salim Andreas Piro Khan - I'm vegan and green.

Hulya Johnson - I am Vegan and I am human being with COMPASSION for All Animals! I am Vegan simply because I won't fund violence, rape and murder.

Ashleigh Mott - I'm vegan and I'm all for peace and justice for all living things, but just wishing for it and wanting it won't make it happen. It's going to take action! We've got to make people aware, and never stop making them aware. We've got to take the issues to the people and make them understand their seriousness. We've got to really be willing to fight for what we believe!

Ana Campos - I'm vegan and I'm personally defining following a vegan diet without actively advocating on behalf of animals, as simply a diet change. It just isn't enough. Potlucks are cute. Protests are powerful.

Kenneth Butland - I'm vegan and If one is leading others to veganism then one is part of a movement. If every vegan influenced one other person to become vegan per year then critical mass would be reached within years.

Wayne Adey - I'm vegan and better for it.

Scott V Frizlen - I'm vegan and I've never gone back, and I never will. And I won't change this for anyone ever!

Raphael Hunter Reyes - I'm vegan and I poop more frequently than before.

Matt V Peake - I'm vegan and angry!

Laura Beth Bamberger - I'm vegan and what else needs to be said? That says more about me than anything else I could add.

Jen V Earthling - I'm vegan and wish I could DO more!

Holy V Bliss - I'm vegan and my greatest wish is that humananity will shift into regarding the nonhuman animals as their equals and treat them and each other with respect to create a sustainable world in which all can live peacefully.

Grace Lorraine - I'm vegan and if you want to discover your own reason to become a passionate, abolitionist, vegan activist.... let's spend some time together!

Anita Vegan-Mahdessian - I'm vegan and an abolitionist. I'm against corrupt governments, religions, enslaving traditions and doctrines. I want total liberation for all beings from any kind of suppressions.

Jo McVegan - I am vegan. HEAR ME ROAR!

Helen Ann Nicholas - I am vegan and want peace and no more cruelty for all living creatures. It hurts me every day to see what happens in the world.

Gary Loewenthal - I'm vegan and it would be my honor and privilege to help you become vegan.

Davegan Raza - I'm Vegan and wish it had happened many, many years ago.

Michaela Österlund - I'm vegan and I wish everyone else was too.

Anne Walker - I am vegan and I practice Ahimsa, cruelty-free foods, animal rights activism, vegan advocacy, justice for all living beings, compassion for all living beings, peace, daily walks with my companion animal, daily yoga exercises, regular visits with family and friends, reaching out to others in need, being helpful, kind and considerate to everyone I meet. Namaste!

Danielle Hawley - I'm vegan and don't understand why people who know what it means, aren't vegan too.

Sos Orangutans - I'm vegan and green ~ For the animals, the environment, other people... The Earth. ~ ♥

Alicia Sangineti - I am a vegan and I am grateful not to be an accomplice of so much injustice, never again.

Emma Attwell - I am vegan and I'm bloody pissed at the rest of the world!

Kellie Fuller - I'm vegan and it has made me more conscious of life and how my actions affect others around me - animals and people alike.

Renee Marie LaPlume - I'm vegan and I wish the world would share my view and embrace and promote it, and that the lifestyle was all around me so that my heart could finally open and my love pour out, safely, as this world is not a safe place right now.

Elizabeth Collins - I am vegan, why aren't you?

How has being vegan affected your mental health?

2011-10-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Once again, we see that vegans come in a variety of perspectives and "takes on life" including the subject of 'veganism relating to mental health'. Here we have a diverse range of responses to the question 'How has being vegan affected your mental health?'

Nicola - "Literally NEVER been happier."

Annette - "It has made me aware of things I never used to bother thinking of. Overall it has made me look at things more critically and make decisions for myself. I am happy to know I can be part of the solution instead of the problem."

Kelly - "I feel better about myself and more in tuned with nature and animals. However, existing in a world where most people are not vegans and not compassionate to animals is very difficult. I see things very differently now, and it is hard to understand how they cannot even when I present them with so much information. Also, the realization that animals continue to suffer despite my choice is difficult."

Isabel - "I'm totally aware of the things happening around the world. I feel more congruent than ever!"

Kerry - "My conscience is definitely clearer but my heart hurts much more knowing the truth."

Elizabeth - "We have been born into a world that has gone insane with violence against its most defenseless members."

Gary - "I feel much more connected to nonhuman animals, and strangely to my human brethren also even though their attitudes and actions often horrify me. This connection brings great joy as well as new kinds of pain, but it is incomparably more preferable than isolation and ignorance."

Leah - "On the negative side, I've become more mentally agitated and it's harder for me to keep my emotions under control because I'm constantly aware of what's at stake. On the positive side, it's made me more aware of and sensitive to a lot of other social issues and has led me to understand intersectionality and the entanglements of oppression. It's also made me learn about the cultural and cognitive biases that affect our thinking and behavior, so it's made me more sympathetic towards others. I have a greater concern and respect for human animals now, too."

Jo - "I have a clear conscience because I am not partaking in animal cruelty, however that constant awareness of violence and suffering weighs heavy on my mind every day."

Dan - "I’ve matured tremendously since going vegan, intellectually and emotionally. The reason is that I’ve lost my incredibly naive view of the world. I used to wonder how things like genocides could go on for years while everyone knows about it, and socially-sanctioned slavery could go on for decades. It never made sense to me. But now, after 8 years of advocacy, it makes perfect sense. The emotional maturity has come from a need to accept people and the nastiest and most vile shit they can apathetically vomit up, morally speaking. The intellectual maturity has come from countless hours of book study and debate about ethics. Overall, this has helped to really strengthen me mentally and emotionally. It’s much easier to weather storms (like the death of a friend, and things like that) that I would have thought very difficult 10 years ago."

Monica - "It's pretty bittersweet for me. Becoming vegan, I felt I had arrived at a place I'd been craving to be all of my life without even knowing it (wish I'd known decades ago)...but the outrageous things we do against animals (and people) have grown into an obsessive need to educate - and at the same time I realize that I had to live vegan in order to really comprehend our connection with all things, and that the people I attempt to educate have NO understanding of what I'm really saying to them. I can show them factory farming, or seal culling, or animal testing, and they are offended by the graphic violence and the fact that I would bring them such negativity - yet they can't even see that they are the ones perpetuating the industries by their consumerism - it's mind-boggling to me from this perspective that they react in that manner rather than immediately pledging not to partake any more...as good people, they must be torn, but refuse to acknowledge that there is another way. This is my experience...and to find that in the last few decades the acceleration of complete and utter genocide against any animals that a profit can be made from, without any regard to their sentience or pain, makes me feel so helpless - my mental clarity is excellent now, yet my feelings of the futility of the future is overwhelming. What humanity is doing against the very nature that sustains us all goes beyond the animals - it's as if evil presides over our planet. It's hard to be loving and sweet to someone who doesn't want to be bothered with the truth, when every millisecond of every day another animal is being neglected, abused, tortured, chained for life in a box, skinned alive, boiled alive, carved up alive, vivisected, made to die a slow and agonizing death - all for humans. And I know that I'll never stop trying. I have developed the thick skin of one on a mission. Do I need a shrink?" lol

Sally - "I've become much more independent and make more of an effort to find things out about society. I no longer accept what the majority tell us but would rather read around the subject before coming to a decision on my OWN view of a situation/issue etc. I feel more motivated to help move society forward too, as I have found that there are so many amazing and inspiring people who want to work together to make a positive change. Before I only ever heard about the worst and was so dis-empowered. Now I am empowered. I have learnt that we have an obligation to ALL others to make sure that we respect their lives and that we can actually do something about it!"

Alexa - "It gave meaning to my life."

Bridget - "It really opened my eyes and showed me what reality is..."

Urosh - "Being vegan hasn’t affected my mental health but it did change how I see the world."

Diane - "For most of my adult life, I suffered from bouts of depression. I'd come to accept it as a chronic, genetic condition. I became vegan about 15 months ago, and I haven't been depressed one day since. I have been sad, of course, and angry, especially when thinking about all the cruelty and suffering animals endure, but it's different now. It's based on external conditions, as opposed to a feeling of hopelessness and malaise that often existed even when all was going well. I really believe that when we eat animal products, we absorb their pain and suffering into our own bodies. As much as I like to think I didn't know any better all those years, I'm sure that on some level I always knew what I was doing was wrong. I'm now involved in advocacy and outreach, and it's very empowering. I choose to believe we will see a vegan world someday, and I'm really looking forward to attending that party!

Brandon - "Never been happier choosing to live by my conscience rather than follow others into consuming without thinking as animal-exploiting corporations want us to do."

Lai - "I've been vegan for almost 2 years but I already improved compared to before when I kept ignoring my conscience and the immense sense that things can't be like this. I used to sleep crying when I was very young after seeing how awful some people live and die in war-torn nations and I hated knowing and seeing animals are getting abused and slaughtered, but I got used to being numb like almost everyone so I just accepted it as "life". People tell us that life is about helping, sharing, letting others live in peace, etc. - but I saw how meaningless those words are when we live in a non-vegan world. I'm learning to use my increased sense of justice and compassion through meaningful interactions with people. Even though it's just sad that people are oblivious to the hell we've created, having sanity and getting back my sensitivity to insanity, is like leaving that world and makes feelings of despair momentary because I'm motivated to spread the awareness. I can already put aside my annoyance for ignorance knowing that I was once ignorant too and have been tackling discussions without being hyper-sensitive. I'm being emotionally healthy when I keep in mind that education is the key to motivate people into changing for good. It's not always easy and I've made some mistakes early on that prevented me from getting my points across, so I'm just trying to focus my activism with the open-minded public because I know that our voices will be loud and strong when more people become vegan. As an added benefit I have better memory. I don't have to put much effort in concentrating on reading or learning something new like self-defense techniques and other technical things and I wanna learn just about anything like guitar or how to fix a car, and I can beat my gamer boyfriend in his own games because I've become tactical, it's been fun having some brain cells come back to life."

Jennifer - "I am very happy not being ignorant but can sometimes feel overwhelmed with sadness realizing that most humans lack compassion."

Dan - "I'm still insane, so all is good here. Actually I've developed a super power... I can burst into self-combustion. But it's a power I can only do once so I'm saving it for a special occasion."

Chelsea - "It hasn't."

Tanya - "No "mad cows" disease here! No mental health issues whatsoever.... in fact - I feel brilliant and my mind has never been clearer."

Shelly - "That's a huge question with a rather endless answer. Upon my discovery of what animals feel and experience due to mankind's cruelty, I thought I would never stop crying... The documentary EARTHLINGS literally tore into my soul...I still grieve quite openly at times, when faced with the realities of torture...But when this is not foremost on my mind, I have a sense of inner peace, which I have never experienced before. I am connected to my surroundings. I feel a oneness with the planet. It's as if I've discovered a spirituality inside myself, of which I never knew existed."

Krissie - "Being Vegan has made me step out of my comfort zone (doing something different than what everyone else around me seems not to be doing). Once I've done that, it took courage and me standing alone to make the right compassionate, ethical choice .. WOW.. life is liberating when you have the courage to do the right thing! Trying new recipes, opposite of how I was raised, is new and exciting every single day! Being conscious, more aware, and in the present, plus living the truth is the best life anyone can live! Turning a blind eye to the cruelty and the truth and pushing denial fences up was NOT a healthy way to live. Blindsided by media and not asking questions is downright stupid. Making these changes for the healthfulness of my children is the best gift I can give them. Because I LOVE my children is why the change came easier for me. But yes, my heart pains every single day for the animals that I cannot save. Now that I am awakened to the gruesome facts. I hope to always be a voice and advocate for the misfortunate."

Melissa - "I am definitely liberated. I cannot tell you how wonderful I feel knowing that what I cook does not cause harm to another living, sentient creature. That in of itself, is AMAZING! My conscience is clear."

Ken - "I have no idea. One would have to control for a great many other factors in one's life to answer that question."

Eriyah - "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi. I truly love living in alignment with my beliefs. I knew early in life that mine would be uncommon, that I would trade self interest in having/raising my own child, for that of hopefully developing a better world. Indeed, I have endeavored on an epic adventure and discovered along the way the most delicious and amazing food, as well as cultures and peoples I would have likely never otherwise discovered. That said, the awareness of what horrors are still happening, every minute, of every day, the gravity of the Herculean odyssey ahead of us, meeting with full force the inexhaustibly disparate sparing and snipes of speciesism, wading through the marginal options in finding a compatible life partner, all have their place too in my mind, so clearly, it isn't a perpetual bowl of cherries. That is probably a fairly common woe. I do frequently negotiate a myriad of mindsets including visceral rage and soul crushing sorrow that comes with the territory of looking behind the carefully woven curtain of our collective deception. I have seen places and acts I never, ever, want to see, smell, hear, taste, touch or think on, in any way, again, yet I am haunted. While I have much yet to learn, and I have stumbled, I have still grown through my experiences and, I have awakened. One thing, however, is certain, that is likely quite common in our small, yet expanding, vegan community, is, that I LIVE my life, to the fullest, with an awesomely, unstoppable sense of purpose, and with a deep and transparent connection to others that gives me tremendous sense of fulfillment, enough of which to squelch or transform what- ever seething, despair or loneliness I feel, into something, much more productive and meaningful than myself, and that is a truly powerful experience. Mine is a life lived of searing, bold, passion, and I suspect, that precious few people live such a richly driven life. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." "Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, Is it politic? Vanity asks the question, Is it popular? But conscience asks the question, Is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right." Dr Martin Luther King Jr., 1929-1968 In solidarity, I salute you, my fellow vanguards for non-violence and the pursuit of social justice; we shall prevail, or die trying! Love life, live vegan!"

Stephanie - "I used to feel guilty about knowing that I was exploiting and harming animals in my personal life. I feel like I can finally interact with ALL animals without guilt!

Danny - I can honestly say that having been beaten as a child, then joining the work force only to bounce from job to job and endure asshole boss after asshole boss, then stumbling upon veganism and realizing how messed up this culture really is, that I have never really fully attained "mental health". To attain mental health, one must be totally free, and none of us are 100% free in this herding culture. And my conscience is certainly not free. None of our consciences should be free; not while this is happening on our watches and we know about it. I wonder how hard the animals in cages right now would fight for me if our situations were reversed? I wonder if they would sign petitions or take up arms and fight for my freedom, having known themselves the position I am in? No, my conscience is not clear. I am more pissed off than I have ever been. I want to DO MORE. I want to SAY MORE. I want to BURN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS DOWN. A lot of people feel the same way I do, but are afraid to say it. What's holding them back? Governments, laws, and the vegans who think governments are "good". No, they are not good. They are PROTECTING THE ABUSERS; PROTECTING THE ENSLAVERS; PROTECTING THE MURDERERS. I am very happy to no longer be participating in the madness, but I am mad as hell that the madness continues every second of every day. A big part of why the insanity continues is because it is protected by a monopoly of guns and power (governments), and too many are afraid to break away from the herd known as "we the people"; A herd created to keep people enslaved, so those in power can in turn keep other species enslaved. Break free people! Start seeing OPPRESSION IN ALL IT'S FORMS!"

Judith - "In one word? - Positively."

Ellie - "I love myself more than ever. I look in the mirror and see clearer eyes, a better complexion, a softening. I feel lighter, in every way. I live intentionally, which for me means, lifting my vibration through living with utter awareness, and deep caring for all things that have consciousness/life. Love is the impulse of evolution which expands life. Everything is the same spirit watching itself through the observers of others. To love yourself fully, you wouldn't want to harm yourself through ingesting violence. The two don't go together, which in my opinion is one of the reasons for the demise of our planet. You cannot trust yourself if your carryng the violence of another soul within your being. Love take many forms, Veganism is a great expressions of love for self and all things sacred. These things, love, spirit, non-violence improve our mental health."

Emma - "I have suffered from depression and OCD since I was a child. I went vegan 5 years ago. I found it relieved feelings of guilt and helped me feel good about myself, but I still struggle sometimes with depression."

Heidi - "At first going vegan was somewhat jarring for me, I had always been someone who was "part of the crowd" and followed the rules and did what everyone expected. When I woke up and decided to go vegan I suddenly realized that what I believed was radically different to my friends and family. I felt very alone in my beliefs - but no less committed. Once I decided to become friends with lots of other vegans on Facebook (still only know a handful in real life) I felt a lot better."

Monica - "I was much happier when I was a clueless, ignorant carnist (including my many years as a vegetarian) than I have been since waking up and fully understanding the horrific truth about animal agriculture and other forms of oppression, enslavement, and murder of our fellow Earthlings of all species. I don't think that real happiness is possible for me in such a world. Knowing the truth regarding our treatment of others and knowing that the overwhelming majority of humans will NEVER care or do anything to change their complicity in the genocide leaves me sad, lonely, and with no hope for any real peace on this planet as long as our species is still around. Whoever coined the phrase "ignorance is bliss" was dead on."

Stephanie - "I definitely would say I've suffered from PTSD from things I've seen in my life starting out with watching in horror as our family cow was murdered, the deer that had been hunted, etc....I've seen a lot and it made me go veg at 10 yrs old and vegan when I was 19. My mind and heart will always be affected by the awful abuse animals go through, but it makes me fight harder for their rights."

Flavia - "I suppose you mean emotional health? Emotionally, I'm more tender and naked than ever. I've always been sensitive, but veganism brought me to an even deeper level of sensitivity - and awareness - which is a good thing, I welcomed it. I only regret I didn't open to veganism many years earlier, but see that it took however long it needed to take, and I'm just appreciative that it did. There is sorrow for me rather than depression, a very different emotional experience for me than depression, because it feels more active and outward, where depression is a caving into myself - a giving up. I feel the sadness, and I grieve, but I keep it moving - I let it become anger, even moments of rage, which is healthier, stronger than depression. There's also a lot of frustration and bewilderment as well, and all these emotions are draining, so I try my best to stay balanced every day with humor and exercise and action. I feel more tender, but at the same time stronger than I ever was before. I know I'm tapped into the truth, and I'm eternally appreciative of that! I would just like more people to join me, and I wish I could hasten their way to veganism."

I Believe.....

2011-10-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

I believe in Ahimsa and that we have no right to harm other animals. I believe in abolitionism and that we have no right to use and enslave other animals. I believe in nonspeciesism and that we have no right to unfair and irrelevant prejudice towards a victim based on species membership. I believe in 'Reverence for Life' and that we have no right to disrespect others as in exploiting, assaulting, enslaving, and killing. I believe in 'Animal Rights' and that we have no right to deny any sentient animal the fundamental right of bodily integrity from human harm or ownership - as we give to all human animals, but need to extend to all other species of feeling, breathing, conscious animals, too.

I believe in picking fresh vegetables or tree-ripened-offered fruit, and that we have no right to steal our food by believing that Auschwitz-type-factory-farmed and barbaric slaughterhouse-sourced animal flesh and secretions are food fit for consumption. Animals are not food. I believe in Truth and that we have no right to wrong others or the planet that sustains all life. I believe in the Golden Rule and that we have no right to do to other animals that which we would not want done to us.

I believe in Love and that we have no right to exemplify such a lack of love towards other creatures; especially those who would never think of harming us. Humans oppress the helpless – because they can - not because they have to.

I believe in Evolution and that we have no right to hinder its progress of achieving a more civilized way of living on Earth. I believe in Peace and that we have no right to inflict violence on anyone. I believe in the Vegan Ideal and that we have no right to do anything but to try to live up to it as best we can. Yes, I'm a believer.

Dr. Doolittle - If I Could Talk To The Animals Lyrics

2011-10-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

If we could talk to the animals, just imagine it ...

chatting to a chimp in chimpanzee

Imagine talking to a tiger, chatting to a cheetah

What a neat achievement that would be.

If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages

Maybe take an animal degree.

We'd study elephant and eagle, buffalo and beagle,

Alligator, guinea pig, and flea.

We would converse in polar bear and python,

And we could curse in fluent kangaroo.

If people asked us, can you speak in rhinoceros,

We'd say, "Of courserous, can't you?"

If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages

Think of all the things we could discuss

If we could walk with the animals, talk with the animals,

Grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals,

And they could squeak and squawk and speak and talk to us.

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/d/drdoolittlelyrics/ificouldtalktotheanimalslyrics.html#.To8MnAWmmdQ.blogger

THEY DO HAVE FEELINGS, TOO!

2011-10-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

They do have feelings, too!

All animals, all species

Become vegan to show basic respect

for other animals.

It's a matter of justice.

It's a moral imperative.

It's for everybody.

It's humanity's next evolution - towards

a more civilized way of living, and

the hope for our planet and all it's inhabitants.

Interview with a Vegan

2011-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

PLEASE SHARE WITH POTENTIAL VEGANS

2011-09-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

What initially inspired you to become vegan?

Valerie St. Denis - I looked into Daisy's eyes (my dog) and realized the meat on my plate might as well have been her. I looked into Jame's eyes (my cat) and realized my cleaning products could have been squirt into his eyes. I looked into Buck's eyes (my other cat) and realized that my nice leather jacket might as well have been him. I looked into my own eyes and realized my true nature was to live as a true vegan and have not looked back.

Rachel V Hoyt - Why I went vegan originally... When I was 15 years old (1981), I went to a fair. I walked into a tent where there was a full body pig roast on the table. His/her eyes were looking right at me. There was an apple shoved in their mouth; as their meat was being cut from the back. I ran outside balling my eyes out; gasping for air. My friend had to calm me down; which was nearly impossible. I became a vegetarian then; but continued eating fish and dairy. Fish soon followed after trying to follow a recipe and the fish died stuck to the pan. Five years ago I went to another fair and they happened to show a ‘milking a cow’ demonstration. They treated the cow like a robot. They hooked her udders up to metal rods; which were attached to a machine where her milk was stolen at full speed. After that they showed how they hose her down; sterilizing her so she wouldn't get infected. I thought how cruel it was of them to put her into that predicament in the first place… also knowing that she was artificially impregnated, year after year, to produce that milk. Meanwhile her babies (calves) were killed for veal; so that humans could selfishly have the milk instead. This made me angry so... I proudly became a vegan. Got rid of all leather/silk/ wool cloths and accessories; changed to all vegan products, buy nothing that is tested on animals, and love love love vegan food. Even cheese grosses me out now, and I used to love it. Vegan alternatives are so much better… and no body gets hurt.

Cindy Taffel - For as long as I can remember I’ve said to myself and others, “I could probably be a vegetarian if only I knew how to cook that way. I’m an athlete. How can I possibly get enough protein?” Those were my excuses. I now realize that I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to see the truth. One month ago I saw a 12 minute clip from “Farm to Fridge” and it all made sense. I was no longer blind to the horrific ways in which we use and abuse animals. I no longer felt that I was giving up or sacrificing anything at all. Being Vegan is the very least I can do. One cannot un-see something. For me, that is all it took. I want the world to see the truth.

Deborah Prophet - I stopped eating flesh 26 years ago at age 11 when I realised 'meat' meant death. Only up until a year ago I started befriending vegans on Facebook and within two weeks, my husband and our two young sons, and I became vegans. I read so many reports and watched so much footage that it was no longer an option to consume, wear or use products that were a direct result of severe loss, suffering and pain. It was the best decision all of us have ever made and I am so grateful for all the knowledge and support that is so readily available to anyone and everyone who opens their eyes, heart and mind.

Alexa Reed - I became a vegetarian when I was 16, not long after I had first heard the word. I remember thinking that if we ate animals when we didn't have to, it seemed especially barbaric. For nearly 20 years, I supported PETA, Greenpeace, and WWF. Not one of them told me that as a vegetarian, I was still supporting animal deaths and environmental degradation. When the ‘Vegetarian Food for Thought’ podcast made that clear to me, I spent most of the work day online researching Veganism, buying cookbooks, printing articles, and listening to more podcasts. It was without a doubt the easiest and fastest decision I have ever made, and it proved to be the best. I regret only that I didn't do it sooner.

Lai Sityar - I grew up in Manila and even in that urban area animal cruelty is highly exposed. I saw pigs getting slaughtered, dogs getting eaten, cockfighting etc. People are so desensititized, just as with any animal harming agricultural areas everywhere, but it got to me and yet I toughened myself up and tried to block it from getting to me. I went to New York in my teens and learned about people who don't eat meat, tried it but I decided it was too hard so it didn't last. Years later I worked at Whole Foods but always saw veganism as a diet, I had two co-workers who said they were vegan for the animals but one ate eggs and the other one ice cream so I was more confused about the why's of it all. Being on the internet I eventually saw the Abolitionist Approach website and and met lots of vegans through twitter and later on facebook, and I became vegan after finally seeing that our fellow animals are not ours to use. Now I know the importance of vegan education and met many vegans and pre-vegans in Manila over the internet; I know now I'm not the weird one as being vegan is innate in everyone.

Michelle Burroughs – I was vegetarian most of my life, until I saw footage of a mother cow howling after her baby was taken away. It broke my heart and now I’m vegan and happier than ever.

Diane Gandee Sorbi - I decided to become vegan after reading articles and watching videos that some friends had posted. I wish I could say it happened overnight, but it didn't. At first I focused on how difficult I thought it would be. I'd have to give up favorite foods, risk being considered an oddball at social gatherings, etc. My conscience was being drowned out by my own selfish wants. I say wants, not needs, because no one needs animal products. I was rapidly losing respect for myself. I finally decided that with every bite I took of an animal product, I was agreeing it was okay to pay someone to torture and murder innocent sentient beings for me. I could no longer live my life with blinders on. The day I committed to becoming vegan, I experienced such an amazing sense of peace. There is no feeling quite as freeing as knowing you are finally living your life in alignment with your values.

Danny Nichols - I went vegan for the ethics of not wanting to unnecessarily do harm to other animals. I say unnecessarily because I grew up like most people thinking we just had to eat them for health's sake. All the other ways we use other species was just suppressed into the deep recesses of my brain. One day while looking up vegetarian nutrition information for a new vegetarian friend of mine at the local library, I stumbled upon the ‘Meet Your Meat’ video, and was absolutely appalled, and that is when the "switch just went on". I walked out of the library that day very angry and never wanting to harm another animal again. That was over 4 years ago and my only regret is that I didn't allow myself to discover the Truth sooner. Coming from a hunting & fishing family and having done direct killing myself, I am so happy that I will never again be directly or indirectly part of this crazy culture that Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, has dubbed "the herding culture". I am now an abolitionist, anti-speciesist vegan/Animal Rights Activist, which to me is what it means to be truly vegan.

Cully Miller - I don't remember the exact moment I went vegan - it was a natural progression of my continuing education. I do remember the moment I went vegetarian though. I always had problems with eating any identifiable meat (either by name or visual evidence), but NOT eating meat just never occurred to me. I hated vegetables - probably because they were always just plopped on my plate in a plain "eat this disgusting food" way. I saw a news story about a Peta member who legally changed his name to kentuckyfriedcruelty.com to raise awareness. I thought that was insane... insane enough that it deserved a look. I never ate meat again. I immediately called a friend to help me buy a juicer because I was going to have to hold my nose and drink my veggies - even hired a nutritionist to go grocery shopping with me and teach me about how to start this lifestyle. She swore to me that my taste buds would change in about 6 weeks. I would have bet every cent I had that she was talking out her ass. Sure enough, I came to crave veggies. The more I learned, the more videos I watched, I came to understand what happens in the dairy/egg industry and went (dietary) vegan a year later. And then began replacing furniture, belts, and shoes with cruelty-free options, as needed. When I die, on my gravestone, I don't want the typical "loving son, father, husband" stuff - just my name, dates, and one word - Vegan. One word says everything you need to know about me.

Butterflies, M. 'Butterflies' Katz - I became vegan after reading the eloquent words of H. Jay Dinshah in the Ahimsa Magazine; the original magazine of the American Vegan Society. The Dinshah's brought veganism over from the U.K.; where it originated. I specifically was reading about the horror of the dairy industry, when it all clicked that I didn't want to participate in animal exploitation. I rid my closet of leather, I sourced vegan toiletries and cosmetics (hard back then), and my diet was free of any animal-derivatives. I grew from there. The next step was I had to stop working in an establishment where I was serving fish to other people. Step by step, making stands and reaching a new ledge of veganism, continued. Nearly 34 years later, I am still inspired by many in the movement and my philosophy has expanded. I stopped eating meat when I was 12 when I learned that “meat” was a dead animal. My path has always been motivated by the fact that I love and respect other animals. I respect all animal’s inherent right not to be harmed by humans; because we use animals unnecessarily. I’m living proof of that statement. My rescued animal friends are also fed vegan (yes they are happy and healthy and live long wonderful lives), and I try to eat from vegan-organic gardens. Veganism is a guiding star.

Carlos Oliveira - I went vegan simply because I realised I could not find a valid logical reason as to why I should eat, wear or use animals.

TheEvolved Stopthebarbarism - I am vegan because to not be vegan is to enslave, rape, torture and murder. I am not a slave master, a rapist, a sadist or a murderer. If you are not vegan, you are all these things. All non human animals are beautiful, remarkable beings. Our treatment of them is obscene, perverted and wholly immoral. We do this to them because we are sick bullies and we know they cannot defend themselves. If a pure definition of evil exists, surely it is how we treat our non human cousins. As long as we hurt them and destroy them, we will hurt and destroy ourselves. We are all animals together. We ARE them. If I can paraphrase an ‘Evolve Campaigns’ poster: I am vegan because I want to fight the REAL war on terror.

David Scott - I was always told that all it took for evil to triumph was for good people to stand by and do nothing. It was a call to arms for moral courage, the courage to stand up against wrong-doing, and I always thought that meant positive action by me against someone else, someone doing something bad. Now while I was thinking about that I got around to thinking about another popular phrase, "Knowledge is power." That may well be the case but it seemed to me that before it is anything else, knowledge is responsibility, responsibility to act and self-knowledge is the greatest responsibility of all. It is very hard to think of oneself as an evil person; that is why most people are content to blame the meat and dairy industries for their weaknesses. But follow my logic - if I become aware of just how badly our fellow earthlings are treated by these industries (I did) and I become aware of just how healthy and strong you can be on a plant-based diet (I did and I am) how could I possibly continue to think of myself as a good person if I could not change my diet and lifestyle habits (because that's all that they were: just habits, not dependencies). Knowledge is power; the power to act - good people acting is the first step to a better world. I took the step. I am a vegan.

Urosh Sredojevich - There isn’t a one thing which compelled me to go vegan. It was a journey. My brother became a pescatarian (he ate fish) and brought some pamphlets about animal flesh. That got me thinking. I read somewhere about veganism and went to websites to see what it is. But I heard stories that being vegan isn’t healthy and I thought I couldn’t do it, so I became a vegetarian. All that time while I was vegetarian I was thinking if it’s wrong to eat animal flesh, then why is it ok to eat dairy products and eggs. But I convinced myself that what I was doing was enough. Almost a year after I became a vegetarian, my conscience wouldn’t leave me alone. So I did a test. I didn’t drink milk for three weeks and saw I can live without it. And I thought if I can live without milk then I can live without other animal products. My conscience didn’t allow me to continue to be a direct participant of exploitation of nonhuman animals. So I became a vegan.

Ruth Hawe - I went vegan aged 16 (1971) after I discovered yoga and the philosophy of ahimsa or harmlessness, and realised that it was totally unnecessary to exploit or kill animals in order to live. I was always an animal lover so that was it for me - instantaneous conversion, despite my family's lack of support.......so until I left home I lived on wheat-germ and high protein baby cereal plus the vegetables from family meals. In those days most food was not properly labeled so I had to make everything myself, including bread, and nobody knew what a vegan was. So - those newbies who complain - you have no idea :)

Ellie Perry - It was the beginning of this year, I already had stopped eating red meat years ago and was probably quite healthy, into yoga, meditation etc. I have always loved animals, enjoyed their company and worked with them which I do to this day. I had been on Fb and met a few animal rights friends as well as environmentalist, and came across Earthlings. I sat down to watch.....that was where the change occurred. Sometime into it I stopped the movie, went and sat outside and cried and cried. My soul hurt. I couldn’t believe the violence I’d just seen. It made me nauseous and sick to my stomach. I actually think I was in shock. I felt compelled to watch, to understand what I’d just seen. Was this some sort of propaganda? Some sick twisted joke? You know what the hell had I just seen, so I came in regrouped and watched it in its entirety. That was it, the pain was palpable, the violence too much. I couldn’t believe I had been ingesting the energy of another being whose life meant as much to him/her as my own does to me. How could I have contributed to the madness and not seen this sooner. How could I have pets but eat an animal that had suffered so horribly. I can honestly say it was a no brainer. I will never go back. It makes me feel so good knowing I’m not harming another, and have the dead flesh of an animal putrefying in my bowels. Eating animals harms our planet and ultimately harms ourselves. I want no part of it; I knew from that day forward the way I viewed everything would change and it has. Who doesn’t walk around the supermarket with eyes wide open and watch in horror as people fill their baskets with violence. I know I do.

Chris Grant - My decision to go vegan was strictly logical. While I originally intended to make my New Year's Resolution 5 years ago to go vegetarian, then the following year go vegan, I could not live with the hypocrisy. A few months into the year I just decided to go vegan. Prior to this, my decision was simply my reasoning that there is no justification for anthropocentrism and discovering one does not need any animal derived products to live healthy. There was no universal definition of what even comprised a human and therefore gave humans the right to inflict injury for pleasure on any other creature. Any 'usable' definition would invariably either exclude some humans or include many animals. For this reason the capability of feeling pain (and subsequently joy and happiness as well) are the only criteria that have any logical consistency when determining moral consideration.

VegAnn Hawks - I was a vegetarian for several years, which was so easy. The look and taste of meat was long gone from my consciousness. I would go out to fancy restaurants and order the cheese plate or have nacho cheese dip at my favorite Mexican restaurant. Look at me, I'm a vegetarian, I'm not hurting anyone. Then one day, I saw a video of a woman comparing feminism to the dairy industry. Hmmm, I thought, "What’s going on here?" I needed more information. The information was startling, shocking, horrifying. I couldn't believe it. They take babies away and threw them in veal crates, men beating, kicking and yelling at the most gentle creatures I know of??? What in the hell is going on here?? I cried, screamed into my pillow at night, tossed and turned. I just couldn't believe what I then knew. Giving up dairy was the last hold out, and the EASIEST one to give up. I'm so sorry to all the animals my ignorance caused suffering to. I will live the rest of my vegan life being your voice! Peace and love to ALL beings.

Elisa Johnson - Two weeks of listening to every one of Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's podcasts caused my every last excuse to dissolve. I became vegan when I really “got” that it is not “how” animals are treated it is “that” they are treated, and that every exploited animal meets an untimely death at human hands.

Neil Kaplan - Reading "Diet for a New America" was shocking and enlightening to me, and I then made the transition to veg fairly quickly, but was still not quite there. One afternoon (about 20 years ago) I was driving to a music job, and needed to stop for a quick lunch. My choices in those days were either a BK chicken sandwich or trail mix from 7-11. I had just decided to get the chicken, when at that moment, a car drove by me that had a bumper sticker that read "LOVE ANIMALS DON'T EAT THEM" . . . that was it, I got the trail mix and never went back, from veg it was a natural transition to vegan over the next few years.

Flavia Lotus-Blossom (known on Facebook) - I've always been hyper-sensitive to cruelty - even someone yanking the leash on a dog's neck upsets me deeply - so I was not one who viewed videos of animal abuse and killing. I'd probably drop dead myself if I viewed much of it - it would be like my body being pelted with bullets or knives going into me so I avoid it. I never had to shock myself like that, but despite having a ‘closeness’ to animals since childhood, I did not become vegan quickly. I was in my late teens when I heard about what "veal" was, and immediately stopped eating it. My family was Italian, so it was a familiar "menu item". Cow meat and pig meat was next to go, although it was still a gradual thing. It astounds me how long someone can go - years - without realizing what they are participating in. It was like I was in a kind of trance about it. There were still eggs and cheese and other occasional dairy very present in my diet. I was clueless about what "vegan" meant. I know that the painfully long awakening to vegansim for me had a lot to do with others' expectations and acceptance of me. It grieves me to say that - yet it is true, so I must say it. I'd always felt a bit of an oddball among my family and some friends, and exploring veganism would put me fully over the line on that. I would now be the weirdest person they knew, and that scared me, so I lied to myself, in order to stay in some sort of comfort zone with them, and as long as I partook of some egg or dairy or sat on their leather chairs, I was still part of the group, still included in my community. It got to be where I could no longer look myself in the eye in the mirror because I knew I was living a lie and hiding out from the truth. I knew that if I was so weak and such a slave to my tastebuds that I could not give up eating some milk-derived foodstuffs, or throw out my leather goods, or read more labels when buying products, that I was pathetic and ignorant. I no longer wanted to be that, I wanted to live with more courage and truthfulness, so I had to start thinking about what dairy and leather meant, as sick as they made me feel to think about. I had to start looking at all the myriad ways animals are used, abused, and killed for human use - I had to know - I could not live any longer not knowing. Facebook helped - it was within a very short time of joining Facebook and connecting with vegans and reading vegan articles and hearing interviews, that I knew the full horror of what dairy was. It touched off a grief in me that scared me but that I knew I couldn't turn away - because it would be like leaving a child alone in a wilderness, or in a burning building - I simply could not abandon the truth anymore, just because I was afraid to know what was really behind the pretty ads and packaging.

Lisa Viger - I'd felt uneasy about eating animals for a long time ... ever since I made the connection that the chicken on my plate was once an actual living chicken. I'd also worked in animal rescue and rehab, so I'd always liked animals. But I finally became vegan after reading The World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle. I'd seen the PeTA videos before, but for some reason Will's book was what made me finally understand. I think it was connecting the dots between commodifying animals and commodifying humans and women and the earth and environment. Whatever it was, it all made perfect sense - and it still does. There's no downside to being vegan. It's a good thing from any perspective. And I'm consciously grateful every day that I'm vegan.

John Carbonaro - Since I was very young I always went about trying to 'clean up' the meat I was eating. I was always turned off by the fat and capillaries running through the flesh. I was constantly reworking the meat, trying to achieve a kind of purity, a relationship between myself and my food that would not cause me to struggle; that would have an acceptable sensation. These experiences finally pushed me to only tolerate cheese. One day as I passed a field, I saw a calf suckling its mother. I recognized that purity resided in that relationship. It had been trying to speak to me all those years, not allowing me to be comfortable with foods that contained the breaking of that relationship, of that purity. I became whole, reborn, but already weaned from desires and fears that could entrap me and mother nature together in some ill begotten dependency. I recognize the freedom of others because I am finally free, and now I wish to continue helping others recognize their potential to do likewise.

Michael Tiedemann - After watching a video on "fur farms" that I just somehow came across online, I finished sobbing and wiping my tears that were streaming down my face and I said, I can't be part of this (animal exploitation). I started my journey that day, April 24th 2009 - Now I try to help inspire others with my blog and podcast, A Voice 4 Animals.

Vanessa Lackford - I had been a vegetarian for 52 years, from birth. I resisted becoming vegan, until I watched a simple, short, non-gory video of a cow waiting to go into the slaughter room and trying to turn around. I had no choice, I became vegan there and then; I could no longer put it off. I tried it for a week initially. That was two years ago, the two years I have lived most true to myself. Now, I wonder why I did not do it years ago. It has freed me to see all the ‘disconnect’ and cognitive dissonance in our lives. There are still things for me to get right, but it feels normal and totally right to me now.

Glenn Martin - I used to eat a fair amount of meat and dairy. I was very into exercise and thought I had to eat heaps of it to be strong and healthy. I ended up having high blood pressure. Doctors didn’t know why, even after having all the tests. I decided to reduce the amount of salt/fat in my diet & subsequently reduced my meat/dairy. At the same time my brother went veggo for ethical reasons and was constantly telling me how bad it was and; I was like "I know it's bad but I don't wanna hear it". It wasn't until my blood pressure started to improve that I realised I didn't need to eat animal products to be healthy and; therefore they were dying/suffering for no valid reason ... then it became ethical primarily and also health/environmental. Best decision I've ever made!

Justine Moeller - I became a vegetarian 18 years ago when I was 9. I was always highly sensitive to others, both humans and non humans, and always felt a lot of empathy for those in pain or suffering. When I made the connection I stopped eating meat. I went vegan when I was 20 and remained that way for 2 years (yes, I was one of those who stopped being vegan!). I knew the facts about the industry but I never fully understood the scope of the damage I was causing. One year ago I started seriously considering going vegan again. I constantly doubted the means (vegetarian) through which I was trying to stop suffering. I study history at university, constantly exposed to the reality of oppression, genocide and discrimination of our past and present; how could I not question what we are all being told is normal? I read Eating Animals, loaned to me by a friend who said I would enjoy it. I did, and although it did not make much a difference in the way I ate because I was already a committed vegetarian, it did set me on a path to investigate the truth about animal exploitation. Watching Gary Yourofsky’s video was the actual night I knew I could never participate again in the industries we are taught are acceptable and 'just'. I look back on my vegetarian days with some regret but I accept it was a learning process. I needed something to make it click, just the same as everyone else. I don't have a memorable story about going vegan (although I have memorable stories about going vegetarian such as watching a deer being skinned by my grandfather and a chicken’s head getting cut off by a neighbor who then asked me to stay for dinner). All I know is that once it truly registers, there is no going back. I hope to try and inspire people around me to reach that same point, where they finally just 'get it', evolve, and go vegan!

Stef Young - My Mum raised me vegetarian from birth and taught me it's wrong to kill animals for food. I went vegan a little over two years ago after seeing a video showing the truth behind the egg industry. I've spent the last two years healthier than I'd ever been before and I feel so much better about myself. This came to a head when a year or so ago, I was standing at the gate of a field of cows, wishing they wouldn't have to go through the pain they would eventually go through, when one of them walked up to the gate and began licking my arm. I could never go back on being vegan.

Monica Lucas - A growing awareness of the meaning of my existence, and the choices I had, regarding the impact that I could make in my lifetime, negative or positive. An intrinsic need to develop a re-connection with the natural world, which led to a kind of epiphany that all life is sacred and thus deserving of respectful boundaries. An education regarding the horrific policies and practices of our global governments and cultural traditions. A feeling that I had to lose the indoctrination of my social upbringing and reject the idea that the almighty dollar was more important than the love of innocent life. A realization that I was as much a killer as a slaughterhouse worker, as long as I continued to consume animals and their parts.

Michaela Österlund - I first heard of veganism when I was 16, but the animal group I enquired about it failed to give me a good enough reason to become one myself. I had stopped eating red meat and chicken a year earlier when I had learned of cruel animal transportations. In 2009 I moved to a bigger city and decided to get active in animal protection. It didn't take long for me to realize that you can't protect animals and take advantage of them at the same time, and after learning that dairy cows are killed too, I decided to give veganism a try. Giving it a try quickly turned into an active dedication to the cause, and I haven't looked back once.

Gregory J Santollo - I became vegan 8 years ago because I no longer wanted to be a fuck.

Liza Moore-Vegan – I am proudly a vegan of 27 years; as soon as I knew the meaning of the word, I was one. From that day to this, I have learned many things and I can prove that a vegan lifestyle is the right way to live ones life; a guilt-free one for the planet, the starving people, the animals, and one’s health. The only question I can’t answer is this: why isn’t everyone a vegan?

Stormy Pagan (Facebook) - It was 1988, a hugely significant year in my life when it changed for the best and made me into the person I am today.. I was 19 and had been a veggie for a few years before... then I met some amazing ‘right on’ people, including my vegan soul mate who was my partner for about 14 years… I embraced the Animal Rights scene and began to learn so much about the hidden abuse of animals (although that is less hidden nowadays)…I started doing demos, hunt sabbing and protests... in the same year I moved to London and moved into a vegan household... with all of this I became vegan and I never looked back... and I have come to know that there is no other way for me, I am a forever vegan.... I have seen people come and go as vegans over the years ...and I am proud that I have stayed true to the life style/cause for the sake of the animals for 23 years now, and I now bring my children up as non-vaccinated healthy happy vegans.

Sharron Woodward - I went vegan because of a grieving mama cow.

Kerry L Shoemaker-Davis - It was a natural evolution for me. I have always been an advocate of non-humans. The simple thought of having to kill something to eat, or even paying someone to do it for me, makes me cringe. To kill anything for any reason is upsetting to me. I am Pagan-which for me IS being Vegan as one can not honor the Earth/Nature when they are contributing to its destruction. It is a very Spiritual thing for me. And of course there are the health benefits. I cannot imagine living any other way.

Ann Thomas - I was a strict vegetarian for 25+ years, because I loved all animals and refused to eat them! I only occasionally forced down dairy and eggs because I thought I needed the protein. I was totally clueless about the cruelty involved in those industries. I didn't even know what a vegan was! Then, six years ago I learned how to use the internet, and really got educated! It didn't take me long to go vegan after that and it is the best thing I have ever done.

Patrice Davis - I accepted a 30-day vegetarian challenge posted by a friend. I was 57 years old. While the participants were asked to only cut flesh from our diet, we were also asked to “meet our meat” and become informed about how our food got to our plate. I did my “homework” and saw more cruelty and torture than I EVER wanted to or could have imagined! Ten days later I knew simply going vegetarian was not enough for me. I did it for the animals, period. How could I stop eating their flesh but still support the cruelty, torture, and murder for the byproducts of their bodies, such as dairy products and eggs, let alone wear their skin on my feet and wrist? I had simply followed what my parents had taught me, and society and the media had always reinforced. Why would I ever think to question it? Living on autopilot, blinders firmly in place... My heart gives thanks to my friend every day! I could not have started the journey and succeeded without his information, support, and encouragement, along with all the others who also participated in the challenge! The animals have thanked me by giving me ‘a peace’ I'd never known, a healthier and richer life, a new awareness and level of compassion.

Alastaur Daly - Having been a vegetarian since the age of five, a choice my parents made, I went back to eating flesh at 15, a year later, I became vegan. I was eating a boiled egg for breakfast and I just felt sick with myself. From about that day, I avoided eating meat and dairy…and eventually went vegan, and replaced my shoes and got my parents to buy vegan shampoo that wasn’t tested on animals. I also think that being exposed to ‘Earthlings’ by a friend really inspired me to think about what I was participating in.

Fantastic Radio Interview with 34 year vegan

2011-09-19T12:48:00.001-07:00

Listen to internet radio with thevegsource on Blog Talk Radio

The vegsource.com - Interview with a 32 year Vegan author 09/19 by thevegsource | Blog Talk Radio

2011-09-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

The vegsource.com - Interview with a 32 year Vegan author 09/19 by thevegsource | Blog Talk Radio

Excellent interview with Butterflies - a vegan of 34 years.

Vegans; Learn your ABC’s!

2011-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

One animal-derived ingredient for every letter of the alphabet

1.) Albumen/Albumin is usually derived from egg whites (ovalbumin), but can also be found in animal blood, milk and plants. It is used to thicken or add texture to processed foods. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from egg whites and used as a coagulating agent. Egg whites are sometimes used in “clearing” wines, (as well as gelatin and insinglass, therefore not all wine is vegan.)

2.) Bone products: a) Bone Ash (or bone earth) is the white, powdery ash left from the burning of bones. It is used in fertilizer and in the making of ceramics called bone china. Although synthetic alternatives have been produced, the majority of bone china is still made using animal-derived bone ash. Manufacturers who sell bone ash state it’s used for animal feed, pharmaceuticals, making ceramics, and human food. b) Bone phosphate is manufactured from animal bones. c) Bone char, (also known as bone black, ivory black, animal or bone charcoal), is a granular substance produced by charring animal bones. It is used in de-fluoridation of water and in the treatment of municipal water supplies. It’s also used to filter aquarium water. It is sometimes used in the sugar refining industry for decolorizing. Some refineries in Canada and U.S. still use this process, but Australia does not. Bone char is used to refine crude oil in the production of petroleum jelly. It is sometimes used for artist’s paint, printmaking, and in calligraphy and drawing inks. d) Bone Meal - is a mixture of crushed and coarsely ground bones used in organic fertilizer for plants. Alternatives would be plant mulch and vegetable compost along with dolomite, clay and rock dusts.

3.) Casein. Caseinate. Sodium Caseinate. – Casein is the principal protein in milk, and found in the milk of all mammals. Casein is found in cosmetics, hair preparations, beauty masks, used in adhesives/glues, paints, and plastics. It’s found in products marked “non-dairy” even though it’s a product of the dairy industry. Casein is coagulated with the addition of rennin/rennet enzymes (typically obtained from the stomachs of calves) in cheese-making. Casein is one of six substances that may be used to clarify wine. If you call the vintner, ask if casein or any other animal products are used in the "fining process". On the site of a casein manufacturer, one gets a clear picture that casein is a byproduct of the dairy farming industry, therefore in order to not support the horror of the dairy industry, don’t purchase products containing casein. Cheese contains casein, a substance that when digested by humans, breaks down into several chemicals, including casomorphine; which has about one tenth the opiate strength of morphine. The especially addicting power of cheese may be due to the fact that the process of cheese-making leaves casein in concentration. Marketing strategies of those trying to sell the public cheese have used terminology like “Trigger the cheese craving”. They know about the addictive quality of casein and use that to sell their product to the public. Don’t let them sell their products of slavery and misery to you.

4.) Down - The down of birds (especially duck and geese) is a layer of fine, fluffy, insulating feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. The loose structure of down feathers traps air, which helps to insulate the bird against heat loss. Some birds are killed solely for their down, while some birds (particularly some geese) greatly suffer from being live-plucked of their breast feathers, 5-6 times during their short lives. Live-plucking is more profitable than getting feathers from a dead bird since the animal is used, over and over. The widespread practice of live-plucking is painful for geese; sometimes paralyzing. Often live-plucking is used as a marketing tool as an alternative to killing the birds. Once it is no longer profitable to keep the geese alive for their feathers, they are slaughtered for their meat. Despite the arrival on the market, of warm lightweight synthetics to replace down, American and European geese and eider ducks are still being raised domestically for meat and down feathers for insulating quilts, sleeping bags, comforters, parkas, and pillows. Synthetic insulation is readily available. Alternatives are organic cotton, polyester, or synthetic microfiber thermal insulation materials. The down belongs to the birds, by nature, and was meant to keep them warm. Geese normally live in small family units and mate for life, living up to 20 years and flying long distances.

5.) Elastin – is protein found in the neck ligaments and aortas of cows. Elastin is similar to collagen. Collagen and elastin are ingredients found in many moisturizers, hair products, and face creams. For a non-animal-derived alternative; look for products with soy protein or almond oil. At least one company on-line, Reviva Labs, offer “Elastin & Collagen Skin Toner’ that is free of animal products and not tested on animals.

6.) Feathers and Fur. Feathers are from exploited and slaughtered birds. Used whole as ornaments or ground up in shampoos (called Keratin). Fur is obtained from animals (usually mink, foxes, or rabbits) cruelly trapped in steel-jaw leg-hold traps or raised in intensive confinement on fur farms. So stick with synthetic alternatives so the feathers and fur can stick on its rightful owner.

7.) Gelatin(e) - Household gelatin is a protein produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from the boiled bones, connective tissues, skin, organs and some intestines of animals such as cows, pigs, and possibly horses. On a commercial scale, gelatin is made from by-products of the meat and leather industry. The Gelatin Manufactures of America site explains "It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing." For example: It is classified as a foodstuff, with E number E441. It is used as a gelling agent, stabilizer or thickener in cooking. It is found in marshmallows, gelatin-desserts like “Jello”, frosted cereals, gummy bears and candy. Gelatin is used for the clarification of juices, such as apple juice, and of vinegar, and sometimes in the clarifying of wine. Gelatin typically constitutes the shells of pharmaceutical capsules. Vegans will purchase veg-e-caps. Animal glues (hide glue, bone glue, fish glue, rabbit skin glue) are essentially unrefined gelatin. It’s used in virtually all photographic films and photographic papers. However, digital photography is vegan. Gelatin is used to smooth glossy printing papers or playing cards and maintains the wrinkles in crêpe paper. It's used for making a home-made hair styling gel. It may be used as a medium with which to consume LSD. LSD in gelatin form is known as "windowpane" or "geltabs." Gelatin is also used in nail polish remover and makeup. In art supplies, gelatin made from the skins, hoofs, and bones of calves, is used in gesso, while many watercolor papers are also sized with gelatin. Alternatives for gelatin in food are carrageenan, Irish Moss, agar-agar (seaweed).

8.) Honey is food for bees, made by bees and stolen by humans for humans. It is used in cosmetics, lip balms, and as a flavoring in foods. Honey should never be fed to infants as it has been shown to cause botulism, however it should not, morally speaking, be used by humans of any age. Vegan alternatives are Rice Syrup, Agave Nectar, Barley Malt, Sorghum Molasses, most Maple Syrup (some use animal fat in the defoaming process), Fruit Syrups, Molasses (rich in iron), as well as dry organic evaporated cane juice crystals such as Rapadura, Sucanat (Wholesome Foods), Florida Crystals, Shakkar, etc., as well as date sugar, beet sugar, etc.

9.) Isinglass is a form of gelatin obtained from fish bladders; especially the sturgeon. Sometimes used in "clearing" or “fining” wines and beer, and in "foods". Although very little isinglass remains in the beer when it's drunk, vegans consider beers which are processed with these finings (such as most real ales) to be unsuitable. A beer-fining agent that's suitable for vegans is Irish moss; an algae also known as carrageenan. Contact companies and find a vegan brand or check barnivore.com (vegan wine and beer guide).

10.) Jameed (Arabic word for "hardened") is a hard dry yoghurt made from goats' milk originating from Jordan. It is also often referred to as "rock cheese".

11.) Keratin – is protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of various animals. Human hair and nails also contain keratin. To keep our hair lustrous, cosmetic companies use crushed up animal parts to put keratin in their products including hair rinses, shampoos and permanent wave solutions.

12.) Lanolin is a yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Most lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep. Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Its natural role is to protect wool and skin against the negative affects of climate. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin, which is extracted by squeezing the sheep's harvested wool between rollers. Over the course of history, humans have used sheep as a source of food, milk and clothing. They have been domesticated for 11,000 years, making sheep the oldest domestic animals, second only to the dog. In New Zealand, sheep outnumber humans by an enormous margin. Lanolin has many derivatives that are used widely in cosmetic and skin treatment products. Lanolin’s E number is E913; mainly used in cosmetics. Lanolin is also used commercially in many industrial products such as rust-proof coatings and in lubricants. Lanolin is often used as a raw material for producing cholecalciferol (vitamin D3; animal-derived vitamin D). Lanolin is a byproduct of an animal-harming industry.

13.) Musk is the name originally given to a substance with a penetrating odor obtained from a gland of the male musk deer; a miniature deer without antlers, who originates deep in the Himalayan mountains. This harmless animal weighs just twenty-five pounds and stands twenty inches in height. The gland is situated between his/her back and rectal area. The substance has been used as a popular perfume fixative since ancient times and is one of the most expensive animal products in the world. It has come to encompass a wide variety of substances with somewhat similar odors. They include glandular secretions from animals other than the musk deer, such as beaver, muskrat, civet cat, and otter, as well as numerous plants. Until the late 19th century, natural musk was used extensively in perfumery until economic and ethical motives led to the adoption of synthetic musk, which is used almost exclusively. Modern use of animal-derived musk pods is mainly used by Traditional Chinese medicine; which claim 95% of musk use; the other 5% percent of the musk trade is for perfumes. Currently the musk gland is used in as many as 400 Chinese and Korean traditional remedies; that have been made for over 5,000 years. Some deer are killed legally for use in certain Asian medicines.

The musk deer live in India, Pakistan, Tibet, China, Siberia and Mongolia. To obtain the musk, the deer is killed and its gland, also called "musk pod", is removed. To obtain one kilogram (2.2 lb) of musk grains, 40-140 deer are killed. Muskrat, a North American rodent, has been known since the 17th century to secrete a glandular substance with a musky odor. Glandular substances with musk-like odor are also obtained from the Musk Duck of southern Australia, the musk ox, the musk shrew, the musk beetle, African Civet, the musk turtle, and from several other animals. Musk oil is also produced from Tokapi Deer, Chinese Wild Deer, as well as the Asia Musk Deer. Population growth is consuming the habitat of this species and demanding even more of the glands that belong to the Musk deer. Currently there are some musk deer farms in China that operate on the male deer to remove the musk pod without causing them death, but this practice is also questionable to most of humanity and totally unethical to animal rights advocates. Musk remains illegal in most countries except for China. The musk pod is worth its wait in gold, and even though the deer is protected, poaching remains a problem. Some plants produce musky smelling compounds. The plant sources include musk flower, the muskwood of the Guianas and West Indies, the seeds of (musk seeds), ambrette, galbanum and angelica root. A musk alternative is labdanum oil.

14.) Natural flavoring - UK Food Law defines a natural flavor as: a flavoring substance (or flavoring substances) which is (or are) obtained, by physical, enzymatic or microbiological processes, from material of vegetable or animal origin which material is either raw or has been subjected to a process normally used in preparing food for human consumption and to no process other than one normally so used. The European Union's guidelines for natural flavorants are slightly different. Certain artificial flavorants are given an E number, which may be included on food labels. The U.S. - Title 21, Section 101, part 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations describes a "natural flavorant" as: the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or any other edible portions of a plant, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose primary function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional. In other words, natural flavors can be pretty much anything approved for use in food. It's basically impossible to tell what is in natural flavors unless the company has specified it on the label. Why do companies "hide" ingredients under "natural flavors"? It's considered a way of preserving the product's identity and uniqueness - sort of like a "secret recipe". Vegans need to call companies to ask what the natural flavors are on an ingredient list.

15.) Oil pastels (art supplies) are made by combining raw pigments with animal fat and wax. Soft pastels on the other hand are usually free of animal ingredients.

16.) Pepsin is an enzyme from the stomach of pigs or grown calves; used with rennet to make cheese.

17.) Quahog is a type of oyster. In much of the United States, quahogs are simply called "hard clams" or "hard-shell clams." In the shucking (opening) of quahogs, they get the clams to "relax" by chilling them. Then they use a shucking knife and place it into the space between the shells, then cut the adductor muscles of the clam. Quahogs are filter-feeders and they greatly absorb the pollution in the water.

18.) Rennet or rennin is a natural complex of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach to help a nursing baby digest mother’s milk. In the “food” (or animal-harming) industry, rennet is obtained from a newly born calf’s stomach, and is used as a coagulant in cheese-making, in certain dairy products including some yogurts, and in junket; a soft, pudding-like dessert. Rennet contains the enzyme rennin, and a little pepsin. The older the calf, the more pepsin will be found in the calves. These calf stomachs are a by-product of veal production, (a by-product of dairy production). To obtain rennet using the customary method (still used by many European and traditional cheese-makers), stomachs of young calves are dried and ‘cleaned’, then sliced into small pieces and then put into an extraction solution, which will be filtered. Rennet can also be derived from non-animal sources, and in North America, GMO-Microbial rennet is used more often in industrial cheese-making because it is less expensive than animal rennet. But before you breathe a sigh of relief at the discovery that your favorite dairy cheeses might not be coagulated with rennet from the stomachs of calves, don’t forget that they are all made with milk– the product of sexual assault, enslavement, kidnapping, torture and murder, and the reason many calves are slaughtered.

19.) Stearic Acid.is a wax-like fatty acid, primarily produced from natural fats and oils. Stearic acid is largely used in soap and other cosmetic and industrial preparations, as well as deodorants and antiperspirants, foundation creams, hand lotions, hair straighteners, and shaving creams. Stearic Acid is commonly used in the vulcanization process (in the formation) of tires. It is also used as a softener in chewing gum base and for suppositories. The major fat used in the making of stearic acid is animal tallow. Stearic acid is also obtained in lesser amounts from herring and sardines. Plant oils such as cotton, coconut, palm kernel, castor beans, rapeseed, soybeans, and sunflowers are also natural sources. In the U. S., almost all stearic acid is made from tallow and coconut oil, although lesser amounts are made from palm oil. The other plant sources are more commonly used in third world countries.

I received a letter from Michelin tires after questioning their use of stearic acid in the vulcanization of their tires, and this was the response: “Stearic acid is a very common ingredient in most mixes used in tires throughout the industry. It is one of those raw materials that has been around almost since the beginning of rubber vulcanization. Stearic acid is an organic compound which comes from living things and is most commonly found in fatty acids from animal fats and vegetable oils, beef fat and cocoa butter.” They did not specify that they used stearic acid only from plant sources.

20.) Tallow - Other names: Tallow Fatty Alcohol. Stearic Acid.

Tallow is rendered fat from cows or sheep. It is common for commercial tallow to contain fat derived from other animals, such as lard from pigs, or even from plant sources. Tallow is 100% fat and 50% saturated fat. It is found in baking and cooking fat, wax paper, crayons, soaps, rubber, margarines, paints, lubricants, candles, shaving creams, lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Tallow and other animal fats are sold to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, food, ink, paint, coatings, adhesive, lubricant & soap industries. Tallow is used in animal feed, and as a bird food. It is used as a lubricant for machinery and for ammunition. It is also the primary ingredient in some leather conditioners. Before switching to pure vegetable oil in 1990, McDonald's cooked its french fries in a mixture of 93% beef tallow and 7% cottonseed oil. Paraffin (vegan source for candles) is usually from petroleum, wood, coal, or shale oil. Castile or coconut (or other plant-based) soaps are easily found.

21.) Urea is the main nitrogen-containing substance in the urine of animals. More than 90% of world production of urea is for fertilizer as a source of nitrogen. Urea is also synthetically produced on a large scale, therefore you would need to check if urea on a label is sourced from an animal or synthetic.

22.) Vitamin D – is one of numerous vitamins that can be animal-sourced and found in many items. If a label just reads Vitamin D, it refers to either D2 or D3 or both. Vitamin D-2, (ergocalciferol), comes from plant sterols or yeast. Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol) is almost always from an animal source. It is usually derived from lanolin (from sheep’s wool), milk, egg yolk, meat, or fish liver oil. It can also be derived from microbial or synthetic sources; however it can have an animal ingredient as the starting raw material. Mushrooms that have been exposed to ultraviolet light are the only vegan food source of Vitamin D. The most common form of Vitamin D found in supplements, creams, lotions, cosmetics, and fortified foods is the animal-sourced vitamin D3. There is some debate over the usefulness of D2 versus D3, but vitamin D2 clearly is absorbed in humans. Vitamin D3 is often preferred; it is what our bodies make when we are exposed to sunlight. There is ONE marketed ethically-sourced D3 in the U.S. - Nature's Plus Source of Life Garden Vitamin D3.

Vitamin D works alongside calcium to ensure the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. We can make Vitamin D3 from a non-food source: the sun! Vegans are NOT more likely to be deficient than omnivores; much of the general population is not getting enough. The fear of skin cancer has stopped many people from obtaining beneficial amounts of sunlight. Even individuals, who get sun but use suntan lotion, may be deficient. A number of public health organizations state that there needs to be a balance between the risks of having too much and the risks of having too little sunlight. Sunburn should always be avoided. Exposure to sunshine indoors through a window does not produce vitamin D. More lives are lost to diseases caused by lack of sunlight than by those caused by too much. It is inappropriate to recommend total avoidance of sunlight. If one is fair skinned, 10 minutes of exposure to sunshine at high noon (in summer) will produce 10,000 IU of Vitamin D; darker skin requires longer exposure. We can get vitamin D toxicity from animal foods or supplementation, but not from sun exposure. So instead of depriving a fish of his/her life so you can take their vitamin D, just make your own and catch some rays.

23.) Whey - Most people are familiar with the old nursery rhyme, "Little Miss Muffet," who was eating her curds and whey. Whey is sourced from animal milk (cow’s milk, goat’s milk, camel’s milk) and is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product and a co-product of the manufacture of cheese or casein. It comes in the form of whey solids or powder or whey protein concentrate. Whey is used in baked goods, dry mixes, as an additive in processed foods including breads, crackers and commercial pastry, as a nutritional supplement in sport bodybuilding products, and in animal feed. Strangely, it has been difficult over the years to find a rabbit food not containing whey in the ingredient list, and rabbits are herbivores.

24.) Xanthareel – yellow eel formerly used in medicinal foods

25.) Yogurt – is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. Worldwide, cow's milk is most commonly used to make yoghurt, but milk from water buffalo, goats, sheep, camels, and yaks is also used in various parts of the world. A single serving of yogurt is packed with an alarming amount of sugar, saturated fat and animal torture.

26.) Zinc Hydrolyzed Animal Protein – can be found in zinc dietary supplements.

I Don’t Want to Model Products of Misery

2011-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Some vegans write about new vegans still keeping/wearing/using their already-owned leather and wool items until they are worn out, if they can't afford to replace with vegan items all at once. They would never buy anything non-vegan, but still feel it is all right to wear and keep non-vegan items until they are no longer usable. I understand about not wanting to add to our society’s wasteful consumerism. I also recognize that money does not grow on trees. These are the justification some give for wanting to keep their wool sweater, for example, after deciding to become vegan. To me, wearing wool is somehow like an advertisement for the manufacturers of sheep products. Beyond purposely breeding in order to commodify the lives of conscious animals, they routinely perform painful mutilations on innocent sheep, such as mulesing - a surgical task that involves the removal of strips of skin from around the buttocks of a sheep, including lambs, without anesthesia. The docile sheep are restrained appallingly. I want to denounce the systems that harm animals and don’t want to model their products.

Part of being vegan is about being exemplary. We want others to become vegan. We have to model what it looks like. When I had my “vegan realization”, I emptied my closet of all animal products. Friends of mine buried their leather items.

Another option is to donate these wool, leather and other animal derived items to a needy, homeless person. When we habitually “buy new” and are participants in consumerism, we have to spend our days paying for ‘what we buy’. An ethical, ecological and economical way to live is to purchase recycled clothing, leaving money for new vegan shoes, if need be. Replace non-vegan items at garage sales, flea markets, consignment shops, and thrift stores when possible. I don’t want to be wasteful, but I want to dress like a vegan.

I am sensitive to seeing the skin of my oppressed animal friends on accessories and shoes. What if someone was making shoes out of human skin? Would that be a turn-on to wear? No. I feel the same about wearing and seeing the skin of other animals. I can’t disconnect and pretend I don’t know where that leather product came from and the misery inflicted on gentle beings to get those leather shoes or other item. Leather is the most economically important byproduct of the slaughterhouse/factory farm/meat industry. The leather and animal farming industries are dependant upon each other.

Some might say that I’m a more resolute vegan than an environmentalist. They would be right. However, being vegan, I’m doing my part in helping to heal the planet from the environmental devastation caused by animal husbandry and the pollution caused by the toxins used in leather tanning. I am not a consumer, I am a water conservationist, I’m a tree-hugger; not a tree-killer, but I am a vegan, first and foremost because we are talking about fundamental rights of individual fully conscious, aware and feeling animals.

Proclaiming to be vegan and still wearing animal-derived items is confusing for people. We can no longer, in good conscience, advocate for animal rights while wearing their skin, and possibly not sending out the right message. There is so much hypocrisy and not enough clear vegan messages being put out there. I wouldn’t be caught alive wearing somebody else’s skin. We are fortunate to live in a time where purchasing vegan shoes, wallets, bags, clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, cleaners is all very easy. I became vegan when it was seriously difficult to source these products. I wore flip-flops to my first wedding. I want to look like a vegan, think like a vegan, act like a vegan, dress like a vegan, and feel like a vegan, by not modeling products of misery for all the world to see.

10 Superfoods ALL vegans should consume!

2011-09-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Walnuts – There are just a few good sources of essential omega 3 fatty acids in the vegan diet. The walnut is one of the most appealing and healthy of the choices. Walnuts have been called “brain-food” and it’s interesting that they even look like a brain. Their high concentration of omega-3 essential fat is just what is needed to keep your brain cells functioning properly. It is commonly known now that lack of omega-3 fats has conclusively been linked to depression. But studies also show that a lack of omega-3 fats is linked to learning disorders, behavioral problems, temper tantrums, and sleep disorders. Walnuts have been found to contain a bio-available form of ‘melatonin’; a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which induces and regulates sleep; and sleep is very important to healing. Studies have linked eating a handful of walnuts to a reduction in bone-loss. Studies also point out that our body turns the ALA (alpha linolenic acid) provided by walnuts into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) which is a long-chain fatty acid. Vegan diets, typically, do NOT contain any DHA (another long-chain fatty acid). Some studies say that we can make EPA long-chain fatty acid from walnuts or flax, but not DHA, therefore some vegans will supplement with a vegan DHA from microalgae. There is little evidence of adverse health or cognitive effects due to DHA-deficiency in adult vegans, but vegan medical doctors strongly advise pregnant and lactating vegan mothers to supplement with DHA made from micro-algae. Walnuts are also a very good source of manganese and a good source of copper, two important and essential minerals. They also contain an antioxidant compound called ‘ellagic acid’, which helps in cancer protection. I’m off for a handful (that's all we need) of walnuts!

Broccoli is a superfood from the Brassica family. It contains a high amount of potassium, as well as magnesium and calcium. The calcium and Vitamin K found in broccoli support bone health and osteoporosis prevention. Broccoli contains glucoraphanin which helps the skin to repair itself from sun damage. The body processes the glucoraphanin into an anti-cancer compound. The American Cancer Society recommends eating broccoli because it contains phytochemicals with their anti-cancer properties. One cup of broccoli bolsters the immune system with a large dose of beta-carotene. And the trace minerals such as zinc and selenium in the broccoli further help to strengthen the immune system. It’s a powerhouse of iron, protein, calcium, chromium, carbohydrates, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Vitamin B6 and folate are also found in this nutrient-dense food. Broccoli contains carotenoid lutein which helps fight against heart disease, hardening of the arteries, and stroke. The chromium is known to help regulate insulin and control diabetes. The best ways to eat broccoli are raw, lightly steamed, or boiled in soups so long as you consume the liquid.

Avocado is becoming more popular and grown in many countries, globally. Sometimes it takes acquiring a taste for it if you have never eaten this creamy rich fruit, but then it becomes a staple in the diet of most vegans. The avocado’s dense nutrient composition includes vitamin K, Vitamin E, B vitamins especially vitamin B6 and folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. Avocados have 60% more potassium than bananas. Many people think that because avocado has more fat than most other fruits and vegetables, it somehow contains cholesterol and/or bad fats that can raise cholesterol levels. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Avocados do not contain any cholesterol. No plant foods contain cholesterol. As for the fat in avocado, it’s predominantly monounsaturated – a heart-friendly fat. Avocados can actually improve the cholesterol profile (i.e. reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol). The monounsaturated fatty acids of avocado have recently been shown to offer significant protection against breast cancer and have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. Avocados have more of ‘carotenoid lutein’ than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts. A few slices of avocado in salad will not only add a rich, creamy flavor, but will greatly increase your body's ability to absorb the health-promoting carotenoids that vegetables provide. Research has found that certain nutrients are absorbed better when eaten with avocado. In one study, when participants ate a salad containing avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes lycopene and beta carotene) than those who didn't include avocados. An avocado a day can help keep the doctor away!

Note where it says "fortified"

Nutritional Yeast is a good-tasting nutty &; cheesy flavored deactivated yeast, but not to be confused with the bitter tasting Brewer’s yeast. It is used as a delicious and healthful condiment. Because a vegan diet may be deficient in Vitamin B12, many vegans like to add nutritional yeast to the diet to help ensure getting B12. But it’s very important to remember that NOT ALL nutritional yeast contains B12. It has to be added in. There are a handful of brands that are fortified with B12. If you are purchasing nutritional yeast for its B12 content, it is best not to buy it from a bulk bin because you can’t be sure that the product is what it says because of “worker” mix-ups, and because B12 is light sensitive, and usually bulk bins are clear plastic. Vegans should fortify with a B12 sublingual supplement beyond the nutritional yeast. If you want to include nutritional yeast in the diet because of the added B12 booster, you need to purchase brands sold in canisters and read the label to be sure it says B12 in the list of ingredients The vitamin B12 is produced separately (by bacteria) and then added to the yeast. Aside from being a great source of the B-Vitamin complex, nutritional yeast is a complete protein. It is low in fat and sodium, free of sugar, dairy and gluten. It is a good topping for popcorn (along with oil and sea salt), used to make vegan scrambled tofu, tofu cheesecake, cheesy sauces, etc. It is called ‘savoury yeast flakes’ in Australia, and goes by other names in other countries. Nutritional yeast is not a flattering name for this delicious tasting staple of a vegan diet.

Leafy dark greens – Dark green leafy vegetables are perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals; including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They also contain vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins, especially folate. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage, etc. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats. Studies show that vegans are at more risk of fractures because of less calcium intake, but if they consume 525 mg of calcium per day, by eating high-calcium greens, they are are not at risk. Collards contain the most calcium. Vegan nutritionists recommend a daily dose of leafy dark greens. After steaming (on high heat to retain nutrients and color), or eating the leaves raw and finely chopped or in a green drink - adding oil such as organic canola, olive oil, flax oil, or salad dressing, helps to better absorb the nutrients. Kale can be marinated, allowing the oil to soften the leaves and enhance the nutritional value. Arugula (Rocket) has a peppery taste and is rich in vitamins A, C, and calcium. Arugula has tender leaves, especially when young (also milder), and is enjoyed uncooked. Collard Greens have a mild flavor and are rich in vitamins A, C and K, folate, fiber, and calcium. Collard greens are not generally eaten raw. Steam them at a high temperature; add oil and nutritional yeast and salt/tamari - at the end of cooking. Kale (curly leaf or Lacanato: dark green flat leaf) is rich in vitamins A, C and K. Eat raw (marinated and chopped finely) in a green drink, steamed or in a stir-fry. Bok Choy – high in Vitamin A and C, also in beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, Vitamin B-6, and dietary fiber. Eat raw or cooked. Mustard Greens have a spicy flavor and are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and calcium. Eat them raw or in stir-fry’s. Spinach is rich in vitamins A and K, folate, and iron. Members of the spinach family are high in oxalates, therefore eating it raw on a regular basis is not recommended. Chard is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, and iron. Chard is also an oxalate-rich plant; making it a less desirable. The oxalic acid binds with the calcium and reduces its absorption, therefore making chard (and spinach and beet greens) not good sources of calcium. If you don’t like leafy dark greens, I suggest you change your taste buds. Healthy vegans eat their greens!

Tahini is a ground sesame seed butter. It is rich in calcium, and a key ingredient in hummus. Tahini is a nutritional powerhouse, being high in vitamins E, F and T, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, biotin, and choline. It is also a source of vitamin A. Tahini is also 20 percent complete protein. A serving (100 grams) of tahini contains at least one third of your necessary daily dose of calcium, and it is easy for the body to digest. Tahini is one of the highest sources of methionine, an essential amino acid, and also contains lecithin, which reduces the levels of fat in the blood and also protects against environmental toxins. Tahini is also high in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus, as well as being a good source of calcium. Tahini may be made from hulled or unhulled sesame seeds. The tahini made with unhulled seeds is richer in vitamins and minerals but it is darker and has a stronger flavor, so it may not compliment some recipes. Raw food vegans use raw tahini. The reason tahini keeps very well and does not go rancid, even if it is not refrigerated after opening, is because sesame seeds contain natural preservatives, which stabilize it. Many vegans include tahini salad dressing as a staple in the diet. Simply blend tahini, water, and salty flavor. Optional; add lemon and seasonings of choice. Once mixed with water, the tahini dressing only lasts 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Blueberries - There are a wide variety of health supporting phytonutrients found in blueberries. Blueberries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision. In just one serving of these low calorie and low fat fruit, you can get 14 mg of Vitamin C – almost 25% of your daily requirement. Blueberries are high fiber and potassium, too. Researchers have found that blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants neutralize free-radicals which lead to cancer and other age-related diseases. Anthocyanin is the pigment that makes blueberries blue, and blue you want them to be! Slightly reddish colour indicates that they are not fully ripened and will be less sweet. Researchers have identified a compound in blueberries that promotes urinary tract health. Another study found that blueberries may reduce the build up of “bad” cholesterol which contributes to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Blueberries may help age-related mental capacity. Blueberries should be eaten when they are dry, firm, ripened to sweetness, and well-shaped as opposed to squishy. And remember, blueberries that are really blue are really, really good for you!

Red Lentils are included here because they are an unprocessed, whole food, source of protein that cooks in just 10-20 minutes. Lentils are one of the first foods to have ever been cultivated. Lentil seeds dating back 8000 years have been found at archaeological sites in the Middle East. Small red lentils don’t need to be pre-soaked and will turn golden when cooked; best used in stews, soups and dal. They are easily found in grocery stores or organically-grown from health food stores. They are a dietary fiber all-star and that fiber helps in cholesterol lowering, managing blood sugar disorders, and preventing digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. International studies have shown that legumes are associated with a significant lower risk of heart disease. Lentils have a considerable amount of folate, which helps to lower levels of homocystiene. (Elevated homocysteine levels can occur if vegans don’t supplement with B12 – thereby taking away from the otherwise heart-healthiness of a vegan diet, because raised homocystiene levels lead to heart disease.) Magnesium, readily found in lentils, is also beneficial to cardiovascular health. If you want to keep your heart healthy – eat lentils. Lentils are a good vegan source of iron. People who suffer from gout or kidney stones, however, should limit their intake of lentils because they are high in purines, which can break down to form uric acid, and these disorders are uric-acid related. Lentils are also an excellent source of phosphorus, copper, and potassium, and molybdenum. Lentils are rich in many additional vitamins and minerals. A one cup serving meets 40% of your daily recommended value of protein with only 230 calories. Lentils are one of the highest sources of antioxidants found in winter growing legumes.

Carrots – have the highest vegan source of Vitamin A. It comes in the form of beta carotene, a well-known antioxidant. The more orange the carrot, the more beta carotene in it, and therefore the more health benefits. Carrots are also a top source of lycopene; a cancer-fighting phytonutrient. The carotenes in carrots are shown to be linked to a huge decrease in prostate, colon, cervix, larynx, esophageal, bladder, and breast cancer. Carrots also have a good amount of vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, molybdenum, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, phosphorous, magnesium, and folate. Purchase organic carrots because, being a root vegetable, they absorb pesticide residue. Luckily they are one of the cheapest organic vegetables to source. Try to source carrots that are freshly picked that still have their tops, like from a local farmer’s market. Enjoy carrots raw, juiced, and cooked. Steamed/boiled carrots (and many other vegetables) supply more antioxidants (such as carotenoids and ferulic acid) to the body than they do when eaten raw.

Sunshine nourishes by providing an essential source of Vitamin D (“the sunshine vitamin” which is actually a hormone) and is otherwise virtually impossible to source in a vegan diet. Most people get their vitamin D through synthesizing it from exposure to sunlight. Non-vegans get their vitamin D from either eating animals, often from supplementation, or from the sun. If vegans do not spend time in the sun, they MUST supplement with D2 (the vegan version; ergocalciferol; usually obtained from yeast - as opposed to D3; cholecalciferol; which is almost always derived from animals; usually from sheep's wool). Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium to build strong bones and to help older adults from developing brittle bones. Deficiency results in bone diseases such as Rickets and Osteoporosis (which leads to increased risk of fracture). The elderly need more sunlight exposure, at least 30 minutes per day, dark skinned people need about 20 minutes per day, and light skinned people need about 10-15 minutes a day of midday sun (or longer if getting mild sun) (and without sunscreen) – and these are low estimates. New research says we need more time in the sun and about 1 in 7 people are Vitamin-D deficient. Although you don’t want to burn, some sun exposure is a boost to your health. Your body needs the sunshine vitamin to absorb calcium. The sun benefits our health by raising core body temperature, which facilitates increased cell function and higher energy, which in turn increases our detoxification and purification systems. Sunlight also stimulates the pineal gland. The pineal gland secretes melatonin (a powerful antioxidant), controls blood sugar, sleeping, and controls the pituitary gland. Sunlight is vital to our ability to sleep. Melatonin, which is synthesized by the pineal gland in the brain, is light-sensitive. I have no worries of being Vitamin D deficient because I'm a sun-lover!

100 VEGAN TESTIMONIALS

2011-09-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Since I became vegan, I have noticed....(fill in the blank).

This question was posted on Facebook and here are 100 responses from vegans around the world.

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that other animals can feel my veganism and I've formed very close bonds with other species of animals. And since I became vegan, I’ve noticed many more people becoming vegan too! M ‘Butterflies’ Katz

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how good it feels to have my actions in line with my values. Diane Gandee Sorbi

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed my energy levels went through the roof. Coileán Mac Alasdair

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how every other commercial on TV has some kind of animal product in it. Diane Sims

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how much I didn't see or know before! Rose McKenney

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I no longer feel debilitating depression or anxiety as I feel in sync with the universal energies. I no longer seek materialism or status, yet feel worthy of good fortune. I have found my voice, and with that, a sense of purpose. Cully Miller

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how differently I perceive the world. It became more sick and violent. Urosh Sredojevich

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed the beauty, complexity, and inherent value of all sentient beings. Gary Loewenthal

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that vegans come in all sizes, shapes, colors, races, religions, political parties. Michael Hobson

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I am healthier. Louise McGannon

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that 1.) I question things more. I had swallowed the BS that humans HAD to eat animal products so after I realised this was untrue I wondered what other BS in my culture/society I was swallowing. 2.) I felt physically and mentally so much happier and healthier. Like I must have been riddled with unconscious guilt before, which was destroying me physically and mentally. 3.) I feel closer to animals and herbivorous animals trust me more now. (eg horses sniff our breath to see what we've been eating. If it's meat they tend to fear us, for obvious reasons.) Amanda Benham

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that human-caused suffering and exploitation are everywhere and are the intrinsic foundation our cultures, traditions, and economic and social systems are built on. And that our species is essentially a parasite that takes, uses, devours, and destroys until there is nothing left. I’ve noticed that all forms of oppression and exploitation and injustice are inextricably interwoven. I’ve noticed that no matter how much I thought I knew about our treatment of other animals, when I looked deeper, the reality was invariably and markedly worse than I could have ever imagined—beyond anyone’s worst nightmares. I’ve noticed that there is no reason to believe in some mythical place called “Hell” because for untold billions upon billions of irreplaceable individuals, hell is all they will ever know and it is we humans who have sentenced them to it, all so we can appease our taste buds, vanity, egos, and enrich our bank accounts. And, not surprisingly, I’ve noticed that I don’t like our species very much and that I firmly believe the planet and all Earthlings will be much better off after the inevitable demise of homo sapiens. I've noticed that "if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention"; and that "once you know something, you can’t unknow it"; and that empathy is a very painful “gift;” and that true lasting happiness is a near impossibility in a world filled with and powered by misery, violence, and death. And I’ve noticed that despite the insurmountable odds and impossibility of getting humankind to fundamentally change its collective view and treatment of the Earth and other Earthlings, I know that my purpose in life is to attempt—in whatever small way I can—to do just that. Monica Ball

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I've become a better person. Madhur Patel

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how much denial non-vegans are in. Kim Elizabeth Johnson

Since I became vegan, I have noticed I am sexier. Justina Novitarini

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I still have a LOT to learn. Barbara DeGrande

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I have less blood on my hands than before. My conscience is clearer…not weighted down by the knowledge that I am part of the death machine. Paul and Baby York-Vegan

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how much happier I am, the weight has been lifted from my shoulders - I feel clarity and I'm able to show people this so they too see the right path. Alta Esta

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I feel lighter. June Siegel-Hill

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how times have changed over the past 40 years.....how much more educated we are today about animal exploitation and suffering.....and how there is no excuse for not being vegan in 2011! Susan Gallagher Cassidy-Ray

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how cruel humans are. Sari Alie

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how good fruits and vegetables taste. Elizabeth D’Vegan

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed wild animals aren’t as afraid of me. Butterflies land on me, toads follow me around the yard, and even wild animals that I find that are hurt are docile and allow me to pick them up. It is totally awesome. I don’t get sick, not even a cold, the flu, nothing… Julie Ann Sherwood Zserdin

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I've found Peace within myself. Helen Dalilah Osh

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed life become grander in so many ways. I feel healthier than ever, my skin is clearer and younger, I think clearer. I love feeling love, I love feeling love for all of life, including non vegans. Claire Fullbright

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how much happier I am. Batty V Katt

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed so many things. I could write a short story: Mental clarity, a heightened appreciation for life, a greater love for animals…even for humans, (even though their ignorance at times, makes me short tempered), a need for more knowledge...and on and on and on. Shelly Vegan Norton

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed people are more money-minded and don’t bother about what is happening to animals. Some don’t even want to listen. Pintu Vegana

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed every single thing that is not vegan…as if magnified with a spotlight. So how did I not notice these things before I was vegan? Elisa Jonson

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how very fearful humans are of change and how they long to be compassionate but can’t. Dianne Robison

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how even MORE cruel people can be. They just lash out just because; just because I do not eat animals or their secretions. It's really sad and quite weird! Lis McVeganham-Wolf

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how animal exploitation is virtually a part of every aspect of society. Jody Chesik

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I feel so much more peaceful and connected to everyone, and that brought me a new found sense of spirituality. Don Robertson

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed food tastes better! And that I no longer have cognitive dissonance.
Molly Clark Duffy

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed the necessity for education and non-violence, and the obligation I have to contribute to that. Carolyn Bailey

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed the arthritis I had just been diagnosed with before becoming vegan has improved beyond belief. Not the reason I became vegan at all, just a happy side effect! Vanessa Lackford

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I feel better than I have since before chemo AND no more meds and remedies to "go" to the bathroom! That all happened in one week! Cindy Taffel

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how self-concerned people are that they don't care what happens to others, as long as it makes them feel better (temporarily). Alexa Reed

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how much goodness I can help bring into this world. Alan O’Reilly

Since I became vegan I notice I can relate to the world better. Veganism has allowed me to transcend my habitual thoughts and actions, obviously in regards to animals, but also humans and the natural world. It encourages me to be compassionate and it motivates free thinking. Veganism has also allowed me to be non-selective with my compassion. Steven Ahimsa Felix

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I am not the most important being on the planet. :)
Michelle McLoughney

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I can live with myself. Valerie St. Denis

Since I became vegan, I notice...ALL forms of oppression more easily. Danny ‘VeganBatman’ Nichols

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed more than ever, how much conscious cruelty humanity inflicts on each other and our fellow earthlings. Monica ‘Vegananimalrights’ Lucas

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that a layer of gloom was lifted from my mind and soul. I began to realize that 1. I don't need animal protein to survive, 2. I can think more clearly and rational about things in general than before, 3. My allergies improved tremendously, 4. I continue to grow spiritually and easier now as to where I was before was like pulling the ball and chain. 5. I can eat a lot more now and stay at a healthy weight. There is only one possible negative thing about it, and it is that I have little interest to socialize with the people I did before, I know I have nothing against them personally but I can not longer relate to them in the same way as before and make sense to their mentality and their moral retardation so I choose to stay away and spend the time I used to give to them to creating awareness about animal rights and educating myself further.. I am still in the crawling stages compared to many but I am loving every second of it! This has not had a negative effect to me at all. I always like the company of my husband (also a vegan) and my two dogs better. Clara Bemer

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed my compassion has been extended to all life, even the seemingly insignificant ones. My psychic awareness and connection to the planet went through the roof. I am happier, I feel better, life IS better!!! Oh, and the ten pounds I lost right away have stayed off! Going on two years now! :-) VegAnn Hawks

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed the thoughtless cruelty around me, in every meal people eat, in their words, in their attitudes. Luan Webber

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that everybody should have a goal and an IDEAL. Mine is to be alive to witness the day that all animal factory farms and slaughterhouses are closed and all laboratories that use animals for experimentation are closed. Everybody exists. It is only the few who live. To live, you should have an IDEAL. Life is short. The path is long. The pinnacle is very high. The time is very little---Old Hindu verse—Arthur Poletti

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed, I feel better about myself and living up to my values, and I no longer have mucus nor allergies in the summer. Nan Sea Love

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed collectively humans have a long way to go in many respects. The plight of non human animals is possibly the last generally unrecognized social justice issue. Although, unfortunately the ones that are harmed by this injustice are most of the individuals that are on the earth. Also, a great sense of purpose. Olly Stearn

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I feel better, no guilt, and better tasting food! Sarah Panullo

Since I became vegan, I have noticed how easy it is to be vegan, how much better I feel, both physically and mentally. I have also noticed that there is an enormous variety of different foods that I would never have tried had I not embraced the vegan lifestyle....in fact I wonder why more people have not embraced this lifestyle. Carlos Oliveira

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that animals and their rights are the most important things in the world to me. Kate Drake

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that my chronic and often terrifying asthma disappeared completely, that I had loads more energy, that bodily symptoms I'd attributed to age disappeared, and that I felt so much happier, having a clear conscience to go with the joy of the 'clean' food I was now consuming.
Sue Henderson

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I am more aware of the world and its inhabitants. Avril Simms

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed I never ever get sick. Since going vegan, I haven't even had so much as a sniffle (unless I get dog hair up my nose). Paul Fusch Dittoing Julie

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed sinusitis has cleared, haven't had the flu. Mind is clearer. At peace. Feeling more compassionate. Ignatz Ziller II

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I haven't been sick since, my colon problems have gone away, I discovered a whole new variety of foods, I feel healthier, I see meat as the tortured corpse of a dead animal instead of food, it pains me to see meat or dairy in any form, and I can live with a clear conscience but constantly feeling the suffering of the animals. Alex Corrigan

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I became more sensitive to the plight of other creatures as well as social justice issues. Valerie McGowan

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that that I am less speciesist. That I am more aware of other sentient beings and I am more sensitive and lighter. Since meeting up with Prof. Francione's work, I have a much better sense of justice and a better understanding of nonviolence. I now truly believe, particularly since being aware of Prof. Gary L. Francione's work, that veganism is the most important social justice movement anyone can engage in. Veganism can solve many of the world's problems and so it's vital for everyone who is vegan to educate themselves and then educate others. Veganism is much more than a diet. We need to end the property status of other animals through creative, nonviolent vegan education.http://www.veganpamphlet.com/ I can not think of a better, more important way to spend one's life than doing vegan education. http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/ - Trisha Roberts

Since I became vegan, I noticed I have better skin, a cleaner conscience, and I've been effortlessly losing weight. Justin Michael Schmidt

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I notice all of the suffering all around me, every day, whether I see it or just know it's there. Mary Martin Loder

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how something so simple as respect for all, can be made so complicated and demeaned by social conditioning. Lorraine Haines

Since I became Vegan, I've noticed that I am more aware of suffering and the socially accepted violence around us, but I am also more motivated to move the world forward as I know now that it is possible, (and since eating mostly raw vegan food, my dermatitis has stopped! Sally Thompson

Since I became vegan, I noticed how deeply entrenched carnists are in their ideology that meat eating is “normal,” as speciesists are deeply entrenched in their ideology that human supremacy over nonhuman animals is “normal.” Janet Weeks V

Since I became vegan, I noticed....how conscious I now am about the effects of all my actions, and I take great care to choose the most humane path available for living beings and natural systems. Sheryl Rapee-Adams

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how *easy* it is to eat and use only plant/mineral-based products. Lindsey Sanders

Since I became vegan, I have noticed not only the injustices behind animal products, but capitalism itself. In the same way that the animal-using industries want the public to remain disconnected from the horrors that occur behind closed doors, capitalism feeds off the ignorance of consumers so that we buy more, unaware about the consequences our impulse buys have on cheap laborers and the environment as a whole. Veganism has inspired me to consume less and to be more mindful about the purchases I make, as well as become more aware of various forms of privilege, oppression, and other social justice issues that are intertwined with animal liberation. Chelsea Miller

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I am healthier in both physical and mental way, no more depression.
I´ve been trying to save any living being if possible. I´ve been getting much more sensitive about other beings and their hurt and suffering. Been feeling almost nauseous in grocery stores cause of all meat and other animal products. To say it in a simple way: my eyes have been opened, finally! Janne Högström

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed for the first time that I am living a clean life - clean physically, spiritually, emotionally and morally. Christine Vardaros

Since I became vegan, I realize that I can make a real difference in alleviating the suffering of other animals. I am not powerless to help them, therefore I no longer feel ashamed of being a human being. Relationships with my animal kin have become free of guilt and confusion. I have found a meaningful moral baseline. The missing piece of the puzzle has fitted into its rightful place. Katia Luto

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed a whole weight of guilt was lifted from me when I thought I had to eat animal products to survive. I have since found so many other options for what I eat and consume in other ways. Maida Waldner Genser

Since I became vegan, I felt bad for every day I was a vegetarian and vowed never again to consume anything that came from an animal. I realized my life from this moment on is for the animals and I must do everything in my power to stop the vile animal abusers and their killing spree. I realized the fight for animals does not end in my kitchen and that we must collectively work together to form a real resistance movement. I realized nothing is more important than fighting for the abused, enslaved, and tortured. I will stop at nothing to help the victims achieve their freedom. Animal Liberation! Ghazal Tajalli

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I feel so liberated in mind, body and spirit. I have also gained clarity of mind and am so healthy. I love knowing that the choices I make do not harm another sentient being. Melissa Vegan-Keller

Since I became vegan, I have noticed in going vegan that I was paying ultimate respect to all animals in not eating wearing or otherwise using them to the greatest possible extent. I understood, thanks to Gary L. Francione, this was the least I should be doing. But since I became vegan I've had an overwhelming sense that I finally have found my purpose in life. And quite simply, that is to spend the rest of my life acquainting others of this same simple, yet powerful, obligation. Jeffrey Coolwater

Since I became vegan, I have noticed I've noticed the frightening lack of interconnectedness most humans have to the living world around them and the incredibly destructive thoughtlessness with which they go about this. I may be healthier in body BUT I'm A LOT sadder than I have ever been. No personal improvements can outweigh the knowledge I have gained that humans are a cancer on this planet and that we will not be missed. I feel a personal responsibility to tread as lightly on this planet as I can possibly manage. Becoming Vegan has been a wake-up slap to reality! Jen GaiaVegan

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that there is a lot of different vegan foods out there that I had never tried before. That tofu is delicious if it's prepared in the right way. That we are all animals and all persons - and that forcing others to do our bidding is just plain and simply, wrong. And-that we can live without using nonhuman animals. And also, that I no longer feel like I couldn't live in a world were pets didn't exist. I now feel like what we are doing is wrong, and that everyone deserves to be free to live their life as they choose. Michaela Österlund

Since I became vegan, I have noticed I get fewer colds and my nose is not blocked up all the time. Greg McFarlane

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how oblivious others around me are to the suffering they are causing, simply by living what they consider their 'normal' everyday lives. How much needless violence is caused by the products they use even just to shower with in the morning, before even starting with who they may be eating for breakfast, let alone lunch and dinner, or whose skin provided their handbags, clothes, shoes, etc...How the evidence of that suffering is apparent everywhere I go but it seems I'm the only one who realises...as though everyone else is unconscious, whilst I'm wide awake and yet living in a constant nightmare of the knowledge of that suffering. Sometimes it just makes me want to scream..."Wake up!!! See what I see and DO something about it!!!" And also that however bad this all makes me feel, it's NOTHING compared to the pain and misery the other animals are forced to go through, every moment of every day. Sue Rivers

Since I became vegan, I have noticed how conformist most people seem to be. Richard Twine

Since I became vegan, I have noticed how deep in denial most of the world is about the production of dairy products. Dairy is still seen by most people as something good, nourishing - something to nourish and reward children with - and that a life without any dairy products at all is seem by most people, to be an unsatisfying and unhealthy diet. I've also noticed how unaware most people are of what it actually means to be vegan, and that it's widely seen as a mere diet. Flavia LotusBlossom

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that although the world seems a much weirder place now, I am much happier and I am extremely glad to have had the opportunity to encounter veganism and be just to animals. Vera Cristofani

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I feel a true kinship with all life. Donna Anderson

Since I became vegan, I have noticed I have more energy, less to no aches, clear skin and better mood. Now I notice all the time how much our society relies on animal exploitation, how dairy is everywhere, how apathetic people are to violence on animals. And how the connection I have with my dogs was always great, but now is on another level (and this includes all living beings). Martina H. Shakahari

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I have found that I am far more connected to animals than humans. When with animals and nature I'm at peace whereas around people I feel contemptuous of them for knowingly partaking of unimaginable suffering. The arrogance I find in people is appalling that they believe they are superior to other beings. Tricia Glynn

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I'm happier! (which is something that everyone wants, but very few can achieve.) I may worry and get upset when seeing and empathising with the suffering of animals, but at the end of the day having compassion for animals has made me a better person and has enabled me to enjoy a richer life. Andres Grijalva

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that we truly DO live in 'The Matrix' and are a virus on this planet. Vegans have burst through the delusion that all's well behind the Slaughterhouse curtain. Also that the rabbit hole is very very deep!!! And how DISCONNECTED we are from nature! And how many animal-lovers eat animals. Diane Smith

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that Compassion arouses such suspicion in people, but it's the best thing I have or will ever do. I love animals and now I am a living protest. Looking around we are ethically bankrupt in the way we treat animals as *things* and I don't want any part of it... It changes your life in every way for the better. Wendy Shaw

Since I became vegan, I have noticed less hair on my body, inclined to be cooler temperature wise, and my love and respect for the animals, for the indigenous people has grown and grown. I am also very happy in my own skin (vegan 36 years) NO animal milk 67 years, no eggs 69 years. Rex Tyler

Since I became vegan, I have noticed I sleep better! Nerida V Monk

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I prefer animals to most humans! Patricia Anne Bellairs

Since I became vegan, I have noticed …
- that food can be a drug, or a medicine.
- that my body increasingly prefers raw foods.
- the connection between mood and hydration.
- that what i crave is not always what i need.
- that people are truly addicted to meat and dairy.
- that vegan is the healthy and ethical choice.
- that vegans are more 'awake' than omnivores.
Scott Lahteine

Since I became vegan, I have noticed how deeply rooted suffering, cruelty and injustice is and how it's so completely normalized and how hypocritical everything is. Sarah Kiser

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that many other vegans do not take activism seriously, which can be way more impactful to animals than our own consumer choices. Joseph T. Espinosa

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed all of the above and a sense of FREEDOM. Ann Thomas

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I began to understand the meaning of speciesism.
Wendy A. M. Prosser

Since I became vegan, I noticed how utterly cruel and selfish the human species can be.
Sharron PrymakaV-Osh

Since I became vegan, I have noticed that I feel so much more inner peace, and a sense of connection with other beings. It is quite liberating. Peter Farras

Since I became vegan, I have noticed how wonderfully connected I feel to Mother Earth and all her creatures. My soul is at peace. Kerry L Shoemaker-Davis

Since going vegan, I’ve noticed that going vegan is easy – take it from a ‘newby’. And I didn’t think it would be easy! I have not once been sorry. I have not missed anything I used to eat (like meat, eggs, butter). I can’t even begin to tell you the wondrous ways my life and views have changed. Bridget Vegan-is-Love

Since I became vegan, I‘ve noticed that it improved mental health. Afterwards what sadness/anger I felt with the new facts (I watched Earthlings years after going vegan for no reason I could define, and I had no idea humans could be so cruel) is like fuel and very different to any depression I had before going vegan, which was no doubt caused by a subconscious knowledge. There are cues we pick up about inconsistencies/injustice around us. Tharan SxEv

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I feel lighter, happier and more at peace inside. People say I look younger than ever. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. As an animal lover the vegan diet is the perfect diet incorporating health and compassion. Kathy Divine

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I have more passion for life. I have a purpose. I am a vegan superhero. John Sakars

Since I became vegan I've noticed that I actually feel like "me" more than I ever have before. I may be the only one around that sees the world without the aid of rose-colored glasses... Sometimes it's lonely - But it's also REAL - I can live with that. Bea V Elliott

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed cruelty is everywhere and most people are oblivious to it.
Shelley Petlansky Watkins

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed how easy it is to convince others that using nonhuman animals is wrong, and how much harder it is to get them to change how they live. Leah McKelvie

Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed that I am also kinder to myself. Luis David Rojas

The Magic of the 60's

2011-08-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

"To those of my generation who once held high ideals - It's NEVER TOO LATE to make this change! I became vegan in my sixties, after a lifetime of believing that vegetarianism was enough. My generation are the children of the 60's, many of us "dropped out" of the dominant culture, we became vegetarian, we held ideals & ideas of peace & love, we envisaged a better world.

Large numbers of us became politicized, campaigned for a society free from racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism & all the other isms that create enmity. We understood how personal change is empowering and crucial to how societies progress.We achieved much, but not enough. Let's re-kindle our youthful belief in a better world. Let's join in solidarity with the younger generation. Let's wake up to the truth. Justice and equality demand that we fully embrace veganism and an end to the false and destructive construct of speciesism. Peace and Love to all beings.”

Katia Luto

3 yr old telling us he's a vegan (He can't say 's' or 'v' yet!)

2011-08-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

A True Story: Co-existing with free-living Animals

2011-07-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

Photo: Golden Rees with a rather sane reaction to our deer friend!

Once upon a time, I lived a magical reality. I literally lived for months on end, year after year for two decades, in a magical spot located in a national forest; at 8,000 ft. elevation. I lived there with human vegan friends and with other herbivore animal friends. This forest did not have bears, wolves, snakes, and rarely were humans seen. Interestingly, there were hardly any carnivores in this magical reality. I did meet a coyote once and introduced him to our little ‘Magic’; our canine friend who ate a vegan diet. I lived with hummingbirds, rabbits, porcupines, wild turkeys, voles, chipmunks, and ground squirrels that ate seeds from our hands. I lived closely with deer that rested contently nearby in my campsite. They were friends and came when I called them over for some lovin’ or organic produce. After many years, we were able to pet them. I protected them during hunting season. Coping with the hunting season became the hardest part of living in the national forest. It brought me to my knees; broken-hearted and devasted.

I lived with cows and bulls that roamed the forest. The land was leased out to “cattle” ranchers. The first time I heard a bull’s bellow echoing down the meadows, I about keeled over in fear. But I soon realized however fierce they looked or sounded, that they would not hurt me. They’re herbivores. We co-existed on the long alpine and forested meadows. A cow could drink a five gallon bucket of water at a time - when we were generous enough to offer (we had to truck the water in from a spring an hour away.) We both enjoyed finding a spot to spend some time amongst the white barked Aspens and the sweet smelling bark of the Ponderosa Pine. We both liked living in peace away from humanity, above the world, under the big blue sky.

The only scary animal I ever came into contact with for over two decades was the human animals. In the end, I was literally forced out of the forest by a substantial forest fire. I made it out just in time! It was a fire started by humans. According to a female forest ranger present at the time, it could have easily been put out; it was just one tree. But “forest management” decided to let it go (for the benefit of the forest!) They made the wrong choice. A strong wind came and spread the fire through the woods. I visited once after the fire was put out. The white barked Aspens were now black stumps. My forest friends and I were driven out by the one species of animal that ruined everything. The human animal is the only one that I ever had any problems with while living two decades in a forest filled with many species.

Part 1 of 4 - Let's Not Give up Before we Get Started Video - James La Veck

2011-07-20T04:49:00.000-07:00

Let's Not Give Up Before We Get Started, Part 1 of 4 from Tribe of Heart on Vimeo.