Going Vegan in Stages?

I recently commented on yet another story depicting gruesome animal suffering. I won’t go into the details now. You can read about them here if you wish. Many comments suggested going Vegetarian to avoid participating in such terrible animal cruelty. I pointed out though, that many people get stuck in the Vegetarian “dairy and egg rut” without realizing the equal, and indeed, greater extents of animal suffering associated with dairy and egg production. Animals used for these products are made to suffer even longer misery than the relatively short sad lives of animals used for meat. In any case, one of the commenters wrote to me in reference to one of my comments. She asked for advice on how someone could go Vegan “in Stages” which I’d suggested as a more useful and effective alternative to the Vegetarian “step”.

Herein is my reply to the woman’s query:
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Dear…

I think it was this part of my comments you were referring to:

“Try Vegan for breakfast for a few weeks to see how much healthy and tasty variety is possible. Then add Vegan lunches for a few weeks to get more of a feel for these meals. And so on with dinners. That way people would get a gradual taste for how easy and varied and nutritious and satisfying completely compassionate Vegan eating can be.”

Since you didn’t specify any particular areas of concern, I would say just follow my above suggestion… armed with Google at your fingertips. I mean it! It’s that easy. I can’t tell you how many really good Vegan recipe blogs there are out there! I even found one recently on “Southern style” Vegan cooking. Say you like broccoli or you have some asparagus in the fridge, just search vegan broccoli or asparagus recipes. Say you want to start off with Vegan breakfasts, just search Vegan breakfasts! You’ll be amazed at what you come across. I just did a search for “Vegan Bacon and Eggs” and got a whole batch of interesting links.

Of course you will make adaptations as well. For example, I happen to love Tofu Scramble. You’ll see lots of variations on this popular “anytime” dish. I fry some small-diced potato with chopped sweet onion so the onion’s still crunchy. When the potato’s almost done, I mash a package of firm tofu to the consistency of “scrambled” eggs and mix it in. While it’s heating up, I’ll throw in a little diced tomato. While the tomato’s warming, mix in a little curry powder and a small dash of water. Serve as is, with some Vegan-buttered whole grain rye toast. If you like it spiced up, shake some Hot Sauce on the scramble. Heat up some Vegan Bacon slices and serve the tomatoes on the side instead, if you wish. Delicious!

As you begin to add Vegan lunch and then dinner offerings, you’ll see there’s so much variety you’ll have choices of easy or more involved recipes. As I think of things I want to try, I add ingredients to my shopping list. And that way I can see what kind of variety I’m maintaining in my fridge and pantry. And at the same time, I get ideas for meals I’d like to prepare the following week. I used to cook 2 or 3 things on the weekend so I could freeze meals for the whole week. Now that I’m (newly) retired, I can cook more often. Whatever suits you.

There are also some great Vegan podcasts to listen to. And they’re all free! Search the iTunes Store -podcast section- for Vegan podcasts. If you don’t have iTunes, get it! It’s also free, for Mac or Windows. I love listening to the “Vegan Freak Radio” podcast (Click “Radio” link) and “Compassionate Cooks” (Click “Food for Thought” podcast in the “Writings” menu).

If you haven’t heard of Professor Gary L. Francione, you should definitely start reading his blog. He’s recently started doing spoken word commentaries in a podcast as well. He is regarded as the originator of the Abolitionist movement, which seeks to end all forms of animal exploitation by abolishing the commonly held perception of animals as “property”. And, as I have said, Veganism forms the moral baseline of this society-changing philosophy.

Another valuable resource is the website for Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, together with their blog, this site is full of useful information and wonderfully down to earth yet inspirational writing to remind us about the some of the sentient beings we go Vegan for.

Finally, as you begin eating compassionately, you can also begin to assess your personal and household products and your wardrobe. Virtually everything we use and wear that is the result of animal use and suffering — be they animal ingredients in things like lipstick or toothpaste, actual animal products like leather shoes or purses or wool suits or socks, or products tested on animals like deodorant or floor polish or air freshener — can now easily be replaced by quality, cruelty-free, non-animal items… at almost the same cost!

I find it infinitely easy to rationalize spending a few dollars more or buying a little less each week, knowing I don’t participate in or facilitate cruelty to the greatest possible extent any more.

I hope this gives you something of a useful starting point.

Good luck. Take care. And feel free to let me know how you progress.

Jeffrey

Vegetarianism as a

Vegetarianism as a “Gateway” to Veganism?

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The Path to Abolition

I’m not sure if you’ve followed my blog much, nor how much you’ve seen of my commentary, nor how much you’ve researched the subject of animal cruelty or exploitation, especially from the aspect of “societal norms”. Suffice it to say, there are enormous differences between “animal welfare” and “animal rights”. I was a staunch supporter of all that encompasses Welfarist philosophy when I first joined the “movement” almost 20 years ago. But my convictions have now evolved to firmly embrace Abolitionist philosophy. Generally Welfarism, which is what most societies’ compassionate sector subscribes to, basically seeks to “lessen” pain and suffering and cruel practices inherent in virtually ALL human uses of animals. Ultimately though, Welfarism fails as it does NOT seek to end the use of animals by humans. Some Welfarist org’s, like WWF, openly support continued animal exploitation like hunting and fishing. They speak of “cultural and economic survival” and “sustainability of resources”, they respect “quotas” and pledge to “harvest humanely” as if these billions of living creatures were nothing more than a crop of wheat! Others, like HSUS and PETA, not-so-openly actually encourage continued exploitation of “farm” animals albeit by “kinder, gentler” production methods.

The fallacy though is that the gradual changes or reforms Welfarism is fighting for are actually helping to eliminate suffering and exploitation. The fact is, they are NOT helping. Statistics abound that show animals are being consumed and used by many means, be it for food, clothing, entertainment, research, products and product testing, etcetera in ever greater numbers and despite humane regulations! And consumers, those that at least say they “care” about animal welfare have shown they are not only absolutely willing but even MORE willing to consume or partake of animals that have been raised or used “humanely”, “organically”, “compassionately”, or any other industry or marketing bafflegab. The sad reality is these animals are STILL being used! These animals are still being treated to lives of deprivation, emotional AND physical trauma and suffering, and above all, a completely UNnatural existence.

It was only through exposure to Abolitionist thought that I came to the crystal clear realization I did not want to participate in this ruse anymore. I dedicate my efforts to exposing this reality and educating others of the need to shift the way we think of animals – not as our property but as independent sentient beings! In coming to the realization that we do not “need” to use animals for ANY purpose, indeed that ALL animals have an innate right to their own families, communities, relationships, habitats… to their own unfettered lives, we can and should stop ALL exploitation instantly. And hence, the “abolition” of animal exploitation… the end of slavery.

Urgent Appeal for Help

The RR Refuge for Horses in Alexandria, Ontario, Canada is in urgent need of our help.

Refuge RR for Horses is a federally registered, charitable organization which rescues, rehabilitates and provides permanent homes for abused, neglected and/or abandoned horses. They also provide peaceful retirement for horses who are no longer serviceable. Along with their equine residents they also provide sanctuary to a variety of other animals: sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats.

Recently, their well has gone dry and they have no water for 165 and more animals who live at their rescue. They have 33 horses as well as cows, sheep, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, peacocks, pigeons, rabbits, dogs and cats.

Winter cold is coming fast to this part of the world and the neighbours, who have been helping, will no longer be able to supply water vital for their lives. 

Water drillers have been digging for the past month in an effort to find water, but sadly to date, now almost November, 2008, none has been found. With no guarantee of finding water, it is estimated the cost will be approximately $18,000. 

The Refuge is asking for your help to fund this well for the animals. Like all refuges, what abounds is dedication, lots of love, and much poverty. The refuge can’t continue like this. 

Please help put this refuge right again by sending a donation, no matter how much you can spare, indicating that your donation is “FOR THE WELL”.

Although they are looking into PayPal for their site, at the present time donations must be mailed. Their address and phone on a printable form can be found on this page:

http://www.refugerr.org/donate.htm

And they can provide donors of $25.00 or more with a tax receipt.

Thanks to friends Lindsay and Carol for posts and notifications… people like you make the world a better place!

 

Animals are NOT ours to use – in any way!

In a recent thread about the atrocious conditions at the Belgrade Zoo, a friend sums up my general feelings toward Zoos very well:

“…I remember when I was 5 years old going to the zoo and seeing a bear on top of his little wooden house pacing to the end, stopping, lifting up his paw, turning around and doing the same to the other end, over and over. I asked my mom what he was doing, everyone thought it was so cute, I found it disturbing.

Years later I saw a show where they were talking to a vet. They were discussing zoos and animal behaviour and he talked about animals doing things over and over, such as the bear I saw. 

The vet said this is because the poor animal has literally lost his mind from being enclosed for years. To this day, I remember that bear, he pops into my head every once in a while. This zoo was in very good condition compared to Belgrade and this bear still went crazy from being locked up. Throw in vile conditions such as Belgrade zoo has, it must be a complete nightmare.”

The Belgrade Zoo SOS site linked above appeals to relocate the animals, “to some other place where animals will have more space for a decent life”, and I do agree animals such as these poor unfortunate souls MUST be offered sanctuary from such horrific subjugation! I feel ALL animal captivity is ultimately cruel as it is simply extremely UNnatural. Even in what society terms “enriched environments”, it is still captivity!

In the same thread another friend makes the a very accurate observation, “99% of animals’ problems depart from one concept: Human Exceptionalism (Anthropocentrism / Speciesism)”, i.e., the extremely short sighted and arrogant notion that animals – and Nature – are somehow here for our use, entertainment, food, or any other form of exploitation we can think up. My friend’s solution is very simple, yet extremely powerful… 

“Go VEGAN!”

– practice a totally compassionate lifestyle –

Happy Meat ???

– ORGANIC – FREE RANGE – FREE RUN – NATURALLY RAISED –

– CAFE FREE – GRAIN FED –

It all sounds so healthy, so caring, so… well… RIGHT, doesn’t it?

I’M AFRAID NOT !

All meat or dairy or eggs or any other so named animal product is the result of a well oiled SCAM to make you, the caring consumer, BELIEVE those products come from animals that were treated to a “humane” existence… almost as if they were provided with the animal’s blessing!

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH as you will see by the example in this non-graphic video –

– courtesy, Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary

Don’t buy in to the mighty and, in my opinion, manipulative ad campaigns of the animal exploiters. Be they corporate, multi-national, industrial, or just local “family” operations, the times are changing. If you’ll pardon the pun, when it comes to the “farming” of animals these “farmers” are a dying breed!