Welcome to The Joyful Vegan: Stories of Transformation. As the founder and director of Compassionate Cooks, through which I teach vegan cooking classes; sell my cooking DVD, cookbook, and recipes; write extensively; and produce a podcast, I have the privilege of hearing from countless people who have become awakened to their own values of compassion for animals and who recognize that being vegan is a powerful means for preventing animal suffering and cruelty. Most everyone who learns about the unspeakable cruelty perpetuated against animals on our behalf often experiences denial, then anger. But what most don’t realize – and can’t until you go through this experience yourself – is that what comes next is beyond what anyone could have prepared you for. The sense of freedom, of empowerment, of joy that comes with knowing that you are no longer part of that violence is indescribable.
Once the lens through which you see the world changes, nothing is ever the same again, and I believe that in order to stay humble, we need to remember our story. We need to remember where we were and how we got to where we are now. At the same time, in order to feel supported, respected, and understood, I believe that we need to connect with other like-minded folks, as we navigate through a world that champions animal cruelty as a social norm and looks with suspicion and derision upon those who reject cruelty and violence.
Sharing our story with each other validates our own experiences and helps us see that we’re not alone – that many others go through the same feelings of pain, disbelief, anger, joy, relief, and frustration.
This blog is for all of you. I invite you to submit your stories of transformation: what your tipping point was, how you made the decision to become vegan, and what the experience has been like since you made the change. Your stories of transformation will inspire others to find their own voices and to recognize themselves through your stories.
For the animals, both human and non-human, I thank you for participating in this project.
~Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Founder and Director
Compassionate Cooks
http://www.compassionatecooks.com
Colleen:
You are wonderful! Thank you for posting my story; I really get a feeling of belonging when I read about the experiences of other vegans and see my own views mirrored in their statements. If you decide to run for President, please give me a little advance notice so I can get American citizenship in time to vote for you.
Thank you! I am a full fledged vegetarian in a house of carnivores and I just needed someone to remind me of how important this is. At 13 years old u really can`t refuse to eat what your parents serve, but the truth is I would rather die than eat another piece of animal. I feel bad when my parents get angry and use the guilt strategy or when my sister has to eat “the leafy green stuff” that she hates, but whenever a see an animal like my two beautiful cockatails or a dog in the street Im reassured that at least I will not hasten their murder. Thank You!
Nicolas Buitrago
Nicolas, you are an amazing young man. Keep it up, it’s hard to stand your ground when people don’t understand and you’re in the minority. You are doing the right thing, just make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, especially vitamin B12. Strength and thumbs up to you!
Good for you Nicolas!!!!!
Hi, Colleen. Thank you for inviting me to share my story with you. Actually, it’s OUR story; my 15-year old daughter and myself. Your podcasts inspired us to become vegan forever. We were horrified by the videos and the sad reality of these industries. Please continue to spread the word, my friend.
My husband continues to eat meat, while we’ve been vegan since February. It started as a way to give up something for Lent, and we have never looked back. It was a “safe” time for us because we were giving up something. Once my husband realized we were serious past Lent, the pressure began.
“You’re one of those PETA people!” he accused early on. He even went the “why do you care for animals over children?” routine, which you so astutely brought up as a common misperception in one of your podcasts.
Jessica and I weathered the “storm” with my husband, who has now lost weight due to the vegan dinners I prepare. Earlier in the spring, I wrote you a letter stating my despair and grief over the reality of what’s happening out there. Jessica and I continue to share our thoughts with others, and it is simply amazing how many respond over time.
I love your name, Compassionate Cooks, because you are not only compassionate to our animals, but also to those who are still in the dark about this reality. It is YOUR COMPASSIONATE APPROACH that has been needed for quite some time, so others can be reached. The overwhelming response to your podcasts, myspace and websites, I’m sure, are a testimony.
Lastly, please know what made me vegan, besides the obvious…I didn’t know that I could literally survive without meat. Thank you for helping me understand that this was a lie I was told many years ago..by my parents and society.
Keep up this amazing labor of love, Colleen.
Gratefully yours,
Linda Castor and Jessica Larson
I became a veg* over 10 years ago, but would falter at times. I then met a wonderful woman in Houston with a vegan radio show and she gave me the final “push”, as it were to become a vegan. I have never gone back and enjoy good health and such a wide variety of foods to eat, all with compassion. Now, living in western Montana and the difficulties of now being in a hunting culture, our family is building, as I write and starting a farmed-animal sanctuary near Missoula,MT. I am sitting here caring for my six dear little chickens and know I will be giving safe, loving care to future farm animals at: NewDawnMT Sanctuary.
Sincerely,
Susan Eakins
I just found your blog, and am very happy I did! I’m a vegetarian as of about 65 days ago, and have decided to become vegan as well. The play I’m in opens next weekend, and we run for two weekends–between now and then I’m crazy busy with work, rehearsals, family stuff, and don’t have the time to cook at all. But I’ve committed to myself that the day my mother returns back home after her visit ends on August 8th, I will cut out the dairy products.
I’ve been a little worried, because I have relied rather more heavily on cheese than I felt comfortable with, if only for my health reasons. But after reading so many other people’s success stories, and finding so many incredible vegan recipes, I’m confident that I can do it.
Now to bear the barrage of criticism from my well-meaning but non-understanding husband. Sigh.
Hi Colleen,
I’m so happy to have found your blog. I stumbled upon it while searching for the written version of one of your podcasts, The Joyful Vegan. I thought I would print this out to show my mum, hoping it would help her to understand why I’m vegan.
You convey a sense of peace, a sense of calm. When I listen to your podcasts and read your essays, not only am I comforted by the knowledge that I am not alone in the way I see the world, but I am grounded as well; I remember why I made the decision to avoid animal products, even though at times it can be a challenge.
I wish there were more people like yourself.
Thank you,
Tere
Great blog Colleen! Some FAB information within your posts. I look forward to reading more in the future. Keep up the great veggie vision. My Veg Blog
I am so glad I found this blog, I have almost no support in being vegan, I have been a vegetarian for 17 years, since I was teenager and I just didn’t know how to be healthy and have no dairy or eggs, now suddenly I have become aware of the dairy industry and the egg industry and all its horrors…..but the thing is, my husband is totally unsupportive and thinks I am being extreme and difficult, he wont listen to me and everytime I say I cant eat that because of cheese or whatever he gets annoyed. Now other people in my family are telling me that soy is dangerous and will give me and my children cancer, I dont know what to do if I cant eat or drink soy either. But I dont want to contribute to the suffering of animals. I dont even want to give my children meat or dairy because of how unhealthy and dirty it is besides how terrible the animals are treated.
At least I have this blog now to go to and read other peoples comments and know that i am not alone in this.
Thanks.
i heard the same thing about soy and how it blocks you from retaining the nutrients of the foods that you eat. I am also a vegan and had a suggestion for you, i suggest that coconut products like the oil “milk” and other things might be a healthy, delicious and fun alternative for you. If you don’t like coconut you might not have to worry because the kind i had didn’t really have the taste of it and i’m not a huge fan of coconut.The “so delicious” coconut stuff is really good and comes in different flavors. http://www.turtlemountain.com/
Actually, it is the processed soy stuff that isn’t great for you – but not neccessairly cancer causing. I was just reading on peta’s website that the study that said soy was dangerous was sponsered by the dairy council. As long as you eat whole soybeans, and soymilk, thats fine…its that soy protien isolate (found in a lot of soy meats and protien bars) thats not great to eat 100% of the time – but like someone else pointed out, eating eggs and cheese 100% of the time wasn’t good for us either. You should be fine as long as you balance processed soy with whole soy and whole veggies, grains, legumes, beans, and fruits 🙂
Hi, Colleen and readers,
I really admire those of you who struggle with veganism, but still persist! For some people, it is an incredibly difficult transition, especially if other household members do not join in. It is so inspiring to others who would make the switch to see others overcome the challenges associated with going against the grain. I attempted to be vegetarian twice as a child- but my parents couldn’t provide the support I needed (since I couldn’t exactly ride my daisy bike to the grocery store alone). Now I am very fortunate to have a husband that fully supports my veganism at home. I have been sharing all the amazing vegan recipes I have found (Like the Magic Chocolate cake- wow!), and I think I am definitely winning over my family members who were convinced they would starve to death if they went vegan.
Good food will win the world! 🙂
also — that study said something about soy increasing estrogen, but from what I’ve heard from NON dairy sponsered studies, it actually does not at all – so no crazy early puberty or weird tumours anything for the children (in fact, think about all the horomones and antibitics they put in meat…I’d rather eat the most processesd, non organic soy any day over that!). Lastly, organic is better when it comes to soy! Apparently they process non-organic with some weird stuff.
Hello
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
I finally saw the light after coming across the Vegetarian Food For Thought podcast in a crazed state of download mania (I admit I’m a podcast junkie). So once I listened to a few episodes, I started to question why I pamper my dogs and treat them like royalty, then turn around and force other animals to suffer for my pleasure. Since I couldn’t find any difference between my precious pups and pigs, cows, and chickens I decided to go vegan right then and there. Was a pretty simple decision.
Hello from Cattle Country,
My wife and I watched “Lady In The Water,” and afterwards, while I was out working in the garden, my wife went ‘internetting’ and found that the star of the film was a vegan as a result of this film called “Earthlings” so she pulled it up on YouTube and began giving me status reports. “Oh great,” I thought every time she’d come out and go “OH MY GOD!” but as I walked by I started watching.. and couldn’t stop …. it was like a car accident: you don’t want to stare, but you can’t look away. Worse, it was like seeing your SELF in the car crash.
“Well, so much for meat….” I said and that was it. No more meat. We even had a roast thawing in the sink and ended up throwing it out because we couldn’t break that knowledge. Veganism took about 2 days longer – how could we be ethical vegans and continue to consume products with so much horror attached? Might as well eat meat… so we quit.
We found your podcasts while looking for a supportive community and congrats, you really bring that sense of community. I drive for a living and listen to you pretty much all day, off and on. Reminds me that I’m not crazy. So, thank you very much and keep up the good work.
A couple of things I’d like to share with you:
I am a courier and used to work for Greyhound. Up here in northern alberta, I was horrified a couple of winters ago to be unloading the bus and finding that the box I was handling was “cheeping”. Baby chickens. Chicks. In the belly of the bus, in the middle of winter (it was about -40C). Half of them were dead. Even as an avowed carnivore I was disgusted by this practice. Now I realize that this isn’t the only horror these creatures have to endure, but it hasn’t really been mentioned… they’re born, stolen, debeaked … next scene they’re in the factory farm. But these animals are SHIPPED LIKE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. The boxes are handled by people, many of whom are just like factory farm workers: overworked, underpaid, and a little sadistic. I saw how these critters got handled just at our one station, god only knows how the rest of their journey went. Arg.
So I no longer work for the bus but still do courier work in rural Alberta. There is a chicken farm between the town where we live and the main urban center from which I pick up my freight. Even as the avowed carnivore visiting this facility made me sick: the stench. The lack of windows. The terror in the clucks that I heard. To find a consignee I had to enter the offices of the “barn” (large windowless steel shack) and the stench of.. poultry (dead birds and chicken crap) was so revolting that I nearly horek’d. Every time. And I still ate chicken. Since awakening I wondered what I would do the next time I had a delivery for them. Well, it happened the day before yesterday, and after speaking with my union rep and knowing that I couldn’t endanger my own family’s welfare (ie continued employment), I refused the delivery on the grounds that the site made me ill. They can drive into the city and pick up their stuff from now on. 🙂
Finally, I would like to give you an analogy for the transformation my wife and I are feeling since awakening to the truth – see, I hear “The Matrix” (or “Meatrix” if you prefer) used a lot, but unlike the Matrix, if you take the Blue Pill you go back and forget what you’ve seen. I can not forget. Have you seen “The Truman Show”? Basically this guy is raised living his entire life ignorant that everything around him has been carefully scripted for a TV show, and once he catches on and discovers the truth, he can’t go back.
That’s what I think it’s like. How could I go back to living the lie and pretend I didn’t know that almost everything around me was a lie, a carefully orchestrated facade designed to keep me consuming and perpetuating the industrial complex.
So long for now, we plan to sponsor your podcast as soon as we’ve paid off the bills. 😉 Peace be with you and kindest regards from our family,
James & Marci Bethell
and our sons Darwin & Orion and our daughter Ella
and our dogs Bosley and Foxy
and our kitty Mini-Mews
Hi Coleen. What a great site!
I am actually here because your photo icon for blogspot — the one where you’re lying on Lili the Pig? — made me laugh out loud. I have a picture EXACTLY like that of my daughters. Must be a go-to Farm Sanctuary photo opp:
Ok, let me read all these great posts now . . .
I’m sure this has occurred to you…
“The Joyful Vegan: Stories of Transformation” could be the basis of a wonderful book (one that could come out in a newer, more updated version.)
The diversity of the stories contained here continually blows me away (and blows away most, if not all, of the stereotypes about vegans). If there were a book version of this, I’d buy a copy for all my friends.
For the same reason that Studs Terkel’s books were such good reason (the authenticity and diversity of oral history), this could be a powerful book, in which almost every non-vegan reader could find their vegan mirror image.
Of course, you’d need permission from submitters, but I’m sure most people here would love to see their stories featured in a book that could transform more lives and help support your work.
I became vegetarian and later vegan as a result of two different experiences happening at nearly the same time. One was a conversation I had with my husband discussing my friend’s veganism. The other was the news story about Scarlett the cat. Scarlett was a cat found by a firefighter outside a burning building. She had repeatedly gone back inside to rescue each of her kittens until her feet and hair were singed, her ears burned off, her eyes seared shut. But she kept going back. I couldn’t get her out of my head. Every time after that I wanted to consume meat, I would get a mental image of Scarlett and lose my appetite. After some research on the net and email help from my friend, I later went vegan.
My husband is now a vegetarian also. My son is vegetarian now and makes “Ew, yuck!” noises when he even sees a commercial for meat on t.v. We sponsor a rabbit at Farm Sanctuary and a turkey for Thanksgiving. Meat has been forever banished from our home.
Dear Colleen:
Thank you, thank you for your terrific podcast. I have been a vegetarian for about 6 weeks. It has been a slow, long process to get to this point. I’ve always been a picky meat eater, never eating veal or rabbit, more fish than chicken, but I did enjoy foie gras until about 5 years ago when I witnessed jars and jars of enlarged livers at a shop in Nice. Super Size Me and Fast Food Nation opened my eyes to the evils of the fast food industry, and as an environmentalist who is always looking for something else to do I was very interested in “cost” of raising meat to our environment. I started replacing the protein dishes that I was used to all my life for veggies with a side of Tofu, but I was definitely still eating meat. I only started listening to your podcast to get some more vegetarian dish ideas, but instead you opened my eyes and mind. I had no idea the demise of male baby chicks, or the conditions at slaughter houses. I didn’t know any of this. Of course I started listening to your podcast 3 weeks before a trip to Prague and Budapest. I thought about waiting until I got back to start totally eliminating meat from my diet (my many excuses including: it’s so hard to read an Hungarian menu, they won’t offer me any Vegetarian food, etc), but something you said about “doing something rather than do nothing” made me think. My master plan — eliminate meat from my diet for three weeks, fall of the wagon and eat meat in Europe and then come back and eat a plant based diet again. But it only takes three weeks to change a habit. And it was so easy being a Vegetarian in Europe. Almost every menu had a Vegetarian section with wonderful foods to choose from and the wait staff was always accommodating. I did not have any excuses, yes, as a “newbie” I messed up a few times, but almost all of my meals were vegetarian or vegan. And I had a wonderful vacation with lots of energy and a clear mind. On the train from Prague to Budapest I listened to 6 hours of your podcast and now I am completely “up to date” waiting for your next one. And I plan to sponsor your podcast as soon as I have paid off my trip 🙂
P.S. Last week I went to a Chinese Hot Pot restaurant and had the veggie-based soup with delicious vegetables, noodles and frozen tofu! I had never heard of frozen tofu before … you put a firm tofu in the freezer for a day and it creates these little holes that, when defrosted and put in a soup or stir fry “holds in” the flavor .. delicious!
Collen, I listen to your program often. I really enjoy the perspective, the way you frame your arguments and all of the information you give to back the cause. Please check out my blog sometime: http://www.punkrockpedagogy.wordpress.com. I am an aspiring vegan biology teacher. My passion for the sciences and understanding the interconnectedness of everything eventually led me to change my eating and consumptive habits. I set up the site for many of the same reasons you set up the Joyful Vegan, we should draw from each other’s knowledge and positivity after all. Take care.
thanks for the information.
Hi Colleen,
Thank you, this is just what I needed. I am Christian vegan. I have to say, I never have had so much opposition in my break room at work as to when I pull out my hummus and carrot sticks. It makes me sad and attacked. Sad, because I would like to believe if they new the suffering these animals went through, they would be doing the same, and attacked, because of the things said back to me with such hostility and defense.
Nonetheless, I am thrilled to be making a difference in the lives of animals. If I think too much about them, I feel flushed and I could cry, and I have to say I think I am a pretty tough gal when it comes to expressing my emotions. Anyways, I needed to hear from another Christian with her feet on the ground to say that you feel the same way. I have to say when people say what I am doing isn’t biblical, I just say the way these animals are treated aren’t biblical either. After all a proverb says that a good man takes care of the needs of his animals, and that God knows even when a sparrow falls the ground. God just doesn’t create things that He doesn’t love, and if He loves animals (which He does), then I know we should love then too. Unconditionally. Who knows, if the world treated animals the way they did in the Old and New Testament, maybe I would eat meat, but for now, I am totally meat and dairy free.
Blessings and puppy kisses..
I too protest the inhumane treatment to animals. I am a vegetarian. I have recently created a blog about the inhumane treatment of animals, personal views of such things, and am starting to write about chinese fur farms. My blog is of such things and would like to know if any animal supporters would take a look. Thanks and thankyou for your great blog. http://proactionsite.blogspot.com/
Colleen, thank you so much for your podcast! I am the mother of a beautiful baby boy and my husband and I have decided to raise him as a vegan. Friends and family have been hounding us for months over our decision, one friend even told me her doctor said raising him vegan would be the equivalent of cruel and unusual punishment. The same day I had decided to give in and add dairy to our diet, I stumbled across your website and listened to your podcast on the mothering instincts of cows. Thank heaven I had put off going to the grocery store! My husband and I have been reafirmed in our decision to remain a vegan family and I am at peace again.
Thank you so much for reminding me of the peace and joy found in living a vegan lifestyle.
God Bless
I too am a fresh Christian Vegan! Truly I was lead by the Holy Spirit to adopt this lifestyle and feel truly blessed to have a peacefull plate during each dining moment. My family of a dear husband and three daughters think Momma is crazy but they have noticed my new passion and appriciation for all of God’s creations =). They all still choose to eat meat and animal products… I have proven that you can eat vegan anywhere. Today my husband chose BBQ yes yuck… my 13 year old daughter choose the meat free baked potato! I was so proud of her I mean we were at a place w/ little pig drawings every where how could you enjoy meat.
What a neat enlightment & I am so glad I can share it with Colleen and others.
I am a Christian vegan and many of my friends are vegans and vegetarians. I adopted the diet a long time ago to reduce animals suffering. It is something I believe strongly in.
Your blog is really awesome and I will share it with my friends.
I went vegan on December 1, 2007. You hit a very important point, for me. When I made the decision to stop consuming animal products, I happened to be in a hotel room on business travel and caught PeTA’s Meet Your Meat video on TV. I was shocked and frustrated and a lot of other things. The part I did not realize, is how alone I would feel being vegan. I mean, I grew up in Indiana and it’s simply not part of the culture in my friend group. Mostly, people laugh when I tell them. But living in Southern California now, I’ve been reaching out to other vegans as best I can. Thanks to the internet!
I couldn’t have said it better…
“Sharing our story with each other validates our own experiences and helps us see that we’re not alone – that many others go through the same feelings of pain, disbelief, anger, joy, relief, and frustration.”
For one thing, it is a different world now than it was 9 years ago when I decided, like an experiement, to ‘try’ being vegetaring… just to see if… what? If it could be done?
7 years before that, my little sister announced her decision to be vegetarian and it felt like an attack on our family’s way of life. Everything she told us caused me such pain I simply denied it. I loved animals, of course. But if eating them really was not right… people wouldn’t do it. It wouldn’t be legal. And certainly if it were actually unethical to eat chicken, our own beloved mother would have let us in on it. When I was 15, somehow, my mom still knew everything. Her response to my sister was; “it’s ok to be vegetarian; and it’s ok not to be.”
I was allergic to milk and dairy products and most of my food consisted of ‘very healthy fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meat.’ I was very into health yet had never heard of tofu. My sister’s veggie sausage links made the microwave stink; I didn’t know how she could suffer through them. But when she decided to go vegan a few months later, I could finally relate. Now that she eliminated cheese from her world, I had someone else in the family with whom I could share all things food (though it obviously wasn’t mutual , as I still ate those “healthy” decaying animals). We had soymilk in the house, (which I had never tried, despite my dairy allergy; I grew up eating my cereal with apple juice:) Although neither of us liked it strait, we started cooking with it, and trying other non-dairy stuff. Still, the pain of it was so hard for me. when she showed me pictures, I looked right at them and told her they weren’t true. That couldn’t happen. No way. Peta’s extreme. There must be a mistake.
At a Lilith Fair concert two years later (I’m 18 at this time) I walk by some animal advocate booth and get that little brochere; the one with the red and black animal cruelty pages that turn to fresh and green yummy ways to eliminate it. I looked through it, and looked up at the people at the booth. Does this really happen? I asked them. Yes, they assured me. This is terrible, I told them. Yep, they know they told me. In my heart, I decided- though still heavy with denial- that I could no longer in any way support factory farms, and it might be ok if I just tried to go vegetarian (which, with my allergy meant mostly vegan) and avoid it all together.
I was about to start my freshman year at Ohio State, and actually being away from home made it easier. In all these years, it’s always been most comfortable away from home. When I moved back near my family a few years ago, I literally got pulled back off the path. It didn’t feel horrible, and for health considerations, I thought I ‘had’ to do it (60 grams of protein a day from vegetables, avoiding soy products? How?) But no sooner was I back in my home town, than I began connecting with others who were vegetarian- totally non-judgemental- and when I realized – more deeply than before the essential compassion piece- about a year later, I was clearer than ever and never looked back. On Christmas, I gave up non-vegan dark chocolate (yep; sometimes it has milkfat) and chex mix (why must milk infect chex mix? oh well, I make it at home) and went totally vegan. Now, It’s so strong in me, and it’s been such a long time on the path that no one can even ask me if it’s healthy. I make vegan lunch for my office staff once in a while and lay out all the vegan cook books for others to browse. Our last two family holidays (with many extended family) were 90% vegan with a strange cooked animal hidden, almost with shame, out of site. I was a bit late to Easter due to a wedding (my family celebrated Easter on a different day:) and the poor sacrifice had already been removed from the dining room by the time I got there, with no trace left, except un eaten parts on some plates. It seems to me, those around me who aren’t vegan are simply vegans still in denial. I know that my judgements are not helpful, but it’s so clearly wrong that it’s so weird meat eating is even practiced anymore. God is blessing our planet, but each of us must wake up. I pray we do, as a people, as a planet.
I did a post (#3) in May, 2007. A little over a year later, I’m adding another post. Warm hello to Colleen!
As I write, my farm sanctuary is a reality in western Montana, near Missoula. It is called: New Dawn MT Farm Sanctuary, located in the Rocky Mtns. Website to follow in the near future.
In our current family of farm animals is: Belle and Anastasia, 2 Yorkshire pig sisters. They were rescued from a factory farm as former breeding mothers.
Next: Mort, Mollie and Minnie, 3 sheep. Very loveable!
Angie, an Irish Dexter cow. She was court ordered removed from a neglectful owner in the county we live in.
And, my dear 5 chickens continue to thrive. Last, a bunny and 2 rescued dogs make up the non-human family members. Me and husband, Lee keep thing afloat.
What a wonderful thing to be providing a safe, permanent home for these wonderful beings and a safe haven. All the animals truly have such precious personalities, each in their own way. Ambassadors all! Veganly, Sue
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Hi from Australia. (“land of the meat pie”)
What are you doing to America?!
Ridiculously impressive website!
A rare breath of hope on the web.
Magnificent work!!!
Best wishes.
Hi from Australia, “land of the meat pie”!
What are you guys doing to America?!
Ridiculously impressive website!
A rare breath of hope on the web.
Magnificent work!!!
Best wishes.
hi,collen I’m vegetarian from july to Now!
I feel really great,i have more energy
i ‘m very happy being a vegetarian
and i love animals,i love them
i would do many things for them
i LOVED your Blog
and I will write my history how i made a decision!
God Bless All Vegetarians & Vegans
I finally don’t feel so all alone! I have been a most of my life. My Mother said I started talking about animals since I was 2 and never stopped. I couldn’t eat them as a small child and I will never contribute to their harm. I do not understand how anyone can hurt an animal neverless purposely kill them. I am disgusted at how people think humans are above animals. That is so incredibly selfish and selfserving. Just because they don’t speak human doesn’t mean they are any less important.
I am so angry at society and I am so horrified at what humans do that I am ashamed to be part of the human race.
I personally do not know of anyone else who is a vegan. I live in Chilliwack, BC. It is a hunting/fishing farming city. I want to leave here more than I can say but I do not know where to go that has less cruelty and more people who feel as I do. I am considering the Okanagan.
Thank you for having a website I can feel part of.
Hi, I know this was a long time ago, but I just stumbled across this on a google search… I’m vegan, too, and in Chilliwack, and I know how difficult it is. I moved here from Burnaby with my family, and in August I’m moving back. I know EXACTLY what you mean about how disgusting it is that humans are regarded as more important than other animals… no one seems to understand me when I say that. There is every reason to stop eating meat and animal products, and absolutely no reason to continue. It gets so frustrating sometimes!
http://anotherchristianvegan.wordpress.com/ I’m a Christian and a vegan 🙂
First of all, I want to thank you, Colleen, for who you are, what you give to all of us who listen to your podcast, and for what you do for the animals. You have made a difference in my life and also in the lives of those around me.
I’m an American and I’ve been living in Egypt for 12 years. I have been a vegan now for 9 of them. Being a vegan in Egypt (and I’m willing to bet, in any Middle Eastern country) has its challenges and its benefits. Christians here fast (or refrain from eating animal products) for a good portion of the year, so there are almost always vegan alternatives in the market for us to enjoy. Also, people pretty readily understand what you mean you say you don’t eat animal products.
However, no one seems to understand reasons for refraining from animal products besides a ‘fast’. (And of course, it would be strange for anyone to ‘fast’ all the time, right?). So, when you say you NEVER eat animals or their secretions, people start to be confused. ‘But what about the feast? What do you eat then?’ It’s even stranger to them if you start talking about animal rights or about living a compassionate lifestyle. There is so much poverty and need among the HUMAN animals here that sometimes people overlook (or can’t find the energy for) the need for compassion towards the non-human animals.
Well, when I first became vegan, it was for health reasons. At one point, several people very close to me became ill at the same time with diseases that were directly linked to the intake of animal products. So, I gave them up! I lost a lot of weight and people started realizing the difference this made in my appearance (I had always been heavy!). Little did they know that what was changing on the outside was only a reflection of what was changing on the inside! As I read more and more about vegetarianism and veganism, in particular, I became more and more convinced that I wanted to live this lifestyle not just because of my health, but because of the health of the earth and all the critters in it! As people talked to me more, it was easy to talk about the health reasons, but not so easy to talk about the environmental and animal rights aspects of my reasons (which actually became the core reason for the change!)
Time went on and I managed. I refrained from talking about the real reasons I chose to live this way and focused on the health matters. Then, in February of this year I got an iPod for a birthday present. That’s when I discovered you and your amazing podcast!
At once, I started to feel supported, inspired, amazed, informed. I had always felt that I had no sense of belonging and no way of finding it. Egypt is pretty far from California! But, your podcast let me into your home and your life and gave me the feeling that I was understood. I love hearing your stories, and your insight has given me the strength to start speaking my truth!
I started sharing your podcast with my very close friends here. And since then, one of them has become vegan! More and more your message (our message, if I may) reaches those who are willing to listen.
From all the animals, human and non-human: Thanks, Colleen!
Sorry, Hope this isn’t weird but I am an american vegan m oving to egypt for a couple months and I’ve been a bit stressed out thinking that I will have to cook litterally every meal by myself, or let myself go a little bit, and eat falefal cooked in oil shared with meat….I was curious if you could give me some hints how to be vegan in cairo (if you have any)….stores to buy vegan prod., restuarants, etc.
I appreciate the help
J.w.
I’m so glad I stumbled here… I haven’t submitted “my story” yet – but wanted to thank everyone else who let theirs be known. The feeling of community and comradery is welcome.
Thanks so much for this blog and for your podcast. Thanks for all you do for (us) and the animals. Now I’m going to read the stories others have written and share my own.
Hi everyone
I am so glad that there are other caring compassionate people out there-i have been totally vegan for about 12 years. I feel that once your eyes are opened to the horrors of the the meat industry -animal experimentation-fur farming and all the other hideous ways humans abuse animals you cannot forget. I feel so sad that a huge percentage of people are ignorent or simply don’t care about the mistreatment of animals. I never apologise for being Vegan but i do get fed up with the endless comments “what do you eat, lettuce leaves” well actually last night I had roasted tofu with satay sauce and a brown lentil and lemon salad!! That usually causes a few looks and they are often amazed at how varied and interesting vegan food can be once I have explained that we can survive quite nicely without consuming our friends.
Sometimes I feel so upset that animals are dying for no reason except greed and money -I cry myself to sleep quite often – when will people will start to realise that animals are sentinent beings who give us love and are important to our eco systems and our planet .
to everyone that is vegan -never give up
dear michelle,
i have cried myself to sleep so many times i’ve lost count. yesterday my co-worker said that she cares about animals but she is just too selfish not to eat them. she said “i only get one life to enjoy!” (meaning she needs to eat meat to enjoy her life.) i replied “the animals only get one life also – but because we enslave and kill them, they don’t have one day of life without pain and terror.” she didn’t say a word.
i used to try to keep my thoughts to myself. then i read vegan outreaches’ approach and realized that i must speak up for those without voices.
once i read “take sides. neutrality helps the oppressor, never the tormented.” i have never forgotten those words.
sleep well, you are a beautiful, caring, and compassionate person. it’s the people who kill animals who should be crying. hopefully one day they will be.
barbara
thanks so much Barbara-since i wrote that post i have had a little baby girl who of course i am going to bring up Vegan, i hope she has the strength and conviction to be an abassador for all animals, my mother said i was forcing my beliefs on her but i turned round and said did you not force your beliefs on me(i grew up eating meat unfortunately) i know in my heart my daughter will understand the choices i have made and will be happy and healthy-peace to everyone
My turning point came shortly after I moved out on my own last summer. I tried so hard to be a vegetarian multiple times by my own accord in my teens and early 20’s, but I couldn’t afford to buy all my food on my own and didn’t have a support system at all. I kept on falling back to being an omnivore because it was familiar and I felt pressure from people around me.
After a couple of shopping trips, I just couldn’t buy meat anymore (I only consumed fish for a long time) and decided, overnight, to become vegan. I had thought about how revolting I thought it was to consume dairy and eggs, but I was afraid of being *that* different. Now, I couldn’t care less what other people think and am proud of being vegan. It means I can question the status quo and not be afraid to be myself. I enjoy my food so much and lost 20 lbs without even trying (not that I was heavy in the first place, but now I feel so much better). I have gotten stupid and offensive comments, like every vegetarian or vegan has, but many people have also been very accepting and interested in finding out more about my eating habits.
I could never go back! I have seen the light!! 🙂
Love this blog! It’s a nice support for me when I’ve had a rough day and need encouragement. Since going vegan I’ve faced growing opposition from family and coworkers. People tell me they don’t want to talk to me or have anything to do with me. I’ve been labeled a radical, an extremist, and family members think veganism is a cult. I stay true to my beliefs and my dream of sparing animals from the horror of mankind. I dream of a world where there is no more suffering; where humans and animals can coexist without exploitation. I cannot forget the truth. Peace and love.
Hi Colleen,
This is really nice, reading other people’s transformation stories. I almost died of cardiovascular disease a few years ago. But, I changed my life to vegan and became healthy again, using no pharmaceuticals. I have since dedicated my life to helping others get healthy. That is my passion. At my lodging establishment in Costa Rica, Cashew Hill Jungle Cottages, we have many vegan guests, as this is a fantastic town to eat vegan foods and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. We offer all-inclusive vegan retreats for those who want to make the change. I am so glad there are so many out there helping others and modeling the vegan lifestyle. Way to go people. Change the world one vegan at a time.
Dear Colleen,
You are so wonderful – God bless you!! I’m a 57-year-old married woman with two adult children, ages 30 and 26. I spent my entire life greedily, ignorantly, cruelly, thoughtlessly in denial, eating meat, eggs, dairy, fish, and poultry without a thought as to how it got to the grocery store shelves. Last December (2008), right before Christmas, I was browsing in a bookstore and picked up “Skinny Bitch,” not realizing what it was about. I read the passages about slaughterhouses and was so horrified and overwhelmed, I sobbed in my car all the way home. I stopped eating meat immediately (except for once or twice, which made me feel horrible) and have been vegan for several months now. But I’ve not been able to get my husband or daughters to listen to me about vegetarianism (or give up meat anyway), let alone veganism. I had lunch with three of my sisters this weekend, and they don’t want to hear it either. I left the lunch very depressed. I’ve been feeling very alone in my veganism – more committed than ever, but alone. Last night I found your books, “The Joy of Vegan Baking” and “The Vegan Table” and bought both. I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. reading your passages about veganism in the books (as well as the recipes), with tears running down my face. You said so eloquently exactly how I feel, and all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart! I’ve contributed as much money as I can to the ASPCA, HSUS, PETA, IFAW, NWF, etc., I sign all the petitions I can, and am so concerned about all the groups that need so much help – farm animals, puppy mills, lab animals (I now buy only products that aren’t tested on animals), dog fighting, horse slaughter, seal slaughter, etc. It is really unbearable to think about it all. But at least now that I’m armed with your fabulous cookbooks, I will make some of your delicious dishes and hopefully make some progress in winning over at least my own family!
As the young people say, “you rock,” Colleen! 🙂
So wonderful portal. Thnx…
I too found your blog through a Vegetarian Food For Thought podcast.I loved hearing part of your story there and wanted to come to the blog to read the rest.I have been dabbling in vegetarian and vegan cooking for many years but finally made the decision to switch to this lifestyle about 2 weeks ago.I already feel better both physically and mentally because of that decision.I like so many,struggled for many years against what my heart and mind told me was the way for me…a vegan diet. Not only for the animals..but for the future of our planet as well.I think both issues are very important and I made that clear to my family when I told them my decision.Some were supportive..others not so much, but I knew that was to be expected.The way so many people eat is rooted deeply in family traditions and what their parents before them ate, but I knew I had to do things differently and make new traditions the norm for my kids.I want them to make more informed decisions about what they put into their bodies and at what cost to others, both animal and human.
Dear friend,
In order to spread and disseminate the information contained in the latest report from the the World Watch Institute, “the 51% campaign” has been launched by an animal and environmental protection organization.
The organizers wish to inform those attending Copenhagen that 51% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from the livestock sector, it is for this goal that they have created the website http://www.51percent.org
If you visit the solutions page there are various actions you can take, for example the 2nd solution allows you to send a letter to a number of the EPA officials and environment minister worldwide. You can also add a 51% banner to your blog or website.
So in the run up to Copenhagen, please visit http://www.51percent.org
and send a letter to those attending COP15 and spread this website to your friends and Family!
Dear Friends,
I’m so sad to be a Christian & see how my Sister in Christ feels about you & me. I gave her something truly from my heart, which is vegan soap that I love so much for her birthday.
I picked out the perfect scents and packaged it with love. She asked if it would be good for her husbands sensitive skin, & I told her; “Yes, it’s vegan, cruelty free & totally plant based & perfect for your face & body!”
She was repulsed by the word ‘vegan’ as if it has some evil spirit attached to it. I was dumbfounded.
This is the world I am surrounded by. I can’t fathom how someone I love so much could think I would give them anything evil. I sent her a link to your website hoping she would see how much we love, not only man-kind, but animals too. We are to be their guardians & take care of them.
This is the letter she wrote back to me. I have never been so hurt or felt so misunderstood. I’m glad I have a place to go where love means love, & not love means “selective love”.
***********************************************Dear Charlotte,
I supposed I did ask for that in saying what is vegan? Thank you for the thoughtful explanation. My revulsion to the word Vegan now has basis in reality. I will not ask to discuss it any further. Since you have no qualms about disseminating this belief system, I will speak to you via this email, then hold my peace. I know you dislike reading the bible, you have said so, but I love the Word of God, so reading and expounding the Holy scripture when the holy spirit gives me insight, is a great joy to me. I have spent long hours in exegetical commentaries as well as in prayer for revelation and insight.
This teaching you have forwarded to me “is a religion”. Any adherence to the false notion that Christ’s suffering on the cross was inadequate, and some keeping of any kind of dietary rule adds to one’s own sense of righteousness, and proclaims it as emotionally as this Deb is heresy. She wickedly has misused scripture to attempt to proselytize.
***—>>>We can’t make this planet less sinful by abstaining from meat.<<<—***
The kingdom of God is within you if you have made Christ the King of your life. Romans
Chapter 14 talks a great deal about not judging one another over dietary issues
whether to eat meat or vegetables, only seems to be up to one's own conscience.
The only New Testament commandment seems to be not to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols, and not to eat meat that was strangled, so consuming the blood is out. Jesus himself ate lamb and fish, And he did not command us to refrain from the use of meat. However, neither are we to offend one another, or destroy one another, with our own opinion. So I will try not to offend you with my choice of food.
Your source says that the whole kingdom of heaven will be vegan. No. there might be
vegetarians and herbivores. But only if they are washed in the blood of the Lamb.
The animals in the Garden of Eden were herbivores, I believe so were the man and woman. but I also think the Adam's had teeth exactly like mine: for chewing vegetables, nuts and berries, and canine teeth and incisors for chewing meat.
Verse 17 same chapter says the kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Jesus said He was not sent to judge but to save sinners and so He obeyed God. It cost him His life. Our sins were judged. They were put on Him, but yes, He did say that
there is one Judge, and that is the Word of God that lives and abides forever.
The apostle John said the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory, as of The only son of God full of grace and truth. This is not a religion. It's a relationship with God through Jesus, the truth, the life, the only way. Don't be deceived my precious friend. Know the truth. the truth will make you free.
Love in Jesus Christ,
***********************************************
As you can see above she believes only in human kindness & animals aren't sentient beings.
Ignorance must be bliss. Sad to say, I will never attend my old Church again.
I love you all, & am glad I have you here with me!
dear charlotte,
please check out “the Christian Vegetarian Association” website. also, “all-creatures.com”
i too stopped going to church. i felt as if the congregation were hypocrits. however, they are only the way i myself used to be. they are not enlightened yet. still, it is hard to see a corpse on a platter being prayed over after sunday service.
i feel sorry for your friend. she does not know what it is to be kind, compassionate, and blessed.
not harming animals brings me joy.
blessings! barbara
forgot to say: her words are untrue. not only that, but the bible is a book that was written, not not God, but by men, who may have had their own agendas, including killing animals.
may i sign up? i loved reading everyone’s comments and i would like to add my “story” and reply to others.
thankyou, barbara
Dear Colleen,
Thank you so much for all your help for new vegetarians!
It means so much to me and others, too.
When browsing the internet about 3 months ago, I came across the videos “Glass Walls” and “Meet Your Meat”. Needless to say, I was absolutely horrified! When my husband took me to our local stockyard about 15 years ago I got depressed seeing the animals treated the way they were (and it wasn’t even a slaughter house). It took me about 6 months to eat meat then but I didn’t make decision to be a vegitarian, I was just upset. I got over it because in the South, meat is the main course at EVERY meal and its just easier to go along. Well, I am a Christian and I know that the Lord led me to that website for a reason. I now make a final decision to be a vegetarian. I also no longer consume dairy (I’ve always loved soy milk anyway). I have never bought eggs but we have pet chickens who have freedom during the day and when they go to roost at night we shut them up to keep preditors out. I eat the yard eggs, is that wrong? Would like to hear any opinions out there. Thanks!
Tomorrow is my 42nd birthday, and I will be launching myself from omni to vegan. I’m a little afraid…especially of giving up my beloved cheese. Can I *really* do this?
Deb – check out the podcast episode Life After Cheese at http://www.vegetarianfoodforthought.com. It will give you everything you need.
Awesome! Thank you!!
Thanks, very interesting note.
help me howto become a vegan?where can I find recipes?thanks
Dear Colleen,
I have been contemplating going Vegan for some time now. I don’t know where to begin. I am 36, married with 2 small children. My family is all meat eaters. I made a short rib dish for my family yesterday evening and I couldn’t even stomach it. I need to learn how to find different food sources that are not going to take up alot of time to prepare and also not cost tons of money. Can you suggest some good resources for me to start becoming Vegan?
Hi,
A quick online search will hook you up with lots of great vegan recipes and there’s also a book I recommend for people like you who are right at the start of their journey. It’s called ‘Becoming Vegan’ by Brenda Davis and is available through my Amazon store:
http://astore.amazon.com/compassiona02-20/detail/1570671036
Equally, I have a whole range of inexpensive recipe packets on my website – here’s the link:
http://www.compassionatecooks.com/recipes.htm
There are many more websites and blogs than I could ever list here, but any search online with the words ‘vegan’ and ‘recipe’ will reward you with more ideas than you could imagine! 🙂
Good luck!
Hi.
I’m 41 and I’ve been a strict vegetarian since I was 17. I turned vegan at 20 though my veganism has been off-and-on for the past decade, I’m ashamed to say. Currently on, though, and feeling strong!
I’m not a Christian but have many Christian friends – all of them are carnivores and all of them oppose my views (which I never impose) with reactions ranging from indifference to downright hostility. One friend WAS a vegetarian but starting eating meat when she found her faith, which I found quite upsetting. I’m glad to find this website which reminds me that there is a small (growing?) number of people out there for whom consideration for animals and Christian faith are not mutually exclusive.
Thank you
Hi Colleen,
Loving your vegan baking cookbook! I’ve been using it pretty steadily for the last year.
My husband & I went vegan 2 years ago. It was time for a change. We were vegetarians but had stopped using dairy milk. We lost interest in eating yogurt.
I needed to lose weight and had some digestive problems so I decided to give up dairy. When I realized that fish actually die of suffocation
when out of the water, I stopped eating seafood and fish. Paradoxically we stopped eating eggs after we got chickens. They are wonderful companion animals, but we don’t eat their eggs. We both lost weight and started work out regularly and have made lots of progress physically.
We’ve been very happy about our decision in general. The only problems have been outside the home: limited access to quality vegan ingredients, and a shortage of good vegan restaurants and entrees. It’s been a real problem to eat healthy vegan outside the home.
Our favorite evening is to cook a luscious vegan meal using home-grown veggies & herbs, read, knit & watch videos!
Many things inspired me to be vegan and stay vegan, but the most powerful was the documentary “Earthlings.”
NBC
I became a vegatarian ten years ago, but still continued to eat cheese, as well as baked goods. I even went so far as to ban leather, suede and began suporting groups like PETA and the HSUS. I was the animal advocate within my group of friends. A few months ago I started to have this feeling that I just wasn’t doing enough-like I had to do more. I began researching veganism (which I had done before but had never actually convinced myself I could give up cheese) and came across your website. I downloaded all your podcasts and began listening to them. After listening to just a few, the decision to become a vegan became a no-brainer. Why didn’t I do this before? I find so much inspiration in your words and knowing that you are out there makes it so much easier to do this, in essence, on my own (I’m surrounded by carnivores). Ever since I found your website I feel so much more confident in my ability to do this and feel so much more driven to do even more and to “speak my truth.” I don’t know where I would be at in my endeavor if it hadn’t been for you. Thank you!
does anyone know of any good vegan and gluten free recipes? Just found out I have celiac disease and cant have any gluten (rye, barley, wheat, spelt, or oats…so basically just rice, corn, and potato based flours are ok for me to eat.) Any suggestions??
It all started 3 months ago when I watched Food Inc and I was disgusted about the dairy and meat industry and factories. Then I came across the book The Kind Diet and decided to be Vegan. My transition to becoming Vegan was kind of hard because I was the only one in my family that was vegan. I started to buy more vegetables and learned to cook vegan dishes. Being vegan also improved my health because I have rheumatoid arthritis and after I cut off dairy and meat I had no more joint pains or inflammation! I also have more energy and feel great. I’m currently reading The China Study, which shows that a plant-based diet is the best for overall health. I’m happy that my boyfriend totally supports my new life-style and is slowly becoming vegan. I made the connection! I believe all animals have the right to be left alone and be free!
Hello Everybody:
Now I know this sounds nuts, but at 52 years young I was diagnosed with the blessing of breast cancer. My very early stage one cancer, missed on a digital mamagram was picked up on a breast mri my very vigilant MD with a hunch ordered for me. It was pretty much a miracle that it was discovered at this stage. I wasn’t suprised. The diagnosis came after a period of great loss. So why do I say blessing. I say blessing because my eyes became opened to many things and my heart empty from the loss began to be filled by what my eyes could see. Wellness soon became my mantra. I took qi gong classes. I read about wellness and the causes of cancer. This brought me to food production, which brought me to the animal holocaust happening all over the world (WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME BEFORE, I queried- why did I accept meat, eggs, milk and cheese so casualty. I would say things like. “Meat has gone up again. Isn’t that terrible” – Who was the “pig”?.
(not to mention the environmental catastrophe) Cultural disconnect – crowd mentality –
It has been 4 months now. I have lost weight. I feel better inside. And I feel lighter in my mind. I do not worry as much as I used too. I was always awfulizing. But the past month or so the universe just does not seem so scary. Maybe because I am not ingesting terror hormones anymore or maybe my debt is not as high these days. I don’t really know why (Although sometimes I must admit I feel like Charlton Heston in the movie Soilent Green) If you remember that then you must be a boomer like me
It would be nice to know other people who have made the same choice I have. I went to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary last weekend. It felt good to connect.
I want to stay connected.
I Never Expected Revelation – The Surprising Journey of a Vegan
I never sought spiritual revelation. I never desired it. Surrounded by people who led happy and productive lives without strong religious feeling, I was surprised when revelation grabbed me, lit up my world, and gave me a new place in the universe.
I was not looking for change. Indeed, before revelation, I was happy with a secular humanist outlook. Revelation has not altered those beliefs, instead it has added a profound level of emotional, philosophical, and, yes, religious experience. In revelation I have discovered a brotherhood, the existence of which I had only dimly suspected and never understood.
Before revelation took me by surprise, I distrusted the idea of life altering experiences in which people suddenly gained a new relationship with the universe. All too often revelation appeared to come from need, weakness, or an inability to accept the world as it exists; a world that can be cold, heartless and devastating; a world fraught with moral ambiguity. As shown by the cruel and bloody history of religious extremism, there are many who claim spiritual revelation but whose beliefs are so precarious and insecure that they will hurt others who do not share their beliefs. I knew that spiritual revelation could come from love and caring, but I never expected to experience it myself.
My revelation came not from thought, nor in a flash of insight, nor in a flood of emotion enhanced by the swell of music. It came from the very practical every day act of putting food in my mouth with a commitment that no animal would have died or suffered so that I could taste its flesh or drink its milk. Revelation took hold when I became a vegan.
You might ask, human reader, “What does a plant-based diet have to do with spiritual revelation?” In the paragraphs that follow, I will explain. As you read, remember that revelation is true magic; it often comes from the most unexpected places; it always takes its own time; and it frequently takes you unaware. Revelation requires an opening of the heart.
The Journey
My parents, confirmed meat eaters, taught me the Golden Rule. It has many formulations: “Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.” “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” This was the first step toward a destination far different from anything my parents had in mind.
When I married, I had the good fortune to find a young woman who would take the journey with me, sometimes as partner, but more often as leader. One of our first joint realizations occurred some 35 years ago. On holiday, influenced by the fiction of Ernest Hemingway and seeking the romance of Spain, we attended a bull fight. We saw a magnificent animal facing a matador in a stadium full of cheering fans. Enraged by the picadors and taunted by the matador, the bull repeatedly charged toward his death. But my wife and I noticed that he was urinating continually. We started to think about the scene from the bull’s perspective. The walls of the stadium gave him no escape. Thousands of people screamed and trumpets blared. Men on horseback kept poking at him and the matador waved the red cape. This massive beast was bewildered and scared. There was no escape; he died in confusion and agony. That was our first, and last, bull fight.
The journey to revelation would stall for years at a time, but as life went on, my wife and I gathered pieces of information, scattered here and there. Animals, especially the mammals people prefer to eat, love their offspring and suffer grief when their babies are taken away. A cow will search for a missing calf and, if she can, she will fight for her baby. If a farmer lets cows live in a field and takes a calf away from its mother, the other cows will gather round the grieving parent to offer their support. It’s a bovine wake.
Have you ever noticed that animals cry, bellow or squeal in fear when they are led to slaughter? Probably not, because the meat industry hides it from us and we cooperate – most of us hide from the gruesome death that was the fate of our food.
For about twelve years, recognizing the brutality of factory farming, I ate neither meat nor fowl, consuming only seafood, dairy, and plant based foods. I realized that the way I ate was a small step toward reducing the burden of pain suffered by animals and I was glad for that. But there was no revelation in this half-way measure. I had no inkling that it was just a step in a journey to something profound.
As my wife and I learned more about the way that animals are treated on farms, especially factory farms, we realized that being caught in the machinery of the dairy industry is perhaps the worst fate for any animal. To enhance milk production, cows are kept pregnant. But for dairy cows, giving birth leads only to tragedy because their calves are immediately taken away. Baby mammals nurse, but the dairy farmer is jealous of the milk from his cows and has none to spare for their calves. As a result, the life of a dairy cow on a mechanized farm is an endless cycle of giving birth and suffering loss. In addition, dairy cows are milked relentlessly, causing them to wear out long before the end of their natural lives. When their milk production dips, dairy cows are sold to the slaughterhouse to be gutted and ground up for hamburger. Better never to have been born than to suffer that life.
These are the reasons that Cesar Chavez, an animal advocate and an eventual vegan, said that people who want to help animals should first stop eating dairy products and eggs. Chavez’ revelation was channeled through his relationship with his dog, Boycott.
Pigs, it should be noted, are smarter than dogs and feel a vast range of emotions. Chickens and turkeys, it turns out, have complex social lives. Denied the range that nature intended and crammed into tiny cages, chickens will literally go crazy, pecking themselves and their fellows to death. That’s why factory farmers cut off their beaks, but this only adds more torture. To keep costs down, the “de-beaking” is done without anesthesia.
Another station on my journey occurred when my wife introduced me to philosophy professor Peter Singer’s book, Animal Liberation. Professor Singer points out that human beings can thrive on a plant-based diet. (Vegan diets are deficient only in Vitamin B-12 which is easily obtained in a supplement.) This means that we kill animals for food only because we like flesh — the taste and the texture. Professor Singer advocates a vegan diet as an ethical necessity, arguing that since a plant- based diet is nutritionally adequate, we shouldn’t exploit animals to eat meat or consume dairy products. Professor Singer advocates equal consideration, arguing that since animals, especially mammals, are sentient beings who feel pain and suffer when separated from their loved ones, it is only right to consider their interests. He points out that torturing and killing animals because we like to eat meat and milk elevates the most trivial of our interests (taste and convenience) above the most vital of theirs (avoiding misery and remaining alive).
For me, this was a life changing thought. I don’t have to go as far as the Professor when he argues for equal consideration of the interests of animals and human beings. Nor do I have to agree with some of my friends who assert that “animal rights” should be treated on the same level as human rights. The important point for me is that I can get the nutrition I need from food that is made without hurting or killing an innocent being. It is worth saying again: it’s the most trivial of our interests against the most vital of theirs. Looking to the Golden Rule: would I want my life made miserable or even taken away, just because someone or something liked the way I tasted?
It took decades for me to grasp the full meaning of the ideas in Professor Singer’s book. I felt contented with my modified vegetarianism.
The final stage of my journey to revelation began when a restaurant served me an entire fish, battered and fried. As I looked at the dead eye of what was once a swimming, shimmering beauty, I realized that I had to stop being a party to death just to eat a tasty meal. Over the next few weeks, troubled by my inability to justify killing any animal merely for food, I resolved to eat a fully plant-based diet. This does not mean that I wouldn’t kill and eat an animal if I were starving and there was no other food. It doesn’t mean that I ignore the lessons of evolution and that I would not protect myself, my family and my species from animals who threaten us. Obviously, mosquitoes, termites, flies and rodents should be strictly controlled, if necessary, by killing them. But we live at a time when humanity so dominates the world that there is no species that can compete with us. Certainly, the animals that most people eat, the cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and fish, pose no threat.
Opening My Heart – and then Soaring
My wife says that the suffering of people and of animals has a weight that drags at our souls, but that we have learned to ignore its burden. When we view animals as commodities to be killed or living machines to be milked, we deny the fundamental similarity of the life in all animate beings. In order to taste flesh or eat cheese, we cut ourselves off from a natural fellow feeling with other sentient earthlings. And what do we do to our children, most of whom have a natural empathy for animals? When we insist that they eat meat, we make them bury their feelings in some walled off portion of their brains.
At first, my thrice daily ritual of eating food that wasn’t tainted with suffering and death was merely a discipline. However, after a few weeks I realized that a tremendous weight, a weight of which I had never been aware, had lifted from my shoulders. For days, I felt incredibly light, no longer carrying on my emotional back the suffering of sentient beings killed for my food. I didn’t realize it, but revelation was coming.
And then, a month or so later, my heart suddenly opened up to all living creatures. I realized that my loyalty lay with all the striving, wriggling, mass of living things, in all our incredible diversity, in our adamant denial of entropy. The thought came to me that I was no longer separated from my fellow travelers in life by the willingness to torture and kill for food. Heart and soul were united saying, “There is enough pain in life and in dying. I won’t add to it by eating my brothers and sisters in living.” No longer separated from other animals, I was pulled up by revelation and my consciousness seemed to expand throughout the universe. My entire relationship with the world had changed. There was joy and happiness, just in being. The quantum of love that I could give had expanded a thousand fold.
Looking back, I think I understand what was happening to my mind in the weeks before my epiphany. Even when I had eaten only dairy and fish, I had relied upon the psychological defense mechanism of denial to protect myself from the painful history of what I put into my mouth. That denial, as denial always does, had obscured reality and precluded insight. Denial separates a person from others and stunts development. Despite the fact that, as a vegetarian, I was helping to reduce the number of farm animals slaughtered for food, my denial about the torture of dairy cows and the killing of fish had kept me from realizing a full brotherhood with all living creatures. In the weeks leading up to revelation, my mind broke loose from the chains of denial and my soul could soar.
Philosophically and logically, I can pick holes in my position. Does a slug or a mussel feel pain like mammals do? I don’t know, but I have to draw the line somewhere. Regretfully, I am no Mahatma Gandhi, that gentle soul of steel who showed how to defeat an empire with respect and love. He agonized over killing a single mosquito but I am willing to eradicate billions of these insects. I will poison termites that eat the wood in my house. And what about the indirect effects of development, when animals are displaced for farms, houses, roads, factories or parks? And then there are the moments of weakness when fatigue and the lure of milk chocolate defeat my discipline.
These are issues that I worry about, but I’m not smart enough or pure enough to avoid being inconsistent. In my six decades I have learned that life is seldom a matter of absolutes. I don’t know of any animal that can exist without impinging in some way on the lives of others. However, despite all the moral ambiguities, the unanswered questions, and the compromises with which I live, eating with compassion has allowed me to achieve an escape velocity that has taken me to a state of expanded consciousness beyond anything I had ever thought possible.
Think about finding love and a home, all in one; but this revelation is better than that. It gives me a joy that suffuses my life. It gives me perspective and contentment. The fear of death is somehow mitigated because I know my place in the universe. I am reconciled to an end of my own consciousness by a sense of profound brotherhood, not only with that magnificent bull who died in the ring some 35 years ago, but also with the slug that oozes across the grass, the slaughtered pigs, and the poor de-beaked chickens in their billions. The birds that fly, the magnificent elephants, the fish that swim in the ocean and the beautiful butterflies are all in my family.
I have heard people complain that they don’t feel well on a vegan diet. Almost everyone in developed countries takes a vitamin supplement of one kind or another. With just some Vitamin B-12 and the wonderful variety of plant-based foods, virtually anyone can eat a healthy and satisfying diet free of animal products. All it takes is a little imagination and effort. And guess what? Many vegan dishes are delicious, and new vegan recipes come out every day. You might miss the taste of meat, cheese and milk, I certainly do, but it’s a small price to pay for the epiphany of a lifetime.
Over the years the first rush of feeling and amazement, this opening my heart to life, has settled down to a pervasive feeling of happiness. As much as I may be tempted to eat meat or drink a glass of milk, the wonder of life pulls me away from the food of torture and death.
This is the revelation that has grabbed hold of me and which carries me along from day to day and year to year. I cannot imagine ever letting it go.
James Frieden March 15, 2009
After reading Johathan Safran Foer’s book “Eating Animals” and the Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, my husband and I went totally vegan. It is much easier than we thought it would be once we set our mind to it.
I had always been compassionate towards animals but I honestly did not hold much love and respect for the human race. This all changed after a few months of becoming vegan. I feel that a part of my spirit has become unblocked. Now I am able to look at all of God’s creatures (including humans) and feel as though we are all connected by a powerful force… Love. The compassion I feel towards humans has grown tremendously. This has been the greatest discovery that I have experienced since becoming vegan.
Now I truly believe that the world would become a much more peaceful and compassionate place if humans transitioned to a plant based diet.
I decided to become vegan when I learned of what Michael Vick did to those pitbulls – then I realized that what is happening to animals we eat is every bit as evil and cruel. But it wasn’t until I actually viewed the video on the website about the farm industry, and saw firsthand the horrible things people are doing to sentient beings that I became absolutely convinced that I could never put animal products into my body again. I’d bought into all the lies about how I’d die because humans need all the nutrients that can only be found in beef, for instance, but a wonderful young vegan man I “met” online at change.org on a petition protesting hunting offered to give me guidance about becoming vegan, and he has spent much time and effort educating me. Michael Vick is a piece of human garbage, but his heinous acts had one good effect if they made even one person stop hurting animals – even though I was doing it unthinkingly and unconsciously. Now I’m just trying to learn how to plan meals and cook vegan. It’s a whole new life, but I’m totally excited about it. I’ve been off dairy and meat completely for three months now, and I can’t say I’ve missed it at all. The hardest part is enduring the derision of my husband and family. But they’ll live, and so will I. At least I can sleep at night.
On these snowed in days, I decided to create my own blog and shortly after doing so I came across yours. I am very excited to find anyother person in this world to have the same beliefs as myself =).
This is my story about how I became vegan and how I hope to inspire a change in others. At first it was about health, now its about living a compassionate, harmless life. “To live simply so others may simply live”
I know PETA has a bad rep for being forceful and leaving a bad image , so I have chosen an alternate route: to speak with compassion and somehow graft that into my life and lead by example. I would be honored if this comment got published and others could see my website. You never know who you might reach.
Keep up the good work! I follow and admire your blog!
Michele
I have a question…. What do you see as the difference between vegan and vegetarian? To me the word vegan means that you don’t use any animal based food or by-product?
If that is the correct, how do you manage to maintain that lifestyle? When I look into animal based by-products I cannot seem to imagine how I would survive!
Thank you,
Shamarie
Dear Colleen, THANK YOU!
I have a story that I would like to share also, but it can wait for now.
Right now I just want to express how relieved and ‘at home’ I feel here at finding this beautiful place. I knew straight away when I saw that beautiful serene picture, and read the title “The Joyful Vegan: Stories of Transformation.
Sharing stories and inspiration about the pains and joys of choosing vegan in a non-vegan world.” …. My prayers were answered right there. I had been searching the Internet for answers and some comforting words when reacting in sorrow, frustration and despair while trying to deal with recent animal welfare issues. The last one being the images and sounds of many saintly little calves being torn from their doting mothers, roughly rounded up and thrown together on their journey to the abattoirs, (from an old email I’d put off opening from wonderful ‘Animals Australia’).
Most of the articles and sites I found on line (re veganism), just didn’t feel good, and actually made me feel worse, for various reasons … until I found this page, and listened to your intelligent and heart-warming pod cast ‘How vegan is vegan’ (the first of many I am looking forward to discovering!).
I thank you for your words that were and shall remain, my constant balm and source of encouragement when overwhelmed and feeling outnumbered.
Some of what you said that sung to my heart:
“Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything. Do something, anything!
… just do my best and move on .. I’m not going to be able to be perfect, perfection is not what I’m striving for anyway. … that I try to reduce suffering as much as I can … live from my heart .. give people credit .. raise the bar.. live in alignment with my values .. to see from your vantage point, encouraged to see much change, much hope .. reason for hope … so plant your own joyful vegan SEEDS and KNOW that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”
From Australia, I thank you (and all kindred spirits here) for the seeds of hope you have sewn in me, in such a beautiful way, about such dark places.
I will try to picture these seeds in these dark places, being nourished and warmed by our hearts, love and dreams. Some sprouting on Earth, all Heaven sent, all Heaven bound.
Hi Colleen- I love your books SO much. And I love being vegan. I found out I was diabetic 5 years ago, so investigated my options online. I will NOT count calories or carbs or anything else, so I was intrigued by the tests showing that a vegan diet was great for diabetics, and counting was not necessary. So I gave it a try for 1 week. I never went back. I am a good cook and I had a series of recipe greeting cards, which are now vegan only. For our monthly art event here in Three Rivers, I offer food (from one of my cards) free to the public. Everyone loves it! It’s been a great adventure! Nadi
Carol
I have many friends who are vegetarian and have attempted to stop eating meat in the past but failed. I am now on a meat and dairy free diet. Since becoming more aware of the cruelty that happens to animals in the food, cosmetic and other industries I have shed many tears. It makes me very happy to learn that there are people out there who care and that they are changing their diets and consumer habits and I pray that the trend continues growing.
Hey Colleen!
I’m really glad I found this, it is always nice to find others that share your opinion. I am currently trying to become vegan, but it’s difficult. I used to think that being vegetarian was kind of werid, (It was what I was raised to believe, and most people think similarly if they haven’t been taught differently) and that to be vegan was especially odd and maybe even a bit crazy. I never really thought about it. But recently I found videos promoting veganism, and became interested. It says that going vegan can help you have more energy, and can help headaches, allergies, and many other things. This got me excited; I’m always so tired and constantly have headaches and allergies to who knows what. Plus the fact that I have always found healthier foods more appealing. I love smoothies and salad and my favorite food as a baby was tofu. My family loved cooking gourmet meals, normally including meat. I just never really liked it all that much. I would always be the one at the table subtly picking the chicken out of the dish and setting it to the side. Whenever I had a very heavy or meat-oriented meal, I would always feel kind of gross afterwards, especially when my family would pick up a bucket of KFC on a super busy school night. I would really love to try becoming a vegan, if not at the very least a vegetarian, but sometimes my family can make it kind of impossible. When I told my mom that I wanted to try becoming a vegetarian, (was too afraid to ask for vegan at first) she looked at me kind of funny, but agreed “to let you be vegetarian throughout the week, but when it’s the weekend, you must eat food with the family.” (Normally a meat oriented dish. Not at all vegetarian, never mind vegan) I don’t think that she realises that that isn’t the point. I’m not sure what I’d do foodwise in those situations. Also, we go over to our neighbor’s house often (they are pretty much like family to us, we do everything with them) and they are big into making fancy dishes whenever we come over (always very meat-oriented, with many “vegan no-nos”) and I don’t want to offend them if suddenly, I won’t eat any of their food. I am set on becoming a vegan, but I’m just not sure what to do in these situations. Also, I have to leave for school very early, so rarely have time to make complicated breakfast or lunch for myself. Does anyone know anything that will be very easy to make in the morning so I can have a good, nutritious breakfast/lunch? I know that the point of this blog isn’t really to ask questions, but there were so many inspiring stories on here that I figured that someone would have an answer. I hope I will be able to share my story with all you guys soon, (hopefully a sucess!) but till then, wish me luck! Thanks again for all the insipring stories, and for the great podcast Colleen!
Keaton ❤
I embraced the vegan lifestyle on August 24th and have not looked back. I have still had some difficulty controlling my blood sugars – well, what the world considers “controlled”, and have not lost a great amount of weight. The weight is coming off, but very slowly. I admit to falling victim to vegan snacky foods, which I believe in my case should not happen. My husband is trying to come on board, but he cannot give up his cheese, and he does not grasp the urgency of the situation, even though he has beaten prostate cancer. Every time he eats a bite of cheese I cringe, knowing he is ingesting carcinogens. My friends and family think I am “on another diet kick”, my husband’s family ridiculed him when he was visiting them over Thanksgiving, and I feel like I am on an island alone sometimes.