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Vegan Uncensored: Why it’s so hard to be a vegan kid

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 by Guest Contributor
Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have three nephews who have been vegetarian since birth. They are some of the healthiest-looking kids you could hope to see – and despite the concern of the meat eaters in their lives, they’re energetic and active. Their parents have been vegetarian for about 15 years, and have always resolved to let the kids make their own decisions about food once they are old enough. They talk to their kids about why they eat the way they do, and as they have felt it is age-appropriate, they have been very frank about factory farming and the health reasons for not consuming meat.

They have had their issues over the years, including hot-dog lunches at schools, other parents and family members who are concerned because they are “too skinny” (although in fact they are all a very healthy weight) and family members who have surreptitiously taken them out for fast non-vegetarian food (resulting in some very sore bellies). Still, I think it’s safe to say that being vegetarian hasn’t been a huge deal in their lives – that’s the way they eat, and that’s that. They talk about it, it’s part of their life – but that’s the way things are. The boys spend a lot of time with me and my husband, and we have also been vegetarian/vegan for years, so that has also helped to ‘normalize’ the way they eat. As they get older, however, and spend more time outside of the home with friends, issues are starting to arise, and I have realized recently how tough it can be to be a vegetarian or vegan kid.

It’s not about being vegan or vegetarian per se – it’s about being different. Because when you’re a kid, a lot of the time you just want to fit in. I remember that feeling myself. And it takes a while to get to the place where you’re confident enough to say – no, I don’t believe that – I do things differently – no matter what the issue is. I don’t have children, but I admire the way my sister is handling the situation she is faced with – she supports her boys with information and discussion, but gives them the space they need to make their own decisions now that they are getting to be old enough.

It’s hard to watch my nephews coming home from school crushed because they haven’t been invited to a birthday party because they “can’t” eat what the rest of the kids are eating. It’s hard to hear that they are being ridiculed by their peers because they eat “weird” things like tofu. We all know that kids can be cruel, and they will pick up on the smallest differences. Our challenge as parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents is to find a way to help our kids get through this difficult time, to give them just the right mix of support and space to come to terms with what is happening. Never has it been more important for us to be good role models, to show them how to be leaders  - how to stand up and fight for compassion.

My feeling is that at least one or two of my nephews will decide to eat meat every chance he gets, at least for a while. But my hope is that because their parents have instilled and promoted a compassionate worldview in them, that will stay with them and serve them  in the way they choose to live for the rest of their lives.

Here’s a video and some cool sites I have found on vegan parenting that may be helpful/inspiring to all you vegan kids and/or parents out there:

(There are a series of these videos on YouTube – a unique way of getting your 11-year-old involved in the decision to be vegan!)

VeganKid Blog

Becoming a vegetarian

Real Vegan Children

Being a Vegan Kid (Vegan Outreach)

Vegan Uncensored is a weekly space on this blog where people can bring interesting topics of discussion to do with veganism to the fore. Read it, respond to it, pass it on to your friends – vegan and non-vegan – through Facebook, Twitter, or by sending them a link to this blog. Do you have a vegan issue you’d like to see in this space? Email editor@veganmainstream.com.

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Eating Vegan on $21.00 A Week: The Food Stamp Budget

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 by Jessi Stafford

In life there are many different social classes, interest groups and economic situations. But no matter what a person’s financial status, not a soul should be denied healthy, sustainable food based on income. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Even in a good economy, more families fall into a lower income tier than into a wealthy one. This means severe rationing of portions and supplies - most of the time at the expense of fruits and vegetables, with quick meals and chips and soda being cheaper options. It shouldn’t be a luxury to be able to eat healthily and ethically. Vegan Hope posits a challenge to turn this “status” quo around. Here are their guidelines:

1. For one week you agree to live on a $21.00 food budget (per person in your household). This is the Food Stamp Budget.
2. Do not use any equipment that costs more than $15.00, with the exception of the following: oven, microwave.
3. Spices that you currently have can be used, but you should subtract $3.00 from your total food budget per person.
4.I personally use no oil or spray oil (nor do I recommend anyone use it). However, that is not the purpose of this challenge, if you are someone who uses it I will be asking you to deduct $3.00 from your food budget.
5. Write about the dishes you make including ingredients and the cost per meal.
6. Include a shopping list.

I was pumped about this task for a few reasons.

A. I am faced with budgeting for food on a 20-something’s income
B. I am limited as far as where I can do my food shopping - my feet, public transportation or a bike has to be able to take me there. This is a problem many low-income families face as well. Limited transportation and limited resources make eating healthy (or gasp, vegan) even harder.
C. It is a chance to show just what kind of choices families have to make when trying to stretch $3.oo a day as far as they can.

So here’s how I ate. For one week. On $3.oo a day. Journal style.

I tweaked the spice allowance slightly by combining only the few extras I used into one $3.00 subtraction. My initial $3.00 deduction includes: oil/vinegar, mustard, peanut butter, and salt/pepper in very small rations. So I started the week with $18.00 to spare. ($21.00- $3.00 for spices/butter = $18.00)

DAY ONE
I started the week by making a careful list of what I would eat using the items I already had in my house. My first breakfast was to ration a package of Vans Vegan/Gluten Free Waffles laying in my freezer. ($3.00 for 8 waffles) I allowed myself 1 waffle. (Total $0.38) *Check out the shopping list at the end of the post for full items and prices for each. It’s ok, you can check my math.

Lunch consisted of a peanut butter & banana sandwich (ahem, thank you Elvis), using a banana I had ($0.20), 2 tbsp. peanut butter (included in my $3.00 spice allotment) and two slices of bread ($0.30). (Total $0.50)

Dinner was leftovers! Nothing gets thrown away when you have to make every penny count. A leftover taco salad helped me save money. It is a simple recipe (and it’s one of my favorites). Using 1 red tomato, shredded lettuce, black beans, re-fried beans and tortilla chips, it’s a healthy and tasty meal on the cheap. And the cost? Well, let’s get ready for some slightly complicated math (come on, I majored in Journalism). I had half of the original meal leftover (from before the challenge). I ate half of that for dinner. So we’ll be dividing the prices in fourths. (1/4 red tomato $0.25 + shredded lettuce $0.15 + tortilla chips $0.50 + 1/4 can black beans $0.45 + 1/4 can re-fried beans $0.37 = $1.72)

Day 1 total: $0.38 + $0.50 + $1.72 = $2.60
$18.00- $2.60 = $15.40 left for Day 2

DAY TWO
Repetition is the name of Day 2 as I have a tendency to run late for work.

Breakfast: 1 Vans Vegan/Gluten Free Waffle (Total $0.38)

Lunch: I made a salad and took it to work. It was simple and healthy and consisted of lettuce ($0.20), 1/4 tomato ($0.25), 1/2 cucumber ($0.50), oil/vinegar (included in the initial $3.00 spice allotment) and a FREE banana that my office sets out on Monday mornings, much to my approval. (Total: $0.95)

Dinner: Craving something resembling a carb after walking in 100-degree heat I made cold pasta salad. You’ll notice I use the term “salad” for anything I decide to throw together in a pot or bowl. The whole thing was, just my style, easy and cheap. Using a coupon for a $1.00 box of generic wheat pasta (1/4 box for $0.25) with oil/vinegar and salt/pepper (included in allotted $3.00 for spices) and 1/2 red tomato ($0.50) it was a nice refreshing dinner for a total of $0.75.

Day 2 total: $0.38 + $0.95 + $0.75 = $2.08
$15.40 – $2.08 = $13.32 left for Day 3

Another thing to point out is that I live within walking distance to a farmer’s market. That is how I can afford super cheap veggies. BUT many farmer’s market do not take the food stamps debit card that now replaces paper food stamps because they don’t have the equipment to run them. Without the leisure of cash, people relying on public transportation and food stamps may have even more limited resources for healthy food.

DAY THREE
It’s the story of my life: I was running late and forgot to eat breakfast…which made lunch harder to wait for, but I didn’t want to spend any extra dough–However misfortune (a.k.a lack of planning) struck again and I realized I forgot my lunch. Dun dun dun, this isn’t starting off well. (Note: I’m emphasizing this lack of planning to say that people living on a very thin budget have extra stresses every morning to plan out how NOT to spend money. How many times have you been faced with that struggle?) Luckily, nuzzled in the back of the work freezer I found my lone Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Burrito, which cost more than I would’ve wanted to spend had I brought home-cooked food — racking up $1.79. I also grazed the free snacks at work–which once again, I realize not everyone has the luxury of doing.

Once at home I decided to chow down on the last of the taco salad for fear of it going bad. For a total of $1.72. (See Day 1 for taco salad calculations).

Day 3 total = $3.51 ($1.72 + 1.79)
$13.32 – $3.51 = $9.81 left for Day 4 (To put it in perspective this is now $2.45 per day)

DAY FOUR
In the morning I survived on free coffee at work to get me through to lunch. I guess I’m not much of a breakfast person. Shun me if you must.

Lunch: I brought a homemade sandwich [(2 slices of bread ($0.30), lettuce ($0.15) and onions ($0.10)] using a small amount of mustard (included in my $3.00 initial deduction) Lunch total = $0.55

Dinner: Brown Rice and Greens

  • 2 cups spinach ($0.50)
  • 1 cup brown rice ($0.32) with salt/pepper

I only ate half of the recipe and saved half for work the next day. ($0.82 divided by 2 = total of $0.41)

Day 4 total: $0.55 + $0.41 = $0.96
$9.81 – $0.96 = $8.85 left for Day 5

DAY FIVE
Breakfast: 1 slice of toast ($0.15)

Lunch: Brown Rice & Greens leftovers from last night ($0.41)

Dinner: Hodge-podge stir-fry

  • sauteed zucchini ($0.50)
  • onions ($0.10)
  • red bell pepper ($1.00)
  • 1/2 package frozen spinach ($0.50)
  • salt/pepper (included in original $3.00 subtraction)

Dinner came to a total of $2.10 divided by 2 = $1.05

Day 5 total: $0.15 + $0.41 + $1.05 = $1.61
$8.85 – $1.61 = $7.24 left for Day 6

DAY SIX
Back to my old tricks for breakfast, I grabbed a vegan waffle on my way out of the house. Not quite “Lego my Eggo” for a measly $0.38.

Lunch: Finally getting the hang of eating half and saving half, I enjoyed my zucchini stir-fry from the night before, totaling $1.05.

Dinner: Lazy Rice and Beans (A variation of this recipe).

  • 1 can black beans ($1.75)
  • 1 tomato ($1.00)
  • 1 onion ($0.10)
  • salt/pepper (included in $3.00 deduction)
  • 1 stalk celery ($0.50)
  • 1 cup brown rice ($0.32)

It isn’t quite the creole cuisine you southerners have become accustomed to but if you use enough pepper, it’s ALMOST like Sriracha. (I’m just kidding Sriracha, you know I love you.) Using only half, this dinner dish cost $1.84 ($3.67 divided by 2)

Day 6 total: $0.38 + $1.05 + $1.84 = $3.27
$7.24 – $3.27 = $3.98 left for DAY 7

DAY SEVEN
Breakfast involved, guess what? A WAFFLE. ($0.38) Luckily I love them.

Lunch: Leftover faux Red beans & Rice for $1.84.

DINNER of DAY 7: My favorite thing ever. 1 Taco Bell bean burrito. Not the healthiest. But an end of the week, Friday night treat. Sales tax aside, this little baby with no cheese and done up the Fresco way cost a lovely $0.89.

Day 7 total: $0.38 + $1.84 + $0.89 = $3.11
$3.98 – $3.11 = (drumroll?) $0.87 to spare at the end of Day 7. You know what this will buy me? A delicious COLT 45. (Well, with the help of a little spare change.)

A lesson to be learned. Plan ahead. Only buy what you need. And save up for a wonderful Friday treat.

—————————-

My food items :
2 cans of black beans (estimated $1.75/can)
1 can re-fried beans ($1.48/can)
Tomatoes (A bunch of 4 is $4.00, so one is $1.00)
Head of lettuce (From farmer’s market for $0.75)
Package of pasta (3 packages for $3.00)
Package of vegan waffles ($3.00 for package of 8)
Tortilla chips ($2.00/bag)
Onions ($2.00/bag)
Potatoes ($2.00/ bag–$0.20 for one 8 oz potato)
Frozen spinach ($1.00/bag)
Brown rice, precooked ($0.16 for 1/2 cup)
Bread, whole grain ($1.79/loaf or 12 slices)
Banana ($0.20 per banana at the farmer’s market)
Zucchini ($1.00 for 1)
Cucumber ($1.00 for 1)
Celery (1 stalk about $0.50)
Red bell pepper ($1.00)

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A Good Time for Vegan Change

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 by sarahsuperb

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For many of us, college or university is a fundamental time of personal, emotional and intellectual development. We learn a great deal from books, professors and lectures, and yet most of us experience our most profound personal growth outside of the classroom. For a vegan, college is a wonderful opportunity to learn and reflect on the lifestyle – and it is a chance to share your beliefs with others. At college people are open to new ideas – many are looking for change. What better environment will there ever be to share your thoughts and ideas about veganism?

I became vegan before attending Vassar College, a small, liberal arts school located in upstate New York. But my position that veganism was the way to go was undoubtedly solidified when I joined this campus filled with smart, interesting people who were mostly, unfortunately, not living vegan lifestyles. Many students, faculty and staff embraced vegetarianism, but were lacking some of the bigger picture truths about eggs, dairy, and other animal products. Others were altogether unaware of the politics around the consumption of animal products.

I was frustrated at first, not understanding why brilliant, compassionate folks would be so shy about giving up their ego-driven desires for animal products. Couldn’t they see the ozone depletion they decried in their environmental studies classes was directly linked to the very thing they had eaten for lunch not an hour before?

I eventually got over my attachment to what other students and faculty were doing, and then I could focus on what was really important–promoting veganism through positive actions that were modeled on the goal of creating community and showcasing the joys of a plant-based lifestyle.

While my collegiate veg-eating peer group was smaller than I had hoped and anticipated it would be, my school provided me ample opportunities to expand my awareness of vegan-related issues. It also enabled me to help promote plant-eating throughout the community by way of alliances with other tireless veggies on campus who wanted to see real change in terms of shifting the tide towards better lives for non-human animals and human animals, both on campus and on the larger planet.

There are many ways to get involved with vegan-related issues on a campus. Through my college’s animal-rights group, we were able to put pressure on the staff at dining services to offer more vegan options, including special vegan-themed meals and catered movie nights. Showing that vegan food can be delicious is a great way to draw non-veg friends and acquaintances into the cause. The key is to show people that veganism can be easy and fun, at the same time slipping in some education about the movement, and why the compassionate choices they are making at that event can be a significant and feasible long-term lifestyle choice. It’s a great idea to establish relationships with people who run the dining facilities in order to ensure that vegan items are in fact vegan, and that there is a rotation of healthy, organic plant-source only options available for students, faculty and staff.

Because abstaining from eating animal products is just one aspect of being a dedicated vegan, our campus group also reached out to the local community. We did this by hosting open animal rights-themed lectures and other events. There are many causes to shout out for – one example is that schools often deal with issues surrounding animal testing in the science departments. These days it’s even easier to spread the word about your cause as the Internet is making it easier to share information, and social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook and blogs are great promotion tools.

As one of the editors at my school’s newspaper, I had the opportunity to write articles on vegan-related topics. But you don’t have to be a dedicated editorial grunt to get your voice heard in the campus paper or other news outlets. A great strategy is to send letters to the editor and be proactive when you witness animal-rights-related injustices, or see an opportunity to relate a vegan subject to what’s happening on your campus. Every bit of input makes a difference in getting your voice heard in the name of spreading awareness about compassionate living.

It can also be useful to reach out to professors and staff who are vegan, or whom you think would be open to learning about the benefits of being veg. These people often have years of experience debating theories and defending their positions in front of their academic peers, and are often (but not always) great communicators. Get over your fear of discussing relevant issues with higher-ups and you may be surprised at the positive feedback you can get from working with your educators to promote your cause.

Now that I’m out of college and have a vegan job, I can see how my passion for promoting peace on the planet was truly nurtured in college, both inside and outside the classroom. Whether or not you plan to work in a so-called “vegan” career, college is a great training ground and a real forum for change – both at your campus, and on the wider planet.

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Vegan Learnin’: Back to School! [image]

Monday, August 30th, 2010 by Shelly D


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Vegan Uncensored: The Way to My Vegan Heart…

Thursday, August 26th, 2010 by Guest Contributor

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is an old saying that goes, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Even though the adage is somewhat antiquated, being reminiscent of a time when the most important thing in life was to ‘catch a husband,’ it came to mind the other day – in somewhat of a more modern context – when I was musing about the fact that vegans are viewed by many people as ‘extremists’, ‘emotional’, and sometimes even ‘flaky’.

This seems completely backwards to me. Even if we only choose to look at some of the issues on the very surface of veganism, how can anyone who takes a good look at the way animals in factory farms are treated today walk away and say, “what’s wrong with that?” How can people who truly do care passionately about many things – social justice, environmental issues, and other animal welfare issues (like the eradication of puppy mills) – sit down and salivate when their evening flesh is set before them? I know more people like this than I know vegans. I don’t get it.

I know it’s not that the information is not out there – because it’s easy to find if you’re looking. I will not believe that the majority of people just don’t care if an animal lives a life of torture so they can eat their nightly meal. And so the conclusion I have to draw is that they refuse to know because the change seems too big, and the reality is too scary. There is plenty of brainwashing that has been going on for years by the dairy and meat industries, and that has been tremendously helpful in keeping the ugly truth from people. I am somewhat heartened by the fact that there is a big crack in that façade, and an increasing number of people are beginning to peek through.

I don’t know about other vegans out there, but I’m sick of being labeled as ‘fringe’ and ‘radical’ just because I actually think about what I eat and the way I live my life. I’m tired of being different because I value the lives of other creatures, not just humans. SHOULDN’T THIS BE VIEWED AS NORMAL? They say people live up to what is expected of them. What if we started expecting people to live compassionately, not forgiving ignorance of reality, nor excusing this ‘mainstream’ carnivorous lifestyle? It’s a major shift that needs to take place in the collective consciousness. The way to my vegan heart? Give me a carefully prepared, delicious vegan entrée of any kind – and the contents of the plate will feed not only my body, but also my heart, mind and soul.

Vegan Uncensored is a weekly space on this blog where people can bring interesting topics of discussion to do with veganism to the fore. Read it, respond to it, pass it on to your friends – vegan and non-vegan – through Facebook, Twitter, or by sending them a link to this blog. Do you have a vegan issue you’d like to see in this space? Email editor@veganmainstream.com.

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How the Internet has made the vegan lifestyle more accessible

Thursday, August 26th, 2010 by vlowe

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Via the Internet we have access to a plethora of information at a moment’s notice.  In essence, this makes everything easier - from gaining extra math help to learning about the latest celebrity breakups. In today’s technological world, online encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/), have taken the place of more traditional information sources, like the Encyclopedia Britannica. Just turn on a computer near you, fire up your favourite web browser and a world of information awaits. No matter how niche the market, or how obscure the item/idea you are researching, you will find it via Google. These days, it’s difficult to imagine what the world was like before the World Wide Web. It has made the world a smaller place, helped us to create networks we never would have had access to before, and opened up a whole new and varied marketplace. The Internet has become a source for people searching for lifestyle changes or different cultural aspects of existence.  For the vegan movement, the effect of this change is immeasurable. Because with this burst of new and free information, the vegan lifestyle has become much more accessible to people.  

What is a vegan, anyway? 

For starters, the Internet has raised awareness about what a vegan is, and what veganism means.  Before the Internet existed, people had to research their interests in hard copies of books, newspapers and journals.  This took time, and perhaps more importantly, a deep and sincere desire to initiate the research.  Now, search engines can provide any answer with the click of a button.  Open door number one: when information is easier to find, more people will find it.  Now, anyone who is the slightest bit interested can explore the benefits of a vegan lifestyle with ease. 

Is casein vegan? 

The Internet has also made it easy to find out what you can and cannot eat as a vegan. Dietary restrictions and substitutions can be found on many vegan-friendly websites.  Baking a vegan cake is as simple as opening a Betty Crocker cookbook; just find a recipe online for a vegan cake and follow the steps.  Finding out specific ingredients that are used in foods without a label is made possible (and easy!) by the Internet. Need some cooking ideas or tips? There are scads of delicious and healthy vegan recipes posted on blogs and websites every day! If you have access to the Internet, there is no excuse for not knowing (or learning) how to cook a vegan meal.   

Let’s go shopping! 

In the same way cooking is easier because of the Internet, so is grocery shopping.  There are sites that are uniformly created to help people shop for food on a vegan diet.  There are similar sites that are set up to help tell the difference between organic and non-organic produce, as well as what secret non-vegan ingredients are snuck into items at the last minute. 

Vegan shopping sites, like Vegan Essentials, have also made being vegan a lot easier. Even if you live in a town or city that does not boast one vegan store, you can find vegan items by shopping online. From a business owner’s perspective, the increased exposure that the Internet provides to the global marketplace has made it possible and more lucrative to set up shop – anywhere – as a vegan business owner. 

Watch your garden grow 

Want to be certain about where your food is coming from? With local food movements an increasing number of people are looking to grow their own fruits and vegetables these days. But if you’re not a gardener already, where to start? Well, the Internet of course. All the information you could ever need about gardening can be easily found by a few hours of online searching.  Now all the secrets to magical soil and healthy vegetable and fruit gardens are yours to discover! 

Growing awareness for compassion 

The ugly truth about animal cruelty and abuse has become more widely known because of online technology. The web is a great disseminator of information – it not only allows us to find information easily, but it allows us to share it quickly and widely.  Because of videos and photographs that have been shared via the Internet, information about factory farming, animal cruelty and many other issues to do with health, compassion and the environment have been brought to the attention of the general public.  This has affected the vegetarian and vegan movements across the globe, and directly relates to the purpose and existence of veganism.  

The world is an ever-changing canvas, as are vegan campaigns and efforts.  As new technologies and strategies emerge, the Internet helps to raise awareness for them.  New and veteran vegans can investigate relevant projects online, or get involved in organizations or programs that are working toward a particular goal that speaks to their heart. Information is a powerful thing, and with it comes expandable education.  People never stop learning, and the Internet is helping new generations to be more astute and passionate by tapping into the world’s knowledge bank.

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Ten Dangers of Commercializing Non-Profits

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 by Jessi Stafford

Non-profits and their causes are created out of the existence of a problem in need of a solution, usually political or cultural in nature. Veganism is a cause that has developed because of animal cruelty and oppression. Vegan non-profits seek to educate people about the issues, without focusing on giving back to the organization with profits. Herein lies a dangerous grey zone. When followers of a cause increase, demands on organizational resources increase, and eventually some form of business model is needed to reach out to growing numbers of members. But there is a fine line between successful promotion/expansion of a cause and commercialization. Below are ten dangers I’ve chosen to highlight. You may agree, disagree or find this list isn’t inclusive, so feel free to leave comments below.

1. Cannibalizing other causes. I recently wrote a blog post about PETA’s advertising and how, in this particular campaign, their strategy has taken the focus away from animal rights and put it on Pamela Anderson’s body. The commentary surrounding this “edgy” ad has been redirected to whether or not women’s rights are in question. Commercializing animal rights as PETA has done has possibly led to the cannibalization of one cause for another. Women’s rights for animal rights. People shouldn’t have to choose one belief; polarization occurs when too much effort is put into being progressive instead of targeting the true message. Amnesty International is another cause-related organization known for over-the-top advertising. You decide if Amnesty compromises the human rights plight for something else entirely.

2.Wishy-washy messaging. The opposite of the PETA approach is to avoid targeting anybody in hopes of achieving the highest mass audience. An attempt to reach “everyone” by not taking a strong stance could water down the message you are trying to send about the animal rights cause. Trying to reach the masses with bland promotions leaves the message too broad; it doesn’t convince anyone of the urgency in the issues you’re peddling. It won’t strike an emotional cord, leaving inaction as the best possible choice.

3. All About the Benjamins. Following the lead of high-profile corporations by getting bogged down with the bottom line is the quickest way to become a for-profit. If all your strategizing and creativity funnels into the “books” and staying afloat - i.e into efforts that pull in more revenue - before you know it, the friendly grassroots organization you once were could be a fond memory. Corporate sponsorship can also ruin non-profit ideas by having too much influence on the decision making.

4. False Idols. Copying non-vegan culture in advertising is tricky. The practice of following standard marketing prototype needs to be monitored and evaluated constantly or you may end up projecting false images. Your organization won’t want to nurture a negative/unattainable ideal related to envy or appearances, or encourage a lifestyle of materialism by trying to compete with the top brands of today.

5. Consumption. Turning animal rights into an excuse for consumption, mass production, and capitalism could lead your company to an output of lowered environmental sustainability (in the production of your vegan goods). The idea – which is healthier for us, the animals, and the world in general - is to consume less, and to consume more ethically; it’s important not to lose sight of that.

6. Legislation. Although it can be very helpful to the vegan cause to get politicians involved, it is wise to step cautiously in this arena. Commercialism can deter politicians/lawmakers if there is any association with advertising scandals or radicalism that may have the potential to hinder re-election. We want to change legislation, not get tied up in red tape.

7. Values. The Media Awareness Network (from Canada) says that “Commercialism may erode values – such as sharing, co-operation, and frugality – fostered by families, religious institutions, and schools.” Costs, especially commercial costs, get in the way of charitable aspects which could dissolve community outreach efforts, ties to co-ops, neighborhood relationships and educational endeavors. The effects of a decrease in charity range from cannibalizing other sister-organizations, owing favors to corporations and losing sense of the original cause for which your non-profit was founded.

8. Too evangelical. With a lot of power and a big name, an organization will fall hard if they can’t keep up. A vegan organization should be careful not to imply that veganism will end all troubles, which can happen in lofty advertising messages. All eyes will be on your name for the key to weight loss, finding a spouse or becoming an overall happier person. If you preach large, your organization will be expected to deliver.

9. Erosion of artistic freedom. Mass targeting leaves no room for tailored messages as mentioned above, and by commercializing the vegan lifestyle you could leave the impression that it is a one-size-fits-all program. In reality, beliefs and practices are (and should be) different for each person. Veganism isn’t as simple as one-two-three. Artistic freedom to express the multifaceted nature of veganism goes out the door when deadlines and budgets become gods.

10. Elitism. Advertising emphasizes a sort of elitism and encourages capitalism. In combination with all the dangers listed above, a vegan organization that capitalizes on the commercialization of their cause will leave in the dust all but a small circle of well-knowns and have-it-alls. And then who will spread the word on behalf of animal welfare if they want to keep their tight circle closed?

TALK TO US: Now’s the time to chime in. What do you agree with? What do you disagree with? What is left out?

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Commercializing Veganism: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly [illustration]

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 by Shelly D


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Vegan Uncensored: A Bit About B12, and the ‘Dangers’ of a Vegan Diet

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 by Guest Contributor

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I had a vegan dinner party last weekend with a group of non-vegan friends. Some of them I know well, but others not so well – and inevitably “the vegan thing” came up. As we were munching happily away on our mushroom-walnut paté appetizer (thank you Veganomicon!), the typical stereotypes were laid on the table. My new-ish friends revealed their amazement of – and sympathy for – me. They were amazed because being a healthy vegan is obviously like being a scientist (I’m NOT kidding – this was actually said). They were sympathetic because, even though I look healthy, my energy level as a vegan must be very low.

My old friends smirked slightly listening to this since they are familiar with my mountain-bike-riding, marathon-running, epic-walking, gym-going – pretty energetic – lifestyle. But the comment about veganism being like science got me thinking. People are always asking me where I get my protein, how I can know that I’m getting enough calcium? And don’t even MENTION B12!

Being a 15-year vegetarian-turned-vegan, healthy eating seems like second nature to me. I enjoy keeping up-to-date on the latest health news, I love to cook, and to try new foods – so I don’t have any trouble getting all the nutrients I need. But with all the alarmist theories and warnings out there about the ‘difficulties’ and ‘dangers’ of a vegetarian (let alone vegan) diet, it’s easy to understand how people can see it as a very complicated and tricky way to eat. Whenever you’re not getting enough of something – whether it be protein, calcium, B12 – or whatever – your body will show the effects. Deficiencies can happen to anyone – vegan or otherwise. It’s important to listen to your body, to eat a varied diet, and to eat healthy foods, period. And if you do those things, most likely you will live a long, healthy life.

Protein and calcium are easy things to make sure you are getting enough of as a vegan. It has long been known that humans don’t need as much protein as it was once thought we did.

“The truth is, Americans consume six-to-10 times as much protein as they need. That excess protein overworks the liver and kidneys, causing both these organs to become enlarged and injured. Excess protein consumption causes the kidneys to pull large quantities of calcium from the body, causing bones to weaken and kidney stones to form.”

-      Dr. John McDougall

Most plant foods contain protein, and if you eat a vegan diet that includes a good variety of grains and veggies, it’s easy to get the required “complete proteins” without worrying about the science of it. For more on protein and details about how much of it can be found in which foods, check out this information from the Vegetarian Society.

Calcium is another important nutrient for humans, but it continues to be terribly misunderstood, thanks in large part to the dairy industry. The best source of calcium available are green, leafy vegetables, so be sure to eat your greens! This article by John Robbins provides some great information about calcium in a vegan diet.

B12, on the other hand, is something that you have to be aware of as a vegan. There are only two nutrients that you cannot get naturally in a vegan diet – Vitamin D (which you can get from normal exposure to the sun), and B12. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the warnings about not getting enough B12; afterall, the consequences can be less-than-pleasant. Still, while B12 deficiencies are not unheard of in vegetarians/vegans, they are by no means commonplace either. There are a couple of reasons for this – one is that the human gut itself contains B12, and the other is that the human body uses this vitamin very efficiently, so we need a very small amount of it.

When researching dietary information, it’s important to take your research from reliable sources. With the massive amount of information available online today, it’s easy to get swamped; when you google “B12” thousands of hits come up. It seems that everyone and his brother have posted their opinion on this popular vitamin! Again, I default to Dr. John McDougall…a well-known and respected medical authority on diet and disease. This well-written article on B12 puts things into perspective – in summary, there’s a need and a reason to pay attention to your B12 intake as a vegan, but this is not something to panic about – and indeed the ‘dangers’ of not getting enough B12 are miniscule in comparison to the diseases and health repercussions of eating a meat-based diet.

Pay particular attention to his recommendation at the end of the article:

“Choosing a bioactive form of B12 is important. There are many B12-like substances called analogues found in food supplements, such as spirulina and other algae—these are ineffective and should not be relied upon.19  Foods fermented by bacteria, such as tempeh, and miso; as well as sea vegetables (nori), have been recommended as sources of B12.  Miso and tempeh do not contain B12.20  Nori—the dried green and purple lavers commonly used to make sushi—has been tested and found to have substantial amounts of active vitamin B12 and has been recommended a “most excellent source of vitamin B12 among edible seaweeds, especially for strict vegetarians.”20,21 (Nori obtains its B12 from symbiotic bacteria that live on it.22) However, there is still some uncertainty about nori as a reliable B12 source; therefore, I suggest if you do choose this seaweed that you should monitor your B12 levels by blood tests now, and if adequate, every 3 years.

In order to minimize your risk of any health problems, I recommend you and your family follow a diet based on starches, vegetables, and fruits.  To avoid the extremely rare chance of becoming a national headline, add a reliable B12 supplement…”

 

Vegan Uncensored is a weekly space on this blog where people can bring interesting topics of discussion to do with veganism to the fore. Read it, respond to it, pass it on to your friends – vegan and non-vegan – through Facebook, Twitter, or by sending them a link to this blog. Do you have a vegan issue you’d like to see in this space? Email editor@veganmainstream.com.

*Thanks to Paul for suggesting this Vegan Uncensored topic!

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Body Language: Actions Speak Louder than Words

Thursday, August 19th, 2010 by vlowe

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone has heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words,” but have you ever given it a sober second thought?  The roll of a pair of eyes or a strong stare can actually have more of an impact than a firm word or a harsh sentence.  By the same token, a loving touch can be a more affectionate gesture than saying the words, ”I love you”. So there is truth to the saying; actions do speak louder than words.

This is an important thing to consider in the context of being vegan: our actions as individuals can impact the way people perceive vegans in general. Our body language can affect, and maybe even determine, our success in conversations about veganism with non-vegans.

Communication is important in any kind of relationship – a friend, a family member, or a co-worker. And non-verbal communication is just as important – if not more so – than the words that you speak when you’re trying to get a point across. All kinds of emotions are shown through body language or facial expressions: aggressiveness, attentiveness, dominance, relaxation, romance.

It’s important to be aware of what your own body language is saying to other people – if you’re involved in a conversation with someone (especially when you are talking to them about veganism), try to demonstrate open body language to let them know that you’re open and not being confrontational.

Vegans tend to have strong pride in their lifestyle. We hold animals next to our hearts and are committed to consuming a plant-based diet.  Many people that we encounter on a daily basis don’t understand these convictions. They may be interested in our reasoning, or they may be completely closed off to the idea of veganism.  Reading their body language is a good indication of where they stand on the issue, and what kind of approach will be most successful in broaching a conversation with them.  If you are able to successfully read their body language, you can have a positive pre-meditated reaction through your body language.  If someone closes their arms when they’re talking to you, make sure your arms are open and relaxed in a non-threatening way.

It’s important to spread the passion of veganism with a positive outlook.  Even if people don’t adopt the lifestyle, it’s imperative that they know our convictions come from happiness and love.  Next time you’re in a conversation with someone, try this experiment. Stop for a second and note what your own body language is saying about you; then study the body language of the person you are talking to, and see if it aligns with what they are saying.

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