In just 1 or 2 words, describe "what is veganism?"

Replies are from Facebook participants responding to this question:  

In just 1 or 2 words, describe "what is veganism?"

• Ethical stance                                             
• Life                                                              
• living gently                                                
• The Truth                                                      
• Love                                                              
• Justice
• Ahimsa
• Peace, Love
• Sentient equality
• Shared Peace
• Values lived
• God's creatures
• just "right"
• Compassion
• Minimia justicia
• one love
• clear conscience
• the way
• awareness
• Empathy
• Respect
• Compassionate & Evolved
• True Love
• Integrity
• Global consciousness
• Think Big
• Liberation, Compassion
• Animal Rights
• Regard to all life
• Kindness, equality
• Direct Action
• Educated
• Social Justice
• compassionate being
• The Future
• Non-Violence
• Moral Imperative
• Harmlessness
• compassion over cruelty
• Refusing violence
• Consciousness
• Dynamic Harmlessness (Ahimsa)
• end speciesism
• Active concern
• respecting fellow animals
• Higher Love
• Infinite compassion
• World Peace
• first step
• moral baseline
• dynamic harmlessness
• intelligent living
• compassionate living
• respect, justice
• ethical living
• Love and Compassion
• allowing life
• commitment
• spiritual evolution
• evolutionary
• allowing life
• next evolution

WHAT IS VEGANISM? THE TRUTH ABOUT VEGANISM! by Lynn Reed

I'm amazed to see how many people think that veganism is just a diet, and don't understand the philosophy behind it. Amazingly, now we have ''vegans'' who hunt or fish, ''vegans'' who eat or use honey, ''vegans'' who eat eggs and cheese/casein, ''vegans'' who eat fish and chicken every once in a while, and even ''dietary vegans''... This is very unfortunate, because all this mislabeling and misusing of the words ''vegan'' and ''veganism'' are what cause the most harm to the vegan movement.

First off, choosing a plant based diet for health reasons, as well as any other reasons, is called vegetarianism. Secondly, eating any animal products is not acceptable to dietary vegetarians, let alone vegans.

Veganism, by definition, involves ethical reasons and it has many strict rules. There is no such thing as ''going vegan for health reasons'' or ''dietary vegan'' or ''vegan who eats and/or uses animal products''. Veganism is a lifestyle practice that excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, any species that's part of Kingdom Animalia - that includes non-human land animals, human animals, non-human sea animals, birds AND insects, as well as anyone else who's part of KA.

Essentially, veganism is anti slavery. Veganism is anti-speciesism, anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-classism, as as well anti any other forms of discrimination. Veganism is not just a "trend" or "something cool". Veganism is a serious thing, and its main goal is to end all animal exploitation and slavery. By choosing to go vegan, you choose to fight for total animal liberation and AR (animal rights).

A vegan does not buy and does not use any products that contain animal products. Sure, some vegans may buy products that contain animal products by accident, or out of ignorance, because, let's face it, most of the products we buy are mislabeled and disguised, so, many times, we don't even know what we buy. But, if you are a vegan, once you find out that a product contains animal products, you no longer buy it.

- A vegan does not kill insects. Insects ARE animals.
- A vegan does not enslave their ''pets''.
- A vegan does not support animal testing, aquariums, circuses, zoos, rodeos, horse riding, horse racing, bullfighting, dog fighting, hunting, fishing, child labour, and anything else that involves animal exploitation and unnecessary cruelty.

(Smoking is not vegan friendly either, as it involves animal testing, as well as child exploitation on tobacco farms, and humans are part of Kingdom Animalia, as well.)

Note that I stress the word ''exploitation''. For example, some people think that it's OK to eat eggs from their own rescued hens, as it doesn't harm the hen, but it doesn't matter if it hurts the hen or not - it's still exploitation, so it's against the vegan philosophy.

Many people who chose to follow a plant based diet think that they are vegan, just because they don't eat animal products, but they are not vegans - they are dietary vegetarians.

The difference between vegetarianism and veganism is, vegetarianism excludes animal products only from the diet, and people can choose to be vegetarian for any reason, while veganism excludes ALL animal products (not only from the diet), and people choose to go vegan because they care about all animals and don't want to contribute to exploitation and unnecessary cruelty. In other words, a vegan IS a dietary vegetarian, but a dietary vegetarian is not necessarily a vegan.

Sure, there are some people who, after going vegetarian for health reasons (or for other reasons), get involved in AR and decide to go vegan, but that's a different thing. I know some dietary vegetarians who, after seeing cruelty videos, started to care about non-human animals and decided to go vegan, that is, they stopped contributing to ALL forms of exploitation.

But most dietary vegetarians are NOT vegans, as they still contribute to other forms of exploitation and unnecessary cruelty:
- there are dietary vegetarians who hunt or fish ''for fun'', or who support hunting and fishing;
- there are dietary vegetarians who support aquariums, circuses, zoos, rodeos, horse riding,        
  horse racing, bullfighting, dog fighting;
- there are dietary vegetarians who wear fur, leather, silk and wool;
- there are dietary vegetarians who buy products tested on animals.
...And there are also dietary vegetarians who contribute to many other forms of exploitation
   and unnecessary cruelty, and who have no idea what veganism is.

The term vegan was coined by Donald Watson in 1944 and was defined as follows:

''Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from animals.'' 

PRINCIPLES OF A VEGAN

- Animals are not ours to eat.
- Animals are not ours to wear.
- Animals are not ours to experiment on.
- Animals are not ours to use for entertainment.
- Animals are not ours to abuse in any way.

These are 5 basic rules that a vegan must follow. In addition, some vegans may also choose not to drive a car or use a PC, or use other ''necessary'' products that may cause the death of many animals and environmental damage, even though this is something that can be considered ''extreme'', and not many people will do that, anyway, because cars and PCs, as well as some other products, are necessary for most people.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT VEGANISM

~ Can vegans avoid all cruelty? Of course not! It's impossible to avoid all cruelty, but it is possible to avoid all forms of exploitation, that's for sure. For example, we can't avoid stepping on insects when we walk, unless we grow some wings and fly. Truth is, everything involves cruelty. Even producing all those grains kills billions of insects and small animals.

If you step on a bug without seeing it, it's called Nature. If you see the bug and avoid stepping on it, it's called veganism.

Note that exploitation or slavery is not the same thing as cruelty. Exploitation and slavery often involve cruelty, but cruelty does not necessarily involve exploitation and slavery. Nature is just cruel, while factory farms are plain wrong and totally unacceptable. Vegans can avoid all exploitation and slavery, but they can't avoid all cruelty. They can, however, reduce cruelty, as much as possible. There are a few exceptions, though - for example, some vegans can't avoid taking meds that are tested on animals (which obviously involves both exploitation/slavery and cruelty), especially if they have an existing disease that cannot be reversed, so, in such cases, meds are necessary.

~ Is harming or killing someone in self defense acceptable to vegans? Yes, it is! However, we should always look for another solution that's not causing harm, when possible.

~ Are vegans perfect? Definitely not! There is no such thing as ''absolute perfection''. Vegans are just people who are very passionate about AR, and they just want to help end all this unnecessary exploitation and cruelty once and for all, as it causes so much suffering and pain to innocent living beings, and it also ruins the planet and people's health.

~ Is veganism, as lifestyle, perfect? Yes and no! Even though, subjectively, ''perfection'' can exist, technically, nothing can be perfect in an objective way. I mean, some people can see certain things and beings as ''perfect'', but that's based on opinion, not fact. Anyways, the thing with veganism is, it's obviously not perfect, for the simple fact that perfection does not exist, but, IF perfection existed, veganism would be the closest thing to perfection. I see veganism as a nearly perfect lifestyle, which can only be beneficial to the Earth and all earthlings, and I could never give up my vegan lifestyle, for ANY reason - I'm vegan for life!

~ Do vegans think that they are superior to non-vegans? No, no, no and no! Contrary to popular belief, vegans do not think that they are better than others. We actually do not think that we are more important than a worm, and that's exactly why we are vegan.

~ Is it hard to be vegan? No, it's not hard at all! In fact, being vegan is the easiest thing in the world. The reason why most people think that it's hard is because they haven't tried it yet. Sure, at first, it is a bit hard, until you get used to it, but then you realize that it's so easy not to contribute to unnecessary cruelty. All vegans do is basically give up products that are totally unnecessary - that we were not even supposed to eat or wear or use, in the first place.

We do not need to eat animal products.
We do not need to wear animal products.
We do not need to use cosmetics or shower gels that are tested on animals.
We do not need to support or see animal cruelty in order to entertain ourselves.
We do not need to exploit or abuse others in order to survive and be happy.

So... If you feel like you can't stick to veganism, simply use the term ''dietary vegetarian'' in order to avoid confusion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing people or anything like that. All I'm trying to do is educate people about veganism and its true and original meaning. I'm just trying to make it clear, because all this misusing of veganism is causing a lot of harm to the vegan movement. But I know it's all those Vegan Societies' fault, as they never make it clear what veganism is and what it stands for, so people start making up their own definitions of veganism.

Veganism is compassion, equality and justice. Veganism is awareness and education. Veganism is peace. But, most importantly, veganism is the only way to end all exploitation and slavery - it is total liberation.

GO VEGAN!

Miracle Foods for Vegans

If you are one of those vegans who don’t like your vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients coming from a bottle...these are some of nature's miracle foods for vegans. I wish I knew about them many years ago! There’s a few more on the docket to try, including stinging nettles right out my door.

DANDILION
I started researching dandelion because I needed an herbal diuretic for my canine companion, for medicinal reasons. I couldn't believe what I was reading about dandelion.  Fresh dandelion greens, flower tops, and roots have valuable properties that are anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting. Dandelion is said to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Dandelion is very nutritious, having more vitamins and minerals than most vegetables. It is rich in vitamins A, C, D, and the B-complex, as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, choline, calcium and boron. It is one of the few vegan foods that contains vitamin D. Vegans often get their vitamin D from the ultimate source; sunshine exposure on the skin; which enables us to make our own Vitamin D (technically a hormone). Fresh dandelion herb provides over 300% of the daily-recommended intake of vitamin-A. Dandelion is probably the richest herbal sources of vitamin K; providing about 650% of daily recommended intake. Dandelion is alkalizing, laxative, astringent, highly diuretic, and a general stimulant, and contains the vitamins for bone health. Dandelion is high in anti-oxidants such as vitamin-C and Lutein which reduce the free radicals in the body, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. The young spring greens are used as a salad ingredient (before they turn bitter later in the summer). Roasted dandelion root is used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion is a mild bitter herb. Dandelion may date as far back as 30 million years ago, and was one of the original bitter herbs mentioned in the Bible. You need to know the right variety of dandelion apparently. I just purchase it already dried from the health shop and today I nibbled on some when I found the right kind; with the jagged leaves. What most think of as a weed turns out to be a miracle plant; especially for vegans. I talked myself into it; going to make a dandelion tea now!

PURSLANE
Like in flaxseed, you can also find ALA (alpha linoleic acid) in purslane. Fresh leaves of purslane contain surprisingly more Omega-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid) than any other leafy vegetable plant. ALA is an essential component of omega-3 fatty acids. Because vegans choose not to consume fish, they can still reap the benefits of omega 3 from eating purslane (and a few other vegan foods), which is a precursor to our bodies making Omega-3 fatty acid, at a low conversion rate. (For example, we don't know how much purslane or flaxseed you need to eat to convert to beneficial long chain fatty acids DHA and EPA.) Science has shown that consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, aid weight control, prevent certain cancers, and can improve the effectiveness of treatment for hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder, Schizophrenia, Autism, Alzheimer's disease, Bipolar Disorder and depression. Omega 3 helps our body in producing compounds that are needed to regulate our immune system, blood clotting and blood pressure. Purslane is not only a good source of fatty acid, it also offers plenty of minerals. Purslane is rich in Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and is an excellent source of Vitamin A; one of the highest among green leafy vegetables. Also present in purslane are potent anti-oxidants and other beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, and amino acids which help our body to make protein. A few other healthful substances found in this “plant that grows like a weed” are pectin; which is believed to reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the bad cholesterol - and there are vegans that do have high LDL cholesterol manufactured by their own body; not sourced from eating animals and their secretions), gluthatione; which is a master antioxidant in our body, dopamine (a muscle relaxant agent), and Co-enzyme Q-10; found in every living cell and supplies them with energy. Since the time of Hippocrates, purslane has been widely used in Europe for its healing properties. In ancient Egypt, purslane was used to treat heart disease and heart failure. (If purslane is not available in your area, you can use lingonberries, hempseed, walnuts, flaxseed, perila, goji berries, and chia seeds as an alternative vegan food source of omega 3.) Purslane can be used simply as a green salad and eaten raw with other greens. Because it contains oxalic acid, which may crystallize as oxalate stones in the urinary tract - and because of its potency of nutrients and alpha linoleic acid, that tells me that it is not necessary to eat large quantities of purslane. I just ordered purslane seeds.

GOJI BERRIES
Goji Berries, also known as Wolfberries, contain many micronutrients and phytochemicals, including 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals, 18 amino acids (they have the highest amount of protein of any fruit), 6 essential vitamins, 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides, 5 unsaturated fatty acids, (including the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid; one of the few vegan sources of ALA short-chain fatty acid that converts to Omega 3), phytosterols, 5 carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin (one of the riches edible plant sources of zeaxanthin), lutein, lycopene and cryptoxanthin, and numerous phenolic pigments associated with antioxidant properties. Goji berries contain calcium; 100 gram serving provides about 8-10% of the Dietary Recommended Intake. They offer about 24% of the Dietary Recommended Intake of Potassium. Wolfberries have 100% of the dietary recommendations for iron; one of the essential nutrients that vegans need to be aware that they are consuming. There are plenty of vegan sources of iron, and yet it is one of the 6 nutrients that vegans fall short on, generally speaking, in blood tests comparing them to the "norm" (if those consuming animals can be considered the norm, that is.) Goji berries also contain zinc and plenty of Vitamin C. 100 grams of dried Goji berries provide 91% of dietary recommended intake of Selenium and 100% of the daily recommendations for Riboflavin (Vitamin B2). Published studies report that with goji berry consumption - there may be benefits against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and vision-related disease (such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma) (sadly, they experimented on mice and other animals to get these findings.) Not all goji berries are created equal. When grown commercially in China, and even claimed to be organic, fungicides may be used to kill insects that attack the fruit. It's good to look into where your goji berries are sourced from. I just learned about goji berries …even my canine companion likes them (cut up).

CHIA SEEDS
Chia is a plant which, like flax seed, has a great deal of healthy omega-3 fatty acid in it. In fact, they are the richest plant source of Omega-3; fatty acids which are not so easy to come by in regular vegan eating. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation and help the body fight off some of the effects of aging. Unlike flax seed, you don't have to grind chia seed in order for your body to use it - and chia seed does not spoil quickly, making it much more convenient than flax seed. Two tablespoons of Chia seeds also have a respectable amount of antioxidants. Chia seeds have 19 amino acids; but not taurine. They are low in calories, gluten free and easy to digest. They have more iron than spinach, more antioxidants than blueberries, and also high in calcium. Just add Chia seeds to fruit bowls and salads or sprout them much like alfalfa seeds. I just started eating them, I must confess. I add them to my fruit bowl and squeeze an orange over them and let it make a sweet gel with the fruit. It’s a good way to eat them. And I feel really full afterward just from a fruit bowl with chia seeds; that 'full-feeling' is why they are touted as beneficial to weight loss.

TURMERIC
Turmeric is an orange-colored spice from India that is part of the ginger family. The main component in turmeric, called curcumin, appears to aid in blocking cancer, new research shows. It may prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to die. And it may prevent metastases from occurring in various forms of cancer. Turmeric’s powerful antioxidant properties fight cancer-causing free radicals. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that may help with rheumatoid arthritis. It can replace anti-inflammatory drugs, with no side effects. Turmeric is said to be a powerful antiseptic and can be used for disinfecting cuts and burns, and it assists wound healing. It’s a natural painkiller. Chinese medicine has used it as a treatment for depression. It is recommended that it be eaten raw, sprinkled on food, and mixed with a bit of oil or tahini for palpability. It is nice when making tofu eggless salad…it turns the tofu yellow. It is available as a supplement in pill or vegan capsule form. “Curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva by researchers at UCLA’s Cancer Center." (link below) Add some spice to your life – turmeric!
http://www.cancer.ucla.edu//Index.aspx?page=644&recordid=507 

CHLORELLA
Chlorella is a single-celled type of algae that grows in fresh water. The whole plant is used to make whole food supplements. Because of its unique ability to bind with mercury, lead, and cadmium, the alga (chlorella vulgaris) has become increasingly popular as a heavy metal "detoxifier".  Studies have shown chlorella’s superior ability to (safely) draw these toxic metals from the intestinal tract where they accumulate. Most of the chlorella that is available in the U.S. is grown in Japan or Taiwan. Chlorella is the top selling health food supplement in Japan. Unlike spirulina, chlorella has been shown scientifically to contain bioavailable real Vitamin B12 (cobalamin); not the analog that may actually interfere with real B12 absorption, in two studies. (See links below). However, other tests did not get the same results, so until chlorella is tested more on humans, it should not be considered as a sole reliable source of B12 for vegans. I saw a certified organic brand at a health shop called ‘Lifestream Chlorella” and the labels says it contains not only B12, but Vitamin D; also very rare to see in plant foods. Chlorella is a potent source of healthy omega-3 fats, making it a cholesterol lowering food. Vegans need to ensure that they are consuming enough of these fatty acids, also not that widely found in plant foods. This along with the fact that it contains many phytonutrients - puts it on this list of Vegan Miracle Foods. Chlorella is the highest known source of chlorophyll. Chlorella has ten times the beta-carotene of carrots. It’s a good source of fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and protein. It contains 18 key amino acids including the 8 essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Many prestigious institutions researched this algae. Initial testing by the Stanford Research Institute showed Chlorella (when growing in warm, sunny, shallow conditions) could convert 20% of solar energy into 50% protein, when the plant is dried. The plant can yield more protein per unit area than any other plant! However, the cellulose cell wall of chlorella must be broken down before people can digest it, so it has to be produced in artificial conditions. Chlorella products varied significantly in the amount of protein, carbohydrate and fat that various tested samples contained. In the presence of light, chlorophyll produces oxygen. Cancer cells don’t like oxygenated conditions. Some use chlorella medicinally to prevent cancer, stimulate the immune system, as a potent cellular detoxifier, to increase good bacteria (probiotics) in the intestine, and to slow the aging process. It’s advised to consume chlorella that has not been freeze-dried, and has no additives or preservatives. I’m off to take a Lifestream Chlorella mini (easy to take) tablet. I have to stick around to see the vegan world that’s coming!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12656203?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18247530

A whole food, an algae that naturally contains real Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D and Omega 3's -
A True Miracle Food for Vegans.

Am I vegan? Clearly defining who is and is NOT vegan.

What gives me the right to make the following distinctions? I don't know; maybe I don't have the right. Or maybe three decades of being vegan and  in communication with the vegan community. Mostly because I feel compelled. I see it as being a voice for other animals...that's all. I simply felt clarification was necessary. 

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I feel in my heart that animal exploitation is wrong and I love animals, but I don't check ingredients when I purchase food, clothing, cleaning products, toiletries, etc.” Am I vegan?

If you are still demanding animal exploitation with your product purchases or funding practices that use animals - this is not vegan. I say this with the hope that you will align your actions with the love or respect you feel for other animals.

“I went vegan to cure my diabetes, reverse heart disease, to lose weight or control my eating disorder...” Am I vegan?

Living as a vegan is not the same as eating the diet vegans eat; an herbivorous diet, pure vegetarian diet, or a plant-powered diet, contrary to media inaccuracy. When we stop eating flesh that putrefies in our gut, milk meant for another species, and too much fat and cholesterol, we naturally start to feel better. However, veganism is not a diet, it's a way of life that encompasses more than food. It's a stance of non-participation in animal exploitation, as far as practically possible. Its essence is about basic respect for other animals. Understand that, and the path becomes easy; with no feeling of deprivation, whatsoever.

“I feed my dog vegan, I wear pleather - not leather, but on occasion, I “cheat” when out and have a little cheese.” Am I vegan?

It's not a diet that you can cheat on. Vegans make mistakes, and then move on, but don't knowingly "cheat". Would you participate in rape or murder of a human every once in awhile and call it “cheating”?

“I'm vegan and don't cause suffering, except I have 'free-range' eggs” from a neighbor.” Am I vegan?

Animals and their bodily secretions are not seen as food by vegans, as a matter of rights. Also, the egg, with the highest concentration of cholesterol, is not healthy for human consumption. Leave the eggs for other animals.

“Am I vegan if I drive a car (stearic acid is used in the vulcanization of tires and is often animal-derived), have a refrigerator, a computer, and other things we need on a practical level that do contain minute animal ingredients?”

Since its inception, the founders said that the practice of veganism takes it as far as "practically possible". We're living in a speciesist world and it is impossible to live completely free of products that contain animal ingredients. Vegans make an effort to avoid whatever products they possibly can that are animal-derived. However, most of us need to drive, we need refrigerators, and many of us use our computer to spread the vegan message. However, all food, supplements, vitamins, beverages we consume, toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning products, pillows, blankets, candles, clothing, shoes and accessories - can be plant-derived and not tested on animals. Just because none of us can live completely vegan, does not mean that we should not make the effort when we CAN literally protest animal exploitation by not funding it. Yes - to owning a car, but No - to leather shoes; hypocritical sounding? I don't feel I can actually survive without driving a car, however I can survive without having non-vegan wine in a restaurant. Do you see the distinction? I believe "doing the best we possibly can" really has to mean something. We are literally protesting animal use by not being a part of the demand for it; it's direct action. One little non-vegan ingredient in a product is 'big business', oftentimes.

“I am plant-powered, but I can't afford to buy organic.” Am I vegan?

Yes. However, some vegans try to grow some food for themselves using veganic agriculture; which uses no slaughterhouse byproducts or animal ingredients, as well as no chemicals that are reaping havoc on our planet.

“I eat honey, but beside that no animal products.” Am I a vegan?

The general consensus is that vegans don't consume honey. Honey is easily replaced, and is derived from needless exploitation and harm to bees. Many believe insects to be sentient. Here in New Zealand, if I wanted to help the threatened bees of our planet to thrive, rather than bee-keeping them, stealing THEIR honey and using them, I can plant Blue Borage flowers (Echium Vulgare). The bees get a buzz from this plant; and they hang around and pollinate all the fruit trees nearby.

“I don't buy fair-trade chocolate, and I sometimes buy products with palm oil, but otherwise I live vegan” Am I vegan?

You would generally be considered vegan, but some vegans maintain that you would not really be vegan. If you support the slavery of children near the Ivory Coast of Africa; where nearly half of all the cocoa beans come from, by purchasing non-fair trade chocolate, you are supporting human slavery. Humans are animals. Many vegans avoid products of slavery; whether human or nonhuman.

Palm oil plantations are stealing the habitat of orangutans. If we have this information and don't avoid unethically sourced palm oil (not a necessity and maybe not even healthy), our standard of veganism could be elevated. If we can avoid something that is harming animals easily enough, we should. We really do need to look into how the products we purchase are sourced. We have to read ingredients to be vegans. It's not too daunting. We're living in the age of information. Knowing if something is vegan is a click away from our fingertips. (When I became vegan 33 years ago, pre-internet, it was a bit daunting to find out if products were animal-derived.) The greatest power we have is to NOT purchase products derived from animal exploitation. However, it is impossible to be pure unless you grow all your own food, veganically. When we buy fruit at the local farmer's market; the farmer probably kills his possums (here in New Zealand). Mice can get killed from the organic grains our family consumes...it can get nearly impossible to totally avoid harming other animals. It's unintentional harm, though. Striving for 'vegan purity' is a worthwhile endeavor that some vegans are attempting, not because they want to be "more vegan than though" but because they care about changing the speciesist paradigm that is prevalent today. None of us is a perfect vegan, but trying to be - is a good thing.

“I'm vegan except I don't bother to check if my wine/alcohol is “fined” through animal ingredients.” Am I vegan?

It's fairly easy to source vegan wines/beers these days and there are online guides to help, so if you call yourself a vegan, but purchase products that use byproducts of animal exploitation that are easily avoidable, do you think that's vegan?

“I'm a vegetarian for 45 years.” Am I a vegan?

It's time to become one. I was a vegetarian before I became vegan, however since then I've learned that vegetarians still support horrific animal abuse. Veganism is the minimal stance for those who care about other animals. It's not the end goal, but the first step. I don't promote or support 'vegetarianism' as a step to veganism, because I don't promote animal exploitation at all. If someone wants to become a vegetarian as a step before becoming vegan, that is their choice, but I'm calling to people's conscience and soul - and asking them to become vegan, not vegetarian. Honestly, vegetarians that consume milk or eggs, or leather or wool, for example, literally fund extreme cruelty to animals. Being vegan is the least we can do to show basic respect to other animals. I wish someone spoke the candid Truth to me back then when I was a vegetarian 4 decades ago.

“I have a bird in a cage, but otherwise don't purchase anything that is not vegan” Am I vegan?

It would depend on if you went out and bought that bird from a pet store for your pleasure and/or if you would do it again, or you rescued the bird. Do unto other animals as you would have them do to you. If that bird CAN live in the natural environment and fly – set him/her free. Purchasing animals from pet stores supports their commodification and exploitation and is demanding them to be caught in the wild, have their wings clipped, or to be purposefully bred to live a life unjustly imprisoned in a cage. You may want to set-up a way where the bird, if he/she chooses, can fly back to your home for food, protection, and friendship - but can also fly freely in the sky.

“I eat totally vegan to help save the planet.” Am I vegan?

Opposing animal agriculture in order to save the planet is commendable. Veganism is not just about diet – it's about basic respect for other animals and goes beyond dietary habits.

“I am vegan so I can have sex with my vegan girlfriend.” Am I vegan?

Maybe, but I doubt you will stay vegan-for-life unless you “get-it” for the right reason. So use your love relationship with a vegan to help you understand the moral imperative of vegan living, so you will stay vegan whether you are with this woman or not, in the future. We can enter into vegan living through many different doors.

“I eat processed and junk food, basically, but I don't purchase any animal products.” Am I vegan?

Veganism is not a health plan, though vegans usually find themselves in good health. One can be a vegan and eat unbalanced. One can also be vegan, and then on top of that, be a health conscientious individual. There are unhealthy vegans and super-healthy vegans. Generally, vegans are healthier than the general public. Many learn more about health and nutritional requirements from becoming vegan.

“I don't consume any animal products personally, but I don't clean my dishes at night, which knowingly draws mice for the resident snake or cat to eat – it's a part of the natural order of things.” Am I vegan?

You would be considered vegan, however, some vegans will clean their kitchen at night in places where it would attract mice; cornering them where carnivores can easily get them. Hopefully, vegans live in such a way as to avoid harming animals in the environment and also helping them. In this case, you would be helping the snake or the cat, but certainly not the mouse, and I think it is best if vegans avoid, as far as possible, any involvement in the food chain mentality. If it were a person being stalked by a snake, would you try to help? But not if it's a small mouse? As Dr. Seuss so eloquently stated “a person's a person, no matter how small”. Animals are persons, not 'places' or 'things'.

“I'm 90% vegan...I'm almost there.” Am I vegan?

To say you're 90% raw foodist is fine, but to say you're 90% vegan is not seeing the vegan ideal - correctly. In essence, it is saying that only 10% of me supports violent assault of other animals.

“I'm vegan because I stand for non-violence.” Am I vegan?

Being vegan and being opposed to violence are totally aligned values. That is why animal rights activists that promote violence towards humans are really not in accordance with veganism. Veganism is a social justice and political statement of non-approval of the violence inflicted on other animals; and humans are animals. However, there are "militant vegans" who don't necessarily believe in non-violence, and yet they live without participating in nonhuman animal exploitation. Yes, they're vegans. The general consensus, however, is that vegans don't want to be violent; that's the very thing they oppose.

“I'm into vegan health and fitness, bodybuilding, running, etc.” Am I vegan?

It's intelligent to take your own health into your own hands. Being healthy and fit is good for you, and is good activism. But if you participate in animal exploitation in other ways beside diet, you're not vegan, but an herbivore, pure vegetarian, plant-powered eater, or a raw-foodist if you eat raw foods. (There are raw-foodists who consume raw animal flesh, by the way. There are raw foodists who wear leather, use products derived from animals, and are therefore - not vegan.)

“I don't actively protest animal experimentation or attend demos and protests.” Am I vegan?

Just being vegan you actively protest animal exploitation by not being a part of the “demand” for it. However, being vegan is a moral baseline, just the first step. Getting involved with vegan education, protests, public speaking, vegan educational events - are encouraged and important for those who see veganism as a social justice movement, and want to help usher in change from our society's ways. The more we spread veganism, the easier it will be for everyone to live vegan...we will have more vegan restaurants, products and choices - as we reach for that tipping point when humanity has awakened to vegan living; the goal.

“I post dog-rescue info and actively work to help animals. I literally do more for animals than many vegans, but I'm not vegan?”

From my point of view, nobody does more for animals than those who live the vegan way of life. But you are welcome to be vegan too; it's not an exclusive club. In fact, we want everybody to join! Vegans believe all species, not just some, deserve basic respect and are working towards their rights being recognized. Vegans have stopped being a part of the demand for ALL animals to be harmed by humans. They are ushering in a new way of life on earth that will benefit all. However, there are many non-vegans who do help individual animals and we thank you for helping to save lives, adopt, and care for animals in need. That's a good thing. We wish you would see that all animals of all species deserve our help, which would result in becoming vegan.

“I don't care why someone's vegan...just that they're vegan.” Am I vegan?

In order to be a good vegan educator, you need to realize that since its inception, veganism has always been about avoidance of products derived of animal exploitation. The meaning of the word 'vegan' has been hijacked and made to be less than what it really is. The masses, including so called vegan outreach groups, have lowered the standard of the vegan ideal to meet where the masses can grasp it - so they think. I think the public needs to hear the real reason one becomes vegan, whether they want to or not. Of course, they don't want to hear that they daily fund abuse, slavery, oppression, rape, kidnapping, and murder. But – like it or not, they NEED to hear the truth. We are lifting the collective consciousness to the Truth of veganism. Then they will be equipped with the information they need to endure as vegans. However, we can also educate about the many benefits and rewards that come with vegan living, in conjunction with imparting The reason one becomes vegan.

“I'm vegan, but I own, ride a horse with a bit and leather saddle.” Am I vegan?

The leather saddle, right off the bat, disqualifies you. Let the horse decide if your are someone who avoids animal exploitation and use, as far as possible. Are you using the horse for your own entertainment and enjoyment? Is putting a bit in a horse's mouth a right way to act as a vegan? Is putting the skins of another animal on the horse's back a vegan thing to do? Horses were not meant to have their spirit broken. I would think there are exceptions where the horse and the human are friends and the horse wants the human up there, bareback or with a vegan saddle. Rescuing and befriending horses is vegan.

“I'm vegan because of global warming – if the planet goes, we all go!” Am I vegan?

If you are vegan for global warming, I sincerely doubt you live totally vegan. You might EAT vegan as a protest to animal agriculture; the biggest culprit in environmental devastation. Vegans don't fund zoos, seaquariums, circuses, dog or horse races, horse-drawn carriage rides, animal acts, pet shops and breeders, as well as boycotting the dairy, egg and meat industries, as well as wool, leather, silk, honey, pharmaceuticals, vegan and cruelty-free toiletries, cosmetics, and cleaners, etc. - many of which don't correlate to global warming. Protesting animal farming for environmental reasons is a good thing, but it's not veganism...however certainly a step in the right direction.

“I'm vegan but I purchase mainstream commercial dog/cat food for my rescued companion animals.” Am I vegan?

This is a difficult decision. Probably yes, even though you are directly a part of the demand for animals to be harmed. You might want to alter your decision to support the exploitation of some species of animals to feed your companion animals. Cats are difficult; being true carnivores, though some are feeding their feline friends nearly vegan or vegan (one would have to be very careful). But dogs can live as long and healthy as their meat-eating counterparts with a supplemented, carefully balanced vegan diet, so why demand with your dollars for other species of animals to suffer for your furry friends? Please read my "Dogs Can Eat Vegan, Too!" essay and join 'Vegan Dog Nutrition' group on Facebook. But because some rescued animals literally can't eat vegan, and because of the serious undertaking of properly nourishing animals that are not natural herbivores on a purely plant diet, it brings this issue into one of those vegan grey areas. It's a difficult one for many vegans. Prominent vegan activists feel differently on this subject; there is not a general consensus.

“I'm vegan as a protest to factory farms and inhumane abuse towards animals.” Am I vegan?

If you avoid animal ingredients and exploitative practices, yes you are vegan, but in my opinion, you could evolve your reason. Rather than it being about “treatment” - make it about “rights”. ALL farming and using of animals is abusive! Become vegan to honor the inherent rights of all sentient animals, not because factory farms are cruel. Yes, they are horrifically cruel beyond conception, but turning 'a someone' into 'a something' is always cruel; no exceptions. There is NO humane animal exploitation. We can live beautifully as vegans, therefore it is unjust to harm those who are so similar to us that they are used in grotesque animal experiments to extrapolate findings to human anatomy. We inflict torture and death on other animals that feel much like we do. Being vegan is about respecting the basic birth-rights of all conscious, feeling, breathing animals. In other words, we would still be vegan even if animals were not bred and farmed in factory farms.

“I'm a raw vegan”.  Am I vegan?

If you eat all raw foods that are of plant origin, but you still buy and wear leather accessories and shoes; and exploit animals in other ways beside food, no – you're not vegan. You're a raw or live foodist. This may be healthy for you, and healthy for the planet, but veganism is also about what is healthy for other animals.

“I take it as far as eating a purely vegan diet and I identify with being a vegan.” Am I vegan?

Veganism is not a diet, but an ethical stance. It covers not using animals for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, labor, breeding, product ingredients, and other human uses of animals, which are all unnecessary, therefore humans use animals for their own pleasure. Our profoundly misguided society derives pleasure from the misery of other animals. Many long-time vegans prove that 'animal use' is unnecessary.

“I consider myself vegan but take my kids to the zoo for educational reasons.” Am I vegan?

Zoos are animal prisons. Animals are innocent – they don't deserve enslavement and imprisonment, or being 'objects' of amusement. Those who fund that, whether they call themselves vegan or not, simply are not yet vegan. There might be some unique case where a zoo is actually helping animals that would otherwise be harmed.

“I'm vegan but do use pharmaceuticals because they are necessary.” Am I vegan?

Yes, but only in emergency or serious health issues that call for pharmaceuticals. (Something like birth-control pills as mentioned in the comments would be left to the discretion of the vegan. Birth control is indeed important, but there are also non-pharmaceutical means of birth control. I did not personally like the physical effect of birth control pills.) Otherwise, the frivolous use of pharmaceuticals is not vegan. They are tested on animals (or have been) and may contain animal ingredients. You could go to a compounding pharmacy to have them make you up what you need without animal ingredients, at least. Vegans try to avoid pharmaceuticals by using preventative health measures. Eating a healthy, balanced vegan diet with lots of raw fruits and dark leafy greens, mild sunshine exposure on the skin, use of herbal medicinals, nutraceuticals and super foods found in health shops, periodic fasting, fresh-air walks and keeping active - often keeps the pharmaceuticals away! It has for me.

“I still wear my old leather shoes from my pre-vegan days because I can't afford to get new ones or throw away perfectly good things, but I won't buy non-vegan anymore.” Am I vegan?

Yes. Though I personally can't understand why you would want to wear the skins of tortured and murdered fellow sentient animals. Would you wear human skins? Modeling products of misery is not my conception of veganism, however if you have stopped purchasing animal products totally, yes you're vegan...you are no longer a part of 'the demand' for using other animals for human desires.

“I just proclaimed myself vegan, but I didn’t go through my entire house and wardrobe to rid myself of every item containing animal ingredients, like candles, soaps, leather furniture, leather seats in my car, wallets, etc. And it would cost a lot of money to replace them all with vegan versions. If I still have my non-vegan possessions from before I converted, am I vegan?”

To know circumstances is important. If someone is homeless, destitute, and can’t afford to replace an old leather bag, but otherwise lives and shops vegan, yes you would be considered vegan. Try thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets for replacing non-vegan items. Certainly a car with leather seats might not be as easy to replace as shoes and accessories. For myself and many other vegans, I did rid my closet and life of all animal products upon becoming vegan. I don’t want to live with products made of the skins of other animals any more than I would live with clothing or furniture made of human skins. I find seeing leather shoes upsetting. My own little world is a haven from the speciesist society that thinks they have the right to make pillows, shoes and products out of the bodies of exploited, assaulted, oppressed, enslaved, objectified, fellow sentient animals. I want nothing to do with 'the animal holocaust' and certainly don’t want to model animals' skins. To me, that would be like a 'seal of approval'.

A Recipe for a Long Healthy Life

green smoothie with goji berries

10  C. Desire to stick around to witness the world's people adopting vegan living.
  9  C. Healthy mindset that does not participate in the exploitation of other animals.
  8  C. Non-processed, whole plant foods, balanced; with a great majority being raw fruit,
          veggies, and some seeds and nuts.
  7  C. Yearning to follow the Truth, to live ethically towards others and the planet we all
           share, to cooperate harmoniously, to give Love.
  ¼ C. Oil; never heated, cold-pressed olive, organic canola, flaxseed or hempseed oil.
  5  C. Daily dose of gentle sun exposure; naked in the sun is preferable.
  4  C. Dark leafy greens like kale (dark green Lacanato & curly leaf) blended into a
          green drink, or marinated raw in salads – or arugula, bok choi, tat soi
  4  C. 'Use it or lose it' - country walks, staying physically & mentally active as we age
  3  C. Organic, or preferably veganic produce.
  ¼ C. Raw nuts, especially Brazil and Walnuts, a few daily.
  1  C. Broccoli and/or collard greens, steamed on high heat, not overcooked.  
  ½ C.  Assorted vegan supplements, such as B12 fortified nutritional yeast, etc.
  ¼ C.  Herbal medicines and nutraceuticals to meet your specific healing needs
  ¼ C. Periodic watermelon/water fasting to rest digestive system and clean your body.
  1  C. Goji berries, Chia seeds, freshly ground flaxseed meal, chlorella, and hemp seed
   3 C. Whatever makes you happy; really happy, not superficial happy.
   2 C. Grow a little home-grown garden of dark leafy greens, and add purslane.

           Directions:

           Mix them together, place in the sun until you rise into who you were meant to be!
 

10 REASONS TO GO VEGAN

1.) Because you really don’t want to fund the exploitation of animals; of a different face, that suffer; much like us. Because you’re a decent, reasonable and fair person and you want to show basic respect to other aware animals, by not paying someone to use and kill them on your behalf.

2.) Because you want to extend and expand your sense of empathy for others and therefore don’t want to be part of the demand for death. You no longer want to take part in stealing the breath of life from innocent, intelligent and magnificent animals; who come into this world with the birth-right not to be harmed and hurt by humans (who have no physical requirement to do so). You want to honor their inherent rights – just as you want that respect shown to you.

3.) Because you don’t want to participate in the system that commodifies the lives of breathing, feeling, conscious and communicative animals. Animal exploitation wrongly and deceitfully turns ‘a someone’ into ‘a something’ – thereby hardening the heart of humanity.

4.) Because you DO believe that oppression, enslavement, rape, assault, kidnapping and murder are wrong – no matter who the victim is; and an animal is a ‘who’ not a ‘what’. Remember the old “person”, “place” or “thing”…well animals are not things, and not places. That makes them persons.

5.) Because you want ‘Peace on Earth’ and hope we can curb the rampant violence plaguing our planet, and now see that most of humanity sustains themselves from a diet and lifestyle that is inherently violent towards other animals. The world’s people adopting vegan living would bring about a whole new world…a peaceful, non-violent world where all sentient beings would have no reason to live in fear. A world where slaughterhouses are a thing of the past, and commercial feedlots that so resemble Nazi concentration camps, cease to be, and macho men roping baby calves at rodeo’s is just a nightmare that we woke up from - they have no place in this new world; a more civilized world that was not literally built upon slavery and exploitation.

6.) Because you realize that the violence and suffering inflicted on other animals by humans is so unnecessary, and what kind of person would want to cause unnecessary harm to someone else? Humans have obviously evolved to be able to thrive off the plant kingdom as evidenced by many long-time vegans. Vegan pioneers are happy and healthy, but deeply disturbed about the animal’s plight and lack of awareness shown by people to the healing of our shared planet and the other species that we share it with. Species extinction is happening at such an inconceivable rate that it appears to be a “wake-up call” that humans must put an end to animal agriculture; the most significant culprit in humans creating greenhouse gas emissions. We need to stop breeding and using animals. The human race needs to finally grow into their name and become a ‘humane’ race; a vegan humanity.

7.) Because you want to become a part of the solution; not a part of the problem of what ails our planet. You want to join a great social justice movement that gives your life real purpose. You want to help steer the course from the direction our planet is heading. You want to help usher in a vegan world because it’s a hope for restoring balance to the planet and quite possibly what is needed for the very survival of Earth and its inhabitants. Animal agriculture is killing the planet. Harming other animals is killing the heart of human-not-so-kind. Many noted great minds of history believed that the masses adopting a vegetarian diet would lead to a more peaceful society; because of its effect on human temperament. Becoming vegan is the first step to realizing a sustainable and better world for all.

8.) Surprisingly, I‘m not going to say for your own health, though that would be true if we were talking about being an herbivore, pure vegetarian, dietary vegan, plant-based eater and then a subcategory of that could be a raw-foodist, but we’re talking about 'veganism' or 'becoming vegan'. Because vegans choose to live ethically towards other animals as far as practically possible, they are not consuming rotting corpses, and not consuming bodily secretions from other species that is not suited to ours, resulting in most vegans enjoying improved health. It’s a reward of righteous living. There’s no health guarantees, but vegans have less risk of heart disease, many forms of cancer, obesity, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and the list goes on. Vegans are concerned about the health of other animals, not just their own.

9.) Because you want to feel the great pleasure of walking this Earth knowing you're vegan. Many pre-vegans or non-vegans call living vegan “a choice". I don’t really see the choice here? Do you? Becoming vegan is an ethical imperative for all humans, from my point-of-view, and now hopefully also from yours.

10.) And finally, because, when Washoe; the chimpanzee (who was wrongfully enslaved) was taught American sign language, the first thing she said when she could form a sentence of her own thoughts was “Let me Out!” Other animals don’t need to speak the same language as us; any more than a foreigner does, for vegans to understand that they hold basic ‘rights’, for example: not to be owned, sexually assaulted, or harmed by humans.