How far to take veganism?
I've recently decided to become vegan again after about a year of just vegetarian. I was vegan for about a year before that and have been vegetarian for years before that. Basically meat is always out and will always be out. I'm kind of struggling right now as to just how far veganism should go though. When I used to be a vegan I checked EVERY single ingredient, never ate at other peoples houses, never ate at resteraunts unless I asked if the food was specifically vegan, and wouldn't touch something if whey was the 800th ingredient. I stopped being vegan that time because I was completely broke and Pasta Roni is a heck of a lot cheaper than vegan cheese and healthy food. This time around though I'm not really sure how far to take it, is eating whey alright when it's the 10th ingredient, or is that cheating? If I avoid products that are purely eggs, milk, cheese, etc but allow stuff that contains them in small amounts is it just not even worth it? I'm really confused about it all and I'd love to hear anybody and everybody's feedback or ideas about this.
Thank you!!
-A confused girl
I'd probably be the wrong one to answer that, because I'm not strict vegan. BUT I love zoos. The ones that actually SAVE animals and release them, that is. But I would go. It's so exciting to me to see big kitties and the like up close, animals I would never see other-wise. Go for the experience, if nothing else.
There's going to be a trip for the biology club I'm in at school to Washington D.C.,...
That's an interesting point you bring up. I'm a biologist, but when I was in college I wasn't vegan. How do you handle animal dissections? My school was going to create virtual labs for vegans, but they weren't in place when I attended college. It's a trade off between becoming a professional to help protect animal populations versus the dissection of an individual animal.
There's going to be a trip for the biology club I'm in at school to Washington D.C.,...
That's an interesting point you bring up. I'm a biologist, but when I was in college I wasn't vegan. How do you handle animal dissections? My school was going to create virtual labs for vegans, but they weren't in place when I attended college. It's a trade off between becoming a professional to help protect animal populations versus the dissection of an individual animal.
I'm actually not in a bio class. The class scheduling in my school is really bad and unfair, to say the least, and I couldn't get in because my homeroom was picked last from a hat to go schedule and bio was 'closed.'
Needless to say, I did have to dissect a frog, in 7th grade earth science, but I wasn't vegan then, nor vegetarian. Next year when I have bio I won't be doing any dissection. I mentioned before my school is really, er, redneck so I might have to go through a bit of a song and dance to substitute the lesson and pass, but they can't force students to.
ive only been vegan for 2 or 3 months. hooray hooray! I love it! ok enough with the party.
I just decided to give up honey (i was holding on out of spite, ima bitch) but I decided to replace my down coat and leather shoes as soon as i have the money. Then I realized that if I toss those one of y'all dumpsta divin kids will just wear my stuff. so im keeping it! if someone wants to criticize my bone belt, or my army boots they can have fun with it. I think I'd buy used leather shoes or wool sweaters, but that may be another forum. I know what I'm doing and how I feel about the animals and thats whats important.
I know a man with heart health issues who is attempting veganism. He says the only difficulty is giving up his favorite pizza. I told him to try eliminating everything but that, and consider whether or not that pizza is worth it. We just gotta do the best that we can. If you just HAVE to have one certain food, eat it, but remind yourself each time of what the animal had to go through for you to get your "treat." Hooray for Veggie based life!!!
Then I realized that if I toss those one of y'all dumpsta divin kids will just wear my stuff. so im keeping it!
Though I *shudder*, let's say, ''dislike'' PETA, here'shere's an article with links to where you can donate your furs to the poor.
I think there are other programs like that, (anyone know/got a link?) that isn't PETA affiliated, but all in all, it's a better use to the already made coats than to be discarded or stowed in a closet.
Though I *shudder*, let's say, ''dislike'' PETA, here'shere's an article with links to where you can donate your furs to the poor.
I think there are other programs like that, (anyone know/got a link?) that isn't PETA affiliated, but all in all, it's a better use to the already made coats than to be discarded or stowed in a closet.
This is a very valid point. If I just throw out my leather or wool or whatever garment, the animal has died for nothing. Surely it's better to wear the garment out, and that it be worn by someone who needs it, or a person who will wear it with respect for the animal who died. Then, after it's used up, you can make a different choice next time.
How do YOU feel about zoos as a vegan? And in the case of a bio club trip?
I don't like zoos; I think zoos have their place because people are more likely to support conservation efforts that affect animals they have seen firsthand. At the San Diego zoo on just about every single sign there's a notation that the animal is endangered or protected.
I go to the zoo probably twice a decade. It's upsetting and each time I leave with a profound re-commitment to simple living. I think it's okay to go as long as you really concentrate on learning about the needs of certain animals and taking action in your own life that will help support them and effectively communicate their needs to others (no telling people off).
A vegan I knew in college, who was head-over-heals passionate about animals, was a wildlife major. She was so passionate she wanted to commit her life to preserving populations and to do that meant she had to prepare an insect collection.
How do YOU feel about zoos as a vegan? And in the case of a bio club trip?
I think that, again, it is a decision that is up to you and how you feel about it. Having said that, to just offer you one person's experience and opinion...
When I was in college back in the late 80's (I'm an old fart) I took a class on primates. Each person in the class had to pick a primate and do a study of that primate at the zoo in San Francisco. I picked mandrills, partially for the superficial reason that they are intensely beautiful and colorful, and also for the more substantial reason that they are very elusive, intriguing, and (at the time) not well studied. I spent many hours observing mandrills sit around twiddling their fingers in a fairly small, enclosed area and consistently smear their poo on the walls. They do not smear their poo on the walls in the wild. This is a neurotic thing they do, and an unnatural behavior directly resulting from years in captivity. At the time I was vegetarian. I felt very bad for the mandrills. When I completed the project, in retrospect, I know that I learned more about the mandrills in the wild from the research I did through a few books on mandrills than I did through watching them in captivity. At the time that I did this study, I wasn't against zoos, nor was I after the study. But now that I'm older (and vegan) I feel different about it. I seem to be more acutely aware and sensitive of what perfectly healthy and normal animals go through being plucked out of their natural habitats and forced into unnatural (usually small and insufficient) environments. I know that it's important for children (and adults) to learn about animals--so the question I pose is...does it necessarily have to be through a zoo? With fascinating documentaries like Planet Earth on the Discovery channel and countless others, is it necessary for people to see the animals in real life to learn something about them? There are PLENTY of animals that I know about and appreciate without ever having seen them alive and in the flesh.
On the other hand, I'm all for wildlife rescues if they are tasteful and in full respect of the rescued animals. If an animal is injured or sick, and will never be able to released back in the wild, perhaps a home at a rescue is better than death. This is a subject for another thread though.
Again, these are just my opinions. My feelings about many things like this one have changed and evolved throughout the years as I learn more about life. I find the most important thing is to be a free thinker. I would rather see you go to the zoo because in your heart you truly feel it is either a non-issue or you are on the fence about it, than not to go because you think that's what a vegan should do. If you go, and you change your mind about zoos later--no biggie.
And I also agree with everything shaolinbunny said.
In the case of wildlife sanctuaries as a vegan I have no issue with them as the animals were injured and rescued and would otherwise die. And it's a place where children and adults can learn more about the animals and cultivate much-needed respect, compassion and value for (all) animals.
When I was in college back in the late 80's (I'm an old fart) I took a class on primates.
Golly, I graduated in 1982...what does that make me?? ;D :D
Thank you so much Honey & Bunny But really, everyone, thanks.
I have decided to go, and will be sure to keep an open eye out for the goals of the management there.
:D @ Yabbit ;D
When I was in college back in the late 80's (I'm an old fart) I took a class on primates.
Golly, I graduated in 1982...what does that make me?? ;D :D
I fully embrace my status as an even older, old fart. I graduated in 1979!
Sorry about the "old fart" thing. ;D I was being a bit facetious and poking fun at myself. Normally I don't feel like an old fart, but as I was writing the words "...in college in the late 80's," it just suddenly seemed like so long ago! :o I promise that the comment was directed entirely at myself!
I'm the oldest fart around these vegweb parts. I graduated in the dark ages--1966!
Bookmamma, is that you in the pic or your daughter? If that's you, you don't look much older than me (I'm 32)! I thought you were a lot younger than you said.
I think I'm about 95% vegan. My reasons for my diet are different than some others on this site - altho I care about animal rights, my primary concern is human - overindulgence in animal products in affluent countries contributes to extreme poverty and starvation in other parts of the world. I also am concerned about health and simplicity.
Since these are my reasons, I choose to make exceptions mainly when being inflexible about my diet would cause harm to a human relationship. For instance, if someone is hosting us for dinner in their home, I do ask that it be vegetarian and I state that I try to limit eggs and cheese, too - but then I eat what vegetarian food is served. If there is a traditional festive vegetarian dish for a holiday, I will make an exception then.
Basically, your reasons for your diet determine what your rules are - and we are all understanding of each others reasons here.
karatekid1975, that is indeed me. I take good pictures (and this one is very small so there's not much detail), have pretty good genes, and a great dentist! ;) In person I look much closer to my true age--and my hair is actually very gray. For some reason, my hair still photographs dark. I'm certainly not complaining, however. Thanks for the compliment! :)
Your welcome bookmama. If I look that good at your age, I'd be a happy camper ;) My mom is 57, and she looks young as well, so that just may happen.
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