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Making Vegan Easy Weekly Round-Up

December 21, 2012

Every day in 2012 I’m posting one tip on my Facebook page to make living vegan easier. It’s going to take an army of vegans to move the world in a more compassionate direction. Join us today.

Tip #344: One kind act can change the world. What can you do today? Right now?

Tip #345: Our Hen House has announced its new online magazine. They also have a “breaking news” banner at the top of their website. Check it out.

Tip #346: Vegan Mainstream has created a new app called Vegan Here. Sign up for the beta version and help Vegan Mainstream test the app today.

Vegan Here is a free mobile app that allows users to search for vegan events by city and/or event date. We believe that having a centralized list of vegan events available as a mobile app will help people become and stay vegan. Vegan events — potlucks, VegFests, Meetups etc. — help significantly to create a supportive vegan community. We hope that no vegan ever has to feel like they are the only vegan they know. Vegan Here will serve as a tool where vegans can connect with other vegans through these events.

Tip #347: Books make great gifts. There are several vegan-related children’s books available. Why not give one to a special child in your life this holiday season? The sooner children start thinking and living compassionately the better!

Here are some ideas:

  1. Vegan is Love by Ruby Roth
  2. Animals Have Feelings, Too: Exploring Emotions from A to Z by Karen Lee Stevens
  3. Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary by Maya Gottfried
  4. Steven the Vegan by Dan Bodenstein and Ron Robrahn
  5. Meet Panda: The Friendly Story of an American Pit Bull by Cammeron Batanides
  6. The Adventures of Vivian Sharpe, Vegan Superhero by Marla Rose

Tip #348: Check out the fun children’s game, Fur & Feathers, for a perfect holiday gift!

Tip #349: Do you know about the Humane Myth? Read about it here.

Tip #350: Interested in trying the many non-dairy milks now available or encouraging others to ditch the dairy from their diet? How about hosting a taste test party for non-dairy milks while serving a delicious vegan brunch.

Hemp, Rice, Coconut, Soy, Almond, Oat…so many to try. What’s your favorite?

Tip #351: Thinking about going back to school? Consider a degree in animal studies. Here is a list of some of the programs available in the US.

Tip #352: You can’t force others to change but positive peer pressure can have a powerful affect on others.

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” ~Albert Schweitzer

Tip #353: If you typically make New Year’s resolutions, now is a good time to formulate your plan. If you typically set a weight loss goal, how about focusing on getting and staying healthy instead of losing a specific number of pounds?

Tip #354: Need a last-minute gift idea? A subscription to a vegan magazine would make a nice gift for a vegan or even someone just curious about the vegan lifestyle. Check out my resources page for ideas including the new magazine, Laika.

Tip #355: Scientist discover the tipping point for new ideas.

Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have found that when just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society.

When I went vegan it was estimated that only 1% of the population was also vegan. Just eight years later, it’s now reported by the Vegetarian Resource Group that about 2.5% of the U.S. population is vegan. Change may be slow but it’s happening. Stay strong.

Hey friends, have you shared these tips with your family and friends yet? If not, do it today. Join me on Facebook to read these tips daily and to learn more about what’s going on in the vegan world.

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‘Tis the Season for Giving (and Receiving)

December 4, 2012

Earlier this week on my Facebook page, I asked friends a hypothetical question.

If someone gave you a non-vegan clothing-type gift, what would you do with it?

A non-vegan gift would be anything that was made of animal products. Learn more here. I loved all the answers so much that I’m posting them here for all to read. As you will see, there is no one right way to handle this situation — to each his own. Here’s what people said:

This has happened to me before and I’ve quietly accepted the gift. If that were to happen now, I would gently decline it and point them in the direction of what I’d prefer instead. (Of course, it depends a lot on who gave me the gift, too.)

Saying “I appreciate the gesture but I can’t accept it” and give it back right away.

Bin it.

I would probably wear new boots to avoid hurting feelings, see if I could return/trade a leather coat. But the greatist gift I ever got was a leather wallet and I use it every day because it was given by someone special.

I’d take it and give it to Good Will.

Wear it!

A friend just gave me a leather purse… she is well aware that I’m vegan, she just doesn’t equate leather with veganism. I will tell her nicely, that in the future, no animal products, please. I gave the purse to my daughter, who is not vegan and probably never will be.

That is a really hard question. My husband has a leather coat that he wears and has worn for years, but I won’t even wear leather. To each his own. I would have to pass it on to someone else however rather than use it myself. I couldn’t throw it out, since the animal had already been used anyway. I just would not use an animal’s body to beautify my own.

If wool or leather, pass it on to one of the local charity shops, anything else probably wear it.

Don’t wear it. Sell it and donate money.

Donate it to a shelter assuming you are speaking of a wearable item.

If I can’t return it/exchange it then I would utilize it, otherwise the animal’s sacrifice would be in vein. Unless my mom gave it to me — I tell her “this is not vegan! Stop buying me non-vegan things please! Do you want to keep it for yourself?” and if she doesn’t then I take it and wear it. She knows what veganism is completely but when she is on vacation she always buys locally made items and usually those items have wool in them. She always claims that those animals were treated very nicely and are very happy. She always tries to justify it. Ha.

Let them watch as I bury it.

Donate it or return it if possible.

Non-hypothetically: I exchanged it for a vegan item. Saddest still, it was given to me by my brother!

Graciously accept it.

I have given back gifts because they were non-vegan They understood!

I hope you don’t mean real fur. That is a deal breaker for friendship.

Now it’s your turn. What would you do? Let me know in the comments section below.

 

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Making Vegan Easy Week 47 Round-Up

November 30, 2012

Every day in 2012 I’m posting one tip on my Facebook page to make living vegan easier. It’s going to take an army of vegans to move the world in a more compassionate direction. Join us today.

Tip #325: One of the best forms of activism is to feed people vegan food. We invited friends over for an early Thanksgiving dinner. None had experienced a homemade vegan meal before. They really didn’t know what to expect. They arrived curious and left with satisfied bellies and, dare I say, impressed. It was a good experience all-around. If you don’t know how to cook, then learn. It will serve you and the animals well.

Tip #326: Shop local this holiday season. It just makes sense.

Tip #327: Today is Thanksgiving. For vegans attending a family gathering where turkey is the centerpiece on the table, this day is ripe for potential discord or gratefulness. We get to choose. Remember that Thanksgiving is about being thankful and not about the turkey—even if the majority of people make it seem otherwise. Enjoy your time with family and friends today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tip #328: Be grateful. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, send thank you notes to those who were supportive of your vegan diet yesterday. Let them know how important they are to you, regardless of their own diet. (This tip was inspired by an interview I heard on NPR yesterday with writer, Tom Chiarella. Check out his gratitude experiment here.)

Tip #329: This holiday season be sure to use eco-friendly wrapping paper. If you don’t want to buy wrapping paper (best choice!), you can use newspaper to wrap your gifts. Decorate the newspaper using paints, markers or pictures pasted to the newspaper. This could be a super fun craft project for kids.

Tip #330: If you saved last year’s holiday cards that you received, you could REUSE them to make new holidays cards for this year. Decorate blank note cards or paper using the old cards. Another fun craft project!

Tip #331: Change your expectations and allow for the possibility that others can change.

If you can’t see others as potentially kind and compassionate beings, how can you ever expect them to see themselves that way? ~Sharon Gannon, Yoga and Vegetarianism

Tip #332: A fresh batch of granola would make a nice holiday gift. It’s soooo easy to make too!

Tip #334: Try something new (and keep growing). (I have an article in YogaChicago this month that discusses just this concept.) Have you tried something new recently? It could be anything…a food, a book or movie genre, an exercise class…you get the idea.

Hey friends, have you shared these tips with your family and friends yet? If not, do it today. Join me on Facebook to read these tips daily and to learn more about what’s going on in the vegan world.

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Making Vegan Easy Week 45 Round-Up

November 13, 2012

Every day in 2012 I’m posting one tip on my Facebook page to make living vegan easier. It’s going to take an army of vegans to move the world in a more compassionate direction. Join us today.

2012 Vision Board

Tip #309: Read your cookbooks. Most include valuable information about cooking in addition to the recipes. I recently read this tip in Veganomicon and had a “Why didn’t I think of that sooner moment!” Spray oil in measuring spoon/cups before measuring out sticky substances such as molasses, agave or maple syrup. The sweet syrups will slide right out!

Tip #310: Don’t be afraid to express yourself and if veganism is part of that expression, embrace it—no matter what “they” say.

Tip #311: November 6th is election day in the U.S. It’s our right as U.S. citizens. Don’t discount your voice by not voting. Your vote matters.

Tip #312: If you are uncertain how to enjoy a happy vegan Thanksgiving with your family, watch this video from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (The Compassionate Cook) for some great tips.

Tip #313: Adopt a turkey for Thanksgiving or any animal. Great gift for the holidays. Most sanctuaries have some type of “adoption” program. My favorites are Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and SASHA Farm.

Tip #314: If you’re on Pinterest, check out the Vegan Community board.

Tip #315: Just like every meal matters (#288), every choice we make counts. Choose wisely, compassionately, sustainably and healthfully. This applies to every area of our lives. For example, think about this when you buy something today. Where did it come from? Who made it? How long will it last? What is the impact of this purchase? Lots to {{{think}}} about.

Hey friends, have you shared these tips with your family and friends yet? If not, do it today. Join me on Facebook to read these tips daily and to learn more about what’s going on in the vegan world.

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Happy Holidays!

December 6, 2011

Happy Holidays!

Dear Readers,

I’m just back from a vegan yoga retreat and can’t wait to tell you all about it. But first, I must pack up my belongings and move. I’ll be back in the new year with a brand new look for It’s Easy Being Vegan and even more vegan content.

Until then, check out my recent guest post on the Simply Bike blog.

Enjoy the holidays,
Christine

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