Experienced vegans... would you please suggest some books?!
Experienced vegans... would you please suggest some books?
I'm a vegetarian curious about veganism and I'd like to start by reading helpful material on the whole lifestyle... I do have a few cookbooks already but obviously that takes me only so far.
What helped you become a vegan? (Any books?)
Other questions...
1. If a vegan raises their own chickens it's okay to eat the eggs right? (The chickens would be treated wonderfully).
2. What about cow's milk... provided the animals are treated lovingly and the milk is part of the natural order of things... not forced cycles and all that nonsense.... Just using what a calf wouldn't....the excess...
3. What about wool??
If the sheep are sheared out of necessity to prevent unhealthy matting... and the animals have a good life.
I'm very curious because my understanding of veganism is very minimal at this point.
Thoughtful, serious answers would be much appreciated!
Thank you for your time and knowledge!
2 weeks ago
goethe3's last statement said..."Vegans believe in nonviolence; any animal held captive goes against the belief of a nonviolent life."
That brings up another question... wouldn't that mean pet cats and dogs too?...
Does that mean Vegans can't have pets!!!???
The way I'm thinking of having chickens around wouldn't be any different really than having a house pet... the chickens would be out in a safe place. I guess this is a really grey area for me... that's why I need the starter books to understand it better.
I'm just saying if I had chickens or cows or sheep they would live a life happier than others of their kind or out in "the wild".
That said, I need book suggestions... really!
Answers:
2 weeks ago
goethe3's last statement said..."Vegans believe in nonviolence; any animal held captive goes against the belief of a nonviolent life."
That brings up another question... wouldn't that mean pet cats and dogs too?...
Does that mean Vegans can't have pets!!!???
The way I'm thinking of having chickens around wouldn't be any different really than having a house pet... the chickens would be out in a safe place. I guess this is a really grey area for me... that's why I need the starter books to understand it better.
I'm just saying if I had chickens or cows or sheep they would live a life happier than others of their kind or out in "the wild".
That said, I need book suggestions... really!
You need to read "Mad Cowboy" by Howard Lyman:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/howard_lyma...
Read "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins:
http://www.heall.com/books/health/dietfo...
The most abused creatures on the planet are dairy animals. This video made me become a vegan:
http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?...
This book will help: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living" (I'm being serious). It helped my wife and I learn about vegan ingredients and soap:
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/book/bookd...
Here's another great video:
http://www.current.tv/studio/media/26830...
Vegans believe in nonviolence; any animal held captive goes against the belief of a nonviolent life.
Interesting questions. I think of veganism as an eating distinction only (I'm an ovo/lacto vegetarian), regardless of your reasons. That is, you may only be interested in the nutritional aspects of veganism, and not the animal cruelty aspects, or vice versa. Both/either/combination of the two are all equal in my mind. I'm vegetarian more for nutritional reasons than moral - I just don't like meat.
That said, the book I would like to recommend is The New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook. It's from the Tennessee commune, The Farm, and it's wonderful with lots of homemade, basic recipes. Very good for a new vegan. I got my first copy in the '70s, before there was fake chicken, frozen veggie burgers, etc. in every supermarket.
Good luck & happy cooking!
To answer your other questions,
If someone eats eggs they are not vegan regardless of treatment. They would be considered a ovo-vegetarian. The definition of vegan that is widely accepted is someone who does not consume ANY animal products. Same with the milk. Another thing to consider is that although wool, leather and silk are something most vegans avoid due to the fact that they are also animal products.
A great source that answers questions like yours can be found in this book:
Being Vegan by Joanne Stepaniak
and one of my favorite vegan cookbooks is:
Vegan Planet (cookbook) by Robin Robertson
I used to be a very strict vegan but now I am mostly vegetarian, although occassionally I eat fish. Basically I try to eat as healthy and raw as possible I find that this is the most beneficial diet.
I am a vegan because I believe that animals are not property. Even if you take wonderful, loving care of an animal you still 'own' it and I have a problem with humans using animals for their own benefit.
I think the best thing you can do if you truly love animals and want to help is to become a healthy, happy vegan. Show the world that you do not need to use any animal products. Owning chickens and cows and taking their eggs and milk is not vegan.
I don't have any books but I have a few websites you can learn more about these ideas.
Gary Franccione has a great website called The Abolitionist Approach. http://www.animal-law.org/ *He has a really educational blog on there that might answer alot of questions you might have.
Vegan Freaks have a podcast. They talk alot about the abolitionist approach theory. Plus they are ALOT of fun and you will learn alot too.
http://veganfreakradio.com/
I think both of these sites will explain alot about veganism. If you have any more questions I would be happy to answer them.