What does it mean to be Vegan anyway?
There are a lot of words and different terms out there these days…vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, plant-based…. it can be difficult to keep up or even know what each of them means. Below are a few definitions to help differentiate between these words…
Vegetarianism
A diet that abstains from animal products with the exception of animal milk, eggs, and honey. Those following a vegetarian diet may or may not also choose to avoid non-food animal products or avenues of animal exploitation.
Plant-Based Diet
A diet that abstains from all animal products, including milk, eggs and honey. A plant-based diet is the dietary component of someone practicing veganism. Those following a plant-based diet may or may not also choose to avoid non-food animal products or avenues of animal exploitation.
Veganism
A movement that seeks to eliminate the exploitation of and cruelty to nonhuman animals.
“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.” – The Vegan Society
Often, veganism is defined synonymously with a plant-based diet, although veganism includes abstaining from elements of animal exploitation in non-food instances when possible and practicable as well.
Animal Product
Anything that originates from an animal’s body, including things like their eggs, feathers, flesh, honey, milk, and wool.
Though it is often correlated with food, it is also related to what people choose to wear for clothing or make-up, household products, and what they choose to engage in for entertainment and fun.
For myself, veganism became a way of living not until my mid 30s. Before that, I was honestly fairly clueless to the choices I made every day and the impacts that they had. Once I began learning, I became more curious, and it first led to a vegetarian diet, followed by a vegan diet, followed by a vegan lifestyle as a whole. For me, I was initially driven by not wanting to participate in the inhumane treatment of animals in our food and entertainment system. As I learned more, I began to understand and be inspired by the environmental and social justice implications. Health, for me, was an added benefit.
For most people the transition to a vegan lifestyle is a gradual process. And everyone has their own journey…with the same end goals in mind: to create the least amount of harm, while doing the most good. This may look different for everyone.
Eric shares his journey to veganism…
“Every choice we make not only affects us but has ripple effects for every living and non-living thing on this planet. I know that I make choices that have negative effects, but one thing I decided I could easily control and would have a large positive impact would be to switch to a vegan lifestyle. As an avid winter enthusiast, I have witnessed firsthand my favorite time of year being assaulted by our ever-warming planet. I figured as someone who wants to preserve winter that I should be first in line to commit to lowering my own carbon footprint. Committing to a vegan lifestyle was both the easiest and most significant thing that I could do to make a major difference.” ~ Eric Gullickson
And our Board Members….
“From being an ex-trainer for SeaWorld, I started to get more involved in anti-captivity efforts as I got older and was inspired to look at ALL the ways I was complicit in exploiting non-human animals. Veganism was the next obvious step for me in choosing to live in alignment with my beliefs.” ~ Carol Ray
“I stopped eating and participating in using animals when my daughter was young. On the way home from school every day, we drove past a gauntlet of Vermont dairy farms and calves isolated from their mothers in hutches. As animal-lovers, we realized our devotion to companion animals and wildlife was ultimately so different from how we used farmed animals- and we were horribly wrong. So, we corrected our family lifestyle.” ~ Ann Robin
“I originally began to explore a plant-based diet because I loved animals and wanted to reduce their suffering. But I soon discovered eating more fruits and vegetables made me healthier and more fit, while being less expensive. Living a full vegan lifestyle reduces my environmental footprint—especially with regard to climate change and helps protect wild habitats. It’s been a positive change for me and the planet.” ~ Kim Ventre
I know that none of us made a full switch over night; it was a journey and a process.
If you are interested in making any changes, below we have some resources that we hope are helpful and encouraging.
If you ever have questions or concerns, we are always here to provide support however we may be able. We invite you to get curious about veganism and explore what changes, if any, you may like to try to make for your own health, the health of the planet and all living beings.
To begin your journey, consider adopting some of the following practices.
· Transition to plant-based meats
· Transition to non-dairy substitutes – butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream
· Purchasing cruelty-free make-up
· Purchasing cruelty free cleaning products
· Purchase alternatives to down, wool, leather, and silk
· Choose alternatives to animal-based entertainment
· Eat one vegan meal a week
Recommended Documentaries
· Game Changers
· Forks Over Knives
· Cowspiracy
· Blackfish
· Seaspiracy
· Gunda
· Meat Me Half Way
· Eating Animals
· 73 cows (short documentary)
· Food Inc.
Recipes:
· Loveandlemons.com
· NoraCooks.com
· Minimalistbaker.com
· forksoverknives.com
· Ohsheglows.com
· Onegreenplanet.org
· Holycowvegan.net
· NamelyMarly.com
· Ridge2river.org/recipes
Books
• Beyond Beliefs; by Melanie Joy, PhD
• Animal Kind; Ingrid Newkirk & Gene Stone
• Harvest for Hope; Jane Goodall.
• Eat for the Planet; by Nil Zacharias & Gene Stone
• World Peace Diet; by Dr. Will Tuttle, PhD
• How Not to Die; by Michael Greger
• The China Study; by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M.
• Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every day; by Gene Baur & Gene Stone
Local NCW Restaurants with Vegan and Veggie Options
Lemolo, The Rail Station, Saddlerock Brewery, McGlinns Public House, Dilly Deli, Pybus Market, Spring Lotus, Mai Lee Thai, Agave Azul, Milepost 111, India House, Yodelin, Blewett Brewing, The Loft, Icicle Brewing, Rhein Haus, Taco Del Mar, Taco Bell, Panera, Taco Time, Red Robin, Starbucks, Qdoba, Quiznos, Chipotle, Denny’s, Burger King, Subway
Grocery Stores
Fred Meyer, Wenatchee Natural Foods, Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Albertsons, Martin’s Market, Dan’s Market, Sage Mt. Natural Foods
Plant-based butters, eggs, mayonnaise, milks, cheeses, whip cream, ice cream, yogurt, salad dressings, cream cheese, meats, etc. There is a decent plant-based substitute for most everything now.
Getting Started
If you’re not ready to eliminate all the animal products in your life, that’s ok! Even reducing the amount of meat and animal products you consume, makes a huge difference, such as Meatless Mondays, or limiting meat from one meal each day, or simply adding more vegetables to your diet.
There are plant-based Starter Kits and cooking classes nearby and online!
• forksoverknives.com
• pcrm.org/VegStarter
• pcrm.org/kickstartHome
• humanesociety.org/ issues/eating/meatfree-guide-2011/