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The Joyful Vegan: How to Stay Vegan in a World That Wants You to Eat Meat, Dairy, and Eggs
Finding plant-based recipes? Easy. Dealing with the social, cultural, and emotional pressures of being vegan? That's the hard part.
Motivated by a desire to eat more healthfully or live more ethically, many people choose veganism as a logical and sensible response to their concerns about animals, the environment, and their health. Yet, despite their positive intentions, they're often met with resistance from friends, family members, and society at large. These external factors can make veganism socially difficult--and emotionally exhausting--to sustain.
This leads to an unfortunate reality: the majority of vegetarians and vegans revert back to consuming meat, dairy, or eggs--breaching their own values and sabotaging their own goals in the process.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, known as the "Joyful Vegan," has guided countless individuals through the process of becoming vegan. Now, in The Joyful Vegan, she shares her insights into why some people stay vegan and others don't. Understanding that the food is the easy part of being vegan, Colleen turns her attention to what she believes is the most challenging--dealing with the social, cultural, and emotional aspects: being asked to defend your eating choices, living with the awareness of animal suffering, feeling the pressure (often self-inflicted) to be perfect, and experiencing guilt, remorse, and anger.
In these pages, Colleen shares her wisdom for navigating and overcoming these challenges and arms readers with solutions and strategies for staying confident with family and friends, creating healthy relationships, communicating effectively, sharing enthusiasm without evangelizing, finding like-minded community, and experiencing peace of mind as a vegan in a non-vegan world.
By implementing the tools provided in this book, you will find that you can live ethically, eat healthfully, engage socially--and remain a joyful vegan.
Motivated by a desire to eat more healthfully or live more ethically, many people choose veganism as a logical and sensible response to their concerns about animals, the environment, and their health. Yet, despite their positive intentions, they're often met with resistance from friends, family members, and society at large. These external factors can make veganism socially difficult--and emotionally exhausting--to sustain.
This leads to an unfortunate reality: the majority of vegetarians and vegans revert back to consuming meat, dairy, or eggs--breaching their own values and sabotaging their own goals in the process.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, known as the "Joyful Vegan," has guided countless individuals through the process of becoming vegan. Now, in The Joyful Vegan, she shares her insights into why some people stay vegan and others don't. Understanding that the food is the easy part of being vegan, Colleen turns her attention to what she believes is the most challenging--dealing with the social, cultural, and emotional aspects: being asked to defend your eating choices, living with the awareness of animal suffering, feeling the pressure (often self-inflicted) to be perfect, and experiencing guilt, remorse, and anger.
In these pages, Colleen shares her wisdom for navigating and overcoming these challenges and arms readers with solutions and strategies for staying confident with family and friends, creating healthy relationships, communicating effectively, sharing enthusiasm without evangelizing, finding like-minded community, and experiencing peace of mind as a vegan in a non-vegan world.
By implementing the tools provided in this book, you will find that you can live ethically, eat healthfully, engage socially--and remain a joyful vegan.
Audio CD
Published February 11, 2020
111 people are currently reading
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About the author
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
13 books401 followersColleen Patrick-Goudreau’s compassionate living philosophy is propelling plant-based eating into the mainstream and forever changing how we regard animals.
A recognized expert and thought leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living compassionately and healthfully, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is a speaker, cultural commentator, podcaster, and award-winning author of seven books, including the bestselling
*The Joy of Vegan Baking
*The Vegan Table
*Color Me Vegan
*Vegan’s Daily Companion
*On Being Vegan
*The 30-Day Vegan Challenge
*The Joyful Vegan
She is an acclaimed speaker and beloved host of the inspiring podcast, “Food for Thought,” which was voted Favorite Podcast by VegNews magazine readers several years in a row. She launched a spin-off podcast called Animalogy in 2017. Along with fellow advocates, she recently formed a political action committee called East Bay Animal PAC to work with government officials on animal issues in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Colleen shares her message of compassion and wellness on national and regional TV and radio programs, including on monthly segment on Good Day Sacramento and as a monthly contributor on National Public Radio (KQED). She has appeared on the Food Network, CBS, PBS, and FOX; interviews with her have been featured on NPR, Huffington Post, U.S. News and World Report; and her recipes have been featured on Epicurious.com and Oprah.com.
Colleen lives in Oakland, CA with her husband David and two cats, Charlie and Michiko.
A recognized expert and thought leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living compassionately and healthfully, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is a speaker, cultural commentator, podcaster, and award-winning author of seven books, including the bestselling
*The Joy of Vegan Baking
*The Vegan Table
*Color Me Vegan
*Vegan’s Daily Companion
*On Being Vegan
*The 30-Day Vegan Challenge
*The Joyful Vegan
She is an acclaimed speaker and beloved host of the inspiring podcast, “Food for Thought,” which was voted Favorite Podcast by VegNews magazine readers several years in a row. She launched a spin-off podcast called Animalogy in 2017. Along with fellow advocates, she recently formed a political action committee called East Bay Animal PAC to work with government officials on animal issues in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Colleen shares her message of compassion and wellness on national and regional TV and radio programs, including on monthly segment on Good Day Sacramento and as a monthly contributor on National Public Radio (KQED). She has appeared on the Food Network, CBS, PBS, and FOX; interviews with her have been featured on NPR, Huffington Post, U.S. News and World Report; and her recipes have been featured on Epicurious.com and Oprah.com.
Colleen lives in Oakland, CA with her husband David and two cats, Charlie and Michiko.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 18, 2019
Loved this book and wish I’d had it as a guide when I first became vegan. It explains my experience, feelings, and challenges so well. Eight years into my veganism, I still gained so much from reading this book. Feeling more inspired, hopeful, and joyful!
January 3, 2020
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau demonstrates her patience, compassion, and thoughtfulness with a book about and for plant-based eaters—those who are dedicated, those who are struggling, and those who may be dipping a toe into trying (or re-trying) this whole vegan thing.
One thing I like about Patrick-Goudreau is that she remembers that the vast majority of current vegans formerly ate animal products, sometimes well into adulthood, and she maintains strong compassion and insight into what motivates most people when they get defensive, flippant, or even angry when the topic of veganism or animal agriculture comes up.
In this day and age, nearly every decently informed adult is aware of what factory farming is, and that the farms that enable “billions and billions served” look nothing like the storybook barnyards we still idealize. The fact is even the presence of a veg*n at the table hits a raw nerve for many. “It’s incredibly difficult to hold these two beliefs at the same time: that animals feel pain and that we’re causing them to suffer,” the author writes.
We have to look away, live in ignorance, and defy our own conscience in order to partake in something that goes against some of our most intrinsic values. We have to create boundaries to our compassion and place animals in arbitrary categories in order to continue supporting something that is anathema to our very ethics or a threat to our well-being.
It is difficult to turn away from the industries that form so much of our culture and identity. As customers of the companies we pay billions of dollars to churn out tons of animal flesh and fluids…In turn, they spend millions of those same dollars marketing back to us the story we want to tell and be told, notes Patrick-Goudreau. Pay attention to food ads, and you’ll see the same messaging again and again: “Real men eat this.” “It’s tradition,” etc.
It’s messaging that the vast majority of us grew up with, from our first and most enduring teachers—those who raise us. Patrick-Goudreau recalls how her parents wove stories for her of how farm animals gladly sacrifice themselves for humans’ meals. I recalled myself that when I first started asking questions about food, my mom told me that meat was made from “ground up beans and vegetables.” I was mad when I learned the truth, but the author takes a more sanguine view:
It was their sensitivity—and their awareness of mine—that compelled them to romanticize what is in truth a very ugly endeavor, and millions of parents around the world do the same with their own children. The very idea that animals suffer because of our actions is so…difficult to confront that instead of doing so, we idealize our use and abuse of them to the point of fantasy.
In short, people make the choices they do not because they are necessarily uncaring. Writes the author, I think the truth is that people are so sensitive that they don’t want to believe they’re contributing to harm or violence against animals, so they choose the easier route, which is coming up with fantasies, defenses, and deflections.
[I will duck out for a moment to say that I don’t believe everyone cares about animals—I have met more than a few people over the course of my life who are either indifferent toward their suffering or actively seek to hurt them. There are a lot of reasons for this including childhood socialization and simple differences in empathy levels. This information obviously only applies to those who are uncomfortable with the idea of animal suffering, who thankfully seem to be the majority of people.]
If we didn’t feel there was something problematic with eating meat, dairy, and eggs in the first place, we wouldn’t have worked so hard to justify our behavior, we wouldn’t have tried so hard to avoid looking at the processes…Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know is not what we say when confronted with how carrots are harvested from the ground or how plums are plucked from trees. Don’t tell my children what they’re really eating. It would be too upsetting for them. is not what we say when asked about how apples become applesauce. In all aspects of our life, guilt serves as a red flag that something isn’t right, tapping us on the shoulder to let us know we may have strayed from our principles or goals.
When faced with “the meat question,” most people are simply repeating the same stories and justifications they heard as children, which is why veg*ns hear the same defensive comments and jokes over and over and over. People who would probably leap into a fire to save their cat or dog suddenly proclaim that animals don’t matter, or can’t feel pain, or exist solely for human consumption. Comfortably 21st-century human beings suddenly begin comparing themselves to lions and cavemen.
[D]o we really want to use Neanderthals as the model for our ethics? Can’t we do better than that? We often say that we want to do better than we did a generation ago, two generations ago—I presume we also want to do better than we did tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago. Isn’t that the point of being human?
Appeals to one’s culture or heritage are also very common. (“I can’t be veg*n because I’m…”) It’s interesting that veg*ns also come from these same cultural backgrounds, because veg*ns are all types of people, and they work around it. (I can trace my genealogy back to a butcher who came from a stereotypically meat-loving nation—so what?) The author notes:
There isn’t one cultural group I haven’t heard cited as one whose food traditions are antithetical to veganism. …Meat, dairy, and eggs are indeed prevalent in many cuisines, but so are plant foods. …Instead of seeing the consumption of plant foods as a rejection of our cultural communities, we can see it as a celebration—simply shifting our emphasis away from one type of traditional food over to another.
Of the endless face-palming “plants have feelings too” comments, Patrick-Goudreau has this insight: I think what they’re really asking is ‘How crazy is this vegan thing? How far does it go? Where do you draw the line? If I try to do something right, what about all the things I will do wrong?’ I’m not sure that I agree. Rather, I think that the fake appeals for the “poor lettuce” are simply defensive ways to take the light off one person’s habits and shine it on the veg*n. When you’re trying to have a rational discussion about this patently ridiculous argument, the other person has already “won.” (The author talks about this aspect of the argument later in the book.)
When the veg*n becomes a specimen to be examined (and this has happened to me in more classrooms and lunch tables than I care to recall), the animals disappear—and that’s how it’s meant to work. “Conveniently, with all this talk of vegans, no one is talking about the animals,” writes the author.
Vegans feel pressured to know everything and if we don’t say just the right thing, we feel we have failed the animals. JOYFUL VEGAN excels in its reassurances that we don’t have to put this tremendous burden upon ourselves. Just because we can’t be perfect doesn’t mean we have to be indifferent…we shouldn’t do nothing because we can’t do everything.
Indeed, the drive to be perfectly healthy and all-knowing destroys many a plant-based diet. The book talks about “pure” and “clean” eating obsessions and orthorexia, and how this ultimately leads to failed veg*ns and turned-off omnis. We see an example of this purity obsession with the Impossible Whopper lawsuit. We’re also currently seeing it with the trend of YouTube ex-vegans—who before renouncing veganism almost universally flitted from one extreme diet trend to the next, including long fasts, eating only raw foods, and even consuming things that aren’t food.
We live in a very imperfect world, but we are doing our best to lesson our impact. Accidentally consuming an animal product, wearing old leather shoes until they wear out, or keeping our grandmother’s pearl earrings doesn’t make us less vegan, it makes us more human. writes the author.
Chances are, if you have been veg*n for any length of time, you’ve heard the comment, “Oh, I used to do that.” Ask for some more details, and you’ll quite often hear about a hostile family, an uncooperative spouse, teasing peers.
According to surveys of former veg*ns, over half said they didn’t like how it differentiated them from the crowd, and most of these said they had no sufficient interactions with fellow veg*ns—so seriously, get involved with social media, meetup groups, even veg*n mentors. And take heed when Patrick-Goudreau reminds us that we aren’t clones of our families. If it isn’t diet that puts you at odds with how you were raised, it will be something else. (Why is it OK for so many to strongly disagree with our parents’ or grandparents’ politics, but we think we could never go against their eating habits? The meat industry is causing just as much havoc as those politicians you see as monsters.)
It’s ironic that we are so desperate to not differentiate ourselves in any way, because our culture lionizes those who go against the grain and stand up for what’s right—it’s the plot of practically every heroic story and movie. Everyone says they want to make a difference, but I think we forget that in order to make a difference, we may have to do something different.
Interestingly, the author talks about how awareness that another suffers because of your actions is the most motivating factor when it comes to behavior change, rather than self-preservation. A classic example would be the smoker who quits because they worry about how the secondhand smoke will affect their children. This is perhaps why those veg*ns who stick with the lifestyle frequently have several motivating factors—perhaps they first got into it for their health, but learning about factory farming’s impacts on animals and the environment solidified their position.
I’ll close this long review with a quote from the book I liked quite a bit:
It’s ironic, of course, that being vegan is perceived as restrictive … We quite explicitly hinder our awareness because we’re afraid to look, afraid to know, afraid to change. To me, that’s limiting. That’s restrictive.
One thing I like about Patrick-Goudreau is that she remembers that the vast majority of current vegans formerly ate animal products, sometimes well into adulthood, and she maintains strong compassion and insight into what motivates most people when they get defensive, flippant, or even angry when the topic of veganism or animal agriculture comes up.
In this day and age, nearly every decently informed adult is aware of what factory farming is, and that the farms that enable “billions and billions served” look nothing like the storybook barnyards we still idealize. The fact is even the presence of a veg*n at the table hits a raw nerve for many. “It’s incredibly difficult to hold these two beliefs at the same time: that animals feel pain and that we’re causing them to suffer,” the author writes.
We have to look away, live in ignorance, and defy our own conscience in order to partake in something that goes against some of our most intrinsic values. We have to create boundaries to our compassion and place animals in arbitrary categories in order to continue supporting something that is anathema to our very ethics or a threat to our well-being.
It is difficult to turn away from the industries that form so much of our culture and identity. As customers of the companies we pay billions of dollars to churn out tons of animal flesh and fluids…In turn, they spend millions of those same dollars marketing back to us the story we want to tell and be told, notes Patrick-Goudreau. Pay attention to food ads, and you’ll see the same messaging again and again: “Real men eat this.” “It’s tradition,” etc.
It’s messaging that the vast majority of us grew up with, from our first and most enduring teachers—those who raise us. Patrick-Goudreau recalls how her parents wove stories for her of how farm animals gladly sacrifice themselves for humans’ meals. I recalled myself that when I first started asking questions about food, my mom told me that meat was made from “ground up beans and vegetables.” I was mad when I learned the truth, but the author takes a more sanguine view:
It was their sensitivity—and their awareness of mine—that compelled them to romanticize what is in truth a very ugly endeavor, and millions of parents around the world do the same with their own children. The very idea that animals suffer because of our actions is so…difficult to confront that instead of doing so, we idealize our use and abuse of them to the point of fantasy.
In short, people make the choices they do not because they are necessarily uncaring. Writes the author, I think the truth is that people are so sensitive that they don’t want to believe they’re contributing to harm or violence against animals, so they choose the easier route, which is coming up with fantasies, defenses, and deflections.
[I will duck out for a moment to say that I don’t believe everyone cares about animals—I have met more than a few people over the course of my life who are either indifferent toward their suffering or actively seek to hurt them. There are a lot of reasons for this including childhood socialization and simple differences in empathy levels. This information obviously only applies to those who are uncomfortable with the idea of animal suffering, who thankfully seem to be the majority of people.]
If we didn’t feel there was something problematic with eating meat, dairy, and eggs in the first place, we wouldn’t have worked so hard to justify our behavior, we wouldn’t have tried so hard to avoid looking at the processes…Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know is not what we say when confronted with how carrots are harvested from the ground or how plums are plucked from trees. Don’t tell my children what they’re really eating. It would be too upsetting for them. is not what we say when asked about how apples become applesauce. In all aspects of our life, guilt serves as a red flag that something isn’t right, tapping us on the shoulder to let us know we may have strayed from our principles or goals.
When faced with “the meat question,” most people are simply repeating the same stories and justifications they heard as children, which is why veg*ns hear the same defensive comments and jokes over and over and over. People who would probably leap into a fire to save their cat or dog suddenly proclaim that animals don’t matter, or can’t feel pain, or exist solely for human consumption. Comfortably 21st-century human beings suddenly begin comparing themselves to lions and cavemen.
[D]o we really want to use Neanderthals as the model for our ethics? Can’t we do better than that? We often say that we want to do better than we did a generation ago, two generations ago—I presume we also want to do better than we did tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago. Isn’t that the point of being human?
Appeals to one’s culture or heritage are also very common. (“I can’t be veg*n because I’m…”) It’s interesting that veg*ns also come from these same cultural backgrounds, because veg*ns are all types of people, and they work around it. (I can trace my genealogy back to a butcher who came from a stereotypically meat-loving nation—so what?) The author notes:
There isn’t one cultural group I haven’t heard cited as one whose food traditions are antithetical to veganism. …Meat, dairy, and eggs are indeed prevalent in many cuisines, but so are plant foods. …Instead of seeing the consumption of plant foods as a rejection of our cultural communities, we can see it as a celebration—simply shifting our emphasis away from one type of traditional food over to another.
Of the endless face-palming “plants have feelings too” comments, Patrick-Goudreau has this insight: I think what they’re really asking is ‘How crazy is this vegan thing? How far does it go? Where do you draw the line? If I try to do something right, what about all the things I will do wrong?’ I’m not sure that I agree. Rather, I think that the fake appeals for the “poor lettuce” are simply defensive ways to take the light off one person’s habits and shine it on the veg*n. When you’re trying to have a rational discussion about this patently ridiculous argument, the other person has already “won.” (The author talks about this aspect of the argument later in the book.)
When the veg*n becomes a specimen to be examined (and this has happened to me in more classrooms and lunch tables than I care to recall), the animals disappear—and that’s how it’s meant to work. “Conveniently, with all this talk of vegans, no one is talking about the animals,” writes the author.
Vegans feel pressured to know everything and if we don’t say just the right thing, we feel we have failed the animals. JOYFUL VEGAN excels in its reassurances that we don’t have to put this tremendous burden upon ourselves. Just because we can’t be perfect doesn’t mean we have to be indifferent…we shouldn’t do nothing because we can’t do everything.
Indeed, the drive to be perfectly healthy and all-knowing destroys many a plant-based diet. The book talks about “pure” and “clean” eating obsessions and orthorexia, and how this ultimately leads to failed veg*ns and turned-off omnis. We see an example of this purity obsession with the Impossible Whopper lawsuit. We’re also currently seeing it with the trend of YouTube ex-vegans—who before renouncing veganism almost universally flitted from one extreme diet trend to the next, including long fasts, eating only raw foods, and even consuming things that aren’t food.
We live in a very imperfect world, but we are doing our best to lesson our impact. Accidentally consuming an animal product, wearing old leather shoes until they wear out, or keeping our grandmother’s pearl earrings doesn’t make us less vegan, it makes us more human. writes the author.
Chances are, if you have been veg*n for any length of time, you’ve heard the comment, “Oh, I used to do that.” Ask for some more details, and you’ll quite often hear about a hostile family, an uncooperative spouse, teasing peers.
According to surveys of former veg*ns, over half said they didn’t like how it differentiated them from the crowd, and most of these said they had no sufficient interactions with fellow veg*ns—so seriously, get involved with social media, meetup groups, even veg*n mentors. And take heed when Patrick-Goudreau reminds us that we aren’t clones of our families. If it isn’t diet that puts you at odds with how you were raised, it will be something else. (Why is it OK for so many to strongly disagree with our parents’ or grandparents’ politics, but we think we could never go against their eating habits? The meat industry is causing just as much havoc as those politicians you see as monsters.)
It’s ironic that we are so desperate to not differentiate ourselves in any way, because our culture lionizes those who go against the grain and stand up for what’s right—it’s the plot of practically every heroic story and movie. Everyone says they want to make a difference, but I think we forget that in order to make a difference, we may have to do something different.
Interestingly, the author talks about how awareness that another suffers because of your actions is the most motivating factor when it comes to behavior change, rather than self-preservation. A classic example would be the smoker who quits because they worry about how the secondhand smoke will affect their children. This is perhaps why those veg*ns who stick with the lifestyle frequently have several motivating factors—perhaps they first got into it for their health, but learning about factory farming’s impacts on animals and the environment solidified their position.
I’ll close this long review with a quote from the book I liked quite a bit:
It’s ironic, of course, that being vegan is perceived as restrictive … We quite explicitly hinder our awareness because we’re afraid to look, afraid to know, afraid to change. To me, that’s limiting. That’s restrictive.
October 28, 2019
The tone makes this a wonderful book for any vegan or vegan wannabe. This is an insightful and helpful book and reads like it. The breadth of coverage is great. Highly recommend this book.
August 3, 2021
Some of the strategies for being a "joyful vegan" appeared to be ways to reinforce gender socialization in women. "Don't be angry! Be patient, calm, open. Don't be stubborn, be passionate!" It's a shame Colleen Patrick-Goudreau made that the thesis of her book because there is some genuinely good advice here, too. People asking the same ridiculous questions we always hear aren't always exasperating assholes trying to force a negative reaction; some may just be new to the entire concept and curious about how far the vegan philosophy goes. I liked the chapters about talking to friends and family about veganism for the first time; I could relate to pretty much every word. I like reading books like this because I'm not close to anyone who practices veganism. They make me feel less isolated. Near the end, Patrick-Goudreau writes (very briefly) about the rich history of veganism and the animal rights movement. There is a history spanning hundreds of years I haven't even begun to learn. Starting there instead of the traumatizing slaughterhouse videos would be a better strategy for bringing passionate people into the vegan community.
Reading this felt a little bit like reading one of those "how to be a godly woman" workbooks at times, but the topics Patrick-Goudreau touched on also reminded me of blog posts and articles about "how to tell your best friend you're gay" and hidden LGBT histories. Some of this knowledge is absolutely suppressed. The "pushy vegan" stereotype is absolutely a suppression tactic. Would I recommend this book to new vegans? I guess! I don't meet a lot of new vegans who are wholly independent in their veganism. People who went vegan with partners, friends, or family members probably don't need something like this.
Reading this felt a little bit like reading one of those "how to be a godly woman" workbooks at times, but the topics Patrick-Goudreau touched on also reminded me of blog posts and articles about "how to tell your best friend you're gay" and hidden LGBT histories. Some of this knowledge is absolutely suppressed. The "pushy vegan" stereotype is absolutely a suppression tactic. Would I recommend this book to new vegans? I guess! I don't meet a lot of new vegans who are wholly independent in their veganism. People who went vegan with partners, friends, or family members probably don't need something like this.
July 21, 2022
This was excellent. I sometimes avoid reading books about veganism because I feel like I've progressed pretty well and have a firm grasp of things these days after being vegan for 5+ years. But this book was really helpful in pointing out some of the blind spots and giving tips on how to sustain effective advocacy. Well done! Recommend.
December 30, 2022
Oh my goodness! I highly recommend this! Highly! This is one of the best books I have read this year and has been good for my soul. So much hope and compassion in these pages. I have the kindle and the audiobook. I might be ordering the paperback (easier to refer back to). There is so much in here I want to hang onto.
November 19, 2019
I appreciate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's work so much. This book, for anyone plant-based or vegan, is full of wisdom, experience, grace and compassion in learning how to stick with your convictions and deal with the doubts, fears and questions that come from others and yourself. I especially appreciated the section on fundamentalism and how it shows up within veganism. Even though it's written specifically to support those who've made the choice to be vegan, all of her advice would apply to anyone trying to walk out a counter-cultural path with grace and love.
March 15, 2025
I am, and I have been, thrilled that this book exists at all. Thank you to the author for putting together the most comprehensive description of the life of a vegan I’ve seen yet.
Isn’t feeling seen as human as anything else? This book achieves that. (I’m not quite talking to a human, so it’s still unreal, and Colleen is aware of that, but the depth and nuance and variety of the stories in the book rise to a point where I do feel seen.)
To frame the turning to veganism as a kind of “waking up” is as old as the movement itself, but nonetheless still powerful. The ways in which the seeing the reality of animal suffering in systems of food production jar you out of so many of the ideological convictions we’re raised with, manifest anew every day still. That this is an overwhelming process is something Colleen manages to capture. Being seen is half the battle, for sure.
Then, reminding myself of the details of the horrors that led me to this choice, while painful, is necessary. “Bearing witness” as it’s called is necessary because modern life is almost entirely set up to keep discomfort out of sight. I was reminded again of the ridiculous euphemisms used by the industry - “beak treatment” for burning beaks off, “toe conditioning” for cutting toes off. This reminder only reinforces my conviction that the power of narrative holds over our lives. Nothing so simple as “words bad”, but in how they manage to draw that most precious resource of all - “attention” - to and away from things.
That, the act of waking up, or turning our attention to the harms out of sight, is mentally taxing is something this book doesn’t shy away from. So it is. Distress and helplessness are not uncommon.
To manage them, Colleen offers two recipes - meditation and action. Meditation to find the inner core that navigates an unfriendly world. Action to overcome helplessness, when facing up to the scale of the task.
**
To be vegan is inseparable from an individualist worldview to a degree. This is simply because there’s nowhere on earth that this is a value system that societies have organised around. It is very likely that the act of waking up will lead to disharmony, strife, estrangement in the social relationships around us. I wish that weren’t the case, but to deny it would be lying.
One way to deal with this is to lean into individualism. Protect your comfort and joy; withdraw from everyone if you must. Colleen resists this, and I hugely respect the book for this. This book understands that to be part of families, and communities, and societies is as human as the desire to align to one’s values, or express one’s individuality.
There are no easy answers here. There must be compromise, the book insists, but it must not come at the expense of giving up on the core values that we’ve woken up to. When all the world’s already so far away from the vegan value system, compromise seems self-defeating. But we must, not because we accept defeat, but because we live in the world, and withdrawal is a tragedy.
How does one achieve that compromise? Colleen has some useful, practical examples.
At the same time, we must seek out vegan groups online, the book says. Create our own if we must. The sense that we’re constantly giving something up of ourselves is draining in individualist societies. I have sought like-minded spaces myself, and I am broadly in favour, if in a resigned way. What other choice do we have? But I wish it could be different. I’m antipathetic to the idea that Internet forums substitute for true social relationships. People hold multitudes. Even today, when we aim towards cohesive identities, we still hold multitudes. I worry too about locking ourselves in echo chambers.
Then I realise that the vegan bubble is far from the biggest problem out there. Perhaps the simplicity of being on a vegan forum equips us to deal with real world complexity. The strength we’d gather from the brief moments of communal respite, empowers us to participate in ours. And change it.
**
If this isn’t evident by now, this is a book for vegans. Or those who were, hope to be, or are curious. This book will do little to dissuade those who insist that their own deepest values are to be against veganism at all. This book doesn’t probe too deep into how those people might be reached. Might the compassion in their hearts be kindled at all? If I were to try, and I have in the past, I might lean on the great human values - compassion, fairness, and justice.
This is not that book. The awakening has already happened to those who are reading, and Colleen grounds so much of her thought on it. Moral purity is a hazard in our times, another temptation foisted on us by the self-optimisation air we breathe. We overcome it by trusting our internal compass. When it is satisfied, so we must be. If it changes, so we must.
**
Four stars for this book because by making me - and those like me seen - it does an act of good in the world. The writing is capable. There’s some innovative thinking conceptually - when Colleen redeems guilt and condemns remorse. There’s a respect for communality, and a desire to find a compromise without losing sight of one’s values. There are practical suggestions. A worthy effort!
Isn’t feeling seen as human as anything else? This book achieves that. (I’m not quite talking to a human, so it’s still unreal, and Colleen is aware of that, but the depth and nuance and variety of the stories in the book rise to a point where I do feel seen.)
To frame the turning to veganism as a kind of “waking up” is as old as the movement itself, but nonetheless still powerful. The ways in which the seeing the reality of animal suffering in systems of food production jar you out of so many of the ideological convictions we’re raised with, manifest anew every day still. That this is an overwhelming process is something Colleen manages to capture. Being seen is half the battle, for sure.
Then, reminding myself of the details of the horrors that led me to this choice, while painful, is necessary. “Bearing witness” as it’s called is necessary because modern life is almost entirely set up to keep discomfort out of sight. I was reminded again of the ridiculous euphemisms used by the industry - “beak treatment” for burning beaks off, “toe conditioning” for cutting toes off. This reminder only reinforces my conviction that the power of narrative holds over our lives. Nothing so simple as “words bad”, but in how they manage to draw that most precious resource of all - “attention” - to and away from things.
That, the act of waking up, or turning our attention to the harms out of sight, is mentally taxing is something this book doesn’t shy away from. So it is. Distress and helplessness are not uncommon.
To manage them, Colleen offers two recipes - meditation and action. Meditation to find the inner core that navigates an unfriendly world. Action to overcome helplessness, when facing up to the scale of the task.
**
To be vegan is inseparable from an individualist worldview to a degree. This is simply because there’s nowhere on earth that this is a value system that societies have organised around. It is very likely that the act of waking up will lead to disharmony, strife, estrangement in the social relationships around us. I wish that weren’t the case, but to deny it would be lying.
One way to deal with this is to lean into individualism. Protect your comfort and joy; withdraw from everyone if you must. Colleen resists this, and I hugely respect the book for this. This book understands that to be part of families, and communities, and societies is as human as the desire to align to one’s values, or express one’s individuality.
There are no easy answers here. There must be compromise, the book insists, but it must not come at the expense of giving up on the core values that we’ve woken up to. When all the world’s already so far away from the vegan value system, compromise seems self-defeating. But we must, not because we accept defeat, but because we live in the world, and withdrawal is a tragedy.
How does one achieve that compromise? Colleen has some useful, practical examples.
At the same time, we must seek out vegan groups online, the book says. Create our own if we must. The sense that we’re constantly giving something up of ourselves is draining in individualist societies. I have sought like-minded spaces myself, and I am broadly in favour, if in a resigned way. What other choice do we have? But I wish it could be different. I’m antipathetic to the idea that Internet forums substitute for true social relationships. People hold multitudes. Even today, when we aim towards cohesive identities, we still hold multitudes. I worry too about locking ourselves in echo chambers.
Then I realise that the vegan bubble is far from the biggest problem out there. Perhaps the simplicity of being on a vegan forum equips us to deal with real world complexity. The strength we’d gather from the brief moments of communal respite, empowers us to participate in ours. And change it.
**
If this isn’t evident by now, this is a book for vegans. Or those who were, hope to be, or are curious. This book will do little to dissuade those who insist that their own deepest values are to be against veganism at all. This book doesn’t probe too deep into how those people might be reached. Might the compassion in their hearts be kindled at all? If I were to try, and I have in the past, I might lean on the great human values - compassion, fairness, and justice.
This is not that book. The awakening has already happened to those who are reading, and Colleen grounds so much of her thought on it. Moral purity is a hazard in our times, another temptation foisted on us by the self-optimisation air we breathe. We overcome it by trusting our internal compass. When it is satisfied, so we must be. If it changes, so we must.
**
Four stars for this book because by making me - and those like me seen - it does an act of good in the world. The writing is capable. There’s some innovative thinking conceptually - when Colleen redeems guilt and condemns remorse. There’s a respect for communality, and a desire to find a compromise without losing sight of one’s values. There are practical suggestions. A worthy effort!
December 10, 2019
I knew I would love this book ,as I have listened to every podcast- some several times- by Colleen and felt such a connection. I was given a link to her food for thought podcasts back in 2014 and immediately I felt as though I was not alone in my journey . It's been the most valuable resource I've had to stay on the vegan road JOYFULLY! There is so much depressing information out there ,that I think I might have lost my way without Colleens help and wisdom. So, I knew as soon as I heard about the book that I had to pre order it!. I read it very slowly as I kept re -reading bits that I want to keep in my head when discussing with families and answering all the typical vegan questions. This is a book to read and re-read and I'm sure it will end up scruffy as I use it as a reference, and pass it among friends and family. If you're vegan or thinking about even reducing meat then you need this book. You won't regret it. Colleen's true compassion for animals just shines through every page.
June 23, 2021
This is such a great and important book. I loved it and I'm not saying that because I've been vegan for several years. The Joyful Vegan can and should be read by vegans and non-vegans alike, whether you're struggling, have questions, or are trying to go plant-based and cruelty-free. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau writes beautifully, she shares her experience and various experience of others. She's not judgmental and offers so much amazing advice. I was especially curious about why some people sometimes would go back from being vegan to eating meat, which I now understand much better. It was also great to read about people like me, who often find themselves criticised by non-vegan people, and basically about being vegan in a non-vegan world. An excellent and much recommended read.
November 19, 2019
Amazing book!! The breath and scope of knowledge it presents is outstanding. This book is just as inspiring to the new vegan as it is to the not-new-vegan, as it is to the aspiring vegan. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau exhibits her social scientist mind in this book, creating a brilliant roadmap for vegans and people who are ready to transition to veganism or plant-based lifestyle. Thank you!!
July 18, 2020
This should probably be called positive psychology: the how to guide, because I think most of what Colleen states you could apply to most situations.
For example, how to bring people around to veganism, have compassion, understand, hope, etc. Now just remove veganism with anything. I highlight this because I think this book is a decent guide generally on how to be a good activist in getting people on board to 'x' thing; and a lot of it is proposed through psychological theories.
Specifically if you are trying to be vegan and struggling in your beginnings, definitely read/listen to this book. It discusses much around apathy, emotional struggles around animal abuse and getting angry at other people. It may help lay better foundations for getting started in thinking about and doing veganism.
For example, how to bring people around to veganism, have compassion, understand, hope, etc. Now just remove veganism with anything. I highlight this because I think this book is a decent guide generally on how to be a good activist in getting people on board to 'x' thing; and a lot of it is proposed through psychological theories.
Specifically if you are trying to be vegan and struggling in your beginnings, definitely read/listen to this book. It discusses much around apathy, emotional struggles around animal abuse and getting angry at other people. It may help lay better foundations for getting started in thinking about and doing veganism.
January 2, 2020
Loved this book! The author has great insight and advice as to how to navigate the social aspects of adopting a vegan diet, e.g., often having to explain and defend your lifestyle, compromising with partners regarding keeping a vegan household, gracefully answering silly questions such as, "Don't you care about the plants' feelings?" etc. Additionally, she describes that maintaining veganism isn't the end goal, but rather a long-term, sustainable vehicle to align one's life with the value of compassion. She also goes into detail about how to be an effective advocate. Overall, this book is very relatable, and I highly recommend it to those who are vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, flexitarian, but also everyone else!
May 18, 2020
This book is excellent. I love how Colleen explains the process of being vegan so clearly and how she highlights that by transitioning to being vegan, you are never lacking, you just gain and experience so much more variety and joy. I truly agree with this.
Colleen covers so many areas in this book including difficulties vegans can experience, in particular when it comes to other people. She explains how to communicate clearly, staying true to your values and letting go of the outcome when it comes to other people’s responses. This is so much more than a book about being A Joyful Vegan and I highly recommend reading it.
Colleen covers so many areas in this book including difficulties vegans can experience, in particular when it comes to other people. She explains how to communicate clearly, staying true to your values and letting go of the outcome when it comes to other people’s responses. This is so much more than a book about being A Joyful Vegan and I highly recommend reading it.
July 10, 2020
Excellent read that focuses primarily on how to communicate, how to act as an advocate without burning out or giving into misanthropy, and how to fit being a non-conforming voice into your lifestyle. The tools in this book could be applied to activism of any kind and really made me consider how I want to approach communication with others who may have a different perspective. The food part of veganism is easy, but the social and cultural aspects are challenging. This book makes that challenge feel more approachable and affirms many experiences I have had or fear having.
December 1, 2019
I am not a new vegan so I found her section on Staying Vegan the most useful for me. I enjoyed the parts about bearing witness, whatever that may be for you individually. It is important. Also, Finding your Tribe was articulated and well thought out —she poses meaningful questions for us to ponder on our vegan identity and how to move forward in the world to promote more compassion and joy, both for the animals, ourselves and the world.
December 6, 2019
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's newest book is important, moving, and should be considered a "must-read" for all vegans and vegetarians. While reading I felt heard, uplifted, called out, challenged, and inspired.
February 12, 2020
Patrick-Goudreau's voice and words are a healing balm for aspiring, new, and veteran vegans alike. She inspires me like no other through her book (and award-winning Food for Thought podcast-14 years and going strong!). I'll re-read this whenever my hope reserves dwindle. Highly recommended.
November 25, 2019
Great book with lots of good information. Maybe just a little repetitive if you follow her already but it was nice to have everything in one spot
January 10, 2020
Goudreau has an approach that is welcoming and inclusive. She is an educator and an advocate, not a preacher. She is indeed joyful.
January 26, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am new to the whole food plant based world and the words have helped me to put my feelings in perspective when I am asked “Why am I a Vegan or Whole Food Plant Based person”. Also, how to react to someone that is not of the same mind when a conversation arises about whole food plant based foods vs meat/dairy and eggs and how animals are treated.
Love the front cover as well! Great read! 💞
Love the front cover as well! Great read! 💞
January 11, 2023
A mixed bag and not all how I would approach things but it is interesting hearing a book based on being vegan being a journey not a destination (generally how I think of it too). Nice to hear a book like this that does not talk about 'culture wars'. The only bit I would say is definitely wrong is the emphasis on face to face communication as this makes massive assumptions about people involved being neurotypical.
January 16, 2023
Definitely a good book for someone just starting out and needs help navigating the social waters around veganism.
December 30, 2019
I really loved the beginning of this book. I think it carries on for too long when the first quarter of it was just so powerful and impactful. Sometimes I don’t mind excess but in this case I’d have cut it down. Anyway it is still a terrific book with lots of important messages for vegans or anyone interested in veganism. It is hard to be an outlier and yet be hyper aware of the brainwashing in our society. This book has tools for communicating with others about our values and standing up for our beliefs in a world of willful ignorance. “What’s the use of having values if we don’t manifest them in our behavior?” Here are steps for putting our abstract values into action.
January 29, 2020
Excellent book which I recommend to all vegans and vegetarians. CPG writes about what we go through, how to best manage our emotions, communication, and other challenges, and manages to teach some interesting history too! I wish this book had existed a few years ago, but I’m glad it’s here now. I will likely refer to it again and again, and use the reference list in the back to choose more books to read.
February 1, 2020
This is a great read for both newer vegans and not so new ones.
I’ve been a vegan for about 3 years and it resonated with me so deeply! In my opinion, it is hard to sustain compassion, and this book is a great resource for remaining steadfast in a world that is ambivalent at best about us remaining vegan.
I will definitely be returning to this book as I continue my journey, and I hope to be able to loan it out to other vegans in the future. Love love love.
I’ve been a vegan for about 3 years and it resonated with me so deeply! In my opinion, it is hard to sustain compassion, and this book is a great resource for remaining steadfast in a world that is ambivalent at best about us remaining vegan.
I will definitely be returning to this book as I continue my journey, and I hope to be able to loan it out to other vegans in the future. Love love love.
February 6, 2020
Loved it! It has great interesting stories and very helpful advice. I found myself doing similar actions as the vegans in this book. The angry approach never works and only hurts yourself in the end. I like the approach in this book and I will be practicing the tips in my everyday life. So I can live a happier joyful life :)
March 13, 2023
When I adopted a vegan lifestyle more than 8 years ago, there were no vegans around me to help with tips or advice. So I turned to vlogs, podcasts, and books. Most of the information I found was accurate and insightful, and other times I encountered some misleading opinions and "facts" (it happens when you're a newbie and don't know any better). Luckily, I didn't do anything dangerous and eventually found out where you can get B12, for example (from supplements, yes, not from algae).
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's podcast, which was recommended to me by one of the first vegan friends I eventually met, was one of the best resources that helped me understand the ethical aspects of veganism on a deeper level. She talked about the use of language, research concerning human behaviour, and much more. Along with Melanie Joy and Emily from Bitesizevegan, they were a few of the only activists/authors who talked about these things back then, and very much influenced the way I expressed myself in order to combat the speciesism which, to a small/moderate extent, was even interiorized.
Like Colleen says, becoming vegan is a process, and you keep adding more layers to it as you learn.
I managed to find her book, "The Joyful Vegan", on Audible, and decided to give it a go, even though I thought I probably knew enough about what it meant to become a vegan. I know it may sound arrogant of me to say that, but what I mean is that, at some point, after you've done a ton of research on a certain topic, you have to consider it done and move on to other matters OR deepen your knowledge on a specific sub-topic. I am saying this because I know other people feel the same way ("I'm already vegan, I don't need this book.").
Still, I was compelled to listen to the audiobook because I appreciate the author and because I wanted to recommend the book to other people (I don't usually recommend books I haven't read myself). And it was a huge win for me too; it provided some pieces of information and perspectives I hadn't considered before. But the biggest win I got were the tips on how to communicate effectively. I don't know what it's like for other people, but I feel like if I don't practice or read or keep myself engaged in some way in effective communication, I slowly and subtly return to my "default" state of a person who comes across a bit awkward and unsympathetic.
One of my favorite quotes, which captures a lot about the lifestyle is:
"Veganism isn't a cure-all for every ailment. That means you will get sick, have colds, and be susceptible to nutrient deficiencies -- just like non-vegans. There are numerous advantages to treating and preventing those illnesses and deficiencies with plants, but you don't stop being human when you become vegan. Sometimes, additional help, such as supplements, may be needed. It doesn't mean you're failing as a vegan, it means you're accepting that you're human."
This is something worth discussing and I wish people (not just non-vegans) would understand that vegans occasionally get sick too -- supplements and medicine were not invented for vegans, after all. We also come in different shapes and sizes and may struggle with body image or (mental) health issues just like any other human being, especially when pressured by society to fit a certain mould. A good additional resource on this topic is the book "Even Vegans Die" (shocking!) by Carol J. Adams, Virginia Messina, and Patti Breitman. They talk about disease-shaming and body-shaming, as well as the good practices related to caregiving and preparing yourself for old age or disease.
Now, I don't agree with everything Colleen Patrick-Goudreau says in her book. For example, the need to watch animal cruelty videos on occasion in order to stay vegan -- I think that staying vegan ultimately depends on your motivation, with ethics being the strongest "anchor". I also have mixed feelings about a couple of other things, but I will need to ponder a bit more on them.
Having said that, there are many aspects of veganism and animal rights that are being debated to this day so I don't mind hearing different perspectives. Like Tanita Tikaram says in her iconic song, "Twist in My Sobriety", "Different thoughts are good for me" -- and I want to keep an open mind.
I also get why other readers think the tone may seem a bit preachy here and there -- with the spiritual and mindfulness advice, I'm guessing. I personally don't mind it, and by no means does it imply you need to be a spiritual person to become vegan. I think the author wishes to offer some tools in order to withstand the cruelty you witness as you learn about animal exploitation. Many vegans, and especially activists, become burnt out due to the constant exposure to animal cruelty materials. They need to take care of their mental health in order to make activism sustainable. Mindfulness and meditation are probably the most accessible ways to achieve that.
For the most part, I felt understood hearing her speech and she brought certain ideas to life in a most expressive way. She also reminded me to overcome my insecurities about not being "the perfect vegan" as it's impossible to please everyone. That's something we probably need to hear from time to time, no matter how stoic and unfazed we try to be.
Overall, I think this book is a valuable resource and it's much more than a "Veganism 101" kit. It's quite packed with information from multiple disciplines -- nutrition, human behaviour, philosophy -- and you will definitely get something out of it. The book is well structured in different steps revolving a vegan lifestyle and the writing is straightforward, friendly, with actionable steps and tips anyone can apply for a life that is better aligned with their values.
I also believe that books such as this can help the community be more connected, accepting of each other's differences, communicate better with each other, navigating difficult conversations and situations, and overall be our best, kindest, and most rational selves as vegan advocates.
In the end, I would recommend this book or audiobook to:
* new vegans and vegetarians (a must)
* long-time vegans (there's always something new to learn, you also feel better understood, and you get to remember your beginning as a vegan and relate more to other people who aren't yet there)
* people who consider becoming vegan/vegetarian or want to reduce the animal-derived foods in their diets (definitely)
* non-vegans who have genuine questions about veganism and animal rights or who want to live a more ethical lifestyle.
Personally, I love audiobooks that are read by the authors themselves -- it's nice to hear their voice and it makes the book complete in a way. So, I would recommend this version of "The Joyful Vegan" if you are able to get it. But physical copies are great too, especially if you want to gift them to a friend afterwards.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's podcast, which was recommended to me by one of the first vegan friends I eventually met, was one of the best resources that helped me understand the ethical aspects of veganism on a deeper level. She talked about the use of language, research concerning human behaviour, and much more. Along with Melanie Joy and Emily from Bitesizevegan, they were a few of the only activists/authors who talked about these things back then, and very much influenced the way I expressed myself in order to combat the speciesism which, to a small/moderate extent, was even interiorized.
Like Colleen says, becoming vegan is a process, and you keep adding more layers to it as you learn.
I managed to find her book, "The Joyful Vegan", on Audible, and decided to give it a go, even though I thought I probably knew enough about what it meant to become a vegan. I know it may sound arrogant of me to say that, but what I mean is that, at some point, after you've done a ton of research on a certain topic, you have to consider it done and move on to other matters OR deepen your knowledge on a specific sub-topic. I am saying this because I know other people feel the same way ("I'm already vegan, I don't need this book.").
Still, I was compelled to listen to the audiobook because I appreciate the author and because I wanted to recommend the book to other people (I don't usually recommend books I haven't read myself). And it was a huge win for me too; it provided some pieces of information and perspectives I hadn't considered before. But the biggest win I got were the tips on how to communicate effectively. I don't know what it's like for other people, but I feel like if I don't practice or read or keep myself engaged in some way in effective communication, I slowly and subtly return to my "default" state of a person who comes across a bit awkward and unsympathetic.
One of my favorite quotes, which captures a lot about the lifestyle is:
"Veganism isn't a cure-all for every ailment. That means you will get sick, have colds, and be susceptible to nutrient deficiencies -- just like non-vegans. There are numerous advantages to treating and preventing those illnesses and deficiencies with plants, but you don't stop being human when you become vegan. Sometimes, additional help, such as supplements, may be needed. It doesn't mean you're failing as a vegan, it means you're accepting that you're human."
This is something worth discussing and I wish people (not just non-vegans) would understand that vegans occasionally get sick too -- supplements and medicine were not invented for vegans, after all. We also come in different shapes and sizes and may struggle with body image or (mental) health issues just like any other human being, especially when pressured by society to fit a certain mould. A good additional resource on this topic is the book "Even Vegans Die" (shocking!) by Carol J. Adams, Virginia Messina, and Patti Breitman. They talk about disease-shaming and body-shaming, as well as the good practices related to caregiving and preparing yourself for old age or disease.
Now, I don't agree with everything Colleen Patrick-Goudreau says in her book. For example, the need to watch animal cruelty videos on occasion in order to stay vegan -- I think that staying vegan ultimately depends on your motivation, with ethics being the strongest "anchor". I also have mixed feelings about a couple of other things, but I will need to ponder a bit more on them.
Having said that, there are many aspects of veganism and animal rights that are being debated to this day so I don't mind hearing different perspectives. Like Tanita Tikaram says in her iconic song, "Twist in My Sobriety", "Different thoughts are good for me" -- and I want to keep an open mind.
I also get why other readers think the tone may seem a bit preachy here and there -- with the spiritual and mindfulness advice, I'm guessing. I personally don't mind it, and by no means does it imply you need to be a spiritual person to become vegan. I think the author wishes to offer some tools in order to withstand the cruelty you witness as you learn about animal exploitation. Many vegans, and especially activists, become burnt out due to the constant exposure to animal cruelty materials. They need to take care of their mental health in order to make activism sustainable. Mindfulness and meditation are probably the most accessible ways to achieve that.
For the most part, I felt understood hearing her speech and she brought certain ideas to life in a most expressive way. She also reminded me to overcome my insecurities about not being "the perfect vegan" as it's impossible to please everyone. That's something we probably need to hear from time to time, no matter how stoic and unfazed we try to be.
Overall, I think this book is a valuable resource and it's much more than a "Veganism 101" kit. It's quite packed with information from multiple disciplines -- nutrition, human behaviour, philosophy -- and you will definitely get something out of it. The book is well structured in different steps revolving a vegan lifestyle and the writing is straightforward, friendly, with actionable steps and tips anyone can apply for a life that is better aligned with their values.
I also believe that books such as this can help the community be more connected, accepting of each other's differences, communicate better with each other, navigating difficult conversations and situations, and overall be our best, kindest, and most rational selves as vegan advocates.
In the end, I would recommend this book or audiobook to:
* new vegans and vegetarians (a must)
* long-time vegans (there's always something new to learn, you also feel better understood, and you get to remember your beginning as a vegan and relate more to other people who aren't yet there)
* people who consider becoming vegan/vegetarian or want to reduce the animal-derived foods in their diets (definitely)
* non-vegans who have genuine questions about veganism and animal rights or who want to live a more ethical lifestyle.
Personally, I love audiobooks that are read by the authors themselves -- it's nice to hear their voice and it makes the book complete in a way. So, I would recommend this version of "The Joyful Vegan" if you are able to get it. But physical copies are great too, especially if you want to gift them to a friend afterwards.
November 15, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
This is the first book I have found that addresses the feeling of anger and hurt that can come with being vegan, and recognizes it as something that needs to be worked on to be an effective activist.
It touched on so many things that felt so applicable to me, the feeling of being traumatized, compounded by direct exposure to animal abuse in my career, and the anger of seeing your loved ones participate in that which you work so hard to combat. It discusses the feeling of isolation when loved ones refuse to attempt to understand where you are coming from, and the frustration of being constantly interrogated about your diet when the reverse is socially unacceptable.
But it talks heavily about switching mindsets to be able to continue to view the people around you as compassionate, and to feel hopeful. Pointing out that parents who hide what meat “really is” to their children are not being evil or deceitful, they are attempting to appeal to their child’s compassion and protect them.
This book gives you permission to step away when you need to, letting you know it is okay to stop bearing witness when you are too hurt to function.
It reminds us that the people we are advocating towards are coming from a place of not knowing, of fear, of guilt, or self protection, and that these are all very natural and human experiences.
This was a read I needed.
This is the first book I have found that addresses the feeling of anger and hurt that can come with being vegan, and recognizes it as something that needs to be worked on to be an effective activist.
It touched on so many things that felt so applicable to me, the feeling of being traumatized, compounded by direct exposure to animal abuse in my career, and the anger of seeing your loved ones participate in that which you work so hard to combat. It discusses the feeling of isolation when loved ones refuse to attempt to understand where you are coming from, and the frustration of being constantly interrogated about your diet when the reverse is socially unacceptable.
But it talks heavily about switching mindsets to be able to continue to view the people around you as compassionate, and to feel hopeful. Pointing out that parents who hide what meat “really is” to their children are not being evil or deceitful, they are attempting to appeal to their child’s compassion and protect them.
This book gives you permission to step away when you need to, letting you know it is okay to stop bearing witness when you are too hurt to function.
It reminds us that the people we are advocating towards are coming from a place of not knowing, of fear, of guilt, or self protection, and that these are all very natural and human experiences.
This was a read I needed.
August 17, 2020
Loved the honesty and insight in this book. I found it upsetting to read so couldn’t finish it but it is definitely a book all vegans should read if they are struggling to stay on that path. As a vegan it’s given me a stronger focus.
I strongly recommend every non vegan should read this book to open their eyes to the meat and dairy industry. It highlights how clever marketing and programming from a young age fools people into thinking the ‘flesh and fluids’ of animals they eat is somehow something the animals want, that it’s a ‘nice’ process where animals are treated humanely and with dignity when the reality is always far from this!!
I cant see how any animal lover, or anybody with any compassion in them, could not question eating animals after reading this.
I strongly recommend every non vegan should read this book to open their eyes to the meat and dairy industry. It highlights how clever marketing and programming from a young age fools people into thinking the ‘flesh and fluids’ of animals they eat is somehow something the animals want, that it’s a ‘nice’ process where animals are treated humanely and with dignity when the reality is always far from this!!
I cant see how any animal lover, or anybody with any compassion in them, could not question eating animals after reading this.
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