Good Reads Vegetarians discussion

For me it was this single book.
Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé

For me it was finding out that the egg industry systematically kills millions of male chicks every year.

I'd been contemplating vegetarianism anyway. My refrigerator died last year, and the meat in the freezer spoiled. The stench of rotting corpses could not be ignored. It put meat in perspective.

I'm vegan, for me was the book "Skinny Bitch".

Love this topic!

I am vegan, but I first became vegetarian. For me, it was my kitty-cat, Indiana, who 'showed me the light'. I love her to bits, and one day after I had had her for awhile, I was petting her, and the thought just struck me: I wondered why I was so nice to her, tending to her every need, caring for her to the best of my ability, and not to other animals who are used for food, etc. I realized that they were just as wonderful, feeling, desiring and deserving love and protection as she was. I later realized there is a term for this: speciesism.

My heart and soul and compassion opened to encompass all of our non-human neighbors who share this planet with us. They are not ours to eat, wear, or use in any way. They have their own lives to live and wish to live in peace, just as we do.

I call Indy my little 'Zen Buddha Master', because she taught me a lot about life, and what is really important - caring for one another, being together, helping those in need, and trying to make the world a little better place for someone else.

My husband taught me that being vegan was vitally important for the welfare of animals. The animals used and abused for the dairy & egg industry face unimaginable horrors. Cruelty abounds. For my hubby, he became vegan after reading the book 'Diet for a New America', by John Robbins.

It's very interesting to read what brought others to the light :)

Rai

P.S. I'd like to share a quote of mine (which I added to the Goodreads quote database) that sums up how I feel about this:

Know that the same spark of life that is within you, is within all of our animal friends, the desire to live is the same within all of us... - Rai Aren

Hey fellow Goodreads Veggie-peeps,

I just wrote a new quote about my feelings and beliefs regarding veganism and animal rights. I added it to my quotes, and if any of you like it, if it resonates with you, I would be honored if you would add it to your favorite quotes to help pass the word along and get non-veggie people thinking... :)

Here it is:

"I made the choice to be vegan because I will not eat (or wear, or use) anything that could have an emotional response to its death or captivity. I can well imagine what that must feel like for our non-human friends - the fear, the terror, the pain - and I will not cause such suffering to a fellow living being." -Rai Aren

In peace & friendship, always,

Rai

i like it!

I am new to being a Vegetarian/Vegan. I like to think of myself as a vegan, but I do have the occasional piece of cheese or some ice cream. I can't seem to give that up totally! What really started me on this journey was a book called 'The China Study.' It reads more like a medical book than a diet or health book, but it really has changed the way I feel about my health and body. In extraordinary detail, it provides immense medical evidence that a plant-based diet can prevent and also treat most forms of cancer and other common 'western' illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

I recently lost my father to pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed and passed away 5 weeks later at the age of only 58. He had been in relatively good health all his life, but was a smoker at one point and also had type 2 diabetes. There are so many factors that cause cancer, some of which we have no control over. But, my eating and exercise habits are something that I can control. I want to take care of myself now more than ever. Not just for myself, but for all the wonderful people that I share my life with.

Hullo,

Im new to the group! =) Im not a full vegetarian, Im a pescetarian. Alot of people havent a clue what that is so I shall explain: I eat dairy and seafood, but refrain from any and all land based animals. =) Though I try not to consume very much dairy as it still condones animal abuse to cows
:( Therein lies my reasoning: animal rights!

Dont hate me for saying so, but I suppose I cannot claim myself 100% pesco for I feel it is ok to partake of red meat on occation PROVIDED it is organic/free-rage or kosher. Animals were put on this earth to nourish the human body as well as companionship, however they were not NOT put on this earth to be tortured, abused, electricuted and mass murdered for human's disgusting over indulgance in Big Macs, chicken nuggets, ribs and steak! I personally believe in the Indian belief that they sacrifice themselvs for us as nourishment. They thanks the animals and do the deed as quickly as possible to ensure little pain and the make use of as much of the animal as possible so as not to waste any part of its life in vain. I believe in that, but I do not, by any means, believe in the mass abuse and cruelty these poor helpless animals are exposed to!

I went vegetarian first. My college ethics teacher showed us "Meet your Meat," and I was horrified. It was a difficult transition, as I grew up on a really terrible diet and was accustomed to eating meat at least once, sometimes a few times, per day. Ironically, to pay his way through school, my husband took a job with a butcher, which propelled him to be a vegetarian.

As for going vegan, in all honesty, it was my dog. I had a 6-month break between graduating college and starting graduate school, so I spent almost everyday with her. I have always loved dogs and I knew her personality pretty well, but there was really something about spending all that time with her. I found out things about her I never noticed while I worked and was in school. When I would still eat dairy, I would feel guilty because I knew the horrors of the dairy industry. I knew how intelligent cows are, possibly more intelligent then my dog. I could not imagine my dog going through any suffering like that, so I gave up dairy!

wow that is a wonderful story! =) im currently in process of becoming full vegan but right now in the pescetarian stage ^__^ anyone who can snap right into vegetarian over night is a STRONG person! not to mention they must be well off or at least getting an ok income haha.

I became a vegetarian after reading Fast Food Nation. The stories about the slaughter houses and the meat quality was so nasty. For health reasons I stopped eating meat (growth hormones). Also I did not see how I could continue eating meat after seeing how the animals are being treated. My family does not agree with my choice but they are getting used to it.

I watched the cove & earthlings in one night and decided I didnt want to take any part in any of those industries any more. My boyfriend had been veggie for a year so I had been thinking about it for a while but seeing the footage in those two films just showed me how cruel human beings are and I dont want to be one of those humans.

Anna wrote: "i like it!"

Thanks! :)

Mindy wrote: "I went vegetarian first. My college ethics teacher showed us "Meet your Meat," and I was horrified. It was a difficult transition, as I grew up on a really terrible diet and was accustomed to eat..."

Our animal friends are such wonderful teachers. They continue to remind me of what is important in life and how to treat our fellow living beings...

It's so great to see all the enlightened beings here. It really comes down to 'do unto others...' Just put yourself in the animal/fish/bird's shoes & you'll know what you need to do...

Namaste.

Erin wrote: "I am new to being a Vegetarian/Vegan. I like to think of myself as a vegan, but I do have the occasional piece of cheese or some ice cream. I can't seem to give that up totally! What really sta..."
"The China Study" is a brilliant book.

"Lives of the Animals" by J.M. Coetzee

Skinny Bitch opened my eyes to the industry and soon after I became a Vegetarian since 2008. After reading Eating Animals, I decided to go Vegan this year.

When I was 18 I became very interested in animal rights, joined the Anti Vivisection Union as it was called then, now known as Animal Liberation, and soon after became vegetarian. Anyhow, one thing lead to another and many years later I began eating meat again (out of convenience). I never enjoyed it, always felt my digestion went out of whack, not to mention the whole ethical thing. So now I am vegetarian again, and so is one of my daughters, and have been for quite a while.
Why? Well, health - I feel better not eating it, and there's no doubt that your health does improve. The planet cant sustain animal husbandry when so much more food could be produced if we turned more to grain crops.
But mainly issues of animal cruelty and ethics - why do we eat animals when we don't need to? And why on earth are factory farms allowed to exist? They are true centres of torture against creatures unable to speak for themselves. We must make this stop. If it is true that a society is judged by the way it treats it's weakest most vulnerable members, then we are in strife. our elderly, our mentally unwell and the animals can all attest to that. Time to get off my soapbox.

Rai wrote: "Love this topic!
Know that the same spark of life that is within you, is within all of our animal friends, the desire to live is the same within all of us... - Rai Aren


Beautiful quote Rai. I have copied it to my daily list.

I was sitting at my dorm dinner and offered my proctor the chicken. She said "No thanks, I'm a vegetarian." And I said "Why aren't I?" She suggested Diet for a Small Planet and Eating Animals. Best decision I've made. Eating Animals inspired my term paper on the chicken industry and what is wrong with slaughter laws.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted, at the least to give up meat - for me it was always about the fact that something has had to die so that I can eat. As i got older I became more aware of the horrors of modern farming practice - thankfully in Australia most animals still graze in paddocks on grass.
I kept putting it in the too hard basket until I was forced to give up chocolate and cheese to prevent migraines. After a year it hit me if I can give up two of my favourite foods then surely I am ready to give up meat and that was it, haven't eaten meat since.
Today I continue to eat fish, but hope to give this up eventually. I eat dairy products, but only organic. I eat un-fertilised fresh from the farm eggs. I hope to soon own my own chooks, they will have a state of the art coop, the run of the yard, old fashioned names and tonnes of love.
Today I am acutely aware of the impact of modern farming not only on the welfare of animals but on our increasingly fragile environment. I don't preach to and demand others give up meat - but I do encourage them to be aware of the impact of farming practices across all areas and to make informed choices.
We cannot keep going the way we are for our own health's sake, that of our fellow animals and that of the only home we have.

The documentary Food Inc & Earthlings turned me to a vegetarian diet. I am hoping to eat a vegan diet by the end of the year

Maggie wrote: "Rai wrote: "Love this topic!
Know that the same spark of life that is within you, is within all of our animal friends, the desire to live is the same within all of us... - Rai Aren


Beautiful quote Rai. I have copied it to my daily list"

Thank-you so much Maggie! I'm honored :)

Rai

I've been eating, mostly, only chicken and fish plus dairy for a few years now. Recently though, I read Margaret Atwood's "Year of the Flood" and it really brought home to me the way the food industry (i.e. humans) objectify animals. Then I thought about my dog, whom I put to sleep a year ago, and our close relationship and every relationship I've had with an animal and I had to ask myself why I was eating my friends, living beings that feel and think just as I do and it gave me pause. So now I've decided to be a vegetarian, not eating meat, but still eat eggs and dairy. Thinking I'll give up the eggs as well. Dairy is not often in my diet already as my husband is lactose intolerant, so we don't have a lot of dairy around. Eventually I might give that up as well. So that's where I'm at on my journey. It feels right. Nice to know I'm in good company and that others are caring for my furry, and not furry, friends.

@Kim you've inspired me to start a new discussion: re: what fiction inspires/interests you as a vegetarian. I agree with The Year of the Flood (and Oryx and Crake) and recommend Don LePan's Animals and Ninni Holmquist's The Unit and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go to take these ideas further.

Great idea and some thought provoking books you mention there, Shel. I look forward to hearing what the other members have to offer and adding some to my list!

I read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer in January and less than 100 pages in, I decided I could no longer eat meat. What's funny is that I put off reading it for a while (and also watching Food, Inc.) because I knew as soon as my eyes were opened to what really happens to animals on factory farms, I would have to drastically change my lifestyle. But it's the best decision I've ever made. Since then, I've found tons of great vegan cookbooks & food blogs and plan on being vegan by the end of the year.

Lisa wrote: "I read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer in January and less than 100 pages in, I decided I could no longer eat meat. What's funny is that I put off reading it for a while (and also watching F..."

Lisa, I had the very same experience reading Eating Animals and am newly vegetarian because of it!

After reading the reviews and what you guys have said here about "Eating Animals" I think I need to read it, but I know it's going to be deeply painful. Lisa, it's funny, because I think it's the same for me in a way, I've been putting off the whole vegetarian thing, making excuses, reasons why I need to eat meat etc. (Even though I've kept it very minimal.) It's just that at a certain point, I can't fool myself any more. I would love to hear about some of the books and especially the blogs that you have found to help you out. Cheers to all of you for making this decision in your lives.

I salute everyone who makes the decision to 'do no harm'! Kudos to all of you. By making this choice, you are reducing the suffering in our world.

It took me some time to come to the decision, too, but there came a day when that little voice inside, could no longer be ignored, denied, argued or bargained with. I finally acted in accordance to what was in my heart and soul, what I knew deep down that I needed to do, and it was so freeing, so liberating, it just felt so right. I'm so glad that I made the choice. To me, it means I am living in accordance with my beliefs. No compromise. It feels incredibly good - knowing that I am not harming any of my fellow living beings gives me peace in my soul.

Namaste.

Rai

When I was in high school, my older brother was working with a horrific man. This man bred bunnies to sell during Easter-time to make extra money. If he had a bunny that didn't get pregnant quickly, he would torture it until it died. He would brag about burying the bunnies alive and starving them to death. On a side note, we ended up convincing him to give us the bunnies instead of killing them, so at one point we had a whole lot of bunnies.

Anyways, this man used to work at a slaughterhouse. Apparently, he could not handle working there mentally because it was too hard mentally. My brother, sister, and I all became vegetarian shortly after hearing this. We've all loved animals our whole lives, and I think this was the first time we really thought about slaughterhouses and whatnot. How could a man who tortures bunnies not handle working at a slaughterhouse? Conditions must be pretty terrible. We all did research into meat and slaughterhouses and decided to become vegetarian.

This was over ten years ago. We are all still vegetarian. :)

For me it was Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation". I'm not a total Vegan yet (because I'm still a teenager and my mom won't let me), but I'm going to as soon as I am of age.
I've never been very sensitive about life until I bought Caspian, a Budgie. I wasn't having a great time living in Korea because I couldn't speak Korean or write it very well and had no friends. My puppy (I bought her sick because I felt so sorry for her, but I couldn't save her) had recently died and I was feeling very bad about it. Caspian became my best friend and he taught me that animal lives are just like human ones and that they aren't "meant for eating" or are "inferior creatures". It was difficult to be a Vegetarian, but it was especially hard around Church where everyone told me that God had made animals to serve humans.


But I've made it over two years now, and have convinced a lot of people that this is right along the way, I'm currently almost 15 and I dream of being a Vet (birds).

Claere wrote: "For me it was Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation". I'm not a total Vegan yet (because I'm still a teenager and my mom won't let me), but I'm going to as soon as I am of age.
I've never been very se..."

Way to go, Claere! Singer's Animal Liberation really influenced me too--but it took me many years after I'd read the book to get around to actually acting on what I realised had become my beliefs. It can be tough to find the courage to change (and to stay with change!) at any age, but if you get peer and parent and church (or mosque or synagogue) pressure all at the same time it must be very tough indeed. Conratulations for sticking with it!
Don LePan

PS I'm not a Christian myself, but if you want Christian "ammunition" to counter the arguments you are hearing from Christians about this, I think the book "Dominion" by Matthew Scully might be helpful to you. (Of course there were lots of Christin arguments put forward in favor of slavery too, and in favor of denying women the right to vote, and for lots of other appalling things.)

I became a vegetarian around about 1988 because it simply didn't seem logical to cause suffering and end a life to sustain my own when there was no reason to do so. I live in a country (United Kingdom) where it is perfectly possible to obtain all the nutrients I need from non-slaughterhouse products, so why do anything else?

Now, if I was to extend that argument to its logical conclusion then I would be vegan, but I can't seem to give up cheese. I don't claim to be perfect!

Vegan cheese is a great substitute & quite delicious. My fave is Daiya - I love it, it's good on pizzas, veggie burgers, veggie hot dogs, sandwiches, etc...

http://www.daiyafoods.com/

I can't get enough of it! :)

Cheers,

Rai

My "mommy" stopped cooking for me and that was it... I have always been vegetarian I just didn't know it was an option really. Celebrating 10 years this year. :)
After reading "Skinny Bitch" I did go vegan for about a year now I just keep it moderate on the eggs and dairy. Skinny Bitch: A No-Nonsense, Tough-Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous!

I havent been able to find a UK supplier for daiya cheese yet otherwise I think I would be on the path to veganism right now. I do only buy soy milk now and have vegan mayo etc... Im getting there! Please let me know if any of you find a UK stockist for Daiya.

I thought I would share some fab cookbooks for peeps looking for great new recipes :)



These make vegan cooking easy & delicious :)

Cheers,

Rai

Rai wrote: "I thought I would share some fab cookbooks for peeps looking for great new recipes :)

, and suggest Tess Challis's books too: Radiant Health, Inner Wealth

I have been a on the fence and, off the fence vegetarian for years. just read "Eating Animals" and am now 4 weeks vege. BUT, I have put on a few pounds. Would love to hear from you about how to control as so many of the recipes have high carbs and fats. Any help will be appreciated.

Ginger, one tends to replace meat with cheese and other dairy products when going vegetarian. Dairy is extremely fattening, which would account for the weight gain. Cut the dairy and veggie junk food and switch to whole carbs - i.e. whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc. These whole carbs, especially quinoa, along with legumes, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein (if you're worried about cutting dairy for that reason).

Amelia, thanks for the feedback. I don't think it was the cheese/dairy... I started using a lot of olive oil and butter in my recipes. I found a great cook book "super natural every day" by Heidi Swanson and have made a bunch of her dishes. I "think" I neglected the green side dish? As well as I might be eating too late as result of cooking new things that are taking me a little longer to prepare. I do see that the staples must be at the ready.

Rai wrote: "Love this topic!

I am vegan, but I first became vegetarian. For me, it was my kitty-cat, Indiana, who 'showed me the light'. I love her to bits, and one day after I had had her for awhile, I was p..."

What a lovely inspiration you have given us with this beautiful text! Loved your quote! How can I add it to my Goodreads quotes?


Maria Carmo

Ummm... I'm allergic to meat xD

I am a vegetarian because it is healthier and greener in addition to being kinder to animals. I am not full vegan because of family dynamics (only veggie in a household of six) but I am allergic to milk so I only have trace amounts of that in my diet and I try to keep my egg consumption down to a minimum. Of course the rest of the family does eat meat free more often now and maybe one day I can convince them that animal free is the best way to go.

Maria wrote: "What a lovely inspiration you have given us with this beautiful text! Loved your quote! How can I add it to my Goodreads quotes?"

Hi Maria,

Thank-you so much for your kind words! Animal well-being is of the utmost importance to me.

If you go to my profile page, my quotes are listed there under "Quotes by Rai Aren" - I think you should see a "Like" button there - clicking that button should add it to your Goodreads quotes. I'd be honored to have you add it to your page :)

Namaste.

~Rai

Josh wrote: "I am a vegetarian because it is healthier and greener in addition to being kinder to animals. I am not full vegan because of family dynamics (only veggie in a household of six) but I am allergic to..."

Great to hear that you are a good influence on your family, Josh!

It suddenly occurred to me one day that it was profoundly hypocritical to care about animals, then to turn around and eat them. Just didn't make sense to me. (I was 13 at the time - I actually didn't even realize I was a "vegetarian", just knew I had stopped eating animals.)

Rai wrote: "Love this topic!

:D, me too!