|
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU TAKE YOUR VEGANISM? While responders varied from 'complete fanatic vegan' to 'not there yet', I've chosen to share some of the more interesting, and particularly, the more 'inspiring' of the responses to the question: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU TAKE YOUR VEGANISM? "I don't buy anything that isn't vegan. My dogs are vegan. I try to bake often and give goodies to friends." "Food, clothing, medications, pet care, toiletries...no compromises." "I don't really think there should be any variation of commitment when it comes to Veganism, for if one isn't striving to eliminate all cruelty from their life in every possible way, they aren't', in my opinion, Vegan. It is a complete way of being, and it's not something you can have a half-hearted attitude about. It is life encompassing. I will take it as far as I possibly can until all cruelty is eliminated from every aspect of my life. Veganism is incredibly important to me and I take the suffering of animals very seriously." "I strive to remove all animal products from my life. I also strive to be an example of a healthy and happy vegan for others to follow." "101%" "Veganism is about reducing harm to animals (including human animals) in my daily living." "I have a lot of respect for life and try to live my life as consistent with those feelings as possible." "I am a conscientious objector to animal agribusiness. Moreover, as far as possible, I strive to avoid any and all products of deliberate exploitation, as Donald Watson and the Vegan Society founders did, and I attempt to do everything I can to respect all other conscious beings and the environment we call home." "It is a moral baseline. Having been awakened to the reality of our unnecessary exploitation of other sentient beings, I would no more take up eating or wearing animals than I would take up robbery and murder." "Very seriously. Deeply. It's one of the core aspects of my identity." "To my investments, philanthropy, purchases." "I am considered hard core vegan, although I don't think I am since I still drive a care every once in awhile, but I mostly walk or ride a bike or sometimes take a bus." "Veganism is the most important issue facing the planet." "I take my veganism very seriously, as it greatly influences virtually all aspects of my life. Not only are my food, clothing, and general product choices affected, but my entire world view is filtered, or purified, though vegan-colored glasses." "I actively research things I buy to make sure that they are vegan, e.g., I don't buy stainless steel, new computer monitors or anything else with animal products in it (even if it's only a possibility and I can't find out for sure for that particular product), even if it is only a trace amount. I won't help others to buy/use anything non-vegan, and guests are not allowed to bring anything non-vegan (except what they are wearing!) into my home. ... I also see 'being organic' as a part of veganism." "Level 5, all the way baby! Strict Vegan; past the point of no return." "Very seriously, I am proud to be vegan." "Not perfect, but I'm an environmental vegan first and foremost." "I take my veganism very seriously. I believe that it is the only proper way to live. I am regretful that I remained vegetarian for so long (25 years) without educating myself further on why the vegan diet was so much better for myself, animals, and the environment." "I'm vegan as much as practically possible, but not only when it's convenient, because it rarely is in western culture. A non-practical issue off the top of my head includes animal by-products in car and bike tyres. Food is always vegan, as that's easy, even when travelling. A bit of persistence is all that's required. I wouldn't engage in other forms of bigotry for convenience, e.g. sexism, racism, heterosexism, nor will I engage in speciesism as far as practically possible." "Non-judgmental. Low carbon. Heart-healthy and less violence." "I actively promote veganism." "I am a full-time volunteer activist." "I'm vegan. I don't consume, use or support products, practices, research, etc. that involve animal exploitation to the best of my ability. I do not 'cheat'. I read labels. I don't think it's right to harm and kill unnecessarily for trivial reasons, no matter what species the victim." "I have dedicated the reminder of my life to this message and I view our treatment of farm animals as a holocaust." "I'm vegan (not pseudo-vegan)." "I have been lacto-ovo vegetarian for about 15 years, but my wife and I went vegan 2 years ago. I was convinced after reading THE CHINA STUDY and books by DR. JOHN MCDOUGALL and DR. JOEL FURHMAN. I am a family Nurse Practioner in a rural community in S.W. Washington state. I have stopped taking all medications after going vegan and losing 50 pounds. I now let my patients know that this ma be a possibility for them if they are willing to make the change." "Totally committed vegan lifestyle." "I am a fully fledged vegan." "All the way!" "Quite seriously. We do not consume any animal products; that includes drinking vegan drinks (like wines, beer, etc.) and avoiding 'hidden' animal ingredients. When in doubt we don't eat it." "Well there is only one definition as to what a vegan is, not like a vegetarian, which has many definitions." "As far as knowingly can, I do not use or consume any animal products or by-products of industries that exploit animals. I do not use any products tested on animals and avoid products and services provided by companies that partake in inhumane practices. I am an 'abolitionist' vegan, meaning I want to see a total end to animal exploitation, so I do not support welfarism." "I don't support the commodification or oppression of any animals (human or non-human); my veganism is part of my desire to live a simple, compassionate, informed, joyful, peaceful life." "Like a religion. Being an atheist it's hard to find something to believe as much as being a vegan." "Being vegan has changed my life completely and has opened an entire new world for me. I love helping other people learn to understand why I do what I do. Being vegan for the past 3 years has helped me learn a great deal about having a healthy lifestyle, taking care of my body and the environment." "I am hardcore. No animal will ever suffer for my well-being and I will do my utmost to ensure that no animal suffers whilst I am able to do something about it." "Of course I avoid anything that I know has animal products, but if I don't know (like going out to dinner), I will go hungry rather that eat a piece of bread that might have honey in it." "I am an abolitionist. I do not use animals for any purpose. I avoid alcoholic drinks that I know are made using animal products as well as certain brands of white sugar. I use agave nectar instead of honey which I find is better actually. In the world we live in today there are vegan alternatives to just about everything. I am more than happy to take extra care to live my life ethically." "I am an active member of a vegan campaigning group and find any opportunity to promote it." "...I do check labels and when possible I buy produce that is veganically grown, i.e., without the use of animal manure and fertilizer." "...Ethically, I feel more comfortable as a vegan than a vegetarian, even though the decision was forced on me for medical reasons." "100% organic, live-food, vegan." "I take my veganism as far as I can and I often find ways to take it still further." "Not to split hairs, but to be careful of what I am putting into my body/using in such a way as to NOT intentionally cause pain or suffering to animals. In other words, I am not a vegan 'Nazi' nor do I point fingers at those who are ignorant about the connection between animal suffering, the environment and what we consume. I try to educate gently and with humor whenever possible." "I do not use any product that ever were or came from an animal. I grow most of my own food veganically. I try to live so as to maximize my positive impact on the world whilst minimizing my negative impact on the world. I run non-profit youth programs (www.KidsMakeaDifference.org), and summer and winter camp programs (www.CampExploration.org), that are totally vegan. I have helped many a child and parent go vegan. I invite non-vegan friends over to my house for fully vegan dinners. Dine out with non-vegan friends, but only at vegan restaurants. I do not support circuses, zoos, and other forms of 'entertainment' that are not vegan. My dog is totally vegan too. Also, I am starting a totally vegan school, (www.MarsAcademy.org)." "I would say I take it as far as I can, because I am against commercially-grown foods (chemicals kill animals!) and against traditional organically-grown food, because for those farmers 'natural' fertilizers MEANS by-product of slaughterhouses; instead of synthetics they use blood, manure, bone and feathers from slaughterhouses; doing the factory farms an immense favor by taking some of the load of 'poor cow' manure off their hands. I refuse to support the system in any way." "It is a way of life, a lifestyle, part of the Christian belief and way of living; the way God meant things to be; brings completeness to the Christian way of being." "I take it pretty seriously, to the extent that I won't sit on anyone's leather couches." "It is the foundation of my life, not to kill or create pain and suffering for any species." "My God is a vegan!" "100%; even to my nail varnish, cleaning materials, all my food, of course, and everything I use in my house and on my body." "Veganism is my life. Being vegan shows that I care. I care about life, about our world, about Love, about Peace. It shows that I fight for a better future for my future kids; it shows that I don't agree with injustice, cruelty, pain, and suffering. All I want to be is a voice for the voiceless...humans and non-humans!!" "Very seriously. It's a way of life, essentially, and represents a set of beliefs, commitments, objectives and goals toward achieving a greater harmony with myself, fellow sentient beings and the planet. I consider myself to be an 'aspiring' 'strict' vegan by never knowingly consuming any food/drink derived from any animal, including honey from bees, by-products like gelatin, casein, cochineal, etc., and I am eliminating animal-derived products everywhere I can, and transitioning to (as much as realistically possible) a cruelty-free house, workplace, car, life-existence. For example, I sent my leather and wool items to P.E.T.A and no longer purchase leather clothing or shoes. All of our cleaning products, toiletries, soaps and cosmetics are cruelty-free and devoid of animal products, and so on." "Becoming a vegan has opened the doors to a new life for me and for the animals being saved from me not eating them. I was a vegetarian for a year before I became a vegan, and I have to say I wish I knew what happened to all the animals from the very start. The way I view my life and lives of animals has created a sense of peace I never had before I became vegan. I was a big fan of top name leather purses costing me $150.00 to $1,500 each. At the time I had no idea how these purses were made, but when I watched a video called EARTHLINGS, I became ashamed I had contributed to the terror of animals. I walked into my closet and packed 13 purses, 4 leather coats, and the list goes on, away forever. I t actually took me 8 months before I could go look through each purse to clean it out; I cried my eyes out the whole time. Becoming a vegan has showed me the diary industry = cruelty!! The videos I watched gave me nightmares. I could not understand how people can do these horrible things to animals and get away with it, much less live with themselves. I became angry and eager to let everyone know that dairy and veal are hand in hand, chickens are raised in cruelty, pigs, turkey's fish, the list goes on and on about the suffering I have seen. Yet I wanted to know everything about animal rights. I learned the darkness of animal testing, rodeos, and other so called family fun attractions. I will not buy a product tested on animals or products that contain animals or even if the ingredients were tested on animals before it ended as the final product. Before I buy a car, a cell phone, TV, I look to see if they sponsor animal abuse. I actually spend 2-3 hours a day researching new information about animal rights. I Love being vegan. I changed the very moment I found out the Truth and I will remain Vegan for life and continue to spread the word on Veganism and Animal Rights." "I do not eat, wear, or buy (to the best of my knowledge) any animal products. I do a lot of research so that I know what products are out there. Being vegan has also inspired me to be more of an activist. I work with a small, local group of vegans, who show films such as EARTHLINGS for free to raise awareness and compassion." "I avoid all animal products as much as I can, definitely keep it out of what I consume and wear. I make my own bath and beauty products to ensure they remain vegan. And I try to support as many vegan businesses as well as animal support programs/businesses that I can." "I try to be the best vegan I can, and I think that's the way it should be for all of us. I can't stand when people (vegan or not) criticize others for being 'not vegan enough'. Enough already! People need to be supportive of others, especially when they've taken such big steps to make improvements in their lives! As for me, it is impossible to be 100% vegan, and I accept that. I live overseas where it is difficult to be vegan; there simply are not the resources (or other vegans) to make some necessary items available. I order what I can on-line, but I also try to be conscious of my carbon footprint. When I can avoid having items shipped overseas, I do. I think I've done pretty well, and I've become a phenomenal chef (if I do say so, myself) and much more resourceful. Since becoming vegan, I gradually transitioned all my cosmetics/health & beauty aids, to vegan versions. All of my old leather items have either been donated to charity, or are being used until they war out. I avoid all animal derived ingredients in my food, including honey, bees wax, and Red 40. I am proud of the extent of my veganism and celebrate all others who have taken the same steps toward living a life of compassion, no matter the depth of their commitment!" "I used to be very quiet about being vegan when I was a child, but now I feel more of a duty to explain my reasons. I feel strongly that the world would be a much better place if humans quit animal consumption, but I think awareness is most likely to come through fear of climate change and ill health rather than animal rights." "I really prefer the terms veganish; since no one could be a complete vegan in our society...I avoid any animal products. For example, I'm a string instrument player, and the instrument must use hyde glue and horse hair bows. No substitute comes close." "I am 100% vegan and don't use animal products for food, clothing, etc. As an animal rights activist, I also avoid exploitative industries like zoos, circuses, pet shops (the ones that actually sell pets), etc. and campaign against these and other forms of animal cruelty." "...I would never knowingly eat, wear or use anything from an animal but I also recognize that we need to see the big picture. If everyone gave up eating meat, there would be mo byproducts and that industry would no longer exist." "Veganism, to me, is everything. I love animals and do not wish to see them hurt or tormented, or used as slaves for their bodies. They are not for us, we are not their masters. The purpose for the human race on this planet is to care for the world, and not to enslave all of animal creation and destroy the environment that God gave us. The world is precious, and therefore, should not be destroyed by careless human beings. If we truly want to live in peace, the fist step is to treat the world and the animals with all the care and love that they deserve." "...I promote veganism through my website www.veganbabe.com" "...I stay away from all products sold by rodeo sponsors such as AT & T and Coca-Cola, and I steer clear of every item produced by Procter and Gamble." "It's a decision I made regarding how I want to live my life. It is very important to me. I am so glad I made the change. I love being vegan." "In my opinion there are not really degrees of veganism; you either are a vegan or you aren't a vegan. A definition of what constitutes a vegan has been around for about 60 years and that is to abstain from the sue of all products that are from or derived from animals or have been tested on animals. The practicalities of adhering to it though can be quite different in our modern societies. Animal products and chemicals tested on them pervade every aspect of our living. Veganism isn't abut being pure because we just can't be, but for me it is about dong the best you can to consciously avoid, or limit the suffering you cause to the animals. I would extend this to other humans, as well. If I'm not concerned about the welfare of other humans then that undermines my position as a vegan. My whole basis for being vegan is that I deny there is any fundamental distinction in value between the lives of any animal, human or non-human. In that sense this maxim is something that affects every aspect of my life." "...Because I have a shelter and rescued animals living with me, I believe that I have started an enlightenment process with many people who visit and learn about the creatures who share my life. We have to be patient and understanding that the evolution towards compassion can take a long time. Education and patience are the tools, not militancy." "...I don't buy products with unfamiliar or 'mystery' ingredients (e.g. 'flavour'). I don't buy or use clothes, personal care items, etc. with animal products. However, I do use a car and computer which likely include animal adhesives." "Veganism is very important because it defines who we are and where we stand on vital issues. If we desire a better world, we must give our full commitment to veganism and the principles on which it is based." "I live a vegan lifestyle. However, I feel that I am not doing enough to help animals and need some guidance!" "I do everything possible and practical to avoid any exploitation or cruelty to anyone. I believe that all exploitation is the same whether the victim is human or non-human animals, but my focus is on the non-human animal exploitation, because they are the most cruelly treated. When I grocery shop, I am very strict, reading every label. I try hard to decipher the labels to look for hidden animal ingredients and products that were actually involved in animal testing (even if they try to make it look like they did not). I boycott companies like Iams, and Procter and Gamble. I avoid the big agri-business products like Con-Agra. I will not buy, or consume in any way, honey, silk, leather, wool. I try very hard not to buy things from China (or from far away) so as to avoid unfair labor/trade, and damage done by shipping. I will only buy organic bananas, and organic, fair-trade, shade-grown coffee. I try to be practical without using practicality as an excuse. If I am in a restaurant I ask the waiter if he/she knows what 'vegan' means, if not I explain. I ask them to check the ingredients of suspect items on the menu (i.e. what stock is used in the vegetable soup or do the noodles contain eggs). I try to stick to vegan restaurants or restaurants that have a good vegan-friendly reputation...I feed my birds as much vegan as I can (no cuttle bone, but yes mineral block), the rest is vegan, and most of the foods I feed my dogs (I cook their vegan dinner and buy vegan dry food and treats, except for one training treat) are vegan. If I am away from home, I will starve rather than eat something not vegan, and if my stomach growls I know that I have friends in battery cages that are starving for up to 15 days so their bodies will be shocked into a forced molt, and it is easy for me to go hungry for them." |