This is somewhat of a ‘Mission Statement’.
Right so you have probably made it to this site because either (a) I’ve plugged it on Facebook or Twitter, and feeling bored you thought to yourself “oh bugger it, let’s see what this ramblin’ man’s on about then”; (b) you have an interest in the subject of ethical eating and have been following this blog with enthusiasm!; or (c) at some point recently we have crossed paths (possibly at the pub) and you’ve asked me to explain why I am vegan, and not just vegetarian - both of which you struggle to comprehend why anyone would bother doing (or being?), but the latter of which you consider the most ludicrous concept you’ve ever heard. Just for fun, I should mention that a bloke at the pub felt it necessary to point out to me last night that, after all, “I did suck the milk from my mum’s tits when I was a baby”. This is I guess, true, but I’m not so sure that his argument discredits my choice of being vegan…
Now, the main problem that arises when asked to justify my reasons for choosing say: veggies over beef, beans over chicken, lentils over mince, Nuttlex over ‘Extra Soft Devondale’, Bonsoy over ‘Full-Cream Dairy Farmers Milk’ (and so on) - is that when the big “WHY!?” question is asked, the inquistive character that asked it has usually already formulated an opinion about the my forthcoming response before I’ve even had the opportunity to open my mouth. Essentially it’s a rhetorical question – i.e you’re a Moron! – yet i’m still for some reason required to respond.
This being the case, such people are not then really prepared to sit through a detailed explanation that is necessary to adequately describe my views. And what results (in my experience), is an often poorly constructed, somewhat abbreviated response, where I tend to focus on just one aspect of what is a multi-faceted thing. This neither answers the question the way I’d like it to (since they asked), and results in the person who (apparently) wants to know why i have chosen to do this, feeling dissatisfied with the my ‘justification’. Not, of course, that I need to give one. “Why are you NOT vegan?” could be my simple and worthy response.
ANYWAY, in an effort to provide for you (and your keen interest in this matter) a well-rounded and complete reason for MY ‘veganism’, I have devised a little acronym for you to consider… H.E.A.L. (now it’s a little corny I admit, but useful nonetheless).
Humanity (‘Livestock’ production is a major contributor to famine. But also think of its environ. effects, which then effects humanity)
Environment (see “Sam Neill” blog for more, but think: deforestation & carbon emissions from ‘livestock’ production, water use, etc. )
Animals (From a vegan perspective think: forced annual pregnancy (e.g. cows), added hormones & chemicals, exploitation… etc….)
Luke (i.e. ME – Narcissistic you might say, but by this I’m simply referring to the benefits of veganism on my own health and well-being)
[THE MEDICAL STUFF] Eating large amounts of red meat for one, can significantly contribute to colon cancer and heart disease. Dairy consumption is responsible for high cholesterol and saturated fat intake, and has been strongly linked with heart disease, and breast and prostate cancers. For the record, dairy has also proven no higher in calcium than many other food sources. Additionally, approximately 10% (of 21 million) Australians suffer from Lactose Intolerance. This is because humans generally do not have the enzymes to digest the milk sugar lactose contained in products such as milk. I personally don’t suffer from an achy belly, the farts or the liquid number two’s after a pint of milk or a tub of Yoplait, but with so many natural substitutes for dairy, I don’t reckon it’s necessary to consume those products derived from the udder of a cow, or goat etc. I leave the animals to do their business, while I do mine. No exploitation. No dependency on another living being. And, NO CHOLESTEROL!
