Daily Walrus - Helping People Help Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) holds a unique position in and out of the animal rights community.  Many outsiders hear the word PETA and instantly dismiss any message associated with it.  Many animal activists openly disassociate themselves from the group for a variety of reasons.  Honestly, we have mixed feelings about the group.  While PETA’s outlandish tactics often distract from their overall message, they are able to draw a ton of media attention to animal cruelty issues.  We disagree with some of their practices, but we agree with the goal.  If it weren’t for PETA, many people interested in vegetarianism or animal rights wouldn’t know where to start.  When we were both (separately) going through our transition to veganism, PETA’s resources were incredibly helpful and informative. 

One thing that can’t be argued is the quality and strength of their materials.  Provided below is a 3 minute video called “Chew On This: 30 Reasons To Go Vegetarian”.  It is powerful.  It is explicit.  It may be difficult to watch.  But if you eat meat, it is important to see what goes on in factory farms.  If you are already vegetarian or vegan, it will reaffirm your decision. 

Ceasing your consumption of meat is the most powerful decision you can make if you truly care about animals.  Your decision will raise eyebrows and people will question your health (often, ironically, as they eat something from a fast food chain).  But by showing that you don’t need to have animals slaughtered and served to you on a platter to live a healthy life, you might cause them to question their beliefs.  When Ryan was in high school, he went on a 3 week trip with a group of students from his hometown.  There was one young woman on the trip who pretty much ate only salads and peanut butter sandwiches the entire time.  Her dedication planted a seed that eventually grew into his decision to go vegetarian at age 24 and vegan at 25.  Thankfully, the meal options of a student on a school trip in 1995 are far from the reality of a vegetarian/vegan diet today.  There are so many delicious options that it is often hard to decide what to eat - a far cry from having to make the limited choice between dead chicken, cow, or pig. 

Ryan hasn’t eaten an animal product in over 5 years.  Jenny has been vegetarian for 12 & 1/2 years, and vegan for almost 9.  Sometimes the attention our food choices draw is annoying.  But then we remember that this attention may plant a seed in someone elses’ mind.  Hopefully one day, one of the many folks that expressed tremendous concern for our protein levels will give vegetarianism a try.  They may find that, like us, they rest a little easier knowing that their subsistence doesn’t rest on the backs, flesh, and bones of animals raised in brutal conditions.               

If you can’t watch the video, much of the info is collected here. 

If any of this resonates with you, click here to pledge to be vegetarian for 30 days.  goveg.com will send you recipes, ideas, and encouragement while you try it out. 

Click here for a free vegetarian starter guide.      

If you are interested in going vegan, we can’t recommend the book Vegan Freak by Bob and Jenna Torres enough.