How a Vegan Lifestyle Lends Itself to Kindness to All
Veganuary 2023 is coming up. Are you ready to embrace veganism?
Not all vegans are kind, and kind souls aren’t all vegan.
“Primum non nocere” is the Hippocratic Oath sworn by many doctors worldwide. It translates as “first, do no harm.” Isn’t it awfully arrogant to restrict this oath to the human species? It’s time we apply this oath to the animal kingdom as well.
I have followed a vegan lifestyle for almost 10 years. Veganism captivates my spirit, yet I haven’t written about it. Do you know why? I recognize writing and talking about veganism can come across as self-righteous and judgemental. Even in face-to-face conversations, it can be challenging to break down barriers between vegans and non-vegans. And as for the blatant cognitive dissonance, well, it’s rife! We know there is cruelty involved in the meat and dairy industry. Yet we bury our heads in the sand as bacon and eggs taste good.
If I am asked why I am vegan, my reply is simple “I want to lead as kind a life as possible.” My words are often twisted, and all people hear is an accusation from my mouth, “YOU aren’t kind!” which is not what I am saying.
For me, living as kind a life as possible involves kindness to myself, animals, and the planet. For me, being vegan is congruent with my values and morals. This may not be the same for everyone.
“If slaughter houses had glass walls, the whole world would be vegetarian.” Linda McCartney
Do You Know The Provenance Of Your Food?
These days there is a disconnect with our food, both by way of where it comes from and how we obtain it. We brush the cruelty and suffering under the carpet. The propaganda spewed out by the meat and dairy industry has us believing meat and dairy are essential for a healthy lifestyle and that our burgers enjoy a fulfilling life in green fields before waltzing into an abattoir on their own accord, begging for the self-sacrifice of slaughter. Marketing at its best.
I am not here to tell you how to live your life. Yes, I am an advocate of veganism. But if you choose to eat meat and dairy, as my beloved partner does, that is your choice, and I will never shame anyone or criticize this choice. It is a personal choice.
Equally, if you are open to exploring veganism, I would love to take you by the hand and help you on this journey. I want to highlight veganism and explain why we don’t have to take an all-or-nothing approach.
People are quick to try and pull at any loose hypocrisy thread. Do I have a pair of leather boots? Yes, I do; I have had them since before I committed to a vegan lifestyle. Some people may discard all their possessions that contain animal products. I do not have the resources to do this. I continue to use these items until their overuse requires their replacement. I will then replace them with vegan-friendly alternatives.
If we all do our best, we can still make a difference.
Say No To Exploitation
I am doing the best I can. Sometimes I slip up. Like the time I ate a three-cheese pizza in the Italian Alps, or the time I ate cheese-covered stuffed peppers in Greece. Oh, and let’s not talk about the bar of chocolate I inhaled on a whim in a flurry of emotional tears. These blips don’t make me a bad person, nor do they render me a not vegan!
This is the message I want to convey. If you are curious about veganism, but it intimidates you, why not take things one step at a time? How about eating vegan 1 day a week and seeing how you go? You can increase the days as you progress.
For me, it’s the exploitation of any other living creature, which I can not stomach. Factory farming is abhorrent and the stuff of nightmares. The dairy industry is barbaric and emotionally torturous. I didn’t realize until I was in my 30s just how cruel the dairy industry is. And as for the issue with eggs…
Be Part Of The Solution
We have all suffered from lockdown restrictions during COVID-19. And yet, where is our empathy and awareness of the millions of animals stuck in cages? Cages so restrictive they can not even turn around. Leading a life of suffering, in physical and psychological torture, only to be fattened up for our consumption, our greed. I do not condone this, so I do not contribute to the supply of this.
“I don’t feel superior because I’m vegan. The truth is I’m vegan because I don’t feel superior to others” — Michele McCowan
Yes, militant vegans will take a totalitarian stance. I admire them in a way, but I don’t feel this is the most welcoming approach to entice people into the world of veganism. One step at a time, do the best you feel you can; that is enough.
Education, not judgment, is my mission here.
“Do the best that you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” — Maya Angelou
The thing is, veganism is seen as a huge step. A daunting step. Many people consider it “extreme.” But is being part of the demand for animal products, which leads to a continuation of animal exploitation, more extreme than promoting an end to animal violence and calling for peace for our animal friends?
You see, veganism is about kindness, freedom, and love.
Veganuary 2023
Veganuary 2023 commences on the 1st of January. This is a global campaign to encourage us to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. The folk at veganuary are on to something since it is widely known it takes 30 days to establish new habits, the perfect calendar month.
Many retailers and food producers are on board with this initiative. There is a palpable sense of community on various social media channels. You can sign up here to receive tips and tricks, recipes, and more all free of charge.
These days, for those of us with the luxury of privilege, veganism, is easy. Again, I recognize veganism is a luxury not everyone has access to.
3 Key Reasons To Adopt A Vegan Lifestyle
1. Kindness to your own health
In 2015 the WHO issued a Q&A, which labeled red meat and processed meat as carcinogenic to humans. Is red meat the new smoking?
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has some interesting information on dairy. Did you know milk and other dairy products are the top sources of saturated fat? This is a key contributor to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
And that’s not all, a large proportion of us are lactose intolerant and unaware of this.
2. Kindness to animals
Can you call yourself an animal lover and still be part of the exploitation process? Eating their bodies, drinking the milk they are enslaved to produce for their murdered babies, and wearing their skin.
Sometimes, it is difficult to think for ourselves and step away from what we have always known. But think we must, and listen to your heart. How do you feel about the suffering your food has to endure? You can help eradicate this suffering.
Many of my old favorite perfumes or cosmetics contain animal products or are tested on animals. It is not a sacrifice to give these items up. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t condone the suffering of animals.
Animals should not suffer for our vanity!
3. Kindness to the planet
The emissions produced by the meat and dairy industry are enormous and unsustainable. Alongside having fewer children, driving less, and taking fewer flights, adopting a plant-based/vegan diet is recognized as a key contributor to reducing our carbon emissions. As outlined in this Guardian article.
Follow Me For Daily Veganuary Posts
For veganuary, there is a daily article in Spread the Ripple with tips and tricks to transition to a vegan lifestyle. You can read them all in one go or dip into them daily.
A vast array of topics are covered, including nutrition, protein sources, athletes and veganism, children and veganism, milk alternatives, the dairy industry, nuts, B12, Omega 3, clothing, toiletries, recipes, film and book recommendations, honey, our depleted oceans, and lots more.
Here are the stories for you to read at your leisure and pleasure.
I would love to welcome anyone who is already a passionate vegan, with stories to tell and tips to share, to come and write with Spread the Ripple. Alternatively, please feel free to drop any articles you have already written in the comments.
We call ourselves animal lovers whilst chomping on a burger and washing it down with a glass of milk. But it doesn’t have to be like this. When we align our actions with our morals and values, we live a life of peace and harmony.
Come and give veganism a go, be kind to yourself, animals, and the planet.
🙏Thank you for reading my story Ali Hall
Susie Pinon writes compassionately about veganism. She has an incredible list of vegan stories, bursting with information, suggestions, and scrumptious recipes.
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This story was brought to you by Spread the Ripple. We are a publication dedicated to kindness. Kindness is our superpower. Read more stories and come and write with us here: