Trying to live a practical, but compassionate life towards all living creatures (animal, mineral, vegetable, humanable) without being a self-righteous ass.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Products: refried beans
Vegans eat... refried beans! When I make tacos, I can't put meat, and I don't like Yves ground beef. Refried beans are much yummier. But the generic brand is not vegan, it has whey or something.
What I don't "get" about Veganism -- well there's probably lots, but let's deal with just this:
You won't buy a product because it includes something called 'whey powder' way (pun!) down the list of ingredients. I guess it's unacceptable because it's made from a milk base?
Now to me this is the epitomy of legalism. IF the point of one's Veganistic choice is non-participation in animal mis-treatment, and one would like that movement to perhaps have a larger impact one day...? yes? no? ... then...
Wouldn't 'easy' Veganism be better because more folks will practice this kind of eating if they don't have to give up their favorite foods for the sake of a pinch of whey powder?
I think so. It's like recycling. Some municipalities treat you liek a criminal if you don't squash your tin cans enough, or acceptably flatten the cardboard freakin' box!
Give me a break. Just collect the stuff, happy in the realization that folks are getting better at recognizing the things that can be recycled, and hire a student to gift wrap the stuff! Make it easy! and the participation rates will be the payoff.
__________ "Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people whom we personally dislike." (Oscar Wilde)
Quote of the Now
"No one has ever said it," observed Lady Caroline, "but how painfully true it is that the poor have us always with them." (Saki)
Shopping Cruelty Free
This will link you to the logos of some companies that don't test on animals. It's not a *perfect* list because Not Testing varies in degree, but you gotta start somewhere.
This site is about veganism. Veganism isn't about not eating cheese--it's supposed to represent an attempt to live compassionately. Compassion towards critters, but also The Peoples. I think that if compassion if the goal, then you are obliged to have a care for everyone living on this planet--and for the planet itself.
BUT this blog is not about How Right I Am and How Wrong Everyone Else Is. It's not about how Evil humans are; it's not about decrying the End of the World; it's not about Judging People; it's not about deciding how Others Should Live Their Lives. (I always imagine self-righteousness is spoken in upper case letters.)
It's about my ongoing struggle to practice love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness and temperance. And it's about the fact that this practice is difficult, confusing, and usually contradictory.
There are no easy answers to animal suffering, human suffering, or wealth and power disparities. But we should still look for those answers, right? But with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness... and a little self-control. ;-)
[See Galatians 5:22. Which is to say: The Bible--the Good Parts Version.]
Quotes of the Then
"Remember, if you're visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve... you're doing something right." (Stephen Colbert, Colbert Report, Dec 2 2008)
"What is left for them to de-complish?" (Jon Stewart, Sep 23 Daily Show, speaking of the Republicans in office)
"When you come close to selling out--reconsider." (sung by Leeann Womack) "It’s a small step from eating “bad food” to thinking of yourself as a “bad person,” and no one wants that. Food is to be enjoyed." (Dr. Ornish)
"You're a brave man. Go and break through the lines. And remember, while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in be in here thinking what a sucker you are. " (Groucho Marx, Duck Soup)
“Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” (Fran Lebowitz) "Too much pathos just makes you angry." (Bruce Cockburn, 'Civilizations and Its Discontents')
"There comes a point when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
"If I had a million dollars I would buy you a fur coat--but not a real fur coat, that's cruel!" (The Barenaked Ladies, 'If I Had a Million Dollars')
1 comment:
What I don't "get" about Veganism -- well there's probably lots, but let's deal with just this:
You won't buy a product because it includes something called 'whey powder' way (pun!) down the list of ingredients. I guess it's unacceptable because it's made from a milk base?
Now to me this is the epitomy of legalism. IF the point of one's Veganistic choice is non-participation in animal mis-treatment, and one would like that movement to perhaps have a larger impact one day...? yes? no?
... then...
Wouldn't 'easy' Veganism be better because more folks will practice this kind of eating if they don't have to give up their favorite foods for the sake of a pinch of whey powder?
I think so. It's like recycling. Some municipalities treat you liek a criminal if you don't squash your tin cans enough, or acceptably flatten the cardboard freakin' box!
Give me a break. Just collect the stuff, happy in the realization that folks are getting better at recognizing the things that can be recycled, and hire a student to gift wrap the stuff! Make it easy! and the participation rates will be the payoff.
IMHO
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