Environmental, Health and Karmic Reasons to go Vegan!
Food Choices and the Planet
Taken from Glen E. Friedman's Interesting Vegan Facts: http://www.southern.net/BURNINGFLAGS/VEGANVEGAN.html:
1) It takes 2,500 gallons of water, 12 pounds of grain, 35 pounds of topsoil and the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline to produce one pound of feedlot beef.
2) 70% of US grain production is fed to livestock.
3) 5 million acres of rainforest are felled every year in South and Central America alone to create cattle pasture.
4) Roughly 20% of all currently threatened and endangered species in the US are harmed by livestock grazing.
5) Animal agriculture is a chief contributor to water pollution.
6) America's farm animals produce 10 times the waste produced by the human population.
7) One half of the Earth's land mass is grazed by livestock.
8) Overgrazing is by far the most pervasive cause of desertification.
9) 35 pounds of topsoil are lost in the production of one pound of grain-frd beef.
10) 64% of US cropland produces livestock feed.
11) Only 2% of US cropland produces fruits and vegetables.
Taken from Glen E. Friedman's Interesting Vegan Facts: http://www.southern.net/BURNINGFLAGS/VEGANVEGAN.html:
1) It takes 2,500 gallons of water, 12 pounds of grain, 35 pounds of topsoil and the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline to produce one pound of feedlot beef.
2) 70% of US grain production is fed to livestock.
3) 5 million acres of rainforest are felled every year in South and Central America alone to create cattle pasture.
4) Roughly 20% of all currently threatened and endangered species in the US are harmed by livestock grazing.
5) Animal agriculture is a chief contributor to water pollution.
6) America's farm animals produce 10 times the waste produced by the human population.
7) One half of the Earth's land mass is grazed by livestock.
8) Overgrazing is by far the most pervasive cause of desertification.
9) 35 pounds of topsoil are lost in the production of one pound of grain-frd beef.
10) 64% of US cropland produces livestock feed.
11) Only 2% of US cropland produces fruits and vegetables.
FAMOUS VEGAN/VEGETARIAN QUOTES: 1.
FAMOUS VEGAN/VEGETARIAN QUOTES:
1."Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind."
Albert Einstein
2."If man wants freedom why keep birds and animals in cages? Truely man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them. We live by the death of others. We are burial places! I have since an early age abjured the use of meat."
Leonardo da Vinci
3."My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greatest progress, for greater clearness of head and and quicker comprehention" "Flesh eating is unprovoked murder."
Benjamin Franklin
4."I am not interested to know whether vivisection (animal testing) produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't...The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further."
Mark Twain
5."To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."
Buddha
1."Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind."
Albert Einstein
2."If man wants freedom why keep birds and animals in cages? Truely man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them. We live by the death of others. We are burial places! I have since an early age abjured the use of meat."
Leonardo da Vinci
3."My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greatest progress, for greater clearness of head and and quicker comprehention" "Flesh eating is unprovoked murder."
Benjamin Franklin
4."I am not interested to know whether vivisection (animal testing) produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't...The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further."
Mark Twain
5."To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."
Buddha
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #10
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #10.
"Vegans are weak and sickly"
Actually I have never met a vegan that had low energy. They almost always have a healthy glow and are some of the most active and intelligent people on the planet. If you look up famous vegans you will find that many of them are Olympic athletes and marathon runners. Some of the huge list of vegans/vegetarians include such notable figures as Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Socrates, Mahatma Gandhi, Carl Lewis, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Voltaire, William Blake, Plutarch, Benjamin Franklin, Pythagoras, H.G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mark Twain, Henry Ford, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Vincent Van Gogh, Nikola Tesla and Buddha. You would be hard-pressed to find a really fat vegan unless they are what is termed a 'junk food vegan', and what's the point in that?
"Vegans are weak and sickly"
Actually I have never met a vegan that had low energy. They almost always have a healthy glow and are some of the most active and intelligent people on the planet. If you look up famous vegans you will find that many of them are Olympic athletes and marathon runners. Some of the huge list of vegans/vegetarians include such notable figures as Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Socrates, Mahatma Gandhi, Carl Lewis, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Voltaire, William Blake, Plutarch, Benjamin Franklin, Pythagoras, H.G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mark Twain, Henry Ford, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Vincent Van Gogh, Nikola Tesla and Buddha. You would be hard-pressed to find a really fat vegan unless they are what is termed a 'junk food vegan', and what's the point in that?
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #8, #9
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #8.
"Vegans don't get the Omega 3 fatty acids that are only found in things like fish"
Busted! Omega 3 fatty acids are found in abundance in things like golden flax seeds (absorbed by the body more easily when ground up or in flax seed oil), dark green vegetables including seaweeds; and in goji berries, which most vegans eat on a regular basis. We add flax oil to our smoothies every morning. You just need a spoonful to get your daily requirement.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #9.
"Vegans have a significantly lowered risk of heart attacks, diabetes, stroke, cancer, obesity and many other diseases"
True! More and more studies are showing the benefits of a vegetable-based diet and most doctors now recommend eating more vegetables and fruits as opposed to more meat and dairy to manage disease, weight and health in general. Read such excellent books as: 1. Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis, R.D. & Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. Publishers: Book Publishing Company.
2. Plant Based Nutrition and Health by Stephen Walsh PhD. Publishers: The Vegan Society, UK.
3. You Don't Need Meat by Peter Cox. Publishers: Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Griffin, New York.
4. RAWvolution by Matt Amsden. Publishers: Reagan, An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.
5. Ani's Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Phyo. Publishers: Marlowe & Company, New York.
"Vegans don't get the Omega 3 fatty acids that are only found in things like fish"
Busted! Omega 3 fatty acids are found in abundance in things like golden flax seeds (absorbed by the body more easily when ground up or in flax seed oil), dark green vegetables including seaweeds; and in goji berries, which most vegans eat on a regular basis. We add flax oil to our smoothies every morning. You just need a spoonful to get your daily requirement.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #9.
"Vegans have a significantly lowered risk of heart attacks, diabetes, stroke, cancer, obesity and many other diseases"
True! More and more studies are showing the benefits of a vegetable-based diet and most doctors now recommend eating more vegetables and fruits as opposed to more meat and dairy to manage disease, weight and health in general. Read such excellent books as: 1. Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis, R.D. & Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. Publishers: Book Publishing Company.
2. Plant Based Nutrition and Health by Stephen Walsh PhD. Publishers: The Vegan Society, UK.
3. You Don't Need Meat by Peter Cox. Publishers: Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Griffin, New York.
4. RAWvolution by Matt Amsden. Publishers: Reagan, An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.
5. Ani's Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Phyo. Publishers: Marlowe & Company, New York.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #6, #7
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #6.
"It's harder to make vegan food"
It is a little difficult to make any new kind of food in the beginning whether it's Indian, Thai or vegan. But once you do it for a little while it becomes second nature and you don't think about it at all.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #7.
"Children and pregnant women cannot be vegan"
If a pregnant woman or child is eating a healthy, balanced diet he or she will thrive. I recommend not starting this lifestyle at the beginning of a pregnancy because it takes a while to become fully educated about what your body needs. If you have been vegan for a while and know how to do it properly go for it! Just make sure you take B12 supplements. Joshua has been vegetarian since birth and we turned on to the vegan lifestyle about six years ago when he was about eight years old. He is above average height for his age and is extremely healthy and smart.
"It's harder to make vegan food"
It is a little difficult to make any new kind of food in the beginning whether it's Indian, Thai or vegan. But once you do it for a little while it becomes second nature and you don't think about it at all.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #7.
"Children and pregnant women cannot be vegan"
If a pregnant woman or child is eating a healthy, balanced diet he or she will thrive. I recommend not starting this lifestyle at the beginning of a pregnancy because it takes a while to become fully educated about what your body needs. If you have been vegan for a while and know how to do it properly go for it! Just make sure you take B12 supplements. Joshua has been vegetarian since birth and we turned on to the vegan lifestyle about six years ago when he was about eight years old. He is above average height for his age and is extremely healthy and smart.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #5
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #5.
"Vegans are too political and self-rightious"
What we buy and eat is very political whether we are vegan or not.
"In January 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency signed agreements that will let thousands of factory-style farms escape severe penalties for fouling the air and water with animal excrement in exchange for data to help curb future pollution. Over 2,600 animal feeding operations in the egg, chicken, turkey, dairy and hog industries will be exempt from having to pay potential fines up to $27,500 a day for violations either in the past or over the next four years." EPA cuts deal with farms over animal waste Jan. 31, 2006. msnbc.msn.com
Choosing to buy products made by green companies instead of ones that do not invest in the planet says, "I will not participate in the problem." And if you think no one is noticing think again. Cutting down on our meat intake creates change and we should be proud and outspoken. But remember that our kind, compassionate energy is more contageous than a preachy attack.
"Vegans are too political and self-rightious"
What we buy and eat is very political whether we are vegan or not.
"In January 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency signed agreements that will let thousands of factory-style farms escape severe penalties for fouling the air and water with animal excrement in exchange for data to help curb future pollution. Over 2,600 animal feeding operations in the egg, chicken, turkey, dairy and hog industries will be exempt from having to pay potential fines up to $27,500 a day for violations either in the past or over the next four years." EPA cuts deal with farms over animal waste Jan. 31, 2006. msnbc.msn.com
Choosing to buy products made by green companies instead of ones that do not invest in the planet says, "I will not participate in the problem." And if you think no one is noticing think again. Cutting down on our meat intake creates change and we should be proud and outspoken. But remember that our kind, compassionate energy is more contageous than a preachy attack.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #3, #4
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #3.
"If I go vegan I won't be able to make my favorite dishes"
We have learned a little secret; you can make a vegan version of just about anything you used to eat! We convert recipes all the time and it's a fun thing to do. As time goes by you will learn that it is as simple as your old way of thinking and it can be a great taste adventure.
Above is a little peak into our book, with tons of beautiful food images that prove, without question, that Vegans don't miss out on anything! I hope you like it :)
To purchase the e-book Conscious Evolution: Vegan Recipes, Life and Consciousness, click on the image of the book cover in the sidebar. $1 from each book sale goes to one of two organizations I love: Navdanya and Cal-Earth.
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER #4.
"It's more expensive to be vegan and eat healthy"
It really can be quite simple and work out to be about the same cost as eating meat and dairy if you make things yourself instead of relying on ready-made products in packages (which tend to be expensive). I think we need to put things in perspective here though. We are what we eat and do in this world. If we love ourselves enough we only want the best food to enter our bodies, and this, in return draws lovely things our way such as health, joy and positive outcomes to situations.
We have found that we actually save quite a bit of money because one of the amazing side effects of going vegan (daunting to some people) is that we almost entirely stop wanting to drink alcohol. I'm not sure why but it always seems to happen to people who choose this lifestyle (my friends anyway). I was raised drinking wine with meals and enjoyed it very much, but now I'd much rather have an awesome smoothie or a glass of almond milk. Alcohol doesn't seem to make me feel very well when I drink now- so I generally don't = more money to spend on better food!
We have found that we actually save quite a bit of money because one of the amazing side effects of going vegan (daunting to some people) is that we almost entirely stop wanting to drink alcohol. I'm not sure why but it always seems to happen to people who choose this lifestyle (my friends anyway). I was raised drinking wine with meals and enjoyed it very much, but now I'd much rather have an awesome smoothie or a glass of almond milk. Alcohol doesn't seem to make me feel very well when I drink now- so I generally don't = more money to spend on better food!
XOXO
LynI Love to Travel! I Love to Love!
Here is James on a gorgeous beach in Australia. He has traveled to 32 countries, and really knows how to live. I'm not at that many countries yet, but I have that same curiosity that drives me to learn as much as I can about the world. If I had tons of money, I don't know that I would call anywhere my home.
People are beautiful in so many different ways. I want to learn every language and be a part of every culture. Well I guess if we go back far enough, we do :)
XOXO
Lyn
Bird Came For Lunch...
This little bird was watching me the whole time I was eating lunch at a cafe, and then he landed right on my plate to pick up the crumbs! This is not how regular birds come to be on your plate though, so my goal in life is to try and convince folks that chicken and other poultry should be avoided at all cost. But if a bird wants to visit you that's fine ;)
XOXO
Lyn
Josh got the whole coconut out of the shell in one shot!
That's my boy! Josh has a real talent for getting the entire coconut out of the shell in one go- crazy. He holds it in his hand and hits it with a hammer all the way around for a while, and then he hits it down the middle line while turning it. This makes it so easy to cut up... I love it!
It seems like a lot of people don't know how to open them, so they don't think of coconut as a good source of raw protein. What a treat it is though :)
Have a beautiful day!
XOXO
Lyn
What do I eat for breakfast?
What do I eat for breakfast?
Well, I always start off drinking a huge glass of water before I even get out of bed (I keep it beside me so when I wake up it's there to remind me), and then I make my way to the kitchen to prepare something really simple usually. Most of the time I eat something raw, like a bowl of sliced bananas with cinnamon and soaked almonds, coconut, or something like that. I have been known to opt for a bowl of diced veggies or some other salad though, which might seem weird to some people, but there's nothing I like more than an avocado, diced cucumbers, beet root, and cherry tomatoes with a bit of sea salt, fresh lemon juice and cayenne pepper on top. It just makes me feel awesome and energized.
Love your body. Love what you eat.
xoxo
Lyn
My Lovely James...
This is the Love of my life, James. We have done so many amazing things together, and I enjoy every minute I'm with him. I don't know how I was lucky enough to find this incredible soul, but he's my best friend, and I look forward to as much time as I have with him.
James is a kick-ass photographer, and he has a blog called Daily-Toast, where he uploads one photo a day, and has done so for a while now. So if you want to check out his work go to
Daily-Toast.blogspot.com
This is how I feel when I'm around him:
Thank you for everything James.
XOXO
Vegan Lemon-Cranberry Scones with Vanilla Cahsew Cream!
I grew up having scones that my Mum made, so I just slightly altered her recipe and I can have that comfort food with a cup of tea when I feel like it. This recipe is in our book, along with the Vanilla Cashew Cream on top, so check out our little book promo-video! I hope you like it :)
To purchase the e-book Conscious Evolution: Vegan Recipes, Life and Consciousness, click on the image of the book cover in the sidebar. $1 from each book sale goes to one of two organizations I love: Navdanya and Cal-Earth.
xoxo
Lyn
Vegan Myth-Buster #2
VEGAN MYTH-BUSTER # 2.
"Vegans are tree-hugging nuts"
ps. Sometimes I hug trees.
XOXO
Lyn
This is our house...
Well, in my world, (the world I make up for myself in my head), this IS our house. We live in a castle with a whole bunch of people and animals! All of us can create whatever we want to, and improve our quality of life by using our imagination. Nothing was ever created without it ;)
XOXO
Lyn and Josh
Albert Einstein
"A human being is a part of the whole called the "universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of...consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in all its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself part of the liberation and foundation for inner security."
Albert Einstein
make your own almond or cashew milk!
Here is a trailer to a new movie coming out called "Got the Facts on Milk?". I will post the full Documentary as soon as I can, but go see it in theatres if it's playing near you so we can support them :) Make Vegan Milks yourself! (Just see the easy, awesome recipe below).
Put the ingredients in a blender for a couple of minutes and pour it through a sieve if it is made with almonds- (you don't need to filter the cashew milk because the cashew are soft and turn into cream easily). Use a sieve with larger holes at first to catch the bigger pieces of nuts and then pour it through a finer one so it will be smooth.
Use this milk to replace any recipe that calls for milk, or chill it and drink as is. I love it so much. I make milk shakes by adding bananas, ice, cinnamon and clove powder to the blender.
You can use raw, unsalted cashews or almonds for this recipe.
1/2 cup (or more if you like it creamier) raw soaked almonds or raw (unroasted) cashews
3 or 4 Tablespoons raw agave nectar (or raw sugar)
4 cups water
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or scrapings from a vanilla bean (optional)
Put the ingredients in a blender for a couple of minutes and pour it through a sieve if it is made with almonds- (you don't need to filter the cashew milk because the cashew are soft and turn into cream easily). Use a sieve with larger holes at first to catch the bigger pieces of nuts and then pour it through a finer one so it will be smooth.
Use this milk to replace any recipe that calls for milk, or chill it and drink as is. I love it so much. I make milk shakes by adding bananas, ice, cinnamon and clove powder to the blender.
Sweet Raisin Veggie Curry That I Made!
Hello lovely people! I hope you are all living the best life you can be. I just wanted to tell you that everything you do makes a difference in this world, so try to remember how special and amazing you are. You are here for a reason.
XOXO
Lyn
Small changes make a huge difference!
There is a line in a song by the Kaiser Chiefs that goes "Due to lack of interest tomorrow is canceled."
Unless everyone takes an interest in the world and does their part there will be no future for humans. I know we hear this all the time so it doesn't have an effect on us at this point. It just goes in one ear and out the other, especially so for those of us who live in the western world. We tend to think that things aren't so bad. Everything seems pretty fine on the surface because we have everything we need right?- clean water in abundance, food, jobs, warm places to sleep etc... Not true. While we live under the delusion that nothing will happen to us and that life will carry on as usual, massive portions of the world's population are living in a hell zone. We don't care because it hasn't hit us... yet.
My friend Dr. Ian Boulton (BSc.MA.PhD) puts it best; "Ironically, while much of the world struggles to feed itself, we suffer, increasingly from the diseases of plenty; in particular, obesity, diabetes and cardio-vascular illness." He goes on to say that "Personal food choices represent the difference between self-nurturing and self-harm, depending on which direction you choose."
The vegan lifestyle is the most conscientious in terms of love for the planet and the people and animals who live here with us. Our children are too valuable to let them go without proper education on how to be the healthiest and most conscious world-community members. Let's show our kids that small changes make a huge difference. Go vegan! It's the most unselfish thing we can do.
XOXO
Lyn and Everyone Here at beautiful-vegan :)
Second-Hand Shoppes :)
Josh and I almost always shop at second-hand stores because we have fun looking through all the crazy gear, and we're not supporting the creation of new products that will eventually live in landfills anyway. When we get tired of our things we just give them back :)
XOXO to the planet!
XOXO to the planet!
James and Lyn at the Fireworks
This is my soul-mate James. He is the most amazing person I have ever met, and we do everything together. This is a terrible photo, but you can still see how much he loves me :)
We went to the fire works yesterday and it was such a beautiful night! I am so lucky.
We went to the fire works yesterday and it was such a beautiful night! I am so lucky.
Joshua Rose in a tree
Joshua Rose, tree climber extraordinaire! I have loved traveling with you to strange countries, home-schooling you to the best of my abilities, feeding you the most nourishing food on the planet, and loving you with all my heart. I have grown up with you and learned so much along the way. You are my best friend, my son and someone I have had the pleasure of knowing your entire life. I am honoured that you chose me to be your mother.
xoxo
My First Post :)
Hello world :) This is my first post... I am just one person, but I hope to inspire millions one day. I have a rage for living and this will be what I hope to share. This is my son Joshua, who I have home-schooled and raised without feeding him the flesh of animals. We went completely vegan when he was 8 and he's such an incredible soul.
We live in Toronto, Canada and for this I feel very blessed. Much of the world lives in hell-like environments where there is no access to clean water or healthy food, and even when healthy options are available in countries that do have access to it they choose to eat things that I don't consider food at all. What to do what to do... How can I make this world better? What could I possibly say to make a difference? I don't know, but I will try my best. So begins my journey.
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