Vegan and the Living Is Easy

Everyone thought the raw vegan diet was a fad soon to pass, but in 2014, it's alive and well. The raw food movement has been around for decades, but recently, it has morphed into a diet that’s more accessible, affordable and sophisticated – and no longer only for the crunchy, hippie types (not that there’s anything wrong with that :-) The raw food concept, at a basic level, believes that cooking removes the nutrients in food. Gena Hamshaw, CCN, a former book editor turned clinical nutritionist and author of “Choosing Raw: Making Raw Foods Part of the Way You Eat,” has been at the forefront of this shift. She believes that we should know where our food comes from, what it does to our body and how we can think about it as fuel, rather than just something to alleviate a hunger pang. Her blog abounds with innovative dishes that are as yummy as they are sustainable. Gena is ready to introduce you and open the window into the pleasures of raw food. And, if you are new to the raw food movement or don’t want to be 100% raw, no worries.  Gena believes that a healthy vegan diet includes raw and cooked foods—the perfect combination!

In our fast-paced, stressful lives, our physical and mental well-being often take a backseat to juggling work and family responsibilities. Like yoga, the art of tai chi provides a refuge from our hectic schedules and brings mind and body into harmony, making both stronger.   We will talk with tai chi master and Taoist monk, Arthur Rosenfeld, about the fundamentals of this martial art.  He will explain how this ancient practice is still relevant and useful in our modern lives and how veganism comes naturally from the kind of compassion that any Taoist practice develops. Master Arthur Rosenfeld is the author of Tai Chi – The Perfect Exercise: Finding Health, Happiness, Balance and Strength.  In addition to toning muscle, tai chi also lowers blood pressure, helps with sleep, heightens immune system response, improves focus, increases sexual vitality, and helps ease the symptoms of many diseases such as asthma, insomnia, arthritis, chronic fatigue, Parkinson’s, and hypertension. Please join us as we explore tai chi and veganism as a path to a calmer, fitter, healthier life.

Having personally abolished animal use from her life by becoming vegan, Sarah K. Woodcock, Founder and Executive Director (volunteer) of The Abolitionist Vegan Society (TAVS) assumed she had addressed the speciesism that empowered her human privilege in the non-vegan world, but she discovered that that was an incorrect assumption.  She learned there was a piece of speciesism left she could best describe as, “I honor your right not to suffer, but I do not honor your right to justice.”   Once she examined this position closely, she chose to fully allow animals into her heart and dedicate her life to their right to justice.  She learned the war is not with the animal use industries -- the war is with the insidious speciesism in our hearts and minds which empowers animal use and new welfarism. Sarah recognized that animal use industries do not, under any circumstance, want us to unite behind the banner of veganism and call for an end to animal use altogether.  “They want us to agree to wrestle them so they can tire us and delude us into thinking they are making positive changes for animals.” Tonight we will talk about the idea that if you want animal rights, it is time to battle speciesism by uniting behind the banner of veganism which effectively addresses all uses, species, products, forms of treatment, companies, and countries at the same time.  As Sarah shares, “The only thing that will create lasting change and animal rights is transmuting the speciesism, and the fastest way to do this is by unequivocally advocating for veganism.” Please join us, ask questions and learn more about the vegan abolitionist movement: what it means for us, for the animals and for the world.

After finding and saving one chicken in a ditch in 2000, Miriam and Pattrice Jones started the Eastern Shore Chicken Sanctuary on the Delmarva Penninsula in the eastern United States.  Over the next ten years they expanded to rescue ducks, roosters, turkeys and barn cats and upon moving to Vermont in 2009 and starting the VINE Sanctuary the first rescued dairy cows joined them.  They have seen first hand the devastating impact the chicken industry and now the dairy industry have on the animals, the environment and people. They use all that they have learned to educate people and they set themselves apart with their work within an ecofeminist understanding of the interconnection of all life and the intersection of all forms of oppression. They welcome and work to facilitate alliances among animal, environmental, and social justice activists sharing their wisdom on the interconnectedness between speciesism, sexism, racism, ecocide and homophobia.  While the growing vegan movement is essential to the evolution of our planet and the growing awareness of heart-centered living, it goes hand in hand with these other social injustices. Pattrice and Miriam will share why they encourage you to go vegan and go further and we will talk about exactly how to do that!

Many of us are uneasy thinking about the animals who end up on our plates. We may have thought about stopping eating animal products, but there are many excuses that have kept us from doing so. Gary Francione and Anna Charlton, authors of Eat Like You Care (an Amazon.com bestseller), explore the 30+ excuses they have heard as long-time vegans and address each one, showing why these excuses don’t work. They point out that there is nothing "extreme" about a vegan diet; what is extreme is the inconsistency between what we say we believe and how we act where animals are concerned.  They argue that if you think animals matter morally—if you reject the idea that animals are just things—your own beliefs require that you stop eating animal products.  During our interview we will address some of these inconsistencies and “buts” you use to keep from doing what your heart tells you to. Consider these questions: Have you ever loved an animal? Did you ever have a pet who was part of your family? Do you think it's wrong to inflict unnecessary suffering and death on animals? Do you think animals matter morally? Do you care where your food comes from? Do you buy cage-free eggs? Free-range meat? Have you considered becoming a vegetarian? Are you already a vegetarian for moral reasons? Do you aspire to being a vegan, but you think that you could never adopt a vegan diet? Are you already a vegan and would appreciate knowing some more effective ways to communicate with those who defend eating animals? If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions above, then tune in on Monday, November 25 (and pick up a copy of their book Eat Like You Care in the meantime!).

Look around most stores and you will see a vast array of handbags and shoes.  If you read the labels, it will also be clear that a large percentage of them are made of leather. Most people accept this unquestioningly because it has always been that way.  Times are changing, however, and as awareness grows around the degree to which animals suffer for our food and fashion (among other things), vegan companies are responding. Meet Jill Fraser, CEO and co-founder of Jill Milan, a company that makes vegan, luxury handbag.  Each bag is made in Italy by artisans who have a heritage of crafting the best luxury accessories in the world. Every bag is a work of art, an individual creation designed for modern women. Bags are sewn by hand and the metalwork on Jill Milan's bags are handmade. Entirely free of leather, fur and other animal-derived materials, Jill Milan handbags and accessories are made from natural, luxurious materials such as velvets, ultrasuedes and buttery-soft faux leathers. We will be talking with Jill about how and why she entered the vegan luxury fashion market with her beautiful handbags, why it is so important to choose accessories not made of animal-based materials as well as what it’s like to compete in this market that traditionally uses a lot of animal-derived materials?  Her handbags are regularly worn by celebrities and this is not something we usually equate with vegan products (although clearly that is changing fast!).  Learn firsthand how this benefits the vegan movement, how Jill Milan supports animals on many levels and why her products are making headlines.

If you think, “I’d love to be vegan but I don’t think I’ll get enough protein.”  Or, “I can’t give up cheese.  I really love it, plus I don’t know how else I would meet my calcium requirements,” then you will love our interview with Ginny Messina, author of Vegan for Her and co-author of Vegan for Life. In Vegan for Her: The Women’s Guide to Being Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet, dietician Ginny Messina, with JL Fields, shows women of all ages how to meet their nutritional needs with an animal-free diet.  There are many reasons to adopt a vegan lifestyle—but many people, especially women, worry that a vegan diet won’t meet all their nutritional needs.  Is it possible to stop eating dairy and still get enough calcium to fight osteoporosis?  Will too much soy increase the risk of breast cancer?  Can plant-based foods provide enough nutrients to sustain both mother and baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding?  We will address all of these questions and many, many more.  Ginny is a wealth of information! Geared towards new and veteran vegans alike, Vegan for Her teaches women how to make smart dietary choices to build a longer, healthier and compassionate life.  Have questions?  Join us live on the call (either on your phone or through your computer) and you can ask any questions you’d like.  Or you can download the program later to listen at your leisure!  

Together, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan’s life purpose is to change the world for animals, and they are doing just that!  Their ‘Our Hen House’ podcast was just named a Webby Award Honoree, alongside NPR and Scientific American—and, having produced a podcast every week since 2010, they have a lot to share about activism from a vegan perspective. With Mariann as an expert in animal law and Jasmin with a history as a campaigns manager for Farm Sanctuary and a contributing writer for VegNews Magazine, they are supporting animals with focused passion and determination. They will share their insights on the world of vegan activism as well as things like whether the laws in place for animals reflect society’s values.  They frequently travel giving talks on veganism and activism and with a recent drive cross country, we’ll find out what the vegan scene was like throughout their travels.  Here’s a chance to explore the world and veganism from a new perspective.

Recently, we have heard about the closing of Harvard University’s New England Primate Research Center--which does exactly what it sounds like it does: research on primates.  We are hopeful (and activist groups are working to help this happen) that the monkeys are adopted by sanctuaries to live out their lives in peace.   What does this all mean and how does it relate to veganism?  We will explore the topic of primates and animals as they are used in research, exhibits and the entertainment industry as well as topics such as what is wrong with the exotic pet monkey trade?  What sets an animal sanctuary apart from a zoo?  What is life like for these animals in the sanctuary?  Stephen Rene Tello is the Executive Director of Primarily Primates (www.primarilyprimates.org) and Priscilla Feral is Executive Director of Friends of Animals (www.friendsofanimals.org) – both are experts on this topic and the information they will share is enlightening.   Primarily Primates serves a distinguished service – one that often goes unnoticed by the general public.  They house, protect, and rehabilitate various non-native animals primarily caring for apes and monkeys. Many are cast-offs from the pet trade and biomedical research institutions. Individuals who have been accepted into the refuge include chimpanzees once used in space training and testing protocols by the United States Air Force and Oliver, a chimpanzee once paraded on television shows as the "humanzee" due to a habit of walking upright.   Please join us and learn more about one of the hidden aspects of animal use and suffering in our world and what you can do to reduce it.

Everywhere you look people are talking about cleansing, especially this time of year since spring is the perfect time to detoxify and refresh our bodies.  The question is how do you do it?  Two week cleanses, three day cleanses, month long cleanses?  Should it be just juice, raw, or a liver or fat-flush? Oh, dear.  The choices are overwhelming and the benefits are fuzzy.  How do you choose and what can you expect? Look no further.  Anna Forkan and Kristen Overlock, owners of Revitalive Café in Newburyport, MA (www.revitalive.com) will demystify this popular trend.  With degrees in nutrition and years of hands-on as well as personal experience, they will walk us through the process and answer our questions along the way.

Lani Muelrath, author of Fit Quickies, has helped thousands of people transform their bodies – and their lives – with her three pillars of healthy weight and fitness: a simple exercise plan, a whole-food plant-based diet, and mindset mastery.  In our interview she will share more information about her 5-minute workouts that are quick, safe, body shapening and strengthening.  We will explore how you “carve your figure with your fork,” as Lani says and introduce the third pillar of success—mastering your mindset—“When you change your mind, you will change your body and you will change your life!”  We’ll touch on everything from addressing common obstacles like afternoon and evening hunger to can you really get a complete workout from the Fit Quickies in her book and so much more.  This is a ground-breaking book, endorsed by John Robbins and Dr. Neal Barnard and a top seller on Amazon.

The animal agriculture industry is responsible for the unnecessary slaughter of 65 billion animals worldwide per year, making it the most exploitative and violent industry on the planet. For this, and other reasons we will talk about, Dr. Melanie Joy founded the Carnism Action & Awareness Network (CAAN), a charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness of and transforming carnism--the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals.  Dr. Joy is a Harvard-educated psychologist, professor of psychology and sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, celebrated speaker, and the author of the award-winning book on carnism, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. Our interview will address all aspects of carnism including how the vast majority of consumers of animal products are unaware that they are contributing to such animal cruelty—or that eating animals is a choice, rather than a given, in much of the world today as well as how humane people unintentionally enable animal agriculture so that we act against our own interests and the interests of others without realizing what we are doing.  Through CAAN she seeks to empower concerned citizens and vegan advocates through education and activism, to help create a more just world for all beings, humans and nonhumans alike and we are thrilled to speak with her in more depth.

People opt for a vegan lifestyle for a variety of reasons: health, environmental and / or ethical.  Our guest, Author and Writer, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, helps you make informative choices. Her passion and dedication to compassionate eating is inspiring! We will also be talking about her 30-Day Vegan Challenge which gently and expertly guides someone on the Standard American diet to adopt Vegan choices for a period of 30 days. Whether you are a Vegan already or would like to incorporate healthier food choices in your diet, this interview will be of interest to you.  Listen in and find out what all the excitement is about!

Processed foods (from veggie burgers and packaged cookies to salad dressings and soda) have become mainstream staples in many people’s diets.  They are quick, convenient and often tasty but what are they doing to our health?  That’s where our guest, Chef AJ, the author of “Unprocessed: How to achieve vibrant health and your ideal weight,” can enlighten us all.  Her story is riveting.  She knows first hand the addictive qualities and health ramifications of eating a highly processed diet, and she will share all of her valuable experience and information with us.  We’ll talk about what constitutes processed food, how to satisfy your sweet tooth without sugar (it’s so yummy!), and how to make a plant based diet easy.  She’s engaging and knowledgeable, and you will definitely come away with new ideas!

Do you eat the same things day after day, week after week?  Do you feel bored at  mealtime but don’t know how to infuse any new taste sensations?  Well, look no further!  Our two guests, Mark Reinfeld and Terry Hope Romero, can help!  Mark Reinfeld has been described by VegCooking.com as “poised on the leading edge of contemporary vegan cooking,” and is the author of “The 30 Minute Vegan’s Taste of Europe.” Terry Hope Romero is the co-author of several bestselling and award-winning cookbooks including the “vegan Bible” “Veganomicon” and is the author of her latest cookbook, “Vegan Eats World.”  Whether you want to add flavors from Europe, Thailand, Belgium, Jamaica or more and whether you eat cooked or raw, this show will inspire you and give you fabulous new ideas for amping up your day-to-day meals.  Get ready for an action-packed, mouthwatering show.  Your meal-planning will be changed forever!