Vegan
Why go Vegan?
Morally right thing to do: for all human and non-human animals and the planet
Veganism is an ethical statement about NOT participating in violence/exploitation of/against our fellow sentient beings
For your Health!! Vegans boast better health: ie: Lower heart disease rates, lower cholesterol levels, lower rates of diabetes and cancer, and slimmer!
For more info on Why go Vegan: Read this booklet:
Vegan Outreach Booklet
Great video that we all need to watch: Earthlings. Now available to watch online for free:
Earthlings
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NB Vegan/Vegetarian Group!
Newly formed in Feb 2011! Join us for some great conversation with awesome vegan food!
If you are thinking about going vegan or vegetarian this could be a great opportunity to learn more!
Already a vegetarian and are ready to take the next little leap toward veganism? Then this group may be a chance to learn out how!
Next Potluck: Saturday, February 4th, 2:30pm, at Conserver House in Fredericton, 180 St John Street. Please bring yummy vegan food
Join in on the conversation FaceBook Page:
Here is the article that appeared in the Daily Gleaner :)
Local woman wants to share recipes and ideas with other vegans and vegetarians, too
Wendy Hamelin recently became a vegan and wants to connect with other vegans and vegetarians to form a support group. In Hamelin's opinion, this is a meat-eating world and living in it as a vegan can sometimes be difficult.
"I have read things that say most people are eating meat and dairy. I don't have one person in my family or the people that I know who (are vegan).
"Some people are curious. There are many questions such as 'Why?' and 'What do you eat?' I get asked 'How do you get your calcium?' Sometimes people are even rude."
Being vegan means she doesn't eat anything that comes from an animal. That means her diet consists of fruits, vegetables, beans, tofu and grains.
"The definition of a vegan depends on who you ask. If you look up a definition, a vegan is someone who avoids anything that comes from an animal, even honey, because it comes from the bee."
Some vegans refuse to wear any clothing that comes from animal hides. Those who choose to lead a strict vegan lifestyle will not wear anything made from wool.
Hamelin is considering what her clothing is made of and whether she should wear anything that comes from animals.
"It's not just about animal ethics, it's also about my health and the planet and I thought, I'm going to go all the way. One man emailed me and he said he is doing this for environmental reasons because this is better for the planet. There is less stress on the planet with growing plants than there is with processing meat."
Hamelin has heard from about 10 people who are interested in sharing ideas and recipes.
Others say they want to become vegan but they have no idea how or where to start. She is doing her best to help those people make the transition to this way of eating and this lifestyle.
Hamelin was a vegetarian for 12 years and then decided she wanted to live a vegan lifestyle about a six weeks ago. It was easy to make the switch to veganism. When she ate meat and dairy, she recalls, she always had a runny nose and digestive problems. Now, she says, she feels great and has neither of these health troubles.
Hamelin says sourcing vegan food is much easier now than it was when she started to search for vegetarian foods in 1999. The challenge now, she says, is coming up with recipes that put vegan ingredients together in ways that are appealing to the eye and the palate.
Hamelin says she isn't trying to preach the benefits of being vegan or change anyone's dietary choices. This is about her need to connect with others who want to live this lifestyle.
"For me it's about eating consciously. I don't push it on anybody. When you learn more, it's hard to ignore it."
Anyone who is interested in learning more about veganism or joining a local support group for vegans and vegetarians, can contact Hamelin at livefitwithwendy@yahoo.ca.
