It’s about the animals

by JL Fields on August 7, 2012

A few weeks ago I shared my “vegan conversion” story on James McWilliams’s Eating Plants blog. Since then I have been thinking a lot about my transition from a dietary vegan to an ethical one. I always give credit to the big three:

Gena Hamshaw of Choosing Raw wrote a Vegan 101 post here on the ethics of veganism and later introduced me to a pig on a farm sanctuary through one of her posts.
Which led to me discovering Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and Clover, my sponsored goat.
Jasmin and Mariann of Our Hen House helped me figure out to move my passion to activism.

These three experiences/animals/people/places/organizations are the reason I say emphatically that I am vegan for life.

Because once you know something, you can’t not know it.

Okay, that’s not my line. It’s Barbara McDonald’s. A reader recently turned me on to McDonald’s study: “‘Once You Know Something, You Can’t Not Know It’: An Empirical Look at Becoming Vegan“, originally published in Society and Animals, Volume 8, Number 1, 2000. Essentially, the study confirms what I am coming to realize on my own. A vegan can go back to eating cheese far more easily if his or her veganism is not about the animals. I know how dairy is manufactured in this country. I know that cows are put on rape racks. That they are continuously impregnated. That their own babies never get to nurse because the cow’s milk has been “manufactured” for humans to drink. I can’t not know this. Cheese just isn’t that important.

I think this is why I get so frustrated. Frustrated with vegans selling veganism by promising skinny. If someone comes to it for diet, we may not have them on the team for long – unless they are influenced, as I was, with a compelling animal rights argument. I get frustrated when “public” vegans – bloggers – leave veganism and suddenly, surprisingly, toss a photo of an egg on a post. Or quietly add egg, butter or milk to a recipe without exactly stating they are no longer vegan. As I see this happen, and re-read their old posts, I often see that their plant-based diets were just that. Diets. How do we influence these public figures to explore the ethics behind their diets?

I recently announced my vegan lifestyle coaching business to a LinkedIn group. Someone, quite kindly, suggested that I change my messaging to “plant-based” instead of vegan. Because I would probably attract more clients. I replied that I simply couldn’t do that. There are plenty of people out there who are “plant strong” and are focused on the diet. I have a perspective and it’s that I want to end violence against all beings – which includes non-human beings.

The takeaway, for me, is that I must hold true to my perspective while understanding that readers of this blog, followers on Facebook, and coaching clients may be approaching vegetarianism and veganism for dietary reasons but that there is always an opportunity to share what I know, compassionately, so that once you know something, you can’t not know it.

What do you think?

Tagged as: choosing raw, eating plants blog, go vegan with jl, james mcwilliams, once you know something you can't not know it, our hen house, vegan lifestyle coach, woodstock farm animal sanctuary

http://twitter.com/AbbyHasIssues Abby Heugel

What do I think? I think this is an amazing post and one that I will be coming back to as I continue to explore my own journey towards health and eventual veganism. Thank you so much.

P.S. Gena is amazing, and I’m glad that I found you through her.
- http://www.facebook.com/gena.hamshaw Gena Hamshaw
  
  YOU are both amazing. Thank you, Abby.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Abby, thank YOU! And you nailed it- it really is a journey, one I’m still on! I’m not a “perfect” vegan, nor do I expect others to be, but I always want to learn and grow on the journey. Thanks for the reminder!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1367188233 Michele Way

Thank you so much for this post! You seem to have read my mind as this is *exactly* where I am right now. While I have respect for those who are “plant strong” and follow a “plant-based” diet, my decision to go vegan is more about NOT eating animals than EATING plants. It’s an ethical choice first, a health choice second. As my favorite childhood teacher/first vegetarian I ever met was fond of saying, “No animal should have to die for my belly.”
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thanks for your comment, Michele! I am always struck that I went vegetarian for an animal but vegan for diet! As many people do – so i really want to make sure the ethical message is clear and up front, to encourage us all to stay vegan!
- Cheryl
  
  “While I have respect for those who are “plant strong” and follow a “plant-based” diet, my decision to go vegan is more about NOT eating animals than EATING plants.”
  
  Thank you for this, Michele! Your statement is, to me, a perfect summation of the difference between “ethical vegans” and “health vegans”. Ethical veganism is about NOT eating animals; health veganism is about EATING plants. I have a much clearer view on the different perspectives of each camp. Thank you!
  - http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
    
    Cheryl, thanks for jumping in! I have gained much clarity from the conversation, too!
http://www.facebook.com/gena.hamshaw Gena Hamshaw

Thank you, JL. Fantastic post.

I still like to accept/encourage the exclusively “plant based” approach because I know that it brings people into veganism. After all, it’s what drew me in: better to encourage it than not. But even when I’m talking to someone whose interest is exclusively health-oriented, I still try to “plant the seed,” spread awareness, and show him or her how compassion can fit into the picture.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  I think we agree – I’m just posing the thought/question: what do we do as “public” vegans to make sure the ethics of veganism are brought up to spread the message, no matter how subtle?
- http://twitter.com/AbbyHasIssues Abby Heugel
  
  I have to agree (it might help that I’m not vegan.) I think anyone who takes steps towards a more plant-based diet should be commended for their actions instead of chided for not “doing enough.” Education is key, and if getting them to enjoy more veggie fare can spark an interest in the ethical part of the picture, all the better.
  
  (I know JL implied that as well, but I’m feel wordy.)
  - http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
    
    Oh my goodness, I certainly don’t mean to “chide.” I’m making an observation, in the context of even myself going vegan for diet, that I think we can do more to encourage the ethics while preaching the plants – because once you know, you can’t not know…
    - http://twitter.com/AbbyHasIssues Abby Heugel
      
      I didn’t mean you at all! Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. You always treat everyone with compassion and understanding, but there are those who see things black and white. Sorry!
      - http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
        
        GOTCHA! But I would have been cool with being called out! LOL I write to learn! But I’m hearing you, 100%! Thanks, Abby!
Emily

Beautifully stated, and it echoes many of my feelings. I found veganism so compelling precisely because of the ethics–a mere diet I never would have adopted wholeheartedly because if you eat a particular way most of the time, what difference does a little egg or cheese here or there make? The synergy between the ethical impulses underlying a vegan lifestyle–compassion towards humans, the environment, and the animals–makes it about something so much more than my personal health, my own body.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Emily, yes! I think in my early vegan days I did have some of those thoughts of “why not” and really began to seek info. Thank goodness for social media and blogs! I learned so much and made a deeper connection to veganism.
Erinna11

Hi! Great post! I follow you on Facebook and am currently working on learning how to be vegan successfully. My question to you is – what is the take on consuming eggs or cheese directly from a free-range, organic farm? In my town we have an amazing farmers market and I feel like it’s okay to eat animal based products since I know the animals in question are well treated and cared for and happy. I’ve visited the farms (small town, not much to do) so I feel comfortable eating from them – is there a line of thought on this issue?
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Hi Erinna! I think this is a really great question because you want to do the right thing for animals – you are awesome!
  
  I think for many people it’s hard to find animals that are living happily and just popping out eggs naturally or producing enough milk to feed their own baby, for which is was intended, plus additional milk to sell to humans. Some people do live around that type of farming which is special and I can understand where you’re coming from. For me, personally? I don’t want to consume or wear an animal product because I believe it’s not naturally produced for me, for a human. I believe animals here among us, not for us.
  
  Maybe others here will pop in with respectful insights to the issue – it’s a big one! Again, thanks for bringing it up.
  - erinna11
    
    Thanks JL! I appreciate your thoughtful reply and I hadn’t really thought of animal products in that way – they really aren’t intended for human consumption! So true!
    - http://twitter.com/VeganZeus Diana
      
      Hi Erinna! You are doing a good job and questioning, which is what smart, compassionate humans do.
      
      My issue with small family farms, is that the big animals usually go to the same slaughterhouses as factory farmed animals go to-so even though it looks good on the “surface”-it still comes down to fear, pain and death in the long run.
      
      Also, all of the animals(cows, goats, sheep, chickens, etc.) will eventually be killed for food, unless it’s a farm where the owners keep all the animals until they die of old age-which is virtually unheard of.
      
      For me, like JL, I don’t feel animals were put here for our use-they are their own nation, and the faster people figure that out-the faster we may begin to see peace for all.
      
      Good luck!
      - http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
        
        Thanks for your input, Diana!
      - http://www.facebook.com/erinsmith.lmft Erin Smith Doolittle
        
        Thanks Diana! And that entire idea of slaughterhouses freaks me out! I’m a huge animal lover and really want to cut suffering out of my diet! (It’s Erinna, I just logged in through FB this time lol)
veganpilotmarty

The flip side of the discussion is that no matter why someone adopts a plant based diet it’s our window to show them the many facets of our diamond. We can expose them to the delicious foods we eat, dispelling the image that we eat twigs and leaves and subsist on a diet of deprivation. We can show them how a plant based diet eliminates the suffering and opens the door to compassion, neither of which is in evidence as omnivores go through their culinary days. We can show them the imbalance of converting plants to animal protein and its un-sustainability.

To reach the conclusion that cheese just, “isn’t that important,” we must give those visiting a plant based diet the information during their visit to agree. Then they will, by themselves, shift the reasoning for eating a plant based diet from “dieting” to veganism.

Marty
Marty’s Flying Vegan Review
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Precisely my point!
Dawn

Lindsay of The Happy Herbivore blog stopped describing herself as “vegan” after getting a lot of criticism from the “Vegan Police” for eating cotton candy.She said if she weren’t already set in her ways,the criticism probably would have caused her to quit veganism altogether,which certainly would not have helped any animals at all.Just hearing the word “vegan” turns a lot of people off because they automatically think of those militant vegans.The term “plant based” might make people a little more comfortable and willing to try it.That doesn’t mean that it can’t be about the animals.
FYI, I’ve been vegetarian for 7 years but still haven’t reached vegan.Someday,I hope.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Hi Dawn! Thanks for your comment. I agree … some of my most ethical vegan friends are “plant-based”.
RickiHeller

Fabulous post, JL. This is such a tricky issue and one about which I’m torn. I think in the end I feel much like Gena does, that it’s much easier to draw people to veganism via “plant based” or health reasons, and once they’re eating that way, it is then much easier to move to ethical veganism. But if you alienate people from the get-go because they’re turned off by “vegan,” then you lose them entirely, and don’t have a chance to take it further at any level.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thanks, Ricki. I do hear you and Gena. But I think people who buy the “you’ll get skinny if you go vegan” get sold a bill of goods that can’t always deliver and then we lose them anyway. Because it’s a diet. There’s a balance required, that’s for certain!
Pam

This. Yes.

I have such a hard time when I meet ex-vegans for this exact reason — you can never un-know about the suffering, the terrible price of consuming animals/animal products. I try to give myself an understanding that yes, it’s possible I might not be vegan one day, but I just. can’t. fathom. it.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Pam, exactly. I want to keep telling myself always. Forever. So that if every I find it “too hard” what comes first to mind is always. Forever.
http://www.betterwithveggies.com Heather Blackmon

I think you have to be true to you and I love when people are open about the why. I still use plant-based, because that’s where I am right now. It’s not to broaden my appeal, but because I know there’s a lot more to being vegan and for me it’s mostly food (although because of animal treatment). I love that you are vegan and proud, because you’re such a positive example of the compassion that vegans really stand for. Keep on doing what you’re doing for your reasons (which I know you will).
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Heather, thank you for your perspective! I think authenticity is so important and your point is a good one- write / share what you know, your experience.
http://www.cultofkale.com/ Erica @Cult of Kale

I think it is absolutely about the animals. My firm commitment also stemmed from an animal at WFAS, a sweet little broiler hen named Una. The exposure to their unique personalities was the nail in the omni coffin for me. They are people. Not human people, certainly, but people. They have quirks, and loves, and bond with their families. And despite all the terrible things they have been through with humans they still love us. Although we now live far from WFAS, there are no less than (and probably more than) 40 pictures of our animal loves around the house constantly reminding us of the furry people we are fighting for.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  I really do think farmed animal sanctuaries have a HUGE impact. One tour really helped me understand the truth behind factory farming.
http://www.facebook.com/myvegancookbook Josh Latham

I sometimes feel like a teetering see-saw. On 1
side there is the plant-based movement which brought me into being vegan for
ethical reasons which is on the other side of the see-saw. On any given day,
depending on what I’ve read, I can be completely up in the air about whether
plant-based is really as beneficial to health as the MDs and my Gurus make it
out to be. The next day I can watch a video at nutritionfacts.org and think, oh
god of course it is the miracle it’s purported to be, how could I have thought
otherwise. Next day I’m in my veganically grown garden killing squash bugs to
save my squash and zucchini. I think to myself, well am I really vegan now? I
just killed a living creature just so I could eat squash. I also think, can
anyone REALLY declare themselves to be 100 percent vegan? I think of vegans who
are so proud of themselves because they don’t touch honey or some obscure
ingredient that kills bugs. Well, I just killed a bug. And bugs were most likely
killed to harvest your fruits and vegetables yet you are avoiding honey? It all
seems so hypocritical when you look at it this way. There are problems with both
movements is what I’m getting at. We have to look at that and admit that. I know
saying that could piss some vegans off but this is my thinking and I feel like
being honest here. So on the other side, then I think about factory farming and
how completely unnatural it is to have these innocent creatures locked up
against their will, spending their lives in misery just so people can have
cheese on their pizzas. So it’s this balance for me with both movements. And
they both help balance each other out.

I do cringe at people who go plant-based or vegan
to get skinny. And I was guilty of it at the beginning of my journey. I cringe
cause I see my former self I guess.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Josh this is such a great point! It was during my training to become a vegan lifestyle coach that I learned that “perfect vegan” and “100% vegan” aren’t possible or probable.
  
  What is possible is living with intention – an intention to do as little harm to animals as possible. Which goes back to my original point – for ME, I find that making food choices with an animal in mind keeps me focused to do my best. Which won’t always be perfect.
  
  Thank you so much for jumping into conversation, Josh. I really appreciate your perspective.
Krista

I agree, I can’t unknow what I now know. I am happy when people eat a more plant based diet for any reason: health, environment, ethics…but the problem with that is that there is so much confusing information out there. I have a friend who went vegan and then a few months later went paleo, all for health reasons. And after being vegetarian for years, I had doctors telling me I HAD to eat meat and avoid a high fiber diet (due to Crohn’s disease). And so I did, but I never felt right about it. And finally, worried that eating meat was going to lead to colon cancer (already at high risk because of the autoimmune disease), I went plant based. Shortly afterward I saw Forks Over Knives, and listened to a few podcasts by Colleen Patrick Goudreau that just rocked my world. And so now I know that even if chickens are truly free range, I still know what happened to the male chicks and I still know the hens are only ‘productive’ for so long–how can I eat eggs? How can I use dairy knowing how the babies and mothers are so cruelly separated and what the life of a dairy cow is really like? It is absolutely easy for me to stay vegan because it is not about me at all.

Although it makes people uncomfortable, the focus (gently and compassionately) needs to stay about the animals.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Krista, yes! You actually nailed a bit of my point – I know that my perspective can make others uncomfortable so I want to share it was compassionately as possible. Glad you mentioned this!
- http://www.facebook.com/quickchapman Renee Quick-Chapman
  
  Although it makes people uncomfortable, the focus (gently and compassionately) needs to stay about the animals.
  
  Thats great. A really great way to put it.
Mary

I became a vegetarian 25 years ago simply because I didn’t like the taste of meat. Somewhere along the way it morphed into a greater concern for and connection to animals, so much so that when a doctor asked if I would consider adding some meat to my diet, I adamantly said, “no!”

I’ve only been vegan for a month — for dietary reasons — but having greater knowledge about how dairy is produced will only make it easier to stick to this new lifestyle. I’m pretty sure I will not be one of the ones who get skinny though. I haven’t dropped any weight, though I feel better and that has to count for something diet-wise.

Anyway, the point to all that rambling is that I’m sure you can respectfully share what you know about animal cruelty and allow people to make their own choices about their diet. And leave open the fact that some people may start a lifestyle to improve their health, but then adopt it because of a greater concern for animals.

That being said, I personally have no problems killing squash bugs. I am not a good vegan!
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  LOL! Thanks for chiming in, Mary. I’m a terrible, in some circles, because I love oil, salt and sugar!
http://bittsblog.blogspot.com bitt

LOVE this JL. My diet didn’t change that much when I went from vegetarian to vegan because I was eating mostly vegan. However my mindset change was HUGE. It’s a completely different way of looking at the world. I’m so glad you wrote about this and I’m so proud of all the work you’ve put into making yourself the vegan spokesperson you are today!
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Aw, Bitt, thank you! And I agree – it’s a whole new way of looking at the world. Thank you your for reminding us of this!
CeCe J

I started doing this plant based diet for health benefits to avoid cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, but the piece of mind that accompanies this is a wonderful and unexpected benefit for me and the animals and the planet. The longer I live just eating plants, the more emphatic I get. I love knowing I no longer eat animals!
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Love this, CeCe! Thank you!
Marissa D’Aleo

This is a wonderful post! I am often asked if I will ever “go back” for health reasons (what??) or if I miss meat/dairy/etc. enough to sneak a few bites every once in a while. But I couldn’t even fathom it. My dedication is too strong, and it’s because of the animals. It’s all because of the animals. I am happy to hear about people moving towards vegan (even vegetarian) diets because of health and environmental reasons because this means that there are fewer animals suffering, but I worry that these individuals represent veganism as a flexible option. Everyone has the right to make their own choices, but I think if more people knew the truth about the animals, they would make the choice for moral veganism. There is no need to inflict cruelty on other living beings or take what does not belong to us, and now that I know the reality of the lives these animals live, I could never go down that path again.
Amber

Great post, JL! It is so true that once you know, you can’t un-know. The same world looks so different when you ‘wake up’ and everyone else just wants to stay asleep. While I converted to a vegetarian diet for health, an ethical change to a vegan diet tugged at my conscience as common sense. One of the many good things about being an ethical vegan is that there is no going back, because what would that say about your ethics?
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Oh, food for thought, indeed, Amber!
Sarah E

I love that you say vegan. Be proud, spread the animal love, and keep helping the world embrace an ethical, compassionate diet and lifestyle! Go JL!
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thank you, sweetie! YOU, TOO!!!
Dreena Burton

I agree with you, JL. You know your perspective and you are proud of it and dedicated to it – you shouldn’t change that to “attract more clients”… and you will attract the clients you want with being true to yourself and your goals!

And, cheese isn’t that important. Damn straight. (not only that, vegans have it easy these days with all the cheese subs and recipes – geez!, I mean cheeze!)

Keep on JL, you are fabulous, vegan, and strong!
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thanks, Dreena. You are a true example of someone who connects people to vegan food – and always remembers it’s about the animals. You are a role model!
http://twitter.com/carrieonvegan Carrie

Hi JL! Great post and I do hope you continue to use the word vegan. I’m still relatively new to this world (coming up on 2 years) and I’ve never had anything but warm, fuzzy associations with being vegan and I’ve never hesitated to use the term. Maybe we’re part of the “new” generation of vegans who never had to put up with a lot of the misunderstanding that old timers have dealt with. On any account, I think it’s great the work you’re doing and think that any work that has hope and positivity attached to is continues to promote the cause.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  I remember when you made the switch to vegan -both in your diet and on your blog. You have been an unapologetic vegan!
Maddy Coghlan

Really fantastic post JL, I agree with you 100%. I will not compromise my views in order to please others. I am so glad you addressed this.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thank you, Maddy!
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http://www.facebook.com/quickchapman Renee Quick-Chapman

Teriffic post! I totally get what you mean about not being able to unknow. I’m struggling right now with my food choices. As I have always been a meat first type of person but I’d like to change that. I’ll prob never be able to go full vegan but I do need to start making more ethical food choices.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Renee, I’m so glad you commented on this! It really is a journey and process and I love that you are so open to your own journey!
http://twitter.com/NatashaRSerrano Natasha R Serrano

Excellent post and commentaries. I enjoy reading all of your posts. I agree with you in that if one is a vegan for dietary/health reasons only, they may be pursuaded to go back. But maybe there’s a way to integrate both; to understand that both are critical — health and ethical)? (Promises of ‘skinny’ or cancer-free also shouldn’t be made.) When I first learned about factory farming practices, I did limit my intake and tried to get meat from local free-range farms; purchased cruelty-free products, etc. I did this because I thought that it was necessary for my health to continue eating animals. One day, I found out I wasn’t strong and healthy and something just clicked. I became a vegetarian (mostly vegan though) and my health corrected within weeks. I had the occasional egg and butter but even that didn’t sit well with me. So I stopped altogether and became a vegan.

Since then, I’ve learned how the production of dairy is also cruel (something I didn’t know before). So, am I vegan? Or, plant-based? I don’t know. I use both terms. I know that I love cooking now (always hated cooking meat). I have more variety in my meals than I ever thought was possible. I’m healthier and eat with a free conscience. People will be attracted to the lifestyle for different reasons. But it doesn’t mean we can’t get them to understand the importance of both the health and ethical implications of their diet/lifestyle. And, thus, keep them vegan for life.

Keep up the great work! You are an inspiration.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Natasha, you raise a really great point! I do hope that what I provide here is a good mix of good health and ethics – knowing my slant is probably more to the ethics. This reminder was good for me. Thank you!
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Eulalia Cobb

In my vegetarian days I raised goats for milk, and hens for eggs. But the fate of the little males tore at my heart. I know what you mean–vegetarianism is no answer to the animal welfare dilemma.
- http://jlgoesvegan.com JL
  
  Thanks for sharing this, @google-c1898d03c1daf095d1fffb1eac2841b4:disqus! Your perspective is important!