This past Sunday I took a trip out to a local animal sanctuary - SASHA Farm - for an early Thanksgiving potluck (vegan). It was an afternoon of great food and a chance to see some old friends. I hope to have made a couple new friends there as well.

One of the best parts for me, though, was meeting the baby turkeys. There were five of them I think. It was somewhat hard to tell as they all were huddling under mother’s wings to keep warm for the night. Their feathers of brown and black melded together underneath her strong white wing.

Those little turkeys were so cute stretching their heads about to see the world around them. It was their gentle calls, though, that were most beautiful to me. I could almost hear the “gobble gobble” of a grown turkey but it was mixed with the song of a bird in the back yard tree. It was the sweet sound of a child wanting to be like the parent - saying those adult age phrases but with an innocence that would make you smile at words said in frustration.

In the opposite corner of their room, however, stood an overweight, short and stocky one. And I say “stood” with reservation. This turkey had trouble standing and hobbled around looking for comfort. You see, this one was bred for meat. Turkeys raised for meat have been bred to be very, very large in the breast - so much so that they often (as was the case here) end up crippled under their own weight. Their legs may end up deformed or broken. Either way, you know it makes every moment painful.

This literal side by side comparison was saddening. At least these cheerful young ones have hope of a life free from that torture, but knowing that 46 million of these birds will be killed this month alone - 46 million pained and tortured every day of their short lives - is a downer to say the least.

So this brings us to the second half of the story. I’m part of a group which meets every week and at the end of the meetings we gather in a circle and share prayer requests or give thanks. We happened to be meeting the day following my trip to this sanctuary.

As we went around the circle, people were sharing about loved ones with illnesses or current events, and asking us to keep these in our hearts and minds. When it came to me, my mind still on the turkeys, I shared some of what I just shared here - about those wonderful little creatures and also the pain being caused in all of the farms across the country and around the world.

Yes, I cried as I spoke; the suffering so dense my strength could not hold it in.

The people in this group do not share my thoughts on subjects such as that. They’re accepting of my vegan ways, certainly, but it isn’t their way and that’s fine. This made it surprising to me that over my tears came an even louder bawling. Apparently this story (put into just five or six sentences) touched on something inside this person.

This person later told me of the sorrow felt while driving past turkey farms. I wouldn’t think that non-vegetarians would have such strong emotions about the welfare of farmed animals. Perhaps I thought that everyone going along with the status quo simply didn’t think outside of it at all.

I was mistaken.

Occasions such as this renew my hope in humanity. Maybe it’s true that 80% of the people simply trudge along and play follow the leader, but that still leaves 20% and you know, that’s a lot of people. Maybe we don’t always notice the 20% supportive of our causes, but they’re out there.

It also happens to be Halloween here today which means an overdose of candy for most of the youth. If you didn’t realize that even candy could contain animal ingredients, check out this page.

There you will see a list of candy and snacks which do not contain animal ingredients, as well as a short list of commonly found ingredients you may not recognize as originating from animals.

While you may not concern yourself over every little ingredient, you should at least know what they are so you can make that choice. Stearic Acid? Urea? Those are supposed to be foods?

The first people I knew of who took vitamins daily were not vegetarian. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that the majority who do aren’t. The vitamin and supplement industries were built to take advantage of everyone’s insecurities, not just the veg*ns.

The only supplement I use regularly is B12. I have 2000 mcg weekly and that’s it. I do have a bottle of multi-vitamins but I really don’t recall when it was I had one last. B12 is important for both veg*ns and omnivores. A deficiency there (which takes years to develop) can lead to problems with your nervous system - and that’s serious.

If you want vitamins and minerals, get them from fresh, whole, ripe, raw, organic plant foods. That’ll be your best source. And don’t fall for that “plants today don’t have enough” talk. Where do you think the manufacturers get them? Magic?

There are those who prefer not to use vitamins and supplements. That’s a personal choice, but if you feel you should, or your nutrition advisor suggest that you do, go ahead.

A good vegan diet should provide you with what you need, but a little security for serious issues is a good thing.

It’s the “How do you remember all those lines?” to the actor, and the “No, really. What do you do for a living?” to the proctologist. The bane of our existence this protein myth is.

Have you ever wondered that - how do vegetarians get enough protein? Well, what is protein? What does it do? How much do we need? How much is too much?

You see, with protein, more is not necessarily better. In fact, excess protein could lead to kidney trouble and other issues. I don’t trouble myself looking for more protein.

I’ll just leave you with this article Protein in the Vegan Diet by Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.

This concern about protein is misplaced. Although protein is certainly an essential nutrient which plays many key roles in the way our bodies function, we do not need huge quantities of it. In reality, we need small amounts of protein. Only one calorie out of every ten we take in needs to come from protein. Athletes do not need much more protein than the general public.

Then there’s my controversial, one step weight loss program: Cut Off Your Arm. Did you know that just one of your arms weighs from eight to fourteen pounds? That’s an 8-14 pound instant weight loss with only minor side effects (provided you start the program at or very near an emergency room).

Hmmm… Now that I think of it, that’s probably the one with the least long term negative impact on your health. With that in mind, which would you choose?

OK, how about another option? Eat foods which humans thrive on and your weight will take care of itself.

At least 70% of your food should be raw vegetation - fruits and vegetables. 50% is the absolute minimum. No, we won’t instantly die from burgers and fries, but we struggle along in a state of constant illness. Our bodies need unprocessed foods. Even non-vegetarians will agree that raw meat seems unappealing (and unhealthy, and dangerous) so get your meals to average out to a minimum of fifty percent raw, whole, fresh fruits, greens, and other plant foods.

Here’s another video for you (1m 20s). This one is from Storm Telifero on eating junk food (mild language). An impassionate father speaks out.

[the "cut off your arm" program was a joke. if you thought I was serious - seek help]

In the US, Thanksgiving will be coming at the end of November (Canadian Thanksgiving was two weeks ago). It’s usually celebrated with a large meal, family, and friends. Unfortunately, this meal is often centered around an unnaturally large bird - a turkey that’s been genetically manipulated by some apparent relatives of Dr. Frankenstein to be extremely large in the breast. In fact, they end up with such an abnormal physique, they have problems just standing. Even mating becomes impossible because of their distorted figure.

The reason for this manipulation? Profits, of course. That’s what business is about and there’s nothing wrong there. The problem comes when the business’ commodity is a living creature. In that situation, increasing profits usually means altering the living conditions of the animals in order to decrease costs, and altering the “output” (meat, eggs, milk, etc.) to up the income. How can that be done without negatively affecting the lives of these fellow animals? It can not.

Should we gain from the exploitation of others?

I suppose that’s the question at the heart of vegetarianism. Search your feelings, your upbringing, your morals and find your answer. Now, live your life accordingly.

There are a number of organizations whose mission is to help non-human animals. Many of them are able to care for and rehabilitate animals rescued from farms and slaughterhouses. One such organization, Farm Sanctuary, has been running the Adopt a Turkey Project since 1986.

Exploitation will continue to exist in many forms but you don’t have to be a participant. In fact, you can help on the other end of it. A small donation to the Adopt a Turkey Project will help supply food, shelter, and other needed items for these wonderful creatures.

This is a great gift for the vegetarian in your life. Show that you understand even if it’s not your current choice. Show that you care about these animals at some level. You won’t believe the reaction you’ll get.

And look for animal sanctuaries in your area. They need help too - perhaps even more so.

Celebrate life this year at Thanksgiving. Give others something to be thankful for.

Whether or not you want to “become” vegan, check out that page and the 30 second video with bodybuilder Kenneth G. Williams. If you’re reading this, you surely have thirty seconds to spare.

From the IDA site:

We urge people to recognize the effects their actions have on the world, and our ability to actually avert some impending disasters such as global warming.

For the health of people, the environment, and farmed animals, veganism is the best choice. World GO VEGAN Days embodies this idea.

Wouldn’t it be great if all of your meals were prepared for you? If you could just sit down and have the best meal brought right to you, that would be ideal.

Well, here’s the next best thing. A 30 day menu of the healthiest foods around - every meal, every day.

There’s a program starting up tomorrow (sorry, I only found out today it was starting up) called the Body Enlightenment System. I was fortunate to have participated in the very first version of this program a few years ago. I tell you, it was the best I’d ever felt. (cool! I’m on the page - follow that link and look for Robert Purcell under the men’s testimonials)

If you’re looking to take yourself to a new place, improve your life, or just try out something great but you want some guidance, you need to check this out.

Starts tomorrow so do it now!

Where else will you find the level of support provided there? I don’t think you will unless you get a personal coach. The buddy system is key for success. That plus the prepared menus are why I say this is the best way to go veg. It wasn’t really created as a “go vegetarian” program but more of a total health and wellness approach which, in my opinion, is a smart way to do it.

Here’s that link again. Check it out, and go look for my testimonial on that page! (gaa.. I need better photos of myself)

Here’s one great and easy way for you to try out some vegetarian food that guaranteed other vegetarians like. Go to a potluck!

1. Search for vegetarian organizations in your area. They will likely have regular potlucks or at least know when and where they are
2. Look on Meetup.com. For those who don’t know, Meetup is a site that hosts groups and gatherings all over the world on just about any topic and interest. Search there for vegan or vegetarian with your location and see what comes up.
3. If you have a food co-op or farmer’s market near you, ask there about any nearby gatherings.

But what do you bring to a potluck?

If you’re really afraid of the kitchen, just a simple fruit salad will do, or a greens salad. Here’s a simple recipe that was a bigger hit than I expected when I brought it to a potluck.

Cube a bunch of apples.
Mash up some bananas.
Mix it up in a big bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon.
(don’t prepare too early or everything will brown)

Anyone can make that, and it’s really good too.

It’s very important, though, to follow the rules. Make sure any dish you bring contains no animal ingredients. If it’s not stated whether butter, eggs, dairy, or honey is allowed and you plan to use those, ask first. If you show up with a dish containing some “forbidden” ingredients, just apologize and keep it out of the way (back in your car).

For the really easy way out, look for the meetups that go to restaurants. All you need to bring for this one is some money.

There you go, no more excuses to try some vegetarian food. Go out and explore!

Perhaps you’re already familiar with Vegetarian Times. It’s probably the most well known vegetarian magazine in part because it started in the late 1970s and is still going. The recipes seem to be rather dairy heavy so I don’t recommend it anymore but if you’re looking for something aimed at the general public, pick one up and have a look.

As mentioned above, I get VegNews myself. It’s a bimonthly publication (every two months) and is really a quick read. The articles aren’t so long that you have to really block out time to read it, but it’s so nice you may just want to.

The Vegan Society (the first ever vegan organization) has their own magazine called simply The Vegan. This is a UK based organization and the magazine can be found in stores there. Members get a free subscription.

The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) produces The Vegetarian Journal. All nutrition articles are reviewed by a registered dietitian or medical doctor before being published. I’ve only read some of the issues they have online (they have many, many of the back issues online) and it looks like a really nice magazine.