Ten years ago, the word “veganism” barely scratched the surface, but now towards this new decade, veganism is stronger than ever. The lifestyle of going green and living green is popular among youngsters who are conscious about their carbon footprint emissions and have a dislike for animal cruelty and commercial farming, as well as wearing clothes made with animal skins and more. Veganism isn’t just a health fad or trend anymore, it’s a movement-- a serious and selfless movement that focuses on incorporating things in one’s life that’s not derived from animal suffering (i.e. eating animal products). Let’s learn about what veganism is all about by knowing World Vegan Month.
When was the first World Vegan Month celebrated?
It was created in 1994 to commemorate the forward movement/thinking of the ideology. It was also used as a way to celebrate the founding of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, which was founded in November 1944. Before then, no one really took them seriously but you can’t deny the effects of commercial farming and other factors that they are against way back then, that is happening right now. The people who celebrate this month don’t eat meat, eggs, dairy products, or anything that involves an animal in the process. They also reject using leather, wool, snakeskin bags, ivory accessories, or pearl-related jewelry. They instead eat a lot of plant-based foods and support faux-leather materials for clothing or similar cloth that doesn’t depend on animals.
Brief History of Veganism
Vegan is an extreme form of vegetarianism (vegans reject all animal-based products, vegetarians may be eating fish or chicken occasionally and may still wear animal-based clothing). People who reject any flesh from animals dated back as old as the ancient Indian and Mediterranean societies, and were also mentioned by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos around 500 BCE. Buddhists, Jainists, and Hinduists are all also against animal cruelty and promote vegetarianism, but veganism took it one step further to fully incorporate it through the practitioner’s lifestyle. However, veganism didn’t launch fully in the Americas except for random health crazes and religion-related rituals. Fast-forward to 1847, the first vegetarian society was founded in England. A reverend by the name of Sylvester Graham (he invented the famous Graham crackers we all love to put in our Mango Graham frozen no-bake cakes) co-founded the first American Vegetarian Society. In 1944, a British woodworker named Donald Watson coined the word ‘vegan’ to describe people who don’t eat any food that came from animals. It was coincidentally led the veganism movement to good light and better appreciation because of the cow crisis that happened last year, whereas 40% of cows were found to have the disease: Watson used this at his advantage, telling people that ‘veganism’ will save and protect people from consuming ‘tainted’ food, especially meat.
How to celebrate veganism and appreciate its progressive values against animal exploitation?
As we have highlighted before, veganism isn’t just following a strict diet, but incorporating an animal cruelty-free lifestyle and if possible, participating in issues related to animal cruelty and commercialization of the animal industry. That’s why many vegans are also activists and actively exercising their beliefs in protecting every animal’s life.
Veganism isn’t an easy feat to achieve, as dedicating your entire life to living a meatless life is really hard to do, especially if you are a meat-eater or have loved animal-based foods before. But you shouldn’t fear appearing as a poser, because the path to veganism is a slow process. You can also have the option to be supportive of the movement while also being a non-vegan at the same time. Not all people can be vegans due to health reasons, religious reasons psychological, and or personal reasons -- all are valid, but it won’t hurt if you put your shoes in their positions to fully understand the movement.
Eat plant-based foods
It’s simple, just eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, or any plant-derived foods. Also, many ready-to-cook meat alternatives are readily available to supermarkets and local stores now. Besides, you can also search the web for easy-to-cook recipes to start your veganism journey. You shouldn’t force yourself in being vegan, you can gradually eat foods and dishes that will suit your tastes then work it out from there.
Avoid animal-related clothing
Instead of buying leather clothing and alligator-skinned bags, why not settle on acquiring faux or synthetic versions that imitate the texture of animals without killing them. Not only the faux version is available in a wide range of colors and designs, but it is also produced more quickly without the involvement of chemicals.
Read books and watch movies related to veganism
Films such as George Miller’s “Babe” series, the well-made documentary “Cowspiracy” and South Korean auteur “Okja” are sure choices to start. Books such as “Food Is Climate” by Glen Merzer, “Healthy at Last” by Eric Adams, and “We Are The Weather” by Jonathan Safran Foer gives you a general idea about what veganism stood for ranging from stories about how the way we grow our food can affect a country’s climate, a person’s journey in adopting a plant-based diet to reverse his diabetes, and the connections about factory farming and climate change.
Express your thoughts about veganism through art
You can express your appreciation by writing poems, essays, making paintings, or stories about it -- not only it will inspire vegans, but it can also help by introducing the movement to other people and hopefully, open their minds about it.
Join a vegan-related community near your place or online and participate in vegan events
Even cosmetic products are guilty of containing animal products such as lipstick and deodorants, even perfume as well. Learn more by participating in vegan events or online seminars to expand your knowledge about veganism.
Remember, there’s a lot of ways to show your support for World Vegan Month, whether you want to be a full-fledged vegan or just show your appreciation for them, anything will do, and we should remember the true essence of being a vegan: to stop the abuse of animals and hope for a more efficient, non-damaging, non-exploitative way to produce food, one such example is the creation of lab-grown meat, and many other upcoming innovations. Happy Vegan Month!
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