Overwhelmed

All of a sudden I am feeling very depressed. It's been on my mind recently that the human species is pretty awful. We are destroying the planet, many of us have no respect for the animals we share our planet with, and we think we are above everything.

We're selfish, greedy, and conceited, to say the least.  Despite what some people may say, we still want to accumulate a lot of money and possessions. We have too much stuff, at least in America. Nothing can be the same, and we have more than enough variety! Often, we're probably more wasteful than we are grateful.

You know, nothing is simple anymore. Nothing is natural anymore. Our planet is full of chemicals, and harsh ones at that! Have we not progressed enough? Because I believe we have! Do we honestly need touch screen refrigerators? There are a ton of people in other countries who don't even have refrigerators!

In our society, everything has to be convenient. We can't even take the time to look up the weather on our smart phones. No, that would be too hard. Now we ask a device to do it for us; "Hey Alexa, what's the temperature outside?" Heaven forbid we step outside to see if it's hot or cold!

Let's talk about how our cars are becoming safer. Today's cars have sensors that let you know if you're about to hit someone. Did anyone ever think that we're actually going to create drivers that are going to be more lazy and pay less attention? I mean it's nice to have insurance in case something unexpected occurs, but we still need to pay very good attention while driving. Driving can be dangerous, and we don't need to rely on our "smart cars" to do everything for us.

Let's all admit it. We love technology. But do we ever really think about it? I honestly have no idea how the Internet works. Do you? We press buttons, type things on our screens, and are able to swipe through people's pictures on Instagram. But how? It's probably so complicated I don't even want to know. What are all the symbols, numbers, and letters for? Technology scares me sometimes, and if it doesn't scare you, it should.

We're over fishing our oceans, killing amazing animals like rhinos in Africa, and zoos are so normal now it's just like going to the movie theater. We care about all the money we make from commercial fishing so much that we don't give a second thought to all the animals we kill that aren't fish, and the huge impact commercial fishing has on the oceans. We go to the African savanna and kill amazing creatures like rhinos, lions, and giraffes because we think it's cool. It's not respect in any way, but cold blooded murder. And in no way is it helping the ecosystem. I am not a radical "anti-zoos" person, but when I think about it, zoos are a little messed up, not to mention unnatural. I realize some animals who end up in zoos are rescued or taken from a bad situation, but that is certainly not the case for all the animals who end up in zoos. I just really don't see how it's natural to take a wild animal out of its natural environment, where, mind you, God perfectly placed the animal, and take it to live in a confined area where it will spend the rest of its life. Oh well, there are water pools, toys, rocks, grass, and the safety of knowing they won't be eaten. It is not the same as if they were to live in the wild. Not even close. It's even more unnatural that they breed these animals that are in zoos. Sure it's cool to be able to see different species of animals, but then again that's why there are wildlife photographers. Wild animals are not meant to be in captivity. Hence the term "wild"!

I'm not a perfect person. I use plastic, binge watch "Lost"on Netflix, and sometimes do virtually nothing because I'm lazy. However, I realize that we are a somewhat sick species and we have MANY flaws. There are some good things we do, but there are also a lot of bad things we do.

The world today is complex and complicated enough. The last thing we need to do is be oblivious of what's going on in the world. We don't need to turn a blind eye, and we need to question things more.  We need to look at ourselves, and our species, and reflect.

“Learn from Yesterday, live for Today, hope for Tomorrow.” ~ Albert Einstein

                       ~Joy





Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

Another Happy Ending

Recently Joy and I attended a volunteer day at Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary in Providence, NC.  This was our second visit to the refuge -- our first to their new location -- and we were eager to see some of the animals who had been rescued in recent months and check up on two very special piglets, Cruz and his sister Coral, who is recovering from a very complicated surgery.

Chris and Dee Dee at Ziggy's Refuge

Every animal at Ziggy's Refuge has a story.  Take Chris, for instance.  This precious baby jumped from a truck which was headed to a slaughter house.  He knew his only chance at survival was to jump from that truck, even if it resulted in his injury or death.  Luckily for him, refuge owners Kristin and Jay were quick to come to his rescue and give him the happily ever after he deserves.

Chris is just one of many success stories​ at the refuge.  Like the other farm animals living there Chris has a distinct personality and exhibits understanding and intelligence.  His affection is is irresistible and endearing.

Getting to know Chris, Ziggy, Sweetheart, Toby, Mr. Jingles, Elvis the cow, Max the donkey, and all the other residents of Ziggy's Refuge has given me all the reason I need to never again eat meat.  I am blessed to have made the connection.  Their happy endings have become my happy beginning...of a life filled with purpose, better health, and peace.  It is my prayer that others will make the connection and realize that animals are not mere commodities but rather sentient beings who just want to live and be loved.

Joy and Sweetheart

Dee Dee and Ziggy

Toby

Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

They Deserved Better

In a recent 24-hour period I was saddened and sickened by the news of the senseless killing and euthanasia of animals that deserved better.

• On a chicken farm in Tennessee which produces poultry for Tyson, it was reported that 73,500 chickens would be euthanized and kept out of the food chain because of the detection of a strain of bird flu in the flock.  (Source:  http://fox6now.com/2017/03/05/usda-bird-flu-found-at-commercial-chicken-farm-in-tennessee/)
• Poachers broke into a Paris zoo, shot a captive white rhinoceros three times in the head, and cut off his horn with a chainsaw.  (Source:  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/07/rhino-shot-dead-by-poachers-at-french-zoo)
• In Kenya, poachers killed a critically endangered "tusker" elephant, Satao II, by shooting him with a poisoned dart in order to harvest his ivory.  The elephant was found by Kenyan Wildlife Service agents before the poachers had a chance to remove the elephant's tusks.  (Source:  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/satao-ii-elephant-poaching-tusker-ivory-ban-kenya-tsavo-trust-a7614851.html)

These kinds of senseless killings are becoming more and more commonplace. Add to them the slaughter of millions of farmed animals daily and one thing becomes clear:  humanity has failed the animals that share the planet with us, and our own greed and appetites have resulted in unnecessary killing and violence of these creatures.

When will we wake up and realize that:

• animals don't want to die?
• animals are intelligent, sentient beings with personalities, who enjoy social and family relationships with their kind just as we do with ours?
• eating animals is not healthy for our bodies?
• factory farming is destroying our environment?

There are many people who would argue that God gave us dominion over animals and use that as a convenient excuse for animal abuse and slaughter.  Somehow I don't think that this is what God had in mind.

Animals deserve better.  They deserve love.  They deserve freedom and life and happiness.

What if the tables were turned and animals had dominion over mankind?  In an ironic twist, maybe they do.  Perhaps the antibiotic-resistant super bugs that plague humanity are their revenge for all that we have done to decimate and desecrate our non-human fellow earthlings.

We have so many other choices -- better choices -- for nourishing and clothing our bodies and furnishing our homes.  We don't need meat, leather, fur, or ivory to be happy, healthy, or successful. In fact, in harming animals we are only hurting ourselves and destroying our planet.  

Animals deserve better, and so do we.  We can all live happy, healthy lives and improve our environment if we will rethink our choices and live with compassion toward ALL life.

For the animals, better health, and a cleaner planet --

Dee Dee

Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

My First Vegan Thanksgiving (Making the Connection)

This year I am celebrating my first Thanksgiving as a vegan. Today, as in years past, I will gather with family to visit and celebrate our blessings. There will be turkey on the menu but not on my plate. Instead I will be taking a meatless version of the classic turkey and dressing to share with the curious in my family, as well as vegan green beans, sweet potato casserole, and chocolate cake. Being vegan will not hinder my enjoyment of the traditional Thanksgiving feast. On the contrary, for the first time ever I will enjoy my dinner knowing that no animals were harmed in the making of my meal and that the food on my plate is not only delicious but actually good for me.

As I count my blessings this year I am perhaps most thankful for "making the connection." I am thankful for the documentaries my daughter shared with me that opened my eyes to the horrific animal abuse, environmental destruction, and health issues resulting from factory farming and animal agriculture.

Making the connection between the meat on our plate and the animals -- sentient, intelligent creatures who feel pain and desire to live free, just as we do -- is what separates vegans from non-vegans. Most people claim to love animals, however very few understand that abusing and slaughtering farmed animals for meat is just as unethical as torturing and eating their beloved pet cat. They would never tolerate animal abuse when it comes to their pets, yet they fail to understand that animals raised for meat are as capable of feeling pain and fear as their dear Fluffy or Fido.

Making the connection is necessary not only to fully understand the benefits of a vegan lifestyle -- better health, a cleaner environment, and a greater compassion toward all God's creatures -- but to remain motivated and committed when others around us criticize or fail to understand our choice to leave meat off our plate.

More than anything I desire to be a vegan who can help others make the connection by demonstrating with my own life a greater compassion toward ALL creatures -- human and non-human -- and by sharing my experience with grace and patience, knowing that not everyone sees things the way I do or reaches that connecting point the same way. I want to be an activist who leads assertively but gently, without criticizing or browbeating others. Never do I want my love for animals and my conviction that we can survive and fare better without consuming them to overshadow my love and compassion for humanity.

I realize that the message of veganism, much like the message of Christianity, will be offensive to those not ready to receive it. But just as I am committed to living my life as a witness to all Christ has done for me, I will purpose to show my fellow man that veganism is a compassionate lifestyle with many benefits and that animal cruelty and abuse and the resulting destruction to our health and environment were never God's design.

I am thankful for so many things this year -- improved health, a heightened awareness of our world and those who inhabit it, and a greater sense of compassion toward all living creatures -- human and non-human alike.  I am thankful for those who read our blog and share our passion.  But even more, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference by helping others make the connection.

Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving,

Dee Dee





Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

It's Not That I Can't

Slowly but surely people are beginning to understand that we have embraced veganism, and to have some idea of what that means. Most of them understand our dietary choices in terms of what we can't have versus what we can have.  (There are so many good choices!)  I suppose that is partly my fault because I have often said, "I can't have that because I am a vegan," but nothing could be further from the truth!

It's not that Joy and I can't eat a hamburger or any other food made from animals because we are vegan, but rather it's that we choose not to eat them. Yes, that's right. Veganism is a lifestyle choice -- not a diet or a bunch of restrictions, but a choice.  We often choose what outfit to wear based on the occasion, the season, or how we feel when we put it on. The same is true of what we eat.  Joy and I choose to eat a plant-based, meat-free diet because of how it makes us feel -- healthy, peaceful, and aware of the good we are doing for our planet and the animals who share it with us.

You are free to choose as well. We may not agree with your choice any more than you agree with ours, but we will respect your freedom to choose.  It is our prayer, however, that you will learn, as we have, that certain choices are worth whatever you feel you may have to sacrifice if you decide to become vegan. We pray that you will experience better health and the loss of unwanted pounds, as we have, and that you will find yourself craving plant-based food that is good, nutritious, and produced without causing harm to animals.

We continue to be amazed at the variety of foods we have discovered that have made this journey much easier -- and more fun -- than we ever thought it could be!  That we could make from scratch an easy and delicious Alfredo sauce from cashews still surprises us! Yet here we are, three months into our vegan journey and loving it more than ever.

We are here to encourage you any way we can. We don't have all the answers -- not by a long stretch -- but we are eager to share what we are learning along the way and so excited to be part of a growing movement toward healthier, more compassionate living.  If you have questions or just want to follow our journey, please visit our Facebook page or drop us an email.

Please don't arbitrarily decide that being a vegan is too difficult, too expensive, and not worth the sacrifice. Instead, dare to believe, like we did, that you -- and the animals -- are worth it and that you can make a big difference by choosing to make some positive changes. We encourage you to watch some of the documentaries linked on our Links & Resources page and to take the 30-Day Vegan Challenge to see if a vegan lifestyle is right for you. We think you'll find it can be.

Next to our faith in God, the Creator of all things and of all creatures great and small, our choice to embrace a vegan lifestyle is the most significant choice we have ever made. Please know that we are here to help in any way we can and that we will be praying for you every step of the way.

For God's glory, and for the animals --

Dee Dee and Joy




Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

Why Vegans Don't Eat Cheese

A lot of people probably think that when they eat cheese or drink milk they're not supporting the killing or abusing of an animal. This, however, is incorrect. Let's take a brief look at how the cheese on your pizza, and the ice cream in your bowl, got there.

Most of the milk that Americans drink, and meat that we eat, comes from factory farms. So the cows used to produce milk and meat don't, nor will they ever, know what it's like to live on a lush grassy field. Dairy cows are artificially inseminated (impregnated) because the farmers and workers don't have time to wait for a female cow to become pregnant naturally. The same day that the cow gives birth, her baby is taken away from her, never to see her mother again. Now I don't know about all you mothers out there, but I wouldn't want my baby to be ripped away from me and never get to see her again.

The human body has no more need for cows' milk than it does for dogs' milk, horses' milk, or giraffes' milk.

 - Michael Klaper, M.D.

So what happens to the female and male calves? The female calves have the same fate as their mothers and are "first impregnated at around thirteen months." As for the male calves, they are chained in a tiny "metal, plastic, or wooden crate in a way that makes it impossible for him to turn around, walk, stand, or lay down comfortably. This is done so that he will not have developed muscles." You see since baby male calves cannot produce milk they become veal calves. Baby male calves are killed for their meat when they're only a few months old. One might think that after these dairy cows can no longer produce milk that they're set free. This again is incorrect. After they can no longer produce milk they are sent to the slaughter house. In good conditions dairy cows can live to be twenty years old. The sad fact is "the typical dairy cow gives out at about four or five years of age." If you think buying organic milk or cheese is better, it's not. They use the same methods of production.

We all say that we love animals, and we're all against animal cruelty, but we pay people to mutilate, torture, and slaughter animals. And it's not for any necessity, it's not because we need them for our health, it's just because we like the way the taste.

- James Aspey 

These sweet, innocent creatures are abused and inhumanely killed for no justifiable reason. The baby cows don't even get one drop of their mother's milk. They will never know the love that their mother has for them. We are the only species on earth that drinks another animal's milk after we're weaned. As far as getting calcium and protein there are TONS of different, and humane, ways to get these nutrients. Various studies have shown that America has the highest rate of osteoporosis, despite the fact that we're also the country with the highest milk/dairy consumption. There are tons of different milks out there that we could be consuming: rice, soy, almond, etc. There are different non-dairy cheeses and ice creams. In fact I've had some non-dairy cheese on a pizza and it was really good!

I strongly believe that if people were more open and educated that they would reconsider what they buy and put on their plates. The abuse and cruelty alone are bad enough, but the dairy and meat industries are also damaging the earth. We're destroying land and habitats for other animals just so we can produce food that we don't need.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this.  I encourage you do some research of your own and watch documentaries to find out more. You can find links to some of the documentaries we have watched on our Links & Resources page.

Blessings,
Joy


Sources:

"Torture and Infanticide: Why Vegans Don't Eat Dairy". veganrabbit.com. The Oxygen Theme. Web. 6/5/2016.

"Explain Like I'm 5: Why Is Eating Cheese Cruel to Cows?". onegreenplanet.org. Web. 6/5/2016.

Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

I'm Not Perfect (Day 10 Update)

I am not perfect. I'm not 100% Vegan (although some day I hope to be). I'm not using all cruelty-free products, because I have to finish using up the products I currently have. However, in the future I intend to only purchase cruelty-free and vegan products. I don't feel like I can call myself vegan yet, all I can say is: I've adopted a vegan diet, and plan to turn it into a vegan lifestyle. I've probably made some mistakes and I'm sure I'll make more. I may eat something in the future that contains milk or butter and won't realize/know that until after I've eaten it.

“Being vegan is not about rules or doctrine. It’s not about restriction or self-denial.”
― Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

 Being vegan is not about being perfect. Instead, it's striving to do everything you can to help the earth, and all the animals you share it with.

“It's a pretty amazing to wake up every morning, knowing that every decision I make is to cause as little harm as possible. It's a pretty fantastic way to live.”
― Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Today marks day 10 on The 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Double digits . . . wooh hoo! I've been loving it. I look forward to receiving that e-mail each morning with either a video or audio message for that day. I feel like I can be meat and dairy free for the rest of my life! I love eating vegan-friendly entres knowing that no animals suffered just so I could satisfy my appetite. Knowing that I'm not giving money to a horrible industry. Knowing that I'm treating the earth with more kindness. It's an awesome feeling. I'm happy and feel healthy. I plan to update every 10 days while on this 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Look out for more updates!

"Why are you vegan?" - Because I listen to my heart not my habits

          --- Source: pinterest 

Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com