Influence. It is a daunting task and a heavy responsibility that we each need to embrace. Whether that means being a person of integrity in a world that disregards everything honorable, or choosing to live according to our convictions despite ridicule and discouragement from others, our lives can positively influence those around us if we are courageous enough to embrace the challenge.
It has been two short years since we made the decision to embrace a vegan lifestyle. The initial zeal and passion which prompted us to launch our blog and actively participate in vigils with a local Save Movement organization has given way to other pursuits, yet we remain committed to living a lifestyle of peace and compassion with every bite we take, every product we purchase, and every garment we put on our bodies. We have become more aware of environmental issues and the impact of our choices on the planet we call home. We have successfully raised awareness of the abuse and cruelty suffered by animals through factory farming and experienced for ourselves greatly improved health and vigor as a result of a dietary shift to plant-based foods. Family and friends have shown increased interest in plant-based eating and made efforts to accommodate our lifestyle choice by making vegan food available at gatherings.
To be on the leading edge of a movement that is taking hold and producing positive change worldwide is a thrill! To sit down and eat a meal without fear of food-borne illnesses, and with the joy of knowing that no animal suffered so that we could eat, gives us great joy! We are ecstatic every time we discover new vegan products on store shelves or vegan menu options in restaurants!
Want to get in on this exciting adventure and make a BIG difference that will have a significant influence on the world and those around you? Try a whole-food plant-based diet, buy cruelty-free products, and shop with reusable bags. Collectively our small efforts will accomplish GREAT things and make our world a healthier and happier place to live!
Cheers!
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2018 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Showing posts with label factory farming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label factory farming. Show all posts
Friday, June 1, 2018
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Unbearable
Unbearable. It is a word often associated with oppression, sorrow, abuse, and burdens too heavy to bear. It is a word frequently used to describe adverse circumstances beyond our control or the stress inflicted upon us by others. What does the word "unbearable" bring to your mind?
As we continue to deal with the effects of a brutal summer heat wave my thoughts are drawn to the truckloads of pigs being hauled in extreme weather conditions to slaughter houses where they will be inhumanely killed to become bacon, pork chops, picnic shoulders, and sausages. Spending their short lives in deplorable conditions on factory farms, deprived of sunshine, fresh air, and the feel of grass beneath their hooves, these abused and fearful creatures will be slaughtered, cut into pieces, shrink wrapped onto Styrofoam trays, and arranged neatly in supermarket meat refrigerators. Humans who know nothing of their suffering or the capacity of these pigs to feel fear, will purchase their body parts and consume them without ever considering the price these creatures paid to satisfy man's appetite. Because we have been conditioned to accept this injustice as "normal," we are slow to accept responsibility for the unbearable plight we have subjected these pigs to, all because we view them as objects rather than the intelligent and sentient beings they are.
A similar fate plays out in the lives of many species of animals every day -- chickens, cows, fish, goats, sheep, bison, elk , deer -- animals killed to feed and clothe humanity, or hunted to satisfy man's pride. We take their lives unnecessarily and without hesitation, never truly considering their rights or feelings, or recognizing that there are options that don't involve their destruction.
Nearly as unbearable as this image of pigs headed to slaughter is the thought that I have personally been responsible for the deaths of countless animals in my fifty plus years on this earth. For most of my life I, too, thought of farmed animals as nothing more than cartons of eggs or packages of bacon, to be purchased and enjoyed because that was my right. I viewed them differently from my domesticated pets or the animals on display at the zoo. As a professing animal lover like you, I would never think of consuming a dog or cat. But is there really any difference between our family pets and farmed animals that are raised for food?
In 2016 my eyes were opened to the horrors of factory farming, the inhumane treatment of animals, and the destructive effects on our environment as a result of raising animals for human consumption. For decades, I bought into the lies that consuming the flesh and fluid of animals was necessary to ensure proper nutrition and good health, and the enjoyment of holidays and special occasions. Struggling with lifelong obesity, high cholesterol, and chronic acid reflux, I made the switch to a plant-based diet for my own health, animal welfare, and concern for the environment. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Perhaps the greatest struggle I have faced in this journey is my inability to persuade those I love most to change lifelong habits and switch to a plant-based diet. Despite my weight loss, improved cholesterol numbers, and reversal of my digestive issues as proof of the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet. I find it difficult to comprehend that so many of the people I know choose to eat meat and suffer chronic health issues that could be drastically improved by making the switch and leaving meat off their plates.
Two of the greatest blessings I have experienced on this journey are meeting other vegans and actively supporting the work of organizations like Smithfield Pig Save and Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary. Smithfield Pig Save works tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of farmed animals -- pigs, in particular -- and Ziggy's Refuge provides a happy ending and forever home to farm animals that have been abused, neglected, and rescued from slaughterhouses.
If you are straddling the fence, wondering if you can give up cheese or bacon in favor of fruits and veggies, visit a farm sanctuary and hug a pig or talk to a turkey. Once you meet and interact with these animals, you will be less inclined to eat them.
I am sure I will continue to experience ridicule and rejection for adopting a vegan lifestyle, but I will never apologize for my decision to educate others and fight for the animals who have no voice. They are worth the fight. So is our planet. So are you.
Pressing on for peace, health, and compassion,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
As we continue to deal with the effects of a brutal summer heat wave my thoughts are drawn to the truckloads of pigs being hauled in extreme weather conditions to slaughter houses where they will be inhumanely killed to become bacon, pork chops, picnic shoulders, and sausages. Spending their short lives in deplorable conditions on factory farms, deprived of sunshine, fresh air, and the feel of grass beneath their hooves, these abused and fearful creatures will be slaughtered, cut into pieces, shrink wrapped onto Styrofoam trays, and arranged neatly in supermarket meat refrigerators. Humans who know nothing of their suffering or the capacity of these pigs to feel fear, will purchase their body parts and consume them without ever considering the price these creatures paid to satisfy man's appetite. Because we have been conditioned to accept this injustice as "normal," we are slow to accept responsibility for the unbearable plight we have subjected these pigs to, all because we view them as objects rather than the intelligent and sentient beings they are.
A similar fate plays out in the lives of many species of animals every day -- chickens, cows, fish, goats, sheep, bison, elk , deer -- animals killed to feed and clothe humanity, or hunted to satisfy man's pride. We take their lives unnecessarily and without hesitation, never truly considering their rights or feelings, or recognizing that there are options that don't involve their destruction.
Nearly as unbearable as this image of pigs headed to slaughter is the thought that I have personally been responsible for the deaths of countless animals in my fifty plus years on this earth. For most of my life I, too, thought of farmed animals as nothing more than cartons of eggs or packages of bacon, to be purchased and enjoyed because that was my right. I viewed them differently from my domesticated pets or the animals on display at the zoo. As a professing animal lover like you, I would never think of consuming a dog or cat. But is there really any difference between our family pets and farmed animals that are raised for food?In 2016 my eyes were opened to the horrors of factory farming, the inhumane treatment of animals, and the destructive effects on our environment as a result of raising animals for human consumption. For decades, I bought into the lies that consuming the flesh and fluid of animals was necessary to ensure proper nutrition and good health, and the enjoyment of holidays and special occasions. Struggling with lifelong obesity, high cholesterol, and chronic acid reflux, I made the switch to a plant-based diet for my own health, animal welfare, and concern for the environment. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Perhaps the greatest struggle I have faced in this journey is my inability to persuade those I love most to change lifelong habits and switch to a plant-based diet. Despite my weight loss, improved cholesterol numbers, and reversal of my digestive issues as proof of the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet. I find it difficult to comprehend that so many of the people I know choose to eat meat and suffer chronic health issues that could be drastically improved by making the switch and leaving meat off their plates.
Two of the greatest blessings I have experienced on this journey are meeting other vegans and actively supporting the work of organizations like Smithfield Pig Save and Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary. Smithfield Pig Save works tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of farmed animals -- pigs, in particular -- and Ziggy's Refuge provides a happy ending and forever home to farm animals that have been abused, neglected, and rescued from slaughterhouses.
I am sure I will continue to experience ridicule and rejection for adopting a vegan lifestyle, but I will never apologize for my decision to educate others and fight for the animals who have no voice. They are worth the fight. So is our planet. So are you.
Pressing on for peace, health, and compassion,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Be the Change
Life has been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to reflect on all that has been going on, nurture my dreams, or give myself to the causes that matter most to me. Like you, I feel each day passes more quickly than the one before and I am robbed of the opportunity to work for positive change. As much as I love to write I find it difficult to carve out the time necessary to do so. Between working, running a household, and squeezing in my daily quiet time and workout there isn't time to do much else. Every now and then I find it necessary to permit myself to simply exist instead of pushing myself to do more.
But all is not lost. Even though we may feel stretched beyond our limits we can do more simply by living according to our convictions. For instance, although I might not have the time or resources to more fully participate in the vegan causes near and dear to my heart I can donate money and at least eat and live to promote a more compassionate and healthy lifestyle. On those days when I cannot find the time to exercise I can at least eat nutritiously. Though I cannot change the government's stance on climate change or the animal abuse and pollution rampant in factory farming I can do my part to effect positive change by sharing with others what I am learning about the impact of factory farming on our environment and by choosing to leave meat off my plate.
"Be the change you want to see" has become a motto to live by for many of us. Actions truly do speak louder than words, and how we choose to live has the power to change the world, for better or for worse.
The choice to abstain from eating animals has not won me any popularity contests. On the other hand it has caused animosity between me and members of my own family and some of my closest friends. My desire that they experience better health and greater happiness will never be enough to persuade them to trade in barbecue and fried chicken for broccoli and chickpeas, but I hope the positive changes they see in me as I continue this journey will eventually cause them to wonder if perhaps I am onto something.
The feeling that there is truly so little we can do in a world that is so wrong can be overwhelming at times. But it needn't be if we will simply remember to "be the change we want to see."
Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
But all is not lost. Even though we may feel stretched beyond our limits we can do more simply by living according to our convictions. For instance, although I might not have the time or resources to more fully participate in the vegan causes near and dear to my heart I can donate money and at least eat and live to promote a more compassionate and healthy lifestyle. On those days when I cannot find the time to exercise I can at least eat nutritiously. Though I cannot change the government's stance on climate change or the animal abuse and pollution rampant in factory farming I can do my part to effect positive change by sharing with others what I am learning about the impact of factory farming on our environment and by choosing to leave meat off my plate.
"Be the change you want to see" has become a motto to live by for many of us. Actions truly do speak louder than words, and how we choose to live has the power to change the world, for better or for worse.
The choice to abstain from eating animals has not won me any popularity contests. On the other hand it has caused animosity between me and members of my own family and some of my closest friends. My desire that they experience better health and greater happiness will never be enough to persuade them to trade in barbecue and fried chicken for broccoli and chickpeas, but I hope the positive changes they see in me as I continue this journey will eventually cause them to wonder if perhaps I am onto something.
The feeling that there is truly so little we can do in a world that is so wrong can be overwhelming at times. But it needn't be if we will simply remember to "be the change we want to see."
Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
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.
Copyright 2016-2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
- 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
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Vegans are for Humans Too
I think a lot of people look at veganism as being crazy, far-off, or extreme because they believe that vegans are a group of radical animal lovers. However the truth is that a lot of people don't even come to veganism for the animals. Instead, they come for their health or the environment, and then later, learn about the horrendous things that happen to these animals. While the majority of vegans choose this lifestyle because of the animals, some vegans simply respect the animals enough to realize that what happens to these animals is wrong and unnecessary. They wouldn't want what happens to these animals, to happen to themselves.
Veganism is for a lot of things besides just saving animals. It's for our planet that is slowly self destructing because of global warming and the side effects of the animal agriculture industry. Veganism is for the health of our species, because having your chest cut open and taking five different medications everyday, in most cases, isn't necessary if you eat a plant-based (vegan) diet. Veganism is for the starving children in Africa who can't eat their own grain because we're taking it and feeding it to our livestock. Veganism is for EVERYTHING.
A lot of people may be hesitant to go vegan because of all the jobs that would be lost for slaughterhouse workers, which is reasonable because these people need to feed their families. But the sad thing is that slaughterhouse workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. "So you get a finger chopped off, that's not so bad." It's not as simple as that.
The following is a true story.
"At a National Beef plant in Liberal, Kansas, Homer Stull climbed into a blood-collection tank to clean it, a filthy tank thirty feet high. Stull was overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes. Two coworkers climbed into the tank and tried to rescue him. All three men died." from the book Fast Food Nation
This isn't just an isolated incident. These things have happened before.
"Eight years earlier, Henry Wolf had been overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes while cleaning the very same tank; Gary Sanders had tried to rescue him; both men died; and the OSHA later fined the National Beef for its negligence. The fine was $480 for each man's death." from the book Fast Food Nation
Think these slaughterhouse corporations care more about the workers than the animals? Think again. These huge corporations exploit animals, and humans. It's all about the money for them. And they don't care what the cost is. People in the slaughterhouse industries have lost limbs, suffered from internal illnesses and injuries (like having their lungs burned by toxic fumes), women have been harassed and fondled on assembly lines, people been decapitated and torn apart by the dangerous machines, and more. But the biggest one out of all of these is that people have died. And their deaths didn't go quickly or painlessly. The excerpts from above are prime examples. These men must have been terrified, and they probably knew that they were going to die. Can you even imagine how that must have been? Being drowned alive by chemicals? None of us would wish this on another human. But when we buy animal products, we're paying for these people to do these dangerous things. It is truly disturbing and horrific what happens to these people. And no one knows about it. These corporations don't want you to know about it, so they cover it up.
A lot of people in the animal agriculture business do their job because they need to support their family. On the other hand, a lot of people do it because they're mentally sick and disturbed. As for these people, I believe that they deserve to rot in jail for the rest of their miserable lives, because these innocent animals, in this barbaric industry, do not deserve to be treated the way they do.
I've seen documentary evidence of workers shaking baby piglets and slamming their heads onto a concrete floor, of workers clubbing chickens and turkeys, and stomping on their heads with their feet. I've seen workers roughly spray cows with harsh water hoses and throw birds viciously into cages on transport trucks bound for slaughter. When they miss, they throw them again and again and again into those cages. I've personally heard the cries of 6-month old pigs on a truck bound for slaughter and seen up close the fear in their eyes. I've heard and seen just about everything. There is no justification for this kind of treatment for any living being whether they're human or not. These examples are real, and not just random or isolated. People do these things all the time, and those who choose to eat meat are paying them for this kind of abuse. If they did these things to a dog or cat they would be criminally charged. These animals, bred and raised on factory farms, are helpless and defenseless. They can't do anything, so they suffer in silence.
Veganism is for the human race, as well as the animal race. Animals aren't the only ones abused and mistreated in the animal agriculture (slaughterhouse) industry. You can help both humans and animals refusing to buy animal products, and by buying delicious vegan alternatives instead.
It's time for us to wake up.
Vegan for everything,
~Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Veganism is for a lot of things besides just saving animals. It's for our planet that is slowly self destructing because of global warming and the side effects of the animal agriculture industry. Veganism is for the health of our species, because having your chest cut open and taking five different medications everyday, in most cases, isn't necessary if you eat a plant-based (vegan) diet. Veganism is for the starving children in Africa who can't eat their own grain because we're taking it and feeding it to our livestock. Veganism is for EVERYTHING.
A lot of people may be hesitant to go vegan because of all the jobs that would be lost for slaughterhouse workers, which is reasonable because these people need to feed their families. But the sad thing is that slaughterhouse workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. "So you get a finger chopped off, that's not so bad." It's not as simple as that.
The following is a true story.
"At a National Beef plant in Liberal, Kansas, Homer Stull climbed into a blood-collection tank to clean it, a filthy tank thirty feet high. Stull was overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes. Two coworkers climbed into the tank and tried to rescue him. All three men died." from the book Fast Food Nation
This isn't just an isolated incident. These things have happened before.
"Eight years earlier, Henry Wolf had been overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes while cleaning the very same tank; Gary Sanders had tried to rescue him; both men died; and the OSHA later fined the National Beef for its negligence. The fine was $480 for each man's death." from the book Fast Food Nation
Think these slaughterhouse corporations care more about the workers than the animals? Think again. These huge corporations exploit animals, and humans. It's all about the money for them. And they don't care what the cost is. People in the slaughterhouse industries have lost limbs, suffered from internal illnesses and injuries (like having their lungs burned by toxic fumes), women have been harassed and fondled on assembly lines, people been decapitated and torn apart by the dangerous machines, and more. But the biggest one out of all of these is that people have died. And their deaths didn't go quickly or painlessly. The excerpts from above are prime examples. These men must have been terrified, and they probably knew that they were going to die. Can you even imagine how that must have been? Being drowned alive by chemicals? None of us would wish this on another human. But when we buy animal products, we're paying for these people to do these dangerous things. It is truly disturbing and horrific what happens to these people. And no one knows about it. These corporations don't want you to know about it, so they cover it up.
A lot of people in the animal agriculture business do their job because they need to support their family. On the other hand, a lot of people do it because they're mentally sick and disturbed. As for these people, I believe that they deserve to rot in jail for the rest of their miserable lives, because these innocent animals, in this barbaric industry, do not deserve to be treated the way they do.
I've seen documentary evidence of workers shaking baby piglets and slamming their heads onto a concrete floor, of workers clubbing chickens and turkeys, and stomping on their heads with their feet. I've seen workers roughly spray cows with harsh water hoses and throw birds viciously into cages on transport trucks bound for slaughter. When they miss, they throw them again and again and again into those cages. I've personally heard the cries of 6-month old pigs on a truck bound for slaughter and seen up close the fear in their eyes. I've heard and seen just about everything. There is no justification for this kind of treatment for any living being whether they're human or not. These examples are real, and not just random or isolated. People do these things all the time, and those who choose to eat meat are paying them for this kind of abuse. If they did these things to a dog or cat they would be criminally charged. These animals, bred and raised on factory farms, are helpless and defenseless. They can't do anything, so they suffer in silence.
Veganism is for the human race, as well as the animal race. Animals aren't the only ones abused and mistreated in the animal agriculture (slaughterhouse) industry. You can help both humans and animals refusing to buy animal products, and by buying delicious vegan alternatives instead.
It's time for us to wake up.
Vegan for everything,
~Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Thursday, November 24, 2016
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
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
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
What I Have Gained By Giving Up Meat
Since making the decision to give up all meat, dairy, and eggs, I have repeatedly heard the statement, "I could never give up meat (or cheese, eggs, milk, etc.)." Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that it has been six months since I have had a hamburger, pizza with "real" cheese, or a barbecue sandwich. Yet strangely I have not missed the things I gave up because I have found so many good nutritious and surprisingly delicious alternatives that I have not felt deprived. Sure, I get the occasional craving for chocolate, but even that craving can be easily satisfied by non-dairy alternatives, such as Enjoy Life chocolate chips or Oreo cookies (yes, they are vegan).
Being a vegan has not been so much about "giving up" the things I used to love but rather embracing a new normal and finding out that there are so many things I can now enjoy without guilt. The only things I have "lost" by giving up meat/dairy/eggs are 25 excess pounds, bad cholesterol numbers, frequent headaches, chronic acid reflux, and ignorance about the adverse effects of factory farming on our bodies, our planet, and the animals who share it with us.
I have gained so much more than I have lost. I have gained an awareness of animal suffering I never knew existed and an appreciation for our environment, as well as a sense of urgency to do what I can to reduce my carbon footprint. In addition, I have discovered a whole new world of foods and a new way of eating that benefits not only me but the animals whose lives are saved every time I choose not to eat them.
Embracing a vegan lifestyle has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been challenging at times but I have learned to adapt by looking for vegan options at restaurants and making a few simple changes in the recipes that I share with family and friends. Sometimes I have had to eat before attending a gathering, but the benefits have far outweighed any inconvenience in doing so.
As we approach the holidays the one thing I wish for is that others will educate themselves (check out some of the documentaries and resources posted here), make the connection between animal abuse and meat consumption, and embrace a vegan (whole food plant-based) lifestyle.
For the animals, the environment, and better health,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Being a vegan has not been so much about "giving up" the things I used to love but rather embracing a new normal and finding out that there are so many things I can now enjoy without guilt. The only things I have "lost" by giving up meat/dairy/eggs are 25 excess pounds, bad cholesterol numbers, frequent headaches, chronic acid reflux, and ignorance about the adverse effects of factory farming on our bodies, our planet, and the animals who share it with us.
I have gained so much more than I have lost. I have gained an awareness of animal suffering I never knew existed and an appreciation for our environment, as well as a sense of urgency to do what I can to reduce my carbon footprint. In addition, I have discovered a whole new world of foods and a new way of eating that benefits not only me but the animals whose lives are saved every time I choose not to eat them.
Embracing a vegan lifestyle has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been challenging at times but I have learned to adapt by looking for vegan options at restaurants and making a few simple changes in the recipes that I share with family and friends. Sometimes I have had to eat before attending a gathering, but the benefits have far outweighed any inconvenience in doing so.
As we approach the holidays the one thing I wish for is that others will educate themselves (check out some of the documentaries and resources posted here), make the connection between animal abuse and meat consumption, and embrace a vegan (whole food plant-based) lifestyle.
For the animals, the environment, and better health,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Our First Vegan Presentation
Joy and I had the honor and privilege of sharing our vegan journey and feeding lunch to our church youth group, youth leaders, and special guests today and what a great time we had!
Since receiving the invitation a few weeks ago Joy and I have been planning our menu and working on a Powerpoint slideshow to share what we have learned about the animal cruelty and environmental destruction caused by factory farming as well as the health benefits of a plant-based diet. In addition, Joy designed a brochure for all our guests to take home to answer questions they might have about how to go vegan as well as resources they can look to for more information. She did such a great job presenting the information and making it relevant for her peer group!
Those who attended were not only attentive to our presentation but also receptive to trying new foods, which consisted of Mexican veggie and deli-style wraps, vegan mac and cheese, fresh fruit, chips with salsa and hummus, and of course, brownies and cookies. Although I had planned to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the skeptics, I completely forgot to but that did not hinder anyone. We came home empty-handed, with not so much as a leftover sandwich!
Joy's passion has been the driving force in our decision to go vegan and our desire to educate others. We hope that this will be the first of many opportunities to share our journey to a healthier, more compassionate way of living.
"Feeling veggie good" and very very blessed!
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Since receiving the invitation a few weeks ago Joy and I have been planning our menu and working on a Powerpoint slideshow to share what we have learned about the animal cruelty and environmental destruction caused by factory farming as well as the health benefits of a plant-based diet. In addition, Joy designed a brochure for all our guests to take home to answer questions they might have about how to go vegan as well as resources they can look to for more information. She did such a great job presenting the information and making it relevant for her peer group!
Those who attended were not only attentive to our presentation but also receptive to trying new foods, which consisted of Mexican veggie and deli-style wraps, vegan mac and cheese, fresh fruit, chips with salsa and hummus, and of course, brownies and cookies. Although I had planned to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the skeptics, I completely forgot to but that did not hinder anyone. We came home empty-handed, with not so much as a leftover sandwich!
 |
| Vegan Mac and Cheese |
 |
| Joy prepping the avocados for the Mexican veggie and deli-style wraps |
 |
| A nice array of wraps -- not one was left |
 |
| Chips & dips, fresh fruit, and vegan desserts |
 |
| Chef Joy and her proud mom |
Joy's passion has been the driving force in our decision to go vegan and our desire to educate others. We hope that this will be the first of many opportunities to share our journey to a healthier, more compassionate way of living.
"Feeling veggie good" and very very blessed!
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Monday, September 12, 2016
One of the Lucky Ones
"I can't go vegan because I could ever give up cheese." You can't imagine how many times Joy and I have heard someone say those very words after learning that we have adopted a vegan lifestyle. Their reaction to photos of abused animals on their way to slaughter or to documentaries touting the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet has been much like ours, yet they remain unswayed. Even my own weight loss, added energy, and improved cholesterol levels have not convinced them.
Some of these people are friends and family I know well and love deeply. Others are strangers to me or friends I have met since starting this journey. So why was deciding to go vegan such an easy decision for me but remains so difficult a choice for them? I wish I had an answer.
All I can say is that when I watched that first life-changing documentary, something was awakened in me. I saw the suffering of animals and environmental damage caused by factory farming to produce the food on my plate. I knew that I needed to do something to contribute to the solution rather than perpetuate the problem. I decided to re-think a lifetime of choices by embracing a vegan lifestyle and choosing cruelty-free products over products tested on animals.
My decision doesn't make me better than anyone else, but it definitely has made me happier and healthier than I have been in a very long time.
I saw. I knew. I decided. I'm one of the lucky ones.
Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself by taking the 30-Day Vegan Challenge. There are so many good foods out there that you need never feel deprived. I certainly don't. The benefits of minimizing my waistline, cholesterol levels, carbon footprint, and the suffering of the animals make it all worth it!
Feeling Veggie Good,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Some of these people are friends and family I know well and love deeply. Others are strangers to me or friends I have met since starting this journey. So why was deciding to go vegan such an easy decision for me but remains so difficult a choice for them? I wish I had an answer.
All I can say is that when I watched that first life-changing documentary, something was awakened in me. I saw the suffering of animals and environmental damage caused by factory farming to produce the food on my plate. I knew that I needed to do something to contribute to the solution rather than perpetuate the problem. I decided to re-think a lifetime of choices by embracing a vegan lifestyle and choosing cruelty-free products over products tested on animals.
My decision doesn't make me better than anyone else, but it definitely has made me happier and healthier than I have been in a very long time.
I saw. I knew. I decided. I'm one of the lucky ones.
Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself by taking the 30-Day Vegan Challenge. There are so many good foods out there that you need never feel deprived. I certainly don't. The benefits of minimizing my waistline, cholesterol levels, carbon footprint, and the suffering of the animals make it all worth it!
Feeling Veggie Good,
Dee Dee
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Thursday, September 8, 2016
The Life You Save May Be Your Own
We all, at one time or another, have probably considered whether we eat to live or live to eat. Judging from the post views we have received on our Facebook page and blog the answer is clear: we live to eat. We love our food. For many of us, our god is our appetite (Philippians 3:19) and we eat to satisfy our cravings. We eat what we want, when we want, without considering the far-reaching impact of our choices.
A few months ago Joy and I watched an eye-opening documentary that forever changed the way we view food, our health, and our world. As we continued researching animal rights, climate change, and the health benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet we were faced with a choice: we could continue to stick our heads in the sand and ignore what we had seen or we could adopt a more compassionate lifestyle, giving up meat, dairy, and eggs and finding cruelty-free alternatives for cleaning products, cosmetics, and clothing. Why would we, or anyone, want to consider so drastic a change? Because we realized that the dietary and lifestyle choices we had made all our lives resulted in destructive consequences for our health, our planet, and the animals who share it with us. We resolved not only to change the way we eat and live but also to share information with others in an effort to effect positive change in our world and in the health of those we love.
Sadly we are faced with the reality that people really don't care about the suffering and death of the animals they eat. Neither did we, until we began to open our minds to the effects of our choices, not just on our own health but on the lives of the farm animals slaughtered to clothe and feed us.
Maybe you don't care about saving the lives of animals. Maybe you don't consider a cow, pig, or chicken to be in the same class as your dog, cat, or guinea pig. But did you ever think that by embracing a plant-based diet, the life you save could be your own?
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
A few months ago Joy and I watched an eye-opening documentary that forever changed the way we view food, our health, and our world. As we continued researching animal rights, climate change, and the health benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet we were faced with a choice: we could continue to stick our heads in the sand and ignore what we had seen or we could adopt a more compassionate lifestyle, giving up meat, dairy, and eggs and finding cruelty-free alternatives for cleaning products, cosmetics, and clothing. Why would we, or anyone, want to consider so drastic a change? Because we realized that the dietary and lifestyle choices we had made all our lives resulted in destructive consequences for our health, our planet, and the animals who share it with us. We resolved not only to change the way we eat and live but also to share information with others in an effort to effect positive change in our world and in the health of those we love.
Sadly we are faced with the reality that people really don't care about the suffering and death of the animals they eat. Neither did we, until we began to open our minds to the effects of our choices, not just on our own health but on the lives of the farm animals slaughtered to clothe and feed us.
Maybe you don't care about saving the lives of animals. Maybe you don't consider a cow, pig, or chicken to be in the same class as your dog, cat, or guinea pig. But did you ever think that by embracing a plant-based diet, the life you save could be your own?
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Monday, August 15, 2016
So, What's Next?
Nearly four and a half months ago Joy and I decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, eating no meat and changing many of the products we use, such as household cleaners and cosmetics, to ones not tested on animals. In mid-May, after watching a few eye-opening documentaries, we started the 30-Day Vegan Challenge. Even before completing the challenge we decided to make veganism our choice for life. On July 31, 2016, we became activists, attending Smithfield Pig Save, our first peaceful protest against the slaughter of animals for food.
So, what's next for us in this new vegan adventure? What is our vision...our passion... as we continue this journey?
For starters, we want to raise awareness of the health benefits of a whole food, plant-dased diet, and continue our fight against rampant and unnecessary animal abuse and cruelty. We want to educate others concerning the harmful environmental effects of factory farming. We want those we know and love to see that there is a more peaceful and compassionate way of feeding our families -- a plant-based way of living that will not only improve our health but also preserve the environment for generations to come. And we want to see animals saved from the atrocities committed against them by those of our own species.
What are our plans for accomplishing these goals? They are simple, really:
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
So, what's next for us in this new vegan adventure? What is our vision...our passion... as we continue this journey?
For starters, we want to raise awareness of the health benefits of a whole food, plant-dased diet, and continue our fight against rampant and unnecessary animal abuse and cruelty. We want to educate others concerning the harmful environmental effects of factory farming. We want those we know and love to see that there is a more peaceful and compassionate way of feeding our families -- a plant-based way of living that will not only improve our health but also preserve the environment for generations to come. And we want to see animals saved from the atrocities committed against them by those of our own species.
What are our plans for accomplishing these goals? They are simple, really:
- Continue educating ourselves so we can put together educational programs to share with others
- Volunteer and align ourselves with organizations and individuals who desire to do the same
- Attend vegan festivals and advocate for animal rights every chance we get
- Continue sharing our journey with friends, loved ones, and folks we've yet to meet, both through our website and in presentations to groups that have an interest in learning more about what it means to be vegan
Would you help us by praying for open doors and by letting others know about our mission and our website? If you know of a group that might be interested in hearing about the health and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle, would you please tell them about us?
We're not asking for money. We aren't selling products. But we are seeing great benefits of this lifestyle change -- not just for us, but for our planet and the creatures who share it with us. We believe strongly enough in its benefits that we want to share them with others.
Be an agent of change by joining us on this journey. If you have questions, or if we can encourage you in any way, please email us at feelingveggiegood@gmail.com.
For life...for the animals...for a better world!
Dee Dee and Joy
Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)