The New Ethics of Vegan by Eric Markos and more

I'm still a bit wary about this blogging site, but I'll give it another go. So here goes!!

Before I start talking about my latest discovery, allow me to vent. Does it seem to anyone else that we are being played with by our great mother nature? I don't question our great planet but it seems to me that winter  is just toying with us. One day it is beautiful and sunny - full of hope and crocus plants all craning their tiny  necks to the sun. The next day, it is snowing again. AGAIN. Nickle and dime. Need a coat for the dog, then the next day, we don't. I don't know about  you, but I'm done with it. Course we don't have much choice do we? We can't control everything (and that is a good - no, a great thing).

Ok, done with that. Let me share with you the latest book I've been reading. The New Ethics of Vegan by Erik Marcos. I know it is not a new book but the information contained within the very manageable book is immense. And useful. When I became a vegetarian, in the stone ages where we had to don gas masks before entering the local health food store, I kinda knew that eating a plant based diet was good for our earth. I became a vegetarian strictly because I love animals. I didn't care that there were health benefits, tho I now enjoy the fact that there are numerous studies showing the healthy benefits of such a diet. No, I became a vegetarian after reading Upton Sinclain's "The Jungle" which was followed by some Mad Magazine that showed exactly what a cow was turned into at the supermarket - it was a powerful image that haunts me to this day. The same can be said for Mr. Marcos' book.  The image of all the suffering and cruel means by which big agriculture kills our fellow sentient beings is beyond words, but thankfully he found words to describe the events.

It has always bothered me that one can go into a supermarket and purchase a 'rotisserie' chicken for $5.00. I always think 'is that how much that poor animals life is worth to these people'? Surely a life is far more valuable than a measly $5.00. Throw away change. I guess for big business and those with a vested monetary interest, it's merely chump change. And we are the chumps that refuse to change.

So in the interest of all, be a force for change. If you are not a vegetarian or a vegan yet, start by following 'Meatless Mondays'. Once you see how easy it is and how good you feel, that will surely be followed by another and then another meatless day, til you are no longer counting the days until your next meal of flesh. Instead, you will start to crave kale, broccolli and other delicious foods. I believe it is in Mr. Marcos's book that he points out that you can eat all the green, nutritious foods you want, and you won't gain weight. The only thing that will get fatter is your sense of accomplishment and joy at discovering all the great foods that are available to you. And it gets better for you will also gain the knowledge that  you are, for the most part, putting healthier food into your system which will make you rev like a racing car.

Go ahead, make your own day. I dare you!