Enewsletter

Notes from Vegan Outreach

Product of the Summer: Jack’s Book!

Yes, the rumors are true – Jack Norris’ and Ginny Messina’s book, Vegan for Life, is now available! You can order from any bookstore, or the VO catalog, where it’s only $12!

You can read some of the early reviews; here’s an excerpt from Dustin Rhodes’s review:

Vegan for Life is an exceptional book. If it’s not the very first, it has to be among the very few that paints a reasonably complex picture of vegan eating that goes over every facet – the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. I actually suspect that they will receive a fair amount of criticism for this book because of its refusal to oversimplify and paint with a broad brush; because they don’t promise miracles; because they admit that there’s much we simply don’t know about nutrition. But that’s precisely what I find refreshing about their work, and this book in particular. Their honesty is precisely why I trust them.

In my opinion, this book renders all other books on vegan nutrition written to date useless (not because other authors necessarily wrote bad books, but because this book incorporates the latest and greatest). And alas, Vegan for Life is written for both the long-time and brand-new vegan alike; all of us are wise to pay attention because – as the title suggests – animal advocates want people to become vegan for life. Ginny and Jack are just the people to show us all how.

From “Your Daily Dose of Vegan Outreach!” & Jack Norris RD Blogs

• New York Times on Layer Hens and Negotiations
• Bittman Sees Through the Scam
• The Foundations of Empathy Are Found in the Chicken
• Interview with Matt Ball, Part 1
• Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
• Warped Leafleting Rocks!

Notes from Our Members

July 4 – Olivia Gros promotes freedom for all; full story here.

I spoke to a 7th grade class at a magnet school in Philadelphia, and gave them all a copy of Compassionate Choices. The presentation was about factory farming and veg eating. At the end I asked if they’d ever eaten anything vegetarian. I expected maybe one or two to raise their hands. Instead almost everyone in the class did, and many named these things they’d eaten: vegetarian riblets, Tofurky, veggie deli slices, veggie chicken patties, tofu, vegan ice cream sandwiches, and more. And these are (smart, future leaders) 7th graders from the city of Philadelphia!!
     Afterwards, as a service project, the teacher decided that she’d have the class do a Meatless Mondays program where they try to get their families to go meatless on Mondays for the rest of the school year. We’re getting them lots of info and resources to help.
     How cool is it that in 2011, virtually all of a 7th grade class in a city like Philly has already been eating (and liking) some vegetarian and vegan meals! Just think where we will be in 10 years if we all keep working as hard and as smart as we can.
—Nick Cooney, 5/5/11

At the Ventura Warped Tour stop, the truth is more compelling than the music.

Quick but productive class change at Lonestar College, Kingwood. Met an African-American teacher who was thankful I was out there, and wanted to cut out the birds from her diet and go vegetarian; she got a Guide. One student gave me a hug and a few mentioned seeing the booklet in the past. Others were overhead saying “it’s sad.”
—Casey Constable, 5/5/11

I saw the Chick-fil-A cow mascot with an “Eat Mor Chicken” sign being guided by two young women. So I walked up to the ladies and said, “Surely, you love animals, right?” They said yes, so I gave them both a copy of Compassionate Choices.
—Jennifer Mennuti, 4/19/11

Jeni and I set a new record at Oakland High School, reaching over 460 students! I met a young lady who said she had read the leaflet and was going to go veg, right there on the spot! We heard other students saying “vegan” and “vegetarian” in passing. They may not be veg yet, but this is on their radar!
—Brian Grupe, 5/18/11

Is that skateboard comfy? At Oxnard College, another student has his life changed by a VO booklet.

While leafleting at the University of Toronto, I met a former vegetarian who got a Guide as well as a Compassionate Choices. She had been vegetarian for six years until poor health made her stop; she had low iron (proved in blood tests) and her hair was falling out. She has been eating some chicken and fish, but wants to get back into vegetarianism. I told her about Jack and VeganHealth.org. She seemed inspired to find out I have been a vegan for over two decades, so I’m glad I had the chance to talk to her.
—Alex Greenwood, 5/24/11

Loads of great conversations at Montgomery College, Takoma Park. For example: I had a great discussion with a guy who was moved by the booklet, but found the idea of eating veg to be daunting. In addition to stressing that “it doesn’t have to be all or nothing” and emphasizing the simplicity of using mock meats, I mentioned that challenging ourselves to try new things and go beyond our current situation is what life is all about. By the time he left the table, he seemed committed to eating more veg meals.
—Jon Camp, 5/4/11

	Vegan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering of farmed animals by promoting informed, ethical eating. All donations are tax-deductible. Vegan Outreach POB 30865, Tucson, AZ 85751-0865