Why Vegan?
Why Vegan? is also available both in PDF format and as a printed booklet, and has been translated into several other languages:
- Download the PDF booklet
- Order copies to share with friends or distribute in your community
- View a list of other languages and country-specific versions
Contents
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Interested in exploring a more compassionate way of life? Unsure how to try vegetarianism? Vegan Outreach’s starter guide covers everything from nutrition to recipes to philosophy—for everyone from those wanting to try vegetarian foods occasionally, to longtime vegans!
Our starter guide is also available in booklet format, entitled Guide to Cruelty-Free Eating:
- Download the PDF booklet
- Order a free copy
- Order additional copies to share or distribute
Contents
- Staying Healthy – Health and nutrition information, including recommended daily intakes of important nutrients.
- What Do Vegans Eat?
- Simple Meal Ideas
- Vegan Foods Glossary
- Meat, Egg, and Dairy Substitutes – Links to some popular vegan products.
- Favorite Products – Compilation of our enewsletter’s “Products of the Week.”
- Cooking
- Recipes
- Breakfast
- Sandwiches and Wraps
- Salads and Side Dishes
- Sauces, Dips, and Spreads
- Soups, Stews, and Chili
- Pasta and Rice Dishes
- Seitan
- Desserts
- Product Recipes – Links to recipes using some of the vegan products available at many supermarkets and natural food stores.
- More Recipes – Additional online resources for vegan recipes.
- Cookbooks and Videos
- Further Reading and Resources
- On Living with Compassion – With the Why addressed, this piece examines the What and How (more essays available here).
- Defining “Vegan” – What “vegan” means to some people.
- FAQ – Answers to some of the frequently asked questions we receive.
- Contacts and Email Discussion Groups – Links to organizations, individual volunteers, and email discussion groups, listed by region.
We find the devil in the donut; we constantly worry over what we do (or do not) eat. Must every plate be served with a side dish of guilt? The Buddha taught that there can be an end to suffering--and this applies to our attitude towards food. We can be like we were as children, savoring every bite of our favorite snack. Eating can once again be a source of immense joy.
When everything at the supermarket is wrapped in cellophane, it's easy to forget our connectedness to the food we buy. Our choices have a direct effect on the way food is grown. Ask yourself: are the methods sustainable? Are the animals treated humanely? Supporting mindful products--such as free-range eggs and organic produce--benefits both our environment and our health.
We're careful to avoid the candy aisle. But what about the magazines and TV commercials that scream "Lose ten pounds in a week!" and "Easy methods to trim those thighs!"? Mindful consumption extends to the words and images that we let into our minds. Recognize that sensory "junk" will agitate and mislead.
The young Buddha practiced asceticism--and not surprisingly, subsisting on a grain of rice a day led only to disillusionment (and an angry stomach). An offering of nourishing milk-rice helped him realize that inflexibility and dogmatism were at the roots of suffering. Let go of the stress surrounding "forbidden foods" and step onto the Middle Path of moderation.
Cutting an onion and washing the dishes are not necessarily forms of torture. The simple, everyday task of preparing a meal can be an opportunity for meditation. Choose seasonal produce that is bursting with flavor and packed with nutrients. Be present in every action: savor the smell of a cut apple, the texture of chopped walnuts. You may find a great deal of enjoyment in a once-dreaded process.
Traditionally, Buddhist monks worked side-by-side in the garden and ate together in a large dining hall. Sharing a meal is one of the simplest and most effective ways to strength our connections with loved ones and with our food. Try out a recipe with friends; surprise someone with a homebaked treat. The experience can be more satisfying than dining at the priciest restaurant in town.
Your mouth is watering and your fork is aloft... but before you dig in, take a few seconds to breathe. Savor the delicious aroma; reflect on the hard work that has gone into the food, and how grateful you are to receive it. The simple act of pausing reminds us to be mindful of the portions we put on our plate.
There is a Zen saying: "When you eat, just eat." The act of eating food can enormously pleasurable, especially when we slow down. Chew, swallow, look around, and chew some more. With these simple techniques, you will discover that the path of mindful eating can lead to a peaceful mind.
