Happy new year, everybody! I love this time of year, and all the reflection, planning, reappraisal, and hope that it represents. I love making lists, resolutions, goals, and challenges and that's what we all get to do during this season.
One of the things I know many vegans think about is how they can strengthen their commitment- either to their diets or health, to the animals, or to the environment. In the last couple of weeks, I have seen 3 videos on other blogs that beautifully encapsulate veganism for me, so I thought I'd share them here.
At first, many people think of the simple sadness of the lives of farm animals, and how for you to eat that pork chop, a pig had to take a trip to a slaughterhouse. This video, entitled "Quiero Vivir" (I want to live) is a beautiful reminder of that realization that every animal wants to live, to experience sunshine, love, and happiness: (Thanks to the Living Vegan blog)
After that realization, a lot of people begin to research to see just how farm animals live and begin to confront the horrible reality of the sad, tortured lives of cows, pigs, chickens, and other "food" animals. They begin to see how much obfuscation goes into the idyllic image that meat and dairy interests try to represent. Happy cheese comes from happy cows? I... don't think so. Here's a video that shows, briefly and starkly, what dairy cows go through. This isn't even a factory farm- you can imagine how much worse conditions there might be... (Thanks to the Vegan Bean blog)
For many people, that's it- after seeing the reality of what factory farming is, there is no option other than going vegan. It's one thing to stop eating animal products, though, and another to start discovering the wonderful world of vegan food. This video completely captures the meaning of "food porn" - the beauty, good taste, and yes, sexiness, of the plant kingdom. This is where food blogs come in! I know it's true for myself and plenty of other people, that the discovery of wonderful and voluptuous vegan foods in blogland has bolstered my veganism. (Thanks to the Spirit Vegan blog)
I hope these videos are enjoyable for you, and maybe inspiring too!
Tomorrow night, Daiku and I are leaving Los Angeles. The next time you hear from me, I'll be in the D.C. metro region, blogging from my mom's house- but I still have plenty to report from L.A. Have a great day, everybody - and here's to a fabulous 2008!
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23 comments:
Doh! Work computer won't let me view the videos... but I will once I get home. Thanks for the links. A good way to remind ourselves of why we're "crazy" vegans at the start of a new year. Hope you've enjoyed L.A. and am patiently waiting to hear more stories....
woohoo! thanks for reposting those vids otherwise i would have never seen them. the art in the first one is so simple yet the msg is so powerful. have a safe trip tomorrow and enjoy your last day in LA!
I especially liked the Food Lovers commercial! I am delighted to see so many new vegan videos popping up every day; I think they can be tremendously effective and motivational. Thanks for posting them!
Great post! Definitely a lot of food for thought for those of us who are struggling a bit on our journey to veganism.
Thanks for sharing those videos, bazu. The first one was so compelling, even though I don't know what they were singing. The simple animation was so beautiful. And the second one is just so matter of fact, which i think is a good way to get to people who think vegans are 'too emotional'.
Great videos, Bazu. The last one is very clever! I'm glad there are so many ways to spread the vegan message.
To be honest, I just can't watch these. As a Pisces (ha-ha!), I practically absorb the sadness and suffering like a sponge...I've seen so many of these and I just can't see any more. It cripples me. I am acting to help the animals...that's all I can do.
What I really hope is that readers beside your veggie readers will view these and come to understand where their "meat" comes from, how it gets there and the suffering (nto to mention disease!0 it causes...
Thanks for posting these.
the first two videos produced genuine tears in my eyes - such beautiful, yet bittersweet footage. thank you so much for sharing these video-links on your blog, Bazu!! and happy new year!!
have a wonderful trip to L.A. and D.C.!! :0)
have a great travel!!!!
and a happy and wonderfull new year!!
Thank you, everybody!
Urban Vegan, I *completely* understand what you're saying... I'm not a pisces (aries) but I'm a total and complete sponge, and I have never been able to bring myself to watch infamously sad videos like "earthlings" or "meet your meat". These videos that I've posted are a lot kinder and gentler, and while sad, I found them life-affirming. You are so right, though, that most people who are already veggie have no absolute need to watch these videos- they've already internalized the message!
Happy New Year! Great video options, I'll bookmark these for sure.
Very powerful. Thanks for these.
Whoa! That food porn commercial was pretty intense - and banned in Britain, can you believe it?!
I'm certainly no vegan, but one of my resolutions for 2k8 was to make sure I get my 5 a day. This years going to be the big one for climate change awareness, too, so lets see what changes.
Happy New Year!
I haven't seen the 2nd one, thanks!
Ah the last one is the banned ad! :)
A link to my page? Here ?! Now I AM flattered :)
You are an inspiration, Bazu! I can't watch the videos any more, but know I can do more! Can't wait to hear about your LA adventures - one of these days I hope we'll meet there. All the best to you & Daiku in 2008!
Hi Bazu! I just wanted to thank you for the card and wish you a happy New Year! Sounds like you are having a great vacation.
Bazu,
Thanks for posting such informative & entertaining videos!
I have to say, the "sexy" food video was a nice (& needed) follow-up to the video about dairy cows (how sad).
Anyway, I hope you're having a nice time in L.A. and D.C. - both are a lot of fun!
Happy New Year too you, too :)
I am also out so I'll look at these videos when I get back. It is very right that more people need to know where their meat really comes from. Maybe then they will think twice.
I linked to your Uncrustable post via my Uncrustable post, was glad to find another anti-Uncrustablist!
Hi Bazu
Like UV and Vicki, I have empathy overload where I just can't watch or read about the suffering/cruelty. It's just so much easier to go vegan these days- I hope your posting of the videos will make vegetarians & meat eaters more aware of where their precious cheese & meat comes from & the pain & suffering that comes with it.
Hope you are enjoying your trip!
x
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