Living Vegan For Dummies - Alexandra Jamieson [171]
Some animal shelters are dedicated to providing homes for little lost Fidos and Fluffys. These shelters refuse to kill the animals — even if they can’t find a suitable adoptive family for them. These shelters are always in need of funding to house, feed, and provide medical services to the animals.
Holding a vegan bake sale, garage sale, or other fundraiser offers you a chance to put your passion to work constructively. You can raise money and gently offer information to customers and passersby about the shelter. You may be able to get copies of a pamphlet from the shelter itself, or you can simply make a homemade flyer listing the contact information, mission statement, and name of the shelter.
Meditate and Set Intentions at Mealtime
Every time you sit down to eat, take a few moments to quiet your mind, take a few deep breaths, and check in with your body. What does it need? Is it thirsty? Is it calm or angry? Are you anxious or unhappy? Bringing that awareness to each meal helps you in deciding what to eat, how quickly to eat it, and how much to consume. This is the simplest meditation for the body and mind.
Eating slowly improves digestion and allows your body to use the nutrients from your meal better. By chewing each mouthful thoroughly and slowing your eating down, your body has more time to communicate with your brain, which leads more quickly to a feeling of fullness. People generally eat less this way and experience less indigestion. Try to make each meal last at least 30 minutes by putting your fork down between bites, chewing until each bite is liquefied. And turn off the television during meals.
Setting an intention at each meal to be kind to yourself and nourish your body in whatever way is best at that moment can bring a new level of awareness to your entire life. Other intentions can be to send out prayers for peace, calm in the world, compassion for all living creatures, or thoughts for strengthening your community.
Vote Your Truth: Compassion in Action
Register to vote, and update your registration every time you move. Get to know the candidates and legislation coming up in each election cycle. For instance, where do the candidates stand on issues that are important to you? What impact would a new piece of legislation have on your life? Do you agree with the values it promotes?
National and state animal rights groups have been successful in changing the laws to better protect farm animals in the last few years through dedication, donors, volunteers, and voters. Be part of the movement and vote! It’s your duty as a citizen to take an active role in the democratic process.
Become a Pro in the Kitchen
Cooking basic, healthy meals should be a requirement for every human being who graduates from high school. Can’t cook at all, you say? Never fear! You’d be surprised at how many people would be willing to help you, either for free or very cheaply. Here are a few ways to get some help:
Ask an older, trusted adult for his advice. Tell him that you can’t cook and that you want to learn. Then ask whether he knows anyone who can help you learn. Chances are he’ll let you follow him around in the kitchen. Or he may even work with you on vegan recipes you want to master — as long as he can share in the finished product, of course.
Get your friends together for a cooking party. E-mail the recipe to everyone beforehand, have all the ingredients ready, and work together to create a lovely meal. Don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way and dive in to help with techniques you haven’t tried before.
Look around your area for vegan cooking classes. Community colleges, vegan restaurants, health counselors, and cooking schools may offer just what you’re looking for.
Look for a knife skills class at your local culinary school or community college. Discovering how to care for your knives and properly cut and prepare vegetables is amazingly empowering. You’ll want to cook more right away just to practice your new skills!
Ask a local professional chef (private or from a restaurant