Vegan:'a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products; also one who abstains from using animal products (such as leather).' (source, Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary)
If you haven't heard by now, you should know that on Tue Feb. 1, 2011 Oprah and 378 staff members announced that they'd be going vegan for one week. Why such a fuss over some one's decision of how they'll be consuming their food for one week? Let me ask you this question, did you thoroughly read the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary definition that's written just before this paragraph? Let me remind you, it says not only will they be eating greens for a week but they'll also not be using or eating anything made by animal by-products. Since I'm a farmer's daughter and I do enjoy meat in my diet, I will admit that I do have a biased opinion. I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you how many items you'd have to live without if you did decide to go truly vegan.
Here's just a few items that include animal by-products in them (some are more obvious than others): ice cream, chewing gum, shoes, candles, deodorant, fabric softener, glue, insecticides, photographic film, plastics, shaving cream, toothpaste, jello, marshmallows, insulin (treat diabetes), thyrotopin (stimulates the thyroid gland), thrombin (promotes coagulation during surgery), steric acid which is found in rubber tires, asphalt and printing ink. (You can find a more complete list at: http://forces.si.edu/main/pdf/6-8-BeyondTheBeef.pdf)
Now, just to clarify a few things... I don't have anything against people who have chosen to be vegetarian or vegan. I may not agree with their choice but that's the beauty of living in the United States of America. The only thing I'd like to ask of those who make this choice is realize that it's their choice and only their choice. I ask that vegetarians/vegans respect others who do not want the same nutritional diet that they've chosen. It's like politics and religion, you can ask your friends their beliefs but typically after that you just let it be, because we have the right in this country to make our own unique decisions.
So those that have chosen to go vegan with Oprah, please think about what you're really taking on here. Without agriculture and animal by-products please be sure to walk barefoot to work, don't take the prescription medications you need, women please don't shave your legs before wearing that cute dress and remember without printing ink you can't print off your paper work or the O Magazine.
Just remember, if you're going to make a huge announcement and think you're doing something great for the planet, please step up to the plate and truly commit to what you're proposing.
-----------------------------------------
Oprah,
Please accept this invitation to visit my family farm and see how we humanly treat our livestock. Not only is agriculture a way of life for my family, but it's something that I enjoy doing with my brother, parents and grandparents. I'm the sixth generation on my family's farm in Northwest Ohio where we raise crops and beef cattle to meet the demands of America's hungry bellies. Many of the farmers and ranchers that produce food for this nation and world do take pride in properly caring for their livestock, unlike the few that have been seen in the media. Hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Emily Brinkman
P.S. Want to know where we'd be without farmers? Check out this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUggaD6Mr0
A fellow agriculture friend, Mike Haley, has a great blog post I think everyone should read because it goes in depth of how challenging of a task vegans have for this lifestyle they're choosing. (You can view his blog here: http://haley-farms.com/blog/2011/02/01/oprah%e2%80%99s-one-week-challenge/)
If you haven't heard by now, you should know that on Tue Feb. 1, 2011 Oprah and 378 staff members announced that they'd be going vegan for one week. Why such a fuss over some one's decision of how they'll be consuming their food for one week? Let me ask you this question, did you thoroughly read the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary definition that's written just before this paragraph? Let me remind you, it says not only will they be eating greens for a week but they'll also not be using or eating anything made by animal by-products. Since I'm a farmer's daughter and I do enjoy meat in my diet, I will admit that I do have a biased opinion. I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you how many items you'd have to live without if you did decide to go truly vegan.
Here's just a few items that include animal by-products in them (some are more obvious than others): ice cream, chewing gum, shoes, candles, deodorant, fabric softener, glue, insecticides, photographic film, plastics, shaving cream, toothpaste, jello, marshmallows, insulin (treat diabetes), thyrotopin (stimulates the thyroid gland), thrombin (promotes coagulation during surgery), steric acid which is found in rubber tires, asphalt and printing ink. (You can find a more complete list at: http://forces.si.edu/main/pdf/6-8-BeyondTheBeef.pdf)
Now, just to clarify a few things... I don't have anything against people who have chosen to be vegetarian or vegan. I may not agree with their choice but that's the beauty of living in the United States of America. The only thing I'd like to ask of those who make this choice is realize that it's their choice and only their choice. I ask that vegetarians/vegans respect others who do not want the same nutritional diet that they've chosen. It's like politics and religion, you can ask your friends their beliefs but typically after that you just let it be, because we have the right in this country to make our own unique decisions.
So those that have chosen to go vegan with Oprah, please think about what you're really taking on here. Without agriculture and animal by-products please be sure to walk barefoot to work, don't take the prescription medications you need, women please don't shave your legs before wearing that cute dress and remember without printing ink you can't print off your paper work or the O Magazine.
Just remember, if you're going to make a huge announcement and think you're doing something great for the planet, please step up to the plate and truly commit to what you're proposing.
-----------------------------------------
Oprah,
Please accept this invitation to visit my family farm and see how we humanly treat our livestock. Not only is agriculture a way of life for my family, but it's something that I enjoy doing with my brother, parents and grandparents. I'm the sixth generation on my family's farm in Northwest Ohio where we raise crops and beef cattle to meet the demands of America's hungry bellies. Many of the farmers and ranchers that produce food for this nation and world do take pride in properly caring for their livestock, unlike the few that have been seen in the media. Hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Emily Brinkman
P.S. Want to know where we'd be without farmers? Check out this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUggaD6Mr0
A fellow agriculture friend, Mike Haley, has a great blog post I think everyone should read because it goes in depth of how challenging of a task vegans have for this lifestyle they're choosing. (You can view his blog here: http://haley-farms.com/blog/2011/02/01/oprah%e2%80%99s-one-week-challenge/)
