June 11th, 2008
Switching to a plant based diet is one thing that everyone can do to make a stand for animal rights. Not only is it healthier and cheaper, it can be a central part of a thoughtful, compassionate life. Here are some resources I found helpful:
For vegan nutrition:
Becoming Vegan by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis.
If you are considering veganism, you must make sure to take care of your nutritional needs. It’s not hard to get everything your body requires, but there will be some planning needed, especially in the beginning. Unhealthy vegans give all of us a bad name! Make sure you are taking care of your body!
For motivation:
The Ethics of What We Eat by Peter Singer and Jim Mason.
An exploration of what’s on your plate and how it got there.
The Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan.
This is a book of moral philosophy which powerfully argues that animals must not be used as tools, entertainment, or food. A classic in the field.
For what to eat:
Veganomicon, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
How It All Vegan by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer.
How it all Vegan has lots of transitional recipes, like vegan mayo and butter.
For why a plant based diet is best for your health:
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell
This book is the reason Husband and I switched from vegetarianism to full veganism (we hadn’t read Tom Regan yet!). It’s about how animal protein is strongly linked to a variety of cancers, and also has great information about how food science is done and why you need to consider the actual food you eat rather than relying on supplements or individual nutrients.
Dr Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease by Dean Ornish, MD.
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., MD.
These two books are about our number one killer, heart disease (including all vascular disease such as strokes and dementia). Most people’s first clue that they have heart disease is a heart attack. This is a risk you must take seriously.
Keep up the great work!.