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Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc.
47 South Street, Rhinebeck, New York 12572 USA -
845-876-2626
Vegetarian - Vegan - Animal Rights - Health - Nutrition - Environment
The mission of the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc. is to promote the vegetarian ethic in the Mid-Hudson (New York) region, educate the community and aid anyone in the pursuit of a totally vegetarian (vegan) cruelty-free and healthful lifestyle.
Newsletters
Articles From Our First Newsletter 1996
What Does It Mean To Be A Vegetarian
To be a vegetarian means many things to many different people. Should you eat eggs, drink milk, use honey, wear leather or wool? There are no easy answers but the saying "to thyself be true" comes to mind. Personal experience has taught me that you cannot enforce your morals on others and therefore, in the end you are your own best judge.
Whether your vegetarianism stems from an ethical or health-related standpoint, isn't what you eat and what you put on your skin one and the same? Why would you want to use products on your body and in your household that may be toxic and support companies that are against the ideals you follow. Those "good old" brands we grew up with; moisturizers that contain carcinogenic petroleum-based substances; talc which is another word for asbestos and has been linked with ovarian cancer in recent studies; and the cleansers that are so toxic they have made the Cancer Prevention Coalition's infamous "Dirty Dozen" list can without a doubt do a lot of harm.
So you are probably muttering, "...one more thing to worry about." Well, in all honesty, yes; but you are worth it. On your next shopping trip to a natural foods store take a look at the vast array of available items that have been time tested instead of animal tested. Reasonably priced vegetable glycerin soaps, herbal shampoos, aromatherapy lotions, and earth-friendly cleansers are all there just waiting to be explored.
Remember that aside from calories there is little difference between putting it on your skin and putting it in your mouth. Imagine -- there you are in tune with Mother Nature, preparing a delicious vegetarian dinner, but oh noooooo, have you just washed your hands with soap made from animal fats?
Donna M. Quiros
Return to Our First News Letter 1996
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