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Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc.
38 East Market 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
Spring 2003 Special Edition: Recipes for Peace
Food For Thought
by Mary Max
While sharing a vegan meal with a fellow animal advocate the other night, I was quite surprised to hear that my colleague sometimes eats baked goods made with eggs, milk, or honey. When I asked her why, she said, "I’m not as strict as you are."
(Forgive me if what I am about to say is not news to the veteran vegans. When I came home and shared my experience with my husband, he was so excited about the concept of loyalty, not strictness, that he encouraged me to share this with all of you too.)
My choice to eat an "honest" vegan diet has nothing to do with being strict, but has everything to do with being loyal. You see, I (and I know many of you do too) know about the torture egg-laying hens are forced to endure for two years (until they finally meet their death by being composted alive). I know about the pain and discomfort dairy cows have to suffer for five years while they are ceaselessly milked (not to mention the anguish they feel every time their newborn calves are torn from them at birth so that we can drink the milk meant for the poor calf who is now stuck in a veal crate). And I know about the utter disruption bees have to deal with when their intricate family lives and work systems are completely destroyed as they are smoked out of their hives so we can have a little honey.
I asked my friend if she would ever go into my wallet and take a dollar. Hey, it’s just a dollar. What’s the big deal? … She said, "Of course not, you’re my friend, I would never betray you!"
Well, all egg-laying hens, all dairy cows, and all bees (as well as all the other animals, including fish) are my friends and I will never betray them. Just as my colleague wouldn’t take one dollar out of my wallet, I will not eat a baked good (or any food) that "just has a little bit" of any animal in it.
It’s about loyalty to a friend. Not about being strict (or that other word, "extreme").
Mary Max’s husband, Peter Max, is the world famous artist who donated a signed poster to the Great American Meatout on March 15th.
We look forward to
hearing from you
