(Africa) Vegan life in a nutshell

[Guest guest]

July 15, 2004

 

By Mojalefa Moshego

 

Refraining from any food derived from animal products may be a health

choice or a moral one. But it is not suitable for everybody, experts

warn.

 

You are what you eat may be a tired cliché, but it rings true for

vegan Heather Graas, who does not regret her decision 40 years ago to

stop eating meat and animal products.

 

" Veganism is about living a healthy lifestyle, " Graas says. A vegan

is a vegetarian who does not eat any animal products - not even fish,

eggs or dairy products.

 

" You have a better quality of life, more energy and it's cheap just

living on fruits and vegetables, " she says

 

'I don't eat dead animals and cooked food'

..

 

The term " vegan " was coined in the 1940s by a vegetarian society in

England to distinguish members " who consume or use absolutely no

products derived from animals " .

 

For some, the decision to become a vegan is a moral or compassionate

one, while for others it is for health and/or spiritual reasons.

 

According to www.vegan.com, many paths lead to veganism. Some begin

as a result of a love for animals - " actively boycotting products and

industries that exploit animals " .

 

" Others become vegan because they are concerned about the quality of

life on the planet, which cannot be sustained given the prevailing

meat-centred diet.

 

" Some people begin to make diet changes for their own health and then

discover the ethical and environmental reasons to go further, " the

site says.

 

However, naturopath Dr Philip Sherwin warns that veganism is not

advisable for everyone.

 

Once also a vegan, he discovered he could not continue consuming only

vegetables, as he is in the O blood group and thus needs animal

protein.

 

 

 

full story:

 

http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?

fSectionId=466 & fArticleId=2151335

 

 

 

 

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Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the

child as it is to the caterpillar. " ~ Bradley Miller

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