Veganism/SUSAN

December 10, 2005

You know that light at the end of the tunnel...its gone now. LOL

That list is on line that you mention below. What surprised me was that there were far more companies that don't test than do test. Of course that doesn't tell you if there is a animal by-product in it so you still have to do your research and read the label. Most personal care products have animal by-products in them. If that guide is in book form it would be cheaper to just print it off from the site on line. PETA does have a list of food stuffs that are vegan and things that we would recognize like Fritoes (they are GMO'd though). I like just buying things that are in their natural state, like fruits, veggies, staples, etc and organic. Going organic is certainly not tied to being a vegan though...just has been coming about naturally for me. When I buy a processed food then I buy one marked vegan and there are so many. Sometimes I go insane though at the market....There are plenty of personal care items that are animal free and don't test on animals and that are even 70% or more organic. The manufacturer's are coming around slowly recognizing that we are out here and we have money...well sort of...but we have to eat and we do use personal care products and household products. Okay, here are some sites...oh, if you have explored PETA site it is huge and is intertwined with just about everyone else so whatever you are looking for to learn you'll find it. I still read labels, these foods are not particularly nutritious though, high in sodium and such, and of course not organic. But will make shopping easy for the new vegan and the very busy vegan. For a list of foods that PETA found vegan that are easily available in your stores. I printed the food lists to keep in the car for shopping at first and it was helpful.

http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/

This site below is the one about which companies test and which don't. Take a look at it before printing. The Don't test list was very long. Remember though it doesn't mean that it is vegan, just that they don't test on animals. PETA outlines the parameters for companies to meet the do not test list. The list is updated every few months and if you buy a book you won't have that. If you were going to print for shopping I would print the one for companies that do test. Much shorter. But really major manufacturers on this list that covers the largest portion of the market. (Unilever, Proctor & Gamble)

http://www.caringconsumer.com/searchcompany.asp

For pet food companies that don't test, you can get a free pocket guide too as well as view it on-line. This is a tough one since the list is short and may not be available in your area or is too pricey. There are some companies that are less objectionable and do just feeding trials and no testing per se and show us pictures of the wonderful (ha) conditions that the animals live in, or they rotate the animals through their facilities saying that they adopt them out to families. But, whenever you have in-house dogs, cats, kept for feeding trial I worry about where those animals go after wards. The whole thing gets so complicated. Never buy Iams (PETA has a site to tell you why)

http://www.caringconsumer.com/guide.asp

Living compassionately on this earth for it and all sentient beings gets mighty involved, but it sure is worth it, step by step. The important thing is not to get overwhelmed by it, but recognize that each step may be insignificant but it is very important to do it. For me I have also decided that it is much simpler to just stop with the eternal buying. Finding things that are good for the environment, animals, me lead me to realize that for me buying was the problem period and contributed to the endless cycle of consumerism that is killing everyone and the earth. I didn't go looking for any of this, it seems to have come looking for me. It would be nice if we could have our cake and eat it too. LOL

linda

"Whatever you do will be insignificant and it is very important that you do it."Mohandas Gandhi

Susan Making Kind Choices : Everyday Ways to Enhance YourLife Through Earth- and Animal-Friendly Living -- byIngrid NewkirkThis book has been a huge help to me. It discussesmany aspects of animal friendly living and gives manywebsite links to information and products.I also found this book online tonight, but haven'tseen it yet:Peta 2005 Shopping Guide For Caring Consumers: A GuideTo Products That Are Not Tested On Animals (ShoppingGuide for Caring Consumers) -- by People for theEthical Treatment of Animals, PetaOnly 200 plus messages more to get through! Pant,pant--I think I'm seeing the light . . . . Susan