On this post you will learn among other things, the definition of Veganism and its origin.
According to Wikipedia, Veganism is both the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals.
According to the Vegan Society, Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
Among the vegan society there is also the ethical vegan, or environmental veganism.
These are the vegans that not only observe a non animal-by products diet but also apply this belief in every aspect of their lives. What this mean is that they do not wear clothes that are made from animal products like leather, wool, silk or fur. They do not wear beauty products that are made with animal products or tested on animals. They do not wear accessories or objects made from animals like pearls. They do not go to places were animals are harmed or kept in captivity like the zoo, aquarium, circus, etcetera. They also believe the harvesting or industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable.
Other types of vegans are:
- Plant Based
These vegans eat a plant-based diet, mainly for health issues, but do not necessarily have the vegan ethic. Meaning, they may still wear or use animal products like leather, pearls, or go to Sea World.
- Raw-Vegan
These vegans have a plant-based diet, meaning any food that comes from the ground like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, roots etcetera, and do not cook it over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. These are a more health-oriented type of vegan.
- Junk Food Vegan
These are the ones that are driven by the ethics of being vegan. They would eat anything as long as no animals were hurt in the process. Examples of what they eat are: Oreos, twizzlers, white bread, soda pop, chips, fries, aunt jemima pancake mix, etcetera.
Origin of Veganism
According to Wikipedia and Time, Donald Watson, a British woodworker, established the term “vegan” in 1944. He was the first person who separated the term vegetarians from strict vegetarians or vegans. He announced that since vegetarians eat eggs and dairy products, he was going to create a new terminology “vegan,” to describe those who did not.
He created what is known as the Vegan Society, in England as “the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals.” Interest in veganism increased in the 2010s; vegan stores opened, and vegan options became available in more supermarkets and restaurants in many countries.
Now, for me, a vegan is somebody that strives to live a healthy life taking in consideration the health of animals and the planet. I became a vegan for health issues my self; but after learning how animals are being mistreated, I decided to remain vegan for compassion, to maintain a clean conscience and to leave the generations that will arise after me, a planet to live in.
Take the time to watch this video on veganism. I tells you in a nutshell but in a comic way what being vegan is all about.
Veganism: A lifestyle 