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The Joyful Vegan
The Joyful Vegan: How to Stay Vegan in a World That Wants You to Eat Meat, Dairy, and Eggs | Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
14 posts | 5 read | 3 to read
Finding plant-based recipes? Easy. Dealing with the social, cultural, and emotional pressures of being vegan? Thats the hard part. Motivated by a desire to eat more healthfully or live more ethically, many people choose veganism as a logical and sensible response to their concerns about animals, the environment, and their health. Yet, despite their positive intentions, theyre often met with resistance from friends, family members, and society at large. These external factors can make veganism socially difficultand emotionally exhaustingto sustain. This leads to an unfortunate reality: the majority of vegetarians and vegans revert back to consuming meat, dairy, or eggsbreaching their own values and sabotaging their own goals in the process. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, known as the Joyful Vegan, has guided countless individuals through the process of becoming vegan. Now, in The Joyful Vegan, she shares her insights into why some people stay vegan and others dont. Understanding that the food is the easy part of being vegan, Colleen turns her attention to what she believes is the most challengingdealing with the social, cultural, and emotional aspects: being asked to defend your eating choices, living with the awareness of animal suffering, feeling the pressure (often self-inflicted) to be perfect, and experiencing guilt, remorse, and anger. In these pages, Colleen shares her wisdom for navigating and overcoming these challenges and arms readers with solutions and strategies for staying confident with family and friends, creating healthy relationships, communicating effectively, sharing enthusiasm without evangelizing, finding like-minded community, and experiencing peace of mind as a vegan in a non-vegan world. By implementing the tools provided in this book, you will find you can live ethically, eat healthfully, engage sociallyand remain a joyful vegan.
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review
quietlycuriouskate
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Mehso-so

I've been veggie since I was 15 and vegan for 3 years. There's good stuff here but I think it would be of greater benefit to those more socially-oriented than me (so, most people, then? ?).

I found the quasi-religious language off-putting, and if I never hear the phrase "animal flesh and fluids/secretions" again it will be too soon.

Most troubling was the assumption that "vegangelism" is a must: so private acts of conscience are insufficient?

quietlycuriouskate My own "activism" takes the form of feeding my people good, delicious food, and sharing recipes with those who express an interest. 1mo
Caroline2 Yeah we‘re all veggie here and my husband is vegan (I‘m trying but struggling giving up milk in my tea and coffee) but I hate it when people get all preachy about it. I don‘t think that‘s the way to convince people to eat less meat. 1mo
quietlycuriouskate @Caroline2 Agreed! I admit it took me a *while* to get used to plant milk in tea and coffee. I think the only thing I really miss now is the occasional fresh baguette with proper butter! 😋 1mo
Caroline2 Yeah I miss butter and cheese! I‘m not keen on the fake cheeses or milks. Think I‘ll just go black. 👍 1mo
28 likes4 comments
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dariazeoli
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I‘ve been vegan for thirteen years today. Thinking of my fellow vegans, and of those who are a voice for the voiceless. Thank you for choosing compassion, on Thanksgiving and every day.

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dariazeoli
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Happy World #Vegan Day!

Today is a great day to cut animals from your diet. Curious? Here‘s a shelf of books that are related to #veganism.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2827215-daria-zeoli?order=a&ref=nav_mybook...

Chrissyreadit 🙌👏🎉🍎 3y
Cosyreader This did it for me ❤️👏 3y
46 likes2 comments
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dariazeoli
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After many weeks, I finally picked up this book again for #thejoyfulveganbuddyread. The chapter was about Angry Vegans.

Now, Pauly D is not vegan, but I‘d be lying if I said I don‘t feel how he looks in this screencap sometimes. I was an angry vegan when I first stopped consuming animals and learned about the way we breed, raise, and kill them for our use. The anger starts off intensely. After ten years, it‘s settled to a simmer. Mostly. 👇🏻

dariazeoli Now, with the coronavirus, I feel it boiling a bit. They say it may have come from a live market selling bats for food. This brings up all the feelings I have about “food” borne illnesses - how we feed animals megadoses of antibiotics to keep them healthy so we can slaughter them and put them in our food supply. How viruses and bugs become resistant to those antibiotics, making it harder for us to fight them off. 4y
dariazeoli How our vegetables are contaminated by E. coli and salmonella when they‘re fertilized with animal waste. Humans. We are so smart, but we are so ignorant! So, yeah, angry vegan here. As Colleen writes, it‘s okay to be angry, but what matters is what you do with that anger. I‘m trying to be mindful. I‘m hopeful we‘ll think about our choices. I pray that we will all do what we can to stay healthy and safe during this moment. (edited) 4y
dariazeoli The next chapter is about finding your tribe. I‘m grateful for my vegan tribe. Grateful for my bookish tribe. And where the two meet, that‘s icing on the vegan cake! 4y
56 likes3 comments
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Eyelit
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I‘m falling slightly behind in the #joyfulveganbuddyread and am just finishing up the chapter on guilt, regret, remorse.
While reading this chapter I was reminded of an article I read a few months ago (link below) as well as the quote:

“Becoming vegan isn‘t a fixed moment but a continual process, and aspirational veganism is a malleable principle not a one-size-fits-all praxis.”

https://medium.com/tenderlymag/when-vegans-cheat-f5598fcc3381

Eyelit I use the photo (found on the inter webs) for this post because I‘m very familiar with the vegan police concept. I‘ve met some... and non vegans frequently expect me to play vegan police to their food choices and are always surprised when I don‘t participate. I don‘t find that behavior helpful to anyone. (edited) 4y
Chrissyreadit @Eyelit I‘m so glad to hear you say that. I feel the same way. 4y
readordierachel That was a good read. Thanks for sharing 4y
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TheBookHippie We are about 90 percent vegetarian the hatred from both sides 🤷🏽‍♀️🤯 4y
Chelsea.Poole @eyelit Vegetarian here and it's so real! I don't shame people who eat meat either, but people always try to apologize to me for some reason. So unhelpful. 4y
dariazeoli I think the longer I‘m vegan, the more I think about this. I‘m still not crazy about it when ethical vegans explain that they “just needed a Milky Way bar,” but I‘m also so over other vegans telling me the Impossible Whopper isn‘t vegan because it‘s cooked on the same grill as the beef ones. We need to advocate for change and there are many ways to do it. 4y
54 likes6 comments
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dariazeoli
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#thejoyfulveganbuddyread.

This week is Steps 3 & 4. This is a great point. When asked why you‘re vegan, you so want to make your case. Facts and stats, right? Nope. People react to stories, and your story is your strongest tool.

I‘m #vegan because I want to tread lightly on this planet & its inhabitants, both human & non-human. While I‘m here, I‘d like to do as little harm as I can.

How about you? (Including vegans who aren‘t buddy reading!)

Chrissyreadit Yes! I became vegetarian for environmental reasons- the damage we are causing to our planet is unnecessary and heartbreaking. Then I went to Summerfest in PA about 9 years ago and felt benefits of being vegan in my soul. It just made sense. 4y
dariazeoli @Chrissyreadit Summerfest! ❤️ I went two years in a row, probably around that time. I even met Colleen there while she was a speaker! I have great memories of the talks I heard and the food I ate ☺️ 4y
Laughterhp I was vegan for 3-4 years. I had to stop because I wasn‘t getting enough nutrients. 😕 now I have to be gluten free and I think life would be way too tough for me to be both. 4y
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Chrissyreadit @Laughterhp yes- the hardest part is meal planning and prep. We live in a world that subsidizes dairy into everything even frozen veggies. It‘s hardest when I‘m at work because everyone acts like vegan food is a hardship. Interestingly when the director orders vegan options (like veggie skewers) for events- they are gone before I get to the room while meat runs over the plate. Still doesn‘t convince her to order more veg less meat. 4y
Chrissyreadit @dariazeoli I loved summerfest so much! I wish I could afford to go back back school eats up all my “extra” income these days. 4y
Eyelit My reasons for being vegan are similar to yours. Want to be kind as possible to the world and it‘s inhabitants around me. 4y
42 likes6 comments
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dariazeoli
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It‘s week two of #thejoyfulveganbuddyread, and I‘m reading the chapter on bearing witness. I‘ve been vegan for 10 years, and agree with the belief that we owe it to the animals and to ourselves to know and see more. Joaquin Phoenix has been vegan for over 40 years, and it‘s evident he feels this, too. I‘m so grateful that he went right to this vigil from the SAG Awards Sunday, and that the media covered it.

https://laanimalsave.org

TheQuietQuill Love this...I just started my vegan journey a few months ago and I feel great. Honestly, better than I‘ve ever felt in my life 🌱 4y
dariazeoli @TheQuietQuill That‘s wonderful! I feel like now is the best time to be vegan - so many more options in all areas! 4y
Chrissyreadit @dariazeoli I agree! I became vegetarian 31 years ago- and vegan 10 years ago. Now it is practically mainstream and I‘m so happy about all of the options. 4y
44 likes4 comments
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Chrissyreadit
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Began this today! I think my soul needs a little connection for something I am passionate about, so am considering this more self care! Thanks for letting me join @dariazeoli @Eyelit #thejoyfulveganbuddyread

Eyelit Glad you are joining! 4y
dariazeoli I‘m glad you joined! Thanks for the reminder that passion and self-care can go hand in hand. 4y
87 likes2 comments
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dariazeoli
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#thejoyfulveganbuddyread

It seems pretty common for people not to realize that cow‘s milk requires cows to be impregnated. After all, it‘s for baby cows! I know it never really occurred to me that those baby cows were excess, and doomed to become dairy cows themselves or, if male, veal calves. Cows don‘t need to be milked; they need to nurse their babies.

Chrissyreadit I think this is another way our bigger culture has nurtured a significant disconnect because so many women for two-three generations have formula fed their own babies- neglecting to understand all mothers produce milk for babies. 4y
Eyelit Yeah, it‘s pretty horrifying to have your baby taken away and being in a constant state of pregnancy! 4y
49 likes2 comments
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Eyelit
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I‘ve been pretty cut off from media (because most streaming services don‘t have commercials and I don‘t read print magazines anymore) so I don‘t see examples of animals being used to sell themselves for food as often as I used to. The above quote brought back memories of seeing similar ads when younger - as well as satirical ads such as Cluck‘n Chik‘n from SNL forever ago. Anyone remember that?!?

#thejoyfulveganbuddyread

Scochrane26 That pig ad is horrifying. 4y
Palimpsest Ugh. The pig one I think says “we eat with pleasure and...without tiring.” I enjoy a lot of meatless meals, but I haven‘t given it up meat yet. I agree about the advertising with anthropomorphic cute creatures being wrong. 4y
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Chrissyreadit I am so happy to not eat meat, and have always thought ads with animals contributed to children being taught subliminally that animals were meant to be eaten and growing into adults who believed animals lives were for the purpose of feeding people. 4y
Chrissyreadit Fun fact (most people would not understand) I never read Charlottes Web to my children- (because we homeschooled they were not exposed to it) because I could not bear the idea that a purpose of a 4H/State fair was to sell animals ,that were nurtured and cared for, for food. They did not go to our local fairs until as teens it was about rides with friends. I still can‘t bear to see the animals. 4y
Soubhiville That pig ad is really disturbing. I don‘t remember very many ads like these, and I‘m with you, I never really see commercials any more. It makes me think of Douglas Adams and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, where the cow is discussing which part of itself they should order for dinner... always bothered me! 4y
Soubhiville Oh wow, I just watched your link. That‘s really disturbing too! I wonder how many vegetarians THAT helped create? 4y
dariazeoli I do remember that SNL bit! I appreciated the example given in the book of Chick-fil-A - where the cows want us to eat the chickens. It‘s so twisted how we are desensitized to who animals are before their parts land on our plate! (edited) 4y
dariazeoli @Chrissyreadit That makes so much sense! I just finished a book where they talk to those 4H kids who sob when they have to sell their animals. Are you reading along? Shall I tag you in my buddy read posts? 4y
Chrissyreadit @dariazeoli I‘m going to try but some weeks will be challenging with a practicum this semester. I did get the book though. 4y
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dariazeoli
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“Before I knew, I didn‘t know. Once I did, everything changed.”

Starting #TheJoyfulVeganBuddyRead today!

Eyelit Yes! 4y
Soubhiville That‘s a great quote. 💙 4y
JanuarieTimewalker13 That is the best way to describe my Vegan journey. Once I knew, I couldn‘t un-know. And that was it. Best thing I‘ve ever done in my life! 4y
48 likes3 comments
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Eyelit
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Some books carried over from last week‘s #weeklyforecast (and will probably continue tbh, been kind of a mood reader lately)

Going to start a #buddyread with @dariazeoli for the tagged book, need to read America for Beginners for book club - and the other three will hopefully continue to make progress 😄

Looking forward to this week‘s reading. 📚🥰

Chrissyreadit How fast are you reading it? 4y
Eyelit @Chrissyreadit not too fast. Covering section 1 the first week and then a couple steps per week after that. Wanna join in? 4y
Chrissyreadit I will try! I would love to have camaraderie with other vegans- but also recognize I have many reading commitments going on right now. 4y
dariazeoli @Chrissyreadit I have a few more animal rights/vegan books on my TBR. I‘ll keep you posted when I‘m thinking of reading them! 4y
Chrissyreadit @dariazeoli that sounds great! 4y
93 likes5 comments
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dariazeoli
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I‘m celebrating my tenth veganniversary today! 🙏🏻

Thanksgiving can be hard for vegans. I cannot sit at a table with a turkey carcass as its centerpiece. It‘s a line I drew after meeting some turkey friends at farm sanctuaries early in my vegan journey.

Today I‘m grateful for this prayer by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. If you‘re even a little curious about going vegan, I can‘t say enough about the impact her podcast and books had on me.

#vegan

Tamra Honestly, I prefer all of the side dishes. I stuff myself with olives & pickles. 😊 4y
dariazeoli @Tamra Kalamata olives are my jam! 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I‘m making vegan spinach artichoke dip for thanksgiving. I tasted it to make sure it is spiced well and now I just want to devour the whole thing. 😋 My MIL usually makes roasted veggies and beans, too, so I‘ll have plenty to eat! 4y
dariazeoli @Clare-Dragonfly All sound yummy! I had roasted veggies as well. There are plenty of leftovers in the fridge so I‘m not starving 😉 4y
43 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Eyelit
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Because I‘m a grown up I can open my birthday presents whenever I please - even two days early (tho I showed slight restraint because the package was delivered yesterday 😄)

Thank you so much, Daria! I love everything! I‘d like to take you up on the offer to buddy read. You‘re a kind, generous soul and I‘m glad your my #litsypenpal 🥰💜🥰

dariazeoli Yay! Happy Birthday Eve 🎂 What do you say, end of 2019 or beginning of 2020 for buddy read? 4y
Eyelit I say we start the year off right with a buddy read 🥳📚🙂 @dariazeoli 4y
77 likes2 comments