Veganism is about health, good food, environmental change, and animal rights. In the glass city, the diet, and the ethics are practiced by a pitiful minority, and most residents do not know what the term “vegan” means. These points may explain Toledo's poor record when it comes to its wildlife and domesticated beasties; whether in regards to the CO2 emissions, the Heilman Ditch oil spill (the second in eight years), or the brutal shooting of German Sheppard, Sarge, by Lawrence Mick and Adam Collins. While making the personal choice to become a vegan leads by example, the problems this city face cannot be fixed by individual consumption practices alone.
So how can vegans expand their vision to live in-tune with the other residents on this planet without being preachy? One of the best ways is to stop the demand for meat, or to focus on the diet by titillating omni's taste buds.
Since a great deal of vegans make the commitment on their own, implementing a one vegan meal a week challenge within one's own household is a great start. Offering to prepare the meal for roommates or family, is best that way they can be wowed by the most spectacular animal-free meals available. The first few meals should be omni-friendly, once those are accepted vegans can expand beyond the onmi-food comfort zone.
Big gatherings are a good opportunity to move the vegan diet outside of the home. Share a dish, have the recipe on hand to share, and boast the health benefits. Additionally, when omnivores ask why choose the diet, answer in a very personal way. Express your own feelings about animal exploitation, the chemicals being pumped into the meat, fish, and poultry, and how you wish to leave the Earth better for the next generation. As an added bonus have a receipt handy so the health skeptics know that “good for you” isn't always bad for the wallet.
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