A GUIDE TO VEGAN LIVING!

Vegan because of a belief in a simple, but important, value: we love and respect animals and the Earth.

All sentient beings, regardless of species, have the right to be treated as independent entities, and not as the property of others. Hence, caring about animals precludes using them for any food or food products.

Today's mechanised factory farms confine animals to filthy, overcrowded stalls, cages, crates and sheds where they are often unable to turn around or take two steps in any direction for their entire lives.

Deprived of all that is enjoyable and natural; millions suffer and die every day just so that people can steal their flesh, eggs and milk.

Once you choose to give up eating all animal products, You will discover—with just a little imagination and some good advice—how easy it is to go vegan.

Vegan food isn't just a treat for your taste buds; it's great for your health, too. Today's health experts know that what we eat directly affects the quality of our lives.

From chicken dinners and cheese to fast-food burgers and fish fillets, animal products have none of the fibre and anti-oxidants that we need to stay healthy. But they are loaded with saturated fat, cholesterol, chemicals and contaminants like E.coli and salmonella. Eating meat, dairy products and eggs contributes to obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, impotence, osteoporosis and many other illnesses.

Millions are realizing that simply dropping animal products from their diets means dropping extra kilos, preventing heart disease and even reversing existing heart disease. Studies have shown that vegetarians have stronger immune systems than meat-eaters, and only 40 percent of their cancer rate. A 21 year old long study comparing meat eaters and vegetarians showed that the greater the meat consumption, the greater the death rate from all causes combined.

You can be Vegan and still eat wonderful food. Veganism is not something to be afraid of. There is a popular belief that by removing animal products from one's diet, food will become necessarily boring, a life of dining on grass and shrubs. But let us assure you: Vegan food is fabulous food, full of flavour and all the nutrients you need.

Going Vegan has never been easier. The explosion of animal-free foods means that you pop everything from a veggie bean tacos to faux "sausage" in the microwave and finish the meal with frozen non dairy ice cream. You can order a latte with soy milk from your favourite café, enjoy a veggie burger for lunch and stock your kitchen with flavoured rice meals, faux luncheon meats and nuggets and pasta dishes with exotic sauces.

Dining out is easy, there is a huge selection of vegetarian restaurants that offer a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Also a lot of other restaurants offer veg options including Italian, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern. If you're on a fast food schedule, pizza places and sandwich shops can also offer vegan options.

Be informed about veganism and the reasons involved with this choice but remember you do not have to be a walking Vegan encyclopedia! The simplest reason for being Vegan can be the most powerful, such as, "I know that I do not want to suffer, and for this reason, I don not want to cause suffering to others, including animals".

It will get easier over time and the opposition you encounter will lesson, especially once you are whipping up gourmet meals or taking people to delicious restaurants where they can see for themselves that veganism is not an inferior lifestyle - quite the contrary! And you can sleep safe in the knowledge that you are not contributing to the suffering of animals.

What you can do

Take a stand against cruelty to animals by going vegetarian. Request a free Vegetarian Starter Kit and a Meet your Meat CD today! Join ALV or send a Donation to help us save animals lives

How You Can Help

• Dont eat meat! Become a Vegetarian today - many excellent recipes can be found at www.veganchef.com/recipes.htm
• Please help us raise public awareness and stop the rabbit trade. It only exists because there's demand.
• Join ALV or send a donation to help with this valuable campaign.
• If you are aware of any restaurants using rabbit or any stores selling rabbit fur, could you please email us at info@alv.org.au.