The Vegan Spring 2006

FEEL THE LOVE! VEGAN VALENTINE SPECIAL

INCLUDING...

ONLINE DATING ANIMAL EMOTIONS GREAT GIFTS AND ROMANTIC RECIPES ISSN 0307−4811 01

9 770307 481000

in this issue WHALE-WATCHING As we go to press, we are greeted by the bizarre sight of a nation of animal-eaters in mourning for the life of one lost whale. The tabloids are having a field day (or should that be ‘a whale of a time’?) with painful headlines and ‘touching tributes’. Is all of this making anyone else’s stomach churn?

Don’t get me wrong, I mourn the senseless death of any individual, and hopefully this episode will encourage more people to fight to protect whales from the barbarism of the harpoon. But it all begs the question: why whales?

Along with a handful of land mammals - wolves, elephants, tigers – they are seen as deserving of special treatment, whilst billions of other animals live and die in the most appalling conditions with barely a second thought from the majority of people and nary a mention in the tabloid press.

Undoubtedly the threat of extinction has a lot to do with it.

Note the furore over a Celebrity Big Brother contestant’s ‘gorilla’ coat dropping quietly from the headlines when it was discovered that it was, in fact, made from the fur of the not-yet-endangered colobus monkey.

I’ve never been convinced about the value of one species over another, endangered or not. But this was never really about saving whales; it was about saving this whale.

Everyone could ‘see’ that this ‘gentle giant’ was suffering.

Distressed and confused were words constantly repeated by the media. And why not? Any one of us can imagine how we would feel in her position. But why do most people extend this very real sense of empathy to such a small handful of animals? Why do we afford some species emotions and respect whilst condemning so many others to a life of suffering and cruelty?

In this issue, which is all about that best of emotions: love, Marc Bekoff (page 14) gives us some insights into his view of animal sentience and behaviour and suggests that if we would just try to think and feel what other animals might be thinking and feeling we could do much to change the way billions of individuals are treated. A nation of animaleaters starting to think a bit more about where their ‘food’ comes from? Now that would be a fitting tribute to the tragic Thames visitor.

Catriona Toms Editor

The Vegan Society

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Donald Watson House

Local rate 0845 45 88244

Editor Catriona Toms Design www.doughnutdesign.co.uk Printed by Hastings Printing Company On G-print chlorine-free paper

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NEWS

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VEGAN SOCIETY AWARDS 2005

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FROM THE CHAIR

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A TRIBUTE TO DONALD WATSON

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OUT & ABOUT

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VEGILANTICS

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MINDING ANIMALS: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARC BEKOFF

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SHOPAROUND – OMEGA OILS

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VALENTINE’S SHOPAROUND

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VEGAN PARTNERS: A SPECIALIST COMMODITY?

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VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPES – FROM DANDELION & BURDOCK

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REVOLUTIONARY VEGANISM

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WORLD VEGETARIAN CONGRESS, GOA

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INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS

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GROW VEGAN

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CURIOUS VEGETABLES & MEGAN THE VEGAN

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REVIEWS

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DIET MATTERS

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POSTBAG

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EVENTS

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NETWORK CONTACTS LISTINGS

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CLASSIFIEDS

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CROSSWORD COMPETITION

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e-mail: info@vegansociety.com

© The Vegan Society Registered Charity no. 279228 The views expressed in The Vegan do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Vegan Society Council. Nothing printed should be construed to be Vegan Society policy unless so stated. The Society accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. The acceptance of advertisements (including inserts) does not imply endorsement. The inclusion of product information should not be construed as constituting official Vegan Society approval for the product, its intended use, or its manufacturer/distributor. Contributions intended for publication are welcomed, but unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a SAE.

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News photo © jensholm.se

n VEGAN TO ENTER EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT If you thought that the Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas was the only animal rights-sensitive MEP, think again; Swedish animal rights activist Jens Holm will soon be the first vegan to enter office in the European Parliament.

When his predecessor from the Swedish Left Party steps down from his appointment next autumn, new MEP Holm is determined to bring the animal rights message into the largest elected body in Europe. Jens Holm is an ethical vegan and long-time defender of animals and his main focus will be to stop subsidies for live animal exports. See www.jensholm.se for more information.

n PRISON SHOPS n VEGAN DIETS ARE BETTER THAN GREEN CARS A new study conducted by Gidon Eshel and Pamela Martin of the University of Chicago, entitled Diet, Energy and Global Warming has grabbed the attention of both New Scientist and Jonathon Porritt writing in The Guardian. The study compares the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of animaland plant-based diets and concludes that the difference in annual emissions between driving a typical saloon car and a petrol-electric hybrid car, such as the Toyota Prius, is less than the difference between a vegan and a typical American omnivore.

Great to have yet more evidence to support what vegans have been saying for years.

It’s official: the prison service has finally set out guidelines that expect prison shops to stock vegan food and toiletries.

The 480 vegans currently in prison – plus future vegan prisoners - can now enjoy equal consideration of interests when buying products. This may also encourage other prisoners to see the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

This success is thanks to the tireless efforts of the Vegan Prisoners Support Group (VPSG), which has lobbied hard for ten years to achieve this important victory – well done!

n UNCARING GOVERNMENT Government statistics published late last year reveal the twelfth consecutive rise in the annual toll of animals sacrificed in British laboratories. According to the figures 2,778,692 animals were subjected in 2004 to experiments that are officially regarded as potentially 'causing pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.’ This is an increase of 57,093 animals, or 2.1 per cent, compared to 2003 and highlights the Government’s reluctance to set targets to try to reduce and replace animal experiments.

n DANISH VEGAN FESTIVAL The 10th International Vegan Festival organised by the Danish Vegan Society takes place in Skagen, Denmark, between 30th July and 5th August this year.

Hosted in stunning surroundings at the very top of Denmark, in an area that attracts many artists and tourists, the festival takes place at Diget, a folk high school that is beautifully situated just 600 metres from the beach.

Activities planned so far include concerts and sightseeing tours, which will take place alongside a vegan fair with plenty of campaign info and tempting vegan goodies.

The price for the whole week, all inclusive, is 3000 D.Cr. (about £265) per person for a double room and 3700 D.Cr. (about £330) for a single room. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

www.vegansworldnetwork.org/international-vegan-festival.html 2

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n FINALLY, THE CHANCE FOR TASTY SCHOOL DINNERS! Nottingham-based Veggies Catering Campaign is in discussions with the Head Teacher of a local primary school to find a way for them to provide nutritious vegan school dinners for a year-long catering contract.

There are now statutory nutritional requirements for school meals, which unfortunately dictate that fish and red meat be provided each week, but ways are being discussed in which Veggies need not be responsible for this, and indeed will be able to provide exciting menu alternatives, demonstrating direct nutritional equivalence.

While the Head Teacher recognises that a vegan diet is a healthy alternative to turkey twizzlers, both she and Veggies will need to work hard to convince the local authority. If they are successful, this will set a precedent for other vegan caterers to bid for school contracts.

n STARK CHOICE OVER BIRD FLU Scientists believe that the H5N1 strain of Bird Flu has evolved as a result of poultry farming. If restricted to wild birds, scientists expect that it would soon mutate back into a less virulent form unlikely to spread to humans.

The world community must face a stark choice: either accept that the only way to prevent a pandemic is to stop breeding birds for meat, eggs or as pets, thus reducing bird numbers and eradicating human close contact with birds, or spend a massive amount of taxpayers’ money in an impossible attempt to keep ahead of each new strain of this highly unstable virus and develop vaccines and cures.

As vegans, it is great to know that we are blameless when it comes to the spread of this killer disease.

n GOVERNMENT TO RETAIN MILK SUBSIDIES We were disappointed to read Lord Bach’s announcement that the national subsidy for school milk will be retained despite an independent consultants’ report (commissioned by DEFRA) stating that the subsidy costs too much to administer and is unlikely to improve health. We can only conclude that the Minister has been influenced by lobbying from the dairy industry representatives (Dairy UK). The independent consultants’ report, ‘Evaluation of the National Top-Up to the EU School Milk Subsidy in England,’ can be found online at http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/evaluation/agri.asp.

n TONY BANKS - A TRIBUTE Nationwide, tributes were paid to the Labour party politician Tony Banks who died on 8th January. He was an outstanding spokesman for animal rights and made a remarkable impact as an MP. He will be particularly remembered for his impassioned plea to stop fox hunting. It was the dogged determination of a few MPs like him that got the bill passed. The world is a better place as a result of his contribution. photo © League Against Cruel Sports

n BADGER CULL CONSULTATION The Government has set out plans for a consultation exercise that will debate whether there will be a badger cull in areas hit badly by bovine tuberculosis (TB). It will also pose the question: how to do it?

Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw has said that, with 22,705 cattle slaughtered in 2004, TB has reached ‘crisis levels’, while David Williams at The Badger Trust argues that ‘The best policy for badgers is to leave well alone and allow them to form stable social groups and to develop natural immunity.’

To get involved in the public consultation, visit the website of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/badgerstbcontrols/consultlist.htm

n A PATRON WHO WILL BE GREATLY MISSED It is with great sadness that we announce the death of early vegan pioneer and Vegan Society Patron, Serena Coles. A vegan for nearly 60 of her 95 years, she was Vice President and President of the Vegan Society for a while and an ambassador for veganism on the international stage. Her work for the vegan movement began back in the 1940s with Donald Watson, Kathleen Jannaway, Jack Sanderson and many others.

In Serena's last years friends lost touch with her. Then in 2004, Kirsten Jungsberg, of the Danish Vegan Society, managed to trace her to a rest home in Croydon. From then on Tracey Mills, our Local Contact for Croydon, and others visited Serena regularly.

To recognise Serena’s invaluable contribution to the vegan movement, an official obituary will be published in the summer edition of The Vegan magazine.

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VEGAN SOCIETY AWARDS 2005 Fair trade chocolate, fishless fishcakes and organic ale were among the winners of The Vegan Society’s annual awards for people and companies making a difference to people, animals and the environment, while Guinness came in for criticism for using fish gelatine in their stout-making.

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And the winners are…

Vegan Society members nominated Jungle Passion Chocolate Nibs, fruity chocolate direct from the Amazon, as the best fairly traded vegan product, while high-street cosmetic chain Lush took home the award for best cruelty-free non-food product for their Veganese hair conditioner.

The best animal-free drink accolade went to Samuel Smiths for their Organic Best

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Ale and Yaoh’s hemp milk maker won the gong for the best environmentally friendly vegan product. The best food product award was won by Redwood Wholefood Company’s tasty Thai Fish Style Cakes.

In the retail and catering stakes, Glasgow’s 100% vegan restaurant, Mono, was awarded the best vegan catering award and Bristol-based Wild Oats Natural Foods was voted best retailer for animal-free shopping.

The Vegan Achievement Award was given as a posthumous tribute to Arthur Ling, long-time vegan campaigner and founder of Plamil Foods who died early last year, and campaign group Realfoods won the award for best project or campaign for VeganBuddies.org.uk – a web-based mentoring scheme for new vegans.

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There’s something fishy about this Guinness!

The inaugural Vegan Raspberry Award - for products that could and should be vegan but aren’t - went to Guinness for their fishy production techniques.

Isinglass, a type of gelatine made from the swim bladders of fish, is used to remove the yeast from the stout.

Vegan-friendly companies, such as Samuel Smiths and Pitfield Brewery, have shown that fish-free vegan stout is not only possible to make but tastes delicious. Hopefully the award will encourage Guinness to change their ways and prove that good things really do come to those who wait.

FROM THE CHAIR Dear reader, I have been elected Chair of Vegan Society Council of Management (to give it its full title) for the coming year up to 2006 AGM on 28 October. I intend to write a piece under this heading in each issue of The Vegan during my time as Chair.

The months since the last issue have been marked by several high-profile deaths. In mid-November, Donald Watson, the man who founded The Vegan Society and originated the word ‘vegan’, died aged 95. You will find a memorial leaflet enclosed with this magazine, also an article in the magazine itself.

Just after Christmas, Serena Coles died, also aged 95. An Honorary Patron of The Vegan Society, she had been an active member almost from the very beginning and was for many years a leading member of Council. A full obituary of Serena will appear in the next issue.

Another recent death was that of Lord Stratford, better known as Tony Banks, former MP. Although he was vegetarian, Tony was not vegan; however he deserves a mention here for his enormous contribution to the wider animal movement, both as an MP and as a working peer. He will probably be best remembered for his successful efforts in getting through the new law banning hunting with hounds in England & Wales. (Although, as I was recently told by a hunt sab, it is still going on illegally to some extent.)

Not long after Donald Watson died, someone phoned me to ask if some sort of memorial is to be erected to him. My reply was that his best possible memorial already exists – it is The Vegan Society and veganism. The best way to honour the memories of Donald, Serena, even Tony Banks, is to continue to live as a vegan, and to do what you can to persuade your friends to go vegan, especially your vegetarian friends, who are already nearly there.

I hope that I shall have a more cheerful topic next issue.

George D Rodger

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DONALD WATSON, 1910 - 2005 Donald Watson, founder of The Vegan Society and inventor of the word ‘vegan’ died late last year at the age of 95. In December 2002, he gave an extended interview to Vegan Society Chair, George Rodger. We thought we would let his words speak for themselves.

I've always accepted that Man's greatest mistake throughout all recorded history, is through trying to turn himself into a carnivore, which is absolutely contrary to natural law

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In 1944, the few of us who were working to form this new movement felt we were the first out on the frozen pond, as it were, and wondered whether the ice would hold, and everything that's happened in the 60 years since has proved that all our hopes and precepts and aspirations have been fulfilled.

Normally I spent a whole night assembling the various pages, and stapling them together. I'd limited the number of people, who subscribed their five shillings a year, to five hundred, because I couldn't cope with a bigger number. I had my own life to live, which wasn't easy at that time, and to produce five hundred copies of a twelve-page newsletter meant running six thousand pieces of paper slowly through my Roneo and inspecting each one to see that every line was clear and readable, because there would have been no point in all my work if what I sent out wasn't readable!

Becoming vegetarian was a New Year Resolution in 1924. Did you ever hear anyone say there's no point in making New Year Resolutions because they're always broken? You can quote me as an exception to the rule, because, since 1924, I've never eaten any meat, or fish. How long ago is that - 78 years is it?

78 years!

I did appeal to my readers to suggest what the name might be, and I had a list of very bizarre suggestions...but, in an inspired moment, I settled for the word ‘vegan’, which was immediately accepted and, over the years, became part of our language and is now in almost every world dictionary, I suppose.

In the two years before we decided to officially form a democratic Society, I literally ran the show. I was the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Auditor, and the Banker, not that we'd ever very much to bank, in fact the flow of money very often went the other way.

We couldn't escape the fact that we were taking on the world, unlike any other reformers before - we were in this tremendously responsible position of saying to virtually everyone else, ‘You are just plain wrong, in so many aspects of the things you are claiming in your lifestyle.’

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Although vegetarianism was a very useful ‘stepping-stone’ to veganism, and one which we had all used to get to where we were, unless the consumption of dairy produce was limited, it could be an even more cruel diet than the orthodox diet, where the meat came from a large animal like a cow which was feeding one meat-eater for a year or two, whereas the milk drinkers - they were going back to the cow suckling (what a bizarre idea that is!) at virtually every meal and claiming to be leading the way to a more humane life!

When I was producing the ‘Vegan News’, the hard work really was not producing the newsletter, but the avalanche of correspondence that followed, most of which needed answering, many of which didn't include a stamped addressed envelope for the reply, which I hardly knew how to deal with, being on two pounds a week, and yet the questions were so sensible and those who wrote them were so sincere, that usually, and I think always, I did reply to them. I can't think of, ever, not replying to a serious enquiry.

I think the genie is now out of the bottle, no-one can ever put it back, to the ignorant days before 1944, when this seed was planted by people full of hope, full of aspiration that surely this idea would attract enough followers for it at least to survive.

My greatest achievement? Well, it's in succeeding, I think, although I mustn't be the judge, in my own estimation, in achieving what I set out to do. One can hardly rise higher in one's opinion of one's life in general, than to feel I was instrumental in starting a great new movement which could even, not only change the course of things for Humanity and the rest of Creation, but alter Man's expectation of surviving for much longer on this planet.

In my early days I accepted that the pen is mightier than the sword, and the pen in my case was a typewriter, which I had to buy second-hand along with my Roneo in order to get started, and I had to learn how to use them.

I suppose within the next ten years, one morning I won't wake up. What then? There'll be a funeral, there'll be a smattering of people at it, and, as Shaw forecast at his own funeral, there'll be all the spirits of all the animals he'd never eaten. In that case, it will be a big funeral!

I certainly don't seek fame in any form, except when I'm dead and then only because the idea I spawned will be progressing, generation after generation.

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for almost anything that was thrown to them in the sty.

Well, the day came when I came downstairs for breakfast, and Granny wasn't alone in the kitchen - there were two women there I'd never seen before, and they were very busy boiling an enormous amount of water, one pan after another, on the fire. What was all this about? Soon after, I saw two men cross the path in front of the kitchen window, carrying what seemed to be like a trestle, with handles on each end, and they took it through to the little yard where the pigsty was. It wasn't long before the business of killing one of the pigs began. No attempt was made to keep me away from the scene, I just went there, full of interest, to see what all this was about. And I still have vivid One of my earliest recollections in life was being taken for holidays to the little farm where my father had been born.

It was run by my grandmother and her son, George, who was the elder son of the family and therefore inherited the farm. And my first impression of those holidays was one of heaven. As a little boy, living in a town, I was surrounded by interesting animals. There was the big Shire horse, who pulled the plough. There was a horse of lighter build that pulled the trap, which in those days was the equivalent of the modern motor car, which took my granny into local markets to sell her butter and eggs. There were the cows, there were the pigs, there were no sheep on the farm - they lived in a field hundreds of yards away. There were hens, there was a cockerel, there were two cats, the farm dog, Rover, and all these creatures gave me an insight into the kind of life I'd never seen before, and I realised that they all ‘gave’ something. The farm horse pulled the plough, the lighter built horse pulled the trap and the wagonette, which was a bigger wagon, carrying at least half a dozen ladies to market with their butter and eggs every Saturday. The cows ‘gave’ milk, the hens ‘gave’ eggs, the cockerel was a useful ‘alarm clock’ - I didn't realise at that time that he had another function too!

The sheep, I knew, ‘gave’ wool and my impression was one of heaven, especially since my granny used to allow me to help make the butter - I turned the churn and, when she patted the butter into little rolls, ready for the market, and placed the butter on the sheet of muslin, she allowed me to wield the little gadget across, which had some leaf patterns on the wheel, which was transferred to the butter, and after this had finished, the buttermilk was put in a separate receptacle and added with all the kitchen waste and some meal from a bag, and it was fed to the pigs...I could never understand what the pigs did - all the other animals ‘gave’ something, but I couldn't for the life of me see what the pigs ‘gave’, and they seemed - there were usually two such friendly creatures, always glad to see me, and grateful

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recollections of the whole process from start to finish, including all the screams of course, which were only feet away from where this pig's companion still lived. And then, when the pig had finally expired, the women came out, one after another, with buckets of this scalding water and the body of the pig was scraped - all the hairs were taken away.

The thing that shocked me, along with the chief impact of the whole setup, was that my Uncle George, of whom I thought very highly, was part of the crew, and I suppose at that point I decided that farms, and uncles, had to be reassessed. They weren't all they seemed to be, on the face of it, to a little, hitherto uninformed boy. And it followed that this idyllic scene was nothing more than Death Row. A Death Row where every creature's days were numbered by the point at which it was no longer of service to human beings.

OUT AND ABOUT WITH OUR LOCAL VEGAN CAMPAIGNERS For complete listings of Vegan Society Local Contacts and Local Groups, see pages 38 to 40

New Vegan Society Contacts Coordinator, Sophie FenwickPaul introduces us to the Network Contacts and encourages us all to get involved and help make a difference.

Who are the Network Contacts?

I have yet to meet a vegan who does not think there is more to be done in making the world more vegan. No doubt you are one of them.

Vegan Society Network Contacts are some of the individuals who have stepped forward and said ‘I'll have a go!’

Sometimes these are lone vegans who just want to be there for their local vegan community when someone needs advice or a sympathetic ear to share the problems that most vegans come across from time to time. Some have grander aims like running local groups and getting noticed by the general public and their local media. Others have specialist skills, such as being youth or family contacts. They are typical vegans, like you.

You'll be surprised how easy it is to make a difference.

Making cakes for a free food fayre, designing a poster, putting things in envelopes, liaising with a local restaurant to create the best vegan night ever, proofreading, publicising others' work - everyone has a skill The Vegan Society can use.

Right now we're particularly interested in hearing from anyone with experience of institutional catering (schools, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons) and youth requirements.

You are not alone Already a number of Network Contacts are hard at work collating all the information and resources a Contact could need. The Local Contact Action Team (LCAT) website, which you’ll find at www.lcat.makessense.co.uk, is becoming a goldmine for veganising ideas. There is even a Contacts forum where you can chat about all manner of things related to veganism and the work of The Vegan Society. We also have free use of Local Veggie Web, an exciting and accessible publicity tool for Contacts, which allows you to create a website for your local group and start talking to the world in a matter of hours - to learn more, just go to www.lvw.makessense.co.uk

Helping with a free food fayre, such as this one organised by Vegan Campaigns in London, is a great way to promote veganism in your local area.

What can you do?

There are about 60 million people in the UK who are not vegan – there is certainly a lot of potential there! You may imagine we are in desperate need of t-shirt wearing, placard waving volunteers whose heads are full of thousands of veggie facts and figures. Well, active campaigners are always welcome but, most importantly, we need people who are sensible and friendly and who have the time to help others on the vegan journey and to work with other contacts in a mutually supportive way.

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You're interested – good!

If you have internet access, then the first step is to go to the LCAT website, which contains a wealth of information about the Network Contacts and should answer many of your questions.

You can also contact any Network Contact and offer to help them or get involved. You’ll find a full list of contacts on pages 38 to 40.

You can also work on becoming a Contact yourself. Joining requirements are on the LCAT and Vegan Society websites.

For more information, get in touch with the Contacts' Coordinator, preferably by email but by phone/mail if you don't have Internet access (details on page 38), with your key contact details, membership number and any questions.

LEAMINGTON FREE FESTIVE VEGGIE FOOD FAIR Leamington Veggies and Vegans (LVV) is a small group intent on spreading the word about healthy animalfree diets.

Less than two months before Christmas, LVV set about organising a Fair at Bath Place Comm Festive Food unity Venture, undoub tedly the best venue in had high hopes that ou town. We r festive feast would pu ll in the crowds, but no prepare us for the sheer thi ng could numbers that attended.

The fair was held a we ek before Christmas. Thr oughout the day, hund aspiring veggies and veg reds of ans jostled for position as they made their way to banquet of delights. Foo our d on offer included on ion bhajees, nut roast, sausages, quiche, burge pizza, rs, dairy-free ice cream , irresistible cakes and Our volunteers worked lots more. flat-out cooking food and replenishing empty pla struggling to keep up wit tters, h demand!

A vast array of literature was displayed, including free recipes, nutrition factsheets, and many lea flets detailing the reason s to go vegan. The fair boasted cookery demon also strations, stalls selling cru elty -free goodies, a crèche with kids’ activities and several alternative therap ists offering relaxing treatments including Ind ian head massage, shiatsu and Rei ki.

We estimate over 500 people attended, with many ple dging to change their diet and do zens wishing to join the gro up.

We’re grateful to Redwo ods Wholefoods, Beanies He alth Foods, Suma Wholefoo ds and various individuals for donating delicious anima l-free food, helping encourag e people to go vegan and raising funds for LVV. We would particularly like to thank Redditch Vegeta rians and Vegans for their generous help and adv ice.

We would advise any gro wanting to promote veg up anism to organise a fre e food fair in your town. With a good ven ue and plenty of volun teers, you simply can’t go wrong.

Leamington Veggies and Vegans 07913 135480 www.leamingtonveggie s.makessense.co.uk

Vegan Campaigns is a friendly and well-organised London-based group set up in April 2005 to actively promote veganism in a positive and creative way.

From the start, the group has been extremely effective and has held a number of successful events, including free veggie burger give-aways outside McDonalds, film showings, free vegan food fayres, information stalls and leafleting campaigns. Their most recent vegan food fayre, held in Camden in December last year, attracted over 300 people who all got the chance to experience first-hand how delicious vegan food can be. The next free fayre will be held on Saturday 29th October, during National Vegan Week (venue to be confirmed).

Vegan Campaigns also helped to organise last year’s London Vegan Festival, which was a huge success with over 2000 visitors, and will be helping out with this year’s festival, which will take place on 10th September in Kensington Town Hall (see Events, page 37, for details).

Constantly active, Vegan Campaigns has an events list packed with great ways that you can get involved to promote veganism and help animals.

Plans for the near future include more stalls and demonstrations as well as a Vegan Awareness Event in March, which will include a talk, cookery demo and food tasting (date and venue to be confirmed).

Drawing on their range of experience in different campaign areas, the group has also produced an excellent online guide to promoting veganism so, even if you’re not in the London area, the Vegan Campaigns website is worth a visit if you’re looking for ideas and inspiration.

For more information on the group and how you can get involved visit www.vegancampaigns.org.uk or contact info@vegancampaigns.org.uk or 07796 774 200.

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Welcome to the Spring 2006 Kids’ Pages Bronwyn (life vegan) is 9. Aisha her sister is 13 and has been vegan as long as Bronwyn and vegetarian since before she was born!

Bronwyn Welcome to the Spring Vegilantics Page. We hope you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to a fun Easter.

Here’s a rundown of what we’ve been up to: Aisha As a school trip not long before Christmas, I went to Aachen in Germany to see the Christmas market. I’ve only been learning German for three months, so I wasn’t confident in my ability to check ingredients or explain what I do and don’t eat. We have a Vegan Passport but you still need to understand people’s replies.

Bronwyn While Aisha was in Germany, Mummy and I had a lovely meal at Café Iguana. I had some vegan cheesy garlic bread and a bowl of soup. We had a few treats that weekend, as Aisha had taken lots of nice stuff with her to eat.

Aisha I’m very lucky - Mummy let me take sandwiches, sausage rolls, fruit, biscuits and chocolate. She wanted to send me with lots of healthy snacks but decided at the last minute to let me have some vegan junk food as it was a one-off trip and my classmates could see that vegans don’t just eat fruit, vegetables, soup and curry!

Bronwyn On Christmas Day, we spent the morning at Mummy’s friend’s house, opening our presents. I got loads of presents, including the Beano Annual, a pair of thermal jeans, a hat, gloves, a scarf, books, a flask and some veggie bears and other treats.

Aisha I got a pair of slippers, a jumper, some books, a mathematical dictionary, gloves and some chocolate Whizzers. We were both also given ‘Stop Animal Experiments’ bracelets and recycled pencil cases made from tyres!

Bronwyn On Boxing Day, Mummy went sabbing then we all went to some friends’ house to celebrate Anarchists’ Pizza Punk Day. We each made a pizza and then shared it with everyone.

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I made mine with Fry’s polony, and Redwoods’ chicken and ham slices.

It burnt a little but it was still great!

Aisha I made one with tomatoes, olives, peppers and polony. It’s really hard to cut a pizza into twelve equal pieces.

Bronwyn Some good news… The Aldenham Harriers, of Hertfordshire, have been the first hunt to throw in the towel since the hunt ban. Most hunts are still operating. Mummy says that we need more people out there to keep an eye on them.

Aisha A lot of hunts have been trying to abuse an exemption in the Hunting Act 2004, where they can use dogs to flush an animal from cover if it is to be hunted by a bird of prey. There was a news item about this recently, where DEFRA said if the bird of prey didn’t naturally hunt that type of animal the hunt would be prosecuted.

Bronwyn Anyway, if the hunt wanted to use a bird of prey, they would need to have it out so they really can use it, and a lot of hunts just have one in a box on a quad bike. Mummy has seen a lot of hunts breaking the law.

Aisha If you are sixteen or over and want to help enforce the ban, you should contact the Hunt Saboteurs Association (www.huntsabs.org.uk) by calling 0845 450 0727 or emailing info@huntsabs.org.uk.

The wild animals need you.

Youth Contacts New! Youth contacts are aged 16-25 and here for vegan youth to email.

To find out about being one, contact Campaigning for Animals - friendly strictly-moderated e-group for under 18s into animal rights, vegetarianism and veganism to hang out, meet like-minded people and chat about these things! uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/campaigning foranimals

Aisha Finally, there was an excellent article in The Guardian on 4th January entitled ‘Hard to Swallow’, which said that ‘…each of us could make a bigger contribution to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by becoming a vegan than by converting to an eco-friendly car.’

Researchers at the University of Chicago studied the amount of carbon used in the vegan food chain compared to the meateaters’ food chain (including growing plants, turning it into meals, getting it into shops, cooking and eating it).

Bronwyn Lots of older people make jokes that if you’re vegetarian or vegan you live on beans and lentils and have a lot of wind, but the scientists measured that ‘the average burger man emits the equivalent of 1.5 tonnes more carbon dioxide every year than the standard vegan’, so that’s them told!

Aisha Got to get back to my homework now as I’ve got a few exams this year but I hope you all have a fantastic Easter and look forward to meeting some of you at the Vegan Festival or at a demo somewhere soon.

Bronwyn Happy Easter!

Please send your stories, poems, pictures & photos to: Bronwyn & Aisha’s Vegilantics, c/o The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 7 Battle Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7AA or Email editor@vegansociety.com with “Vegilantics” in the subject line.

FRUITY FIVE---A-DAY! To stay brimming with health, we should all be eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. You’ll find some of the fruits that we think are tastiest in the table. All you have to do is find each of the five combinations of five fruits then cut out the table and send it to the address at the top of the page. The first correct entry pulled from a hat will win a Vegan Society wallet/purse.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Winter 2005 wordsearch solution: the missing word was ‘YUMMY’ – well done to everyone who spotted it! Congratulations to the lucky winner, Jasmin Minto, age 11, of Redditch.

Your prize t-shirt is on its way!

Long gone are the days of standing out in the street with paper and a clipboard, destined to fail as you frantically try catching the attention of passers-by that you know won’t stop anyway…

SAM CREESH SAM Mc Mc CREESH THE THE DIARY DIARY OF OF A A TEENAGE TEENAGE

Fruits are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, forwards and backwards!

Sam

VEGAN ‘Spring already? Surely not!’ my mind exclaims whilst I frantically think of what to write for this spring edition of The Vegan magazine. It’s only just been Christmas in my opinion, and to be quite honest I’m not sure where it went! Some of my Christmas highlights were visiting and helping out at Animal Aid’s Christmas without Cruelty fayre, which I really enjoyed, and also getting my new iMac G5 computer for my design work.

The course is constructed of coursework and a final exam, and you have to design and make a product, as well as produce twenty A3 sides of folder work. I decided to make a promotional pocket-sized magazine, point-of-sale stand to dispense it, and a website to promote the coffee shop.

At the time you’ll be reading this, I’ll have finished the project so if all is well I should have had time to finish the Vegan Organics website. It’s something extra I decided to do to show others about the project and how I have got veganism into my work.

You can view the website I produced, plus photos of the display stand, project information and download the booklet at www.veganorganics.co.uk.

For the animals,

Over the last few months I have been working frantically to finish my main GCSE Graphic Design project, for which I chose the theme of vegan coffee shops. My brief was something along the lines of ‘I will need to carry out some research and look at existing vegan publications, merchandise, examples of literature, and find out what is and isn’t available on the vegan market.’ I constructed a public questionnaire that aimed to find out what ‘typical vegans’ would buy in a coffee shop, how they would look for one and how often they might eat out. I then emailed it round to various mailing lists, discussion groups and different organisations and the result was fantastic – I got over a hundred replies!

Sam McCreesh

W: www.veganorganics.co.uk & www.vegetarianrutland.co.uk

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MINDING ANIMALS: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARC BEKOFF

Leading animal behaviour expert Marc Bekoff has done much to advance our understanding of how animals think and feel. With the renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, he is founder of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organisation that fights for humane treatment and respect for animals when studying their behaviour. He combines this work with being Professor of Biology at the University of Colorado and is author of hundreds of articles and several books on the subject of the sentience, behaviour and rights of nonhuman animals. We caught up with him to find out a bit more about what drives him and to hear about his most recent work.

Y

our new book, Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues: Reflections on Redecorating Nature, offers readers a way to understand animal behaviours, minds and habits. Can you tell us a bit about your background – how did you become involved in research into nonhuman animal sentience?

M.B. I've always been interested in nonhuman animal consciousness and the capacity of animals to suffer and feel pain. From early childhood I attributed minds to nonhuman animals because I could see from the way they behaved that they were intelligent and sentient. So, I guess that I have always been interested in animal minds and my very compassionate parents tell me that I always loved and ‘minded animals’.

I feel it's something I was born with.

How do you know that animals have emotions?

M.B. I can feel their feelings, I really can. I can feel their joy, glee, and grief as if it were my own. They tell us how they feel in their behaviour and in their eyes. The eyes tell it all and, if we can stand it, we should look into the fearfilled eyes of animals who suffer at our hands, in horrible conditions of captivity, in slaughterhouses, and in research labs, fur farms, zoos, rodeos and circuses.

Dare to look into the sunken eyes of animals who are afraid or feeling all sorts of pain and then try to deny to yourself and to others that these individuals are feeling anything. I bet you can't!

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The Vegan l Spring Winter 2006 2003

Many people would dismiss such views as projecting your emotions on to animals. How do you defend yourself against the charge of anthropomorphism?

M.B. I believe that anthropomorphism is necessary if we are to understand and explain animal behaviour and empathise with other animals. Animals are just like human beings in many ways and so it is important to note the similarities.

Animal emotions and mood swings grab us and it is clear that they are real.

‘Dare to look into the sunken eyes of animals who are afraid or feeling all sorts of pain, and then try to deny to yourself and to others that these individuals are feeling anything.’

Nonhuman animals are capable of suffering and they certainly endure horrible suffering at the hands of humans. However, the minds and feelings of individuals other than one's self are private. Access is limited because we can't really get into the head or heart of another being. Sceptics often use this line of reasoning but it really can be a dead-end when practical matters are of primary concern.

It makes it all too easy to torture animals.

Of course other minds are private but that doesn't stop us from trying to understand what another human is thinking or feeling and using this information to make future compassionate decisions. We need to do the same with animals. We can always do better in our interactions with other animals and most of the time good welfare isn't good enough.

Saying that the lives of food-animals are ‘relatively humane’ is ridiculous. The lives of food animals, especially those in factory farms, are miserable and they continually suffer horrific pain themselves and by watching, hearing, and smelling the pain and suffering of others. People who work for food companies need to stop putting forth myths about the humane conditions they offer animals.

Your book is about social responsibility and what we can learn from nonhuman animals.

What have animals taught you?

In what ways should humans adapt our behaviour?

M.B. We must coexist with other animals.

Animals have taught me about responsibility, compassion, caring, and the value of deep friendships and interconnections. I've also learned much about who I am, not only in my world but in theirs. Many animals see me and other humans as intruders who don't care about them, while others see us as their caregivers. I want to be a ‘consummate companion’ to all animals if I can and embrace them for who they are. Often I ask ‘just who do we think we are?’

You originally attended medical school but didn’t complete your training. What made you change direction?

M.B. My interactions with a cat named Speedo changed my life. I stopped sacrificing - aka killing - cats as part of a doctoral research project when Speedo, a very intelligent cat, looked at me and asked, ‘why me?’ Frankly, I couldn't really find the words to tell him why or how badly I felt for torturing and then killing him, but relieving him of his pain

‘Love surely isn't uniquely human, and given our track record it's pretty arrogant for us to think that we know all about love and deny it to other beings.’ and removing him from his thoroughly undignified existence for which I was responsible was all I could do. I would never do this sort of research again and I dropped out of the prestigious MD/PhD programme in which I was enrolled.

You subtitled your latest book ‘Reflections on Redecorating Nature.’

Can you explain this idea and what the issues are surrounding it?

M.B. ‘Redecorating nature’ is a term that I came up with to describe situations in which we move animals around as if they're furniture. ‘Oh, wouldn't wolves look good here?’ or ‘Oh, maybe we should move the lynx there.’ When I use the phrase it calls attention to the fact that animals are not objects like a couch or a dining room table and that we need to be very careful when we move individuals around for our - not their own good. I'm very concerned about individual animals and question whether we should trade off individuals for the possible good of their species.

Our organisation, Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has been very successful for leading to more humane ways of studying animal behaviour, for example, reducing harm that we bring when we study animals, and for making the animals' lives more comfortable when we study them. I do a lot of work for Roots & Shoots and recently was awarded The Bank One Faculty Community Service Award for the work I have done with children, senior citizens and prisoners.

BEKOFF’S BOOKS Marc Bekoff is author and editor of numerous publications on the subject of animal behaviour and animal rights, including: n Encyclopaedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare n Strolling with Our Kin: Speaking for and Respecting Voiceless Animals n The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for the Animals We Love (cowritten with Jane Goodall) n The Encyclopaedia of Animal Behaviour n The Smile of a Dolphin: Remarkable Accounts of Animal Emotions n Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions and Heart n Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues: Reflections on Redecorating Nature For more information about the work of Marc Bekoff please visit his homepage at: http://literati.net/Bekoff Sections of this interview are based on extracts from Marc Bekoff’s latest book, Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues: Reflections on Redecorating Nature, published by Temple University Press and available from all good bookshops (ISBN: 1-59213-348-7).

As this is the Valentine’s edition of The Vegan magazine, can you tell us if you believe that there can be love between nonhuman animals?

M.B. Love means preferring the close company of another individual, seeking them out, and if necessary protecting them and caring for them. It means forming and maintaining a strong reciprocal bond and telling your loved one you love them. Animals do this all the time, both with humans and other animals.

My dog Jethro, a 40-kilo RotweilerGerman Shepherd mutt with a large heart, once rescued a baby bunny who he found near my mountain home.

He could have gulped the infant down easily but instead he stayed by the box in which I had placed the bunny for two weeks as the bunny gained strength so that I could release him.

I had to force him to leave the company of the bunny and for weeks after I let bunny go Jethro would look for him. Jethro also rescued a baby bird years later. I think it's safe to say he loved these animals. His is only one of numerous stories of love between animals of different species and between members of the same species.

Anyone who's lived with a dog or watched cows, sheep, or pigs knows that they fall in love. Love surely isn't uniquely human and given our track record it's pretty arrogant for us to think that we know all about love and deny it to other beings. Animals can really show us how to love because their emotions are so unfiltered.

© Cliff Grassmick for the Boulder Daily Camera

Can you talk about your work with Jane Goodall, who wrote the book's foreword? Tell us more about Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

M.B. Jane and I have worked together for about six years, during which time we wrote a book, The Ten Trusts, and we have worked on many projects through Roots & Shoots, the organisation that Jane founded to promote compassion for animals, people and the environments in which they live.

Marc, his companion Jethro (left) and their friend Zeke.

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Shoparound extra

Omega Oils

Omega-3 and omega-6 oils are classified as essential fatty acids as they can’t be made by the body and are therefore essential to a person’s diet. However, with modern eating habits many people simply aren’t getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. The Vegan Society recommends that vegans get extra omega-3, e.g. one teaspoon of flaxseed oil or a heaped tablespoon of ground flaxseed or two tablespoons of rapeseed oil.

Omega-3 and omega-6 oils play a crucial role in many bodily functions, and some research has associated consuming them with correct brain and eye development, reduced coronary disease, reduced risk of cancer, reduced skin problems (including acne, eczema and psoriasis), improved response to stress and even weight loss.

So take care of your loved ones and ensure that they have the best chance at maintaining a healthy heart and living a long and fruitful life by ensuring they’re getting enough. To give you a head start, here are some products packed with omega oils.

n BODY BENEFITS Brought to you by a member of the Lorenzo’s Oil development team, these exciting new oils by Body Benefits are the perfect solution if you wish to increase your omega intake.

There are four different oils available: Hemp, Evening Primrose, Flax and Body Benefits’ own blend. Each variety is intended to target specific health needs, for example the hemp oil can help maintain healthy skin, hair and nails, bright eyes, a stronger immune system, a healthy heart and improved blood pressure.

The oils have a real quality feel about them and are exceptionally easy to use. Although the oil can’t be heated, as this degrades the nutrients, they can easily be added to any of your favourite dishes after cooking.

The oils retail from £6.95 for the hemp oil to £14.99 for the evening primrose and each comes in a 260ml bottle.

For more information visit www.body-benefits.co.uk or call 0845 838 2232.

n THE FOOD DOCTOR The Food Doctor is a nutrition clinic that was founded 1999.

Giving sensible advice for positive health and well-being, the Food Doctor focuses on achieving a healthy plan for life.

n HIGH BARN OILS For vegans, one of the best sources of omega oils is linseed oil (also known as flaxseed). Many foods (for example, many plant foods including sunflower seeds, soya beans and walnuts) naturally contain a high amounts of omega6, and thus vegans can consume disproportionately high levels of this compared to other omega oils.

High intakes of omega-6 may inhibit the absorption of other omegas, so it’s important to equal out your intake. Taking linseed oil is an excellent way to correct this imbalance as it contains a greater proportion of omega-3, thereby restoring a healthy ratio.

Available in either a capsule or liquid form, High Barns Linseed oil is lovingly grown and cold pressed on a family farm in Sussex. It is also available in a form that’s suitable for animals.

Prices start at £7.05 for 60 capsules (one month’s supply) to £17.63 for 500ml in an attractive presentation box.

High Barn Oils products are available by mail order and through select therapy centres and retail outlets.

For further information, visit www.highbarnoils.co.uk or call 01403 730326.

As part of this plan they have produced an extensive food range, including cereals, seed mixes, soya nuts, omega oils, and health bars, all of which are delicious and packed with the goodness of omega oils and other nutritious ingredients.

The careful thought which has gone in to the production of this range is more than evident. They’re practical and convenient, whist their blend of nutrition and taste makes them irresistible.

Visit the Food Doctor website at www.thefooddoctor.com or call 0800 0935877 for more information.

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¤ s ’ e n i t n e l Va Shoparound Charlie McKenzie

Whether you’re spending it alone or with a special someone, 14th February should be a day of pure indulgence.

Charlie McKenzie treats herself to some of the most tantalising goodies available this Valentine’s Day.

¤ A TOUCH OF THE EXOTIC...

¤ FORBIDDEN FRUITS If you’re preparing a meal for a loved one, from breakfast in bed to a candle-lit dinner, add some Food for Mind and Body’s five berry mix for a touch of romance.

Berries are a rich source of antioxidants and a great source of other nutrients including flavonoids, phytochemicals and vitamin C. Food for Mind and Body’s berry mix is a lovingly selected freeze-dried blend of blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries and blackcurrants.

Everything about this product is inviting. Visually romantic with an alluringly sweet aroma, these berries could add a touch of passion to any dish. Try sprinkling them over ice cream to indulge your partner in the perfect romantic treat.

The mix retails at £5.95 for 60g or £9.95 for 125g.

Visit www.foodformindandbody.co.uk for more details or call 0845 367 0148 Correction: in the last issue of The Vegan we stated that Food for Mind and Body’s unique mix of seven seeds and nuts retailed at £9.95 for a 300g bag. £9.95 is in fact the price of a 600g bag.

Buy one packet and get 10% off a second of either variety. To take advantage of this offer, download an order form from the above site and return it with a cheque, in an envelope marked “Vegan Society Special Offer”. Offer closes 31/03/06.

¤ THE FOOD OF LOVE...

Get in the mood for love with the magic of Raw Living’s Hi Lovers chocolate hearts.

Made from raw cacoa, which contains natural mood-enhancers such as serotonin, these hearts have added rosewater, almonds and maca, which are all reputed to have aphrodisiac properties Retailing at just £2.95 for a pack of two, these adorable heart-shaped goodies come surrounded with fragrant rose petals, making them the ideal gift this Valentine’s Day. For more information or to order visit www.rawliving.co.uk or call 01273 542920.

Raw Living are giving away a free pack of Hi Lovers hearts to the first ten readers to write to: Valentine’s Competition, Suite 9, Brighton Media Centre, 68 Middle street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AL.

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How about giving your partner a present with the personal touch this Valentine’s Day? Beautifully packaged and handmade to order, Miss Bellasis’s collection of nipple tassels and pasties could liven up any evening. Using luxurious materials such as French double satin ribbons, crepe-backed satins, German glass beads and beautiful vintage trims, these striking accessories come in an extensive range of designs.

Worn inside or out, they make elegant accessories for an evening out or a playful evening in.

Each purchase comes with complete instructions; further handy hints and ordering information can be found at visit www.missbellasis.com.

¤ NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO MISS OUT! If you or a loved one has to avoid sugar or gluten you won’t have to avoid chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Ever the vegan product pioneers, Plamil have brought out a collection of sugar- and glutenfree chocolates.

These new bars are available in two flavours: chocolate and chocolate with shelled hemp. The velvety smooth consistency of each bar is heavenly and can be enjoyed on its own or used in one of the scrumptious recipes on Plamil’s site.

The bars retail at £1.35 for 100g. For more information visit www.plamilfoods.co.uk or call 01303 850588.

All Shoparound products have been authenticated as

¤ SLIP INTO SOMETHING MORE COMFORTABLE...

Why not treat yourself or a loved one to one of these funky designs, part of a new range by Slinky Clothing. A 100% ethical company, Slinky do not use sweatshops and the garments are made of good quality cotton so they wear and wash well.

Practical as well as fun, the items retail at: T-shirts £18, underpants £12 and babygrow £15.

Slinky have more great designs in the pipeline. For more information, or to order visit www.slinkydesign.co.uk or call 0870 228 4309.

¤ A TASTE OF HEAVEN ...

¤ THE WAY TO YOUR LOVER’S HEART...

Mmm, you’re tucked up on a sofa, watching a romantic film.

In your hand is a large mug of hot chocolate and the sweet smell of a chocolate cake baking in the oven fills the room.

Yachana Jungle Chocolate has made this dream come true with melting fair-trade chocolate that is perfect for baking and hot chocolate. Free from any nasties, this is chocolate in its purest form - 100% roasted cacao beans, sweetened with just a touch of sugar cane juice.

For more information, visit www.junglepassion.co.uk or call 0207 924 2711.

¤ FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION...

Finally a company dedicated to offering stylish, high fashion, vegan footwear for men, and what better time? Whether you’re seeking to make a good first impression or giving a beautiful gift to someone special, these hand-crafted Italian shoes are the answer for the discerning male.

Currently available in four charismatic styles, they can be easily dressed up or down to suit many occasions. Prices start at £115.

Leave a lingering smile on someone’s face this Valentine’s day, by giving them a gift from The Cocoa Tree’s sumptuous range of fair-trade chocolate.

T. 01548 580009 www.thecocoatree.co.uk

¤ PAMPER YOURSELF...

¤ NATURAL PLEASURES FOR WINE LOVERS...

If you’re planning a romantic meal, set the mood with one of Pageant’s naturally produced organic and biodynamic wines.

At present, Pageant supplies six guaranteed vegan wines: Cava Brut Reserva Can Vendrell, the Chateau Falfas, the Chablis Bel Air, the Sauvignon de Touraine, the Sauvignon Blanc and the Bergerac Les Charmes.

More varieties will be available in the future.

For more information or to order visit www.pageantwines.com or contact 01728 622018.

Feel fabulous this Valentine’s day and set aside a few minutes, perhaps to prepare for that prefect date, to indulge in a skincare treatment from Paul Penders.

Based on secret family recipes and enriched with a blend of 23 herbs from around the world, the collection includes a number of luxurious vegan skincare products, such as Avocado Night Cream, Calendula Cleansing Milk and Aloe & Lavender Moisturiser prefect for a little pampering.

For details visit www.paulpenders.com. To order in the UK, contact The Natural Skin Care Company at www.thenaturalskincarecompany.co.uk or call 01403 790913.

For every Paul Penders Cleansing Milk and Aloe and Lavender Moisturiser ordered through The Natural Skin Care Company, readers of The Vegan will receive a free toner. Quote 'Vegan Valentine Offer' when ordering. Offer closes 01/03/06.

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VEGAN PARTNERS:

A SPECIALIST COMMODITY? Charlie McKenzie

Finding your perfect match can be hard enough but if you’re looking for someone who shares your ethics and lifestyle, it can be all but impossible. Charlie McKenzie thinks she’s discovered the secret to finding a winner in the dating game.

A

bout four years ago I was unfortunate, or perhaps fortunate, enough to split with a long-term partner.

After an acceptable period of grieving, a close friend suggested I try internet dating. My first reaction was to shy away from the thought: I wasn’t that desperate, and anyway I’d all but given up on happy endings.

But the idea stayed with me and later, as I sat alone on my two-seater settee with my meal for one, the what-ifs began to trouble me. Torment turned to curiosity and, finally, I found myself glued to my PC happily window-shopping.

Sadly, many people never get past the stigma attached to the use of internet dating sites. Despite their growing popularity, there’s still the idea that there must be something wrong if you need to use them.

Let’s think about this logically. As a vegan I’ve taken an ethical decision that has led to many lifestyle choices. When I choose a product, I’m choosing with a specific set of criteria in mind.

We don’t question the extra time we spend making everyday choices but when we’re presented with one of the biggest decisions we will ever make, what do we do? We leave it to chance! Am I the only one to find this a little odd? Changes in society are making finding a suitable partner increasingly difficult but for those of us with additional ethical considerations, it can be even harder.

Humour me for a moment, and let us view the perfect partner as a rare commodity, rather like the elusive melting vegan marshmallow or a versatile whole egg replacer. When searching for such items we could settle for what we find in our local area.

We might not find exactly what we want, we might not find anything suitable but we settle nonetheless. This is one option.

Alternatively, we could decide to proactively search for what we want to ensure a much better chance of finding it. Sounds reasonable? Well, cue the dating site. At the click of a button you’ll be presented with scores of dishy dates and potential partners. You can take things at your own pace, just making friends or looking for a life-partner. The sites are also tailored to help you find someone you’re genuinely compatible with through in-depth profiles, which give you a real sense of a person before you make contact.

So why not take the plunge and log on? You have nothing to lose and a lifetime of happiness to find. And I should know – four years on from my first click on an online dating site and I’m about to spend a romantic weekend away with a partner who is very special to me. Maybe I’ll get that happy ending after all.

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TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU FIND LOVE ONLINE DON’T EXPECT INSTANT MIRACLES You’re not going to meet your perfect partner overnight.

There’s likely to be some heartache along the way but learn from it and don’t give up!

BE UPFRONT Be as honest as you can and let someone choose you for you. Would you want to be with anyone you couldn’t be yourself around?

DON’T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY Initial contacts are usually made via email and the person receiving the email can choose whether or not to reply.

People don’t reply for many reasons; remember they don’t know you so don’t take it personally.

BE COURTEOUS If someone emails you and, for whatever reason, you don’t want to take it further, send a courteous decline to stop them waiting for your reply and to minimise any disappointment.

THE INTERNET HAS ITS LIMITS See the dating sites as an introduction service. You will never know the whole person until you meet them face to face.

MEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE The more we don’t know about a person the more we fill in with our own fantasies, to which real people can rarely measure up. Give yourselves a chance to get to know each other properly by meeting as soon as you feel ready.

BE SAFE Meet in a public place and tell someone where you’re going and who you’re going with. Some people let embarrassment get in the way of their safety – it’s just not worth the risk.

TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF First dates are scary. Take the pressure off by going somewhere that takes the focus away from you and your date. It’s tempting to go somewhere quiet to talk but do this later, once you’re more at ease with each other and the situation.

ENJOY YOURSELF! Finding ‘the one’ is important to many people but don’t let it become an obsession. Enjoy your time on dates.

If you don’t find the perfect partner you might find the perfect friend.

ROB & CLARE THE BEST SITES FOR MEETING FELLOW VEGANS VMM www.veggiematchmakers.com This UK-based site has over 25 years’ experience in helping people find happiness. VMM has brought thousands of likemined people together and over the years members have reported back an array of heart-warming news, from finding new friendships to starting new families. VMM’s professional site reflects their experience and many testimonials confirm their success. The website also has other useful features including an events diary, products page and notice board.

‘We met via the VMM introduction agency in 2003 and were married in June 2005.’

Clare: ‘I became vegan because having been vegetarian for 10 years it was a natural progression into giving up all animal based foods and has become a total way of life.‘ Rob: ‘I became vegan because I do not believe that sentient animals should be killed or used to provide food and goods for human beings.’ www.worldveganday.org

VEGGIE CONNECTIONS www.VeggieConnection.com One of my favourites, this site is well thought out with lots of tick box options to aid searching and has thousands of members.

VEGGIE DATE www.veggiedate.org Another great and very popular site, which now has over 16,000 members from across the globe as well as great tick box options.

VEGGIE ROMANCE www.veggieromance.com Another of my favourites, this site is really easy to use. With approximately 2,000 members at present, Veggie Romance doesn’t just concentrate on dating, but also has a popular forum.

MADDI & FIRE

We are both vegans who have had relationships with meateaters in the past and had both given up hope of ever meeting a partner who shared the same views and lifestyle.

We live in different cities 65 miles apart and have very different jobs and interests, so I cannot imagine how we would have ever met if not through VeggieConnection.com! www.worldveganday.org

Veggie Romance is giving readers of The Vegan a month’s free premium membership. If you are new to the site, create a profile and then email Veggie Romance with your Vegan Society membership number and new user name, adding ‘Vegan Society’ to the subject line. Existing Veggie Romance members may also take advantage of this offer to upgrade their membership.

THE BEST OF THE REST www.vegansingles.co.uk www.veggielove.com www.veganpassions.com www.VeggieSingles4You.com CONTACT CENTRE There’s no need to miss out if you’re not online.

The Contact Centre is a traditional dating service with a difference. With no need to fill in any forms, it offers a much more personal service. After paying an initial one-off fee you can join as either a UK only or international member. You will then be sent many people’s adverts to choose from.

Membership prices start at £14.95 and those who join within two weeks of receiving their initial correspondence from the Contact Centre will be entitled to a £5 discount.

Contact by writing to: BCM Cuddle, London WC1N 3XX

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RECIPES FOR ROMANCE FROM DANDELION & BURDOCK

If you’re planning a romantic evening in, or just fancy giving yourself a special treat, there are few things quite so satisfying as a lovingly prepared home-cooked meal. David Stuart Wilson, of Dandelion & Burdock restaurant in West Yorkshire, serves up some dishes to delight the senses this Valentine’s Day.

WARM TOFU SALAD WITH BANANA POPPY SEED DRESSING (Serves 2) 1 stick of celery, sliced into lengths of 6cm and then sliced lengthways into juliennes 1 slab of tofu cut into 3cm cubes 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped 1 tbs olive oil

In a wok or frying pan, warm the olive oil and gently sauté the onion, celery and tofu cubes for a few minutes until lightly browned and crisp.

Add the tamari, peach, pepper.

Place on a bed of spinach and rocket leaves.

Drizzle on the salad dressing.

Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.

The Dressing

1 peach sliced lengthways into wedges 1 red capsicum pepper sliced lengthways into wedges 2 tbs tamari soy sauce 2 good handfuls of spinach leaves

250ml vegan mayo 2 bananas 1 tsp lemon juice 3 tbs maple syrup 2 tbs poppy seeds

2 good handfuls of rocket leaves 1 tbs pumpkin seeds

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and drizzle over salad.

DANDELION & BURDOCK Located in the rolling hills of West Yorkshire, Dandelion & Burdock is a completely vegan restaurant that uses organic, fair-trade, locally produced food whenever possible. Experts in creating adventurous dishes, they are happy to accommodate special dietary needs and can cater for up to 44 people.

For more information, visit www.dandelionandburdock.uk.com, call 01422 316000, or pop in: 16 Town Hall Street, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2EA. Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 5.45pm until closing; Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 3pm.

David Stuart Wilson has been involved in the restaurant business for 22

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WIN A ROMANTIC MEAL FOR TWO!

Dandelion & Burdock, along with London-based Eat and Two Veg and 222 Veggie Vegan - three of The Vegan Society’s favourite restaurants - are offering you the chance to enjoy a romantic meal for two. To be in with a chance of winning, just tell us why you or your loved one deserves an evening of unadulterated indulgence. The winners will be asked to write a small restaurant review to be published in a future edition of The Vegan. Entries should be sent to: Vegan Valentine’s, The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 7 Battle Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7AA, or emailed to info@vegansociety.com, stating which restaurant you would prefer to visit. Closing date: 24th March.

BASIL POTATO GNOCCHI (Serves 2) 1 bunch of basil leaves Olive oil 2 large baking potatoes 60g wholewheat, white or chickpea flour 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp black pepper fresh milled 2 tbs vegan Parmazano Place basil in blender with a little olive oil and blend until finely chopped; store in air-tight container in the fridge until later.

Bake potatoes for 1 hour at 180°C. When cool remove skin and grate potato into a large mixing bowl.

Add 2 tsp of basil/olive oil blend and all other ingredients except flour; mix well by hand.

Add half the flour to the potato mix and stir.

Add the remaining flour a little at a time, stirring between additions.

Working on a floured surface, roll the dough into finger thickness ropes.

Cut the potato sausage into 2.5cm (1 inch) gnocchi.

Drop the gnocchi into boiling water, when they rise to the surface they are cooked.

To serve Serve as you would pasta.

VALENTINE’S DAY VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE (Serves 8) Chocolate Cake 3 cups/390g plain unbleached white flour 2 cups/440g raw cane sugar 6 tbs cocoa powder 2 tsp baking soda 1 ⁄2 tsp sea salt 2 cups/500ml soya milk (fruit-sweetened) 3 ⁄4 cup/187ml vegetable oil 2 tbs cider vinegar 2 tsp vanilla extract Preheat oven to 177 degrees.

Thoroughly mix dry ingredients together.

Stir in wet ingredients, continuing to mix until you obtain a smooth, even batter.

Pour into a greased 9”/ 23cm spring form cake pan and bake for approximately 40 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Allow to cool before adding chocolate frosting.

Chocolate Frosting 1 cup/220g raw cane sugar 6 tbs corn starch 4 tbs cocoa powder 1 ⁄2 tsp sea salt 2 tbs vegetable oil 1 cup/250ml soya milk (fruit-sweetened) 1 ⁄2 tsp vanilla extract Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt and cocoa in a medium saucepan.

Whisk in the soya milk.

Warm over a medium heat until it thickens and starts to boil.

Lower heat and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in oil and vanilla.

Cool and spread on cooled cake.

To serve Serve with sliced Booja Booja Champagne Truffles (one per portion).

over 15 years, in both the UK and the USA. He opened Dandelion & Burdock in September 2005.

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REVOLUTIONARY VEGANISM Lee Hall and Daniel Hammer

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he last edition of The Vegan featured an article by campaigner Matt Ball, which argued that it may be time to 1 redefine what it means to be vegan. Lee Hall and Daniel Hammer disagree, arguing that, as currently defined, veganism provides us with a moral baseline from which to change the world.

‘If the vegan ideal of non-exploitation were generally adopted it would be the greatest peaceful revolution ever known,’ Donald Watson once said, ‘abolishing vast industries and establishing new ones’ in the better interest of human and nonhuman animals alike.

Thus, one by one, each person who aspires to the vegan ethic makes a revolutionary change. Seen in day-to-day terms, this means avoiding commodities derived wholly or partly from animals and promoting in their place peaceful products.

In memory of Donald the media noted the pioneering activist’s boundless inspiration ‘for those seeking a lifestyle totally free from animal products for the benefit of people, animals and the environment.’ The BBC News conveyed the simplicity and the seriousness of the commitment: ‘A vegan, therefore, eats a plant-based diet free from all animal products including milk, eggs and honey.’

‘Vegetarianism, taken to its logical conclusion, is no dreary proposition but a daily celebration of life.’

While that simple, clear idea has had a continuous influence and presence since 1944, we’ve seen a recent emergence of arguments positing that the ends would justify redefining ‘vegan.’ We’ve heard the vegan lifestyle called a ‘tool’ for opposing the ‘horrors of factory farms and industrial slaughterhouses,’ and it has been suggested that our attention to detail when buying products may make us seem overly 1 pedantic, discouraging others from becoming vegan.

JOYFUL VEGANISM Why would anyone suggest that label-reading makes us tedious and joyless? The Vegan Society’s sunflower symbol delights us and we are made more joyful with every new product that wears it. And why would vegans and animal rights advocates recommend that we accept the idea of humane animal products or else be relegated to the category of joyless purists?

Joy is hardly expanded when the word ‘pure’ is considered a dirty word.

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Admittedly, the vast scale of animal use can be overwhelming.

Staggering statistics and violent language underscore the severity of the suffering it all contains. Anxiety, driven by the thought that animal consumption won't end in our lifetimes, might lead us to ask whether pressing for industry reforms might be better than nothing. Vegan advocacy, however, was not developed to measure degrees of suffering - nor is it doing nothing! Regardless of the harshness involved, exploiting other conscious beings is a wrongful dismissal of their interests; in that sense animal-use industries are simply irredeemable and best avoided. If we don’t convey that point, who will? If not now, when?

Suffering isn't reduced when animals are unnecessarily bred or brought into a system of abuse, even if they fill bigger cages or face less painful slaughter. And we really have no way of counting the people who buy purportedly less cruel animal products, putting off veganism.

We might recall our own journeys and the questions we asked: Do fish who swim freely suffer so badly?

Is eating eggs really a problem if I look for the free-range brand? As vegans, we represent the small but growing percentage of people who know that those questions are beside the point.

A MORAL BASELINE When we became vegans, we simply declined to support the exploitation of animals. Instead of allowing the abstract idea of reducing suffering to guide our ethic, we made a commitment to respect a moral baseline. Once we accepted that baseline, the journey became one of affirming life, learning about the importance of a plant-based diet to a just and ecologically sane economy. Refreshed by this understanding, we direct our energies to where they’re needed - not into enhancing profitdriven enterprises, but into empowering others in our community to liberate themselves from their dependence on what animal industries are selling.

No wonder Donald Watson saw the ideal of non-exploitation as having revolutionary potential. Not satisfied to refine, or even assess, the system of rulemaking applied by industries, he saw the term vegan as representing the beginning and the conclusion of vegetarian. Vegetarianism, taken to its logical conclusion, is no dreary proposition but a daily celebration of life.

Taking the vegan life seriously is, then, a matter of respect for life itself. Now that we’ve embraced it, our role is to get on with ‘abolishing vast industries and establishing new ones’. Like Donald Watson, we’ve ceased to believe in the romantic ideal of animals gambolling on the family farm.

From both an animal rights and an environmental perspective, after all, the constant tendency of animal agribusiness to usurp more and more space is an alarming sign. Instead of arguing for bigger cages or more pasture, we’re ready for a holistic understanding of our role in creating a genuinely better society.

PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES It’s a practical vegan who sticks to moral principles. On a planet of limited land and water, humanity breeds so many animals into existence as food that the free-living animals are pushed to the margins of the land. But through vegan movements, such as vegan organic farming, we’re showing the way to a viable future for human and nonhuman animals alike.

‘Carrying the principled message that society must transcend animal use rather than refine it, vegan activists are as vital in the practical sense as in the ethical sense.’

These movements value and protect wild lands by highlighting the benefits of direct nutrition and the merits of treading gently on the territory we share with the rest of the earth’s inhabitants.

The single most important daily change we can make, if we’re going to stop deforestation and climate change before it stops us, would be to adopt a plant-based diet. Carrying the principled message that society must transcend animal use rather than refine it, vegan activists are as vital in the practical sense as in the ethical sense.

For the vegan revolutionary, the ends and the means are one.

Lee Hall has taught animal rights as well as immigration and refugee law, and serves as legal director for Friends of Animals, a non-profit international animal advocacy organisation in New York. Daniel Hammer has spoken publicly on ecofeminism, hunting, and dairy issues, and serves as Staff Writer for Friends of Animals. www.friendsofanimals.org

1 Matt Ball, ‘How Vegan? Ingredients vs. Activism’, The Vegan, Winter 2005, pages 12-13. Some of our readers’ responses to this article are featured in ‘Postbag’, page 36.

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WORLD VEG CONGRESS IN GOA, INDIA 10-16 SEPTEMBER 2006 Vanessa Clarke

With the International Vegetarian Union’s World Congress being held this year in Goa, India, Vanessa Clarke looks at the historic and continuing links between the vegetarian movements in India, the UK and the rest of the world.

J

ust as the Danish vegan festival is being held where two seas meet, so the entirely vegan World Congress in Goa represents a coming together of widely differing cultures, as India invites us to bring back and reinforce the message of compassion for all beings that earlier generations brought to the West from India.

Nearly 30 years ago, in an article entitled ‘To India for the Congress’, the late Serena Coles described how much she and other Vegan Society members had learned from their counterparts in India and her delight at meeting and talking to so many young people in schools and colleges and on the radio. She was also proud to deliver the Vegan Society paper ‘Food for a Future’ at the main congress in Delhi, but concluded – as so many of us have concluded since then – that ‘the greatest results may well come from the seeds sown by the many personal contacts, by the sharing of ideas and insights, by the three weeks of freely giving and receiving between so many different countries and cultures. May they grow strong and quickly and help to create the more humane world we all long to see.’

Now, once again, our colleagues in India invite us to return to redress the balance and stem the tide of pro-meat propaganda reaching India from the West. In the words of organiser Jashu Shah, ‘Non-vegetarianism is travelling at a fast pace from West to East. The younger generation is sitting on the fence, not knowing where to jump.’

Meanwhile, the great spiritual leaders who have always been at the heart of Indian life and culture are making it very clear which way they believe humankind as a whole should jump – and it is the Vegan Way!

The revered Hindu Swami Chidatmananda is committed to a vegan diet, as are other members of the worldwide Chinmaya Mission which does so much to alleviate suffering and injustice as well as promoting spiritual values.

Gurudev Chitrabhanu, respected

by Jains world wide, recently invited Stephen Walsh and myself to join him on the platform at the inauguration of a new temple and assist him in exhorting an audience of 7,000 British Jains to come to the congress in Goa, support The Vegan Society and, above all, Go Vegan!

Indians in Britain – Gandhi and beyond The temple visit was an awesome experience and a reminder that up to half a million Britons - Jains, Hindus, Sikhs and others – have links with the strongly vegetarian culture of India. The enthusiasm of Nitin Mehta and the highly inclusive Young Indian Vegetarians has been well known for a quarter of a century and Nitin has been promoting veganism for at least a decade now. The staff and Council of The Vegan Society also include members who have family ties with India. All these people, whether their families came direct from India or via East Africa, Malaysia or elsewhere, bring with them a special relationship with the veggie cause dating back many generations and their input is helping to make veganism and the Society relevant to an ever wider cross-section of the population both at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, the same progression from traditional vegetarian values to the vegan path can be seen in the Hare Krishna movement, much of whose food aid is now vegan, and even in the Tibetan VegSoc, whose leader was funded by the Dalai Lama (sadly not yet vegan, but strongly supportive of the society’s aims) to join us at the recent European congress in Italy and hopes very much to attend the Goa congress.

Gandhi was an active member of the London Vegetarian Society Even before the International Vegetarian Union – the umbrella organisation for vegetarian and vegan societies throughout the world – there had been a Vegetarian Federal Union, for which one of Britain’s most famous Indian visitors had high hopes. When Mohandas K. Gandhi first came to London as an 18-year-old law student he discovered the work of Henry Salt and became an active member of the London Vegetarian Society. At his farewell dinner before sailing home to Bombay in 1891 he expressed the hope that an international congress would be held in India.

The IVU and the international movement It was not until 1957 that IVU finally fulfilled Gandhi’s dream. For many years a strong European bias remained, an offer from San Francisco to organise a congress in 1915 being turned down as too far away. Meanwhile, Gandhi devoted himself to working for Indian independence, though on a visit for talks with government officials in 1931 he found time to attend and speak at a London Vegetarian Society meeting with his old friend and mentor Henry Salt at his side. After independence, however, the Indian vegetarians began to take a more active role in IVU and when the 50th anniversary congress in Dresden had to be cancelled they seized the chance to show what they could do.

The World Congress in India in 1957 was unlike anything anyone had seen before. Instead of one week in one place with a couple of hundred delegates, it was spread over a whole month with venues many hundreds of miles apart, audiences of thousands and an opening address by the President of India.

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The next three Congresses were back in Europe as usual, but the Indians had shown what they could do and in1967 they did it again – this time with the Dalai Lama as well.

One of the delegates in 1967 – the late Jay Dinshah, an American of Indian origin and founder of the American Vegan Society – was inspired by all this to organise the first World Congress in North America, in 1975, attracting 1,500 delegates and providing a launching pad for the movement there. The next congress was the one in India that Serena Coles described so enthusiastically in The Vegan. IVU had finally become a genuinely global union. In recent years, World Congresses in Thailand, Canada, Scotland and Brazil have built on that legacy, attracting ever more young people and moving with the times by stipulating in the IVU bylaws that all events must be entirely vegan – including, of course, the forthcoming congress in Goa and the centenary congress in Dresden in 2008.

cricket is overtaking hockey in popularity due to massive coverage on Indian national television. Western songs in English are at least as popular as traditional Konkanim folk songs, with 19th century Manddo music and dance for special occasions - and then there is the famous Goan trance music.

photo © Jan Koch

About the congress The congress will be a mixture of formal talks, workshops, entertainments, excursions and, above all, delicious vegan food shared with likeminded people from all over the world.

The venue is the Radisson White Sands hotel, on the finest beach in Goa. Registration charges are US $120 single, $225 double, children under 12 free, with charges rising after 31st May. Preand post-congress tours are also available.

Accommodation and meals cost from about $200 per person staying at cheaper hotels to $350 in a two-person standard room at the Radisson or $700 for a single with sea view.

About Goa About 250 miles south of Bombay, on the palm-fringed shores of the Arabian Sea and with a recorded history dating back more than 2,000 years, Goa is India’s richest state and also one of its smallest.

After an extended period of Portuguese rule, Goa finally became India’s 25th state a generation after the rest of India became independent.

The climate is tropical, with the highest temperatures in May followed by monsoon rains from June to August. The most popular season for tourism is thus from autumn to spring. The main religions are Hinduism (65 per cent) and Roman Catholicism (30 per cent) and the main languages are Konkanim, English and Marathi, plus some Portuguese and Hindi. All these and several other Indian languages are in the new expanded Vegan Passport, so don’t leave home without it!

A unique blend of East and West, Goa is an exotic mixture of temples and churches, fine beaches, amazing natural scenery and a rich diversity of wildlife.

The most popular sport is football, which is played on any open space not currently under cultivation or under water, while despite lack of contact with British rule

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The Radisson White Sands, venue for the Congress Goa is renowned for its exquisite temples

Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed by areca, cashew and coconut. Coconut and coconut oil is widely used in Goan cooking along with chilli, spice and vinegar, giving the food a unique flavour. The most popular alcoholic beverage is Fenny, made by fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree or the sap of the toddy palm.

More than half the region is covered by forest, with a huge variety of flora and fauna, much of which enjoys protected status. The Salim Ali bird sanctuary is one of the best known in India and national park land and wildlife sanctuaries abound, while the Western Ghats mountain range is comparable with the Amazon and Congo basins in terms of biodiversity. There are several large rivers with countless small islands and over a hundred medicinal springs.

Getting there Flying time is about 11 hours from the UK by scheduled flight via Mumbai (Bombay) or charter direct to Goa’s Dabolim airport. Prices vary from £300 return to more than twice that figure, so it’s worth shopping around. (Remember that the code is GOI and not GOA or you’ll find yourself being directed to Genoa, Italy!) For information about visas (compulsory), medical precautions (optional), and about India generally and Goa in particular, contact the India Tourist Office, 7 Cork Street, London W1X 1PB, tel. 020 7437 3677 I am indebted to IVU Webmaster John Davis for much of the material used in this article. For further information, see www.ivu.org/congress/2006, subscribe to ivu-india@yahoogroups.com or call 020 7928 7459.

Vanessa Clarke is a member of the Vegan Society Council and acts as an International Contact for the Society.

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR Thanks to Sophie Fenwick-Paul’s kind offer to take over the Local Contacts Network a new post of International Coordinator has been created to cope with this rapidly-expanding area of activity and I shall be able to concentrate on providing support and encouragement for people wishing to promote veganism beyond the borders of the UK and Ireland.

Did you know that almost 10 per cent of Vegan Society members live outside the UK? It was quite a surprise to me when I checked the figures!

For many years ours was the only Vegan Society in the world and vegans overseas looked to us for support and guidance in their chosen lifestyle.

Over the years many of our members have gone on to found their own national societies whilst new members have come in from further and further afield. As well as constant requests for help in setting up vegan groups in other countries, the Society is increasingly involved in extending the Sunflower Trade Mark to Europe, North America and beyond.

In the past I have helped as much as time permitted by arranging translations for Trade Mark documentation and checking applications from abroad, finding new contributors to the Vegan Passport and liaising with would-be contacts and groups as far afield as Ghana and Florida as well as in Europe. Now that Sophie is responsible for the local network I have more time to work with the Staff to promote the Trade Mark and with our International Contact to promote veganism throughout the world. So from now on I shall be reporting on overseas activities while Sophie reports on the local ones, though I shall continue to follow with interest the activities of

all our local and group contacts, many of whom I have come to regard as friends.

In addition to keeping in contact with overseas groups and members and helping to deal with overseas enquiries, I intend to build on the goodwill generated at recent international events in Italy and Brazil and forthcoming ones in Denmark and India, and I look forward to celebrating the centenary of the International Vegetarian Union in Dresden in 2008. Thanks to the vision and hard work of vegans within the international veggie movement over many years, all such congresses are now entirely vegan, but there is still a huge task ahead of us in spreading the vegan message throughout the world.

Needless to say, all foreign travel is at one’s own expense. However there is a small budget for postage and provision of materials to those seeking to spread the word in less affluent parts of the world.

I hope to be in contact with all our overseas members shortly. Meanwhile I shall be happy to hear from anyone with an interest in this area of our work and look forward to meeting you some time somewhere.

Yours for a Vegan World, Patricia Tricker International Coordinator

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Over 60 and looking for a Vegetarian/Vegan Home in East Sussex or Colwyn Bay?

We have a few fully self-contained single/double flats recently refurbished and available to rent now in our sheltered homes. Our charges include a mid-day meal (optional) and otherwise residents cook for themselves and lead an independent life within peaceful and picturesque surroundings, amongst others who share a common interest.

If you feel you would enjoy the companionship of other vegetarians and vegans please contact: The Secretary The Vegetarian Housing Association PO Box 193 Hastings TN34 2WT 01424 757851 Mon-Thurs (inclusive) 9.30am – 12.30pm email: VHA@veghousing.org.uk.

(You are welcome to leave a message outside of office hours and we will respond at the earliest convenience).

GROW VEGAN Paul Robertshaw of Vegan-Organic Network

Paul Robertshaw, of the VeganOrganic Network and the Welsh College of Horticulture, shares some seasonal suggestions from his wide experience.

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or those of you who grow your own fruit and vegetables, on whatever scale, I am guessing that at this time of year your plot looks a little lost with lots of brassicas, leeks, a few roots and not much else, unless of course you have a polytunnel.

However, now is the time to get ready for the forthcoming season. Get those seed catalogues out and prepare to plant. There is so much you can be doing now, planning and preparing for the warmer weather. I always take pleasure in planning or checking my planned rotation and deciding if last year’s varieties were all right or if it’s time to try some new ones. There certainly seems to be a greater choice of organic seed varieties available this year.

Obviously the urge to plant has to be tempered with where you live in the country, in terms of weather conditions, so be careful – most crops benefit from warm soil so if conditions aren’t right then wait until next month. My experience is that a lot of crops catch up anyway. If you have been really clever then you can just pull back the black polythene or old carpet from your beds and plant those early crops that you forgot to do in the autumn, such as shallots, garlic, broad beans and peas.

Covering the soil for a few weeks before planting will aid germination and growth.

Unless you have a cosy heated greenhouse then remember that crops in polytunnels may also still need some protection when it is frosty or freezing.

Grow Vegan Puzzler Q. What fertility builders should be part of vegan-organic crop rotations?

Send your answer on a postcard to The Vegan Society (address details on page 1) by 9th March 2006 to be in with a chance of winning a signed copy of Spade, Skirret and Parsnip the Curious History of Vegetables by Bill Laws. Now available in paperback.

Winter Grow Vegan Answer: Purple sprouting broccoli (and many more!)

Winner: Sharon Dunn, Hull

The polytunnel is a haven for activity at this time of the year, particularly if you want to get an early start on your neighbours by sowing crops to be used as transplants. If you have a propagator or soil-warming bench then you could consider starting off some of your crops, such as tomatoes or early brassicas.

I think it is worth sowing some quickgrowing salad crops and radishes directly into the ground and if you don’t have the luxury of a polytunnel or greenhouse you could try planting some salad crops such as lettuce and rocket in containers. Don’t forget to start chitting those potatoes.

If you don’t already have a fruit area then this is the time of year to be planting new trees and bushes, as long as the soil conditions are right. If it is still frosty or frozen then either heel them in somewhere suitable or keep them frostfree in the garage or shed. For those with apples, pears and bush fruits it is worth finishing off the winter pruning now.

Cover some of your strawberries with a cloche if you want to be noshing them a couple of weeks ahead of the neighbours.

Remember the importance of looking after the soil and how you are going to maintain fertility. If, like us at the Welsh College of Horticulture (WCoH), you don’t use any animal inputs then it is paramount that you have a plan for your green manures in the same way you do for your other crops; they have to be part of your rotation.

Finally, organic growing without any animal inputs (stockfree) is an achievable and viable option so if you want to find out more about the stockfree movement contact the Vegan-Organic Network (VON) or if you would like details of organic courses at WCoH contact me via VON. Paul Robertshaw teaches organic horticulture at the WCoH in north-east Wales, where the college has a commercial organic stockfree farm and runs inspirational courses on the subject.

Vegan growing mixtures to try: Fertile Fibre Ltd sells a wide range of organic, peat-free composts, including multi-purpose, potting and seed mixtures, all available by mail order.

Tel. 01432 853111, www.fertilefibre.co.uk.

Vegan-Organic Network (VON) will help you to ‘grow your own’. For details contact: VON, 4 Mallow St, Manchester M15 5GD. Email: cherry.chung@btinternet.com.

General enquiries to 0845 223 5232 (local rate). www.veganorganic.net

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CURIOUS VEGETABLES: THE LOVE APPLE Bill Laws

Travel across southern Spain these days and you find the Mediterranean countryside carpeted with plastic greenhouses. What are they growing? Tomatoes by the tonne.

Yet European vegetable growers were highly suspicious of the luscious, juicy, red tomatoes they first grew some 500 years ago. The tomato seed had arrived in Seville, Spain, brought from American Indians in Latin America who described the fruit as ‘tomatl’.

Before long the tomato had been exported to Italy where one Italian chef published a recipe for frying the mala aurea or golden apple, as he called it. By the time the tomato reached France it had evolved into the pomme d'amour or love apple, a reference to its supposed aphrodisiac qualities.

This could explain the outright hostility to the tomato when it was exported back across the Atlantic to America. In 1820 one Robert Gibbon Johnson took the unusual step of publicly eating a basket of tomatoes on the steps of the Salem courthouse in New Jersey just to allay people's fears.

Meanwhile another American, John Nix, challenged the notion that it was a vegetable anyway.

Seeking to evade the 10% import duty on vegetables, he claimed the tomato as a fruit. In the end it took the full weight of the Supreme Court to rule that the tomato was, ‘in the common language of the people’, a vegetable from the kitchen garden.

Bill Laws is the author of Spade, Skirret and Parsnip - The Curious History of Vegetables (Sutton Publishing).

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Reviews Catriona Toms

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Living

By Beverly Lynn Bennett & Ray Sammartano Alpha Books ISBN: 1-59257-417-3 Cover price: £12.99 Until now there has been no one definitive guide to making the switch to a vegan lifestyle.

Most of us had to collate information from various sources: books, websites, magazines, Vegan Society resources. Now all of the information needed to make a fairly effortless transition to veganism is wrapped up in one 350-page package, filled with invaluable advice from the Complete Idiot’s Guide to… series.

It covers everything a new vegan needs to know: nutrition, dining out, food shopping, meat and dairy alternatives, clothes, bodycare products, a huge variety of recipes, and much more. Established vegans will also find many useful tips and lots of new information.

Aimed primarily at an American audience, the advice is easily adaptable for those living outside the US.

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Hunters, Herders, and Hamburgers: The Past and Future of Human-Animal Relationships

By Richard W. Bulliet Columbia University Press ISBN: 0-231-13076-7 Cover price: £18.00 (hardback) An in-depth study of the history of the relationship between humans and other animals, Hunters, Herders, and Hamburgers explores why humanity considers itself separate from other species and examines why many animals are treated as commodities rather than individuals. Identifying four key stages in this relationship – separation, predomesticity, domesticity and postdomesticity – Bulliet looks at how changing beliefs combined with social and technological developments have contributed to the way animals have been viewed and treated in different cultures throughout history and up to the present day.

Arguing that in Britain and the US we have now entered the postdomesticity stage, where most people continue to eat animal products whilst being largely removed from any physical or psychological contact with real animals, Bulliet explores the possible effects that this may be having on our collective psyche.

Bulliet is not vegetarian and does not seek to encourage others to eat less meat, although he does touch on ‘elective vegetarianism’ as an aspect of our postdomestic society, one which may become the dominant force shaping our future relationship with animals.

Broad-ranging and highly readable, Hunters, Herders, and Hamburgers contains much to capture the imagination of anyone interested in how we reached where we are in relation to other animals, and where we may go in the future.

Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World

By Bob Torres & Jenna Torres Tofu Hound Press ISBN: 0-9770804-1-2 Cover price: $12.95 You wait years for a complete guide to going vegan to be published and then two come along at once. Based on the premise that all vegans will feel out of place at some point in their lives, Vegan Freak aims to make us all feel a little bit more comfortable. Full of great tips and advice, along with stories and lists of useful resources, it’s perfect for people who are making the transition to veganism and for those who’ve been vegan for a long time but still feel as though they’re living at a slightly different angle to everybody else. Serious when it has to be and funny when it wants to, Vegan Freak covers everything from how to go vegan in three weeks or less using their ‘cold tofu’ programme to how to respond to all those oh-so-hilarious comments that people will insist on making.

DIET MATTERS Sandra Hood, BSc (Hons), SRD

I have been told that I have raised blood pressure (hypertension). Is there anything I can do to avoid resorting to medication?

From what you say I presume you have 'essential hypertension', in which high blood pressure is not associated with any disease such as kidney disease or diabetes. If you are overweight, smoke or take no exercise, you need to make lifestyle changes. The appropriate diet is to avoid processed foods, reduce salt and cut out coffee, strong tea and alcohol. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as it has been shown that eight portions of fruits and vegetables per day (a portion is approx 80g) can reduce blood pressure.

Avoid pastries, hydrogenated fats and trans-fatty acids (found in biscuits, cakes, pastries and some margarines) and refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, white bread, white pasta and white rice.

Instead, choose wholegrains, such as granary bread and wholegrain rice and pasta, and ensure you include a regular source of omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. a teaspoon of linseed (flaxseed) oil, two tablespoons of canola (rapeseed) oil or an ounce of walnuts a day. You should also ensure an adequate intake of calcium - some studies have suggested that increased calcium (especially in people who have a low calcium intake) may improve hypertension. Finally, make I think I have gout in my sure you take a regular, reliable source of vitamin toes. Is this possible for a vegan?

B12.

It is certainly unusual but it is possible. Gout is a disturbance of protein metabolism in which the production of uric acid is increased, leading to deposits of crystals around the joints, especially the fingers and toes.

Uric acid is a breakdown product of nucleic acid and is found in all body tissue. Excess amounts are usually excreted in the urine but any hold-up may cause crystals to be formed. It is more common in men than women and can be hereditary. The main cause is excess alcohol, meat and overeating. All of the foods usually recommended for people to avoid are animal products.

I would encourage you to eat lots of vegetables and consider cutting out or reducing your alcohol intake. You also need to drink plenty of fluid to help get rid of any excess by-products. Try to drink at least 1.5 litres of a day, preferably water, and avoid drinks containing sugar. Avoid feasting and fasting – going long periods without eating can give rise to an attack of gout. Try to eat regular meals of average portions. If you are overweight, aim to reduce weight slowly to within the ideal weight range for your height.

Rapid weight loss can result in increased attacks of gout, as can eating lots of fatty foods, pastries, biscuits and fried foods.

Can vegans get enough calcium and do meat-eaters need more calcium than vegans?

Calcium is well absorbed from plant foods and vegan diets can provide adequate calcium if the diet regularly includes calcium-containing foods. Meat-eaters generally have high protein diets, which have been shown to lead to calcium loss. Omnivores don’t need to consume more calcium but need to reduce their animal protein intake and eat more fruits and vegetables. Animal products are acidic, which can disturb mineral balance including calcium. In contrast, vegan diets are more alkaline and it may be, as you state, that vegans consume and store calcium more efficiently than meat-eaters.

Nevertheless, because studies have suggested the calcium intake of vegans may be below the Department of Health current recommendations of 700mg per day, it is prudent to ensure an adequate intake and to meet the recommendations. Good sources of calcium include most green leafy vegetables (not spinach), broccoli, tofu (if prepared with calcium), fortified soya milks, almonds, tahini, oranges and figs.

Sandra Hood is taking a break from ‘Diet Matters’ for a while. The Vegan Society would like to take this opportunity to thank Sandra for her invaluable input to the work of the Society and the vegan movement. In recent years, we have been especially grateful for frequent contributions to The Vegan magazine and for the seminal Feeding your vegan infant – with confidence, the UK’s first complete guide to raising vegan children on a vegan diet, written by Sandra and published by The Vegan Society.

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µ

Postbag

STAR LETTER

µ

The author of this issue’s Star Letter wins a ‘Vegans are my Cup of Tea’ mug.

WHY VEGAN?

Reading the ‘Star letter’ (‘People are animals, too’) in your winter issue, made me realise the true diversity of we vegans.

I went vegan for one reason only: because of animals. Soon after, I realised that mass veganism would save the earth, the animals, and the people, too. I enjoy pointing this out to people who accuse those of us who campaign for animals of not caring about people.

I was appalled that Ms Freeman could compare the fate of children to that of animals. In this country, children are not tortured in laboratories, bred for food or hunted and torn apart by packs of dogs.

Yes, people are animals too, but the human animal is the only species with any rights.

Gilly Ryan Cornwall

Contributions to Postbag are welcomed, but accepted on the understanding that they may be edited in the interests of brevity or clarity

HOW VEGAN? I enjoyed reading Matt Ball’s article ‘How Vegan?’ However, I feel I must comment upon some of his viewpoints.

Although it seems reasonable to disregard marginal aspects of veganism, such as gelatine in camera film and burgers cooked with meat, this argument does not portray veganism as anything but a hypocritical stance.

If vegans appear to have a lax attitude to their own ethical viewpoint then this passes the wrong message to non-

vegans and suggests that we are not truly vegan at all. I think it is best to keep quiet about areas where being strictly vegan is extremely difficult, and to appear to be living completely without animal products.

Of course we are sometimes led into using animal products by accident or through lack of information but I think we should expect non-vegans to see us as actually achieving our aims.

Rob Tilling By email

Of the many fine words printed in your excellent magazine, I was most impressed by Matt Ball’s article ‘How Vegan?’

Commerce is fed by the consumer, and if goods do not sell they soon cease to be stocked or produced; note also that the ingredients in a product are listed in order of quantity.

With that in mind, a solution to the problem of ‘How Vegan?’ can be found by scanning only the first half-dozen or so items on the list of ingredients in a product before deciding on a purchase. Equally, perhaps a little discretion should be used when dining out with friends and associates. The final few ingredients in themselves cannot possibly produce any measurable profit and this method avoids the alienation that can be caused by appearing too puritanical.

I am surprised that the ‘Star letter’ went to the letter of Sheila Freeman in the last edition of The Vegan. One can in no way compare how children are treated in the UK to the way in which animals are treated.

Why does she join the meat-eating majority in thinking that we have to prioritise one species over another? This very set of ethics is responsible for the appalling way in which we treat animals.

No doubt absolute veganism works well for those who live alone, in a sympathetic family, or in close contact with a vegan congregation, but in the outside world it is surely better to consider what effect you are having on others who have yet to be persuaded.

Better that they should think more carefully about their future purchases than simply disregard what they perceive as mere folly.

As a vegan and a mother of two young children and a mother to many rescued animals of various species, I hate all cruelty whether it be meted out to animals, children or anyone else.

The 'How Vegan?' article, which appeared in The Vegan winter 2005, has had a profound impact on my views on why I continue my strict vegan lifestyle.

Perhaps Ms Freeman should digest the wonderful article by Stephen E Hunt (‘Yoked Together: Anti-Slavery and Animal Welfare’) in the winter edition of The Vegan. This could perhaps enlighten her as to the fact that animal suffering and human suffering are inextricably linked.

Rachel Astill-Dunseith Lincoln

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The Vegan l Spring 2006

Ken Elliott Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

I've been 'vegan' for 14 years and during these years I have increasingly based my 'veganism' on the 'ingredients-based approach'. In hindsight, I don't believe I have encouraged anyone to become vegan. For the first time in my life I am questioning my strict dietary approach.

Can an animal rightist campaign against animal exploitation by boycotting and

encouraging others to boycott flesh, milk and eggs but still purchase and eat products that contain whey, milk proteins, egg albumen and honey?

I believe the answer is yes. But can this same animal rightist truly call themselves a vegan?

I would be interested to hear what others think on this issue and hope that the ‘How Vegan?’ article has inspired a muchneeded debate on this important issue.

Tyrone Kelly By email

events

Updated diaries and events information can be viewed at www.vegansociety.com

n MARCH

Animal Aid Veggie Month Urge your friends to ‘take the veggie pledge’ by going veggie – or, better yet, vegan – for a week during Animal Aid’s veggie month.

T. 01732 364546 www.animalaid.org.uk.

Monday 20th International Meatout Day Annual day devoted to meat-free living. meatout.org.

n APRIL

Saturday 1st – Saturday 8th Horse Racing Awareness Week A week of protests against the Grand National, highlighting the cruelty of the horse racing industry. T. 01732 364546 www.animalaid.org.uk.

n MAY

Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th National Vegetarian Week A week dedicated to raising awareness of vegetarianism.

Contact The Vegetarian Society for details of events in your area T. 0161 925 2000, www.vegsoc.org/nvw

n JUNE

Saturday 10th Bristol Vegan Fayre The L-Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol. 10am – 6pm. Admission free. For more information see advert above.

T. 0117 923 9053 www.yaoh.co.uk.

Saturday 17th National Badger Day Organised by the National Federation of Badger Groups.

T. 020 7228 6444 www.nfbg.org.uk.

n JULY

Sunday 23rd Greyhound Remembrance Day Day for commemoration of greyhounds abused and killed by the greyhound racing industry.

Lay flowers outside your local stadium to help raise awareness.

T. 01562 745778 www.greyhoundaction.co.uk.

Sunday 30th July – Saturday 5th August 10th International Vegan Festival (DENMARK) Organised by the Danish Vegan Society. See News, page 2, for details.

n AUGUST

Friday 4thth to Tuesday 8th 1st Latin American Vegetarian Congress (BRAZIL) Memorial de America Latina, Sao Paulo. www.svb.org.br Sunday 5th – Sunday 19th Vegan Camp A well-deserved break for vegans, including many active campaigners, or those willing to be vegan for 2 weeks, or for a day or two. To be held in Scotland. T. 0845 330 3918 www.veggies.org.uk/vegancamp/.

Thursday 10th – Monday 14th Animal Rights 2006 (USA) Large animal rights conference.

Events include seminars, workshops, campaign reports, exhibitions and an awards banquet. Hilton Mark Center Hotel, Washington DC. www.arconference.org.

n SEPTEMBER Sunday 10th

London Vegan Festival A wealth of information, crueltyfree goodies, inspiring talks and delicious vegan food. Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8. 10am-7pm. Contact CALF T. 020 8670 9585 www.londonveganfestival.org.uk.

Sunday 10th – Saturday 16th World Vegetarian Congress (INDIA) 37th International Vegetarian Union Conference, Goa, India.

All catering will be vegan.

T. 020 7928 7459 www.ivu.org/congress/2006.

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VEGAN SOCIETY LOCAL CONTACTS The Vegan Society Network These people are here to help. Simply get in touch. i - for local vegan info and support F - family contact with vegan parenting experience G - group N - New group Thinking of being a contact or starting a group?

First join the Vegan Society and take a look at www.lcat.makessense.co.uk, then email Sophie veganncc@makessense.co.uk, or phone 0118 9464 858 if you don't have Internet access.

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VEGAN SOCIETY LOCAL CONTACTS CONTINUED

LISTINGS Patrons Freya Dinshah Maneka Gandhi Rebecca Hall Dr. Michael Klaper Moby Gordon Newman Cor Nouws Wendy Turner-Webster Benjamin Zephaniah

Council Jay Ashra Alex Bourke (Vice Chair) Chris Childe Vanessa Clarke Sophie Fenwick-Paul (Local Contacts Co-ordinator) Laurence Klein (Joint Treasurer) Laurence Main Ian Nicoll George Rodger (Chair) Subra Sivarajah Patricia Tricker (International Co-ordinator) Stephen Walsh (Joint Treasurer) Staff Chief Executive Officer Janet Pender Head of Information Services Catriona Toms Head of Marketing and IT David Palmer Bookkeeper / PA Jody Hazell Business Development Officer Sebastian Pender Information Officer Roz Raha Membership and Sales Officer Sundari Poorun Sales Assistant John Rawden Trademark Assistant Chris MacLean Volunteers Michaela Altman (proofreader) Erica Wilson

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The Vegan l Spring 2006

VEGANISM may be defined as a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. In dietary terms it refers to the practice of dispensing with all animal produce — including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives.

Abhorrence of the cruel practices inherent in an agricultural system based on the abuse of animals is probably the single most common reason for the adoption of veganism, but many people are drawn to it for health, ecological, resource, spiritual and other reasons.

If you would like more information on veganism a free Information Pack is available from the Vegan Society in exchange for two first class stamps.

THE VEGAN SOCIETY was formed in England in November 1944 by a group of vegetarians who had recognised the ethical compromises implicit in lactovegetarianism (ie dairy dependent). Today, the Society continues to highlight the breaking of the strong maternal bond between the cow and her new-born calf within just four days; the dairy cow’s proneness to lameness and mastitis; her subjection to an intensive cycle of pregnancy and lactation; our unnatural and unhealthy taste for cow’s milk; and the de-oxygenation of river water through contamination with cattle slurry.

If you are already a vegan or vegan sympathiser, please support the Society and help increase its influence by joining. Increased membership means more resources to educate and inform.

CLASSIFIEDS (UK) HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION CORNWALL

HAMPSHIRE NEW FOREST Veg*n guest house (“The Barn”) - Perfect for walking, cycling etc.

B&B from £24pppn - ensuite, n/s evening meals. 023 8029 2531 or www.veggiebarn.net

ISLE OF WIGHT

DISCOUNT CARD

This card entitles the bearer to discounts at a range of outlets, restaurants and hotels.

A full list of discounts is available from The Vegan Society.

DISCOUNT CARD THE VEGAN VALID FROM

FEBRUARY 2006 UNTIL

MAY 2006 REFERENCE CODE

Ref: VAL-006

ST. IVES CORNWALL – Self-catering accommodation in great location. Vegan café/restaurant in same complex opening soon. Close to beaches, harbour, shops and Tate Gallery. Tel: 01736 795255 or

CUMBRIA

LANCASHIRE

SUSSEX

YORKSHIRE WHITBY B&B FALCON GUESTHOUSE. Vegan/vegetarian Quiet location, seven minutes’ walk from centre and harbour.

Lounge and sunny breakfast room. Tea making facilities. No smoking throughout.

Ample breakfast, with organic fare. £20 p.p.p.n. (for couple). Tel 01947 603507

HOLIDAYS ABROAD KERALA, SOUTH INDIA a vegan’s paradise.

Tours, accommodation including selfcatering. Brochure: Tel: 01892 722440, Voice Mail/Fax: 01892 724913.

E-mail: info@keralaconnect.co.uk Website: www.keralaconnect.co.uk

SCOTLAND

WALES DEVON

WEST CORK vegetarian self catering apartments for singles,couples and families in peaceful wooded surroundings. Organic vegetables, bread & vegan wholefoods available. Reasonable rates. Green Lodge, Trawnamadree, Ballylickey, Bantry, Co Cork, Ireland.Tel.003532766146

WALES CARNBREN VEGAN GUESTHOUSE, Highlands. Please see contact details in the 'Situations Vacant' section.

DORSET ARTICLES AND ADVERTISEMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY 9TH MARCH 2006 FOR INCLUSION IN THE SUMMER 2006 ISSUE OF THE VEGAN

FRENCH PYRENEES: Vegan B&B in beautiful old stone farmhouse run by English organic vegetable farmers. Two large en-suite rooms.

Optional three course evening meal. Set in quiet wooded valley, ideal for walking, cycling, bird watching, relaxing. Contact Trevor or Sue, Le Guerrat, 09420, Rimont, France. Tel.: (0033) 561963703.

Website: http:/vegan.port5.com/flashvegangite2.html

SOUTH WEST WALES tranquillity, natural beauty and friendliness. Self-catering cottages only metres from sandy beach and lovely walks. Heated outdoor swimming pool and excellent facilities.

Eco-friendly owners. Tel 01267 241654 www.innisfreeholidays.co.uk

web:http://homepage.eircom.net/~greenlodge or Text 353861955451

POWYS - Machynlleth. B&B overlooking spectacular mid-Wales scenery. Centre for Alternative Technology nearby. Delicious organic veggie / vegan breakfasts.

01654 702562 www.dyfiguest.co.uk

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CLASSIFIEDS DISCOUNT CARD

MISCELLANEOUS GREEN/DIY FUNERALS Eco-friendly inexpensive coffins, memorial treeplanting. Please send £1 in unused stamps with A5 size 35p SAE to Box 328

people

Donald Watson House 7 Battle Road St. Leonards on Sea East Sussex TN37 7AA

animals

environment

Tel: 0845 45 88244 Fax: 01424 717064 info@vegansociety.com www.vegansociety.com

THE VEGAN DISCOUNT CARD VEGAN VIEWS - informal quarterly for Vegan Opinion. Sample copy £1. 4 issues £4 inc p&p. Harry Mather, Flat A15, 20 Dean Park Road, Bournemouth BH1 1JB Exclusively vegetarian & vegan 3 bedroom holiday cottage in the picturesque countryside of SW France. Combine the privacy & freedom of a traditional French cottage with the luxury of a vegan breakfast service provided by neighbouring owners.

HOMEOPATH. Aubrey Burge LBSH. RSHom. Treating you towards good health. All remedies carried on a vegan base. Clinic in Wiltshire or reasonable distance home consultations welcome.

Tel 01980 630601 for more information.

WANTED, 8 hole Doc Marten boots from ‘Vegetarian Shoes’ Size 7. Tel (01278) 431084 COMPREHENSIVE BIOPLASMA TEST of your current state of health & homeopathic Bach Flower Remedies prescriptions.

Contact: 01369 706304 or

PERSONAL

THE VEGETARIAN CHARITY Needy young vegans up to the age of 25 years can receive grants from the charity, which also provides funds to promote vegetarianism among the young.

Donations and legacies are most welcome to ensure that we continue to satisfy the need for help.

For further information contact: The Vegetarian Charity 6 Coxbank, Audlem Cheshire CW3 0EW

Registered Charity No 294767

Vegan or Vegetarian Prospective Spouse is sought:

By Vegan, considerate, handsome age 34 Industrial-designer.

A demure lady, attractive, faithful and working. Aged 24-30.

Should be interested in world travel, cooking and not shy of notoriety

Close to the village of St Claud (cafes, market & open-air pool) & within easy reach of low cost airports/TGV station, the nonsmoking cottage suits couples, families or groups of friends; intimate enough for two but offering generous space for 6 adults.

Vegan Society Member’s Discount Jocelyn & Trevor Bridge Le Fayard, 16450 St Claud, France Tel: 0033 545 89 03 45 E-mail: le.fayard@wanadoo.fr Web: www.lefayard.com

FELLOWSHIP of vegan/vegetarian Christian believers. Not a dating agency. For details please write to VCR, 55 Long Street, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 2AJ or email l

EATING OUT COSMETICS

Aromatic Naturals offer a fantastic range of natural skin care products.

The products are an ideal gift for any Vegan. Order anything from face creams to massage bars at www.aromaticnaturals.co.uk or contact us by phone on 01438 723399.

PUBLICATIONS

SINGLE VEGAN FEMALE, 30ís, n/s, no children. GSOH, into animal welfare, cooking, travel, music, films, photography, reading, countryside, beaches, etc. Like to hear from similar people anywhere in the world.

Box 661

HUMAN WRITES is a non-profit humanitarian organisation offering support to death row prisoners through letter writing. Please make someoneís life better with your letters. For details, SAE to: 343a Carlton Hill, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 1JE. Thanks!

DIVINE FROG web services. A vegan business. Website design, implementation, development, maintenance and hosting.

Please contact Ian : Tel : 07981 057697 Email : i.nicoll@divinefrog.co.uk www.divinefrog.co.uk

PRACTITIONERS SUNSHINE AND SHADOW. Autobiography of Wilfred Crone, well-known vegan/fruitarian. £7.50 inc P&P. Harry Mather, Flat A15, 20 Dean Park Road, Bournemouth BH1 1JB

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The Vegan l Spring 2006

VEGAN BUT STILL SICK? Vegan health practitioner available for consultations, personal health retreats, iridology, fasting supervision, emotional healing, etc.

Contact /http://www.vibrancy.homestead.com/pag eone.html or telephone (01626) 352765 for free brochure.

INTERNET SERVICES DIVINE FROG web services. A vegan business. Website design, implementation, development, maintenance and hosting.

Please contact Ian : Tel : 07981 057697 Email : i.nicoll@divinefrog.co.uk www.divinefrog.co.uk

ORGANISATIONS VEGAN VOICE magazine promotes a nonviolent lifestyle beneficial to the planet and to all animals. For the latest on veganism and animal rights, subscribe now to Vegan Voice, Australia's celebrated and singular quarterly magazine! www.veganic.net

‘Jesus also was a vegetarian’ www.donoteatus.org

SITUATIONS VACANT Visiting Gardener Wanted You get dinner, bed & breakfast & the chance to explore the highlands. You don’t pay!

The catch? You do four hours gardening for us; weeding, light digging etc.

April or May 2006 (weather permitting), not bank or school holidays.

Please contact us for details

www.carnbren-vegan.highlandguesthouse.co.uk

To place a personal ad please send your wording (max 35 words) and £6 payment, specifying in which section you would like your ad to appear.

Please add £2 if you would like a box number.

CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE: Advertisements are accepted subject to their satisfying the condition that the products advertised are entirely free from ingredients derived from animals; that neither products nor ingredients have been tested on animals; and that the content of such ads does not promote, or appear to promote, the use of non-vegan commodities.

Books, records, tapes, etc. mentioned in advertisements should not contain any material contrary to vegan principles. Advertisements may be accepted from catering establishments that are not run on exclusively vegan lines, provided that vegan meals are available and that the wording of such ads reflects this.

Vegan Bone Health Study Are you a female vegan aged between 20-45 years?

Are you interested to know about your bone health? We are conducting a study which will be examining the difference in risk factors for bone fracture in vegan diet compared to non-vegan diet.

The consultation will include an ultrasound (radiation free and painless) scan of the heel and a questionnaire and takes around 30 to 35 minutes in total. This will help to examine the role of nutritional influences on bone health, and volunteers will be given advice in order to maximize their bone health.

If you would like to take part in this study, please arrange for a free bone scan.

For an appointment please ring 0207-435 7830 and mention “the Vegan bone health study” The British College of osteopathic Medicine LeifHouse 120 Finchley Road (Opposite Finchley Road Station) London NW3 5HR

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42

PRIZE CROSSWORD Kate Sweeney

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Container for a hot drink (6)

1 Implements used for gardening (5)

8 Frozen dessert on a wooden stick (3,5) 9 Anise-flavoured Greek liquor (4) 10 Loose pud? No, another dish (Anag.) (6,4) 12 May be brussels or alfalfa, part of 15 Down (6) 14 Small, sweet edible fruit (9) 17 Spreads (6) 18 Plant that completes its entire life cycle in a year (6)

2 Sweets made from cocoa powder, milk and sugar (10) 3 Stockfree organic gardening only uses this kind of fertiliser (5-5) 4

Paste prepared from soy beans and fermented in brine (found in a semisolid state!) (4)

5 Supper or breakfast, maybe (4) 6 Black _ _ _ _ seaweed; small flowerless plant (4) 7 With a fine powdery texture (6)

20 Final drops of liquid in a glass (4,5)

11 Potato bud (3)

22 Processed to a pulp in a liquidiser (6)

15 Germinating mung bean, for example (10)

24 Carbohydrate made from tree sap (5,5)

16 Vegetable with long pods (6,4)

28 Taro root, dead? (Anag.) (4)

20 Foliage eaten in salads (6)

29 Colourless, odourless, and tasteless jelly-like protein obtained from animal tissues such as bone (8)

21 Bind, knot (3)

30 Phenolic substance found in tea which can inhibit iron absorption (6)

13 Pocket bread (4)

19 _ _ _ _ vera (4)

23 Remove liquid after cooking (5) 25 Baked bread (4) 26 Agitate (4) 27 Colour of used water or some black Chinese mushrooms! (4)

Send in a photocopy (or original) of the solution to this crossword, together with your name and address by the 9th March 2006 Prize this issue: A selection of luxurious chocolate-scented goodies from The Vegan Society’s new Funk Bubble range.

Although there can only be one winner, there’s no need for anyone to miss out - all of these gorgeous Funk Bubble gift packs are also available from The Vegan Society’s online shop at www.vegansociety.com/shop or from our sales team on 01424 427 393.

Solution in next issue.

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The Vegan l Spring 2006

Solution to The Vegan Prize Crossword

41 CONGRATULATIONS to the winner Ann Fagg of Sheerness, Kent, who wins a beautiful purse from Bourgeois Boheme.