(33 min) Play or download (30MB MP3) (other formats) (via iTunes)
The Pledge
We start our show at the beginning – when folk choose the vegan option. In this case, for a month, challenged and supported by London Vegan Campaigns. I talk to mother Ananthi and middle-aged couple Bryan and Cliff. What challenges will they come across? And will they last the month?
Diana has the statistics from three years of pledges, and finds out what makes people more or less likely to stay vegan. And she’s very surprised by what she finds.
So go on, press the play button. (Or, better still, subscribe via iTunes or your podcast catcher of choice.)
Our thanks to Ananthi, Bryan, Cliff, Lesley and our other contributors, and to London Vegan Campaigns for letting me record there and inviting Diana to analyse the data. Robb Masters wrote and composed our theme.
Other similar events, where vegan activists challenge and support pledgers to go vegan for a month, happen in Baltimore and Philadelphia in the US and Victoria, Australia. Colleen Patrick Goudreau has a book out on a similar theme, The 30-day Vegan Challenge.
I mentioned vegan podcasters Gary Francione and (should he return) Bob Torres.
cork accessories
February 17, 2012 at 14:13
It’s interesting hearing about the views of long term vegans. I’m grateful for the opportunity to find these things out, it’s a good article. Thanks!
Manuel
March 7, 2012 at 01:53
I am lucky to have a good doctor, who told me to stop entiag animals and things that come from animals, but she also told me not to eat processed food. I was on a very healthy diet before I became vegan, I ate animals, mostly bought from a local farmer near where I live, and he is a nice man, and he didn’t treat the animals poorly or give them antibiotics or any nonsense.This did not stop heart disease nor did it stop Type 2 diabetes, not just stop, but reverse. You can control some of those diseases with a diet that includes meat, but you can’t reverse them, and that is what I learned. I was very resistant to the idea of not entiag any animal products, I am older and have always had them in my diet. But, my Mother, Father and 2 brothers all passed away from heart disease or type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They lived in the same town, they ate the same way, they still got sick. So I thought I was just going to have my turn and get sick myself. My doctor encouraged me to just try for 60 days to see what happened, well I can do anything for 60 days, right? So I did. By day 60 I reversed my diabetes, I was off of drugs and my A1c was just fine, my blood pressure and cholesterol was also just fine with out the use of drugs. Well low and behold, my husband who also suffers from some health conditions was convinced as well. He was even healthier than I was before, and ate meat and dairy just once a day. Well he cut it out, and sure enough, in 60 days he was off all of his prescriptions. I thank God for giving us a good doctor and for all of His blessings that He has given us. We’re just entiag the plants that God put here for us. I tell my friends, to just try it, to see what happens, do it in the right way, eat all whole foods just for 60 days, you won’t starve or get sick. I don’t know what the fussing is all about, just try it, eat healthy and see what happens, life is too short to not know if something will make you a healthier person. My Church ladies group is going to try it for 30 days, please keep them in your prayers. God Bless You! You are a special woman, indeed.
Amanda
March 8, 2012 at 01:14
I hope to go vegan one day, but with the paycheck I’m gtietng at my current job its hard. I have to buy my own veggie food, but yeah I’m aiming for it.VA:F [1.9.8_1114]Like (0 votes)
All it requires is a little imagination
March 21, 2012 at 13:37
I wonder how and why people have the idea that a vegan diet is expensive … or is the above comment just trolling?
Because of personal circumstances, somewhat beyond my own control, I’ve lived at, around or under a minimum income for many years and I find it no problem to remain vegan … and affording my quality treats.
In fact, the only good thing about being poor is that it stops you spending money on indulgences that, ultimately, are not great for your health!
At the end of the day, most vegan foods are basically peasant foods which means it is cheap, bulky and providing all the nourishment for a long days work.
Ian
March 25, 2012 at 22:35
Hi,
Amanda, Vegan Campaigns have some cheap recipes in the “resources” section of their site.
Manuel, what is your church ladies’ group trying for 30 days? Veganism, wholefoods, or something else? And who is the special lady you ask God to bless? Diana?
Thanks,
Ian