A small subset of opinionated, passionate, well-intentioned people perpetuate the stereotype of the angry, self-righteous, perfection-focused animal rights vegan when they spew invective at anyone who is not "vegan enough" in their eyes. They are otherwise known as The Vegan Police. Listen to today's episode for my perspective on how we can speak up for animals — online and in person — without alienating people who are trying to make compassionate choices.

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Raising cattle for beef is the number one cause of the destruction of rainforests and global warming, but today we're going to talk about palm oil. Grown in tropical regions, palm plantations are displacing rainforests, destroying orangutan habitats and wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. With good intentions, some vegans have called for a boycott of Earth Balance, a vegan butter that uses palm oil as its primary fat, even though it doesn't source its palm from native orangutan habitats. Is it possible to source palm oil sustainably? For that matter, is it possible to source any historically unsustainable crop in a sustainable way? In today's episode, I weigh in on this issue and offer some food for thought.

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It’s one thing to opt out of eating animal products at home and in our personal lives, but what about adhering to our values in the trickier, grayer areas of our lives, such as in the workplace? What if you work for a software company and you’re put on a project to build a website for a fishing company? What if you work in a restaurant and have to serve meat? What if you work in a job that requires you to cook meat? These are real scenarios for many people, and the answer isn’t to “stop being vegan” because things are complicated. Take a listen to my thoughts in today’s episode of Food for Thought.

I’ve heard every justification for the consumption of animals, but I was a bit stunned when I heard someone claim that vegans should eat oysters because bivalves are “basically plants.” No doubt there are grey areas in this whole attempt to live as compassionately as possible. But even the fuzzy lines are still lines. If I let you eat oysters, would you stop eating cows?

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Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com

Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com

AFFILIATE PARTNERS:

• Nama Juicer — Use this link and coupon code COLLEEN10 and get 10% off my favorite juicer.
• Plaine Products — Use this link and coupon code "compassion" for 15% off my favorite zero waste bath and body products.
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There is a prevailing myth in our culture, played out in our language and in marketing, that meat is masculine and plant foods are for wimps. Meat is a metaphor for strength, virility, and manliness, while vegetarianism/veganism is feminine, effeminate, and even emasculating. “Real Men Eat Meat” and “Tofu is Gay Meat” are just two examples of advertisements that perpetuate this myth and secure it in our consciousness. Studies show it’s working. Join me for a meaty episode that will shake you out of your vegetative state. If you don’t want to be a fruit, learn how you can be a beefcake.

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However much we want to believe it, hens don’t produce eggs because they figured out they were good binding ingredients for baked goods. Products of a chicken's reproductive cycle, eggs are simply the waste produced when they go unfertilized. Not as appetizing as what the egg industry tells us. What else are we not being told?

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Rich in history, sophisticated cuisine, stunning scenery, pulsating cities, fascinating culture, Vietnam is consistently rated one of the top best countries to visit, and today I take you on a journey to this beautiful place. Today's focus is food (plant-based, of course), animal protection, nature, and culture. I let you know what animal and conservation organizations to visit and support, what to avoid in terms of animal cruelty and exploitation, and how to make the most of your trip — whether you go on your own or as part of a CPG Vegan Trip.

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In today's episode I share with you the ways I try to reduce the ecological footprint of living with cats from a zero-waste perspective. I cover toys/enrichment, food, and litter!

Support this podcast today at Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau

Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com

Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com

AFFILIATE PARTNERS:

• Nama Juicer — Use this link and coupon code COLLEEN10 and get 10% off my favorite juicer.
• Plaine Products — Use this link and coupon code "compassion" for 15% off my favorite zero waste bath and body products.
• Complement — Use this link and coupon code "joyfulvegan" and get 10% off my favorite supplements.

Wherever you live — whether in a house or an apartment, whether you have outdoor access or not, whether you garden or not — you will get SOMETHING out of this episode. (WARNING: I get pretty excited about composting!) This episode covers EVERYTHING you need to know: what type of bin to use, where to place it, what to fill it with, what not to fill it with — basically how to reduce the outrageous 40% of food we waste in our homes. 

Podcast supporters receive transcripts of the podcast as well as bonus material.

Zero waste is not about waste DIVERSION; it's about waste PREVENTION! Americans throw away 40% of the food we bring into our homes — leading to greenhouse gas emissions in landfills, waste money, human / animal conflicts, and squandered resources. 🌺

Please enjoy Part 2 of the series on food waste, offering a number of solutions for preventing food waste in our own lives.

Supporters receive transcripts and bonus materials! Become a member at Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau