As we come to the close of World Vegetarian Month, we hope our website and newsletter inspired you to consider some reasons and ways to make your diet more compassionate. As a vegan chef and instructor, I meet and talk to lots of wonderful, curious people. I’ve found that there’s one thing that unites us with respect to food…our desire to eat well. While we all have our decadent days and secret stashes, most people want to feel good and there’s an innate inner-acknowledgement that how we eat is how we feel. When we reduce the amount of animal products in our diet, we are living proof that a plant-based diet is a healthier one.

I also truly believe that no one wants to intentionally inflict suffering on another being. Our choices are often based on ignorance, fear, apathy, laziness, and denial, but there’s a reason Linda McCartney’s quote, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.” rings true in the hearts of humans. Somewhere in the deepest undercurrents of our souls, a cruelty-free diet just feels better – some of us know that already. Others haven’t figured it out…yet.

So, as we are nearing the biggest eating season of the year, as well as a time when old habits are replaced with new resolutions, consider compassion first in the choices you make. A vegetarian or vegan diet reflects compassion for your health, our planet, and of course, the animals.

And remember…
- You can visit or bookmark our Compassionate Cuisine recipes page when you need ideas and inspiration.
- There are tons of blogs and websites with even more ideas, just Google “vegan or vegetarian recipes”.
- If you’re stuck, you can email me at linda@casanctuary.org and I’ll help with culinary or nutrition questions.
- Stay tuned for our Compassionate Cuisine Thanksgiving recipes geared toward helping you create a delicious and cruelty-free holiday meal.
- And finally, lead by example. A very smart man once said, “Example isn’t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach.” (psst, does the name Einstein ring a bell?!)