Making a Difference with Vegetarianism (VZ 117)

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we discuss a topic that was suggested by a listener. She wondered if some people who became vegetarian or vegan for reasons pertaining to animal welfare suffer from depression because they feel that they are not making a difference with vegetarianism. We address some reasons for these feelings as well as suggest some ways to overcome them.

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In the News:

• New Report: Why SeaWorld Attendance Is Plummeting 
  • For more info about Harry Styles and SeaWorld: How Harry Styles Sent Sea World’s Image Diving
  • For more info about PETA and SeaWorld: PETA Says Undercover Sea World Employee Posed as Animal Rights Activist

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

• Blackfish
• PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
• Best Friends Animal Society
• VZ 64: Cruelty Free 101 – An Animal-Lover’s Guide to Finding Products Not Tested on Animals
• VZ 65: Finding Cruelty Free Products Is Easier Than You Think (We’ve Got Sources!)
• Vegan Meetups on meetup.com
• Peas & Carrots Society: Friends of Vegetarian Zen Facebook group
• VZ 116: The Vegan Cheese Episode
• VZ 18: Food and Mood
• VZ 103: Food and Stress – How to Eat Properly to Stress Less

Resources Used for this Episode

• Vegan Meetups
• How Can Diet Affect Depression?
• What Should I Do if I’m Discouraged After Being Vegan for a While?

Recipe of the Week

• Blackstrap Molasses Oatmeal

Quotes of the Week

While wandering a deserted beach at dawn, stagnant in my work, I saw a man in the distance bending and throwing as he walked the endless stretch toward me. As he came near, I could see that he was throwing starfish, abandoned on the sand by the tide, back into the sea. When he was close enough I asked him why he was working so hard at this strange task. He said that the sun would dry the starfish and they would die. I said to him that I thought he was foolish. There were thousands of starfish on miles and miles of beach. One man alone could never make a difference. He smiled as he picked up the next starfish. Hurling it far into the sea he said, “It makes a difference for this one.” I abandoned my writing and spent the morning throwing starfish.

— Loren Eiseley, 20^th Century American anthropologist

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,
Vickie and Larissa