Is animal testing ever justified?

April 6, 2013 by Jean Coburn

Every year millions of animals are subjected to cruel experiments in the name of cosmetics, medicine and even transportation. They are poisoned, burned, gassed, shocked, overdosed, crushed, blinded, operated on, and deprived any semblance of a quality life. Not only is this cruel, it’s unnecessary. It’s outdated, it’s wasteful, and it’s downright dangerous to humans.

If animals are so different from us (different enough for us to justify experimenting on them), it also means they’re too different to gather relevant, conclusive evidence that would apply to us. If they’re similar enough that the experiments would actually be useful and relevant, then they’re just like us and it’s unethical to test on them.

The cost of experimenting on animals is high and the benefits are minimal. Non-animal testing is usually cheaper and more accurate than animal tests, which can be unreliable. Animal tests are misleading because they’re not good at showing how humans will respond.

With animal testing, illness is induced, and then a cure is sought. That’s an unrealistic and unnatural environment and doesn’t translate well to humans. According to the AAVS, nine out of ten drugs that appear promising in animal studies go on to fail in human clinical trials.

For example, the polio vaccine was delayed by decades because of animal testing. Monkeys respond differently to the virus. Penicillin almost didn’t see the light of day because it was ineffective on rabbits (and killed guinea pigs). It wasn’t until Alexander Fleming gave it to a dying patient (as a last-ditch effort) and she recovered that it was proven acceptable for human use.

Thalidomide, a drug used in the 1950s to treat morning sickness, was proven harmless in dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, and rats, and was cleared for human use. It wasn’t until over 10,000 children were born with severe birth defects that it was pulled from the market. Animal tests didn’t warn us.

More recently, Vioxx, a painkiller for people with arthritis, was taken off the market after it caused up to 320,000 heart attacks and strokes. The drug was tested on animals but those tests never revealed the danger to people.

So if people have felt animal testing is unethical, why has it continued? Animal testing is big business and gets a lot of grant money. Careers depend on it. It’s also based on old laws and older science–both of which are outdated. You can learn more about this “bad science” by watching a video featuring animal testing opponent Dr. Andre Menache.

Just because some progress seems to have been made via animal testing doesn’t mean that the results wouldn’t have been found out without animals. If I take a flight from New York to Los Angeles with a stopover in San Francisco, it doesn’t mean you can’t get there with a stopover in Atlanta. Or maybe just fly non-stop. There are many ways to reach the same result.

We have the technology to use alternatives to animal tests–and there are many! We have mathematic and computer models, genomic tests, human cell cultures, medical imaging, and crash test dummies. Working on human cadavers to train for surgery is more beneficial than practicing on live animals.

We don’t need animal testing. So vote with your dollars: Don’t support companies that test on animals. Here’s a downloadable list of companies that test and don’t test from vegankit.com, as well as a searchable online list from PETA. Before you support a charity, make sure they don’t test by checking out this list from GEARI.

References:

American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS)
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Animal Liberation Front (ALF)
Group for the Education of Animal Related Issues (GEARI)
Animal Testing on Wikipedia
Vegankit.com

Born to be vegan

April 4, 2013 by Jean Coburn

At three years old, I first questioned the ethics of eating animals (in a way that a three-year-old can). By ten I went vegetarian.

For the next 15 years, I was happy about my choice and didn’t see the need to do anything else. It doesn’t hurt hens and cows to eat their eggs and milk (or so I thought), and leather is just a byproduct of the meat industry, so why not wear it?

I’d met a couple of vegans, but I thought they were extreme. I remember going on a picnic with friends, one of whom had a vegan girlfriend. I made a salad and put cheese on the side so she could eat the salad and others could add cheese later. How thoughtful of me!

the future is vegan

I’m happy she didn’t judge. She did, however, recommend a book that changed my life: Diet for a New America, by John Robbins. Robbins was next in line to run the Baskin-Robbins empire and walked away from it all to promote a plant-based diet.

He wasn’t the son of a cattle rancher. It was just ice cream! And I didn’t think cows minded if we used the milk they “gave” us. So I dove into the book to see what all the fuss was about. I didn’t expect to change my lifestyle.

The book opened my eyes to the horrors of factory farming, the cruelty chickens and dairy cows endure to produce eggs and milk. Then there was the environmental impact of eating meat, and the heath aspects of veganism.

I switched to soy milk that day, and dropped eggs from my diet. Cheese was harder to give up, and I indulged occasionally. I still wore leather and hung on to my “byproduct” story.

But when I moved to the US a couple of years later, I wiped the slate clean and started fresh–as a full-fledged vegan. Partly because it was a natural turning point and a chance to redefine myself. But I also chose the move as a time to switch because I’d been reading up on rBGH (bovine growth hormone). Canada hadn’t approved it but it was given to dairy cows in the States. So cheese was off the plate.

I also realized that leather is a big part of the meat industry. A big, money-making part. So I started shopping for leather-free shoes. Turns out, there’s no shortage of options! Until recently, I still bought leather shoes at thrift stores, but I’ve stopped that too.

sandwich

Being vegan is about knowing the truth, being aware, and making a difference. Every time I shop, I vote with my dollars. It truly is a journey. And it’s a joyful one! I absolutely love being vegan. It’s been 13 years now and I’ll never go back. I’m healthy and happy and I still smile every time I eat a delicious, colorful vegan meal.

It’s a peaceful, guilt-free way to live. I’ve never felt restricted. If anything, it’s a fun challenge. Good chefs will make special meals, no matter where I travel, I can find a bite to eat, and my kitchen is a fun place to be. I don’t buy fur, leather, wool, feather (including down) or silk, but I don’t miss a thing. For every one thing I’ve given up, I’ve found three amazing alternatives.

I’ve also connected with a lot of vegans (on Facebook, at work, and through groups like NARN). For people who know the cruel realities of the world, they’re an upbeat bunch. Smart, funny, and fun to be around–and they’re all making a difference in the world.

To quote the slogan on my new tote bag, The future is vegan! Care to join me?

Leather-free shoes

March 29, 2013 by Jean Coburn

For some people, giving up cheese keeps them from going vegan. For others a plant-based diet is a no-brainer, but shoes? You love shoes, right? You might be thinking, “I can’t give up animal products if it means switching to hemp Birkenstocks.” Well you don’t have to! There are tons of stylish vegan shoes out there if you know where to look.

Proof that cute vegan shoes exist!

Accidentally vegan shoes

This first category of footwear is comprised of shoes that just so happen to be vegan. I doubt the manufacturers had anything other than looks and costs in mind. Often cheaper shoes are vegan. Stores like Payless sell a lot of faux leather and faux suede shoes. Summer shoes in canvas, raffia, and other materials qualify too. They’re not always high quality though. Some are. I’ve had “manmade” boots for several seasons that are stylish, comfortable, and don’t make my feet sweat.

Have a look at zappos.com, amazon.com, or DSW. You’ll find vegan shoes from lots of brands like Wanted, MIA, Volatile, and Madden Girl. Aerosoles has a mix of materials. If you look at the product description (or tag, if you’re in the store) you’ll find non-leather options. Here are a few of my “accidentally vegan” shoes and boots.

Poetic License velvet and sparkle booties (from amazon.com)

Satin leopard platforms by Two Lips (from DSW)

Fioni faux nubuck peep-toe pumps (from Payless)

Kimchi Blue velvet desert boots (thrifted)

Satin and sequined kitten-heel mules (from Payless)

Guess faux leather boots (from T.J. Maxx)

Faux suede stack-heel booties (from Old Navy)

Dirty Laundry faux leather engineer boots (from amazon.com)

Satin and rhinestone pumps (from JC Penney)

Intentionally vegan shoes

This category is made up of vegan companies who have worker conditions, environmental impact, animal rights, and of course style, in mind. The shoes will cost as much as leather versions but the quality is high, the materials are stellar, and you’re supporting a vegan business. I’ve only just started to splurge on quality vegan shoes so I can show you only a few. After the images, have a look at the list of vegan shoe companies. There’s no shortage!

Faux suede booties by Novacas

Faux suede OTK boots by Cri De Coeur

Some of the vegan shoe companies out there:

Additionally, stores like Moo Shoes, Vegan Chic, Compassionate Couture and Alternative Outfitters carry all-vegan men’s and women’s shoes and boots from a bunch of companies. I’ll keep my resources page updated with the latest, growing list.

Second-hand leather

Some people buy used leather shoes. The thinking (at least what I used to think) is that I wasn’t adding to the demand of new leather shoes and I wasn’t supporting the leather industry financially. In fact, buying second hand meant I kept things out of the landfill!

However, I’ve grown uncomfortable with leather. First, it creeps me out. When I saw footage of a slaughtered cow being de-skinned, it really hit home. Second, other people don’t realize I bought my leather shoes at a thrift shop so I’m not sending a good vegan message. If they like my used shoes, they might buy a new pair. I don’t want to be that kind of trend setter! Finally, I like proving that I can live a vegan lifestyle. If I make an exception with my shoes, I’m saying it’s good to be cruelty-free…but it’s impossible to live without animal products. And that’s not true.

So now that you have more info on vegan shoes and leather alternatives, vote with your dollars, and be stylish and cruelty-free!

Do you have a favorite brand of vegan shoes?

Ballet flats come in lots of different materials

Sandals are often vegan

Boots can be vegan too

Roasted veggies and Gardein

March 29, 2013 by Jean Coburn

I’m a bit of a rogue in the kitchen. Here’s another recipe-less meal I recently made: Roasted veggies and chipotle-lime “chicken” strips by Gardein.

First I diced potatoes, a rainbow assortment of carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli. I tossed them into a glass dish with garlic and a bit of soy sauce for flavor and baked it until done. It took about 40 minutes to cook the veggies. The Gardein instructions called for a 10-minute bake so I added them to the oven (on their own rack) 3/4 of the way through.

I based this meal around some fascinating carrots I found at the grocery store. Have you ever seen such wonderfully colorful carrots?

I’ve joined up with Healthy Vegan Fridays at The Veggie Nook. Be sure to check out all the other delicious meals that people have made.

Celebrating Seattle Vegfest

March 26, 2013 by Jean Coburn

This past weekend I participated in Vegfest, a healthy food festival in the Seattle Center. The annual event is put on by Vegetarians of Washington. Instead of just attending, I worked a shift at the NARN table.

The NARN booth had a great selection of pamphlets and flyers about topics such as how dairy and eggs are cruel and unhealthy, that humane meat is a myth, and why fishing is unsustainable and causes a lot of suffering. We had information for parents who have vegan kids, and a restaurant guide for people looking for vegan places to eat.

A brand new tote was for sale too. They’re made from recycled bottles and have my new favorite slogan printed on them: The future is vegan. I’m not the only one who liked them. People snapped them up! For $20, you can too.

Attendance was great and we talked to a lot of supportive people. Some were vegan, some were toying with the idea, and some weren’t even vegetarian. But there was something for everyone. No matter where people were on their compassionate journeys, we talked to them and had good conversations.

I was surprised that three people came up to me over the course of my shift to tell me that since becoming vegan they’ve gone off their cholesterol medication. One man was vegan for only three weeks before his doctor retested his blood and told him he no longer needed statins. Amazing!

I became vegan for the animals so I sometimes forget I’ve made a really healthy choice too.

The festival had cooking demos, cookbooks for sale, and tons of free food samples. I was really impressed with Dave’s Killer Bread, Daiya vegan cheese, and juices from Blue Print Cleanse.

Have you been to Vegfest or a similar festival? I highly recommend it. It’s a lot of fun to be around like-minded people and have a wide variety of foods to try.

Josie Maran argan oil and moisturizer

March 20, 2013 by Jean Coburn

A few weeks ago, while poking around the shelves at Sephora, I discovered Josie Maran Argan Oil. I’ve been on a quest to find vegan beauty products. I thought I was shopping cruelty-free but I was horrified to discover a few items in my stash are by companies that still test on animals. Shameful!

Hundreds of thousands of animals are poisoned, blinded and killed every year for cruel and unnecessary tests. It’s not required by law and there are better alternatives. Check for the cruelty-free bunny logo, a vegan logo, or look at PETA’s database to make sure the companies you support don’t make animals suffer in the name of beauty.

The woman at Sephora (edit: was wrong when she) explained that the entire Josie Maran line is ~~vegan~~ and cruelty-free, meaning no animal ingredients and no animal testing. (Update 4/7/15: I found out from a reader that the line isn’t all-vegan. When I checked on the JM site–which I should always do instead of trusting sales people–I found out that not all of the products are vegan. They use beeswax, lanolin, and carmine in some of their products. Check the label for the V to be sure).

argan oil

Josie Maran sources argan oil from co-ops that help women in rural Morocco earn a decent living in good labor conditions, while working toward improved literacy. I love that and I’m willing to pay more for a product with those values.

Besides, the oil is great! It’s not greasy and it absorbs quickly. I use it on my face, the dry ends of my hair, my cuticles, and my elbows. I told my friend Karthik about it and she said she uses Josie Maran products too–specifically their tinted moisturizer. So we planned to stop by Sephora and see if I could get some too.

I was surprised to see that there are only five shades. I chose crème. Karthik wears desert. To find a product that we can both wear–with our different skin types and colors–was pretty impressive (Karthik was born in India and has wonderful, warm brown skin. My light skin is a reflection of my German and Scottish roots). We both love that it’s got SPF 30. No more greasy sunscreen on our faces! (And yes, skin cancer and wrinkles affect all skin types, so slather up!)

Karthik’s issue with sunscreens is that most leave a whitish residue on her face. The Josie Maran moisturizer doesn’t. My issue is that even the lightest tinted moisturizer looks orange on my skin and you can see where the product stops and my natural color begins.

This moisturizer is tinted just right. It blends in, it’s lightweight, and left us glowing, not greasy. I’ve even stopped wearing pressed powder. I really only ever used it to hide the shine of sunscreen. I can’t wait to try their cosmetics too. Argan oil mascara? Sign me up!

We also tried products by other cruelty-free companies (Tarte and Stila) and popped into Lush, so come on back for more of our reviews!

Note: This isn’t a sponsored post. I wasn’t compensated to review these products. I just really like them. Also, the content of this post was originally published on my other blog, Jean of all Trades.

Meatout 2013

March 17, 2013 by Jean Coburn

Since 1985 March 20th has been synonymous with Meatout. It’s the first day of spring and a chance to pledge to go meat-free for a day, one day a week, or for life!

To promote Meatout, I joined Action for Animals in Seattle’s busy Westlake Park yesterday. The St. Patrick’s Day parade was ending, and the streets were packed. We handed out meatout flyers and gave out free samples of Tofurky slices and Silk soy and almond milk.

Rachel and Paris offering flyers and samples

The reception was great! people loved the free food and most commented on how delicious it was. We wanted to show people that you can eat healthy, tasty food and be cruelty-free.

Why pledge to be meat-free?

For the animals. In the US alone, over 10 billion land animals (chickens, pigs, and cows primarily) are raised cruelly, and slaughtered painfully.
For the planet. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, global warming, and water use.
For our health. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many types of cancer are diet-related and what we eat can improve the quality–and length–of our lives.

So this Wednesday ditch the meat! If you want to take it further, try Meatless Mondays every week, or go all the way and be vegan!

Get your free vegan starter guide with delicious recipes at meatout.org or by texting meatout to 55678.

Spinach and lentils with pita

March 15, 2013 by Jean Coburn

Here’s a meal I made on the fly. I didn’t have a recipe in mind when I started but I had a package of Trader Joe’s lentils. They’re ready to serve–hot or cold–and easy to use at mealtime.

I had a package of frozen spinach so I cooked it briefly (blanched?) and sautéed it with the lentils. I added a touch of garlic and served it up with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan. I toasted some whole wheat mini pitas and added a dollop of sundried-tomato hummus on the side.

This meal took less than 15 minutes to prepare, was filling and satisfying, and after serving up two plates, I had enough lentil-spinach mix left for lunch. I’m going add diced tomatoes to the leftovers and use the mix as a filling for a tasty wrap.

Lentils are a legume, and are high in fiber and protein while being low in fat. they have folate and B6 and magnesium. They’re a complex carbohydrate (the good kind!) and supply lots of energy. Spinach is a good source of vitamins A and C as well as iron.

Healthy, nutritious, and cruelty-free!

I’ve linked up to my first ever Healthy Vegan Friday and I’m looking forward to discovering lots of other vegan recipes. You should check it out too!

Rotini with cherry tomatoes

March 6, 2013 by Jean Coburn

I’m not a great cook. In fact, I don’t really enjoy cooking. But I do like eating, so sometimes you’ll find me in the kitchen. Here’s a simple dish I made after work recently.

I cooked and drained whole wheat pasta and tossed it with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, a touch of soy sauce, and garlic paste. I had store-bought paste in a container, but fresh, sautéed garlic would be better. Add salt and pepper to taste and you’re done. For more flavor, you could add zucchini slices, mushrooms, and tofu.

As with most of my dinners, I paired it with wine–a pinot gris blend in this case.

I liked how this got me out of a pasta and red sauce rut. The olive oil was a nice change–and you can chill this meal if you want a salad!

If you’re not sure about whole wheat pasta, you can buy pasta that’s 50/50. But I encourage you to work up to whole wheat. It tasted different to me at first–the texture was rougher–but I like it now. Whole foods are vital and staying away from refined sugars and flour is healthy.

I’m not on the gluten-free train. I don’t think most people need to avoid it. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes and add whole grains into the mix and I think you’ll be fine.

Of course, I’m not a nutritionist, so I can only relay what works for me and what I’ve read.

Do you have any quick vegan go-to meals?

The origin of my compassion

March 5, 2013 by Jean Coburn

Are people innately compassionate? I’d like to think so, but I’m really not sure. All I can do is speak for myself.

I had my first taste of vegetarianism in the womb. No really. My mom decided that a plant-based diet would be the best thing for my development. She’s always cooked healthy meals, and excluding meat made sense to her. My mom’s a vegan now, but in the 1970s, people told her that meat was good for us. That growing children needed it. So with reluctance, she served small portions of meat every now and then. She’s never cooked a roast or chicken. Performing autopsies in the kitchen didn’t interest her.

At the age of three, I was happy and oblivious to most things. I was learning to read, and interested in books, dolls, cars, and my trike. Animal rights wasn’t something I even knew about.

My grandparents served me chicken one day, and unlike beef or pork, I made the connection. “This is chicken.” I said, happy to share my newfound knowledge of the world. “It used to have feathers. It used to have a beak. It used to have feet, and it used to walk around.”

Ding! A light went off in my head. “I’m not hungry anymore.” I pushed the plate away.

I don’t remember that incident, but my mother did. It was profound. I didn’t want to eat animals. For a while, people could trick me by calling something “meat” instead of “fish” or “chicken.” But in a few more years, I gave it all up.

I’ve heard other stories and I think a lot of kids are initially uneasy about eating animals. But we’re talked into it by grown-ups–the people we trust (or have to obey). Soon, we don’t think about it and we get desensitized to it. But it’s not wrong to feel your conscience tugging at your heart. It’s good to question our choices.

Do you remember making the connection between animals and meat? When was it?