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Being Vegan: Living With Conscience, Conviction, and Compassion
In "Being Vegan," renowned activist and award-winning on-line columnist Joanne Stepaniak presents the definitive Q&A primer on an often misunderstood life choice. Fielding questions from friends and foes, she describes how compassion, kindness, and mercy to animals can be integrated into everyday life. It covers living the vegan philosophy and ethic, discovering hidden animal products and ingredients, and more.
214 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
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323 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Stepaniak
23 books29 followersJoanne Stepaniak, M.S.Ed., is a writer, an educator, a cooking instructor, and the author of several cookbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 6, 2011
This whole book is done in a question/answer format. Joanne is a wonderful voice for veganism, very clear and peaceful. Just about every little (and big) issue you can think of is covered in here from the basic philosophy of veganism and why vegans avoid the things they do to how to work through conflicts with friends and family to practical matters, such as what to do if you have mice in your home. There is even a section on food, which includes a few basic snack and meal ideas.
July 14, 2024
A MARVELOUS AND VERY BROAD INTRODUCTION TO VEGANISM
Joanne Stepaniak writes a column for "Vegetarian Voice" magazine, and is also the author of 'The Vegan Sourcebook,' 'The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook: Delicious Dairy-Free Cheeses and Classic "Uncheese" Dishes,' 'Vegan Vittles: Down-Home Cooking for Everyone, Delicious Food for a Healthy Heart,' etc.
She wrote in the Prologue to this 2000 book, "This book is a distillation and compilation of some of the thousands of questions I have received about compassionate vegan living through my Web site... despite our divergent backgrounds, vegans share common interests and collective concerns. We want to have a clear understanding of the philosophy and ethics that form the foundation of our lifestyle and guide our daily decisions. We want to figure out how to put these values into practical service in our day-to-day lives."
She begins by observing that "Contrary to vegetarianism, veganism was founded on deeply held ethical convictions that espouse a dynamic respect for all life." (Pg. 5) She adds, "Veganism is a philosophy of life; it is not a religion. Nevertheless, many practitioners find the vegan ethic provides them with a moral beacon akin to most religious precepts." (Pg. 12) She states that vegans do not consider dairy products as a "natural food for human beings," and states that viewing animals as commodities "inevitably causes needless suffering." (Pg. 25)
She says that insects "are included under the vegan umbrella of life." Nevertheless, she admits that one can swat, or otherwise eradicate biting or stinging insects (e.g., mosquitoes, fleas; pg. 28). She argues that "The vegan position on (rejecting) honey is definitive." (Pg. 30) And she defends not eating fish because "Fish are not plants. They are sentient beings that have a heart, brain, and central nervous system ... they feel pain, suffer, and struggle to stay alive." (Pg. 31) Wool is also not okay because (as with honey) it treats animal byproducts as mere commodities (pg. 35-36)
As far as pets, she suggests that "with proper supplementation, (dogs) can do well on a predominantly plant-based diet"; she admits, however, that cats "require meat to thrive." (Pg. 39) She is ambivalent about seeing-eye dogs (which "from a vegan perspective... would appear to be insupportable"), but concludes that it may not be "practical nor possible" for vision-impaired people to do without them. (Pg. 41)
She suggests that there is no way to "convert" anyone to veganism, and notes that some people can be exposed to "all the horror, gore, and irrefutable facts about animal suffering and slaughter and not even wince." (Pg. 67) She observes that most people go through "a series of steps" on the way to becoming vegan." (Pg. 115) She also concedes that in our present society, "it is not really possible to live a 100 percent pure vegan life... and still participate in the culture at large." (E.g., photographic film, movie film; pg. 117) Most birth control methods also involve animal testing or animal products, as well (pg. 146). In cases such as use of sugar, she suggests that "Vegans as individuals must decide the extent to which they want to take their beliefs." (Pg. 194)
In terms of the clarity and breadth of the information presented, Ms. Stepaniak's book is one of the very best introductions to veganism imaginable.
Joanne Stepaniak writes a column for "Vegetarian Voice" magazine, and is also the author of 'The Vegan Sourcebook,' 'The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook: Delicious Dairy-Free Cheeses and Classic "Uncheese" Dishes,' 'Vegan Vittles: Down-Home Cooking for Everyone, Delicious Food for a Healthy Heart,' etc.
She wrote in the Prologue to this 2000 book, "This book is a distillation and compilation of some of the thousands of questions I have received about compassionate vegan living through my Web site... despite our divergent backgrounds, vegans share common interests and collective concerns. We want to have a clear understanding of the philosophy and ethics that form the foundation of our lifestyle and guide our daily decisions. We want to figure out how to put these values into practical service in our day-to-day lives."
She begins by observing that "Contrary to vegetarianism, veganism was founded on deeply held ethical convictions that espouse a dynamic respect for all life." (Pg. 5) She adds, "Veganism is a philosophy of life; it is not a religion. Nevertheless, many practitioners find the vegan ethic provides them with a moral beacon akin to most religious precepts." (Pg. 12) She states that vegans do not consider dairy products as a "natural food for human beings," and states that viewing animals as commodities "inevitably causes needless suffering." (Pg. 25)
She says that insects "are included under the vegan umbrella of life." Nevertheless, she admits that one can swat, or otherwise eradicate biting or stinging insects (e.g., mosquitoes, fleas; pg. 28). She argues that "The vegan position on (rejecting) honey is definitive." (Pg. 30) And she defends not eating fish because "Fish are not plants. They are sentient beings that have a heart, brain, and central nervous system ... they feel pain, suffer, and struggle to stay alive." (Pg. 31) Wool is also not okay because (as with honey) it treats animal byproducts as mere commodities (pg. 35-36)
As far as pets, she suggests that "with proper supplementation, (dogs) can do well on a predominantly plant-based diet"; she admits, however, that cats "require meat to thrive." (Pg. 39) She is ambivalent about seeing-eye dogs (which "from a vegan perspective... would appear to be insupportable"), but concludes that it may not be "practical nor possible" for vision-impaired people to do without them. (Pg. 41)
She suggests that there is no way to "convert" anyone to veganism, and notes that some people can be exposed to "all the horror, gore, and irrefutable facts about animal suffering and slaughter and not even wince." (Pg. 67) She observes that most people go through "a series of steps" on the way to becoming vegan." (Pg. 115) She also concedes that in our present society, "it is not really possible to live a 100 percent pure vegan life... and still participate in the culture at large." (E.g., photographic film, movie film; pg. 117) Most birth control methods also involve animal testing or animal products, as well (pg. 146). In cases such as use of sugar, she suggests that "Vegans as individuals must decide the extent to which they want to take their beliefs." (Pg. 194)
In terms of the clarity and breadth of the information presented, Ms. Stepaniak's book is one of the very best introductions to veganism imaginable.
October 15, 2012
Vegan is not the totality of a person’s life; it is merely a philosophy that helps shape who we are and how we see the world as we participate in life.
- Joanne Stepaniak, “Being Vegan”
Being Vegan might be shelved near Carol Adams’ Living Among Meat Eaters, as they both offer up sage advice to new and seasoned herbivores about navigating the world in which we live. However, I did not enjoy Stepaniak’s book nearly as much as I did Adam’s—I suppose her writing style just tended to grate on me at times. Stepaniak, can at times come off as school marm-ish and humorless—and if it’s one thing we need to persevere in this environment, it’s humor.
That said, Stepaniak does offer rational advice in dealing with the thornier aspects of being a veg*n. A distressed mother wrote to the author with a story that made my blood boil—her 16-year-old daughter went out to eat with her youth group and was mocked relentlessly by her peers at the dinner table, while the adult group leaders just grinned as they looked on. I have been a vegetarian most of my life, and that story hit home hard with me—I was that girl too many times to count. The incompetence of the adults who refuse to intervene, or who even participate in the bullying, enrages me. (I must get off this subject before I bust a capillary.)
Stepaniak shows remarkable restraint and patience when dealing with issues such as bullying, or that perennial so-stupid-it-makes-my-head-hurt taunt that veg*ns are cruel to carrots and cabbage:
Any rational person understands the striking difference between slitting the throat of a sentient animal and plucking a fruit or vegetable. Conscionable people are repulsed by animal slaughter; no one is revolted by gleaning crops.
She also has an interesting comeback to the idea that veganism is extreme or radical:
There is nothing insurgent about embracing compassionate living. However, using products derived from cruelty when humane alternatives exist could most assuredly be construed as radical.
However, what I appreciated most about this book was the fact that Stepaniak is not afraid to tell vegans when they’ve blown themselves off course in creating a kinder world. Like fellow vegan writer Erik Marcus, Stepaniak underscores the pointlessness of ferreting out the tiniest bits of animal products—focusing on the major products of cruelty is by far the most productive path. Also, she’s not one of those “vegan police” who “commands” THOU SHALT NOT WEAR ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE LEATHER!—she sees the educational value in faux leather shoes and clothing—you don’t have to wear real animal hides to be fashionable.
A frequent anti-vegan argument posited by animal use supporters is that vegans shouldn’t take medications because they have been tested on animals, and unfortunately, a small minority of vegans has taken this dangerous argument to heart. Here’s the issue: Unlike cosmetics, the US government requires all drugs, whether prescription or over-the-counter, to be tested on animals. Aside from donating to scientific discovery projects like the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, there’s nothing we can really do about this.
[V]egans can and should support the implementation of humane alternatives to vivisection, so that this moral conflict will cease to exist. In the meantime, vegans in need of medications should not eschew them nor allow themselves to feel guilty or culpable for doing what is necessary to maintain their health or their lives.
The care of pet animals is also a common issue of concern that Stepaniak handles with grace. Some veg*ns, for example, believe that there are no such thing as breed traits in dogs specifically, and even the most dangerous dogs can always be “rehabilitated” to be gentle as lambs. In discussing domestic animal development generally, she gives evidence for the wrongheadedness of such beliefs:
Most domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, are the result of many years of meticulous inbreeding manipulated by humans for specific purposes. Special physical characteristics and personality traits have made some breeds particularly amenable to serving human desires.
A perhaps more widespread discussion within the veg*n community is what is the proper way to feed cats and dogs. Most veg*ns accept that these animals are meat-eaters and feed them accordingly. However, some attempt to feed their pets a plant-based diet. I’ll admit to finding this trend quite distressing, particularly in relation to cats. Stepaniak rightly calls out vegan diets for cats as animal cruelty:
[Vegans] are also repulsed and furious that some “food animals,” such as cows, which are total vegetarians, are commonly fed ground-up animal products or even their own species. If we believe it is wrong for natural vegetarians to be force-fed meat, the inverse should be equally morally objectionable. Cows are designed to eat plant matter; cats are designed to eat flesh. … Humans have a choice about their ethics and the foods that they eat; our companion animals do not. … Vegans are entitled to practice and abide by their beliefs and even influence other people to do so, but is it fitting to impose our ethics on another species, especially one that would not oblige us if other options were provided? If some vegans cannot respect a cat’s physiology and biological requirements, perhaps they should not adopt felines.
I couldn’t agree more. If you’re squeamish about feeding your companion meat, an animal with a big mouth full of jagged teeth and an insatiable hunting instinct is not the pet for you. The good news is that there are countless rabbits in animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. They are in desperate need of homes, and can’t always be re-homed safely with dogs and cats. Rabbit caretakers say their pets have just as much personality as a cat or dog.
Unfortunately, Stepaniak then goes on to say that those vegans who are concerned about cat welfare but choose not to adopt one could “work toward eliminating the domestic cat market” through breeding bans. First off, that position won’t win many fans of veganism or Stepaniak, as many people come to animal advocacy through their love of a companion animal. (Not to mention it’s fuel to the fire of anti-spay/neuter maniacs.) Second, it is nonsensical to argue for the gradual extinction of cats (or dogs) because they eat meat. The vast feedlots and slaughter plants of the world are not run at the behest of Fancy Feast and Milk-Bone. Virtually all pet food products, even the more costly organic ones, are made with the by-products and unwanted trimmings of animals killed for human consumption. As long as human beings kill and consume billions of farmed animals per year, these byproducts will exist, whether or not we keep carnivorous species as pets.
Many animal advocates, myself included, believe that the human population is simply too selfish to give up the taste of meat, and the end of the factory farming machine will only come when meat proteins can be successfully cloned and grown in the lab. If such a thing comes about, we could also healthfully feed our pets with this “in-vitro” meat.
- Joanne Stepaniak, “Being Vegan”
Being Vegan might be shelved near Carol Adams’ Living Among Meat Eaters, as they both offer up sage advice to new and seasoned herbivores about navigating the world in which we live. However, I did not enjoy Stepaniak’s book nearly as much as I did Adam’s—I suppose her writing style just tended to grate on me at times. Stepaniak, can at times come off as school marm-ish and humorless—and if it’s one thing we need to persevere in this environment, it’s humor.
That said, Stepaniak does offer rational advice in dealing with the thornier aspects of being a veg*n. A distressed mother wrote to the author with a story that made my blood boil—her 16-year-old daughter went out to eat with her youth group and was mocked relentlessly by her peers at the dinner table, while the adult group leaders just grinned as they looked on. I have been a vegetarian most of my life, and that story hit home hard with me—I was that girl too many times to count. The incompetence of the adults who refuse to intervene, or who even participate in the bullying, enrages me. (I must get off this subject before I bust a capillary.)
Stepaniak shows remarkable restraint and patience when dealing with issues such as bullying, or that perennial so-stupid-it-makes-my-head-hurt taunt that veg*ns are cruel to carrots and cabbage:
Any rational person understands the striking difference between slitting the throat of a sentient animal and plucking a fruit or vegetable. Conscionable people are repulsed by animal slaughter; no one is revolted by gleaning crops.
She also has an interesting comeback to the idea that veganism is extreme or radical:
There is nothing insurgent about embracing compassionate living. However, using products derived from cruelty when humane alternatives exist could most assuredly be construed as radical.
However, what I appreciated most about this book was the fact that Stepaniak is not afraid to tell vegans when they’ve blown themselves off course in creating a kinder world. Like fellow vegan writer Erik Marcus, Stepaniak underscores the pointlessness of ferreting out the tiniest bits of animal products—focusing on the major products of cruelty is by far the most productive path. Also, she’s not one of those “vegan police” who “commands” THOU SHALT NOT WEAR ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE LEATHER!—she sees the educational value in faux leather shoes and clothing—you don’t have to wear real animal hides to be fashionable.
A frequent anti-vegan argument posited by animal use supporters is that vegans shouldn’t take medications because they have been tested on animals, and unfortunately, a small minority of vegans has taken this dangerous argument to heart. Here’s the issue: Unlike cosmetics, the US government requires all drugs, whether prescription or over-the-counter, to be tested on animals. Aside from donating to scientific discovery projects like the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, there’s nothing we can really do about this.
[V]egans can and should support the implementation of humane alternatives to vivisection, so that this moral conflict will cease to exist. In the meantime, vegans in need of medications should not eschew them nor allow themselves to feel guilty or culpable for doing what is necessary to maintain their health or their lives.
The care of pet animals is also a common issue of concern that Stepaniak handles with grace. Some veg*ns, for example, believe that there are no such thing as breed traits in dogs specifically, and even the most dangerous dogs can always be “rehabilitated” to be gentle as lambs. In discussing domestic animal development generally, she gives evidence for the wrongheadedness of such beliefs:
Most domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, are the result of many years of meticulous inbreeding manipulated by humans for specific purposes. Special physical characteristics and personality traits have made some breeds particularly amenable to serving human desires.
A perhaps more widespread discussion within the veg*n community is what is the proper way to feed cats and dogs. Most veg*ns accept that these animals are meat-eaters and feed them accordingly. However, some attempt to feed their pets a plant-based diet. I’ll admit to finding this trend quite distressing, particularly in relation to cats. Stepaniak rightly calls out vegan diets for cats as animal cruelty:
[Vegans] are also repulsed and furious that some “food animals,” such as cows, which are total vegetarians, are commonly fed ground-up animal products or even their own species. If we believe it is wrong for natural vegetarians to be force-fed meat, the inverse should be equally morally objectionable. Cows are designed to eat plant matter; cats are designed to eat flesh. … Humans have a choice about their ethics and the foods that they eat; our companion animals do not. … Vegans are entitled to practice and abide by their beliefs and even influence other people to do so, but is it fitting to impose our ethics on another species, especially one that would not oblige us if other options were provided? If some vegans cannot respect a cat’s physiology and biological requirements, perhaps they should not adopt felines.
I couldn’t agree more. If you’re squeamish about feeding your companion meat, an animal with a big mouth full of jagged teeth and an insatiable hunting instinct is not the pet for you. The good news is that there are countless rabbits in animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. They are in desperate need of homes, and can’t always be re-homed safely with dogs and cats. Rabbit caretakers say their pets have just as much personality as a cat or dog.
Unfortunately, Stepaniak then goes on to say that those vegans who are concerned about cat welfare but choose not to adopt one could “work toward eliminating the domestic cat market” through breeding bans. First off, that position won’t win many fans of veganism or Stepaniak, as many people come to animal advocacy through their love of a companion animal. (Not to mention it’s fuel to the fire of anti-spay/neuter maniacs.) Second, it is nonsensical to argue for the gradual extinction of cats (or dogs) because they eat meat. The vast feedlots and slaughter plants of the world are not run at the behest of Fancy Feast and Milk-Bone. Virtually all pet food products, even the more costly organic ones, are made with the by-products and unwanted trimmings of animals killed for human consumption. As long as human beings kill and consume billions of farmed animals per year, these byproducts will exist, whether or not we keep carnivorous species as pets.
Many animal advocates, myself included, believe that the human population is simply too selfish to give up the taste of meat, and the end of the factory farming machine will only come when meat proteins can be successfully cloned and grown in the lab. If such a thing comes about, we could also healthfully feed our pets with this “in-vitro” meat.
December 8, 2010
I'm currently reading this book. It's not telling me a lot I don't know and to be honest, is reconfirming my belief that I could never be vegan. I'm not vegetarian even. It is lovely to read for a different P.O.V. and for a few things I did not know...woudn't tempt me into trying veganism though if that's what you are looking for.
Ok I stopped reading this book. If you are wondering what being vegan is or if you could be vegan this is a good book. Like I said earlier, if you already know what being vegan is and have made your decision on that lifestyle this is not going to tell you anything you don't already know.
Ok I stopped reading this book. If you are wondering what being vegan is or if you could be vegan this is a good book. Like I said earlier, if you already know what being vegan is and have made your decision on that lifestyle this is not going to tell you anything you don't already know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2011
Joanne Stephaniak answers questions facing the modern vegan in this book.
I enjoyed portions of it that related to my transition to being vegan. However, the author comes across as preachy and superior at times.
There were several eye rolling moments while reading her solutions to readers' questions.
I was able to find answers to my own questions and come to terms with things that I cannot change.
Overall I would recommend this book, but I wouldn't make it your vegan bible. There are other authors out there on the subject of veganism that are more appealing to wider audiences.
I enjoyed portions of it that related to my transition to being vegan. However, the author comes across as preachy and superior at times.
There were several eye rolling moments while reading her solutions to readers' questions.
I was able to find answers to my own questions and come to terms with things that I cannot change.
Overall I would recommend this book, but I wouldn't make it your vegan bible. There are other authors out there on the subject of veganism that are more appealing to wider audiences.
September 9, 2009
This book has lots of info for anyone considering being vegan or even just interested in it. It did help with one particular question I had pertaining to dealing with negative thoughts from other family members. It's nice because you can look up a specific question you have and find the answer without reading the whole book.
July 9, 2007
I believe this was the second or third vegan book I read after becoming one myself. Everything is spelt out in an easy to read format.
April 8, 2009
This book is very informative and told me lots of interesting things I didn't know, as well as gave me tips on how to make my transition a little smoother.
January 15, 2010
This is pretty ho-hum compared to other books I've read about vegetarianism/veganism. I didn't like the writing style... it was too light, gentle.. hippyish.
February 4, 2013
I learned alot and i believe i'm ready to go vegan! :)
March 15, 2009
Better for the beginning vegan, perhaps, but still interesting.
April 5, 2017
So apparently I'm not really vegan. I'm a total vegetarian or vegan in transition. Lesson learned.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews