Barefoot Vegan Mag Jan_Feb 2017

B
eing or becoming a vegan means that you show
compassion towards animals. Veganism is based on
the philosophy that the killing of or exploitation of
any animal is not justified and goes totally against the
compassion we should show towards the animals we share
our planet with.
If we did live in a world where animals are treated
‘humanely’ and got the respect they deserved, the following
statement would not be true: over 40 million one-day old
chicks are killed every year. That means 40 million lives that
deserve to have their rights upheld are ended within 24 hours
of birth, due to cruelty, greed and a vast shortcoming of
compassion. There is a common misconception that
veganism is only about diet, the truth is it is a belief that goes
much deeper than simply changing what we eat and drink.
From campaigning to get animals out of circuses and sport,
to only purchasing ethically produced clothing and
household items. Veganism is about showing compassion to
all animals, not only those kept cruelly on factory farms.
I would love to encourage people who read this to think
about veganism in the bigger picture, not just the diet, and
also to show more love towards animals and their habitats. If
you are reading this as a non-vegan, maybe a vegetarian
considering going the extra step, then I assure you that
leading a vegan life is the single greatest step you can take to
show that you care about animal welfare and the planet you
live on. If you are a vegan then I would urge you to get out
into nature and see animals thrive in their natural
habitat, where they should be and really appreciate the
wildlife that we are so lucky to have. Doing something
like this is a wonderful way to remember the
importance of veganism, and reinforce the fact that
you are living a kinder, healthier way of life as a vegan.
Finally, if you are a non-vegan reading this then I
imagine you are quite curious about the diet and
lifestyle. I could not encourage you enough to try a
plant-based diet as a first step (why not sign up right
now to Veganuary?) and start to discover the beauty of
a cruelty-free way of life. For animals, the planet and
your own health. BV
Tom Leslie has been a
vegan since February 2016.
He is a lover of endurance
sport, especially running
and cycling. A key reason for
opting for the vegan lifestyle was his love for
animals and his desire for all creatures to be
free from harm and exploitation. His personal
aim is to use his passion for endurance sport
to promote veganism and to prove that it is in
no way a hindrance to people with active
lifestyles.
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