31 Flavors heir promotes healthy lifestyle, vegetarianism

[Guest guest]

By Jennifer Sterling

Michigan Daily

U. Michigan

 

(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- John Robbins, formerly the heir to the

Baskin-Robbins fortune, could be sitting on a pile of money. But now the

celebrated author - who gave up his fortune in the ice cream business -

professes a plant-based diet.

 

More than 200 people listened as Robbins gave a spiritual yet educational

address Sunday in the Michigan Union called " The Power of Your Fork. "

 

Robbins' lecture, which ultimately evoked a standing ovation from the audience,

included his experiences visiting slaughter houses, his views on world hunger

and the media, treatment of animals and peoples' health.

 

He spoke about ways to end world hunger encouraging people to adapt a

plant-based diet.

 

" I look forward to the day that meat is taxed in accordance with environmental

destruction, " he said.

 

Robbins has traveled to farms and slaughter houses to learn how animals are

treated. Of those travels, he shared one story that he said, " changed my life. "

 

When visiting a pig farm - which he called a " pig Auschwitz " - Robbins recalled

meeting the owner of the facility who was 6 feet 4 inches tall and one of the

stiffest men he had ever seen.

 

After a brief confrontation between the owner and Robbins during dinner at the

owner's house, the owner began to cry. When Robbins asked why he was crying, the

owner said he had a pet pig as a child and his father forced him to kill it.

 

After that experience, Robbins said he left the farm.

 

" I went on with my life. I wrote " Diet for a New America " and when it was

published I sent (the owner) a copy. " As a result of the owner reading Robbins'

book, he sold his herd, bought a small farm and initiated the Pet-A-Pig program

that shows how farms can be more ecologically conscious.

 

" He's one of my heroes, " Robbins said.

 

In another story, Robbins shared his experience on National Public Radio where

he said a member of the cattle association accused him of just trying to make

money off his books. Robbins said he " never would have left Baskin-Robbins " if

his interest was in making money.

 

Along with telling stories, Robbins read an invocation promoting the celebration

of water, food, air, sun and the earth. " How do we live in keeping with this

vision? " he asked afterwards.

 

Michigan Animal Rights Society Chair Rodolfo Palma-Lulion said after reading

Robbins' books, " I got the idea of bringing John Robbins to Ann Arbor ... I

wanted to make sure it wasn't just for vegetarians or vegans. " Palma-Lulion said

he wanted Robbins " to reach out to everybody. "

 

Sponsors of the event included the MARS, People's Food Co-op, University

Activities Center, Michigan Student Assembly and LSA Student Government.

 

Robbins has written two books titled " Diet for a New American " and " May All Be

Fed: Diet for a New World. "

 

Aggie Monfette, who came from Royal Oak to see Robbins speak, said he is " very

well-known, " adding that people flock to hear him speak.

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