An Ahimsa ThanXgiving - Fast 2006

November 10, 2006

Namaste

Oh, no! Here it comes again! Those dreaded holidays where Vegans

waffle between:

A) Going to a family get-together and literally suffer through hours

of staring at dead carcasses, watching as others gulp down – not

chewing – these abused souls,

B) Going to a family get-together and endure all those not so casual

comments about anti-Veganism,

C) Not going to these gatherings and trying to arrange a dinner for

like-minded folks,

D) Not going to these gatherings and staying by themselves with their

Tofurkeys,

E) Not going to these gatherings and wondering if we hurt the

feelings of unconcerned/uncaring humans,

F) Not going to the dinners, but arriving afterwards for " dessert "

G) Not going to these gatherings and fasting.

That's right! I said FASTING.

I will be fasting this ThanXgiving again - this has been a tradition

since 1998.

I hope some list members will be joining me on this day of torture,

death, greed, selfishness and debauchery by doing the same.

My fast is in HONOR/REMEMBERENCE/REVERENCE of the MILLIONS of animals

that are tortured and abused, then slaughtered just for this one (1)

day alone in the U.S.

I am not discussing one (1) day fasts. My fasts run from Wednesday

until Sunday.

Fasting achieves numerous benefits. It is a wonderful way to clean

out the body as far as health is concerned.

Spiritually, it also cleanses the soul.

Originally, fasting was used to 'get closer to the higher being.'

It was also used to rid sick bodies of diseases. This was copied from

watching animals when they are ill. They either eat greens or nothing

at all.

Modern times has shown fasting to be a form of protest.

Gandhi also used fasting to bring his point across.

My fasting tradition has came about when I could no longer go to

family gatherings for this 'holiday' and sit around a table infested

with dead carcass and by-products.

Even the 'religious' holidays were laughable as we traipsed to our

building of worship only to march back to a home full of death,

abuse and chemical irresponsibility.

I have had numerous opportunities to join like-minded folks for a

holiday feast, but prefer to not look upon this holiday as a festive

occasion. Why? Because it also represents false facts throughout

American history. Native Americans were thwarted into slavery and

near-annihilitation by the 'white man' in the name of 'god.' Recent

findings are coming out that there was no turkey - or even any kind

of 'meat' - at the dinner; only fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.

Then, back to modern times, it always bothered me that after these

dinners, the male attendees would gather together in front of a

television set to watch the bloodsport known as 'football,' leaving

the women (slaves again to the 'white man') to clean up and watch

after the children.

You are invited and welcome to join my discussion list:

SoFlaVegans/

Starting next week there will appear articles, information and guides

about the history and hypocrisy of ThanXgiving, as well as how to

cope with the upcoming holidays.

Additionally, you will find ways to fast safely and wisely.

For those who wish to " celebrate " and not fast, you will find tons of

recipes and tips, as well!

As we ready ourselves for Fur-Free Friday, also known as " Buy Nothing

Day, " I wish everyone who is willing to " take the plunge " the best of

luck in a successful and quick fast, and may all of our efforts pay

off!

= = = = = = = = = =

Here are my other discussion lists that also contain tons of

information in each of their categories – DAILY!!!

Please research the message archives for information you are seeking

and what you have missed:

Everything Yoga!

Yoga-With-Nancy-SoFla/

American Sign Language and Deaf Culture

SignSoFla/

Alternative Schooling Within The School System

SoFlaSchools/

Om Shanti

Rlyngry

Live Simply So That

Others May Simply Live

November 13, 2006

Fidyl wrote:

"Here it comes again! Those dreaded holidays where Veganswaffle between:A) Going to a family get-together and literally suffer through hoursof staring at dead carcasses, watching as others gulp down – notchewing – these abused souls,B) Going to a family get-together and endure all those not so casualcomments about anti-Veganism,C) Not going to these gatherings and trying to arrange a dinner forlike-minded folks,D) Not going to these gatherings and staying by themselves with theirTofurkeys,E) Not going to these gatherings and wondering if we hurt thefeelings of unconcerned/ uncaring humans,F) Not going to the dinners, but arriving afterwards for "dessert"G) Not going to these gatherings and fasting."

I believe this same e-mail was sent last year, and I had the same reaction to it. I appreciate that you are fasting, and encouraging others to fast, in honor of all the animals who suffer as a result of food (and other) choices people make.But as a vegan, I do not dread Thanksgiving or other holidays. I am happy that there are vegan options readily available (even in Louisville, Kentucky, where I often spend the holidays). I am happy that I am able to share the holiday meals with other vegans as well as non-vegans. I am happy that the non-vegans at the dinner table see that I have food I enjoy and that veganism is to me a pleasure rather than a sacrifice. I am happy that even non-vegetarian friends and family frequently go out of their way to prepare vegan dishes for me -- and that they give

those dishes a taste! And I am happy that the non-vegans I share the festivities with assuredly give more thought to the animals who have suffered for their meals, and see veganism or at least vegetarianism as a real option, than they would have had I not been there.

Would it help animals for me to avoid these events or to go angry and expecting the worst?

I am sympathetic that others may have a hard time at these events -- and may not be as lucky as I am in the responses they get from family and friends. But in saying that the holidays are "dreaded" by vegans generally you are making veganism seem pretty miserable. I'm sorry to say it, but in my opinion that simply does not help animals. If you have the mental and physical endurance to fast, why not use some of that strength to overcome your negative feelings and give veganism or vegetarianism a more positive image?

Happy holidays to all, however you choose to recognize them.

Thea

November 14, 2006

Carol Adams, in her book "Living Among Meat Eaters", which several of us discussed on Sunday over vegan ice cream at MaggieMudd's, talks about situations like this, and how to deal with situations which may leave us (the vegan/vegetarian) feeling awkard or angry. Adams advises viewing meat-eaters as "blocked" vegetarians and to realize that even if we say nothing to them about why we are veg*n, merely being in their midst and being veg*n, we raise to them the issue of why aren't they veg*n. She gives some good insight and tips throughout the book.

I would highly recommend it as a good book to read, both for new & old vegans. You may be able to find the book at most libraries since it's been in print since circa 2001. As she points out right in the beginning of the book (I posted this before, but thought it worth repeating)

"The symbolism of meat-eating is never neutral. To himself, the meat-eater seems to be eating life. To the vegetarian, he seems to be eating death. There is a kind of gestalt-shift between the two positions which makes it hard to change, and hard to raise questions on the matter at all without become embattled." -- Mary Midgley

Like Thea, I don't dread holidays or spending time with family. Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday because I do enjoy the opportunity to plan a wonderful feast of a variety of vegan foods -- and the mashed potatoes and gravy is a definite must!. For people who don't cook, in the Bay Area, there are veg restaurants that are open. And, if you're looking to share the holiday with others over vegan food, some very kind volunteers are organizing Thanksgiving day events in SF, San Jose, and Oakland (3 are vegan food parties, where you make food to share, and 1 is at a restaurant). Details are on the Bay Area Vegetarians' event calendar at http://bayareaveg.org/events

Cheers,

Tammy

Bay Area Vegetarianswww.BayAreaVeg.org