Vegan Like Me No. 16

Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world! We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that. If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Ellen Mass

Ellen (far right), vegan 3 years, and her family – also vegan!

Where do you live?  Northern NJ

How long have you been vegan?  “3 years”

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?  “Three years ago my husband and I visited Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary because I heard how wonderful it was. We were vegetarians for years, but when we took the tour and I saw how the chickens were treated (for eggs) and the cows were treated (for milk) I said “I’m done” and became vegan. When I got home my older daughter, then 17, said she would join me. My husband and younger daughter, then 14, joined shortly after.”

What do you love most about being vegan?  “The belief that I am doing the right thing, for my ethics, my health and for the environment. It becomes hard to understand why everyone doesn’t feel the same. I also love that I haven’t given anything up, just found substitutes, for ice cream, cheese, meat, etc. (Who knew!?) I also am vegan in my clothes, so my favorite designer brands are Vaute Couture and Matt and Nat, and favorite shoe store is MooShoes in NYC. Actually, my favorite part is being vegan with my family.”

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  “Standard vegan items include nutritional yeast, Braggs kelp seasoning and Marigold vegan vegetable bouillon. Also lots of different grains.”

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  “As a foodie, anything that is cheezy or creamy. We all love Daiya cheese when the soaked cashews and nutritional yeast homemade version takes too long. (Huh? This is why you need new cookbooks!) There is also Vegenaise for a good homemade potato salad.”

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  “Talk to vegans and read their blogs. Toss your old cookbooks and buy new vegan ones. Read about health benefits. Join Farm Sanctuary and Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. If you are doing it for health, read “The China Study” or “Eat to Live.” If you are doing it for the environment, read “Animal Factory.” If you are doing it for compassion, read the upcoming “The Lucky Ones” by Jenny Brown and Gretchen Primack or “Farm Sanctuary” by Gene Baur. And check out your local farmers market for veggies that you never tried before!”

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  “People who think being vegan is a joke and like to shove bacon in your face. And restaurants that don’t offer vegan options. And coffee places that don’t have non-dairy milk.”

Any other comments you or words of wisdom you would like to add?  “I am 50 and so many of my friends are starting to need drugs for cholesterol, diabetes, etc. It is often as simple as changing your diet. Don’t always trust your doctors. Depending on your current diet you may have to go slowly or your stomach may have issues and you will give up. And always believe in the right thing to do. It will keep you going when no one else does. (Also, have your answer ready when (often unhealthy meat-eating) friends ask you where you get your protein! )”

Ellen (right) with Jenny Brown (left), co-founder of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Ellen offers some AWESOME book suggestions!  I just finished “The Lucky Ones” and it was incredibly moving and wonderful read.  I also love the fact that Ellen has made veganism a family affair.  Thank you so much, Ellen!

Book Review: The Lucky Ones

It’s no secret that I am hopelessly devoted to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.  It is a magical place that changed my life.  I discovered it by chance, back in 2007.  Melissa and I were getting ready to celebrate our one year anniversary.  She had always wanted to take a class at The Center for Photography at Woodstock… so we ended up booking a weekend up in the area so she could take a class and we could spend some time away together.  Her course was two days long, during the daytime hours, so I was on my on for several hours during the day.  I knew the town of Woodstock was adorable, so I occupied myself discovering all the sweet shops and flea market on the first day up there.  While I was walking around town, I kept seeing posters for something called “The Blessing of the Animals” at a place called “The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary”… I thought, oh, I love animals, this sounds right up my alley!  At the time, I was still eating meat and dairy full-time – the complete opposite of what I am now.  I even remember going to Woodstock Meats to buy some bacon!  Regardless, I decided to attend the Blessing ceremony, conducted by some peaceful Buddhist monks from the nearby monastery.  That was when the seed got planted.  I recall driving away from our rental cabin expressing feelings about wanting to give up eating animals.  I felt timid and overwhelmed at first, but knew that there was something to be said with that, and it was going to be the beginning of my journey.

Over the next few weeks, I had this nagging thought that was always in the back of my mind… I really don’t think I want to eat meat anymore.  It only took a few weeks before we took the plunge and gave up eating animals.  We made attending the Blessing a yearly anniversary tradition.  Each time I went, the nagging changed, and got louder and louder, urging me to go vegan.  Finally, last year we made the connection and went vegan.  And it’s all because of a woman named Jenny Brown, her husband Doug Abel and their magical farm sanctuary.

Jenny Brown’s journey was similar to mine in the fact that her enlightenment came in increments.  The path might have been different, but the final destination was the same.  And it is all recounted with joy, humor and honesty in her first book, The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals.  Co-written by Gretchen Primack, Brown recounts her journey from a cancer-stricken 10-year-old amputee to her thriving career in film which led to passion projects for PETA and finally turned her into a full-time animal activist, hero and co-founder of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Interspersed with her personal journey, she includes mini-biographies of past and present residents of the farm.  She tells their story, as well as hers, in truth and with love.  She doesn’t shy away (nor does she ever) from exposing the truths of animal agriculture.  The key thing, though, is that she does so with such finesse that she leaves you willingly questioning your own contribution (read: consumption of animals) to the industry.  She makes you think.  She helps guide you to make that connection.  While she admits that she didn’t always have this knack of graceful truth-telling, it is something she can do now with ease.

This book was a pleasure to read.  It reminded me of my own journey, why we do what we do, and inspires me to continue in my own form of activism whatever it might end up looking like.  This world is a better place because of Jenny Brown, Doug Abel, and the other devoted animal caretakers and volunteers at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary… and for that, I am grateful.

If you live in or close to the New York City area, there will be a party to celebrate the release of The Lucky Ones tomorrow night (August 7) at MooShoes.  Jenny will be there, signing and selling her books.  Stop on by for some vegan camaraderie and to celebrate the release of such a wonderful book.  Hope to see you there!