Subject: Marin VEG Mid-May Check In
From: Patti Breitman <eatplants@earthlink.net>
Date: 2020-05-18, 4:53 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;

Marin VEG
Mid May Check In

I hope you are well in this third month of sheltering and self care.

The first item here seemed too important to hold for the end of the month.  And as long as  I was writing, I decided to include other interesting items.  If there is more to report I will send another newsletter before June 1.   Sending warm wishes for your well being and health and that of  your loved ones, too.


Conspiracy Theories versus Conspiracies
Please read this and the linked article, if nothing else.
A number of people have told me that some well known and influential vegan leaders are sharing conspiracy theories about the Corona Virus.   Please read this short, excellent article about conspiracy theories and why people believe them.  I found it enormously helpful.   https://apple.news/AMidym4PcQpuNkBRHQyrwIQ


New Podcast: Hope for the Animals
Hope Bohanec, author of The Ultimate Betrayal and founder of Compassionate Living, has a new podcast called Hope for the Animals.  I heard episode 2 with  Robert Grillo, and it is terrific. In these podcasts Hope will cover a variety of farmed animal issues including the ethical, environmental, spiritual, heartbreaking and heartwarming aspects of living vegan. Hope  will be having conversations with special guests focusing on reasons for living a vegan lifestyle and covering  topics such as the humane hoax and effective communication and outreach in farmed animal advocacy. The podcast is sponsored by United Poultry Concerns. Listen to all the episodes here: http://www.hopefortheanimalspodcast.org


Jonathan Safran Foer on Meat Is Not Essential
How wonderful it was to read this opinion piece in the Washington Post by the author of Eating Animals, Jonathan Safran Foer.  One quote:  This pandemic is like a lightning strike that has, for a brief moment, illuminated for all of us the values that guide factory farm corporations.    He exposes uncomfortable truths (that vegans already know) about animal and human abuse, racial disparities in animal agriculture and the cruelty of telling some people to risk their lives so others can eat meat and yet others can profit from it. He tells readers how not to be complicit in these horrible conditions.  Foer was already one of my favorite writers (His fiction is also great.),  but now he is at the top of the list.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/11/jonathan-safran-foer-meat-is-not-essential-why-are-we-killing-it/?arc404=true


Cedars in San Anselmo Getting Healthier Food
Congratulations to Catherine M. whose good work at Cedars, a local organization for mentally challenged people, is helping to improve their clients' diets.  Her article about this move toward a plant based diet was published in the newsletter of the Vegetarian Dietary Practice Group. I cannot supply a link, but a pdf file is attached.


Good Advice for Challenging Times
How to Avoid Despair
One of my favorite meditation teachers is Oren Jay Sofer.  His advice about not falling into despair and practicing practical optimism proved useful for me. I hope you find it valuable as well.  https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=5d98a87c6b3e1e4aecc8c9194&id=9f7a00817e&e=fd2e384bab




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