Veganacious

Archive for the ‘Children’ Category

My four year old grandson told me, “I am a vegan boy.” He understands a little bit about veganism; I bought him Ruby Roth’s book, That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals, and I read it to him when asks me to read it.  He told me yesterday that, “my parents eat animal projects.”  I knew he meant products; his mum told him that “the animals feed us.”  (Not willingly, though.) He is trying to make sense of the difference in how I eat and how the rest of his family eats.  Sometimes, he is peeved with me, for not buying him the cheese he wants.  Other times, he is peeved with his parents, because he senses their choices are harming animals. He happily eats vegan food and loves the animals he has come to know, but he eats what is put before him at preschool and at home. I do not proselytize, but I do answer his questions as honestly and briefly as I am able.  I think most children would be appalled at what is done to animals if they knew. He only knows a little but it does have him thinking. It has me thinking, too.

Trying to be an ethical vegan grandmother is not an easy task.  He calls me Bubba, and recently decided that only Bubbas are vegan.  That seemed to settle it, for a while at least. I have told him that when he is older, he can decide how to eat for himself, but for now, he needs to eat what his parents provide for him.  Luckily his father requested a vegan cookbook for Christmas and he is on soymilk, not cow’s milk. His father tries some of my vegan recipes; he is one of my tasters and is eating more vegan meals than omnivore meals.  His father has been an animal lover most of his life and used to volunteer at the animal shelter. Like many Americans, he is unable to connect his consumer choices with his view of caring for animals. My grandson, though, is already questioning some of the hypocrisy in the adults around him, including me.  Young children often see so clearly what the rest of us just accept.

His older brother is nine and does not spend as much time with me. His culinary tastes are distinctly more limited, and he balks at vegan fare, except banana bread, strawberry ice cream, and a few other acceptable items like spaghetti and noodles. He is unwilling to try new foods, something his parents are working on at the moment to increase his culinary parameters. His little brother recently said to him, “You are not a vegan boy,” to which the elder said, “Neither are you.”  I can only hope that being an out and proud vegan will continue when he can make those choices for himself.  And I hope that the vegan world is there for him to appreciate, too.

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When I first heard about William Kamkwamba, I knew he was someone who would motivate many other people.  In a time where the obstacles we all need to overcome to help the planet heal, to save the animals, the water, the earth, our health, our future; when those obstacles seem so insurmountable that it is tempting to throw in that proverbial towel, one has only to consider William.  His story is so amazing that he may well be the template we need to save ourselves.  If one young man, with nothing but his excellent mind and good spirit, could dive in and overcome an energy shortage, who knows what else is possible?

William is from Malawi.  At 14, his family was unable to pay the fees that would allow him to continue his education.  But William’s keen mind found books outside of school, and he learned about wind generators.  He had nothing in the way of appropriate tools or materials. The locals all thought he must have been out of his mind, what with the strange creations that were appearing near his home.  But when he was finally successful, ran a wire from the wind turbine to a small radio, and reggae music began to play, the villagers began paying attention.  So did the rest of the world.

Mr. Kamkwamba has now spoken in such prestigious venues as MIT and TED.  He has met many famous people and has received support from all over the world.  But when he was sitting in that library, when he was building his first windmill, no one was cheering him on.  Yet he persevered.  That tenacity is what we all need right now.  We must not let the naysayers have their way.  The most important thing we can do is maintain a positive attitude.  I was personally cheered when I read a post by Angel Flinn, Care2 blogger, about her absolute belief that things were going to turn around, that we would one day have a planet filled with kindness, that animals would one day be free to live their lives without threat of slaughter, torture or abuse.  People like William and Angel have a message for us all.  As long as there is one human being like them alive in the world, the world is already a different place, a place of change.  What they offer us is not just the technology of creating electricity from the wind, or the ability and talent to capture the interest of potential vegans; what they offer us is a can-do attitude of hope and optimism.  There is no hand-wringing here; there is work to be done.  Let’s all get to it!  Go out and build whatever windmill you need to build and speak to whomever needs to hear you.  Remember, William Kamkwamba can create electricity and Angel Flinn can maintain hope despite the odds. So can you.

William Kamkwamba’s Blog

Angel Flinn’s Care2 Blog

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On the evening of the Fall Festival at my grandson’s preschool, I had volunteered to work to help make the evening a success.  I arrived early as requested and began moving all the little toys and games to the side, disassembling some and preparing space for the games to follow. After getting the room ready, a school official told me that the table on the side of the room was for Chick-Fil-A(TM), who would be arriving soon. When I first heard that a corporate meat-monger would be sharing the space with me, I tried to think how I could make this a positive experience. But as the crew began arriving, complete with sodas and dismembered animal parts, I knew it would never fly. I was angry. Angry that a private preschool would be allowing these corporate shills into the festivities (they were just young kids in actuality).  I was angry that schools let these kinds of folks promote their poisonous product to such very young children and their families, when childhood diabetes and obesity have become epidemic.  I asked if I could swith locations with someone else, letting them know I was vegan and did not want to be in the space with people promoting meat. I was aware that these corporations were infiltrating the public schools, which I consider unethical and ghastly, but to try to hook the kids when they are so tiny, and in a private school at that – disgusting!

I was moved to the next room, which was actually part of the same room with a counter in between. I could see the Chick-Fil-A(TM) cow was quite uncomfortable, couldn’t talk, and was having difficulty seeing. The cow began walking the hallways to promote their product- dead chickens.  In my room, meanwhile, the tiny tots were playing with plastic duckies in water and having a great time.  Most of the kids wanted the duckies, but the game was to change them in for candy, The school is a fabulous preschool; they teach the very young children manners, lovely songs, and educate them in so many positive ways. My grandson, who just turned 4, can write his own name, knows all the colors in Spanish and English, says the pledge of allegiance, knows all the days of the weeks and the months of the year.

The energy in the school is bright and cheerful; they offer outdoor programs and have a wonderful park-like play area.  I took my grandson to several schools; this is the only one where he wanted me to leave him. His teacher is wonderful; intelligent, kind, capable, with a presence that maintains an orderly classroom yet keeps the kids all loving her and feeling safe. But the silly costumed cow was so disrespectful to the reality of animal lives, the idea of one species promoting killing of another species as a joke…..to babies — it was too much for this vegan.  I know the other people at the school now think I am completely whacked, but that is okay.  At least they had to think about what they are doing.  The cows encouraging people to eat chicken…..those ads really gross me out. It is incredible to me that anyone could find them cute and clever, but evidently it has been a tremendously effective ad campaign.  Shows how far we have slid down, down, down into detachment from reality.  A letter to the school, therefore, was sent:

Dear Children’s Preschool:*

I want to thank you for the wonderful staff and environment you create for my grandson and all the other children.  The value is inestimable in helping these kids get a positive step forward in learning independence and preparing for their academic futures.  Miss M, my grandson’s teacher, is a wonderful and intelligent woman who actively supports the children’s growth yet remains a warm and comforting presence.  I love the staff and the facilities and am very grateful that such an excellent school is nearby so my grandson can have a positive experience.  I appreciate the camera program, which allows his family to see how he is going during the day, too.  That kind of open information helps us all rest assured that the best possible care is being given to our child.

At the recent Fall Festival, I volunteered to work at one of the games and was put in a room that was to be shared with Chick-Fil-A(TM).  I was horrified to think that such an unhealthy product would be marketed to such young children.  Your other corporate connection, McDonalds, is also known for harming the health and well-being of children, although your purpose was to support Ronald McDonald House, which in turn reportedly aids children and their families; you were not promoting their foods directly.  Chick-Fil-A(TM)’s purpose was clear – to advertise their product at an early age in the schools to get as many kids and their families patronizing their restaurants as possible. With juvenile diabetes and obesity on the rise, promoting the fast-food industry would seem antithetical to a school dedicated to helping young children.

While it was a time for dressing up in costumes, the absurdity of an adult-sized cow promoting killing and dismembering chickens was too offensive not to mention.  The reality for both the animals and the humans that consume them is far from amusing.  The hours of suffering confinement, the cruelty of slaughter, the chemicals they are given to the animals to prevent disease, the hormones fed to the animals, the grinding up of dead animals and feeding them to other animals (mad cow disease), the ingestion of feces and disease, the recent undercover videos of newborn male chicks being ground up alive, the cost to the planet — none of these are amusing.  But to liken it to a joke, to promote one of the worst corporate offenders in disrespecting animal life, to allow them access to our young children – it is over the top in my estimation. I would like to protest.

And I have a question — what does Children’s Preschool gain from giving this corporation access to the children?  Because the cost to American children who are raised on fast-food is horrific.

I hope you will reconsider corporate ties to the fast food industry.  You are a much better facility and deserve much healthier connections; and more importantly, our young children deserve much better, too.

Sincerely,

Barbara DeGrande, MFT

Grandparent

Child and Animal Advocate

It is disappointing that the school never responded to my letter.  But at least they had to read it, and hopefully think about it, even if momentarily.  The director has been decidedly cooler towards me.  But still, it is important to voice wherever and whenever we can, to bring to mind the thoughtless acts of cruelty and abuse in which we participate so willingly, so mindlessly. If I prove to be an irritant to anyone participating in these acts, so be it.  I do not want cows in my grandson’s classroom.

*fictitious name

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There have not been many times if my life that I have wished I was 13 again, but this is one of those times.  After hearing about the empowerment camp that is being held in the Santa Cruz mountains, I felt a growing envy towards the lucky kids that were going to participate. This camp itself is in a beautiful setting; five days in the gorgeous Santa Cruz mountains is enough to make me feel a bit of longing. Add to that the resumes of the staff, the goals of the program, the creativity of YEA and you might understand my sudden yearning for adolescence again.

During August 17-21, the Ben Lomond Quaker Center of the Santa Cruz mountains will be home to youth from age 11 to 15 for a week of leadership skills training.  While most of the young people will be from the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California, kids from all parts of the country are welcome to participate.  Each young person will learn how to become active in leadership, learning how to pursue social justice issues in a positive way, and to help prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

About the camp

YEA stands for Youth Empowerment Action.  Some of the associated activities include The Power Shuffle (looking at power and oppression),  Go MAD (Make a Difference), The Lives of our Dreams (art, poetry, song, dance, expression used to inspire), CIA (Compassion into Action), as well as plenty of free time, basketball, frisbee and open mic.  Learning how to start a club, write letters to the editor, and even media training will be part of the education built into the program. Helping kids learn about sustainable living, how our purchases impact the globe, and how to live without waste and overconsumption are topics that will be convered.  There will be a sharing of individual passions for issues so each young person will expand their own horizons as they understand what motivates others.  They will develop a network that will help support them when they return home.

Camp will help participants become confident, inspired and organized.  They will gain training in non-violent communication and join into a community of future leaders.  They will have support to overcome barriers, forge new relationships, and develop a new vision of what is possible in their own lives.  Mentoring will continue beyond camp, as the young people will have camp staff follow up with them individually to help promote their continued growth once camp is over, assist them in connecting to appropriate leaders in their community and offer encouragement as they move towards their goals.

The camp will offer primarily local, organic vegan cuisine which is in keeping with working towards a sustainable and improved future.  The staff to camper ratio is only 1:3, allowing lots of close, individual attention. The cost of the five day camp is $750. For more information, go to their website. You may contact them at (415) 449-1915 or email at info@yeacamp.org.

Camp Staff

Camp staff include several dynamic people.  Founder and Camp Director Nora Kramer has been working with youth since 2001, supporting several peace and justice issues, working in an after school program, and helping empower kids to make a difference in the world.  She became vegan during an environmental science class in college, after reading John Robbins’ Diet for a New America and realizing the power of food choices. She is passionate about animal rights and helping empower others. Nora is a credentialed teacher and has completed the American Camp Association’s Basic Camp Director Course. She has had prior experience as a Camp Director, and has been affiliated with five different camps, giving her knowledge of best practices and solid leadership.

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Erin Fields has worked with social justice issues such as AIDs, North Korean political prisoners, and fair traded goods as well as the empowerment of youth.  She is working on her M.A. in Gender, Ecology and Society and has worked as a teacher, support counselor, teaching assistant, tutor and nanny.

Luke Janes has trained in nonviolent communication, co-counseling, restorative justice and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.  He is a credentialed math and science teacher and has a Masters Degree in Education.  He has also worked at several summer camps.

Sharon Smith is Program Director for the New Leaders Initiative and Brower Youth Awards at Earth Island Institute, to honor young environmentalists for their activism and achievements.  Sharon has experience in leading young people on wilderness treks and bicycling tours.  She completed a year fellowship with Green Corps, where she learned extensively about environmental organizing.

Laura Carver has been active since her own youth, supporting human and animal rights.  She majored in environmental studies and natural resources and has worked at camps for the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and now YEA.  She worked organizing students IPIRG), and on consumer advocacy and environmental issues. She has also been involved with Farm Sanctuary, ASPCA and with Nathan Winograd, leader of the no-kill shelter movement. She is a science teacher in middle and high school and blogs about her family’s simple style of living.

Leanne Alaman was head art instructor at UC Berkeley’s Explorer Camp, mentored foster youth at the Fred Finch Youth Center, facilitated art classes with homeless youth at Drawbridge Expressive Arts, and is working on her MA in Integrative EcoSocial Design.  She is focusing on revolutionizing education to improve graduation rates and develop compassionate world citizens.

Laine Forman is an artist from San Francisco who is also an educator. She has worked with at-risk youth, prison inmates, immigrants and is currently a preschool teacher working on her masters degree in Drama Therapy.  She has experience with theater companies including Bread and Pupper and is cofounder of theWild Goat Theater project and has had training in Theater of the Opressed.

The diversity of staff experience and the extensive educational credentials are sure to give the lucky campsters a memorable and meaningful experience. If I were a few decades younger, you can bet I would be there, too.

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Nicholas, age 9, decided to use his natural creativity this past Father’s Day to make a dog appear almost out of thin air.  I had been saving old newspapers for some time just for such an occasion. We made a messy goo of flour and water paste, tore up the papers into strips, and began to create something that he decided would become a dog. Nicholas had the vision long before I did, because the first day we worked on it, it was a soggy, gooey lump that I had waning faith would be anything recognizable, ever.

On the second day, Nicholas calmly and confidently worked on his dog. We scaled down on the gooey factor and let the strips dry a bit more. We had begun the creation by wadding up some paper into balls for the foundation.  But now a nose was shaping, a sitting posture was becoming visible, and ears and a tail appeared.  It still looked all out of proportion, but Nicholas assured me that, “It IS the thought that counts, isn’t it?”  He was not concerned with painting it or putting eyes on it – no, this was pure art and it needed no adornment.

As you can see by the photos, the little dog had so much personality that I hated to give him up. Watching a 9 year old boy create a little pup out of thin air was nothing short of a miracle. While I was teaching Nick how to make something out of papier mache, he was teaching me about keeping things in perspective and having a little faith.  In the end, I think I got the better of the deal. His father was quite lucky to have such a special, heart-felt gift that exemplifies unconditional love and adoration. Both dogs and little boys know how to give that.

To make your own creation

Make glue of 2 parts water to 1 part flour. Adjust as needed, depending on humidity.

Use paper strips to cover and shape your creation. Begin by using wads of paper for a starting point. Dip the strips in the glue mixture – - you should be able to shape the model at this point somewhat. Let it dry overnight before proceeding.

Continue to add strips to get the desired shape. Add accessories such as ears, tails, by using more glue and paper to hold it together. Allow time for it to dry completely – at least one or two days. Once it is dry, it should have some stability and strength.

Decorate it by painting, adding adornments with glue, or leave it naked as we did with this pup. This is an inexpensive way to have hours of fun with your kids, and help them learn the joy of creativity in a very real sense. Have fun! If you have any photo-worthy creations, be sure to send them in and I will do a later post on them!

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Helping children develop good eating habits is an important goal towards their ultimate good health and nutrition.  With childhood diabetes on the rise, very young is a good time to instill healthy habits in those children around us. Keeping meals appetizing and colorful can attract the most rigid palate.  A few tricks can really help kids learn to appreciate new food, vegan food, and healthy food.

First of all, include them in the process. If you are trying out a new recipe, set things up so the younger children can help out.  If they invest in the creation, they are more likely to want to try it out and feel a part of it.  For the very young, call it something intriguing to garner their interest.  Peanut butter toast with brown sugar on it (cut into the right shapes each slice becomes eight or ten) is called “Dirty Toes” at our house – and may even include some “toenails” (banana slices) if we are feeling particularly wicked.  The little ones think it is so much fun to hear what we are eating.  (Tofu was called “toe food” at our house for a long time, so eating “Dirty Toes” was not that big of a stretch.)  We have some small red bowls which are used for snacks such as raisins and celery, or apple slices with peanut butter. (Be sure the children are old enough for bits of food before trying this one.)  Those little bowls usually mean something good is about to be served and they are now considered the harbinger of “treats.” 

Secondly, make changes gradually.  When I first transitioned to veganism, I utilized the many substitute soy products that mimic familiar meat products. Soy nuggets were not all that different from chicken nuggets, especially if the dipping sauce was similar.  Vegan cookies were always popular and so were banana cake and gingerbread. Seitan was introduced with Vegan Teriyaki Sauce which overcame all obstacles and objections.  Favorites of the kids, such as pizza, spaghetti, and tacos, are easily made vegan with the help of so many new vegan products to make things seem familiar: soy cheese shreds, veggie or soy crumbles, soy deli slices, and so on.  When I try out a new recipe, often I only give a serving to myself; before long little voices are requesting their own serving!

Third, answer children’s questions as honestly as you can.  Let them know why  you are a vegan, but let them find their own voice, too. Sometimes using a book, such as That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals by Ruby Roth, can be helpful in letting children explore their world and understand why people make different choices regarding eating habits. Let your response be age-appropriate, and remember to answer questions asked rather than volunteering too much information. Children learn best by observation, rather than indoctrination. Providing them with delicious healthy foods and introducing them to compassion for other living things is sure to help.  We  are currently saving all found nickels and dimes in a jar that will be donated to help the animals at the end of the year. This project was readily embraced by the children and together we are deciding where to donate our small sum.

Your positive attitude towards food, the earth, and other living creatures is the best teaching tool of all.  Enjoy your children and let them learn to enjoy meal times!

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