But I can't live without ice cream!
The lady with whom I was speaking shook her head and looked at me with a sort of despair in her eyes and a disbelieving facial expression.
This statement is one of the standards often given to a vegan person. We could exchange ice cream for cheese or any favorite food that comes from animal products.
Sometimes I just want to shake the person awake and, from my own despair, ask:
Don’t you think you could stay away from it when you think of the cruelty inflicted in order for you to have it? It is a lifetime of abuse and deprivation for the cow and her children and, for us humans, just a few minutes of pleasure! If there is something that most of us CAN change, it's this!
I’m aware that these statements don’t get me very far most of the time. And honestly, I don't want to make anyone feel bad. I also don’t like scaring people.
But most of us humans, myself included, are conditioned to believe that eating animals (meat, fish, egg, dairy) is normal, natural, and necessary. Fortunately, it’s just not the case.
And this same theme spreads to many areas, such as health, the environment and of course, empathy and compassion.
Watch this animated video from the fabulous Dr. Melanie Joy an, to see how manipulation can steer us to believe and do things that are not true or not in alignment with our heart and instincts.
Tips for vegan ice cream
Ok, back to the lady and her ice cream. I love ice cream too! Doesn’t everyone?! The good news is that ice cream is also being made from plant-based milk..
Vegan ice cream has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and I for one, am thankful. You can now find vegan ice creams made from soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk, bananas, and even chickpeas and avocados.
Since the summer has arrived, we all want to sit by the waterfront, lying in the sun, together with a good friend, eating a delicious, cooling ice cream.
Or having ice cream as a dessert at a dinner party or barbeque, together with berries or a delicious chocolate sauce.
We all have different tastes, but after asking some friends which ice creams are their favourites, I came up with a list of some options; please see below:
V-love oat coffe caramel cookie
Karma coconut chocolate ice cream cones
There are sooooooo many more options, but sometimes too big of a list can be overwhelming. If you want more choices or if you live outside Switzerland, just Google “best plant-based ice cream.” And personally, I hope the ice cream from Oatly will soon be available in Switzerland.
You can still have your minutes of pleasure
Basically, the minutes of pleasure that many of us “can't live without” can still be enjoyed!
And without the cruel dairy industry behind those moments.
Isn't that magnificent?!
The thing is, these days it is actually relatively easy to cancel animal-derived products from your life. Like with anything new, it just takes a little attention and practice at first. Soon plant-based eating becomes second nature.
And as you can see from the ice cream choices, you don’t have to be deprived.
One door will close, the door to cruelty, and ten new doors will open.
It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.
-
Joaquin Phoenix, American actor, producer, and animal rights activist.
Enjoy the summer!
