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Tofu Fighter How to defend Vegan and Vegetarian values in a carnivore world.

Create peace

Food is personal. Food creates emotions. Veganism leads to all kinds of arguments. Some can become nasty. In the midst of a debate, remember who you are, and what you’re trying to say and show. Remember who they are, just uninformed individuals. Even if they are unkind, ignore the anger. Fight with love. Be kind. Be patient. Breath. Namaste.

It’s the science stupid

There is no better weapon than science. Use the facts. Use the studies. Anecdotal proof is NOT proof. That fact that you’ve never felt healthier is not science. Pier reviewed studies, not social posts. Study the science, even if it doesn’t always support our worldview. Research who paid for the study before assuming it's legit. The Agra-coorperations are multi billion dollar businesses. They have the power to create their own science to support their interests. They have created numerous misinformation campaigns against Vegan ideals. Be mindful of this. Know the facts. Admit the unknowns. A strong foundation is the secret of all masters. Use science and you can win the fight.

Know your enemy (who’s not your enemy)

Mom’s Thanksgiving turkey. Grandma’s meatloaf. Food is tradition, food is family. Food is history. Meat is a part of all of that. Change is tough. Most cannot let go of that and see the damage meat is causing. Step into their shoes and you can find a way to nudge. Convince, leverage, educate and change.

Know your Cholesterol score

When their doctor says it’s time for medication, their cholesterol is too high. Time for a pill ( Lipitor, Lescor, Crestor) A easy fix, in hopes to make their bad decisions go away. Tell them your score. Tell them what medication you take. (hopefully none) show them an alternative.

Fight or flight

Food and politics are brothers from different mothers. Knowing when to fight. Knowing when to walk away. This is a path of a master. Talking to somebody who’s not listening is not a great use of your time. Pick your battles and you can help change the world.

Focus your fight

Gluten free, Organics , GMOs are all worthy debates, but best not at the same time as discussing Veganism. Don’t lump these into a discussion. They are separate facts. Separate topics. Separate science. Fight one battle at a time.

The moral fight

It’s tough walking through a world that doesn’t have compassion. Animals are treated so badly and people don’t seem to care. It hurts. Remember light creates more light. Be that light, and support groups and people that are also being the light. Compassion won’t win every fight, but it WILL win the war.

Don’t be smug

Being called "smug" or "holier than now" hurts. But some of these names we have earned through our attitudes and bad debate skills. In the debate, focus on how the choice affects you and your family. “I do this for me because...” , “Our family chooses another path because...”. NOT “You should be doing this... ”. “You’re wrong because... “. It’s good to be passionate, just show it in a better way.

Keep it simple

Nobody wants a lecture. Nobody wants to read a speech. Give shortened responses in debates. Masters fight with less.

Change your words

Words like Vegan and Vegetarian come with a lot of baggage. Try words like Plant based, sustainable, green foods. Change the words and you can turn an argument into a conversation.

We could be wrong

It's hard to accept, but it is possible. The science could change. Be open to that, be humble and flow with it. Admit when you’re wrong and keep fighting for what is proven.

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Responses to common Vegan criticisms. (Feel free to copy and paste)

“It’s too hard.”

Know anybody who’s survived a heart attack or stroke? That’s hard and expensive. A bypass operation cost averages $100k and you will be out of work for 6 weeks or longer.

In our family we have "chicken, beef or fish" quite often. All plant based, all delicious, nutritious and affordable.

Doing it slowly one meal at a time is easy. You won’t miss it for long.

It’s too expensive

Actually it’s gotten a lot cheaper in comparison to animal products. Plus if you consider the heath cost associated with eating meat. Plant based foods are much cheaper.

“I’ve always eaten meat. I always will.”

Slavery was a tradition. Women not being able to vote was a tradition. Smoking was cool. Science changes, feelings change. We are evolving as a species. We are moving away from bad habits that no longer serve us.

“But I need the protein !!”

(Ugh...ok... breathe). ALL protein comes from plants. Beef is high in protein because the cow ate plants. Chicken is high in protein because the chicken ate plants. Most people eat too much protein, not too little. Protein has become a buzz word, It’s become another marketing term. Eat plants and you will eat plenty of protein.

There are many vegan athletes: weight lifters , wrestlers , swimmers , runners, football players. Like Sarina Williams.

"But animal protein is better than plant protein "

There is not a lot of science to support the idea that the plant protein that the animals ate is somehow made better by them eating it. The idea that animal proteins are more complete, and have some amino acids that plant protein don’t, is not supported by science at this point.

The biggest and strongest animals in the planet: Elephants, Bison, Gorillas, Rinos and many more are all herbivores. They get all their protein from plants.

“But I can’t give up bacon!”

Bacon is probably the most destructive food out there. Bacon causes tremendous environmental damage. The giant lagoons of pig feces from factory farms leak into rivers. They spray it into the air to evaporate it causing health issues for local residents.

Bacon is now classified as carcinogenic by the World Heath organization along with smoking, arsenic, pesticides and other processed meats.

Also Pigs have been found to be more intelligent than dogs.

“My doctor hasn't recommended it”

Most doctors don’t train in nutrition and may not be aware of the benefits.

Doctors are overworked and sometimes look to give the patient what they want, not what they need.

An unfortunate new trend is that doctors are linked to corporations who are trying to maximize profits. Businesses need customers, sick people are customers.

My family has a history of heart disease. I can’t avoid it.

Did your family eat meat? Then you can’t prove that it is unavoidable. Vegans typically have significantly lower cholesterol than carnivores. Lower cholesterol means lower chance of heart disease and stroke.

But I hear soy has hormone issues.

There have been some studies showing that large amounts of soy consumption could lead to small hormonal issues. Nobody has died from this. Soy is just one of many sources of nutrition for Vegans. A balanced diet has been shown to be more than adequate.

A vegan diet is missing the B12 vitamin

Yes that's true, but many plant based milks (soy, almond etc ) and other plant based products are fortified with B12. A well balanced diet and the consumption these products will provide sufficient nutrition.

Farm animals are often injected with B12 vitamins to supplement their diet.

“Substitutes just don’t taste the same”

Did you try the Impossible Burger? Beyond meat? Vegi-naise, Gardein, So-Delicious? The new products are amazing. Give them another try.

You can have virtually the same product with half the fat and impact on the environment.

“But don’t you need to take Supplements to be vegan?”

A plant based diet has all you need, but if you find yourself missing essential vitamins, you can always add it to your diet later. Most alternative milk products are fortified with the same vitamins as cows milk.

“It’s just more vegan propaganda”

Everything is propaganda. Anti smoking was propaganda. Using seatbelts, motorcycle helmets, asbestos etc… These were all propaganda that made us safer.

“Well We’re all gonna die anyway.”

Did you brush your teeth this morning? Wear a seatbelt? Exercise? Remember to turn off the stove ? Why? You're gonna die anyway ??

You make choices every day to extend your life. The choice of what you put in your mouth is the most important.

If you get sick, who pays for it ? Health insurance? Then we all pay for it.

“All things in moderation.”

Smoking in moderation ? Heroin in moderation ? Is it unhealthy or isn’t it?

“Eating meat is my personal choice”

It is your personal choice but it affects ALL of us. The cost of health care, emissions, climate change, and environmental damage.

“Why do humans have Canine Teeth like carnivores in the wild then? ”

All species are evolving. All species have body parts or functions that are of little use anymore. For example your pinky toes, wisdom teeth or sweaty palms.

“Local organic meat is still better than vegetables brough from other places”

It takes 16 pounds of vegetables to make 1 pound of beef. It takes 50X more water to make that same amount of beef as plants. The impact of meat is far larger than plants. Mad Cow disease, E.Coli, salmonella and Anti-Biotic resistant diseases are showing up in animal agriculture.

But lettus and other vegetables have been making people sick too...

True, Currently the leading cause of short term food born illness is leafy vegetables. Meat is a close second. The reasons for this vary, but the number one illness is E. Coli, which comes from feces. (Poop). Probably feces from animals. How is animal feces getting on the vegetables? We don’t know yet, but the raising of so many animals for food causes immense amounts of feces that is difficult to manage and keep out of the water supply.