April 17, 2024 As those of you who are already eating more compassionately can attest, it’s a journey of a lifetime. It’s sometimes challenging but always rewarding — for you, for the planet, and most importantly, for the animals. CAA supports you on your journey Allison Gamble shares inspiration for your veg journey CAA’s support doesn’t stop with the end of Veg Week. Compassionate Action for Animals is in it for the long haul. We will continue to offer a variety of events, tips, and resources throughout the year.  Most importantly, we are a community of like-minded individuals, ready to ..read more

April 17, 2024 Whether you’re just starting out or have made a longer commitment to dietary change, it’s always good to keep learning. Getting more details on issues related to plant-based eating can help cement your resolve to continue down that pathway. It may also help in answering questions from friends and family. Facts are important — and they are on our side. Throughout the year, CAA offers regular opportunities to learn about the impact of diet on nonhuman animals. This includes tours of sanctuaries, petition campaigns, and outreach events. We also periodically sponsor events that pro ..read more

April 17, 2024 Kim Milligan shares some thoughts on talking with friends and family about your veg journey Today’s topic is fielding questions and comments about your food choices. Sometimes these come from genuine curiosity. Sometimes it feels like someone is challenging your choice. Kim Milligan from our community suggests: “Keep the channels of communication open without judgment and share what being a vegan means to you personally and how your life has changed since becoming a vegan…people will tend to be more open and receptive to what you’re sharing” We love Kim’s thoughts on this import ..read more

We know that a compassionate vegan diet is a new way of eating for many and you may be looking for some guidance. There are lots of books, cookbooks, and recipes available to assist you in your veg journey. Find these resources on the CAA website or through a general internet search. Our community has also stepped up to share some of their favorite resources for cooking and eating plant-based: Recomended vegan blogs and websites: PlantYou Mary’s Test Kitchen The Hidden Veggies Rainbow Plant Life Plantz & Mushroomz Make It Dairy Free Nora Cooks Food Takes Flight Cheap Lazy Vegan Budget By ..read more

April 17, 2024 Today’s topic is affordability: one top-of-mind issue for many who are exploring a more plant-based diet. The myth that vegan food isn’t affordable Hand in hand with the myth that vegans don’t get enough protein (see our previous blog) is one that vegan food isn’t affordable. Today, we will explode this myth as well. We know that inflation has been particularly hard on food costs. Plant-based foods are not immune to these price increases. However, they have fared better than many non-vegan options (for example the Avian Flu has not only caused great suffering for birds, but it h ..read more

April 17, 2024 We know that many people considering a vegan diet have one main concern: nutrition. Specifically, protein. The protein myth Grace Prins shares some tips on vegan nutrition Just last week, I once again had someone ask me how I get enough protein. You’ve probably thought this or heard this as well. Well, worry not — it’s easy to get enough protein on a plant-based diet. We have been brainwashed by our society that only a big slab of meat with each meal will do the trick. But that is not the case at all. ‘When I make a meal, I make sure there is a protein, vegetable, grain, and som ..read more

April 17, 2024 We’ll tackle a variety of issues in our blogs this week including: vegan nutrition, affordability, resources, and more. These practical blog posts will share input from members of our compassionate community about what’s useful to them. They were originally written as emails to support people taking the Veg Pledge. Since many of us are on a compassionate journey, we thought they would be more broadly helpful as resources available for all. Here’s our first: Hannah Milos, one of our community members who shared some tips on living a compassionate life. The benefits of exploring c ..read more

April 29, 2024 Veg Week is a week-long celebration of compassionate living that CAA has hosted since 2004. Over the course of a week, we focus on events that educate the public on compassionate food choices and inspire respect for farmed animals. This year, Veg Week took place from April 14-20. It saw hundreds participating in a variety of inspirational and educational activities. Festivities included a movie and social action event, talks, cooking classes, potlucks, outreach, and even the premiere of a new online vegan series! The Earth Day connection Since 2015, the event has taken place ar ..read more

by Hannah Milos, as appeared in Minnesota Veg Living, Issue 10 April 29, 2024 Empathy is a skill that requires stepping into someone else’s place — be it in shoes, hooves, scales, or feathers — and truly understanding their feelings. Here are some books and movies that do a good job in helping us find our empathy for animals. Books What a Fish Knows – Jonathan Balcombe Did you know fish can think, feel, socialize, and plan? Dive into the mind of a fish and learn all about the hidden lives of our aquatic friends.  Allowed to Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Animals from Farm Sanctuarie ..read more

by Lydia Green, as appeared in Minnesota Veg Living, Issue 10 April 29, 2024 I did not know what to expect when I volunteered to be co-chair for the 2023 Twin Cities Veg Fest, but knew I wanted to increase my involvement in the vegan/plant-based movement. In the end, it’s a role I’m glad I took on. The 2023 festival wasn’t just a celebration of veganism; it was a testament to our work building an inclusive community and increasing awareness of the difference a plant-based lifestyle can have on the world around us. Welcoming Exhibitors and Attendees of Color All of us on the committee put ..read more