Gandhi's Birthday and World Farmed Animals Day: Two Major Reasons to Smile

Hey everybody,

Today boasts two beautiful reasons to smile: Gandhi's birthday and World Farmed Animals Day. 

The website that explains WFAD states:

 Photo courtesy of Farm Sanctuary

"Observed on (or around) October 2nd, World Farmed Animals Day is dedicated to exposing, mourning, and memorializing the more than 58 billion cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, and other land animals who needlessly suffer and die every year in the world's factory farms and slaughterhouses."

The most striking part of that statement is that 58 billion animals are raised and slaughtered for food in this world per year (and that number doesn't even include the millions of sea animals raised and slaughtered each year). I think you'll agree with me when I say that needs to stop. I personally don't believe that a single animal should be made into food for human consumption, but to see that staggering number is something that gives me pause this morning.

Gandhi was an extraordinary and peaceful activist who left animals off of his plate. A few of my favorite quotes of his:

"The cow is a poem of compassion."

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” 

"Be the change you want to see in the world." 

Another thing to note about today - two years ago in October, I made the leap to a vegan lifestyle, so this is kind of a birthday of sorts for me as well. What a way to celebrate and honor that choice than to also celebrate and honor a beautiful and compassionate soul and a humbling cause. 

What I love about my blog is that readers of all eating and living preferences can come to a safe and positive place to learn about a vegan lifestyle. And I do want it to remain that way. However, today, I feel it responsible to kindly implore you - if you still eat the flesh, milk, or eggs of animals, please consider leaving it off of your plate today and do a little research about transitioning to a vegan diet. There are countless websites, blogs, and resources here on the internet that can get you started on the way to a healthy, compassionate way of living. One great place to start is www.chooseveg.com, Mercy for Animal's informative website about how to easily go vegan.

I love you all and am with you, whatever step you are at on your journey. Please reach out to me at kissmyvegan@gmail.com if you need help, have any questions, or would like to share your story with me. I am always here!

Love, compassion, and lots of veggies,

Lindsay