If they can be vegan, so can you

While some people understand my dietary choices, others are amazed, confused, or even repulsed by my veganism. I've gotten reactions from, "Why in the world would you ever do that?" to "I could absolutely never ever even think about doing that. I need my meat and cheese." Most of those who say the latter admit they've never tried being vegan. How do you know you can't do something if you've never tried?

Nowadays, more people are aware of veganism's benefits, particularly its ability to help the environment. The energy and resources used to transport, raise, feed, slaughter, and maintain animals make the meat and dairy industries bigger resource-consumers than the automobile industries! Not to mention the land being destroyed, the rain forests chopped down, and the black carbon emissions created....

To show that going vegan may not be as difficult or as rare as you think, I found all kinds of notable vegan figures. From musicians, athletes, politicians, dancers, to comedians, you'll see that veganism is growing and may wonder if it's so hard or so bad afterall.

Andre 3000 Benjamin (lead singer of Outkast)

Barry White (singer)

Coretta Scott King (civil rights leader)

Dennis Kucinich (Democratic Congressman from Ohio, 2004 & 2008 presidential candidate)

Ellen Degeneres (comedian)

Georges Laraque (Professional Ice Hockey Player)

Pamela Anderson (actress/model)

Pat Neshek (baseball player for the Minnesota Twins)

Peter Brock (racecar driver)

Prince (singer)

Ricky Williams (Professional American Football Player)

Russell Simons (co-ounder of Def Jam records)

Scott Jurek (marathon runner)

Shania Twain (singer)

Tobey Maguire (actor)

Vanessa Williams (singer/dancer/actress)

Woody Harrelson (actor)

Yoko Ono (musician)

Among many others....

For info on going vegan, check out Going Vegan or Go Veg. Visit Happy Cow or Veg Guide for vegan restaurants in your area or Veg Web and Post Punk Kitchen for fantastic vegan recipes.

Photo: Andre 3000 is one cool vegan.