Yesterday, November 17th, a friend as well as a former employee called from across the continent. We talked for quite a while. During the conversation, he mentioned that he believed that I hadn't been happy with him when he last lived and worked here because he wasn't vegan. He told me that it takes some time to "digest" the information regarding the health effects of a vegan diet vis-à-vis the animal based American diet. He said that I had time to understand all of this but he hadn't had enough time.
He was wrong. First, I wasn't disappointed that he had not become vegan. I knew that he didn't understand. Second I hadn't become vegan for physical health at all.
I told him that it was a simple change: Twenty-four years ago, I injured myself and couldn't work for a couple of weeks and something - maybe a show on TV or a book - caused me to realize I could not kill an animal for food, yet I ate meat. "Aha," I suddenly knew that I was a hypocrite: Essentially I "asked" others to kill for me. This realization meant I was vegetarian and done with meat. I told him, that I grabbed this opportunity to reduce my hypocritical burden.
While we talked a 15 year old Bronx Latin student was shot in the back of the head down the street from the school. Our daughter, Kate, called to tell us, crying. The girl who was shot, Vada Vasquez was Kate's student when Kate was with Teach for America. A vibrant, talented musician and student, Vada is presently in an induced coma and not breathing on her own.
Vada Vasquez was shot by a 16 year-old boy when he fired a salvo of bullets at a 19 year old. Up to that time he had a "clean" record. His cohorts did not.
Of course, we didn't know this when we talked. But Vada's shooting reminded me how much we need to reduce violence in our lives - from the violence on the streets erupting from poverty to the violence which brings food to our table. We need to do this with love - as nurturers, helping to nurture one another, the animals who are in this world with us and the very planet itself.
I am unable to finish this post on an upbeat note. For too long we have tolerated violence. Perhaps our unwillingness to confront violence and the problems which underlie it comes from our failure to acknowledge the violence that feeds us - our treatment of all but a few dogs, cats and horses. Where is our outrage?! We have become inured to it and that is wrong.
Comments (3)
First of all I'd like to say how sorry I am to read the story about Vada Vasquez. When a shining light of a child is dimmed by the violence of another it's just so hard to fully comprehend.
My husband and I recently stayed at the Inn for my birthday. He "stumbled upon" the Inn while looking for someplace in Mendocino to take me. Somehow I think it was more of a divine intervention than a random event.
From the moment we drove into the parking lot and the sun peaked out of the fog sparkling on the vegetables in the garden I just had the most welcoming feeling. Almost as if I was home from a long trip. I've only felt that three other times in my life. The first was stepping off of the plane in Mauai, the second was walking to my husband as we were being married in Elk and the third was at our daughters birth, as her birthmother and myself held our daughter for the first time. I mark these moments as moments that I was completely where I needed or was destined to be somehow.
The room was comfortable, warm and inviting. The old winding ivy creates an even greater magical feeling.
The room felt much more like a cabin in the woods than an Inn with many rooms. It is very obvious that it is a place that has been well loved and thought about.
Finally getting to my questions for you. I am a "typical" meat eating, McDonalds consuming overweight American. But something changed for me at the Inn. I'm sure part of it is that I turned 44 years old there and it's one of those moments you think about longevity, but also being in a community, which is how I felt about the Inn, made me pause and think about my choices and how they are affecting my life and the lives around me. I've always said that if I had to kill the animals that I eat it would be an easy decision for me to become a vegetarian because I could NEVER do that. However lingering in the back of my mind was, "then why ask somebody else to do it that probably does it without even a thought or prayer for the sacrifice?"
My main obstacle is really not knowing how good food that wasn't from an animal could be. After eating breakfast at the Ravens now I know! Of course I bought the cookbook and now will be saving for a Vitamix! My question for you is did you go cold turkey (pun kind of intended) when you stopped eating meat or was it a process of sorts? Do you think it's really possible being severely overweight and 44 to successfully make the switch?
I'm not sure I can do it on my own. Does the Inn ever have events that last a week or so where there are cooking classes and maybe a lecture from somebody to discuss how to make the change from eating so poorly? Maybe even some gardening tips as well?
Finally I would like to thank you, your wife, family and all the workers at the Inn that nurture it and make it so full of life. Without your dedication and loving care I'm sure it could not have blossomed into the healing place that it is.
Warmly,
Julia Janzen
Posted by Julia Janzen | November 24, 2009 9:44 AM
Posted on November 24, 2009 09:44
Jeff ~ I peeked in to see what Christmas might have brought to your blog. I didn't find Christmas, but I did find words that I can agree with, again, about the need to curtail violence and to love. Love is the embodiment of the two greatest biblical commandments, so therein lies the true meaning of Christmas. May our two paths of seeking right and righteousness continue to lead us into lessening hypocrisy and greater love. Continued blessings to you all at the Inn. And, oh, I meant to say I really like the slide presentation on the Inn home page -- photographs are excellent and the wide dimension makes everything look more expansive. Stay well ~ Love and prayers, Laura
Posted by Laura Rogers | December 25, 2009 2:46 AM
Posted on December 25, 2009 02:46
Hi and Happy Holidays.
I have been taking care of Gypsy who injured himself and not walking well. To make time for work and Gypsy, I put aside this Blog and only checked it this morning when I began a new entry.
First, thank you for your thoughtful comments. Our family enjoyed reading about your experiences here.
Second, we are very glad that you "got it" so to speak. I had a similar experience: I broke my hip in 1985 and had to take a couple of weeks "off" - which is very unusual. Laying here, I came to the same realization - that I ate something that I would not provide myself. I quit eating meat. It wasn't exactly cold turkey: I quit eating land animals, but, if I remember correctly, I ate crab the following Christmas Eve and that was it. In any case, it was also not cold turkey because I did not go vegan until about five years ago when I learned how harmful and cruel the dairy business is. Dairy is also dangerous for human health.
Third, It is too bad that you did not try dinner at the Ravens' to experience vegan fine dining. In any case we have a variety of cook books that we recommend and are working on a new vegan one of our own. If you want specific recommendations, I'll send them to you. Vegan cooking is not difficult.
Fourth, I recommend to everyone who asks (and some who don't) to eat whole foods. There are few animal based foods that can be considered whole - other than an egg. I am not a proponent of tofu - highly processed, particularly, but tempeh is great if prepared correctly, vegetables, nuts, seeds, quinoa, wild rice, brown rice and so on. The flavors of these foods are generally robust and they all are nurturing.
Fifth, eating is joyful. It is not tinged with any guilt that I am eating an animal or that an animal suffered for me to eat. I am aware that plants are sentient in ways I don't understand, and I prefer eating their "products" - fruits, seeds, nuts, leaves, rather than the entire plant. You might have noticed the lacinato kale in the gardens. We pick off leaves and allow the plant to bolt - go to seed. I eat very little plant life compared to a cow, pig, or chicken which I could eat. To produce of pound of beef requires 16 pounds of corn, soy, or other grains and over 12,000 gallons of water. It is wonderful knowing that I am not
Sixth - congratulations on your choice and best wishes for the New Year. Let us kno if you want a book list.
Posted by Registered User | December 25, 2009 2:31 PM
Posted on December 25, 2009 14:31