While we prepare for the holiday season, it is also a peak time of production for factory farms that produce the 'products' that make up many traditional Christmas feasts. Inside factory farms, acts of cruelty such as severe confinement and surgical procedures without pain relief are legal and routine — despite the fact that if you were to treat a dog or cat this way you could be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Hope for these animals lies with each of us making compassionate choices, and refusing to buy into cruelty when we shop. Fortunately the growing variety of meat, dairy and egg-free alternatives at the supermarket are making this decision easier (and tastier!) than ever before.
For the animals’ sake, please join us in embracing a compassionate Festive Season. Here are some simple tips for enjoying a cruelty-free Christmas, and beyond!
If like many people you grew up on a 'meat-n-3-veg' diet, then a quick trip to the local supermarket, health food store or even Chinese supermarket is all you need to stock up on a wealth of cruelty-free treats including remarkably 'real' mock-meats and dairy substitutes — which means you can still enjoy the many foods you're accustomed to, whilst being kind to animals at the same time. Look out for Sanitarium veggie saussages — great for hot dogs and BBQs — as well as Veggie Delights Roast, and versitile meat-free 'mince' in the cold section of most supermarkets. Or try Fry's vegetarian schnitzel in the frozen isles for a quick tasty meal that will please the kids. Other widely available meat-free morsels include deli mock-meats such a 'hams', 'beef', 'peperoni', 'chicken' slices and even pig-free 'bacon rashers'! Keep your eyes peeled for others, or click here for more shopping tips.
The Festive Season is a time of giving, kindness and good-will to others, which makes it an ideal time to put values into action by choosing cruelty-free meals these holidays. But sadly there is no reprieve from suffering for animals still trapped in factory farms who need our help, and compassion, all year round. It is within our power to each spare hundreds — even thousands of these sensitive animals — a life of pain and suffering simply by choosing to be cruelty-free every day. And not only do the animals benefit, but also our fragile environment, and even our own health can be significantly improved as well. Some people choose to be vegetarian overnight, or consider it a 'New Year's Resolution', while others prefer to gradually make the change by introducing meat-free days over time. Most importantly, find what works best for you, and click here for other time-tested tips on making the transition.
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to spread the word of kindness to animals is to show others how exciting and delicious meat-free meals can be. Offer to bring a vegetarian plate to share at family gatherings; or host a cruelty-free dinner party to show off your new culinary repetoir to your friends! Sharing foods is a great way to dispel misconceptions that vegetarianism is about 'missing out' — on the contrary — many people just don't realise the world of creativity and variety that meat-free meals can inspire until they try them for the first time. So don't be surprised if your dishes disappear first, and don't forget to have your favourite recipes handy to share with interested guests. Great vegetarian and vegan food is also a good talking point to help inspire others to think about where their food comes from.
Bon appétit!
