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                        The Newsletter of Vegan Action
			info@vegan.org

			Volume 2, Issue 1
			Fall/Winter 1995			

	In This Issue:
		McVegan: Make Every Meal a Happy Meal
		Vegan Action Goes Non-Profit
		Vegan Mailbag
		Dairy-Free Earth Day
		Vegan Dorm Food
		Essay Contest
		Vegan Action Video
		World Wide Web
		Vegan Music Review
		Catalog
		Credits
		How to Subscribe to the Vegan News


Mission Statement 
Vegan Action's mission is to educate and enhance public
awareness about the many benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle, and to
work towards increasing the availability of healthy vegan foods. 


McVegan: Make Every Meal a Happy Meal

Now Hiring:  Reggie McVeggie.  Must be vegan/vegetarian, eager to serve
healthy free food, like wearing bright colors, and have a sense of humor!

In the spring of 1995 Vegan Action coordinated an incredible event which
we named �McVegan.� We gave out over 500 veggie burgers, as well as
thousands of servings of soups, drinks, vegan �beef� ribs and jerky, soy
milk, and lots and lots of information. 

The positive response was overwhelming as people lined up to get their
�happy meals.� �Reggie McVeggie� was even featured on the front page of
the local newspaper! We have adopted the motto: �If you feed them, they
will come!� What better way to educate people about the vegan diet than to
offer them free, delicious food?  Free food keeps things on a very
positive level and allows people to experience firsthand what it is like
to eat vegan. Vegan Action made special McVegan shirts for the event,
covered the area with McVegan stickers, and advertised with a coupon for a
free Veggie Burger.  We got local distributors and health-food markets to
sponsor us and supply us with free and discounted food.  If you are
interested in having your own McVegan event, we are here and ready to
help!  We can supply educational pamphlets, flyers announcing the event,
and more information about how you can bring McVegan to your town.  This
is a fun and innovative way to turn people on to the vegan diet! 


Vegan Action Goes Nonprofit!

Vegan Action is proud to announce that due to rapid growth and the help of
our many members, we have become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit,
tax-exempt organization.  What was only a dream two years ago is now a
reality.  We are now better able to educate the public about the benefits
of a plant-based diet and to introduce veganism into the mainstream.  We
are still maintaining our grass-roots way of operating.  For example, we
encourage community involvement and we're still an all-volunteer
organization.  This means that there are no operating costs and that all
funds go directly towards supporting acti vism.  Best of all, nonprofit
status means that all donations are tax-deductible.  So don�t delay in
supporting our vital work with a contribution.  The seed has sprouted, and
your support today will help us grow! 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
How many vegans does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Two � one to screw it in and one to ask if there are any animal products
in it! 

VEGAN MAILBAG

Dear Vegan Action,

Hello!  Not too long ago a friend of mine sent me a "Vegan Action"
pamphlet and after being a vegetarian for three years, I've decided to
make yet another lifestyle change and cut out the dairy! Also, I've become
concerned as to how I can keep my calcium level safe without dairy
products - can you give me some ideas??  Thanks Alot! Virpi � Mesa, AZ 
Ed.� Congratulations on going vegan!  You'll be happy to know that quite a
few non-dairy foods have high levels of calcium , especially dark green
veggies (broccoli, kale, etc.), tofu proccessed with calcium sulfate,
molasses and even oatmeal! 

Hi!  It is really difficult here in Croatia to be a strict vegan 'cause
most of the food doesn�t have ingredients written on the package, but
still more and more people are trying so now it's much easier, since I
know more people trying to be vegan.  It is not such a big problem to find
substitutes for dairy, but I don�t believe that someone here is selling
vegan sugar or stuff like that... All medias are in control of state, and
talk only political propaganda, about war and stuff, and if you try to
make people think about something else, they are like �how can you think of
that?  People are dying there...� Well, maybe they are right, it is not
really a time to put fingers on meat industry while people are starving
and dying just a few miles from here.  But I still think it is important
to think about all aspects of your life even if there is a war going on. 
I think for a lot of people here veganism is a very possible way of life,
even though the country is poor, and there is war and everything...
Sometimes it is really hard to decide what to do... For example, in my
hometown, it is really hard to find a job... And a month ago, a meat
industry said that they can accept some new workers... A friend of mine
took a job.  Well, he was unemployed for a year and a half, and he almost
had no solutions, so I guess he had to do it...I was talking to him, that
working slaughterhouse sucks, and everything, but I think sometimes you
have to work even that kind of work to survive.  In our case there is only
one work left that you can take, a �professional soldier,� and that also
suck, I think.  Yes there is always a solution, like run-away, and live
somewhere in western Europe, but it is really hard to make such a changes
to your life...I received some vegan st raight edge zines from USA, and
they are all like �vegan or f$#k yourself,� and they are making a big deal
of such less important things like sugar and stuff...I think real life is
a bit more complicated.  When you live alone, with no work, no parents to
go to those fancy �health-food stores� etc.  Never mind...I really like
what your Vegan Action is doing.  Hope you�ll continue your work for a
very long time.  Please keep in touch.  Vedran, Drsievka 13/2, 51400 Pazin
Croatia 
Ed. - Your perspective is both enlightening and compassionate, and
reminds us yet again how complex these issues can be.  Readers, why not
drop Vedran a line? 

Hello, I have been vegan for about four months now and have gotten used to
it, but my parents haven�t.  They tell me if I ever go to a member of our
family�s house I should take what they give me because otherwise it�s
offensive.  My parents don�t underst and why I�m vegan. They say they�re
too old and too tired to try to understand.  They want things to be
easier.  But this is my lifestyle now and I�m proud of it and I am willing
to stand up for myself.  I�m not going to change my mind.  GO VEGAN!
Shauna, Mayfield Heights, OH
Ed. - Many people share your difficulties.  It always helps to keep a
positive outlook on your new vegan lifestyle � it has a strange way of
growing on people! 

Yesterday I checked out the Vegan Action web page... In the past few years
I successfully helped four people go vegan and right now I'm working on
three more.  Throughout the past year I've been compiling vegan recipes. 
For this Christmas my family will receive a vegan cookbook, complete with
a solid definition of vegan and a list of reasons why.  Maybe I can make
them think twice about the pig in the center of the table.  I will be
proud to be a member of Vegan Action! Kelly , Tuscon, AZ

Ed. - Hey, send us some of those recipes, or better yet, put together your
own vegan cookzine!  Keep spreading the message , not only for the
animals, but for the good health of your parents and friends.  Great work! 

Keep those letters coming!
(Some letters may be edited for clarity)

A Dairy-Free Earth Day

At this year's Bay Area Earth Day events, Vegan Action stole the show!  To
spread awareness about the many healthy alternatives to harmful dairy
products, we donned cow costumes and distributed free samples of vegan
milk, cheese, and ice cream alternative s.  Thanks to our good friends at
Vitasoy, VeganRella, Amazake, No Cookies, Rice Dream, and Rainbow Foods,
we were able to bring our message directly to the stomachs of thousands of
potential vegans.  Many people are finally realizing the many negative im
pacts that meat has on the environment; thanks to Vegan Action, more and
more people are now also figuring dairy into the ecological equation. 
Organizers of Berkeley and Concord Earth Day festivals were so impressed
with our action that they are vowing t o replace dairy ice cream stands at
next year's events with tasty nondairy frozen treats like Howler Sorbet,
Sweet Nothings, and Rice Dream.  Mmm, now that sounds good... and for the
earth, too! 


Join Vegan Action!
And receive a subscription to The Vegan News! (Hard Copy)

o $100 Sustainer   o $50 Contributor
o $20 Includes T-Shirt   o $10 Basic Membership  
o $7 Student/Low Income    o Other__________

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Address________________________________________
Phone #________________________________________
email    ______________________________________

Just fill out this simple form, print out, and and mail your Check, 
Well-Concealed 
Cash, or Money Order to: Vegan Action, PO Box 4353, Berkeley, CA 94704


Vegan Entr�es Sighted in... Mississippi?!

No, this is not a misprint.  We are thrilled to announce that after
reading an article in Food Service Director about Vegan Action�s
successful campaign to �veganize� UC Berkeley dorms, the folks down at
Milsops College in Jackson, Mississippi, decided th at they, too, were
ready to offer vegan options with all the fixins�! Associate Director of
Dining Services, Stephen T. King, who is a part of Valley Innovative
Management Services said, �As we first began learning about veganism, we
were skeptical that we would be able to meet our goal.  However, it has
not been as difficu lt as we thought.  This summer we�ve really been
working hard to find new recipes and menu options to meet the need, and
with the help of Vegan Action and participants of the vegan-l list on the
internet, we�ve been able to learn more about veganism and f ind tools to
help us develop vegan recipes.  We find that adaptations of some old
favorites like Red Beans and Rice (sans sausage) will fit in nicely. 
Also, we�ve been working with more stir frys and pasta dishes.  We�ve even
come up with a few new recip es on our own.  One is a vegan Pot Pie. 
How�s that for comfort food?� It seems that Milsops College is not the
only place that is catching up to the times and offering vegan meals.  In
fact, colleges across the country are following the precedence set by UC
Berkeley and are starting to offer vegan entr�es.  We commend these
leading colleges for making these options available to their students. 
More students are now able to consume food that is better for their
health, the environment, and of course, animals. 

If they can do it in Mississippi...

...you can do it at your school!  Vegan Action has a national campaign to
obtain vegan options at colleges across the country, and you can help.  If
you (or a friend) are in college or high school, write us for information
on how you can help to veganize your dining hall.  Since precedence has
already been set, such a campaign is very likely to succeed!  After all,
you�re just asking to be given a choice. Please contact us for more
information.  We will send you a packet and can supply you with recipes
and ideas.  Help veganize your school! 


Essay Contest
The Nina Kemsey Memorial Award

Our judges will give an award of $100 to a student under 18 years of age
for the best essay answering the following question: 
How do your food choices affect the world? 

Essays should be under 2 pages.  The deadline for submissions is March
21st.  Don't delay! Nina Kemsey was a young animal and human rights
activist from San Francisco who died this year in a tragic bus collision. 
She was a kind soul who loved all animals and people.  Nina is survived by
her husband, Jamie. 


KVGN Radio

Veganism is all over the airwaves, thanks to Vegan Action members across
the country!  Jason Anfinsen, a Florida DJ on WPBZ FM, also known as
"Meathead," has been broadcasting vegan info daily.  In Los Angeles, Mr.
KFI of KFI talk radio has been bashing v egans on his show, so a team of
vegans has been calling up constantly and setting the record straight.  In
San Francisco, Vegan Action organizers Ori Brafman and Leor Jacobi have
recently made appearances talking about veganism on KMEL and Live 105. 
The message is coming through loud and clear! 

Vegan Action Video

In recent years the popularity of veganism has mushroomed among teens and
young adults. Vegan Action is going to capture on video the most exciting
aspects of the growing vegan movement across the US (or even the world!)
The purpose of the video is to ex pose people to veganism in a hip and
trendy new way. Here�s how you can get involved: 

(1) We need donations to meet our target production budget of $25,000.

(2) We need people wishing to contribute to this project in the form of
professional video production and editing, in different cities around the
globe. 

(3) We need your ideas!

(4) We need talented & interesting vegans to appear in the video.

This is going to be a very fast-passed, MTV-style production geared
towards teens and young adults, but will appeal to people of all ages. The
video will be around 30 minutes in length, and will cover all aspects of
veganism: from the animal and health is sues to the environment, as well
as the growing popularity of veganism among celebrities and people from
all walks of life.  We plan to have this video aired on TV across the US. 
We want this to be just as much your production as it is ours. So get
involved and help in whatever way you can!  Oh, and if anyone out there
knows how to get in touch with Steven Spielberg, let him know we�d like to
talk to him. 

Please send your donations to:   
Vegan Action Video Fund
P.O. Box 4353
Berkeley, Ca. 94704

Send information regarding the production of the video to:
Robin Armstrong <wizdom@qnet.com>
Banmeat Productions
P.O. Box 5088
Lancaster, Ca. 93539

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

knock knock...
who's there?
vegan
vegan who
ve gonna burn down the butcher shop!


HTTP://WWW.VEGAN.ORG

Vegan Action is fully wired into the Internet!  Check out our home page,
mailing lists, info-servers, and more!  Link to other veggie sites for
vegan recipes, essays, more info than you could ever imagine, and cool
vegans from around the globe.  Just poin t your web browser to
http://www.vegan.org and get ready to surf the veggie net! We're currently
looking for HTML developers, system administrators for our new site, and
knowledgeable net people to field questions about veganism.  If you fit
the bill, we'll get you signed up on vegan.org! Vegan Action sorely needs
Macintosh computer equipment, such as a Mac 17" color monitor, a color
scanner, and 28.8 kb modems.  All donations are completely tax-deductible! 


Vegan Music Review
Into Another	  �Poison Fingers� EP  Relevation

The problem with most of today�s vegan punk bands is the message: with so
much care and focus concentrated on lyrical content, the music itself
often gets the short shrift.  While their righteous stance is to be
commended in face of the current state of d opey slacker pop that�s
clogging the indie and major label rock pipeline like a bad chicken
mcnugget -- most of em� either forget or just never learn how to flat out
rock.  They usually go down in flames quickly, sounding either like a
paint-by-numbers ma cho Youth of Today clone, or a muddled disjointed mess
of a band that flies off in a hundred different directions just from
trying too damn hard. Vegancore outfit Into Another don�t fit squarely
into either of those categories, but it is clearly evident on their new
three song single that music once again takes a back seat.  The opening
salvo �Poison Fingers� offers a plodding, clunky rhythm and a
 bit of unimaginitive metal guitar noodling.  The final track
�Herbivore�--with its simple chorus of �I don�t eat animals/I love them�
and funk-reggae beat-- fares best, though its fidgety rhythms still signal
the band is holding back somewhat.  � Jamie K emsey


UC Berkeley Students Celebrate Cal Vegan Day
by Amy Graff, Daily Californian, Sept. 11, 1995

In celebration of Cal Vegan Day, students sampled foods containing no
meat, egg, or dairy products on Sproul Plaza last Friday afternoon. Vegan
Action passed out free food including vegan pudding, cookies, sorbet and
drinks.  "We're out here to give people a fun introduction to vegan food
by serving tasty food. It's a great chance to do a lot of educating about
how important our food choices are," said Leor Jacobi, president of Vegan
Action. Members of the organization also passed out fliers on the health
and environmental benefits of a vegan diet.  "By eating vegan, you're
eating lower on the food chain. Animal agriculture uses a lot of water and
grain and produces a lot of animal waste. By eating vegan, you eliminate
the middle process. It's more efficient and a more sustainable diet," said
junior Ori Brafman. Some students said they were surprised by how good the
vegan dishes tasted. "These NO Cookies are great," said sophomore civil
engineering major Quinn Tang, who tried the ginger flavored cookies. "I
always thought vegan food would be lacking in flavor, and bland, but it's
tasty!" [ED: This event was covered on local TV network news, too!]


Vegan Action Merchandise Catalog

All prices include domestic postage.
Members: deduct 10% from order price!  
(Not including overseas postage.)

Make Checks Or Money Orders Out To:
Vegan Action, PO Box 4353, Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 654-6297

Canada: add 20% postage, International: add 40% air, 20% surface.  If
sending cash, conceal it well! 

Distributors: ask about our wholesale pricing!

Vegan ActionWear		
All shirts are thick cotton and union-printed!

McVegan T-Shirt	
Billions and Billions Saved.  Available on Black or White shirts, with
Red, Yellow, and White Ink � in sizes Small, Medium, Large, and Extra
Large.  TS102 $15

Vegan T-Shirt
Beautiful forest green flower-earth design on organic natural unbleached shirts.  Bottom reads: �Animals  Environment  Health.�  List alternates!  M, L, XL.  TS101  $15

Soy Milk? Shirt		

got milk?  No!  Get this shirt instead!  White on black shirts.  S, M, L,
XL.  TS103 $15

Live Simply	
... that others may simply live.  On natural organic shirts.  Printed with
beautiful forest green ink. M,L,XL.  TS104 $15

Books
Diet For a New America	
by John Robbins.  The classic introductory vegan primer.  Nominated for the Pulitzer prize.  423 pages.  BK201  $13.95 
A Teen�s Guide to Going Vegetarian	
by Judy Krizmanic.  An accessible and fun read.  How to deal with parents and peers; vegan celebrities and more.  218 pages.  BK202  $7
Vegan Nutrition: Pure and Simple
by Michael Klaper, MD.  All the basic info on eating a healthy vegan diet.  Includes recipes.  The most concise source.  BK204  $10
Animal Factories
by Jim Mason and Peter Singer.  An in-depth, inside look at the manufacturing of animals for food and profit.  240 pages.  BK203  $13
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Vegan Diet
by Michael Klaper, MD.  Includes sample menus for mothers and children.  BK205  $10

Cookbooks
Cook Vegan
by Richard Youngs.  An English cookbook with lots of curries, baked meals, and pasta.  128 pages.  BK102  $12
Ecological Cooking
by Joanne Stepaniak.  Possibly the best vegan cookbook available.  Filled with simple, yet elegant recipes that anyone can make and everyone can enjoy.  227 pages.  BK103  $11
The Uncheese Cookbook
by Joanne Stepaniak.  How to create amazing dairy-free cheese substitutes and classic �Uncheese� dishes.  191 pages.  BK104  $12
Vegan Delights
By Jeanne Marie Martin.  Chock full of delicious vegan recipes and a wealth of info on vegan living.  224 pages.  BK105  $15
Simply Vegan	
by Wasserman & Mangels.  Subtitled �Quick Vegetarian Meals�.  Easy recipes and lots of nutritional information.  A good first cookbook for the aspiring vegan.  224 pages.  BK101  $13
The Peaceful Palate
by Jennifer Raymond.  A local favorite.  Simple yet elegant recipes that�ll please anyone.  144 pages, full-size.  BK105  $15
Vegan CookZines  	ALL ZINES ONLY $2!
Well Fed, Not an Animal Dead	
Land & Liberty.  A beautifully hand written & illustrated cookzine from the UK.  Organic Gardening, breastfeeding, essays, English-style recipes. ZN 103
Bark & Grass		
Positive Press.  The best recipes from a young vegan chef.  Cut & Paste Revolution.   riot grrlic.  ZN102
Spoonfight	
Thermos Trust.  Artistic and funny, with boss vegan recipes to feed to vegan hostages.  Proves conclusively that some vegans do have a sense of humor.  ZN103
Miscellaneous
McVegan Stickers				
Same Design as the popular shirt.  Three color, 3.5�X4.0�.  Perfect for bikes!  ST101  3 for $1
Vegan Action Bumperstickers
Real vinyl stickers.  Blue, Black and white, with the flower-earth design.  Great on cars or bikes!  ST102  $1
Vegiecard 1.21 for Mac
Amazing Software with tons of info and recipes.  Fun to use � for kids and adults!  SW101  $5
Tame Yourself			
PETA.  Great compilation Cd or Cassette  Indigo Girls & Stipe, k.d. lang, B-52�s, Pretenders, Erasure, Exene, etc.  Something for everyone.  Cassette CS101  $2     Compact Disc  CD101  $4


Credits:
The Vegan News
Volume 2, Issue 1

Contributors: Ori Brafman, Mark Schlosberg, Leor Jacobi, Ashley Parkinson,
Jamie Kemsey. 

Sustainers: Joe & Juanita Neilands, In Defense of Animals, Polly Strand,
Nathan Jacobi, Dona Spring, Jen Sutton, Andrea Shettle, Sandra Boss, Aaron
Turner, Mark VanHaren, Baron Miller, Lynn Gale, Charles Turner, Sam
Gerard, Molly Weiler, Lisa Ingram, Conn ie Cwynar, Margo Shafer, Roy & Pam
Webb, Mitch Cohen, Martin Baton, Jennifer Raymond, Donna Marie, Sean Bart,
PeTA, Dr. Michael Klaper, Greg Caton, and our many members. 

Interns / Volunteer All-Stars: Benjamin Sloat, Mandy Rose Bell, Adrian
Lee, Leonard Guy, Mariah Gayler, Kevin Rowe, Michelle Marco, Julie Marie,
Gregor Rittinger, Michael Menous, Robin Armstrong, Richard Hamlin, Mike
Sheldrake, Marisa Mitchell, Stephanie Fitz, Ken Bravman, and many, many more.

Vegan Corporate Empire: Vitasoy, Wildwood, No Cookies, NOBULL Foods, Boca
Burgers, Imagine Foods/Rice Dream, Sharon's Finest/VeganRella, Howler
Sorbet, Grainaissance/Amazake, Kali's/Clif Bars, Judy's Breadsticks, Cloud
Nine/Tropical Source, SPA Pat�, Appl e Lane Bakery, Sunspire Chocolate,
ADM/Harvest Burgers, Stretch Island, American Licorice Co, Aesop,
Heartland, Ethiopia Restaurant, Smart Alec's, Bode House, Berkeley Ecology
Center Farmer's Market, Rainbow Foods, Satay House, Raw Living Foods,
Oakland Macrobiotic Center.  Please support these businesses!

Vegan Action
PO Box 4353, Berkeley CA 94704
Tel/Fax: (510) 654-6297
info@vegan.org
http://www.vegan.org

ISSN:  1084-9289

Printed on recycled paper [Ed: Actually, this version is printed on
virtual paper!]


THE VEGAN NEWS

is a (roughly) quarterly newsletter.

You can expect to only get a maximum of one or two email messages a month
if you decide to subscribe. 

In order to subscribe, send email to listproc@mellers1.psych.berkeley.edu
with this in the text body:

subscribe vn <your name here>

To subscribe to the San Francisco Bay Area mailing list (which may get 
more traffic) covering local news and announcements pertaining to animal 
and vegan issues:

subscribe ar-sfbay <your name here>

If you have any questions, please send them to 
leor@mellers1.psych.berkeley.edu

-- 
   /     Leor Jacobi
  /     Vegan Action, PO Box 4353, Berkeley, CA 94704, (510) 654-6297
 /     http://envirolink.org/arrs/va/home.html
/     vegan@mellers1.psych.berkeley.edu