Who doesn’t care about the treatment of farm animals? Most of us choose to turn a blind eye to the unsanitary, immoral treatment of what winds up on our breakfast plate, myself included. Sometimes the bacon is just too tasty to be worth the guilt. If the responsibility for the Babes and Wilburs is starting to gnaw at you, here’s something to ease your spirits: you can consume animal-derived foods, maintain physical health, and demonstrate your concern for the welfare of animals, all at the same time. All it takes is a little extra effort: becoming vegan-istic.

 

Step 1: Eat More Plants

Incorporate fresh fruit into your breakfast and plan your lunch and dinner around plant-derived foods. Brown rice and spinach with salmon on the side, for instance. Snack on an orange in between meals. Sounds tasty, right?

 

Step 2: Avoid the Unpronounceable

Before you drive to the grocery store, make a list of plant-based foods. Choose more of these and fewer processed foods with ingredients that, let’s face it, the majority of us can’t pronounce. This includes common items such as enriched breads, potato chips, crackers, and commercially prepared pies and pastries. So long, Hostess.

 

Step 3: Choose Meat Wisely

Respect animals by shopping conscientiously. Purchase meats, cheese, and eggs from local farmers markets and food cooperatives. You get to interact more with who makes your food and you can learn more about farming techniques. So much more fun than the Safeway.

 

Step 4: Check the Label

If a coo-op isn’t close by, check labels for free-range meat, organic milk, and eggs from grass-fed chickens. “Free range” and “free roaming” meats are proven to have the ability to roam somewhat freely outdoors, while the “natural” label indicates minimally processed meat, free of artificial additives. “Antibiotic-free” means that the animals weren’t treated with antibiotics.

What do you think? Can you be vegan-ish? Share in the comments!

Maeve was born in Howard County, Maryland, a farm-filled hometown tucked far enough away from DC and Baltimore to remain virtually unheard of. From ages five to seventeen, she donned a dweeby uniform five days a week and hadn’t the slightest idea who she was stylistically. At last, college arrived, and Rent the Runway guided the way through the previously unforeseen world of fashion.
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