What’s the tipping point for an idea like vegan living to become mainstream? Does it come down to sheer numbers or systematic changes?

The principle of intersubjective agreement suggests that where multiple subjects and disciplines find overlapping consensus, a level of objectivity can be verified. If it’s about institutional systems, there seems to be a direction: thousands of studies of the animal mind suggest animal sentience is a reality, the health benefits of plant based eating are increasingly recognized in medical research, the environmental costs of agribusiness are clear, increasingly scientific research is investing in new models to reduce animal experimentation, and religious and moral theorists are paying increased attention to the kind of ethical gymnastics involved in eating and using animals for human ends.

That’s an awful lot of agreement across multiple institutions and systems about animals. But the scales have yet to turn ideas into understanding, from belief into action.  Every day brings a choice to recognize that more and more signs point toward compassionate living.

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

We know gluten free flour can be a little confusing, just ask Umberto…

Kudos to the vegan food bloggers at Vegan Kitchen Magick!

Becoming a “dog friendly destination” makes it easier for people with animals to visit, which appeals to dog loving tourists and locals alike. Following Michigan, Ohio is currently considering similar legislation.  In many regions, local nonprofit rescues and businesses have a history of partnering to offer dog friendly fundraising events. Many folks are already enjoying the Dog Days of Summer in Cleveland, Ohio showing off the ways that patio pups offer tail wagging way to engage with customers.

Find more on dog friendly travel destinations!

Those numbers may sound staggering, but some of the top health centers in the world are making strides in recognizing the importance of plant based diets to prevent, manage, and sometimes reverse chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.  Numerous studies  demonstrate that plant based eating promotes heart health and can help prevent and manage diabetes and other diseases.

• Harvard studies in men and women show that regular meat consumption increases colon cancer risk by roughly 300 percent
• Eating any red meat was found to increase the chances of dying from heart disease by 16% and eating processed meat increased the mortality rate to 20%
• The results of The China Study indicate that plant based eating notably reduces risks for chronic diseases
• Since these illnesses can be expensive to manage and treat and relatively inexpensive to prevent with a vegetarian/ vegan choices, at least one insurer has expressly stated that “a vegetarian diet can save you money especially when it comes to health insurance.“

Even for people unmoved by the ethical arguments against eating animals, it’s noteworthy that lifestyle changes toward vegetarian/vegan eating are being more widely studied and recognized for preventive health benefits. The life you save could be your own.

This cat does not provide medical advice.

• Play Days: making a little more play-time in the morning may lead to slightly more sleep in the night
• Have a Ball: a feeding ball may offer some entertainment in the wee hours of the night (especially if cats wake up the house in order to be fed). Be careful not to over-feed when considering other feeding times and follow suggested weight guidelines for amounts.
• Multiple Cats: if introducing a second (or third) cat, introduce them slowly and allow plenty of time for them to get used to each other, including pre-introduction and introduction steps.
• Toy Rotation: offer a variety of toys, selecting one or two varieties to stimulate interests that you set out at night so cats can entertain themselves instead of focusing on your wiggling toes.