Holistic health not easy, especially here

Dear Editor,

Re: “Holistic health not easy, especially here,” 10/13/05

I encourage Katrina Charalambidis and other compassionate, health-conscious students who want more vegetarian and vegan meals on campus to visit peta2.com to find out how students at the University of California at Berkeley and other colleges nationwide have convinced their school cafaterias to offer more vegan options.

According to a nationwide survey conducted by ARAMARK, a company that provides food to universities and school districts, one out of every four college students wants vegan meals. As a result, ARAMARK now offers dozens of vegan menu items, such as sweet Thai tofu stir-fry, vegan cheese quesadillas, faux chicken burritos, eggless “egg” salad, and more, on select campuses.

A vegan diet not only helps students fight the dreaded “Freshman 15” and other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, it saves countless animals from suffering. Animals on factory farms are confined in filthy cages, warehouses, and sheds. Most never see the sun, breathe fresh air, or feel grass under their feet. They are torn from their loving mothers and are debeaked, branded, dehorned, and/or castrated without anesthetics. During slaughter, they are often dismembered while they’re still fully conscious.

Anyone who needs a little extra motivation can visit GoVeg.com and watch “Chew on This,” a thought-provoking video listing ten of the most compelling reasons to go-and stay-vegan. New vegetarians can also order PETA’s free 30-Day Veg Pledge pack, which includes a DVD, helpful cooking and shopping tips, coupons, delicious recipes, resources for dining out, and expert nutritional advice, online or by calling 1-888-VEG-FOOD.

Sincerely,

Heather MooreSenior WriterPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)501 Front St.Norfolk, VA 23510757-962-8335