Weekly Newsletter - 4th edition

Authored by @evecab

Dear readers,

Welcome to week #4 of the Vegans of Steemit Newsletter! Let's see what happened in the vegan & veggie community these past days and catch up with some of the best posts out there!

The goal of this Newsletter is to showcase the most interesting publications from our vegan Steemit & Whaleshares community during the week, and introduce new members worth checking out. We also feature a Q&A section at the end of the newsletter, in which non-vegans can ask anything they need to know about veganism and how to get there. Help us spread the vegan love!

This week, @plantstoplanks is keeping us fit all while earning some Steem in her plank challenge. Come on guys, let's show people that we have enough protein in our system to win this, and show her some support:

Many people believe that vegans don't have a lot of food choices, but they are wrong! The purpose of this section is to portray just how many different delicious meal recipes there are to choose from, the options are endless! Each week, we'll show you at least three different recipes, one for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Start your morning with a full load of vitamins, and try this healthy and delicious smoothie bowl recipe by @injiskitchen:

• If you ran out of ideas for lunch, you may want to try @flamingirl's delicious carrot and sweet potato cream. It's easy to make, and will fill you with the energy you need for the rest of your day.

• Dinner time! Are you craving pasta, and want a little protein boost at the same time? I don't know what you think, but I might just try @ura-soul's mouth-watering recipe at my next dinner party:

This week, I would like to introduce you all to @jepper who is questioning whether eating animals is morally justifiable. Even though he is not yet vegan, he is on the right path and therefore he gets credit for opening his mind about these issues and deserves our support. Nobody was born vegan, and even though some may jump into it with both feet, it is a lengthier process for most of us. Thank you @jepper for voicing your thoughts about this important issue!

Is it true that plants can feel pain?

This is something we as vegans hear every day. People who are not vegan, or opposed to veganism always come to us with this argument. Why give up animals when plants can feel pain too? Should we stop eating all together?

What I like to explain is that it is true that plants have the ability to react to stress factors, however they do not have a complex central nervous system as animals or humans do. Hence, plants do not have the physical capacity (like a brain) to experience pain, fear, panic, love and compassion like animals and humans do.

You wouldn't sit on your couch and watch TV while petting your cactus, would you?

Animals are conscious beings and we know this for a fact. They can play, think, they can miss you, fear us and show us affection. I don't think it's fair to compare the terror of a cow about to be slaughtered with a chemical reaction of a plant being cut. Animals are much more similar to humans, so saying that veganism doesn't make sense because plants could feel pain too is a little ridiculous, don't you think?

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