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Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
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On Being Vegan: Reflections on a Compassionate Life Paperback – April 22, 2013

by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (Author), Aaron Weinstein (Illustrator), Sara Remington (Photographer)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 95 ratings
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On Being Vegan is a collection of thoughtfully crafted essays that reflect Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s unique blend of passion, humor, and common sense and get to the heart of what it means to be vegan. Born out of her life-changing talks and podcast episodes, On Being Vegan is Patrick-Goudreau’s sixth book.
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  1. Print length
    129 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 22, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0615787215
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0615787213
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

So often people ask me if I really think that people can make a difference, and my answer is no. I don't believe that people CAN make a difference; I know that people DO make a difference. Everything we buy, everything we do, everything we eat has an impact on someone or something else. We don't get to decide whether we CAN make a difference or not; we get to decide only if the inevitable difference we make is negative or positive. That's it. Those are our only two choices; there are no neutral actions.

My hope is that we each one of us reflect our deepest values in our daily choices and realize the power we have to create the compassionate world we all desire. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?

About the Author

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has dedicated her life to empowering people to make informed food choices, to debunking myths about veganism, to being a voice for animals, and to giving people the tools and resources they need to live according to their own values of compassion and wellness. A powerful writer, talented chef, and exhilarating speaker, she is the author of six books, including the award-winning The Joy of Vegan Baking, considered the bible of vegan baking, The Vegan Table, Color Me Vegan, Vegan's Daily Companion, and On Being Vegan, released in April 2013. With a command of traditional and new media, Colleen is the creator of the popular online multimedia program, The 30-Day Vegan Challenge; the host and producer of the life-changing podcast Vegetarian Food for Thought; and she delivers inspiring lectures around the country. She has appeared on the Food Network and PBS and is a contributor to National Public Radio and The Christian Science Monitor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Montali Press (April 22, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 129 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0615787215
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0615787213
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 95 ratings

About the author

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Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

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A recognized expert and thought leader on all aspects of living compassionately and healthfully, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is an award-winning author of seven books. She is an acclaimed speaker, cultural commentator, and a multimedia host, beloved for her entertaining and informative videos and her inspiring podcast, “Food for Thought,” which was voted Favorite Podcast by VegNews magazine readers. Her new podcast "Animalogy" is garnering critical and popular acclaim. Colleen is a regular contributor to National Public Radio. Her latest book — The Joyful Vegan: Staying Vegan in a World That Wants You to Eat Meat, Dairy, and Eggs — just came out and is getting rave reviews.

Colleen has appeared on national and regional TV programs, including the Food Network, CBS, PBS, and FOX. Interviews with her have been featured on NPR, U.S. News and World Report, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Times, Pacifica Radio, Rodale News, and in countless blogs and podcasts. Her recipes have been featured on Oprah.com and Epicurious.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
95 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

nat732
5.0 out of 5 stars A Passion for Compassion
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2013
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"On Being Vegan" is Collen Patrick-Gudreau's personal view of what it means to be vegan. She desires for people to make informed choices and this book provides a good starting point regardless of whether your motivation is health, ethical considerations, environment, or curiosity. Besides the clearly written text, the book includes lists of useful websites for immediate access to up to date information and products, podcasts, recommended reading, and recommended viewing. Although labeled as a Bibliography, an extensive list of endnotes provides web addresses for the references again allowing immediate access to supporting information.
The author clarifies that being vegan is a means to an end; perfection is not required. She recognizes that there are many sources of resistance (both internal and external) to positive change. Reading "On Being Vegan" would provide direction to those desiring to overcome that resistance to gain the many benefits of being vegan.
For a multimedia approach, much of the information in this book is provided in The 30-Day Vegan Challenge at [...] that uses a day by day approach to learning what vegan is all about.
3 people found this helpful
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Louise Bahar
5.0 out of 5 stars A passionate and convincing book
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2013
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The author has written a comprehensive explanation about the reasons and benefits for not eating animal products. Her ideas are not new to me, I've followed her for over a year and have all of her other excellent books. These other books are recipes for the most part. This is her first full book that gives her philosophy and those of individuals and scientists that promote the vegan way of eating and conducting ones life. While she gives the full scope of the reasons for veganism, what has touched me the most about her is the explanations of what is done to animals to bring them to our table. The difficult and dangerous conditions that exist in the raising and slaughter and delivery of these animals to our table.

I do think that Colleen should be read by everyone, and she should write more than just cook books that promote the vegan lifestyle.
7 people found this helpful
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Kyleigh
4.0 out of 5 stars Compassion for All!
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013
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This is a great little volume to help you stay inspired. Though this book is slim it’s packed with a wealth of wonderful information. Information that’s logical, concise, easily laid out, and easy to relate to others. This is something that Colleen does well. She’s a great speaker, and a fantastic writer, with an ability to break down complicated issues so that they’re not so complicated. Though I’m not a new vegan by any means, I find that I always learn something new from Colleen, even if it’s just a turn of phrase. She has a way of making you see things in a new way, a way of making you consider things you may not have before. I love that about all of her writing.

Now, it should be noted that much of the information found in this book is spread across many of Colleen’s Podcast episodes, so the information isn’t exactly new, if you’ve been a fan of the ‘Vegetarian Food for Thought Podcast” for any length of time. However, what I like about this book is that it’s nice to have a ‘hard-copy’ of a podcast episode. Something you can grab off the shelf when in a conversation to show to people, to make your point. It’s great to have a hard-copy of great information to give to your vegan-curious friends or family. It’s great to have the information in one place.

Colleen is nothing if not compassionate. The tone of her writing, and the tone of her podcast always reflect that, and so I think this is an excellent primer book to give to a vegan-curious person, or a newbie vegan. In my opinion even if a lot of the information isn’t ‘new’ we can never have too many well written vegan books. Each voice adds to the discussion, and the longer - and louder - we all say the same thing, the more it’ll help bring awareness and make a dent in the social conscious, and isn’t that what we’re all trying to achieve when we embark on a vegan-lifestyle?
5 people found this helpful
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K. Behymer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear, Compassionate Voice
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2013
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This is the book for you if you are curious about veganism. This is also the book for you if you are a long time vegan feeling despair over the world's cruelties, great and small. Many of us come to veganism as a reaction AGAINST cruelty, and against environmental degradation. But here is a beautifully written reminder that veganism is a means to an end, that we are working FOR a more just and compassionate world. This book is written both clearly and from the heart. In it you will find many answers to your questions about what it means to live as a vegan, but nothing rigid or preachy. The author extends an invitation to approach the world with greater kindness, not just for animals, but for others and yourself, too. I look forward to the rest of this series.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good information but kind of redundant
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2015
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I think she has good information but I found myself skipping pages because it some of it became redundant. I think she is very knowledgeable and wants you to understand compassionate choices but there are better books on being vegan which would pick up first.
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Mary M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great overall discussion on Veganism
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2013
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This is a wonderful book for both new vegans or long-term vegans alike! The chapters give you wonderful talking points to use when talking to others about veganism (whether it be about health, environment or animal advocacy). I've even quoted directly from the book to friends and family members that are asking questions about my vegan lifestyle.

It's a short book, but I'll refer back to it from time to time to remind myself of these talking points, and also to reaffirm my values in veganism. I bought this as a Kindle version, and it looked great as an e-book. No complaints :)
5 people found this helpful
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Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars Newly vegan, experienced, or curious.. this one's for you
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
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With "On Being Vegan" Colleen Patrick-Goudreau takes the mystery out of veganism and answers the common questions regarding the what, why, and how for being vegan.

Approachable and easy to understand, as always with her work, she holds your hand taking you through her own journey and provides the information needed to help you on your own path.

With communication skills second to none, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is the perfect resource no matter where you are in your own life. Whether newly transitioning or an experienced vegan looking to hone the effectiveness of your own communication, "On Being Vegan" is an invaluable source of information.
2 people found this helpful
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Merry203
5.0 out of 5 stars Wunderbar! Amazing!
Reviewed in Germany on April 5, 2016
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Sehr, sehr empfehlenswert, für die Leute, die etwas über Veganismus lernen oder verstehen wollen, aber natürlich auch für die Veganer.
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Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect compassionate & non-judgemental book
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2013
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Whether you're a vegan now, or something has piqued your interest, this little book will give you answers. There are many reasons for becoming a vegan and Colleen talks about all of them in a reasonable, compassionate way. If you can live your life without causing suffering and violence, why wouldn't you? There's nothing radical about being a vegan; we simply choose not to contribute to a system that brings animals into the world only to kill them. Quote from the book: "For me, being vegan is about living my life with integrity and compassion, knowing that every decision I make is done so with the intention of not contributing to the suffering and exploitation of non-human animals, or anyone for that matter. But it's about more than that, too. It's about creating joy, kindness, and meaning in a world so filled with violence and despair. Personally, I experience a palpable feeling of peace knowing that I am making a non-violent contribution to the world. Just as violence creates more violence, nonviolence also creates more nonviolence, and I like being on that side of the equation."
2 people found this helpful
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Michelle Laurie
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for vegans and vegan-curious
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2013
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Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has a great website, some of the best vegan cookbooks around, the 30-Day Vegan Challenge, and the unrivalled Food for Thought podcast. But for a long time I've been wishing she would write a book like this, something that would include her own story, as well as lots of insights on veganism. She's finally done it. This book is a collection of her personal essays on becoming vegan and what that means for her. She addresses topics such as:

-The benefits of a vegan lifestyle;

-Nutrition and food labels;

-The myth of the "perfect" vegan, and with her usual down-to-earth grace, explains the uselessness and futility of "purity";

-The emotional issues many newbies may experience, such as guilt and anger. She doesn't simply pat you on the back, but offers genuine help and guidance, with tips on things you can actively do to help you move forward;

-The criticisms that many people have of veganism;

-Speaking to non-vegans about veganism; how to be the "vegan in the room";

-The myths of "humane" meat, "free-range" eggs, and happy milk-"giving" cows.

And although some of these topics are addressed in other books on veganism, Colleen covers them in a completely different way and presents unique information.

What I love about her message is that she doesn't try to tell you what to do. There's never any judgement or criticism. Colleen tells her truth, presents the facts, sheds light on common fallacies, and helps you to see things from different perspectives. She then leaves you to make up your own mind. That feeling of "I never thought of it like that" is unavoidable when reading this book.

If you're already a regular listener to her podcast, a lot of the material here will not be brand new, but it's great to have it in such an accessible format. It's also a great little book to give to friends and family to help them understand your reasons for choosing this lifestyle. There's also a resource list at the end of the book with recommended reading and websites.

If you're a new vegan or curious about veganism, this is the perfect book to start with. It's concise, engaging, answers lots of questions, and will arm you with the information you need to make an informed decision. If you enjoy this book, you'll love her podcasts and  Vegan's Daily Companion: 365 Days of Inspiration for Cooking, Eating, and Living Compassionately .

Here's one of my favourite quotes from the book:

"Whenever we're answering questions about being vegan, it helps to have a clear intention, and I think if our intention is 'to speak the truth' rather than 'to convert someone,' we will be very effective spokespeople for this incredible way of living."
3 people found this helpful
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Tracy Wotzername
5.0 out of 5 stars But so much better! Loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on November 10, 2014
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She says what I feel. But so much better! Loved this book.
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barbara xella
5.0 out of 5 stars very beautiful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2013
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I have enjoyed this book and agree with almost every sentence in it. As a recently vegetarian and probably soon vegan, I have found that this book simply speaks out what I have always thought but had buried inside me for a long time just because society told me to. At some point though we are bound to come to terms with our deep feelings and can't avoid any longer not living according to our own ethical values. This books helps you with finding the click to do so, and to me it feels quite easy, it's just your choice, it's what you consider right - it's just like you've opened your eyes and there's no turning back! Recommended.
3 people found this helpful
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