WHY WE DITCHED DAIRY
It was our 2019 New Year's resolution to become a 100% Vegan Business
Most of what we did at Eden Café was already vegan (and gluten free). We made the transition to fully vegan in January 2019.
Did we expect everyone to go vegan because we are cut out dairy from our menu?
No, we understand what we eat and how we live our lives is a personal choice. All we ask is that people consider trying a plant-based alternative in your coffee or toastie when you come to our café and to perhaps do some research yourself into veganism and how your food is produced.
We were grateful for the continued support following our change to a 100% vegan menu.
Why did we move to a fully vegan menu?
As a vegan myself I feel the moral and ethical need to align my business with my personal ethics. There are many reasons why people choose to go vegan, environmental, health and animal welfare being the main three. Personally, for me it was the animal welfare aspect that drove my decision.
In recent years there has been much focus in the media on the environmental issues we are facing as a planet and animal agriculture plays a huge part in that. There has also been mention about the links between processed meats such as bacon and sausages and cancer as well as many studies on reversing conditions such as diabetes with a plant-based diet.
What impact can you make choosing a vegan diet?
Well, you might be surprised! By going vegan for one month you can save 124,917 litres of water, 543kg of grain, 84 Sq.m of forest, 273kg of Co2 and the lives of 30 animals. (*statistic source: www.cowspiracy.com/facts). In a year you could save 1,519,823 litres of water, 6,607kg of grain, 1,022 Sq.m of forest, 3,322kg of Co2 and 365 animal lives. That is quite an impact that you as one individual can make. Also, did you know that over 40% of plastic waste in the ocean is related to fishing? Cutting down on non reusables such as straws and plastic bags is great but you can have an even greater positive impact by cutting out animal products.
There is a huge amount of information online and I would encourage you to do your own research if you are interested in finding out more and if anyone wants to give vegan a go we are here to support you however we can. If you have no interest in anything vegan, that’s fine, we respect you.
If you would like more information on going vegan or the impacts of animal agriculture then please check out the links below:
Veganuary: Take the pledge to try vegan for the month of January. Loads of information and helpful resources. https://veganuary.com/
Viva: Information resource www.viva.org.uk– check out their new campaign https://scarydairy.org.uk/
Challenge 22+: Vegan for 22 days challenge. Provides recipes and personal guidance. www.challenge22.com/challenge22
Dr Michael Greger M.D. FACLM: Author of “How not to die”. His website https://nutritionfacts.org/has a wealth of information.
Documentaries: Land of Hope & Glory – this is a hard watch but is the harsh reality for UK farmed animals. Website has facts only if you’d prefer not to watch. www.landofhopeandglory.org
73 Cows - They story of Jay and his transition from Beef Farmer to organic Veg Farmer. https://vimeo.com/293352305
There are many other documentaries with different focuses;
Cowspiracy has an environmental focus with no graphic images.
What the Health, a health focus – this one I haven’t seen personally.
Seaspiracy focuses on our oceans and also the human cost of the fishing industry.
Vegucated takes 3 meat and cheese loving New Yorkers and follows them as they go vegan for 6 weeks – nothing graphic.
Some great talks to watch: Earthling Ed YouTube channel. Ed chats to regular folks on the street and uni students
James Wildman – questions our perceptions and traditions www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7JE8j5Ncmw
Phillip Wollen – Australian philanthropist, former VP of Citibank. Speech following his acceptance of Albert Schweitzer award at Last Chance for Animals' 2017 Annual Gala
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBx7MGIZ1fU
Most of what we did at Eden Café was already vegan (and gluten free). We made the transition to fully vegan in January 2019.
Did we expect everyone to go vegan because we are cut out dairy from our menu?
No, we understand what we eat and how we live our lives is a personal choice. All we ask is that people consider trying a plant-based alternative in your coffee or toastie when you come to our café and to perhaps do some research yourself into veganism and how your food is produced.
We were grateful for the continued support following our change to a 100% vegan menu.
Why did we move to a fully vegan menu?
As a vegan myself I feel the moral and ethical need to align my business with my personal ethics. There are many reasons why people choose to go vegan, environmental, health and animal welfare being the main three. Personally, for me it was the animal welfare aspect that drove my decision.
In recent years there has been much focus in the media on the environmental issues we are facing as a planet and animal agriculture plays a huge part in that. There has also been mention about the links between processed meats such as bacon and sausages and cancer as well as many studies on reversing conditions such as diabetes with a plant-based diet.
What impact can you make choosing a vegan diet?
Well, you might be surprised! By going vegan for one month you can save 124,917 litres of water, 543kg of grain, 84 Sq.m of forest, 273kg of Co2 and the lives of 30 animals. (*statistic source: www.cowspiracy.com/facts). In a year you could save 1,519,823 litres of water, 6,607kg of grain, 1,022 Sq.m of forest, 3,322kg of Co2 and 365 animal lives. That is quite an impact that you as one individual can make. Also, did you know that over 40% of plastic waste in the ocean is related to fishing? Cutting down on non reusables such as straws and plastic bags is great but you can have an even greater positive impact by cutting out animal products.
There is a huge amount of information online and I would encourage you to do your own research if you are interested in finding out more and if anyone wants to give vegan a go we are here to support you however we can. If you have no interest in anything vegan, that’s fine, we respect you.
If you would like more information on going vegan or the impacts of animal agriculture then please check out the links below:
Veganuary: Take the pledge to try vegan for the month of January. Loads of information and helpful resources. https://veganuary.com/
Viva: Information resource www.viva.org.uk– check out their new campaign https://scarydairy.org.uk/
Challenge 22+: Vegan for 22 days challenge. Provides recipes and personal guidance. www.challenge22.com/challenge22
Dr Michael Greger M.D. FACLM: Author of “How not to die”. His website https://nutritionfacts.org/has a wealth of information.
Documentaries: Land of Hope & Glory – this is a hard watch but is the harsh reality for UK farmed animals. Website has facts only if you’d prefer not to watch. www.landofhopeandglory.org
73 Cows - They story of Jay and his transition from Beef Farmer to organic Veg Farmer. https://vimeo.com/293352305
There are many other documentaries with different focuses;
Cowspiracy has an environmental focus with no graphic images.
What the Health, a health focus – this one I haven’t seen personally.
Seaspiracy focuses on our oceans and also the human cost of the fishing industry.
Vegucated takes 3 meat and cheese loving New Yorkers and follows them as they go vegan for 6 weeks – nothing graphic.
Some great talks to watch: Earthling Ed YouTube channel. Ed chats to regular folks on the street and uni students
James Wildman – questions our perceptions and traditions www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7JE8j5Ncmw
Phillip Wollen – Australian philanthropist, former VP of Citibank. Speech following his acceptance of Albert Schweitzer award at Last Chance for Animals' 2017 Annual Gala
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBx7MGIZ1fU