For the Planet: Why you should watch COWSPIRACY

When I went vegan (and before that, vegetarian), it was pretty much exclusively because I didn't agree with the factory farming practices where ~99% of our animal products come from. I learned about cruel practices, neglect, the immense capabilities of animals (of their feelings, of their habits, of their relationships) which were being stifled, and the fact that all of these animals are losing their lives far too soon. They are babies, for the most part. This was enough for me. I know it is not enough for everyone.

A few months after I went vegan, I happened to be in Seattle the same night that the sustainability film Cowspiracy was having a showing sponsored by Pasados Animal Sanctuary. Some friends and I were supposed to go to a housewarming party that night, but they could not make it at the last minute and I didn't want to go alone. So, I decided to skip it and go to see Cowspiracy instead (P.S. sorry to my friend whose party I missed...).

I'm so glad I went. I learned so much and it really fueled my environmentalist fire that was at the time only mildly burning. It doesn't seem like too many of my friends have an interest in watching it when I share about it on social media, and it hasn't been easily accessible so I understand. But to clear something up: I think the name of the film and the fact that I am the one endorsing it makes people think it's probably a vegan propaganda film or something and that its going to show them a lot of cows suffering and preaching about how cruel animal agriculture is. That really is not the case- there is very little animal cruelty shown in the film, only one scene of a duck being slaughtered that you can easily close your eyes or skip over, and a scene where dairy cows udders appear to be in a painful state. I try really hard to point out that it is a film about the environment and sustainability, even though it has cow in the title.

This is not a film for vegans/vegetarians and animal activists alone to watch. This is a film everyone needs to see. 

It is about saving our home.

Cowspiracy Official Trailer from First Spark Media on Vimeo.

Film Summary: Filmmakers Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn set out to explore animal agriculture's impact on the planet. I think it's important to note, they were omnivores at the beginning of this film- not a couple of vegans out to prove a point. Kip was an extreme environmentalist and begins the film talking about everything he was doing to try and save the planet and lessen his carbon footprint over the years. He wondered if what he was doing was really making a difference. One day he read an article about the impact of animal agriculture on the environment (relating to methane emissions) and wondered why he hadn't heard about it before. The film goes on from there to explore that question, featuring interviews with former and current animal agriculture farmers, environmental scientists, representatives from dairy and meat industries, authors (including Michael Pollan), doctors, and more. Kip tries to find out the most sustainable way to eat- exploring if it is possible to sustainably feed the country with animal products. It was truly eye-opening to see the facts presented in this film that are not public knowledge. I left feeling simultaneously devastated and inspired. We truly can make a huge impact on our earth simply by what we choose to eat.

And the good news is, starting September 15th, it will be available on Netflix for all to watch! And the film has been updated with new information and updated facts and... is executive produced by LEONARDO DICAPRIO amongst a few others! If I wasn't already in love with that man, I certainly am now. When he spoke to the UN about climate change, I was proud of him but also kept thinking- what about animal agriculture, Leo!?! So it was really wonderful to see him a part of this film now and publicly endorsing the information it shares.

Please watch Cowspiracy: It will shake you, it will anger you, it will inspire you- all in the best ways possible.

Welcome!

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. My name is Kelsey and I am delighted to be "your token vegan friend". Everyone needs at least one, right? ;-)

I described myself as "the token vegan" of the group while on a bar-hopping Christmas caroling event because I needed drinks of the dairy-free variety at the bars we visited. While trying to come up with a blog name, which is truly one of my biggest challenges in life, I remembered that occasion and thought, why not? So "Your Token Vegan Friend" was born.

I have been vegan for about a year and a half and was vegetarian for 7 years prior. Going vegan and delving into how to do so healthfully led me to realize what I want to do with my life, and that is to completely switch gears professionally and become a registered dietician. Thus my brain is filled with a lot of thoughts on these things that are relatively new to me and I need somewhere to spill them out.

I'll be posting about vegan related issues, share recipes, thoughts and information on environmental issues, nutritional information, stories of my experiences, animal rights, book reviews and more!

Thanks for visiting, and please come back soon!