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Oprah's vegan challenge
9 May 2011 Have your say
In a new episode airing on Channel 10 at 1pm today, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and her 378-strong staff have made a pledge to animals, the planet, and their health, by going vegan for a week! The eye-opening experience reportedly changed the way many participants thought about the food they ate.
And Oprah is challenging you: Will you join them?
Oprah's not known for doing things by halves. During her Ultimate Australian Adventure series she showed off the best of Australia to the world, and recently she's convinced 378 of her staff members to leave meat, fish, dairy and eggs off their menu for a week. Harpo Productions, producer of "The Oprah Winfrey Show", has also decided to embrace Meatless Mondays in the Harpo Café — making every Monday a meat free day.
Oprah's not the first talk show icon to discover the benefits of being vegan. Her colleague Ellen DeGeneres, partner of Australian actress Portia De Rossi, credits her decision to becoming a life-long vegan to the documentary Earthlings, and now regularly discusses animal welfare issues on her talk show Ellen.
As Ellen describes, being vegan not only saves many pigs, chickens and other animals from a life of suffering on factory farms, it is also kinder on the environment, and can improve health and longevity.
If you've ever been curious, or are wanting to make a gift of compassion to animals in need, now's a perfect time to give an animal-free diet a try! Here are some helpful resources to get started:
- New York Times best-selling author and long-term vegan Kathy Freston has tips, recipes, and grocery lists on Oprah's website. You can also watch a short interview with Kathy on how and why she became a vegan and the positive effects it has on her wellbeing.
- Wondering about protein? Iron? Get the facts on the Going Vegan FAQ.
- Discover many more delicious cruelty-free recipes on WhyVeg.com
Are you joining the challenge? Leave a comment below!
Post a commentYour Say: 22 comments
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edwige:
peace and love
Monday, 9 May 2011 at 1:23pm
jamais je ne mange de viande, je trouve sympa qu'une personnalité partage cela
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Pru:
Powerful Woman
Monday, 9 May 2011 at 12:40pm
Oprah love her or hate her is probably the most powerful, influential people on this planet. If she says a book is great then they lucky author reaps the benefits of millions of women buying that book...all because Miss O herself has endorsed it.
I doubt she will give up her lavish lifestyle including leather, wool etc..
However, if she gives it ago then surely one person who gives it a go with her likes it, one person is better than no one.
The episode may actually make some people sit up and listen, take note of this hideous industry that has not only murdered billions upon billions of souls but also raped our planet beyond repair.
I say well done for "trying"
I doubt she will give up her lavish lifestyle including leather, wool etc..
However, if she gives it ago then surely one person who gives it a go with her likes it, one person is better than no one.
The episode may actually make some people sit up and listen, take note of this hideous industry that has not only murdered billions upon billions of souls but also raped our planet beyond repair.
I say well done for "trying"
Brenda Hixenbaugh:
Thanks
Thursday, 24 March 2011 at 5:50am
No Meat,No Fish, No Dairy, No Eggs, ~ Now you are living and so are they ~Thanks Opera for discovering the trueth and sharing it with the world. You are a very great person. God bless and keep you.
Margaret Setter:
Oprah's message about being vegan for a week.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011 at 3:08pm
Don't knock Oprah for suggesting going vegan for a week. And don't knock her for wearing leather, if that is what she wears.
Criticism is easy but the art is difficult. I do my best to live as close as possible to veganism. That is all I can do. I haven't eaten meat for 25years but if a friend or relative offers me a piece of cake containing eggs or milk I eat it out of politeness.
Show 1 replyCriticism is easy but the art is difficult. I do my best to live as close as possible to veganism. That is all I can do. I haven't eaten meat for 25years but if a friend or relative offers me a piece of cake containing eggs or milk I eat it out of politeness.
vegan-ish?:
Good on her.
Thursday, 17 February 2011 at 1:14pm
Her message conveyed good intentions. Healthy or unhealthy her idea of a vegan diet may be, she still gave light to an alternative way of eating; let's not forget that she is one of the most powerful and influential women in the world.
Oprah is but another person who (unfortunately) trusts an industry that profits by decieving the public about health and nutrition. Vegans shouldn't be so damning of her effort. It's a start, if nothing else, towards awareness of one's diet.
Oprah is but another person who (unfortunately) trusts an industry that profits by decieving the public about health and nutrition. Vegans shouldn't be so damning of her effort. It's a start, if nothing else, towards awareness of one's diet.
Carole Li:
We need everyone's support
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 at 8:55am
Become a Vegan is not as easy as you might think, majority of humans are bred with meat products, it's become part of their diet and their eating habbit, like any habbit it's not as easy to just give up. Like doing anything there needs to be steps, one step at the time, first we need to raise the awareness of the cruelty in current factory farming to all human fellows, there will be people don't give a shit, because they just don't care about anyone apart from themselves, but hopefully there are still a good percentage of the population who care, they care so that they can demand for changes, they can demand their government, their supermarkets, ultimately their farmers to change the way they farm.
To raise voice for animals is not easy, there are almost 7 billion of human on earth now, not only we have over populated our planet, everybody is so busy with their own lives, it's hard to make people to be aware and care. The problem is everyone is living in this system where profit is the leading course, capitalism is the source, how much money they can make is the No.1 priority and how much wealth they can leave to their children when they die is the rest of what they care. Majority of the people live in denial, they simply ignore, it's an easy way and cheap way.
Animals are also living creatures, they have feelings, they suffer from pain and they can be distressed. Having to kill them for meat is not right, but farming them in the current "Factory" condition is immoral. However how many people really think about it when they go shopping and eating out? Even those who believe in a God, between them, their God where does moral really stand?
We need people like Oprah's help, to help raising the issue, they are famous and powerful therefore they can have more influence on others, they can help to bring the awareness to more people, so that more people will start thinking, and one day they might change they way they live and eat. I am trying to do what i can too, but I would have been more sucessful if i was rich and famous for sure.
There are also issues with pets industry, as well as the wild life protection and pollution to our planet. We need more people to be aware, hopefully more will stand up for animals and make actual changes to their day to day lives.
To raise voice for animals is not easy, there are almost 7 billion of human on earth now, not only we have over populated our planet, everybody is so busy with their own lives, it's hard to make people to be aware and care. The problem is everyone is living in this system where profit is the leading course, capitalism is the source, how much money they can make is the No.1 priority and how much wealth they can leave to their children when they die is the rest of what they care. Majority of the people live in denial, they simply ignore, it's an easy way and cheap way.
Animals are also living creatures, they have feelings, they suffer from pain and they can be distressed. Having to kill them for meat is not right, but farming them in the current "Factory" condition is immoral. However how many people really think about it when they go shopping and eating out? Even those who believe in a God, between them, their God where does moral really stand?
We need people like Oprah's help, to help raising the issue, they are famous and powerful therefore they can have more influence on others, they can help to bring the awareness to more people, so that more people will start thinking, and one day they might change they way they live and eat. I am trying to do what i can too, but I would have been more sucessful if i was rich and famous for sure.
There are also issues with pets industry, as well as the wild life protection and pollution to our planet. We need more people to be aware, hopefully more will stand up for animals and make actual changes to their day to day lives.
Veganism is a diet of love for animals...:
Oprah is a joke!
Friday, 11 February 2011 at 11:44pm
Oprah is a compulsive eater, and is no recommendation for Veganism. She tried it once before, failed miserably , she decided the diet was not for her, and without hesitation went back to eating meat AGAIN, and didn't give a second thought about the many millions of animals who gave their lives for the likes of Oprah meat eating people just like her. I have no time for her bull.
Ellen Degeneres is such a wonderful compassionate ambassador for Veganism, I love the lady...
As for Oprah, she doesn't have to cook, she has an entourage of chefs that run her kitchen, all she needs to do is ask them to prepare Vegan food, but for ordinary people like us, we have to prepare our own meals, it isn't easy at first, and it takes time to learn and understand the pyramid of balance, but in the long run; it's something we have personally achieved, and it's a personal triumph, which is so uplifting...how nice it is to be an ordinary person, who are compassionate to all creatures great and small, it is the little folk that are the winners, and we didn't need millions $'s, and an audience to achieve our Vegan lifestyles, all we needed was compassion, and a caring heart, and a great love for animals...
To the meaties, why not give Veganism a try, you might just surprise yourself and enjoy the food, but more importantly a healthier lifestyle. If you love animals, well, you are almost there anyway...it's worth a thought...
Ellen Degeneres is such a wonderful compassionate ambassador for Veganism, I love the lady...
As for Oprah, she doesn't have to cook, she has an entourage of chefs that run her kitchen, all she needs to do is ask them to prepare Vegan food, but for ordinary people like us, we have to prepare our own meals, it isn't easy at first, and it takes time to learn and understand the pyramid of balance, but in the long run; it's something we have personally achieved, and it's a personal triumph, which is so uplifting...how nice it is to be an ordinary person, who are compassionate to all creatures great and small, it is the little folk that are the winners, and we didn't need millions $'s, and an audience to achieve our Vegan lifestyles, all we needed was compassion, and a caring heart, and a great love for animals...
To the meaties, why not give Veganism a try, you might just surprise yourself and enjoy the food, but more importantly a healthier lifestyle. If you love animals, well, you are almost there anyway...it's worth a thought...
Ann:
Oprah
Friday, 11 February 2011 at 9:51pm
well, i suppose its a start. Love her or can't stand her... if someone as famous as her has declared this publicly, it might just trigger a lot of people worldwide (ie Oprah fans and other) to actually make the change of lifestyle to Vegan.
HelenS:
It's a start
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 at 6:52pm
I agree it's not ideal to eat processed food...but then Oprah's never been great at healthy eating, has she?! It's a start to show people that she can see the benefits to the animals and environment of a vegan diet, even if she can't manage it full time...yet!
Ann:
Oprah goes vegan
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 at 5:14pm
would Oprah be extending this to her wardrobe and cosmetics as well? i.e. not wearing leather, fur,wool and so forth?
dianne lee:
loving it!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 at 10:40am
I embrace Oprah and anyone who expresses compassion for animals and the planet. Oprah may not be a perfect vegan, but she's got a lot of love, and her message resonates with millions of people.
I'm all for love and good intentions!
I'm all for love and good intentions!
Dell:
Oprah Sucks.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 at 9:37am
I think Oprah is doing the whole vegan movement an incredible disservice. She ate processed food the whole time which isnt what being vegan is about, the health aspect is important as well as animal rights. By eating little or no fresh produce you don't reap the benefits of feeling great from a healthy balanaced vegan diet.
You can be an unhealthy vegan, just as you can be an unhealthy meat eater.
Oprah is confusing the public on what being vegan actually is. Last time she promoted veganism and did a 30 day vegan challenge she showed it more as a short term detox to clean out your bowels. If she isn't promoting animal rights and is going vegan as a 1 week fad, she is not doing veganism any favours.
Ellen Degenerous is a far better role model.
Show 3 repliesYou can be an unhealthy vegan, just as you can be an unhealthy meat eater.
Oprah is confusing the public on what being vegan actually is. Last time she promoted veganism and did a 30 day vegan challenge she showed it more as a short term detox to clean out your bowels. If she isn't promoting animal rights and is going vegan as a 1 week fad, she is not doing veganism any favours.
Ellen Degenerous is a far better role model.
Debra Bechaz:
On board.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 at 8:03am
I'm on board...vegan is the way to go, and I have to say that it has been much easier than I thought. Although I did use soy milk previously and only eat free range chicken so not much to give up. There are some fantastic recipes on the net!
Lisa:
Vegan
Tuesday, 8 February 2011 at 6:08pm
I 'joined the challenge' 2 years ago.
Sorry, but I don't know what to think of Oprah. She said in the 'vegan' episode that animals 'don't suffer in factory farms'. I find that incredibly ignorant.
Show 2 repliesSorry, but I don't know what to think of Oprah. She said in the 'vegan' episode that animals 'don't suffer in factory farms'. I find that incredibly ignorant.
See also:Sydney Slaughterhouse Closed Amid Cruelty ClaimsDemand CCTV in all slaughterhousesCall for CCTV in all Australian abattoirsOpinion: Who's Pulling the Strings of the Vegan Propaganda Machine?Vegging out
Why are more and more people shifting to a vegetarian diet? For the animals. For the planet. For our own health. Find out more... Find out more...
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