Dr. Joanne Kong
Vegans Make a Difference
Joanne with Annie at Life with Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary
If you’ve found your way to this website, you’re probably one of the growing number of people worldwide who are vegan, becoming vegan, or are curious about what could be one of the most significant choices you ever make in your life. Veganism has grown, especially in the past 10 years, from a fringe movement towards a mainstream trend. More and more, society is recognizing the immense health benefits of plant-sourced eating as well as the positive impacts upon the sustainability of our planet.
A central point of veganism is simply this—it’s a transformation in how we choose to regard and treat our fellow living beings. It’s about turning away from the ingrained assumption that non-human animals are here for our use, exploited as objects and commodities. Veganism embraces the view and the passion that animals are kindred spirits. They are beings who share our capacities for emotion, cognition, socializing, caring, and an interest in living. How can we promote peace, justice, empathy and understanding in our world when we as a culture are enabling the largest amount of suffering, destruction, death and oppression taking place on our planet today?
In the STORIES section of this site, vegans relate why their choice became one of the most powerful decisions of their lives, rooted in the philosophy of compassionate living. They give touching and heartfelt testimonials of why we must expand the circle of compassion to our non-human friends, celebrating each and every one of them as unique and beautiful individuals. Although I am no longer adding stories to the website, you may read past entries here.
About
Joanne Kong
I am an animal and vegan advocate dedicated to creating a more compassionate world.
Newest Book Offering
Vegan MaDe Easy
Vegan Made Easy: A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living is a must-have resource on the “how” and “why” to go vegan.
Gene Baur Says:
“Vegan Made Easy is a wonderful, practical how-to guide for anyone interested in going vegan. Especially notable is the underlying message of the book that above all, veganism is a powerful expression of compassion.”
Keegan Kuhn Says:
“Dr. Perussello and Dr. Kong’s book is perhaps one of the most comprehensive and greatest guides on the how and why of veganism.”
My First Book
Vegan Voices
Vegan Voices is a comprehensive collection of compelling testimonials of how our food choices are deeply connected to the pressing challenges and issues of our time.
Dr. Neal Barnard Says:
“Vegan Voices brings you the thoughts and experiences of the visionaries who have built this powerful movement.”
Anita Krajnc Says:
“This inspiring collection of essays presents the plight of animals and the activism in many forms meant to redeem our species by following an approach of live and let live.”
Vegan Stories
A Cherokee Plant-Based Perspective | Rev. Bryan D. Jackson
About 23 years ago, while in clinical training, I told a colleague about a television special that I had seen the night before. It seriously spurred me to consider halting the practice of eating animals. I tried but failed because, like so many Americans, I was...
Do It For Others! | Julie Kirkpatrick
In some ways it was a gradual move, incremental, one step at a time. But when I decided once and for all, that was it! I was vegan for life! (But I’ll tell you that story later!) LOOKING BACKWhile attending the University of Michigan in the late 70s, I watched a film...
Kind Living | Elin Fjeld
How can we consciously pick a kind lifestyle?Well. It’s actually quite simple. By hiring one question to be the top dog of your decision-making. “Is this choice good for me, for the world and does it exclude harm on anybody, anything or anyone else? If yes, Go!...