Going Vegan…

 

© Laura Callan Photography

(Published in two issues of the University of Portsmouth’s Pugwash Magazine in Spring 2008.) 

 

By Laura Callan

 

Vegetarianism is no longer just for animal rights activists and hippies. Today there are reportedly over four million vegetarians and vegans in Britain. Restaurants almost always have a vegetarian option, and meat substitutes such as tofu and Quorn, make the transition a lot easier.

 

Currently, 900 million animals (not including fish), are slaughtered in the UK for the purposes of food each year.

 

Animals bred for the purposes of meat or dairy are more often than not kept in dark and unsanitary conditions, with little space, no exercise, or access to the outdoors. It is arguable that these animals barely see any value of life, and are then often slaughtered by various inhumane methods. The use of battery cages to keep hens for the production of eggs is still legal in many countries worldwide. These hens are kept for the majority of their lives in wire cages with the space of about a sheet of A4 paper, and yet the morality of this is rarely questioned.

 

Peter Singer, bioethics philosopher and author of animal rights ‘bible’ Animal Liberation, discussed the idea that worldwide vegetarianism could rid the issue of starvation and poverty. He wrote “the heavy emphasis on affluent nations rearing animals for food wastes several times as much food as it produces. By ceasing to rear and kill animals for food, we can make so much extra food available for humans that, properly distributed, it would eliminate starvation and malnutrition from this planet.

 

I was having dinner with friends and when I mentioned turning vegan, I was met with a slight degree of horror. “What will you eat?” was the typical question thrown around, but the main things I would have to cut out of my diet would be things like cheese, cakes and other junk foods. I’d have to give up pizza, chocolate and take-aways, but keeping these foods out of my diet would be much better for me and my health anyway. Cholesterol is a major issue in dieting and healthcare today and is a large contributor to heart disease, and so as cholesterol is found in animal fats, a vegan diet is virtually cholesterol free.

 

Issues surrounding the consumption of dairy are something many people know very little about. Researchers say that milk contains somatic cells, which would in other words be described as pus. This is commonly known in the dairy industry, and a ‘somatic cell count’ system is used to measure the amount of pus in milk. Legally, milk produced in the UK is allowed a count of up to 200 million pus cells per litre, and so a glass of milk could technically contain 6% pus content.

 

Learning this, I never wanted to taste milk again and certainly don’t see myself with a glass of milk and cookies at any time in the near future.

 

The morning I first decided to take the pledge of veganism I went to Tesco to get lots of fruit and veg, and generally find out what sort of foods I could still eat. It’s actually really interesting to step back and look at what exactly is in the food we eat. I soon found out that I could have tofu but not quorn as it contains ‘milk proteins’, and houmous, but not guacamole as it is made with cream. It was also surprising to find out how many foods contain these ‘milk proteins’, which stopped me from buying anything from salsa to cereal.

 

I started off my week by eating a lot more fruit, for once actually having the advised 5 a day, and tried to keep a balance of all the necessary food groups. Vegans would certainly get a good amount of fibre, but people often question where you would get any protein.

According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a normal variety of plant foods gives more than enough protein for the body’s needs, and often meat eaters can have excessive protein, which has been linked to kidney stones, osteoporosis and even heart disease or cancer. Our bodies only need protein in small quantities, and vegans can get protein for soya milk, tofu and grains as well as various beans, pulses and legumes.

 

The switch to soya milk wasn’t as hard as I’d expected, the texture is different and it’s slightly strange when you first have it with your cereal, but soon it’s hard to actually notice any difference, and you feel comforted not having to ponder over its pus content.

 

  

© Laura Callan Photography - Why I can’t eat meat.

 

One thing a lot of people would wonder is how I’m managing without chocolate. I will be the first to hold my hands up to previously favouring a Galaxy bar now and then, but I can still have various varieties of dark chocolate, and British company Humdinger have a whole range of dairy free chocolate made with soya, that tastes just like milk chocolate. There are also plenty of chocolate soya drinks, which will just as easily kick the chocolate craving.

 

The Southern Animal Rights Coalition (SARC) offer a lot of advice to anyone attempting to turn vegan, and advised me on a lot of dairy free alternatives. You can now buy egg-free mayonnaise, vegan margarine, dairy free cheese, and even vegan milkshakes.

When shopping locally, however, it was pretty hard to find any of these things. Many of the typical ‘free from’ ranges in supermarkets will only substitute egg for milk in their ingredients, or vice versa, and so finding vegan foods can be a bit of a battle. There is however a huge scope of food shopping on the internet that will deliver to your home, such as VeggieStuff, based in Chichester, who stock vegetarian and vegan food, natural and cruelty-free body care, as well as various pet foods.

 

Something I hadn’t considered, and was almost caught out on was a staple part of the student diet: alcohol. I soon found out that even as a vegetarian I should never have drunk Magners, among other beers and ciders, as it is filtered through gelatine. Luckily, other ciders such as Strongbow and Bulmers are vegan friendly, so I don’t have to kiss snakebites goodbye. Most spirits are vegan friendly too; you just need to study up on it to make sure you don’t get caught out. One of the only alcoholic drinks I will miss is Baileys, or Corky’s white chocolate shots, but it’s a very small sacrifice.

 

But veganism isn’t all about sacrifice, vegan’s can still even have roast dinners with Cheatin’ Chicken and various other meat alternatives. SARC advise: “One way to make things easy is to write out a list of your favourite meals and take a look at what you eat. Go through each meal and find a substitute for the meat! It really couldn’t be simpler.”

 

A vegan diet is much more beneficial and worthy than it is given credit for. According to the PCRM, a balanced vegetarian or vegan diet provides all the necessary nutrients, has a lower fat intake and is virtually cholesterol free. It also gives you the satisfaction of taking an ethical and moral stance against cruelty to animals.

 

If anyone has ever wanted to try out being vegan, it is easier than you would think, and being a student is probably the best time to give it a try. Living away from home we are all in complete control of what food we buy and what we eat, and, let’s face it, most of us have a lot more time on our hands now than we might in the working world, so now’s a time where we can handle it. It does take a while to get used to what you can and can’t eat, but you find out more along the way; I am constantly finding new foods and recipes, and I already feel healthier, and cannot begin to imagine looking back.

 

For more information on the ethics of abstaining from meat, read Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation.

For help and advice on turning vegetarian or vegan, visit the PETA help site at http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan, the Vegan Society at http://www.vegansociety.com/html, or more locally, SARC www.sarconline.co.uk.

University Chancellor Speaks Out Against Student Fees

 

Sheila Hancock during her visit to the University.

© Laura Callan Photography 

(Published in Portsmouth’s The News 15 February 2008.) 

 

By Laura Callan 

University fees are appalling and education is a person’s right, according to the University of Portsmouth’s Chancellor.

Actress Sheila Hancock, who was appointed as chancellor of the university last year said: ‘I’m appalled that anybody has to pay anything for education.’

Visiting the university yesterday, she told students: ‘I think for young people to have to leave in debt is really awful.

‘It’s been a belief that I’ve hung onto all my life’

Sheila, who was born on the Isle of Wight, was awarded an honorary degree by the university in 2005 for her contribution to drama, which she described as a ‘a great surprise.’

After taking up her appointment as chancellor, Sheila wanted to take a hands-on role in helping the university. She said: ‘If I do something I need to be involved, I can’t just be a name on a notepaper. So I came down to Portsmouth and I was just knocked out and thrilled by it and I thought well, it would be wonderful.’

‘I think that it’s a university that if anything needs its profile raised because I think what’s happening here is very exciting, and I don’t hear enough about it in the countrywide media, so if I can do anything, maybe I can slightly help with that.’

Sheila is also discomforted by the media representation of youth, and was ‘comforted’ on her visit to find herself happy in the students’ company.

She said: ‘It’s very comforting because the media vision of young people is so appalling at the moment, and I haven’t met anybody that I haven’t really liked since I’ve come to Portsmouth’ 

Talking about the city, Sheila described how Portsmouth has transformed to a ‘glamorous, wonderful place’ from the ‘gloomy’ city she used to perform at. ‘It’s so exciting the way it’s developing, it’s becoming really fabulous.

‘I want everybody to know how good Portsmouth is, and I’ll do my damnedest to think of all sorts of devious ways of doing that.’

Pop Culture Parenting?

 

By Laura Callan

 

When one of your daughters is undergoing constant random drug tests before being held in a psychiatric ward, and the other announces being pregnant at 16 where the legal age of consent is 18,  who is really going to go to you for parenting advice?

 

Britney’s mother Lynne Spears’ parenting manual was pulled last month after it was revealed that her younger daughter Jamie-Lynn was pregnant.

 

Tennessee-based Christian publishers Thomas Nelson confirmed that they have “postponed the book indefinitely” without giving a reason for their decision.

 

The company, who produce Bibles and inspirational books, called off the publication of Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World, which was described as “a parenting book that’s going to have faith elements to it”.

 

Britney’s stability is under so much question that her kids are in the care of estranged husband Kevin Federline while she undergoes random drug and alcohol tests. She was recently held in a psychiatric ward after a four hour stand-off with police where she was reported to be “under the influence of an unknown substance” and refusing to return her two young sons to Federline.

 

Lynne Spears testified against daughter Britney in her bitter custody battle with Federline last year. 

 

 

This woman, who pushed her two daughters into this “Tabloid World” since they were infants is now offering advice to other parents?

What is she actually thinking?

Anyone who would take parenting advice from that woman would have to really despise their children to seek that kind of life for them.

Son Follows in Dad’s Footsteps

(Published in Portsmouth’s The News 22nd September 2007.)

By Laura Callan

A youngster ran after his dad at the start of a half-marathon race to give him a bit of support and then kept on running for the entire 13 miles.

Ian Scoggins, 12, is basking in the glory of his achievement but was in hot water at the time as he didn’t tell his parents what he was up to.

The Scoggins family, from Laburnum Grove, North End, Portsmouth were supporting dad Ian Snr running in the New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon when his son Ian Jr disappeared at the starting line.

Running half-marathons is a passion for dad Ian but his son had only recently joined a running and athletics club and had no intention of taking part in Sunday’s event.

Mum Mary Scoggins said: ‘He only went to cheer his dad on and run the first bit with him, but then he vanished.

‘After 45 minutes he still wasn’t back so I started panicking.’

Dad Ian, who finished in 1 hour 45 minutes, said: ‘I saw him behind me after about two minutes, then looked again and he’d gone. I assumed he’d gone back.’

The frantic parents enlisted the help of police on site to search for Ian.

‘I was in floods of tears worrying about him,’ said Mary. ‘Then all of a sudden he appeared at the finish line all red-faced.’ We asked him where he’d been and he said he’d run the half marathon. ‘We didn’t believe him, then people kept coming up and patting him on the back saying how well he’d done.’

Dad Ian added: ‘I’m amazed. I’m speechless still, we’re just so proud of him

‘This was one of the hardest runs I’ve done, and he was by far the youngest there. People aren’t allowed to run until they’re 15 or 16, and there’s never really anyone there younger than 20.’

Sporty Ian, who attends Miltoncross School in Portsmouth, said: ‘My legs are really hurting now.’I thought I might get lost on my way back, so I kept running. Then once I’d started I wanted to finish it.’

Models Flock To Justin’s Clothing Launch

(Written 11th July 2007)

By Laura Callan

Models were out in force on Monday night for Justin Timberlake’s clothing range launch.

William Rast, designed by Justin and best friend Trace Ayala was unveiled at a cocktail party in Harvey Nichols, with a list of supermodels and socialites flocking to the event.

The clothing range is described as ‘defining American fashion’: “It’s mainly based around denim”, said Justin, “We wanted to create classic clothing, and classic denim”.

When first approached about the idea of creating a clothing range, the pair said that they would only do it in their own authentic way, and this is reflected in the clothes. Both from Memphis, Tennessee, Justin and Trace have incorporated aspects of their hometown into their T-Shirts, logos and designs.

“Our influences are Elvis and Sinatra”, said Justin, “We just think, if they were our age now, what would they wear?”
But they’re not stopping at this, the pair warn, they have big plans for the future.
“We have loads of plans!” said Trace. “We’re just starting, we want to expand to suits, formalwear, everything so we have a full range” added Justin.

Those celebrating the launch included Lily Cole, Petra Nemcova and Lauren Gold, with a surprise appearance from singer Fergie who has just finished touring with Justin’s FutureSex/LoveShow.

“We’re hoping it will do well here”, said Justin, who enjoyed the night fairly low-key, with a small entourage of security and both his and Trace’s mothers.

As Immigration Levels Increase British Citizens Flock to Foreign Soils.

By Laura Callan

Most people will know about the amount of immigrants entering the UK, but less know how many people are leaving.

While over half a million people came to the UK in 2005, nearly 400 000 people left, and over half of these were British citizens.

The annual level of migration from the UK has risen steadily each year since 1997, where 251 000 people moved abroad. Britain now has more people living abroad than almost any other country, according to The Office of National Statistics.

The most popular destination is Australia, followed by Spain and France.

With so many people coming to the UK in search of a better life, it seems to be that some are leaving for the same reason.

The most common reasons people have for wanting to leave the UK are cost of living and quality of life. Janet Stevens and her family moved from Manchester to New Zealand in 2005, as their children approached teenage years, causing them to “become more concerned about their futures here”. They listed high crime rates, risk of terrorism, cost of education and housing as their main reasons, and have settled well in New Zealand, finding it “amazingly easy” to find employment.

A majority of people choosing to make the move are concerned about the “yob culture” of drinking and violence in Britain, and the lack of pride and respect in British communities.

Many who have left the UK are much happier in their new lives, a majority only missing the UK because of family and friends. Many have also experienced reverse culture shock when returning to the UK, stunned by aspects they were once accustomed to.

Kerry Moynihan and her family are currently in the planning stages of moving to Ireland from London. Kerry and her husband have both lived in London since birth despite Irish backgrounds, and are raising their three children in the city.
She said, “I feel that the economy in this country is working against us. My husband is a builder and I work in childcare. Both of these industries are now flooded with people from outside the UK living and working here.

“Although on a personal level I don’t have a problem with any nationality we just cannot compete with the kind of rates that these groups of people are charging for their services.”

It was recently reported in the news that the builders renovating Tony Blair’s house in Connaught Square were not UK-born residents. This has caused some upset with many British builders who are now struggling to find work and keep up with lowering rates of pay.

“It feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth,” Kerry said. “My husband and myself have always worked and presumed there would always be work there for us. Now even the Prime Minister would rather employ somebody cheaper, although maybe not as experienced.

“Our lifestyle has been set to function on a certain income, and not a particularly high one, and now we can’t seem to maintain that. Last year we sold our house as we would have lost it if we tried to stay. We just feel forced to go somewhere where these problems don’t exist.”

Crime and its effects on the young is one of the most common and important factors that appear to be pushing people from the UK. While a selection of frantic parents are purchasing stab and bulletproof vests for their children, senior police officers are warning that perpetrators and victims of gun crime are becoming younger. Kerry, who has three children aged 19, 13 and seven, is one of many parents across the UK becoming increasingly alarmed by this issue.

“I am getting increasingly worried about the level of crime in this country, particularly amongst the young.” She said. “I have two children at school and don’t want to spend the next ten years frantic every time one of them is late home in case something has happened to them on the bus.

“It’s a very real problem these days and I want to protect them from living in this type of environment. We shouldn’t have to live like this but people in this country seem to have accepted it and given the power to the wrong groups.”

It has recently been reported that the feeling of pride in Britain is on the decrease. The National Centre for Social Research discovered that British pride has fallen by 10% since 1981, with only 45% of the population feeling ‘very proud’ to be British. Many believe that Britain no longer has any form of culture or national identity.

The rate of British citizens leaving the UK is steadily rising. With so many concerns and problems faced by our own communities, coupled with this reported decrease in national pride, it may be somewhat understandable why so many are choosing to leave for foreign soil.

Animal Rights: The Fight Goes On

© Laura Callan Photography
(Written June 2007 for Portsmouth News)
By Laura Callan

When raids were carried out across the UK, Netherlands and Belgium last month, arresting 30 people, it made international news.

For Southsea Animal Action, this meant two of their full-time members being arrested in their homes in dawn swoops.

Tom Harris, 23 and Nicci Tapping, 25 were both arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Blackmail, and later released on police bail. Both uphold that they have never been involved in any criminal activity regarding animal rights.

Southsea Animal Action are involved with the Southern Animal Rights Coalition, and members regularly arrange marches and protests against animal cruelty. Tom Harris said of the group: “We campaign for the rights of all animals.”

Days after the raids took place the newly released campaigners attended a group meeting ready to carry on promoting their cause. Upon arrival, Tom Harris joked, “We haven’t planned anything because we’ve been arrested for the past few days”.

Talking about their current campaigns, he later said, “We’re trying to get fur out of the area, and stop the sale of foie gras in Portsmouth and Southsea. “We’re trying to work with the council and local MPs to actually get a ban on the sale of foie gras in the area”

The group are also in talks with local shopping centres Gunwharf Quays and Cascades to stop and prevent the sale of fur in the future. Fur garments are currently still being sold in the Guess and Dune stores in Gunwharf Quays.

The production of fur has been banned in the UK but is still imported from fur farms abroad. There have been many undercover investigations by animal rights supporters into the treatment of animals in fur farms. Tom told us, “The way animals are killed for fur is quite horrific: the stunning methods used are inadequate, often when they’re skinned they’re alive and fully conscious, they’re anally electrocuted, and sometimes gassed by CO2 car emissions.

“It really is a horrific industry; I’d suggest that anyone who wants to find out more visit our www.furfreesouth.com website which has a lot of information about the fur trade.” The group welcome anyone to get involved; information is available at www.sarconline.com