You want to go vegan. We want to help.

Maybe you've thought about going vegan, but have lots of questions; What do I order in a restaurant?, What's this B12 stuff all about?, What kinds of resources can I share with my family so they will support my decision?, What are some courteous ways to stand up to a rude co-worker?, I keep hearing about refined white sugar, why should I care?, What more can I do to help animals?, etc.

Post your best (or most mundane) questions and our team of vegan experts will give you their best (hopefully not mundane) answers! And check out our down-to-earth practical hints to help you go - and stay - vegan.

What People are Saying About Vegan University

I follow the Vegan University facebook page religiously - you guys have the best vegan outreach info and events! If you have any tips for vegan outreach, please pass them on! I think veganism is just the greatest thing in the whole world, so I often forget how to make veganism relevant to people who aren't already vegan. And you do such a good job with starter information and classes and grocery tours! I love it!
- Hannah

We really enjoyed our tour and filled up a shopping cart the next day. Until this week, we claimed being 3/4 vegetarian but after touring with you we're going full vegan.
- Cliff and Gloria

This was incredibly informative and fun. Dallas knows what she is talking about and had great answers for all our questions.
- Marty

Just over two months ago I decided to overhaul my diet and lifestyle and 'go vegan' - cold turkey. The most difficult part of this transition has been educating myself, as I've definitely made plenty of rookie mistakes at the grocery store! I've ignorantly purchased soy cheese, not knowing what casein was until I got home and looked it up. I've been duped by clever packaging, only to get home and find out my supposedly vegan food contained "dehydrated egg whites." These are exactly the rookie mistakes that this experience addresses! Basically, I found this grocery shopping tour to be extremely valuable. I'd do it again, for sure...
- Derek

Vegan University

The Animal Rights Coalition is proud to announce the creation of a new program designed to promote compassionate eating: Vegan University. Vegan University's mission is to help you go (and stay) vegan.

Vegan University consists of three elements originated and created by ARC: Help, I'm Going Vegan workshops and discussion groups, Vegan Shopping Tours of local co-ops designed to teach people how to shop vegan, and the Vegan Mentor program.

Attend one of our Help, I'm Going Vegan workshops, where we address all things vegan, from nutrition, to environmental concerns, to animal rights, to the impact going vegan can have on your interpersonal relationships. For a more detailed exploration of these topics, attend our ongoing discussion groups.

If you want help with learning how to shop vegan, sign up for one of our guided Vegan Shopping Tours.

If you'd like a Vegan Mentor of your very own, ARC will match you with one of our volunteer mentors. Simply stop by our office, fill out an application with your contact information and interests, check out the mentor bio book, and then choose a mentor who best suits you. Your mentor will contact you with information about events and opportunities related to your interests and will be available to you as a resource for any challenges you face in transitioning to a vegan diet. The relationship can be as active or casual as you choose. Going vegan has never been easier or more fun!

Why Vegan University?

Much has been made of recent studies which indicate an upswing in the number of college students identifying themselves as vegetarians (12%) or vegans (2%) and that one in five college students limits their meat consumption by sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet, cutting out certain types of meat, or eating meat only occasionally.

But while those numbers are cause for celebration, these are not: a 2005 survey shows three times as many adults describe themselves as "ex-vegetarians" than describe themselves as current vegetarians, suggesting that about 75% of people who quit eating animals eventually return to devouring animal flesh. For most people, "going vegetarian" is a phase, not a permanent change in behavior.

One study indicated that 35% of ex-vegetarians cite "health" reasons for returning to eating animals while 26% said being vegetarian was too much of a "hassle."

This discouraging scenario is one reason we are so committed to making ARC's unique Vegan University program a success. Clearly, it's one thing for people to go veg and quite another for them to stay veg. It's vital that we provide ongoing social support and easy access to reliable information to people who are transitioning to a vegan diet. And that's exactly what ARC is doing through Vegan University. If you'e struggling with transitioning to a vegan diet or struggling to maintain it, we're here to help. No worries, no judgment. We're here to get you across that finish line!

Go Green - Go Vegan!

It seems you can't turn on the television, open a newspaper, or check your e-mail without seeing something about the importance of more sustainable living practices, aka "green living". While there are many things you can do to "go green," one very important one seems to have been left out of the mainstream media.

According to a 2006 United Nations report entitled "Livestock's Long Shadow," which received little to no media attention, livestock generate more greenhouse gases than all of the world's forms of transportation combined. That's more than all the cars, trucks, trains, boats, and planes in the world put together!

Other devastating effects of livestock production: 1) The majority of agricultural land on this planet is used for raising livestock, 2) The livestock industry is responsible for a huge amount of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions, all of which are gases that contribute to global warming, and 3) Animal agriculture accounts for most of the water consumed in the U.S., emits two-thirds of the world's acid-rain causing ammonia, and is the world's largest source of water pollution.

Every time you eat an animal, you gobble up everything that animal ever ate. The resources consumed by just one person eating the typical American meat-based diet could feed 20 people a healthier veg diet! In other words, giving up meat and animal products is one of the single most helpful behavioral shifts a person can make to "go green" and promote sustainability for our planet.

There has also been a lot of hype about so-called "humane" or "sustainable animal agriculture." The problem with this, however, is that it is not a solution to the issues. A cow with access to fresh air and pasture is still a cow who needs plenty of water and food. And that free-range cow still emits methane. Most grain in the industrialized word is fed to domesticated animals, and they need somewhere to eliminate it all once digested. Animal-based farms use far more land than that used by growing vegetable crops and fruits directly for human consumption.

Click here to download a great report that discusses how "pasture-raised livestock emit as much as three times the amount of methane as do intensively-raised livestock."

Help, I'm Going
Vegan Workshops

Are you vegan-curious? A new vegan? Someone who just simply loves kale? Well then come on out to a Vegan
University workshop at Ethique Nouveau and get your vegan on! Dallas Rising, a 15-year vegan and Program Director of the Animal Rights Coalition and Al Nowatzki, a long-time ARC volunteer, will be on hand to answer any and all questions you have about going - and staying - vegan. From shopping tips and Thanksgiving dinner to moral arguments and shoes, they’ve got you covered. After the workshop, if you choose, you’ll have the chance to get set up with one of our many helpful vegan mentors.

Vegan Shopping Tours

If you're new to, or simply curious about veganism come to a Vegan University guided Vegan Shopping Tour. Originated by ARC, these tours are led by Dallas Rising, a 15-year vegan and Program Director of the Animal Rights Coalition, and other experienced volunteers. You'll learn tips for reading labels, discover products you overlooked in the past, and have your questions about veganism answered.

Vegan Mentor Program

You can select from a variety of Vegan Mentors with similar interests who will be available for you to help make the transition to a healthy, compassionate life as easy as possible. They will be available for you as much or as little as you need.

This is a free service and it's only available through the Animal Rights Coalition so sign up today!

Stop by Ethique Nouveau to check out our Mentor bios or contact Dallas Rising at dallas @animalrightscoalition.com for more Mentor information.