And I'm and Welcome to Food for Thought. My name is Colleen Patrick Gudro from Compassionate Cooks, which I founded to empower people to make informed food choices and to

debunk myths about vegetarianism and animal rights.

I do this through cooking classes and an online cookbook, articles and essays, this

podcast and a cooking DVD I produced last year. I'm even working on a desserts

cookbook right now, vegan desserts cookbook, so if you want any sugar come to my house. You can

learn more about what we do and who we are by visiting our website compassionate cooks

dot com. I can't believe the emails I've been receiving in the comments on iTunes

I've been reading. I'm so grateful for the response to this podcast and I hope you keep listening

and encourage others to do the same.

I want to read you one email in particular that sums up why I do the work I do.

And please know that I don't read these emails to toot my own horn so to speak but rather to share

with you the hope that I see every day.

Here goes.

Dear Compassionate Cooks, I am a junior in high school and became a vegetarian about a year and a half ago. I thought I was doing well by not eating any meat, chicken, etc.

But after listening to Colleen's amazing podcast, my entire viewpoint and outlook on eating and on life has changed.

I am now a full vegan and love it beyond belief. I have a huge sense of worth and I hope to

help all animals now and in the future. I have always

been a very healthy eater but never fully realized what gratification being vegan

provides. Wow.

It is almost impossible to articulate the sense of clarity and peace you have once you become

vegan and change the lens through which you see the world.

Thank you Samantha for helping

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