What Chris is Saying…

Dear Colleen,

Congratulations on the debut of your new book, The 30-Day Vegan Challenge! I’m so happy for you, Colleen! Truly happy. For over a year now you have been nothing but an inspiration to me, and I would e-mail you every chance I had just to tell you how grateful I am to have you in my life through your podcast episodes, through your cookbooks, and through your other creative thought-provoking expressions of compassion and wisdom. (In fact, I may just start doing that! My appreciation is just overflowing, and I would love for you to know all about it.) Living vegan is beautiful. With your mentorship and with my love of inspiring without being imperialistic, I have watched every single person around me transform! All of them! You are so right: People want to talk about these things. People want their actions to reflect their values. Now, is everyone around me suddenly toasting sesame seeds for their three-grain tempeh-tastic vegan sandwich? Of course not. But everyone is now looking at their food choices with a critical eye. With a heightened awareness. With more compassion. Some are eating considerably more vegetarian. Even my parents are eating more vegetarian! (I just keep cooking for them when I’m home, and I keep sending them snippets of information.) I take great joy in watching my seeds grow. And I am not only seeing changes in the way people eat, but also with the way that they carry themselves in the world. I keep telling people: “Veganism is not just about food. In fact, it isn’t just about animals. It’s a comprehensive, compassionate, and living response to our place in this world. A lifestyle. Unabashed love and concern.”

I wish you much luck with the success of your new book.

With love and admiration,

Chris