Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (Tofu Hound Press) [Paperback]

Bob Torres (Author), Jenna Torres (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tofu Hound Press | Publication Date: January 1, 2010

In this informative and practical guide, two seasoned vegans offer tips and advice for thriving without animal by-products. Sometimes funny and irreverent yet always aware of its serious message, this resource for being vegan in a world that doesn’t always understand or have sympathy for the lifestyle illustrates how to go vegan in three weeks or less by employing a “cold tofu method;” convince family, friends, and others that there is no such thing as a vegan cult; and survive restaurants, grocery stores, and meals with omnivores. Also offering answers to questions such as “Do you, like, live on apples and twigs?” this reference dispels myths and explains the arguments for ethical, abolitionist veganism, encouraging everyone to embrace their inner vegan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this down-to-earth and entertaining guide, Bob and Jenna Torres not only convince you that you have to go vegan today, they also give you what you need to live as a healthy and happy vegan for the rest of your life."  —Gary L. Francione, distinguished professor of law, Rutgers University

"Wherever one falls on the meat-eater to vegan continuum, you need to make the Torres duo your truth-speaking, profanity-spewing, tough-loving pals. They will move you closer to ethical veganism."  —Feminist Review

About the Author

Bob Torres is the author of Making a Killing as well as several essays that have appeared in Critical Sociology, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Journal of Latinos and Education, and Satya magazine. Jenna Torres is a frequent personality on vegan talk shows who has been on Animal Voices Radio and has been quoted as an expert in Newsweek, Veg News, and Vegetarians and Vegans in the World Today. They cohost Vegan Freak radio show and live in Colton, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: PM Press; Second edition edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604860154
• ISBN-13: 978-1604860153
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

145 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm OK (Vegan) and You're OK - And this book Rocks, October 13, 2005

By 

Geoffrey Kleinman (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (Paperback)

If you're vegan or even considering it you'll want to pick up this book. Vegan Freak is like having a good friend cheering you on, reminding you that it is possible to be Vegan in a world that often labels vegans as freaks. Call it Vegan Freak pride, call it mentoring, or just call it fantastic support, this book is chock full of advice and information that's essential for anyone even investigating veganism. Bob and Jenna Torres bring together a ton of information from a wide array of sources into an extremely quick and easy read. Their conversational style is refreshing, warm and friendly. The book is much more about supporting a vegan lifestyle than slamming non-vegans, so if you're not yet vegan you won't feel like you're under attack. The subtitle for this book could be I'm an OK Vegan and You're OK, it's incredibly supportive and inspirational and I highly recommend it.

100 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone interested in veganism, August 2, 2005

By 

Lindsay M. Timmerman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (Paperback)

Vegan Freak is a great resource for new vegans, longtime vegans, people who are toying with the idea of veganism, or people who know vegans. Bob and Jenna Torres do a great job of explaining the feelings of "freakdom" that often accompany the shift to veganism, but offer comfort in the idea that being freaky really isn't such a bad thing.

There is a lot of great information here, written in a very accessible style, including a fair bit of wry humor. The book focuses not only on the ethical basis of veganism, but also includes suggestions for how to get along as a vegan in a largely meat-eating world. The appendix is chock-full of resources (including reading lists, helpful websites, online stores, veg-themed blogs, and so forth), which is incredibly helpful especially for new vegans and/or people who don't have a big ol' in-person vegan support system at the ready.

Vegan Freak does a great job of filling a gap in the vegan booklist: it's perfect for people who just want the straight story about living as a vegan. As a relatively new vegan myself, I've done a lot of reading in the past year, and I found Vegan Freak to be on par with Obligate Carnivore in the "tell it like it is" arena. This is a good thing--you won't be disappointed!

60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Veganism for beginners, June 24, 2006

By 

Jaratura G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (Paperback)

"Vegan Freak" is unlike any vegan book on the market because it is a survival guide to living vegan in a non-vegan world. According to the authors, "All of us who are vegan have at some point felt like absolute outsiders..." These authors embrace they're vegan freakdom and combine knowlege, wit, and personal experience into book that is both survival guide and handbook to living vegan.

"Vegan Freak" begins with the 'whys' of veganism. The authors give some basic definitions of veganism, how to go vegan in three weeks, how the authors went vegan, and possible pathways to veganism. The book continues with an indepth discussion of Animal Rights, specieism, and factory farming. The authors strongly suggest that the most horrific treatment of animals will only end if conserned persons chose a vegan lifestlye. This idea is furthur echoed in thier discussion of vegan health and nutrition.

The following section explains the 'hows' of veganism. The authors give a through discussion of dealing with others such as friends, family members, and co-workers. The authors even discuss dealing with vegetarians and how deal with those who believe veganism is "taking it too far". Bob and Jenna also give food advice in the chapter titled "What do vegans eat anyway?", giving tips on survival the grocery store, resturants, how to travel vegan, and even vegan pet food.

The final section gives a basic overview on the non-food elements of veganism. The authors cover alternatives to fur, leather, and wool and how to dispose of them once you become vegan. They also give advice of finding cruelty-free alternatives to most soaps, tooth pastes, shampoos, and other tolietries that are usually made with animal products. The book ends with two appendixes full of ways to get involved an extensive list of books about Animal Rights, veganism, health, and cooking.