I bet they don't smoke. At the University of Pittsburgh's lodge-like campus in Johnstown, where the convention was held, no cigarettes were in sight. Besides food classes, the 200 topics included political activism, parenting and yoga. Ethics also motivate many former meat-eaters to become vegetarians. Fourth-generation cattle rancher Howard Lyman, a speaker at the conference, sold his Montana operation in 1983 and became a vegetarian in disgust over slaughter.
Vegans say hens and cows are abused in the process of making eggs and milk.
They say cows and chickens live in abhorrent conditions before they are cruelly slaughtered. And they contend that cattle ranching depletes valuable grain stores, wastes water and contributes to pollution. The meat and dairy industries insist the animals are treated humanely, and they say lean meat and skim milk are healthy choices. Wetsel cut out meat about 10 years ago and became a vegan last year. Now she makes her own cheese out of beans, pimentos, yeast and other plant products.