Thinking about going Vegan
Here are some of the documentaries that we like:
The Game Changers
Directed by Oscar®-winning documentary filmmaker Louie Psihoyos and executive produced by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, and Chris Paul, The Game Changers tells the story of James Wilks — elite Special Forces trainer and The Ultimate Fighter winner — as he travels the world on a quest to uncover the optimal diet for human performance.
Available:
Netflix, Vudu, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Coralville Library
A Prayer for Compassion
A Prayer for Compassion is a feature length documentary that strives to inspire and encourage those already on a religious or spiritual path, to expand their circle of compassion to embrace all life, regardless of species, and make choices in alignment with this value.
Drawing on traditions including Christianity; Judaism; Islam; Hinduism; Buddhism; Jainism; the Native American tradition; Unitarian Universalism; Zoroastrianism; and the “spiritual but not religious” point of view.
Available:
The Cove
Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Along the way, director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite compiles shocking footage and emotional interviews to explore the creature’s extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity, the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry.
Available:
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Coralville and Iowa City Libraries
Cowspiracy
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret is an environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.
Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry.
Available:
Netflix, Coralville and Iowa City Libraries
Forks Over Knives
Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the chronic diseases that afflict us can be controlled or even reversed by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
Available:
Tubi, Amazon Prime, iTunes
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Coralville Libraries
What the Health
The film exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick.
What The Health is a surprising, and at times hilarious, investigative documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about our nation’s health and how big business influences it.
Available:
Netflix, Cedar Rapids Library
Earthlings
EARTHLINGS is a 2005 American documentary film about humankind's total dependence on animals for economic purposes. Presented in five chapters (pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research) the film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, featuring music by Moby, and was written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson
Available:
Youtube, Iowa City Library
"Suffering is suffering, murder is murder, and the more helpless the victim, the more horrific the crime"
- Damien Mander
There's a lot of books that we like, these are just some:
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows offers an absorbing look at what social psychologist Melanie Joy calls carnism, the invisible belief system that conditions us to eat certain animals when we would never dream of eating others.
Carnism causes extensive animal suffering and global injustice, and it drives us to act against our own interests and the interests of others without fully realizing what we are doing. Becoming aware of what carnism is and how it functions is vital to personal empowerment and social transformation, as it enables us to make our food choices more freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.
Available:
The Gentle Barn
My Gentle Barn is a heartwarming, feel-good book that will delight animal lovers and memoir readers alike. It is a story about animal rescue, human recovery, love, life and achieving your dreams.
Available:
Cedar Rapids, Coralville and Iowa City Libraries
The China Study
In 2005, T. Colin Campbell, PhD and his son Thomas M. Campbell, MD, shared the China Project findings along with additional research with the world in The China Study.
Their best selling book examines the connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and the source of nutritional confusion produced by powerful lobbies, government entities, and opportunistic scientists. The China Study is hailed as one of the most important books about diet and health ever written.
Available:
How Not to Die
Dr. Michael Greger, examines the fifteen top causes of death in America—heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure, and more—and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives. Also check: How Not to Diet and How Not to Die Cookbook
Available:
Cedar Rapids, Coralville and Iowa City Libraries
The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss
A revolutionary approach to conquer cravings, overcome food addiction, and lose weight without going hungry. With The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss, she covers:
The ways her own weight-loss journey inspired her professional career
The seven c’s to weight-loss success
The invaluable concept of calorie density
The dozens of delicious recipes that help you lose weight and still love what you eat.
Available:
Esther the Wonder Pig
In the summer of 2012, Steve Jenkins was contacted by an old friend about adopting a micro piglet. Though he knew his partner Derek wouldn't be enthusiastic, he agreed to take the adorable little pig anyway, thinking he could care for her himself. Little did he know, that decision would change his and Derek's lives forever.
Available:
Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Libraries