I won't bother answer Sarah B. about her crying corn. She usually makes sense but this time we'll have to agree to disagree. Although it is debatable that trees bleed and actually feel pain, it doesn't hurt the tree to pick it's fruits and corn sure don't cry. About animals having no feelings, you hurt mine. Animals have instincts, just as humans do. We humans have relegated most of our natural instincts to subconscious levels since society and progress removed most of our ancient fears. Humans have feelings and so do animals. what is the difference between feeling and an instincts? Humans have lost their natural ways, barricading themselves in concrete and sterilizing the planet slowly but surely. On a biological point of view, humans qualify as a virus developing and mutating to beat nature. We shouldn't fight nature, we will lose that fight.

Dealing with a lot of carbohydrates isn't very difficult if you have the time to do brutal (but rewarding) hard work for exercise. Though I realise many jobs these days sap most everyone mentally and physically without actually having them do much exercise. Go an archaeological dig one vacation and you'll see if you don't shovel down at least a kilo of rice a day, the fat will melt away.

I take regular blood tests and each time the doctor is amazed and sometimes asks me if the results are mine or perhaps the lab has made a mistake. No extremes, all results where they should be exactly.

For your sake, I hope that continues. The odds are against you, though; I am glad that at least you are sufficiently aware of that to go for regular blood tests. You want to also be mindful of your HDL cholesterol level -- so-called "good" cholesterol. You aren't consuming food products that have any and, thus far, it isn't available in supplement form ....

But you don't really know, do you? Is it not a fact that when the corn is picked, the stalks die? Fruit plants survive; vegetable plants do not. We know that quite a few plants and trees "bleed" -- they exude sap to cover and protect the wounds inflicted when cut. Who are we to assume that there is no pain in the process? Why is it that green, growing things always strain towards the sun, whereas certain waxy plants shy away? It's all well and good to call it "nature" and photosynthesis, but it seems pretty thought-driven to me. There are certain carnivorous plants, too -- or do you think that is purely instinctive? It probably isn't -- the Venus fly-trap, for example, is a very selective consumer of insects. Not all comers are eaten. Why is that? Personal taste, or can they distinguish between those insects that are toxic to them and those that aren't? Its documented that they do seem to know the difference -- but how?

Well, we have found a point upon which we agree. I have a wonderful golden retriever. I've always greeted him when I come home from work, by kneeling down to his level, and giving him a hug. A few years ago, out of the blue, instead of wagging his tail and greeting me happily, he started whining, pawing at me and acting generally distressed. He would also bark a lot -- which is actually odd, for a golden retriever. They don't bark much, which is why they make perfect dogs for apartment dwellers. I couldn't understand why, because he didn't act that way with anyone else. Around three months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. You will never be able to convince me that he knew, before my doctors knew, and certainly before I knew. He was telling me the only way he knew how. There's a reason dogs are man's best friend. I apologize -- I enjoy looking at beautiful cats, but I could never own one. Although I know quite a few people who cannot imagine life without one. I'm pretty content with our golden retriever and our African grey parrot -- who is trilingual, by the way (said with considerable pride).

What was the effect on your total cholesterol, your weight, waist size, and blood pressure?

older than 90 years,what% are vegetarian? My mother in law died at 96 years,and was not vegetarian.She had devoted children.That is ,i think,the secret of old age.

You're right in saying balance is everything, but a balanced vegan diet is possible. You can't just eat anything you want as long as it isn't animal-related, that's just silly and irresponsible. A period of research is necessary to find what and how one should eat on a vegan diet, but again, it is very much possible to eat healthily and vegan. I don't know about chronic anemia or type II diabetes, but I've never come across an obese vegan, nor have I ever heard that a vegan diet will lead to obesity quicker than a vegetarian or an omni diet could. In fact, the general stereotype of a vegan is that of a skinny pale person. But a properly planned and executed diet (and lifestyle I might add) can prevent that. And there are plenty of vegan bodybuilders who prove it.

There is no substitute for the protein that one derives from eating meat, poultry or fish, unless one wishes to eat copious amounts of vegetables. That's not particularly good for one's digestive tract. Soy products, particularly tofu -- eaten in the amounts which vegans consume them -- contain huge amounts of estrogen, which are not good for women (or men, for that matter). Carbohydrates are all well and good for people who burn calories through exercise -- it's lethal for people who don't. Obesity is quite a problem among vegans, at least in the United States. But if you are all for balance, how can you just eliminate all animal proteins and think that a handful of pills every day are sufficient to replace it? Human beings were made to be omnivores. Hunter gatherers. And are you sure that your vegan bodybuilders aren't consuming copious quantities of anabolic steroids? They almost have to be doing that -- otherwise their muscles would be thin and stringy -- runners' muscles. Not something that will win anyone a bodybuilding title any time soon. If it's not animal proteins and fat, it's anabolic steroids. I don't know about the Netherlands, but in the United States, they are considered illegal drugs. They also -- eventually -- kill you.

Animals or vegetables? Shall we ask Cain and Abel?

Being as you are from Yankee Doodle land I am sure you are familiar with T. Colin Campbell and The China Study and Dr. John MacDougall. If however you are not then I strongly recommend getting to know them. It will not only educate you on some of your misconceptions it will be a complete enlightenment. These two men have brought thousands of people back from near death. What they preach now I knew fifty years ago. The world is achangin' lady.

Is it wrong for animals to eat other animals? If not, why should it be wrong for us to do so?

Give your lovely goldie a hug from me! How fortunate you are to have him. My husband never thought he liked cats until a pathetic stray who had been shot in the face with an air gun walked into our lives, regained his health and stayed for nearly 17 years. It is in his memory that I have adopted other cats in need. Animals are a lot nicer than many people I have known.

true story: i was in Singapore when some elderly lady got disciplined by the HDB Board, the agency that runs the govt-operated apartment blocks. She had 54 cats in her apartment. She said she "had" to take them in cause they were strays that she found eating in the garbage dumpsters. I wrote her a letter stating my opinion that at least 40 of them HAD loving owners that fed them well... and then let them out. So after a few hours of fun (promiscuous sex), the cats then did the second best possible activity... eat the leftovers from 5 star restaurants. Those cats suffered a DOWNGRADE when they got locked in her apartment!

Lots of strays in both places. I don't believe that the 54 cats you mention had homes and were well-fed. I have been to Singapore and seen for myself. Similarly, there are loads of strays in the old part of Haifa, emaciated, diseased and reproducing rapidly. A catch, sterilize and release program is sorely needed in both places.

How is one a vegan and keep a dog? You must buy dog food that contained most probably factory farmed meat products....???