Spotlight on Members

Spotlight on Members gives us the opportunity to hear about what our members are spotlight on up to today, as well as how they found their way to the NHA Health Program. If you’re interested in sharing your own story, we’d love to hear from you. Please members email essays of around 500 words, and one or two photos, to [email protected]. Lin Silvan Eugene Veg Education Network Eugene, OR For whatever major part of the process. Thich Nhat reasons—tradition, Hanh said that awareness is like the habit, convenience—I never sun, and when it shines on things, they made the connection between the food are transformed. Well, my life had been I ate and the animals I loved. In fact, the transformed! meat-and-potatoes diet I was raised on Once one has new awareness, doing continued until I was over 40. When I what you’ve always done is no longer began to inquire (finally!) about where a sensible option. All of my new in- the food came from that I had unwit- sights exerted profound leverage over tingly consumed for decades, it set me every future meal I ate and, eventually, back on my heels. There was gross cru- over every decision I made. I thrived by Lin updates the EVEN website. elty at every level. I was outraged! Why living in accordance with revitalized had no one told me? More importantly, values of compassion and nonviolence. all offered free to the public. Some of why had I never asked? I felt guilty, These values would stay with me, teach EVEN’s activities include ongoing ta- horrified, and complicit, and I knew I me, and guide me, and they continue to bling and leafleting, publishing e-news- could not be part of it anymore. do so even now, well into my seventies. letters, sponsoring guest lecturers, con- We all know that any undertaking is As an educator with decades of ex- ducting exclusive and inspiring easier with the right information and perience in corporate America, I was interviews with prominent vegans, as- tools at hand. Armed with first-rate very fortunate to be able to retire early. sisting college and high school students evidence from renowned sources like That gave me the time, energy, and with projects on veganism, designing Dr. John McDougall, John Robbins, Jay breadth I dearly desired to be able to meal plans for families, answering hun- Dinshah, and Dr. Neal Barnard and read and explore this bolt-of-lightning dreds of emails and phone inquiries with wisdom from many authors and new focus. I viewed my newfound free- each week, maintaining an informative others at the National Health Associa- dom of choice as more of a responsibil- vegan news blog and a comprehensive tion like Mark Huberman, Dr. Frank ity than merely a right, because, after website, and hosting a vegan Peaceful Sabatino, and Dr. Alan Goldhamer, I all, intelligent choice must be rooted in Potluck every Thanksgiving. EVEN has began using veganism and ahimsa phi- ethical values. also held vegan fairs and successfully losophy to wield power over the sadly It was good fortune to have my hus- secured a Eugene mayoral proclama- uninformed, misinformed, dark-ages band jump on board to join me in this tion declaring 2016 Vegan Awareness parts of my life. These inspiring men- exhilarating endeavor. His enthusiasm Year! EVEN’s multifaceted outreach has tors were examples of letting their light ensured the success of our life-chang- earned it an Essentials for Life award shine so brightly that others could see ing new worldview, because now we from United Way and the 24 Carrot their way out of the dark, as the saying shared the same single-mindedness. Award from Vegetarians in Paradise. goes. Both Robert and I had an ardent de- Having seen the animal atrocities The year 1991 became a pivotal sire to give back and be a voice for the resulting from the standard American point in my life and “going veg” was a voiceless. When we reflected on why diet, it didn’t take us long to appreciate we had changed, we saw that learn- veganism’s impact on human health ing the facts had made a strong im- and on the planet, as well. Observing pression on us and allowed us to the wholistic interconnectedness of redirect our lives toward a greater those three components was magical, purpose. As a result, we established powerful, and unrelenting. It added a a vegan education and outreach magnificent spiritual component to our nonprofit in 2005, providing free journey. Imagine that! A path that actu- support to anyone wishing to make ally seemed to touch divinity by its this meaningful life change. The ability to benefit all—animals, people, Eugene Veg Education Network our earth—in wondrous harmony. (EVEN) was born! What a glorious new worldview with Since then, with a focus on com- which to be gifted! passion, nonviolence, and sustain- Lin can be reached via email at: ability, EVEN has been educating [email protected], or visit thousands about the benefits of a the EVEN website at Lin promotes the Eugene Veg Education plant-based diet. Books, nutritional www.eugeneveg.org. Network at a recent conference. information, recipes, and more are NATIONAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION HEALTH SCIENCE ■ FALL 2020 33.

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