BOOK REVIEWS
Defending Animals
by Kendra Coulter
Kendra Coulter is a Professor in Management and Organizational Studies at Huron University College at Western University in Canada and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Her latest book, Defending Animals, explores the many individuals and organizations that work on the front lines of animal protection, primarily in the USA and Canada and to some extent worldwide. As the author states in her preface, "...animal protection work includes both care and advocacy. Crucially, the term animal protection emphasizes that animals need protecting—from humans."
Much of the book is devoted to animal welfare issues surrounding dogs and cats; however, Chapter 11 focuses on chickens and other farm animals. Some of the topics covered include the methods utilized to kill male chicks as soon as they are born for economic reasons, intensive confinement of animals, slaughterhouses, and more.
The author states, "Legally defined as property and livestock, farmed animals normally have only thin and porous protective nets. Practices 'generally accepted' within agriculture are normally exempt from standard definitions of animal cruelty the world over. Kicking a chicken is illegal. Fighting chickens is a felony in all fifty states because it's deemed too violent. But burning chickens' beaks off and killing them at seven weeks old is legal. Not only permitted, it is deemed normal. Chickens are among the most abused animals on the planet."
This book is extremely well-researched and a fascinating read. The author interviewed numerous individuals doing animal protection work and spent time learning about the various groups doing this job in urban areas and rural locations. She goes out of her way to point out that organizations may disagree on the best method to use when dealing with some animal protection issues. Differences between an animal welfare philosophy versus an animal rights perspective are also discussed.
Defending Animals (ISBN 978-0-2620-4828-6) is a 256-page book. It is published by MIT Press and retails for $24.95. Order this book online or at your local bookstore. Debra Wasserman/VRG Co-Coordinator
The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes
by Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN
The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes is a guide and cookbook designed for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes. All recipes and menus are vegan.
The book begins with an understandable discussion of the value of a plant-based diet in reducing the risk for and treating diabetes. Recent scientific research and guidelines from professional organizations are the basis for this section. The plant-powered plan that the book promotes can also reduce the risk of common chronic diseases that frequently accompany diabetes, such as hypertension and heart disease. Additionally, the plan offers a health-promoting way for anyone to eat.
The book is filled with practical suggestions, such as a Plant-Powered Diabetes Plate, that provides a useful graphic for meal planning. There are also ideas for reducing sodium and a one-week meal plan.
The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes includes 100 creative vegan recipes that use readily available ingredients. Some recipes that I'm excited about include Savory Tomato-Basil Steel-Cut Oats, Poke-Style Watermelon Bowl, Kimchi Noodle Skillet, Roasted Orange-Ginger Carrots, and Banana Coconut Quinoa Pudding. Nutrition information is provided for all recipes.
This book is an excellent resource for those wanting to beat diabetes.
The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes (ISBN 978-1-4549-4510-9) is a 238-page book. It is published by Union Square & Co. and retails for $24.99. Reed Mangels/VRG Nutrition Advisor
