Long time vegetarians

Vegetarian Times, Jan, 2005 by Johnny Calcagno

After moving to Seattle in 1982, my first job was as an owner/worker in a vegetarian restaurant called Cause Celebre. We were known for our handmade ice cream and espresso drinks.

During the time I worked there, I began to eliminate meat from my diet. I also met lots of like-minded people, many of them longtime vegetarians who told me about the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and, more importantly to me, about the social and environmental costs of meat eating.

After a year or so of being a vegetarian, I learned more about common animal products. I was so appalled by the shocking conditions at factory farms that I became a vegan. I must admit that long nights of making gallons of dairy ice cream probably contributed as well!

I have just marked 20 years of being a vegan, which amuses me since most vegans I know ate about half my age.

Johnny Calcagno

Seattle, WA