Vegan, from plate to feet
"The noble character of a fashion item The value of a pair of shoes lies not in its rarity, but in the ethics according to which it was produced. That's the definition. luxury that we want to share through COG. "
- Omar
Let it be perceived like a nebulous fashion phenomenon emerge, like the militant cause of his life or as a simple consumption style While we may explore it occasionally out of curiosity, it's undeniable that the vegan lifestyle has been gaining increasing attention in recent years. This is so true that even major mainstream food brands now have their own vegan product lines on store shelves.
The cause of this? Probably the fact thata growing part of the population finds itself - at least partially - in the values upheld by the vegan philosophy, Because nowadays, consumption, beyond being a matter of taste, is also an expression of our convictions. The vegan phenomenon is such that a world day has been honoring this lifestyle on November 1st every year for almost 30 years.
You're not learning anything new, at COG, our shoes are 100% vegan, And this characteristic is no coincidence, since beyond being the driving idea behind the creation of our brand, Animal welfare is one of our core values..
With November 1st and World Vegan Day approaching, we wanted to talk to you about the vegan concept, from the creation of the term to the reasons that might motivate people to adopt a vegan lifestyle, or even, like yours truly, to produce... shoes made without animal-derived materials.
Let's get on board!
But what exactly is veganism?
“Excuse me, ma’am, where is veganism on the map? I’m lost.” Okay, for those who aren’t yet very familiar.re.s Given the concept, perhaps a brief definition of the term is necessary; so we can put away the world map, and instead we'll get out the old dictionary.
First of all, it may be relevant to clarify that Veganism is no more a religion than it is an American state, nor a Hungarian dish..
A contraction of the Anglo-Saxon term “vegetarian”, the term was coined in 1944 by the co-founder of the Vegan Society, Donald
THE veganism can thus be seen as theextension of thought founder plant-based diets, applied to all consumption. It is therefore more akin to a philosophy of life, combined with a style of consumption, than a diet, since it guides the choices of the vegan person beyond their food: from their wardrobe, through their cosmetic products, or possibly also, towards the choice of a sofa without leather.
But then, what does a vegan “have the right” to eat or wear ?
If the term “vegan“ based on the strict definition cited above, as a school of thought, Nothing is imposed; and vegans remain free to consume or not what they wish.. In this respect, to chacun.e to define the limits of one's diet and lifestyle according to one's affinities, rhythm, ideas and dispositions, but also according to one's age or state of health. Therefore, there are as many ways to be vegan as there are vegan people. and ways to thrive in that choice.
For example, certain.e.s Vegans no longer buy animal leather, but still wear their old leather shoes or accessories. Ecological conviction. Some associate this lifestyle with activism, others with improving athletic performance. Some vegans like to voice their opinions and express their beliefs, while others live their convictions quietly. Finally, some people adhere to a limited range of vegan practices in their daily lives, while others are more exclusive.
In summary, veganism is a philosophy which, in practice, like any choice, responds to the way of chacun.e to make it their own.
November 1st, a day to celebrate animal rights.
Over the decades and as veganism becomes more established in society, new alternatives to animal products are emerging, and with them, more and more events are enriching the lifestyle.
That's how, since 1994, 50 years after the term appeared in our vocabulary, we started celebrating World Vegan Day is celebrated on November 1st of each year.. The initiative came from Louise Wallis, then president of the Vegan Society, who chose this date to coincide with All Saints' Day, the day of the dead. a way to pay tribute to individuals and animal species that are now extinct.
Spontaneously, and given the nature of the subject, one might be tempted to imagine a rather sad and austere celebration. Yet, the event is experienced more as a joyful ode to this lifestyle, and a festive occasion to come together around shared beliefs, amidst the exchange of initiatives and homemade recipes.
Launching the way for a whole list of events that will punctuate the month of November as part of World Vegan Month (festivals, congresses, meetings, Veggie Pride…) The day is also an opportunity to take the time to put our civic habits into perspective., and to learn about the consequences of our activities on animal life and the biosphere. It is also an opportunity to discover new, more responsible alternatives.
Ok, but what reasons lead people to become vegan ?
Our team shares 5 tips for an easier approach to cruelty-free consumption.
Concern for the environment.
It is often highlighted at COG, While the vegan criterion should not be the only one observed, a shoe made in Europe not using no materials animal, is generally far more environmentally friendly than the same pair of leather shoes produced in Asia (3 to 6 times less CO2 emitted).
The reason for this? According to a study conducted by Oxford University, Livestock farming alone generates 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.. And our consumption of animal products has only increased over the last century, so much so that a French personais.e would eat on average 4 times more meat in 2021 than their ancestors 100 years earlier.
It is also considered that today approximately 70% of global deforestation and water resource depletion are linked, directly or indirectly, to the agri-food industry., in which livestock farming is not left out since it requires a lot of space to store livestock and produce feed for the herds (e.g. soy produced in Brazil and deforestation of the Amazon rainforest).
We can also add to the environmental rating soil pollution due to animal excrement, the transport of livestock, and all the processing and preservation sectors for animal products, which are also major sources of pollution. The example with leather - produced by transforming animal hides into rot-proof material through a tanning process - which frequently requires the use of substances that are very harmful to nature and people living in areas polluted by tanneries.
From this perspective, a vegan lifestyle represents in itself an ecological stance, and a favorable resolution to reduce the impact of one's consumption on the planet.
Taking care of one's health.
We narrow the focus a little more to look at the benefits of a vegan diet - and in this case, a plant-based diet - on our health.
Okay, let's be honest, there's a debate here between the partisan.e.s Those who are entirely plant-based, convinced of the benefits of this diet for the body, and those who prefer flexitarian or omnivorous diets, defending the point of view that the body needs all types of intake.
At the house of COG, if we don't consider ourselves bad at producing good and beautiful vegan shoes (Apparently, a little self-promotion and a dose of self-congratulation now and then never hurt anyone.) We're also particularly good at devouring vegan crepes and cheesecakes. But our area of expertise is clearly not dietetics, not even when it comes to vegan diets. So, we'll refrain from going into too much detail about nutrition due to our lack of expertise, but we can still share a few thoughts with you:
To begin with, let's just say that those in our small team who have adopted a vegan diet, despite years of adherence, are doing very well, sometimes perhaps too well—especially one person whose name we won't mention, but whom we struggle to keep in check; he'll know who he is! Joking aside, it's clear that we're in great shape, and that many others... people, sometimes very athletic, they experience it just as well as we do, and demonstrate excellent health..
Also, as far as we know, The majority of nutrients and vitamins found in a diet including animal protein can be found in a vegan diet.. The added bonus: a greener diet is lower in calories and helps to reduce cholesterol levels and risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases.
A plant-based diet is also lower in saturated fats, salt, and sugar. It helps to facilitate weight loss and stabilize the body, provided that we maintain a varied diet, and are reasonable about processed preparations such as desserts and biscuits, which are very high in oils and sugar, whether they are vegan or not.
Furthermore, nowadays, with the industrialization of livestock farming, animals raised on giant farms In conditions of intense stress, they receive medication to stabilize themselves and more easily tolerate these conditions of confinement, concentration, and light deprivation. Naturally, The medications they ingest remain partly in their bodies and end up in animal meat., then consequently into the belly of consommat.rice.eur.s of these meats. The same applies to dairy products and other materials produced by these animals for consumption. The quality of these products is indeed closely linked to the conditions in which the animal was able to grow and thrive.
In this respect, a vegan diet, Adding to this, consuming organic fruits, vegetables, and legumes helps avoid the absorption of molecules that can cause numerous health problems. However, beware of pesticides and agricultural chemicals, which can make consuming plant-based products just as harmful to your health.
Finally, one of the strengths of the vegan diet and lifestyle certainly stems from the very first criticism that could be leveled against them: that they are still relatively marginal, and therefore require patience, curiosity, and time to learn, sometimes even getting hands-on to produce one's own alternatives. The relative accessibility of vegan products often means having to cook for oneself what is usually found ready-made in stores. Admittedly, this takes time, but at least initially, there is no reason to consume products of unknown origin or composition. It's also often better for the planet: more bulk goods, less plastic.
From this perspective, veganism is a way of regain control over what we consume, to discover new horizons, and sometimes even to learn more about oneself through these new fields of exploration.
Protect animals and limit their mistreatment.
Stake, the question of the rights of the living, and ours to dominate and exploit other species. Another issue highlighted by vegan thought, the issue of preserving biodiversity Overall, it reflects the interdependence of animal and plant species and the necessary need to maintain this symbiosis to preserve life. It is considered thatA quarter of the world's animal species are threatened with extinction due to human activities., which, in order to establish themselves, displace animal groups from their environment, and jeopardize the potential of species to perpetuate their rulegne.On knows tou.te.s The sad and almost vulgarly famous example of the orangutan forced to retreat deeper into its primary forest, which is gradually disappearing to make way for palm plantations. Unfortunately, this is just one icon among the many endangered species, under the yoke of excessive hunting, fishing, poaching, or human industrial activities that destroy animal and plant life.tale.Vient Furthermore, there is the added number of animal victims due to global warming, which humans are unfortunately responsible for. For example, the forests ravaged by megafires in recent years, and the millions of animals injured or found burned to death by the flammes.La Vegan thought and the lifestyle associated with it thus underscore the need to question and reconsider both the impact of our production and that of our consumption Overall, they highlight the fundamental need for to reconnect with consideration for animals, to rethink the perception we have of them, in the same way that we do with the environment and plant species. Each species, whether it be plant or animal, being only theone of the founding links - but no less fundamental - forming this great whole that is nature. Under this conception, humans are one of them, and must find their place alongside other species, not above them.
After this section, you will have a little more vegetables with your vegetables ?
What were we saying?
Ah yes, in short, quite a few reasons to consider the merits of not consuming animal products. But while this philosophy has its ethical appeal, for who wishes to approach him, However, it must be done in a way that ensures it remains enjoyable and digestible. without experiencing it as suffering. It's true, if only for food, a vegan or even vegetarian diet can prove restrictive in some respects (yes, we either have a sense of euphemism, or we don't); and Neglecting our love of good food and our attachment to our gastronomic comforts would be a mistake..
Fortunately, it's perfect timing, because in recent years, plates have become more plant-based, fashion has become less animal-oriented, and a huge number of innovative alternatives are emerging - here, we could still talk about COG, But we thought that would be pushing it a bit ;)
1/ Go there Gently, listen to yourself, and move forward at your own pace., Step by step and in a positive way. Rome wasn't built in a day, and every effort is in itself a great victory. "Know thyself," said Socrates.
2/ Keep in mind the reason for your choices and your actes.Tout It's a question of meaning, and We achieve our goals much more easily when we are guided towards them with clear ideas., keeping in mind why, and where we are going.
3/ To learn about the motivations that led us to take to the road, and to continue to nurture this curiosity. Knowledge proves to be a valuable motivation and aid..
4/ Alternatives exist, why deprive yourself of them? In moderation, of course, but A small, occasional pleasure does a lot of good and boosts enthusiasm. ! Plant-based diets are an ocean of delights and pleasures to discover. Here again, one must be curieu.se.x.
5/ “Alone we go faster, together we go further,” as the saying goes. Sharing experiences and It's more fun to learn something new when surrounded by others.. Good advice and new ideas are a valuable asset.
Diploma inexpert.e Veganism, with honors!
You are now experts on the foundations of vegan thought.
By creating COG, our goal was to to offer products that align with a responsible lifestyle, designed in respect for people manufacturing our shoes, but more broadly, in that of the entire living sphere.
This article is also This is an opportunity to better share with you what the vegan composition of our shoes means to us., because far beyond certificates and labels, It is a fundamental ethical component. The vegan criterion guarantees the preservation of the integrity of animal life, as does the label. OEKO-TEX 100 guarantees a manufacturing process that protects ecosystems and human health.
Undeniably, we love fashion, and like everyone else, we enjoy spending a beautiful pair of sneakers on their feet, paired with a beautiful outfit. But what we love most of all, it tells us that what we wear, and What is being sold has not harmed or prejudiced anyone. This is by far our greatest source of pride!
What we aspire to alongside the distribution of our shoes is to share with you a new perspective on living species, and the place we give them. In truth, even more so than on the species themselves, a fresh perspective on the animal as an individual and unique entity, feeling, reflecting and experiencing life just like us.
We tend to want to highlight animal intelligence by comparing it to that of humans, when in fact it is You don't need to know someone's brain capacity to question their right to freely enjoy their life.. Must we be able to solve the theory of general relativity to claim the right to live freely? Thankfully not. Moreover, each species has its own physical and psychological makeup. After all, do we consider sparrows superior to us simply because they can spread their wings to take flight, while we cannot?
Animals possess incredible qualities of survival, hearing, wisdom, love, and appreciation, which are truly awe-inspiring. chacun.e of us, from childhood to adulthood.
At the house of COG, we think that the best way to give animal species the consideration they deserve, is let them live freely, without classifying, submitting, or using them, and remembering the formidable chance simply being there, at to be able to watch them live.
As always, we were "chatterboxes"! Thank you for reading, happy World Vegan Day to those interested.e.s, and until the next article on our blog.
WALK CLEAN, the team COG