Full title: How cupcakes inspired a conversation about pregnant cows & milk at my wedding party; or the joys of a Vegan (plant-based) diet. People often wonder why I would choose to deprive myself by eating a Vegan (plant-based) diet. In 5 minutes and 20 slides I will illustrate why I feel a Vegan diet is not a deprivation, but a great choice for our world, our health, and for showing compassion for farm animals who are as smart, friendly, loving and as capable of feeling pleasure and pain as our family pets. I will address the most common questions and comments I get about my plant-based diet, such as: - If you don't eat meat, dairy, and eggs, then what *DO* you eat? - What is Vegan/Vegetarian anyway? You still eat fish and chicken, right? - Why not eat dairy and eggs since no animals suffered or died for those? - Don't tell me what I'm eating - I don't want to know. - Why do you care more about animals than humans? - How do you get enough protein? - I could never give up cheese! - Human bodies were designed/ evolved to eat meat. - I only eat meat, dairy, and eggs from non-factory farms where the animals are treated well. - I couldn't eat Vegan or Vegetarian because I travel/ eat out a lot. About Barb: I've always loved animals - from family pets to ravens and sea lions, and have a keen interest in animal cognition. I share my home (read: zoo) with a husband, 3 step-kids, 6 cats, 3 dogs (retired racing greyhounds, pug), and a parrot. For work I'm a SharePoint specialist ...