First meeting of the SFVS's Book Club held at Chinatown Branch Library

 

What lovely people!  We gathered at the Chinatown Branch of the Public Library to discuss The Impactful Vegan by body-builder Robert Cheeke. I was happy to see it was inter-generational because for a long time it seemed that most members where those who began the SFVegan Society back in 1968!  Last night (January 15, 2026) we had people after that!

Some people hated the book because the author, a vegan body-builder, says that, while we should be vegans,  donating $100,000 to vegan outreach would be more impactful because it would save more animals than the ones we don't eat.  

I was startled by the response of the attendees when I told them that I was an extremist and really obnoxious, inviting my friends to  a Day after Oscars party with dishes representing the movies but stating that any food brought in had to be free of animals or animal products in honor of Joaquin Phoenix, who spoke so eloquently in defense of animals in his Oscar acceptance speech in 2020.  They thought that was "awesome."   

Below you see a member showing off his vegan shoes.  

 

I asked Google AI, "Has any mainstream periodical (like the New York Times) reviewed The Impactful Vegan?"  This was the answer:  

While mainstream media like The New York Times covers veganism broadly (discussing trends, health, and culture), specific, prominent reviews for a book titled "The Impactful Vegan" aren't immediately evident in these general searches, suggesting it might be a niche book or the coverage focuses on the broader plant-based movement rather than individual titles unless it's a major bestseller. Searches point to articles about the vegan movement (its perceived decline, media bias) in major outlets like The Atlantic, The Guardian, and Financial Times, but not direct reviews of The Impactful Vegan. 

To find out for sure, you might need to:

• Check book review sections of major papers directly.
• Search specific vegan/plant-based publications, as they are more likely to cover such books.
• Look for the author's name, as reviews might focus on their other works or personal brand.

But it lead to this link:  https://sentientmedia.org/postmortem-on-veganism-is-premature/#:~:text=It%20was%202020%2C%20and%20documentaries,the%20U.S.%20than%20ever%20before.

That's Perspective

Critics Declared Veganism Dead in 2025. Here’s What Those Obituaries Are Missing.

The massive scale and influence of the meat industry shouldn’t be underestimated. by Jessica Scott Reed writing for the Sentientmedia.org  

All worked out for the refreshment part of the Power of Art exhibition.  .  Kit Dai, Dean of the Chinatown/NorthBeach CCSF campus where the retirees' art was exhibited,  had wisely chosen Caravansary for the savory, and I provided cookies without eggs or dairy and some gluten-free balls.  I wound up not eating anything at all, but I was glad it was all there.  
 

Yesterday I tried to find the dark chocolate + cherries bag at Target but didn't have this picture.  I don't really want it for myself, but I want to be able to give it to people who aren't vegans to show them the possibilities!  I did find some other plant-based chocolate.  (Notice that they don't have VEGAN in big letters.)

 

 

Here's what I just filled out for Enjoy Vegetarian to make for the Power of Art exhibition at the  Chinatown/NorthBeach Campus.

I'd like to order a variety of savory food that's vegan--no eggs or dairy and of course no meat--for a big event at CCSF's Chinatown/NorthBeach campus, which is diagonally across the street from Enjoy at 839 Kearny Street!  I'd like the platter to look beautiful so people with prejudices against plant-based will enjoy it.  Could you deliver a platter to room 402 of the Chinatown/NorthBeach campus a little before 6:00?  The event is from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  I'm making cookies, but you could still include some delicious sesame seed balls.  I'm asking for enough to serve 8 people, but of course there will be more.  This is my offering for animal welfare and the environment.  I called you but got no answer, so I can arrange the payment when you respond.  Many thanks!  This will also make all those attendees aware of what's just across the street from the campus if they don't already know!

 

I'm really excited about this event, which will showcase the talents of CCSF retirees.  But I don't want it to be a repeat of the nothing plant-based buffet offered at the Community Living Campaign's even honoring Glenda Hope, who's advocated for plant-based eating for decades.  Here's the message I sent this morning to the person in charge of the food:

Dear Kit,

A week or so ago, I offered to bring cookies for Thursday's event, and Leslie Smith told me that you have contracted with the Downtown Center Pastry Program to provide dessert.  Thank you for doing that!  

So often people who try to help animals and the environment through a plant-based diet are forgotten when food is provided.  So I wanted to be sure there were cookies without eggs and milk--especially in remembering Jane Goodall!    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/04/why-jane-goodall-adopted-a-plant-based-diet-back-in-the-1960s.html

Leslie told me she agreed with me and asked that I contact you.

I recently attended a ceremony for a community activist (Glenda Hope), who's advocated for a plant-based diet, and there was NOTHING plant-based provided.  I have a friend who follows a plant-based diet and took a cooking class/course at CCSF and there was NOTHING  plant-based in all the recipes they tried.  She didn't speak up because she didn't want to "rock the boat."  But CCSF is an educational institution, and it seems that it should be informed and up-to-date in matters involving the environment, animal welfare, and health.  Kaiser recommends a plant-based diet. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-education-materials/instructions/plant-based-diet-hi-en.pdf

I know you have a lot to attend to, and I don't want to create problems for you, but I really do think that it's important to provide for those supporting a plant-based diet.  Could I help out by providing cookies and/or providing funds for something savory?  I would be happy to make a donation towards plant-based food. 

Again, thank you for taking charge of this.  I hope I can help rather than hinder!

Tina

 

At a recent luncheon, a good friend said, "I really like to share dishes," but her order of a dish with a dead animal was the reason we didn't.  The other three of us ordered plant-based dishes.  (Yes, I know that "Dead animal" sounds gross, but what caged animals go through is worse than gross.)  

Then a carnivore friend asked me to forward a message suggesting a lunch with the three of  us and saying that he'd let me choose a place that fit carnivore-him as well as my "dietary needs."  

I decided not to let this slip by, and when I forwarded his email message inviting her, I wrote, "Notice that in spite of his intelligence (which we all find remarkable), he refers to my cause for the environment and animal welfare as my "dietary needs."