I’m not sure that I’ll go back to eating meat anytime soon. I didn’t even miss cheese all that much. I’m hoping that caffeine will also stay off my list of things to eat, too.

Thanks for this blog – I found it via the Eco Carnival ( I think?) and have been reading daily. Thanks for the inspiration for someone jumping on the vegetarian bandwagon and toying with the vegan life.

Also – kind of serious here – does she have a drinking problem? It shouldn’t be that difficult to go three weeks without alcohol.

I have to admit, I was wary of the whole “cleanse” thing from the start, since it makes going vegan sound like some self-deprivation chore that you endure, rather than a life-affirming decision to practice non-violence – and have wonderfully diverse and satisfying meals while you’re at it.

OTOH, as you’ve pointed out, she seems to grasp some of the ethical reasons for going vegan, and maybe she’s just having a short-term crisis. Or she had a couple of unrelated bad days and a mediocre black-bean burger. I know…all this psychoanalysis of Oprah’s every move.

As you and others have pointed out, there is some risk when high-profile figures “try” veganism if it’s not clear that they’re ethically committed to vegan principles. If they declare that it’s too difficult, that could be worse than them never trying it at all.

Well, I’ll send Oprah a letter of encouragement. Maybe I’ll remind her that every day, people without personal chefs go vegan and stay vegan, and none have super willpower, and most are not super cooks. They’re simply showing compassion and respect for animals, and bringing their lifestyles into accordance with their deepest morals, which are probably about the same as Oprah’s deepest morals. They’re making a decision not to kill and inflict harm for pleasure. That shouldn’t be that hard; it is actually much easier on the soul than participating in violence and engaging in denial every day.

Hi Kate,
Congratulations! 40 days! I read somewhere, that it takes 3 weeks to make or break a habit. So it looks like you’ve made the transition. I find myself having to beat the “smug and superior” out of myself from time to time. But it feels pretty good, doesn’t it? ;-)

Hi Susan,
Yes, it could be bad if she talks about how “tough” it is. On the other hand, she seems to be missing alcohol more than anything else, so maybe that’s what she’ll focus on if she has anything negative to say. Hopefully, I’m misinterpreting her meaning. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. (I cannot believe how much time and energy I’m focusing on Oprah!!!)

Hi Sat,
You are so right. This has the potential to make “vegan” look difficult and extreme. However, I believe she always has a personal chef around — so, perhaps her audience is aware of that and will discount that facet of her experiment.

Hey Eric,
Thanks for the update. Wow, she’s not even aware of what she’s eating. Interestingly, Freston didn’t catch that either in her comments back to Oprah. Morningstar is tricky. We tend to avoid their products because of all the hidden ingredients, however their Grillers Vegan burgers are delicious.

Hi Elaine,
I don’t think the woman cooks for herself, ever. But then again, she’s busy saving the world and what’s more important?
Okay, Jane’s willing to sign up for the Chana Masala, and I’ll do vegan waffles. You?

Hahahaha! Kathy Freston ‘lent’ Oprah her chef! Oh my god, that is hilarious.
I’m laughing/crying now.

So, let’s write Oprah letters offering to cook for her :) We can take turns!

(meat-free for years, vegan for months, myself, btw)

Best case scenario, she makes it through the end of the cleanse then never speaks of it again.