Recap: "Just Eats Tour" Explores Vegan Austin

The vegan movement has grown by leaps and bounds. And forward-thinking, compassionate, and healthy individuals from all across our nation are working to spread the word on the benefits of the vegan lifestyle. For most of these apostles of animal rights, their goal is not to judge or to degrade the lifestyles of their meat-loving neighbor! It's simply to spread the word, and the love, of a kinder way of living and enjoying life. Austin is home to some of the most influential veg-heads in the states, and last week, Farm Sanctuary's co-founder Gene Baur got a chance to rediscover Austin's thriving vegan community.

Baur has been on the road exploring vegan America on his "Just Eats Tour" since his May 14th departure from the farm in upstate New York. And his VW wheels kept on rolling until his final destination, a hoe-down at a farm just outside of Orland, California on June 4th. For 25 years, Mr. Baur and his crew have been responsible for giving homes to over 12,000 animals, as well as winning victories and raising awareness on countless animal cruelty issues. he has worked with many influential vegans over the years, including Austin's own John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market.

During his time in Austin earlier this week, he chatted it up with Mr. Mackey, as well as influential Austin veggie Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet. During a potluck at Esseltyn's Travis Hills house on Monday night, Gene got a glimpse into the heart and soul of the Austin vegan. He met and shared dishes with Austinites who turned to veganism just as much for its health benefits as for its animal compassion values. The potlucks, a regular occurrence, feature anywhere from 20 to 40 dishes, all based on the health principals of Esseltyn's book.

Baur started out his crusade years ago with no plan, and only the money he made was from selling veggie dogs out of his old bus. But he knew that there was a problem, and he was going to do whatever it took to solve it. Along the road, he's crossed many hurdles. But the enthusiasm of vegans he's met along the tour and the stories of rescued animals, has been Mr. Baur's motivation. His advice to new vegetarians and vegans? Get involved with other vegans in the community and take care of yourself.