Author Archives: Kate Lawrence

Violence Is Not Art: An Open Letter to the Spencer Art Museum

Today I sent the following letter to my alma mater, the University of Kansas, in protest of an upcoming exhibit at the university’s Spencer Art Museum called “The Story of Chickens.”  This project will encourage townspeople to get to know … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Animal Issues, Non-Violence | Leave a comment

Wealthy Business Leaders Told To Go Vegan

Here was a surprising link in my inbox: CPI Financial, a website dedicated to offering advice and analysis for bankers and business leaders throughout the Middle East, headlined the recommendation to go vegan. The article,  begins as follows: Ok, here’s … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental Issues, Veganism | 1 Comment
Status

The “Practical Peacemaker” web site has a new look, implemented with WordPress.  It’s an ongoing project, however, so I’ll continue to add older blog posts and book reviews, as well as new ones.  Keep checking  back . . .

How to Give All Your Food to the Hungry, and Eat It Too

With over seven billion people crowded onto the planet and increasing numbers of them hungry, what can compassionate people do to help?  The most important action we can take, beyond being careful not to waste food, is to go vegan, … Continue reading

Posted in Overpopulation | 2 Comments

Beware to Compare

In his newest book, Beyond Religion; Ethics for a Whole World, the Dalai Lama makes a convincing case that if we are to teach a way of ethical living that everyone worldwide can accept and practice, it must be independent … Continue reading

Posted in Changing Habits, Simple Living | Leave a comment

Challenging the “Religion” of Economic Growth

For those of us concerned about poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change, the idea that economic growth underlies these problems will probably not come as a surprise. Growth–higher production of consumer goods, stepped-up extraction of resources, more and bigger houses, … Continue reading

Posted in Consumerism | Leave a comment

The Positive Side of Aging

Nearly every display of birthday cards features several that exploit the downside of aging as funny. These jokes primarily concern loss of appearance, loss of health and energy, loss of sex appeal and potency, or may view just the state … Continue reading

Posted in Simple Living | Leave a comment

Keeping Those New Year’s Resolutions

As a new year begins, we hear much talk of resolutions, ways to improve one’s life in the coming year.  These might have to do with weight loss, increased fitness, decreased indulgence in sweets, alcohol or tobacco, controlling one’s temper, … Continue reading

Posted in Changing Habits | Leave a comment

Rethinking Hair Color and Makeup

Part of my path toward a simpler lifestyle has been gradually to forego hair color and makeup.  I’m mildly surprised that most women, as busy as we all are, still spend so much time and money on these products when … Continue reading

Posted in Consumerism, Simple Living | Leave a comment

Fat and Getting Fatter

The latest nationwide adult obesity statistics were just released, and it’s not a pretty sight.  At first glance, my fellow residents of Colorado and I were glad to see our state once again recognized as having the lowest percentage of … Continue reading

Posted in Changing Habits, In The Media, Veganism | Leave a comment