
2.4K
Downloads
181
Episodes
Peace Is Here explores the deep architecture of a life unweaponed with a light-hearted touch and a scholar’s heart. Join Avis Kalfsbeek, writer of feisty fiction, for a daily curriculum of peace. We explore historic treaties, nature’s quiet wisdom, and the creative art-vision required for #TheGreatDisarmament. From deep-dive series on peace heroes to fiction stories and personal riffs, we look beneath the surface to see the peace that is already here.
Episodes

Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 7 On Certain Fallacies (Myth-busing carnivore attacks on vegetarianism) “The absurd assertion so often made, that animals were ‘sent' us as food may be classed under this same head. The mere fact that we have been accustomed to eat flesh-food, no more proves that animals were created for this purpose than the existence of cannibalism proves that missionaries are “sent” to the South Sea Islands solely as an article of food, or the existence of slavery that black men were “sent” to be the slaves of white. In barbarous times cruel practices are originated, and afterwards are confirmed by centuries of habit, till at last, when humanity raises a protest against them, men are so blinded by custom as to attribute to God or nature that which is in reality only the result of their own vice and degradation.” Henry Steven Salt
Henry Stephen Salt’s 11 Fallacies - Carnivores Arguments Against Vegetarians
1) The Teeth
2) Vegetarianism is impossible in cold climates
3) Vegetarianism involves too much thinking about one’s food
4) Vegetarianism is bullshit (“a mere crotchet”)
5) We ought to eat meat for the sake of others
6) What should we do without leather?
7) What would become of the animals?
8) It is better for the animals themselves to live and to be killed, than not to live at all.
9) Is it right to refuse to conform to the dictates of nature?
10) The necessity of taking life
11) The scriptural argument
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez.
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at www.AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)

Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 6 Sir Henry Thompson on “Diet” (Surgeon Sir Henry Thompson: “It is a vulgar error to regard meat in any form as necessary to life.” Thompson also wrote (1879) “…it is a fair computation that every acre of land devoted to the production of meat is capable of becoming the source at three or four times the amount of produce of equivalent value of food, if devoted to the production of grain. In other words, a given area of land cropped with cereals and legumes will support a population more than three times as numerous as that which can be sustained on the same land devoted to the growth of cattle.”
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
Illustration: Britishfoodinamerica.com

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 5 Medical Men and Food Reform (Are Doctors prejudiced against vegetarians?)
“The commonest obstacle to Food Reform, as indeed to every other Reform, is prejudice…The influence of medical men, both on public and private opinion, is unquestionably very great, and at present nearly the whole weight of this influence is thrown into the scale against us. What answer are we to make to the question, so often asked—'Why are so few doctors Vegetarians ?’” (H.S. Salt 1886)
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthling Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
National Library of Medicine Article: “Vegetarian and Vegan Diets: Beliefs and Attitudes of General Practitioners and Pediatricians in France” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9370229/
Science Direct Article: “Removing barriers to plant-based diets: Assisting doctors with vegan patients”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214804324000156
Retire There Podcast Episode with Janet Christian (moving to Spain cures her pancreatitis at Minute 12:30): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retire-there-with-gil-gene/id1538684576?i=1000540228466
Meatless Mondays Benefits – Johns Hopkins University https://meatlessmonday.publichealth.jhu.edu/resources/benefits-eating-less-meat-and-more-plants
Reduces risk of heart disease One study demonstrated that daily consumption of processed meats was associated with a 42 percent higher incidence of coronary heart disease.
Helps reduce cholesterol Nearly 25 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol, but many of them are unaware of this, as high cholesterol has no symptoms. Animal products are the only source of dietary cholesterol; they are also the primary source of saturated fat in our diet, which is associated with higher blood cholesterol levels.
Helps prevent type 2 diabetes Approximately one in three American adults has prediabetes—a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Kidney health In the United States, about 30 million adults have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it. One in three American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history.
Boosts immune system function A healthy plant-based diet can help strengthen your immune system to aid in fighting viruses and help you recover more quickly from illness.
Supports a healthy weight Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of serious health problems. Substituting more plant-based foods in place of meat can help contribute to a healthier body weight.
Lowers greenhouse gas emissions Nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of meat, dairy, and eggs—more greenhouse gases than the world’s entire transportation sector—cars, trucks, planes, trains—combined. Eating more plant-based foods can help reduce emissions associated with meat production.
Saves water Meat, particularly beef, has the highest water footprint of all foods. Eating a more plant-based diet has the potential to decrease agricultural water use by 50%.
Prevents deforestation Livestock production uses 75% of the Earth’s agricultural land. Shifting to a more plant-based diet reduces deforestation while decreasing agricultural land use by 80%.
Reduces species loss Livestock production is the biggest human contributor to species decline and has led to an over 60% decline in species populations since 1970.
Meatless Mondays Helps build healthy habits
Research suggests that people are more open to trying healthy behaviors at the start of the week. Monday offers a weekly opportunity to “reset” and get back on track. Studies show that people who restart a healthy habit at the beginning of the week are better able to maintain progress over time.
Fosters discovery of new foods Use Meatless Monday as an opportunity to explore new types of recipes, ingredients, and cuisines. Experiment with unfamiliar foods to find new favorites.
Saves money Foods like beans, lentils, and tofu are cost-effective protein sources that are typically less expensive than many types of meat, seafood, and poultry. One study found people saved 16% on food costs by switching to a plant-based diet.
Expands culinary skills With new ingredients comes the need for new cooking methods. Try using different techniques like braising, air frying, stuffing, and puréeing to make meals more exciting.
Strengthens a growing movement Meatless Monday is active in more than 40 countries and available in countless schools, companies, and communities around the world.
Photo: www.twospoons.ca Recipe “Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta” https://www.twospoons.ca/creamy-vegan-mushroom-pasta/

Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 4 Some Results in Food Reform (or does vegetarianism keep you sober? “…of most pressing interest at the present day, is the remarkable fact that abstinence from animal food almost invariably brings with it abstinence from all alcoholic drinks.” (H.S. Salt 1886)
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism (there are others, easily searchable): https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20

Friday Jan 17, 2025
Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 3 Good Taste in Diet
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 3 Good Taste in Diet. “How foolish and inconsistent it is to be vastly fastidious about the manner in which one's food is served up, and at the same time to be totally indifferent as regards the quality, from an aesthetic view, of the food itself! ” (H.S. Salt 1886)
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 on Audio, other books coming soon on audio)
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism: https://archive.org/details/pleaforvegetaria1886salt/page/n1/mode/2up
Another digital book version of Henry Stephen Salt’s A Please for Vegetarianism: https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
An Introduction to the Aesthetic Movement by V&A Museums:
Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
Podcast cover image yellow plate: Hatsukoi https://hatsukoi.co.uk

Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 2 Morality in Diet
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Avis continues reading Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism – Chapter 2 Morality in Diet. “If, then, it be a degrading occupation to kill animals, how can the habit of eating them be other than degrading? If we condemn the ignorant and brutal butcher who supplies the flesh, how can we acquit the refined ladies and gentlemen who demand it? The thoughtlessness alone enables people to endure such a system. From infancy they are taught to ignore what "meat" really is ; until they hardly think of oxen and sheep in connection with beef and mutton.” (H.S. Salt 1886)
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get Avis' Books The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the One More Year Audio Book https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 of the Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet, on Audio)
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism: https://archive.org/details/pleaforvegetaria1886salt/page/n1/mode/2up
Another digital book version OF Henry Stephen Salt’s A Please for Vegetarianism: https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthling Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
Korean Vegan Instagram @koreanvegan Cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/Korean-Vegan-Cookbook-Reflections-Recipes/dp/0593084276 (I am not an affiliate)

Saturday Jan 04, 2025
Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism - Chapter 1
Saturday Jan 04, 2025
Saturday Jan 04, 2025
Avis reads Chapter 1 of Henry Stephen Salt's A Plea for Vegetarianism. In the first chapter of this collection of essays, Salt advocates for the adoption of a vegetarian lifestyle based on ethical, health, and environmental considerations. A fervent advocate for animal rights, Salt co-founded the Humanitarian League in 1891, promoting kindness to animals and opposing blood sports. He is considered a pioneer of animal rights.
Digital book Henry Stephen Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism: https://archive.org/details/pleaforvegetaria1886salt/page/n1/mode/2up
Another link to the digital book version OF Henry Stephen Salt’s A Please for Vegetarianism: https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/plea-for-vegetarianism.pdf
Earthing Ed’s book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (I am not an affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=how+to+argue+with+a+meat+eater&crid=DKR5MXWZSDOK&sprefix=how+to+argue+with+a+%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_20
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez. Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books! The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
Get the Audio Book! https://www.audible.com/pd/B09M8Z8DFY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-286720&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_286720_rh_us
(One More Year, Book 1 of the Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet, on Audio)

Monday Feb 19, 2024
Kaur of Peace: 10 Bad Ass Sikh Women in History
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
In this episode, the Avis Kalfsbeek returns after a hiatus which includes a journey of overcoming alcohol addiction. She shares her insights on peace and the compelling interplay between peace and strength, with extraordinary depth drawn from her personal experiences in recovery. Avis explores the strength derived from women and the feminine force that permeates all beings. She further delves into history, examining the contribution of women to the Sikh tradition and their influence on peace by reading a 2015 Ms. Magazine article, "10 Badass Women in Sikh History," written by Lakpreet Kaur, to appreciate and highlight the unseen historical contribution of women's strength in peace-making. This sets the stage for the introduction of another significant Sikh woman, Niki Ganinder Kaur Singh, in future episodes. In her quest to share knowledge and deepen her practice, she introduces her outline for a new series, "Kaur of Peace," driven by the powerful stories of the women of Sikh tradition. Throughout this episode, the host fosters a sense of unity, enlightenment, and deep respect for women's vast contributions to peace, inviting listeners to join her journey in building a more peaceful world, one episode at a time. An absolute must-listen for those seeking to deepen their understanding of women's role in peace-making and the power of personal recovery in shaping our visions of peace.
Badass Sikh Women in History, Ms. Magazine March 17, 2015: https://msmagazine.com/2015/03/17/10-badass-sikh-women-in-history/
Photo on Episode artwork is from Curly Tales, 5 Most Scenic Gurudwaras in India https://curlytales.com/visit-these-most-scenic-gurudwaras-in-india-to-find-inner-peace/
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez.
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller. Book 6 Mono Mutante is coming soon!
Audio Books: You can listen to a free version of the Audio Book One More Year beginning at Episode 25 of this podcast through Episode 32. More audio books are coming soon!
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog. Your support inspires me on my writing journey to support these environmental and social issues and to promote peace. Thank you!
I help women find land for regenerative and organic farming at www.AvisKalfsbeek.com .
Peace and Love, Avis Kalfsbeek

Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Please enjoy audio chapters 36 through 41 (THE END) of One More Year, Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet Primer 1 and a bonus, Pedro’s Primer. “One more year -- keep your stuff longer, people” is Tilly’s mantra as she trains for her first Ironman with her best-friend-coach, Camas. Set in an idyllic northwest town on a pristine glacier-formed lake, Tilly sets out to tackle an Ironman for an environmental cause to convince people to curb their consumerism to give the planet a fighting chance against climate change.
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez.
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog

Saturday Oct 08, 2022
Saturday Oct 08, 2022
Please enjoy audio chapters 31 through 35 of One More Year, Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet Primer 1. “One more year -- keep your stuff longer, people” is Tilly’s mantra as she trains for her first Ironman with her best-friend-coach, Camas. Set in an idyllic northwest town on a pristine glacier-formed lake, Tilly sets out to tackle an Ironman for an environmental cause to convince people to curb their consumerism to give the planet a fighting chance against climate change. (Chapters 36 - 41 are coming in the next episode.)
Music: Dalai Llama Rides a Bike by Javier “Peke” Rodriguez.
Bandcamp: https://javierpekerodriguez.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW
Get the Books: The Pedro the Water Dog Saves the Planet book series can be found at AvisKalfsbeek.com or at your favorite online bookseller.
Support the Peace and Planet messages by contributing to my Patreon for as little as $1 per month: www.Patreon.com/PedrotheWaterDog
