A Newfound Sense of Purpose
At 22 and 23, Laura and Libby came to Gentle World from their home town of San Marcos in Texas, hoping to find the inspiration to transition from vegetarian to vegan.
At 22 and 23, Laura and Libby came to Gentle World from their home town of San Marcos in Texas, hoping to find the inspiration to transition from vegetarian to vegan.
This December, I face the winter solstice with perhaps a little more appreciation for what it might mean for others who are struggling to remember that although we have a winter ahead of us, the light will, as it always does, return.
With close to 400 people coming through the doors of Kaitaia's beautiful Te Ahu Center, our efforts at the Te Hiku Expo were met with unprecedented enthusiasm.
Those of us who have been inspired by this pioneering woman offer our heartfelt thanks for all she has given to us and to the world, and trust that she rests in the peace she has earned as a result of the countless lives that have been changed for the better thanks to her courage, her generosity of spirit, and her commitment to bringing to life her truly inspired vision of a vegan world.
I told my friends, “I think it’s a vegan place... That should be interesting.” That night, I ordered chicken wings because I figured I’d better get some good food in beforehand.
Gentle World's head gardener in Hawaii shares his expertise as a multi-decade veganic grower.
Thank you for showing me this beautiful place. During these past 11 days, I've learned a lot about veganic gardening, communal living and also even more about veganism. I leave…
One of Gentle World's veganic growing experts shares her personal advice for growing a successful vegan-organic garden.
It's always a joy to give people the opportunity to reconnect with where the food we eat comes from, and the veganic cultivation of plant foods is a beautiful thing to take part in.
Three years ago, we were fortunate enough to meet two wonderful people who came to us from Italy, and volunteered in Shangri-La for two seasons in a row, becoming part…
Veganism is non-violence in action; a sure, safe, practical, painless, easy, highly effective and absolutely free choice that everyone can make to help save all who live from humanity's most destructive, dangerous addiction.
On October 23rd, Island-based cardiologist Lawrence Derbes spoke at the Gentle World educational center in North Kohala, bringing his message of plant-based healing to dozens of inspired attendees.
Today, it has been one month since I was part of your lovely community and worked in the garden. I felt so calm and at peace in Gentle World and everything felt good.…
One of Gentle World's most extraordinary and beloved dog friends tells his rescue story.
In December of 2015, on a very sunny spring day, I arrived at this hidden valley in the far north of New Zealand. My first week in Gentle World passed by so…
Gentle World Family, Though our time here was brief, we are grateful for the exposure to the truth about animal exploitation. You gave us a strong definition of veganism. Thank…
I cannot begin to describe how much I have learned and experienced the past week. I am absolutely grateful that life brought me here, even if it was for a…
My vegan family! You guys transformed me into a person I am proud to be. I see life differently. I have noticed that I pay attention to the little things.…
Since our return from Shangri-La in April, we have had the pleasure to get to know a number of beautiful people who have passed through our Hawaii home.
Gentle World's co-founder Sun offers her unique insight into the multi-decade history of the organization she helped to create.
My little corner of the world is a memorial garden to my best canine friend. I intentionally mixed in flowers throughou, both to attract pollinators, and because they brings color to my world even when the sun isn't shining.
Last month we were thrilled to host a screening of the film Cowspiracy, which is a truly eye-opening exposé of the environmental and ethical impacts of animal agriculture, produced by Kip…
In the heat of the summer of 1966, revolution was in the air. Black people were revolting against the injustice of whites, women against the domination of men, and young…
As we say goodbye to September, it somehow seems as though the end of the year is right around the corner. This past season at our Hawaii location has been a wonderful time for visitors and volunteers.
Gentle World's latest vegan event was a blend of philosophy and food. Dr. Tuttle provided the philosophy, and Gentle World provided the delicious food that is the reward for living in alignment with that philosophy.
On November 9th, our Hawaii location was filled with excitement and enthusiastic attendees for “A Vegan Afternoon.” The event was chock-full of informative talks/videos, delicious food and resources to help…
It was easy to forget that Kisses had good reason for behaving the way she did. She had been taught to fear. She hadn’t just chosen to believe that humans were dangerous. She had been forced to accept it on a very primal level – she had had it beaten into her.
When people experience the vegan awakening, it’s awe-inspiring to live alongside them as their thoughts begin to shift. As each of our new friends from around the globe expresses their realizations, we have the opportunity to share in their epiphany.
I was a vegetarian for two years when I arrived in Shangri-La. But I never really thought about veganism. I didn’t want to give up my cheese (I’m French, you…
from Jesse, United States: For me, visiting Gentle World was the beginning of my journey, but I was so impacted by the peaceful sanctuary and the amazing people who live…
We didn't know that there was a word "vegan" at the time. There were no health food stores, no tofu, and no animal rights movement that we knew of. We have been spreading the word since we knew there was a word to spread. If we kept silent and that silence allowed more animals to suffer, we would wonder if our words could have saved their lives.
43 years after Tom Paxton wrote such poignant lyrics mourning our impending loss, the loveliness of my own garden holds more meaning to me than ever... Will we always have flowers? Will the forest always have trees? Will meadows always be green?
One of the most heartwarming experiences we have here in Gentle World is when we receive letters like these.
The Kohala Country Fair this year was filled with local craft and gift vendors, food, music and games for all. With a record number of 50+ food booths ready to…
This tiny (but feisty) little fighter was covered with ants and just beginning to get her feathers. Our friend told us she frequently sees birds that have fallen from their nests, but this baby bird in particular seemed determined to survive.
Aloha Lovely Gentle Worlders... You were all so wonderful and my time at the farm was great. I LOVE my new cookbook and share it with anyone who is interested. I am happily cooking for hostels everywhere with the great recipes...
Earlier this month, Gentle World volunteers participated in a local Earth Day celebration, which brought the magic of plant-based healing to hundreds of people... What were we doing there? Serving food, of course!
My experiences here have kindled a new fire in me, so instead of story-telling I jumped right to the processing. What am I learning here? The questions keep coming…
At the beginning of this month, a bustling group of Kohala Country Fair-Goers learned why mealtime is our favorite time at Gentle World! This annual event always attracts thousands of…
On the one hand, the decision seemed pretty easy. On the other hand, my parents own a farm. They raise animals for meat, and my mum milks cows for a living. So, I had a big crisis on my hands about how to bring those alternative points of view in line.
Gentle World and veganism were featured on nationwide New Zealand radio this month, with a slot on a show called Spectrum, where we had an opportunity to speak to over 80,000 people throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world.
Back in April, we received a beautiful letter from Eric and Lilly, two of our all-time favorite penpals who came to visit as wwoofers back in 2010, and have stayed in touch ever since about their vegan-making ventures.
On Saturday, March 12th, Gentle World volunteers hosted a free vegan cooking class at our favorite NZ venue: The Herb Shack. With 22 attendees who showed lots of interest in the vegan culinary techniques, the day was a fantastic success!
I came to Gentle World’s Vegan Education Center inspired by a friend’s email suggesting it as an interesting place to visit and drawn by the veganic gardening concept. I thought, “what the heck, why not WWOOF for a week and see what happens?”
Magic Rees has been an organic grower since 1980. In 1989, he co-founded the Far North Organics Association in New Zealand, for which he served as Farm Certifier for 10 years. In 2000, he became Shangri-La’s head gardener and veganic educator.
Some garden crops benefit from the use of netted enclosures, to keep them safe from insects and birds.
Raising cats on a vegan diet requires a commitment to ensuring they are getting all the nutrients they need, including taurine and l-Carnitine. Having said that, we have read and heard claims of many healthy plant-powered cats.
From the 9th to the 12th of February, Gentle World volunteers provided healthy, delicious vegan food to participants at a healing convention at The Herb Shack Café in our local…
Keeping your gardens covered with green manure crops is an excellent way to keep your soil healthy in between growing seasons.
In an area of New Zealand that is better known for the farming of sheep and cows than vegan education, Gentle World volunteers shook things up a little last weekend,…
Around a week ago, the last of the Gentle World volunteers arrived at our Vegan Educational Center in Northland, New Zealand, officially kicking off the 11th summer in our Southern…
Every year, in the beginning of October, Gentle World volunteers set up a 'vegan restaurant for a day', smack in the middle of a fairly typical Country Fair, an event where almost every other booth serves 'Standard American Fair Food'.