The Newbie Vegetarian

No Impact Man

2010-04-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

I just watched No Impact Man, the documentary of the project of Colin Beavey and his family to live in NYC with no environmental impact for a period of one year. I will say right up front that I loved the documentary. There were a few things about the story that really spoke to me, and I will address those in turn. The real impact on me, though was this: the film was inspirational to me. The Beavey family go into this year-long journey as a project for a book, and a bit of a curiosity...but they come out of it more educated people, and a more compassionate family. In the end, Colin is turned toward a strong belief in individual action as the unit of change in the world, and Michelle, Colin's wife, makes an amazing transformation from a skeptical TV and caffeine-addicted, consumer-culture maven to an incredibly open-minded and refreshingly honest woman who becomes so proud of the project she was reluctant to endure in the beginning. Throughout the film, the couple's daughter Isabella is adorable.

So, first, the basics: when they say "no impact" they literally mean "no impact". They strive to live without producing any garbage (which means no take-out containers or packaging of any kind, no disposable diapers or napkins or toilet paper), without using any form of motor transportation, without using harmful cleaning products such as laundry detergent that have an impact on the environment. Recognizing the importance of meat-eating in environmental degradation, they also elect to become vegetarian for the year. They eat only locally grown (within 250 miles) produce and they obtain dairy from a local farm, which they visit during the course of the documentary. Halfway through the experiment they turn off the electricity in their apartment, living in candlelight and experimenting with alternative refrigeration systems.

On the face of it, the documentary is a story about environmentalism - about a family's quest to see how far they can go to leave the world better than (or at least not worse than) they found it. But to me, it was also a story about the power of individual action, about optimism, idealism, and community - the beauty of truly connecting with other people and with the world. There is a point where Colin visits a community garden in order to start growing vegetables, but he finds that all the spots are filled and the waiting-list is years long, so he finds the one person in this garden who grows vegetables (the rest grow flowers) and begins a sort of apprenticeship under this man, an ex-hippie who becomes a character of his own throughout the story. Toward the end of the documentary Colin goes and speaks to children and college students about his project, and the message he gives is one of optimism and hope - it's truly an inspiration.

The message of hope is especially remarkable given the context in which the family is able to hold onto it. About 5 months into the project they start getting a lot of media attention, and Colin goes on a number of radio & TV shows to talk about it. Colin also has kept a blog throughout. At the point where the media attention commences, they start getting an angry backlash. People say that there's no point in this project, he's only doing it for the money (there's a book deal involved) and the publicity, and that it's pointless because although he claims to be exploring what people can do to reduce their impact, he acknowledges that no one is going to go quite this far (abandoning electricity and toilet paper) in an effort to be environmentally-friendly. They are accused of being out-of-touch with reality and bourgeois. They even receive some hateful messages on the blog. This is very difficult on Michelle especially, who is already struggling with having given up caffeine (no coffee is grown locally) and who went along with the project for Colin's benefit in the first place.

Now, I'll interject to point out that this family did what many families (probably most families) do not have an option to do. Colin is a successful writer and Michelle writes for Business Week, and they are clearly doing well, with a beautiful (if tiny) NYC apartment and lots and lots of designer clothes (bought pre-No Impact Man) for Michelle. Before they begin the "no-consuming" piece of the adventure, Michelle goes on a sort of shopping binge and purchases a pair of boots for $975. Obviously, these people are doing okay, financially. Which means that they can afford things like farmer's markets and locally-organically-grown food and the like. They also have the freedom and flexibility in their lives to embark upon a project like this one - something most families do not have. So they get a lot of backlash for this. I will not argue that their project is doable for the masses, but neither do they. Colin says a number of times that this is an exploration. They are using this year to determine, what's good, what's bad? What can they live without after the year is over, what will they continue with? What can the average American do?

By the end, the lights are turned back on and although it seems as though Colin could have lived happily ever after as No Impact Man, Michelle has a few things in mind to return to a semblance of normal life. As I said before, Michelle's transformation within the space of this movie is incredible, but she is a real person and is very honest about what she's no longer willing to do without. In the end she says she wants to stay vegetarian with the exception of a hot dog every now and then, she wants to continue riding the bike to get around, and she wants to keep the TV (to which she was formerly addicted) out of her home, but maintains that she will watch it on vacation. She does, however, draw the line at the "worm box" (the composting bin that has attracted flies to the kitchen).

During this year, the family doesn't just give up things in the service of environmentalism - they gain some more important things that they weren't even expecting. Michelle points out that since they no longer have TV or air-conditioning they are forced outside of their home all of the time to do things. The TV and the air-conditioning were the things that were keeping them inside almost all of the time. Now they are going around NYC and playing in fountains and riding bikes and doing active things together that actually strengthen their bonds with each other and the community. Colin points out that no one told him at the beginning that this project would mean that he would lose weight without ever visiting a gym and that as a result of the change in diet, Michelle's pre-diabetic condition would be reversed, but these are the "extras" that have happened and these things become more important in the long run.

I just have to reiterate that I loved the message of this film. I was already an environmentalist and I was already interested in positive action for change on the part of individuals and groups, and I was already interested in the value of community. So this documentary did not change my outlook - but it reaffirmed my decision to be an idealist in a world where idealism often not valued, and is in fact mocked, mistaken for naiveté. I love having the proof that other people are out there doing what they can to make a difference. It is these little changes, all put together that will change the world. No one has to live like the Beaveys did for that year - I would never choose that for myself. But all of us choosing to care a little more about other people, about the world around us...doing little things every day...these things truly do add up and they do matter.

Great Veg Discovery in Cleveland

2010-01-02T12:11:00.001-08:00

Pete and I were visiting family in Cleveland over the holidays, and discovered a fantastic place to eat for the vegetarian/vegan crowd in Coventry. So, I'm offering a shout-out here to my legions of faithful readers.

It's this casual sandwich joint called Tommy's and the food was terrific. But here's the thing, y'know how most veg-friendly places have a little "vegetarian" section on the menu with 4 or 5 choices? Well, Tommy's has at least 2 full pages, maybe 3, of vegetarian and vegan options. And not just salad stuff, either - relative rarities like seitan, tofu, and tempeh. We went twice while in town, and the first time I had a kick-ass veggie burger that they apparently make on site, mainly from brown rice. The second time I had a sandwich called the "Delaney" (all the menu items appear to be named after people). It was basically a kind of veg reuben, with fried tempeh for the corned beef, kraut, and spinach on 2 thick slices of rye. There was also swiss cheese on mine, but vegans could easily leave that off.

Pete had some sort of fajita-like wrap with seitan, and reported liking it quite a bit. On the second trip he had a "pie" with mushrooms and onions and cheese all wrapped up in some kind of dough. Again, it was yummy.

So, if you're traveling to the Cleveland area and wondering what to eat, I would highly recommend you get thee to Tommy's and try something there. I will warn you, though, that both times we went there was quite a line at the door, so come early!

Oh, and if Tommy should happen across this post, please open a location in NY!!

Gifting Pitfalls for the Animal-Friendly

2009-11-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, I thought I'd give some thought to the idea of animal products in gifts. Some people who are vegetarian don't mind receiving gifts with animal products in them, such as leather or wool clothes, etc. And some people (vegans, generally) go out of their way to avoid any sort of animal product, including silk, beeswax, and many other products. Most people, I would imagine, are somewhere in between.

I am definitely one of these "in-between" people. I describe myself as vegetarian but this doesn't give any sort of comprehensive list of things I will buy or not buy. It certainly doesn't give anyone a guideline for gift-giving. So, unless you are on one end of the spectrum, I advocate being very specific, since most people will differ.

When I spoke to my mother on the phone recently, I mentioned that I was "avoiding leather," admittedly hoping that she wouldn't ask questions and wouldn't buy me any of the other products I try to avoid either. I was trying to avoid her dismissive attitude and hoping to keep the peace. It turned out she really just wanted to know my preferences, and didn't give me any kind of attitude when I told her I don't buy leather or wool, but that I don't concern myself with silk or beeswax generally. I know this sounds somewhat complicated, but my ethics are my ethics. I can't say I am opposed to using any animal product, but some I definitely object to. Unfortunately, it is complicated. It gets even more complicated considering that my husband has different preferences - he is vegetarian in diet but isn't concerned with animal fabrics at all. So for relatives to keep straight what the two of us are willing to eat/wear/use, they have to remember 2 different systems.

I admit I feel guilty inconveniencing people, especially when all they want is to give you a gift you will like, so it's hard for me to place boundaries on these things, especially because I have only been vegetarian for less than 2 years and I feel that people are still getting used to it. But I am glad I told my mother, and I hope I'll have the guts to tell other people too.

So my question for all of you is, how and what do you tell people about your preferences? And when? What happens when you receive a gift that includes something you are opposed to using?

American Academy of Family Physicians Apparently in Bed with Coke...

2009-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

Here, see the article detailing the sale of of AAFP's soul:

Coke in US family doctors alliance

By Jonathan Birchall in New York

Published: October 6 2009 16:45 | Last updated: October 6 2009 16:45

Financial Times

Coca-Cola, the world’s largest soft drink company, has formed a corporate partnership with the leading US family doctors group to promote healthier diet and lifestyle choices, as it fights back against growing pressure from health policy groups for a tax on sugared sodas.

The American Academy of Family Physicians said on Tuesday that Coca-Cola would be the first corporate partner in a new “consumer alliance” that would work “to educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle”.

Coke is providing AAFP with a grant to develop educational content on soft drinks and sweeteners for the group’s popularFamilyDoctor.org health website.

Lori Heim, president-elect of the AAFP, said the group would receive “a strong six figure” payment annually from Coca-Cola to fund its work under the partnership. She said the group would give Coke “appropriate recognition” in the material produced for its involvement, but that the AAFP retained editorial control, including over whether or not to use Coca-Cola’s logo.

The AAFP, she said, had approached Coke and other companies over the idea of sponsorship, after previous cooperation on health issues.

Dr Rhona Applebaum, chief scientific and regulatory officer at Coca-Cola, said the partnership would “help provide Americans with credible information on beverages and enable consumers to make informed decisions about what they drink based on individual need.”

The announcement is part of a raft of steps being taken by Coke amid growing calls from some health policy makers for a federal tax on sugared drinks, and idea that has received some support from the White House.

New York city’s health department is running advertising on the city’s subway aimed at discouraging consumption of sugared sodas and juices.

Michael Jacobsen, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which is actively supporting the idea of a federal “soda-tax”, criticised the AAFP move.

“Nothing particularly good will come of it,” he said.

“But Coca-Cola will be able to brag publicly that it is involved in a health education effort with one of America’s most respected medical groups.”

Coke said last week it would put calorie-serving counts on the front of soft-drink packaging in the US, following a policy already adopted in Australia, Mexico and Europe.

It has also launched advertising in leading US markets highlighting the step and plans to introduce new, smaller 90-calorie cans of Coke next year.

Coke is also participating along with about 40 other food companies in a new group, the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, aimed at combatting rising levels of childhood obesity in the US.

Six years ago, Coca-Cola announced a similar partnership with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists on efforts to fight tooth decay.

The AAFP said that while it did not endorse any specific brand, product or service, its new consumer alliance “will collaborate with companies that share the common goal of informing consumers, as well as medical professionals, about new advances in product science and best practices for good health”.

Washington Post Dares to Suggest Cutting Down on Meat

2009-08-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

This article from WaPo speaks the truth about the environmental impact of meat consumption. People have been willing to ask the public to give up their SUVs for some time now, but according to the sources behind this article, trading in that SUV for a Prius will do less for the environment than eliminating meat from one meal a week. Only people are very uncomfortable advocating vegetarianism/veganism because Americans take their meat consumption very seriously, and meat industry lobbyists are not to be fooled around with.

But one meal a week?!? Who can't do that? Even the most staunch meat-eaters occasionally eat meatless meals. Once a week without meat...seriously, I know I am a vegetarian but I honestly don't think I would have balked at that even as an omni.

If any meat-eaters who care about the environment are reading this, I challenge you! Eliminate meat from one meal each week! Just one meal! Let me know how it goes.

Boca Loses its Novelty

2009-07-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

I am working at a summer camp this summer, 3 hours away from home, waaaaay up in the Adirondacks. It is a weight-loss camp, and all the food is carefully prepared and very low in fat. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised when I first got here and realized there would be a vegetarian alternative at every meal. Nice, right? So I don't just have to eat side dishes.

Here's the thing, though. The omni's get a variety of main dishes. Chicken, turkey, bison, pork, etc...all prepared in different ways so the palate doesn't get too bored. For the vegetarians? Boca. At almost every meal. Boca meatloaf, boca stuffed pepper, boca burgers, boca chili, boca spaghetti, boca all the time.

Okay, so there's the occasional tofu and the rare black bean (yay!) exception. But seriously, I've had enough Boca this summer to last me a lifetime. I used to actually like and enjoy Boca burgers on occasion. Now I never want to see one again. What ever happened to whole foods? I'd be happy with beans at every meal, I think. How about some of those same stuffed peppers, with rice or lentils instead of Boca? Or even (gasp) simply leave it out? Spaghetti sauce doesn't need meat or meat substitute! Just leave it alone!

I think it's some kind of misdirected feeling that we're not going to get enough protein without meat substitutes. It's gotten to the point that I just avoid the Boca and eat side dishes and salad to fill up. Argh.

Humans are Natural Herbivores

2009-06-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

This article from the Huffington Post by Kathy Freston explains that, although we have been led to believe by several industries that humans must eat meat for optimal health, our bodies have yet to adapt to an omnivorous diet.

The article cites Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of The China Study (which I am currently reading) and a ton of scientific research on this topic.

The article is short and worth reading, especially as it refutes one of my favorite justifications for eating meat. Namely, "But we were obviously meant to eat meat...we have canine teeth!"

Really? Please let me know the next time you are tearing through the hide of an animal with only your "canine" teeth.

Meatless in May Campaign

2009-05-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

Your Daily Thread and Chelsea Green team up for the "Meatless in May" campaign. It is intended to raise awareness about the environmental impact of meat production, but there are many other reasons to go meatless as well, in May and every other month. If you aren't already a vegetarian, try it out for May and see how easy it really is!

My First Veggie Meetup!

2009-04-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

So...yesterday there was a vegan/vegetarian meetup organized by rabid_child over at VeggieBoards, and I had been excited about it for awhile, so Pete and I went. There were a couple of other people from VB there, and several from VegWeb and Post Punk Kitchen. I have to admit it was pretty intimidating at first, since we didn't know a soul except each other, and we're both lowly vegetarians, largely loathed by many extreme vegans...but everyone was nice and soon we were chatting and having fun. Definitely not the kind of reaction I would have expected had I believed Bob & Jenna over at VeganFreak Radio, who outwardly eschew vegetarians because they "do nothing to contribute to the cause." However, I digress.

There was plenty of food! We brought a bean salad, which, in an attempt to make it vegan-friendly by removing the sugar from the recipe, suffered a bit in taste. I couldn't figure out what to sub for the sugar, orange juice didn't seem to work...and I didn't have any agave nectar or beet sugar on hand, so I just left it out. If any of you have suggestions for next time, in case my cooking skills don't improve...

Other foods included a vegan mac & cheese, which, even in it's not-quite-cheesiness, was really good, a tofu and black bean salad with lime juice and cilantro, which was fantastic, and a seitan "ham". I had never had seitan before and was excited to try it, but I think I'll have to try it again to give a good assessment. At this point it's a solid "thumbs-sideways." It had a relatively meaty texture, but something about it threw me off a bit. Also, there was a garlic bread that was fantastic and several dips that I could not stop eating.

Anyway, after we ate plenty of Rock Band 2 hilarity ensued. All in all, it was a good time and I look forward to another meetup! I apologize for not having pictures, but of course I forgot my camera. This is a relatively common occurrence in my life, and I've learned to forgive myself for it!

Zucchini Bread!

2009-04-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

I did something for the first time today. I made bread. I know, I know...you can't believe that a person can live to my age without ever having baked bread. But I broke the cycle today! Yay! Zucchini bread, it was. And good. Here are some pics:

Thanks to Tuco over at Veggie Karma for the recipe.

So besides being my first bread and my first zucchini bread, this was also the first vegan baking I've ever baked. I've had vegan baked goods before, and liked them, but this was my first foray into actually doing it myself. My husband was admittedly a little wary about trying it. When he learned the recipe was vegan, his reaction was a little wariness because, as he put it, "an egg adds something that I don't think anything else can replace accurately."

I disagree. And after trying it, he may even disagree with himself, since he did say it was pretty good. The zucchini bread didn't turn out perfect; it's a little overdone and not quite as flavorful as I would have liked, but I don't think substituting applesauce and apple juice for eggs and sugar are the problem, since it is sweet enough and I think it would be moist enough if not overcooked. I'm just not a huge fan of homemade things made of whole-wheat flour. It's weird, since I like whole-wheat bread that I purchase at the store...it's just things I've had like whole-wheat pancakes, english muffins, and now this zucchini bread that I don't love. It's the dense texture.

Next time I'll use half whole-wheat flour and half white-flour, probably, as well as add a little salt.

Rudeness!

2009-03-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

At the same housewarming party where we tried the Smart Bacon (see previous post) I had one of my first vegetarian-hostile encounters. This guy who I've never met before was telling a charming story that went basically like this:

"So, once I was with this vegetarian guy and he was giving me shit about eating McDonald's food...so I said 'It's delicious and free of self-righteousness!'"

Huh?

I read things like this all the time on VeggieBoards; in fact, there's a whole thread devoted to "Stupid things omnis say". But this is really the first time I myself have felt the sting. I mean, I had just met this guy, and it felt like he was basically calling me self-righteous. I hadn't even been talking about being vegetarian or anything; it was the faux bacon that made him bring it up.

So I'm curious, what kind of jokes do you hear on a daily basis about being vegetarian or vegan?

Smart Bacon

2009-03-20T20:33:00.001-07:00

Hi all. Tonight we went to a friend's housewarming, and he was kind enough to make stuffed mushrooms wrapped in Smart Bacon. This was the first time I have tried "fakin bacon" of any kind, and my feelings on it are generally positive.

Like most meat analogues, you can't go into it expecting bacon, 'cause bacon it ain't. It wasn't exactly crispy (although that could have been due to the way it was cooked, in the oven and wrapped around a mushroom). But the taste was pretty bacon-ish, if too salty. I know, I know...but it was even salty for bacon! The texture was a little...odd. But not bad. A friend said she had had some kind of faux bacon a few years ago and it was like bacon-flavored styrofoam. She declared that Smart Bacon was far better. Pete even liked it, and he was quite the bacon enthusiast as an omni.

I'd like to try it just fried up like actual bacon at some point...I'll let you know if we do that.

Foods I Want to Like

2009-03-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Since becoming vegetarian I have been expanding my food repertoire pretty dramatically. I have learned to enjoy such things as portabello mushrooms, which I used to hate, and tofu, which I was ambivalent about. I seem to even be getting used to eggplant, although I have to admit I still cannot stomach baba ganoush. If it's part of a recipe that has other strong flavors I don't mind it. I have also discovered new foods that I really love, such as quinoa, and various recipes that we've recently tried out from veggie cookbooks.

There are also a whole host of vegetables that I have learned to love since discovering that veggies don't have to come out of a can, and they don't have to be gray and limp, or boiled to mush. Since this discovery I have fallen in love with the most unlikely suspects, such as brussels sprouts. Seriously, I love them. And kale, and sometimes even asparagus.

There are a few foods, however, that I still can't enjoy, and it seems as if no amount of trying it again will make me like it.

For instance: zucchini. I hate zucchini. I hate everything about it. The color, the texture, the way it gets all mushy when you cook it - yuck! Pete has asked me to try it fried, but really, in my mind breading and frying a vegetable makes it not count as a vegetable anymore.

Similarly, yellow squash. I feel exactly the same way about it as I do zucchini. Yuck.

Beets. I have had beets only a few times, and I will continue to try them when I am confronted with them, but this is pretty rare. Also almost all other root vegetables except potatoes and carrots. Truly, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips...hate them all! Don't want anything to do with any of them.

Finally...olives. I don't care what color they are or how fancy the packaging, I truly do not like olives. And I desperately want to like them. They seem like such a sophisticated little treat...it's as though if I eat olives I will become a sophisticated foodie myself. So I try them often. And every time I am completely disgusted. It's very disappointing.

What are the foods you just can't learn to like? Do you have any special ways of preparing the foods on my hate-list? If so I'd love to give it a try.

Yves Veggie Brats

2009-02-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of the veggie brats with a little kraut and melted swiss, served with a macaroni salad that in the end turned out too pickle-y.

We had these a couple of weeks ago, and I have to tell you neither of us liked them. We had them simply, on a bun with mustard and kraut. Both Pete and I finished our plates, but neither of us went back for more, and we won't be buying these again. It's not that they don't taste like meat (though they don't) because I am fine with meat substitutes not tasting like meat; in fact in general I think they're getting in over their heads when they attempt to. The best veggie burgers are good in their own right, though they don't taste like beef burgers, and that goes for other faux meats as well.

My problem with the veggie brats is more the texture. They are spiced heavily, so really the flavor is all about the spices, and it's not bad. Not memorable, but not bad. The texture, however, is...unpleasant, to say the least. They are soft, kind of mushy. There's no resistance to it, and once you start chewing it it becomes a gelatinous mess. Not the kind of thing you really want to have in your mouth, frankly.

The Yves brand is the only kind of veggie brats our local grocery store carries, so we likely won't be trying any other brands any time soon, unless something interesting pops up at the co-op. Which is fine, since both of us are happier eating whole foods at most meals.

We like the faux meats for the occasional "no-cook" meal, though. That's where veggie burgers and tacos with Morningstar veggie crumbles come in really handy, and it would be nice to add a few things to the no-cook list for those nights when we get home late and don't feel much like cooking.

When I was growing up we would just raid the pantry for "Mom's Famous Suppers" if my stepdad was out of town. MFS's generally consisted of peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches or bagels with cream cheese. What do you do on "no-cook" nights? Share your quickie meal plans!!

Omni Husband Crosses over to The Dark Side!

2009-01-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

That's right, folks, and I'm really excited about it. The other day (I think it was a couple days after my teary viewing of "Earthlings") totally out of the blue, Pete yells to me from the other room, "Y'know, I've been thinking about doing the vegetarian thing myself."

So I'm in the bathroom getting ready to go to school, and I think "Did I hear him right, or is he joking, or what?" So, I yell back to him, "Yeah, right!". (By this time I've decided he's kidding.) But he wasn't! He told me that he'd been mulling over all the things I've told him about the meat industries lately, and that he didn't want to be a part of it. So he's "giving it a shot."

It all sounds pretty tentative right now, and it is kind of a trial period for him...but I'm hoping it sticks. Although it hasn't been much of a challenge for me, I think it will be harder for him because of his love of steak and ribs and all things barbecue. For me, I mostly ate chicken because I thought I needed meat to complete the meal, but I really wasn't interested in steak or anything like that.

I'm thinking about maybe trying some barbecue tempeh (which I saw on Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's tiny segment on Bobby Flay's bbq show on the Food Network) at some point for him. I don't know if he'll be overly enthusiastic about it or anything, but he'd at least try it (especially since he's generally the house chef so he'd likely be the one cooking it!)

So far it's just been a few days but he's been doing really well. He has been having hummus & veggie sandwiches for lunch, and we had veggie burgers (Amy's California style - Yum) for dinner 2 nights and last night we made this delicious (and I do mean delicious) mushroom risotto from "How to Make Everything Vegetarian" that we'll be eating leftovers from for a few days. My main concern for him is when summer rolls around and our friends start having meat-fest barbecues again. That could be a bit of a challenge.

If any of you have ideas for helping a dedicated omni make the transition, I'd love to hear them.

Finally Watched Earthlings!

2009-01-18T16:39:00.000-08:00

So, ever since I started timidly exploring the veggie world I have been hearing about this documentary, Earthlings. (If you can stand terrible video quality for the sake of being free, then check out this link.) Now, it doesn't explicitly state where the footage came from, but it seems likely that most if not all of it is from hidden cameras, since I can't imagine the kind of person that would knowingly allow someone to record evidence of such cruelty.

Over at Veggie Karma, Tuco posted on this recently and felt it was too alarmist, relying in the beginning on references to Hitler and child molesters to make its point. I absolutely agree with him on this point, but luckily the documentary really just got to talking about the animals very shortly after the opening credits.

Earthlings is narrated nicely by Joaquin Phoenix, who I hear is vegan (correct me if I'm wrong). It discusses several different ways in which people use (and misuse) animals. These include food, clothing, and entertainment/sport. The first segment finds the camera inside several slaughterhouses, witnessing some of the most disgusting things I have ever seen. This includes a kosher slaughterhouse, which apparently was in violation of several kosher laws, such as letting the animal bleed out before touching it. In one of the slaughterhouses, a cow was seen dangling from his ankles on his way down to get his throat slit (supposedly after being made unconscious) but he was still clearly moving and bellowing. I also saw a cow have his trachea and esophagus simply torn out of his neck while the cow was clearly still living and feeling. This was the scene that finally made me leave the room so I could have a good cry.

Later I returned and continued watching. I saw a fox be skinned for his fur, after which he still appeared to be alive! I don't really know if this is possible, but his head was moving and his eye was blinking even though he had just been completely skinned. It was horrifying to watch, and I hope never to see anything like it again.

There was also a segment on using animals for entertainment, in which I learned that during rodeos, the bulls buck wildly not because they are wild, but because their testicles are clamped in this little device that I'm sure is quite painful. I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't already know that...but I guess I'm still learning. Also during this segment I saw several elephants get beaten with sticks and poked mercilessly until they could learn to walk in that circle that you see in commercials for the circus.

I think the most important thing that I learned from this documentary was that leather is not just a by-product of the meat industry. At least some of our leather comes from Indian cows (many of whom die in transit to Indian states where slaughtering cows is legal). These cows are being slaughtered solely for their skins. I had always thought that leather was simply a convenient by-product of beef; I have to admit I had no idea we were killing completely different animals just to wear their skins.

I had been afraid to watch this, putting it off for months because I was afraid it would scare me and be awful. And, frankly, it did and it was. But I learned something from it, too, and I'm glad I watched it. I haven't been purchasing leather products anyway lately, but this definitely cements my resolve.

So, what are your thoughts? Did this documentary leave you a teary, devastated mess, as it did me? What parts got your attention?

Rice Dream "Rice Drink"

2009-01-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Rice Dream was my next foray into alternative "milks". It is awesome! In my opinion, it's better than than the soymilk reviewed in my last post. I guess this doesn't matter in terms of taste, but the color is actually white, instead of the off-white of the soymilk, which I view as a point in rice milk's favor. Also the texture is not as thick, which is nice. Basically, I would say rice milk looks and feels like skim cow's milk. A bit thinner than the 1% I was used to, but it tastes good. It's also a little sweet, but not as sweet as the soymilk.

As far as nutrition, the rice milk is fortified so it provides basically the same nutrients as soymilk or cow's milk, except for the protein, and it has less fat than either with no trans fat and of course, no cholesterol. Try it!

Silk Soy Milk

2009-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

I have always been a milk drinker. That didn't change when I went veg, but recently I've been giving it more thought. Of course I'm aware that the dairy industry supplies the veal industry, and certainly the dairy cows don't live pleasant lives in grassy pastures, but I've been going along fine on this "I'll do what I can" philosophy. I mean, like I've said before, "don't do nothing because you can't do everything." So I do some. I stopped eating meat, and contrary to what many vegans would say, I think that's a major step. Surely it's better this way than the old way, eating meat and dairy, right?

But I thought...what if I can do more? After all, I've never even tried a non-dairy milk, and there are many to choose from. Soy milk, rice milk, various nut and oat milks are all just waiting on the shelf in their stable cartons for me to choose one. And they often come in flavors, such as vanilla and chocolate. I like plain milk so I went for plain soymilk. Silk brand, specifically. And after reading the carton's nutrition information, I realize that this stuff is not only better for the animals, but better for me. This mysterious soybean substance has less fat and less saturated fat than milk and of course no cholesterol. Plus it's fortified so it also has all the calcium & other nutrients of milk.

So I bought it. And I tried it. And guess what - it's yummy! It's a little odd at first because when you pour it, the color is a little off. Eggshell-y rather than white. And it's not quite as opaque as milk. I have to admit, right off the bat I was already a bit skeptical. So I smelled it. No smell, really. Then I tried really hard to get a neutral attitude, and I tasted it. Just a small sip. I thought, "okay, not bad." I brought it to my husband, Pete, who proclaimed it, "uh...not bad...a little sweet." It is a little sweet, which is strange. I don't really expect or want sweetness in milk. But over the next couple of days I tried it a few more times. Tonight I had a small glass with dessert.

The carton I bought a few days ago is now almost gone. And I'll buy it again. I've decided that I like it. So that's something more I can do. I'm not saying I'll never touch cow's milk again and I'm certainly not eliminating cheese at the moment, but I really do think every little bit counts, and I can do more by drinking soymilk.

I also plan to try out other kinds of milk in the coming weeks. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, what are your thoughts? Have you discovered tasty animal product alternatives?

Update: McD's Fries are Not Vegetarian!

2009-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

Who knew? In an earlier post, Staying Veggie on American Highways, I discussed the highs (and lows) of staying veggie while traveling from Albany to Cleveland on I-90. In that post I mentioned that we unfortunately stopped at one of those rest stops that only offers McDonalds to eat, so I had the fruit & walnut salad and some fries. Well, recently over at VeggieBoards (thanks guys!) I learned that McDonalds uses beef-flavoring in their fries. Most definitely not vegetarian! Well, I'm not gonna sweat it too hard, since I was seriously new at this (and kind of still am) but now I know. I guess it's all a process.

Again, the moral of the story: Vegetarians - stay away from the golden arches!

Samosas & Cucumber Salad

2009-01-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hi. So, we got around to making a couple things out of the New Moosewood Cookbook (see previous post). So far I'm pretty pleased, I must say.

One of the things we had was the Balkan Cucumber Salad, which was fantastic! It basically includes cukes, red onion, yogurt (I used Greek), and tons of dill, mint, and parsley. Both Pete and I absolutely loved this salad. It's super-easy to make, and tastes fresh and creamy and delicious. My only complaint is that you really need to finish it at your meal, because it's no good after sitting in the fridge all night.

The other recipe we made was the Samosas. If you don't know, samosas are an Indian dish, traditionally dough filled with a potato/pea mixture and deep-fried. Ours were baked, and we also made the cider vinegar/brown sugar/garlic dipping sauce that goes with them. The filling is potatoes, peas, onion, garlic and several spices and is delicious by itself...I just need to think of some other way to eat it. The major problem with this dish is that it is a pain in the ass to make. Seriously, it took us (by us I mean Pete) an hour just to assemble the samosas. This time is just for assembly, and does not include making the dough, or making the filling! So don't make these if you're pressed for time!

So, to sum up, I'd say definitely make the cucumber salad anytime, and the samosas would make a good party trick if you have plenty of people to feed (the recipe makes many more samosas than 2 people could possibly eat) and plenty of time or plenty of helping hands.

Enjoy!

Cookbooks for Christmas

2009-01-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Sorry it's been so long; it was a pretty busy semester toward the end, but now I'm on winter break and I want to tell you about 2 cookbooks I received for Christmas.

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman

First, I should mention that I am well aware the vegan/veggie pride crowd is not at all pleased with this book both because it is not vegan (most of the recipes can be modified to vegan, but not all) and because...(cover the eyes of the little ones)...Bittman is not a vegetarian!

I am okay with both of these, since 1) I'm not vegan, and 2) I don't care what Bittman eats.

But on to the book. It is absolutely enormous, at almost 1,000 pages in length, and incredibly inclusive. There are 66 pages of salads, and I love salads so this is very exciting for me. There are also over 60 pages of soups, and pastas, and over 200 pages devoted to fruits and vegetables. There are numerous things in this book for everyone to eat, no matter who you are.

One thing I really appreciate about this book is the inclusion of many charts, tables, illustrations, and graphs to add additional information and tips. One of my favorite tables is one that simply lists dozens of sandwich ideas, with separate columns for bread/wrap, fillings, condiments, etc. There is a nice illustration of trimming an artichoke as well, for those (like myself) who are intimidated by the artichoke.

Overall, this book sort of functions as a kind of "Joy of Cooking" for the vegetarian, because it is not only a recipe book but a really comprehensive cooking instruction. Bittman starts off with a bit of background, and spends a couple of chapters talking about basic techniques, and equipment that you need/don't need in your kitchen. This first part of the book I just read page-for-page and found it a good read, with lots of useful information.

We've only had 1 recipe out of the book so far, "Lentils & Potatoes with Curry", (p. 600) and I liked it. Pete liked it as well, although if I'm being honest neither of us gave it 5 stars. The texture was very nice and creamy, and using a dollop of Greek yogurt and some cilantro on top really added something, but still the flavor was a bit lacking. I give it 3 stars. We'll make it again, but try to spice it up a bit or something just to add some flavor.

So, I am generally very positive on this book so far and highly recommend it. I will update the blog as we try more of the recipes.

The New Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen

This holiday season I also received The New Moosewood Cookbook, which is apparently a classic vegetarian cookbook. I am somewhat embarrassed to say I had never heard of it until recently, even though it has enjoyed 3 decades and several printings' worth of popularity. This book is also not vegan, although, like the Bittman book, most of the recipes are easily modified.

First of all, the book is fun and whimsical and a joy to read. In addition to the "handwritten" text, there are cute illustrations (by the author) throughout that really add to the book. In fact, last night I simply read the entire thing, as though it were some sort of novel or something.

This book is not quite the tome the Bittman book is, but I am looking forward to trying many of the recipes, which sound delicious. The only complaint I have about this book so far is that it is chock-full of tofu. I like tofu as much as the next person, but in general I'd rather substitute another vegetable for it. Often Katzen recommends whipping soft tofu and using it as a kind of sauce, the idea of which I have to admit sickens me. To be fair, I've never had it this way, so for all I know it's food for the gods...but...ick.

Nevertheless I am very much looking forward to trying many of the recipes. Even the tofu recipes mostly sound awesome, but I may omit it in a few. We'll see. I haven't tried anything from this book yet, so I can't recommend anything, but I'll keep you posted.

As always, if any of you (phantom) readers have questions about these books or suggestions for others, etc., please comment!

What's the Opposite of Support?

2008-10-26T19:55:00.001-07:00

So I've been vegetarian now for about 4 months, and I have to say mostly it's no big deal. I don't really miss meat (except the occasional slider...man I loved those teeny burgers), and the transition has been easier than I expected. I haven't cheated at all and I haven't really felt like I wanted to.

Part of this is due to the support I get from Pete, my husband. He never complains about cooking vegetarian food at home, and although he continues to eat meat he doesn't give me any trouble about it whatsoever. He cooks my veggie burgers in a separate pan from his burger even without my asking. (I know some of you are thinking, "well, duh" but I am aware of a few spouses who would launch an assault of non-supportive sarcastic comments before dirtying two pans.)

I do not get this level of support from my family. My family are pretty traditional. Southern, meat-eating, Republican-voting people. Believe me, they don't "get" vegetarianism. So the other day I was talking to my mom on the phone and she was telling me about this great chicken recipe that "I just have to try". So I reminded her that I no longer eat meat, to which she replied, "Oh, you're still doing that?"

So am I overreacting when I say I'm insulted by that response? I can't help but feel like she was assuming becoming vegetarian was some sort of phase I am going through. I'm not a teenager, and I haven't been for some time. At this point in my life, when I change something on principle, I don't change back unless the principle changes. And frankly I can't think of a time that has happened.

I envision future dinners at her home where she has virtually nothing for me to eat because she refuses to support me in my supposedly protein-deficient lifestyle. How do the rest of you handle this? Any suggestions?

The Worst Veggie Burger

2008-10-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

As an update to the last post on meat substitutes, I'd like to add Ruby Tuesday's veggie burger as the worst I've had so far.

Today we ate lunch there. I have to admit the Garden Bar, when stocked and fresh, as it was today, is awesome. So it wasn't like I didn't get to eat. I just couldn't get down more than 3 bites of their tasteless, mushy veggie burger. It's as though no one ever tasted it to make sure it was of an acceptable quality before putting it on the menu. Needless to say, I don't recommend it.

Meat Substitutes

2008-09-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

"Meat substitutes" - sounds icky, right? Well, since becoming vegetarian I've been trying them. So I'd like to tell you my thoughts. In general I prefer eating whole foods; fruits, vegetables, grains. But sometimes it's just easier to plan a meal around a fake meat product or soy product, so I do. So here is a list of the things I've tried in lieu of meat and my feelings about them.

Tofu: Tofu is a soy product and kind of a stereotypical vegetarian thing to eat. So this was the first meat substitute I tried, and frankly, I didn't expect to like it much. I threw it into a Thai dish with veggies, soba noodles, and a peanut sauce and it was good. The tofu itself just takes on whatever flavors you combine with it, but it has a nice texture. You need the extra firm kind here - it has a nice bite to it. Don't expect chicken, because it's not like that. But it's pleasant to eat and tastes good in the sauce. It just adds "meatness" to a dish so you feel more like you're eating a full meal. Pete liked it too, although to be fair he'd still prefer actual meat. In general, he eats actual meat but when we cook together it's just easier to make one dish, so he eats what I eat for the most part.

A vegetarian friend of mine also brought veggies to roast one time when we had her over for dinner, and she had "tofu steaks" as well that we just roasted in the oven with a balsamic marinade. These were good, too, but we had to throw out the leftovers because I couldn't figure out a way to save them for next time that would preserve the flavor and texture.

Veggie "protein links" (aka pretend hot dogs): The short answer here is: don't eat them. They don't taste like real hot dogs and they don't really taste good. I had the Smart Ones brand and they left an unpleasant aftertaste. I found they were edible if I put plenty of condiments on, but still there's that aftertaste. So I have decided to simply forgo hot dogs. They're not healthy anyway. Even the vegetarian kind are filled with preservatives and other assorted nasties that definitely do not belong in a healthy diet.

Veggie burgers: Delicious. I love veggie burgers. Like I said in the beginning I prefer to eat whole foods, so I don't have them too often, but when I do it's a real treat. When I eat veggie burgers at home I prefer Amy's brand. The ingredients list is refreshingly short and includes only things I recognize as food, and they have a wonderful texture and taste. Like other meat substitutes, you can't go into it expecting beef, but it's really tasty all the same. And the Amy's brand hold together well under a pile of condiments, which is how I like my burgers.

Also, I had a whole post centered around a veggie burger I had at Fuddruckers, and it too was delicious. I think that one was soy-based, whereas the Amy's brand burgers are mushroom-based, so they have different textures and flavors, but they're both good.

Um...so I think that about taps my first-hand meat substitute knowledge. A friend of mine recently told me that Morningstar "veggie crumbles" are a great substitute for ground meat, but I haven't tried them yet. I may try some sort of tacos or something with them at some point. I'll let you know how they turn out when I get around to it.

What have you all had/liked/disliked in the meat substitute world?

Staying Veggie on American Highways

2008-09-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

So I had a road trip to Cleveland this weekend, which meant stopping to eat at a few I-90 rest stops. Here are my experiences.

On the way out the first rest stop we stopped at had only a McDonald's and an Edy's ice cream place, so my very understanding omni husband recommended that we just move on. Which we did. The next stop had a Fuddruckers, which, to my surprise, offered a veggie burger. I ordered said veggie burger, as a swiss melt - which includes swiss, mushrooms, and onions. I received a veggie burger with swiss and bacon! Why in the world would a veggie burger have bacon on it? To my knowledge there aren't a ton of omnivores out in the world who eat veggie burgers because they like the taste and pile them with bacon. I was unwilling to become a pain in the ass over it, so Pete took the bacon and put it on his burger, and the cashier threw some mushrooms and onions on mine, and I ate it. It tasted good. If you have to eat fast food, I'd recommend Fuddrucker's veggie burger.

On the way back, however, we stopped at one of the many unfortunate places that offer only McDonald's and we just really wanted to eat, so I perused the menu and ordered the Fruit & Walnut Salad, really the only offering that doesn't include meat (except fries & desserts). All of the other salads include chicken. I didn't actually ask anyone about that, but the menu indicated that they included chicken and I assume they are pre-prepped so that the best you could do is have someone remove the chicken (which would do nothing to support the cause, since you would still have contributed to big agribusiness). The Fruit & Walnut salad is small and not filling on its own (I also ordered fries - I know it's wierd but I needed something!) but it tastes good.

EDIT: I have learned since this post that McDonald's fries are NOT vegetarian, as they include a beef flavoring.

The moral of the story is this: For other newbie vegetarians out there, I absolutely must recommend that you avoid McDonald's at all costs, but if you must eat fast food, Fuddrucker's veggie burger is pretty tasty.

What are your experiences in fast food vegetarianism?

Carb-aholic Tendencies

2008-08-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

I know a couple of other vegetarians, one a healthy eater and the other...not so much. It sounds impossible, but there are vegetarians out there who don't actually eat vegetables. So what are they living on? Mostly carbs, it looks like.

Now I am no Atkins supporter, and certainly I would agree that a body need carbs to live. But nobody is carbohydrate-deficient, as far as I can tell. Lots of people, on the other hand, are vitamin and nutrient deficient. This comes from not eating enough vegetables and fruits, which is really easy to do. The old-standard food pyramid recommends getting 5 servings of fruits & veggies a day, which I frankly have found impossible, both on an omnivorous diet and on a vegetarian diet.

I put a lot of effort into not simply living off carbs. For me, this means going to the farmer's market on the weekends with a plan; arriving there with no meal plan doesn't make for good shopping, I've found. I need to plan out a few meals in advance, and then shop for my produce with a list. Otherwise I end up holding beautiful fat tomatoes and putting them down, sighing "but what'll I do with it? It'll just go bad sitting on the counter."

Also, I've incorporated much, much more fruit into my diet. This transition happened gradually, beginning before I went vegetarian. I just started introducing myself to new (and sometimes exotic) fruits I hadn't had before, or hadn't eaten recently. This opened me up to a whole new world of foods, since before that I had lived off very little fruit. (Like an occasional banana or craisins thrown into a salad constituted my entire fruit consumption.) So every time I went shopping, I'd get some kind of new fruit, ranging from peaches or apricots to kiwis and star fruit. (I actually discovered I don't like star fruit, which was disappointing b/c they are so pretty, but whatever; there are many others out there.) I've rediscovered blueberries as a favorite food. I put them on my breakfast, no matter what I'm having. I have a handful as a snack, I throw them on salads, I go through blueberries like they may soon go extinct. I also eat apples as snacks, and plums and nectarines. Sometimes I have to force myself if I'm not actually hungry, because otherwise I could go a whole day with my only fruit intake being a few blueberries on my oatmeal.

Another strategy I've developed is the new and exciting idea of putting things other than greens into my salads. I know to many of you this sounds ridiculous, because who would eat a salad of just greens? But I had been doing just that for many years. So I've simply tried to become less lazy, slicing up bellpeppers, cucumbers, and onions for my salads. Also I put berries and nuts on top and toss the whole thing with oil and vinegar. If I want more protein I add beans. I always, always, keep canned beans on hand because I love them and because they're easy to add to just about anything. And I'm not particular about the kind, black beans, red beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, whatever.

Still, there are days where I eat an assortment of muffins, pasta, grains, and bread and it seems as though I've lived on nothing but carbs for that day. And this is August, when everything is in season. What the hell am I supposed to do in the middle of winter when I can't get fresh asparagus and blueberries are but a memory of a warmer time?

What are your strategies? Help a newbie out!

Sexism in Veggieland

2008-08-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Why is Alicia Silverstone naked in this video? It's on PETA's website and it features several videos of vegetarian celebrities talking about why they chose vegetarianism. Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, and many other celebrities appear in these videos, fully clothed and talking eloquently about their choices. But I guess PETA was happy to just let Alicia Silverstone be sexy. They (and she) had a choice to let her speak intelligently and reach people on a real level, or just let her sex appeal take center stage. I think they took the low road.

I realize the goal is to abolish speciecism, but this approach is using sexism as a tool. How is that okay?

"Meet Your Meat": Propaganda or Learning Experience?

2008-08-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I was in front of the computer and a little bored so I decided to check out the video I had been hearing about for awhile now but really didn't want to watch, "Meet Your Meat."

Narrated by the unmistakable voice of Alec Baldwin and featuring apparently documentary footage of the dark side of factory farming, it is truly horrible to watch. I did a little digging to try and figure out if it's hidden camera footage, but found nothing to clarify my question. (If anyone knows, please leave a comment!) I just can't imagine that these people let camera crews in to witness some of these spectacular abuses of animals that are very obviously in considerable pain.

In about 12 minutes, this video shows you chickens in battery cages (a cruelty I have to admit I didn't really appreciate from description alone; it requires the visual to understand), cows and pigs that literally can't walk but are nevertheless being mercilessly prodded about at auction, and worst of all (at least for me), a cow dangling by his leg with blood gushing from his throat, apparently still alive and conscious!

If I had watched this video years ago I believe I would have given up contributing to agribusiness immediately.

I know, however, that the video is propaganda, intended for this very purpose. It's definitely not a place I would expect to find the "facts". But it is real footage, certainly it contains the facts as they pertain to these particular farms - does this kind of abuse happen across the board, or did PETA go out of their way to find the worst cases of abuse to document, for the shock value?

The Vegan Freak Podcast

2008-08-09T19:02:00.001-07:00

So, I wanted to talk about this podcast, hosted by Bob & Jenna Torres for a couple of reasons. I have mixed feelings about it and I am wondering how everyone else feels.

First, I should state that I have listened to the podcast a number of times and mostly I have to say I enjoy it. The offer lots of information, interesting interviews, and even product reviews every once in a while. I really like the email & voice mail segments, and Bob has a segment he does in an old-man voice that's really funny. So, overall a really entertaining podcast.

However, it's not all fun and games at Vegan Freak. This is the most harsh, judgmental, and incredibly self-righteous production I think I've ever listened to. If you aren't a vegan (strict vegan) and don't have a thick skin I definitely don't recommend listening. I am a vegetarian (not vegan) and I have to say I get my feelings hurt a bit. Especially since up until about 6 weeks ago I was an omnivore. The intro to the podcast (which is admittedly hilarious) features a cute song about how we all love animals as kids and grow out of it as adults, and then a big booming voice says:

"COMING TO YOU FROM HIGH ATOP THEIR FORTRESS OF MORAL SUPERIORITY...HERE ARE YOUR PROTEIN-DEFICIENT HOSTS, BOB AND JENNA!"

Which is hilarious at first because we all know it's a sarcastic reference to the stereotypes vegans are subject to. But then after I listened to a few episodes, I started realizing the "fortress of moral superiority" is not at all sarcastic. Whether or not they intend or even realize it, they exude vegan snottiness in a way I have never experienced. They often berate apparently well-meaning people who try but sometimes fail at being meat-product-free, and have lots of scorn for those vegetarians whom they proclaim "aren't helping the cause at all."

It seems to be that something is better than nothing, though this may be a common non-vegan justification. Such black & white thinking really doesn't recognize the contributions of people who have given up meat but continue to consume dairy and eggs. Certainly it seems as though it's better to consume only dairy and eggs than beef, pork, poultry, dairy & eggs. According to the Vegan Freaks, though, this contribution is null. It doesn't count. My contribution, and the contributions of all the other well-meaning but not-yet-vegan or not-ever-vegan people, simply don't count. That is ridiculous.

And I know I mentioned this before in the post about vegan derision for omnivores, but this attitude of moral superiority and self-righteousness is doing nothing to win converts to your cause, Vegan Freaks. Instead of inviting people to listen to you, you are ostracizing them. Do you really want to spread the word about veganism, or do you simply want to feel superior? I have to wonder.

The Beginning

2008-08-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

Most of this post appeared originally in my other blog on 8/1/08.

Here's the major news since we last convened: I have completely cut out meat and am now a vegetarian. I am not vegan, nor do I wish to be (for the time being), but I'm doing what I can for the environment, the animals, and my health. (Don't do nothing because you can't do everything, right?)

The transition hasn't been that difficult. It's only been about a month, so far, but I've really been surprised by how little effort it takes to construct meals around things other than meat. I've simply introduced a lot more veggies and fruits, nuts, legumes, grains and pastas into my diet. The trick is making sure to get more veggies & fruits, and not simply living on carbs. It can be tricky when eating in restaurants, depending on the restaurant, but ethnic places are pretty easy. It's the all-American "steakhouse" that poses a challenge. My solution has typically been to order one of those giant chicken salads without the chicken & bacon. The restaurant where I work in the summer has several varieties of the chicken salad, and they're all full of mixed greens & veggies and can be had without any meat without sacrificing flavor or fullness.

At home there's really been no challenge, even though I live with an omnivore. He's incredibly supportive and totally open to eating vegetarian meals with me, so this has made it much easier for me. I've made several delicious (and a few not-so-delicious) meals out of Vegetarian Planet, by Didi Emmons, and continue to peruse the blogosphere for other support, tips, and recipes.

Wish me luck in my continuing journey!!

Vegetarian/Vegan Derision for Carnivores

2008-08-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

This post was originally posted on my other blog on 6/30/08. Click the link to see a couple of helpful comments from other bloggers! (Thanks to Beth & Tuco.)

I have been considering cutting meat out of my diet. Both for health reasons and so that I won't be contributing to agribusiness, an industry which does nothing to impress me. I am beginning slowly, trying out new vegetables and fruits, and meat substitutes. (Note to readers: if you go vegetarian, just forgo hot dogs. Do not eat "veggie protein links". They don't taste good. Trust me.)

Another step on my journey thus far was checking out the podcast, "Vegetarian Food for Thought" by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, of Compassionate Cooks. First I should state that I have listened to about 10 episodes so far and I really enjoy the podcast. Colleen provides a ton of great information and has a wonderful, upbeat attitude in general that make the podcasts very accessible to someone like me who still eats some meat. However, as much as she claims to be very non-judgmental and open-minded, and pays a lot of lip service to the idea of having patience with non-vegetarians, she still comes off as pretty judgmental sometimes, which turns me off. Obviously, the podcast is intended for vegans and those already committed to a vegan lifestyle and the topics discussed include not only vegan food and resources, but also the kinds of horrible things that happen in chicken farms and beef feedlots and the like.

I appreciate learning these things and would urge her to continue covering all of these topics. Frankly, though, I could live without descriptions of non-vegetarians as "people stuffing their faces with tortured animal flesh". Ouch! Of course I realize it's easy to respond to this criticism with a statement of its veracity. I'm not denying that animals are treated inhumanely on their way to becoming our dinner, nor am I denying that people do, in fact, stuff their faces with this meat. But a simple "meat eaters" would suffice in this description. Save the snide derision, please - it's really not doing anything to convince me further to join your cause.

A similar experience came from reading vegan magazines. I picked up copies of "Vegetarian Times" and "VegNews". While Vegetarian Times was a reasonably accessible magazine with a ton of great recipes and tips, VegNews really was derisive, snotty, and incredibly self-righteous. This magazine described meat-eaters as "picking carcasses out of their teeth." So, I will not be purchasing that magazine again, if only to preserve my feelings of self-worth. (Note to VegNews: if you want to reach a wider audience, spare us the self-righteous, snobby attitude!)

I continue to ponder this decision. For me, it's really not as simple as, "I can live without causing animals to suffer and so I should forgo meat." As much as this upsets many vegetarians/vegans, I don't really think it's wrong to eat meat. I only think it's wrong to treat animals inhumanely while they're alive. The reason I would become vegetarian instead of switching only to cage-free eggs and pasture-raised beef, etc. is because I can never be certain of the origin of my food unless I visit the farm from whence it came.

One thing I know from my vegetarian/vegan research is that people committed to meat-free lifestyles are genuinely concerned for the welfare of animals and people, and they want to promote their cause in order to spread the news and cause fewer animals to be harmed. So it makes sense to turn off the snide remarks and try to be a little accepting if only for the sake of those of us on the cusp of taking the plunge.