17 December 2010

response to reader's comment

I received a comment the other day from Mali, and when I began writing back to her in the comments section, I realized I had written a novel.  Therefore, I am posting my response here. Mali had some good questions that I think many people have, so I will first share her comment:

Mali:

I just saw your vegan blog today from a facebook link.... and I'm curious. Our family follows a lot of Michal Pollan's "food rules". We buy all of our meat, eggs, and dairy from local sustainable sources, or raise our own. (We have 15 hens, and are getting 2-3 cows this spring) We grow, pick, and can about 75-80% of all the vegetables we eat. Our dog doesn't even eat kibble! I guess I see us as having similar views on animals and food, but going about it in a different way. What do you see is the ideological difference?
I also try my best to stay away from chemical laden foods. Which I guess is what I'm most curious about. As omnivores our bodies have innate needs for certain vitamins, minerals, etc. that come most easily from animal products. How do you fill your nutritional needs (and wants) with out the use of "faux" foods? I've never really done much label reading of vegan foods, but I would think taking, for example, butter...a product which is mostly dairy, and taking all the natural dairy out would leave you with mostly synthetic substances.
I hope I'm not sounding critical... because I think vegans are awesome!! I wish I could get my family to swing at least a little that way!! I just really love food, and I love to learn new things about it. It is also really nice to know someone else who really thinks about where their food comes from, and what the repercussions of their choices are. I hate talking to people about raising our own animals and hearing, "Oh I could never kill an animal, " or, "that's gross!" While they choke down a cheeseburger. :) Anyway... You're the only vegan I know, and I've always been very curious about it so I thought I'd chat you up a bit!

My response:

Mali - you don't sound critical at all, and I'm glad you asked! A great resource for scientific facts (with years of research to back it) is Alicia Silverstone's book: The Kind Diet, which I can't praise enough. She's a fountain of knowledge. As for my personal reasons, I'm kind of a health nut and don't prioritize exercising, so since I have a desk job, I knew I needed to do something to stay fit now that my metabolism has gone down down down. I suffered from too-often stomach issues when I ate dairy or meat, and I lacked the discipline to make healthy choices when I was starving at lunchtime. I also had really annoying adult acne that I was OVER, so I looked for solutions. I am an all natural person, I don't take meds, have never loved soda, and have never really enjoyed super-processed food. When I first read the first few pages of Alicia's book, I was hooked! I had been a pescetarian {vegetarian, still ate seafood} for about a year and a half before I decided to try vegan, and the positive results were instantaneous. It's crazy, really. I don't have acne anymore, and I have TOO MUCH energy. I've slimmed down significantly {= more shopping...yay!} and I just feel amazing. Again, I don't exercise other than taking my dogs for walks + housework, so I slimmed down and flushed all my body's toxins just by eating natural plant-based foods. I've found {most} vegan products to be even more delicious than the non-vegan, i.e. Earth Balance vegan butter--outstanding, and made with soy and sugar beets. I don't eat synthetic foods, just natural. I love animals, and I'm anti-cruelty, but my reasons are more health-conscious. The hormones and high-toxin levels in animals that max right before they are slaughtered are present in the food that is produced, which then get absorbed in the human body. That's really gross to think about. Other than the cholesterol factor, I am not opposed to eating farm fresh eggs on occasion, if I know the source, like my boss whose dad has free-range chickens that have a better life than he does! :) If you incorporate non-animal products in your family's foods, they a) won't know the difference, and b) will love it. I'd start with swapping out your butter w/ Earth Balance, then work your way up to Daiya cheeses. They'll know the difference in the taste of the cheese, but it tastes really yummy, I promise. It tastes a million times better than any fat-free cheese you've ever tried for sure. That's awesome you grow your own veggies! We do too. Well, Gabe does, since I have a black thumb, but I cook/can what he grows! ;) If the veggies come from your garden, I'd recommend not washing them, and just eating them with a little soil remaining, so you get the vitamin B12 our bodies need. Strict vegans need to take a supplement for this, as it's only found in animal parts and soil.
Oh, and I LOVE food too! I love it more than anything. I don't eat food that doesn't taste good--ever! Period.

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I hope that helped, and everyone, please feel free to respond!  I may not have all the answers, but I am learning too, so I can surely get them.  Thank you!

15 December 2010

new fave drink + a major compliment!

Today I stumbled upon an article about secret fast-food menu items that I find interesting {and partly disturbing}, and decided to share it with you. 

The reporter only shares a handful of the following six big-name food stops' secret offerings:
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • McDonald's
  • Taco Bell
  • Jamba Juice
  • Dairy Queen
  • Starbucks
I'll warn you now that if you are reading my blog, I am assuming you are a healthy eater and possibly even vegan, you will not be excited to learn many of these secret menu items.  I am also assuming you will, like me, find McDonald's Land, Sea, and Air Burger completely revolting.  It's called that because, you guessed it, it contains three kinds of animals--one beef patty, one McChicken patty, and one Filet-O-Fish--all sandwiched between a single bun.  :::All together now::: gross!

And if we weren't already inundated with options at the Starbucks counter, the reporter shares twelve secret drinks, one less healthy than the next.  I'm the chick who simply orders a regular drip coffee, which I can order and receive in the time it takes the person next to me in line to finish spouting off their order.  Venti 190° extra shot double pump sweetened...blah blah blah ?! 

However, I recently overheard a customer order an Earl Grey latte, which is not on the menu, and I was intrigued.  So, the next time I found myself in a Starbucks {not that often believe it or not} I ordered an Earl Grey latte with soymilk, unsweetened.  Lemme tell ya, it was so yummy!  The barista told me to next time try the same drink, but with vanilla rooibos tea rather than Earl Grey.  I did, and I loved it even more. 

I recommend trying the vanilla rooibos tea latte with soymilk the next time you are at Starbucks, then tell me what you think.  It might be my new favorite 'anytime' drink!  I love that rooibos is caffeine-free, and according to wikipedia, full of other healthful properties like antioxidants and allergy- and even acne-fighters...

...Which brings me to the major compliment I received!  Last weekend at a friend's annual holiday party, a girl I went to high school with and whom I don't see but maybe twice a year, told me my skin looked exceptionally great!  She surveyed my face somewhat closely and complimented on its clarity.  That made my millennium, you don't even know.  You see, before adopting a vegan diet, my skin decided to be that of my fifteen-year-old-self, and we all know how unattractive adult acne is.  The problem wasn't with my beauty regime, but rather with my diet.  I know this because, after about three months of eating vegan, my skin really is clear, tight, glowing, and well, beautiful!  I was told that my skin would improve after a while, but seeing is believing.  I'm a believer. 

I'm also proud to report that I have never, not once in my twenty-six years, tried a McDonald's Big Mac.  This is a fact that I can confidently proclaim and take to the grave. 

Happy hump day, friends!  Go get yourselves a tea latte w/ soymilk.  ;)

10 December 2010

not so pretty, but delicious

Last night after taking a yoga class I happened upon by chance, I came home and made Alicia's Scrambled Tofu.  Yum.  I adapted her recipe in TKD, using the veggies I had on hand, which sadly were only peas and carrots.  I didn't snap any photos, partly because it was after 10 p.m. and I was half asleep, and partly because the dish isn't all that pretty.

Before I left for the gym, I had prepared the tofu so that it would be drained and ready for 'scrambling.'  I remember enjoying a tofu scramble at a nearby restaurant, Cafe Bernardo, for breakfast one morning, and it reminded me of an egg skillet scramble with all the veggies and different textures and flavors.  It was so good, and Alicia's recipe did not disappoint.  She notes that adding the umeboshi vinegar is optional, but I love it so much, it was mandatory in my case.  Seriously, I am addicted to that bright iridescent pink tasty goodness.  I may start needing to buy it in bulk.

Her recipe is easily adaptable to whatever goods you have in your fridge and pantry.  I finished my dish with some fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds.  This dish would be great any time of day, and make an especially tasty breakfast meal if you are or were once a major scrambled egg lover.  It is also part of her superhero recipes, so you can feel extra good about eating a giant bowl of it.  I know I do.

01 December 2010

temporary loss of focus

I just finished watching Julie & Julia, one of my favorite movies, for the hundredth time and am having difficulty remembering why I am now a vegan.  All of the food, the fish, the brie, the butter, looks so incredibly delicious!
It wold be cruel I think to post pictures of said food on here, so I shall refrain. 

Then, I remembered how good my body looks, how clear skin skin is, and how much energy I have since turning vegan, and I was again reminded why I chose this path. 

Besides, Earth Balance butter is even more delicious than dairy butter, and I don't feel bad at all when I spread a huge lump on my toast.  And, the part in the movie when Julie has to steam the live lobsters in a pot to make Lobster Thermador made me feel grateful that I no longer eat cute creatures.

I'm off to make yet another pot of echinacea tea {being sick is awful!} and some overly-buttered toast.
Good night.