My Vegan adventure. Part I
I haven't blogged properly about my whole vegan adventure, but I will say it's been almost two months since Beloved and I gave up meat, fish and dairy, and we feel pretty damn good. Also, my skin looks better than it has done in years, and I've definitely got more energy.
We hadn't really planned to do this permanently. We were reading The China Study, a book by a Nutritional Biochemist at Cornell who believes there is incontrovertible scientific evidence directly linking diseases in the West like cancer and heart disease, to the amount of animal protein we eat.
(Interestingly, my unwell friend has some great books by Kris Carr - a young woman who was diagnosed with cancer, and decided to fight it through changing her life. In her book, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, she too went vegan, and quotes The China Study. My unwell friend told me cancer loves sugar, and I am trying to persuade her to go vegan and give up the hard stuff. But I think she may just love her Munson's chocolate too much...)
Beloved and I thought we'd try the vegan thing for a couple of weeks, and after two weeks we felt so good, we didn't want to stop. Two months later, we are loving it. As a cook, I am also permanently excited about what to prepare. There are a whole new set of challenges, and I have found it easy to make delicious, satisfying meals, where meat no longer has a part.
We eat out a lot, and surprisingly, this hasn't been a particularly big deal either. Worst case scenario is we request side dishes, but that can mean sauteed mushrooms and spinach with rice, which is fine.
We didn't do this for ethical reasons, but we are becoming more and more aware of the impact this has on the world, and how choosing not to eat animal products leaves a far smaller carbon footprint. Beloved brought home a movie last night called Earthling, and demanded I watch, to fully understand man's inhumanity to animals, but I refused. I know a little about the cruelty that is perpetrated, and once I see something tragic and disgusting, the tapes play in my mind forever. I don't need to see it. It's enough to know it exists.
However, I continue to serve meat for others, and twice, over the past month, I have eaten meat or fish, in situations where it was just easier. I never want to be the inconvenient guest, or the one people dread asking over, for fear of what to cook. But because my intention is vegan, when you come to my house, you will find meat or fish, but it is served as a side dish. A walk-on part, if you like. A small cameo appearance, with vegetables now being given the starring role.
My most delicious discovery is home-made pesto, without the sauce, and equally good whether made with the traditional basil, or cilantro.
I have some fantabulous chick pea fritters that I will post up soon, but am running out to have coffee with The Beautiful Guru. (Of course I still drink coffee. Yes, yes, and alcohol too. I'm vegan, not nuts...)
I loved this post! It reminded me a lot of a Buddhism class I took when I was studying abroad in London. I remember the teacher explained that a lot of Buddhists, even though they are vegetarian or vegan, will not refuse meat when at a guest's house. It's not in their belief to turn someone down when they are only trying to be hospitable (I think I have that right...). I like the idea of only eating meat occasionally and as a side. Oh and if you love tacos, definitely try a lentil taco recipe. The lentils can be cooked to taste just like ground beef, but it's a lot healthier and creamier!
I loved this post! It reminded me a lot of a Buddhism class I took when I was studying abroad in London. I remember the teacher explained that a lot of Buddhists, even though they are vegetarian or vegan, will not refuse meat when at a guest's house. It's not in their belief to turn someone down when they are only trying to be hospitable (I think I have that right...). I like the idea of only eating meat occasionally and as a side. Oh and if you love tacos, definitely try a lentil taco recipe. The lentils can be cooked to taste just like ground beef, but it's a lot healthier and creamier!
I have been a vegetarian all my life, Do not like meat or fish and I do not drink Milk... But I so love cheese, that is the only thing that puts me off trying the whole vegan thing.. I also love creamy sauces with pasta.... so i think i would find it hard... Do you do soy milk and egg substitutes for baking? I love to bake in the fall.
My Hubbys best friend has been vegan for a few month and he loves it and has lost so much weight... did you find that? maybe I should try it... LOL
I have been a vegetarian all my life, Do not like meat or fish and I do not drink Milk... But I so love cheese, that is the only thing that puts me off trying the whole vegan thing.. I also love creamy sauces with pasta.... so i think i would find it hard... Do you do soy milk and egg substitutes for baking? I love to bake in the fall.
My Hubbys best friend has been vegan for a few month and he loves it and has lost so much weight... did you find that? maybe I should try it... LOL
also what cuisinart do you have i need a new one, do you recommend yours?
also what cuisinart do you have i need a new one, do you recommend yours?
I'm interested in your chickpea recipe and am wondering if you've made any tasty dishes with quiona?
I'm interested in your chickpea recipe and am wondering if you've made any tasty dishes with quiona?
I was just wondering about your motivation. You’ve clearly thought this through. I don’t think you need to provide meat for your guests, but it’s so like you to be that considerate.
I didn’t eat red meat for years and could happily go without it. I’d have a much harder time giving up dairy and eggs. We still eat a healthy diet.
I was just wondering about your motivation. You’ve clearly thought this through. I don’t think you need to provide meat for your guests, but it’s so like you to be that considerate.
I didn’t eat red meat for years and could happily go without it. I’d have a much harder time giving up dairy and eggs. We still eat a healthy diet.
I started doing this back in December. Took out wheat as well. For the first 2 weeks I had a real tough time finding anything to eat. But once I figured it out I loved it! So many positive things. And soy lattes are better than milk ones!
I started doing this back in December. Took out wheat as well. For the first 2 weeks I had a real tough time finding anything to eat. But once I figured it out I loved it! So many positive things. And soy lattes are better than milk ones!
I could definitely cut meat - and I have, not entirely, but lots (and my waistline is liking the change) - and am not a huge fan of chicken so that's not hard to cut out, but I'd have a very hard time with cutting out eggs and dairy and seafood... life would be sad without cheese. And wine. In fact, a perfect dinner for me is cheese, bread, and wine.
I could definitely cut meat - and I have, not entirely, but lots (and my waistline is liking the change) - and am not a huge fan of chicken so that's not hard to cut out, but I'd have a very hard time with cutting out eggs and dairy and seafood... life would be sad without cheese. And wine. In fact, a perfect dinner for me is cheese, bread, and wine.
I feel so much better non-dairy. If you have an urge for "ice cream," Purely Decadent from Whole Foods or other natural foods stores is delicious. I love the mocha almond and key lime pie. They make some w/ soy milk and some w/ coconut milk.
Also, have to be bearer of bad news: a real vegan does not drink alcohol or coffee. That's why I consider myself a non-dairy vegetarian. Vegan is too complicated a lifestyle. No honey, no wine, beer, many other items.
Veganimicon is a great cookbook.
I feel so much better non-dairy. If you have an urge for "ice cream," Purely Decadent from Whole Foods or other natural foods stores is delicious. I love the mocha almond and key lime pie. They make some w/ soy milk and some w/ coconut milk.
Also, have to be bearer of bad news: a real vegan does not drink alcohol or coffee. That's why I consider myself a non-dairy vegetarian. Vegan is too complicated a lifestyle. No honey, no wine, beer, many other items.
Veganimicon is a great cookbook.
I'm with Nadine. I could (and have for the most part) give up all meat, but love dairy and some seafood. Is there a name for me? Land vegetarian?
I'm with Nadine. I could (and have for the most part) give up all meat, but love dairy and some seafood. Is there a name for me? Land vegetarian?
"I don’t need to see it. It’s enough to know it exists.
However, I continue to serve meat for others,"
Knowing it exists is enough for what? To make you not want to know more? If you think you have a clue what people do to animals to put them in your freezer, but you continue to serve them to others, I have to believe that you've only seen the tip of the iceberg and it was most certainly not enough. If you think that being a gracious guest or a polite host is more important than the atrocities that facilitated your main course, it was not enoungh. I am truly not trying to condescend to you or judge you, but I believe you are misleading yourself when you say "I don't need to see it. It's enough to know it exists."
Don't get me wrong - I am grateful that you have adopted a vegan diet, and that you have cut down on the meat you serve to others. I'm not aiming to chastise you, but rather to expose you and others reading this post to an alternative way of thinking. I spent most of my life saying what you have here: "I don't need to see it. It's enough to know it exists." Ultimately, I was wrong. It was only enough to make me afraid to find out more because I knew it would be a one-way road.
It's not easy to own the decisions we make when the industries involved make it so easy and convenient to ignore the underlying facts, but remaining ignorant to the truth doesn't absolve us of our own actions.
"But because my intention is vegan, when you come to my house, you will find meat or fish, but it is served as a side dish. A walk-on part, if you like. A small cameo appearance, with vegetables now being given the starring role."
As much as I would prefer you (and everyone else
being truly vegan, I applaud you for this step. Once upon a time this is how it was; meat was a rare luxury that was typically not a part of a meal. Later it became common place, but still a minor role in a meal.
Somehow along the way between then and now people got it in their heads that "meat and potatoes" has always been the American way. It's unfortunate that what you describe here has to be a revelation from the norm, but I'm glad you made the switch none the less
I hope I haven't offended you or any of your readers, and I hope that you can re-visit the animal cruelty aspect of veganism and truly take responsibility for the decisions you make.
"I don’t need to see it. It’s enough to know it exists.
However, I continue to serve meat for others,"
Knowing it exists is enough for what? To make you not want to know more? If you think you have a clue what people do to animals to put them in your freezer, but you continue to serve them to others, I have to believe that you've only seen the tip of the iceberg and it was most certainly not enough. If you think that being a gracious guest or a polite host is more important than the atrocities that facilitated your main course, it was not enoungh. I am truly not trying to condescend to you or judge you, but I believe you are misleading yourself when you say "I don't need to see it. It's enough to know it exists."
Don't get me wrong - I am grateful that you have adopted a vegan diet, and that you have cut down on the meat you serve to others. I'm not aiming to chastise you, but rather to expose you and others reading this post to an alternative way of thinking. I spent most of my life saying what you have here: "I don't need to see it. It's enough to know it exists." Ultimately, I was wrong. It was only enough to make me afraid to find out more because I knew it would be a one-way road.
It's not easy to own the decisions we make when the industries involved make it so easy and convenient to ignore the underlying facts, but remaining ignorant to the truth doesn't absolve us of our own actions.
"But because my intention is vegan, when you come to my house, you will find meat or fish, but it is served as a side dish. A walk-on part, if you like. A small cameo appearance, with vegetables now being given the starring role."
As much as I would prefer you (and everyone else
being truly vegan, I applaud you for this step. Once upon a time this is how it was; meat was a rare luxury that was typically not a part of a meal. Later it became common place, but still a minor role in a meal.
Somehow along the way between then and now people got it in their heads that "meat and potatoes" has always been the American way. It's unfortunate that what you describe here has to be a revelation from the norm, but I'm glad you made the switch none the less
I hope I haven't offended you or any of your readers, and I hope that you can re-visit the animal cruelty aspect of veganism and truly take responsibility for the decisions you make.
This is bizarre; I submitted a comment last night and it showed up but this morning it disappeared. Was it deleted?
This is bizarre; I submitted a comment last night and it showed up but this morning it disappeared. Was it deleted?