Usually when talking about vegan, we're talking about food.. and occasionally clothing.
But today, I wonder to talk about consumer goods; like soaps. Or some fabric softeners. And even some shampoos and conditioners.
For example, there are more than 20 components from animals that could be in your shampoo and conditioner. The tricky part is when you read “panthenol,” “amino acids,” or “vitamin B” on a bottle (just to name a few), it can be either from animal or plant source, which makes it hard to tell. Some companies have intentionally remove the word “animal” from some ingredients to avoid putting off consumers.
Another example of this is glycerin in toothpastes. It can come from an animal or plant source.. but it's impossible to tell by the ingredient list.
The only way to get around such ingredients (that you can't figure out the source), is to buy expressly vegan options.
Fabric softener, though? Well, Downy fabric softener contains Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, which comes from the cattle, sheep and horse industry.
But what about companies, even small ones, that sell some vegan items, and also non-vegan items? Do you purchase from companies that sell both? Or do you prefer companies that cater to vegans?
I feel both have their plus sides.
Obviously, buying from solely vegan companies, like Alternative Outfitters or Pangea Organics, creates a thriving vegan market.. and boosts the popularity of such items. No question that we want the vegan business model to be a successful and profitable one.
On the other hand, buying vegan options from a company that sells both.. such as Indigo Wild, also sends a message to that company, that there's a demand for more vegan goods. And if the vegan items turn a bigger profit, no company will turn their back on that once it's in black and white on their spreadsheets.
So, what say you? Shop exclusively with vegan companies, or find vegan items within a larger selection?
Day 19.. and I just got home from seeing Magic Mike.
... and since my husband is already asleep, I figured I'd do my blog for the day.
But what does Magic Mike have to do with being vegan? Well hold on, I'll get to that.
Before the movie, I met up with on of my girlfriends to grab a bite. This was literally the first time I ate out since going vegan... So, beforehand, I went online to browse the menu. There were two options. A vegetarian sandwich (that I'd have to order with no cheese, and a different dressing), or the potato skins (that I'd have to order without the corned beef, the cheese, or the thousand island dressing.)
I chose the potato skins.
Basically, just plain potatoes, filled with sauerkraut. And they were so GOOD!
They were especially good, since I occasionally dipped the potato into the pub sauce (a concoction of beers, a perhaps some soy?). Listen, I know I could've gotten uber vegan and demanded to know every ingredient in the sauce.. or if those potatoes had ever come into contact with butter. But for me, that's not really the point. I don't want to be the obsessed vegan that holds up dinner til I can get a list of ingredients. For me, the major culprits, the 'creators' of the demand.. tend to be obvious. You know, no milkshakes or nachos. No cream sauces. I hope that makes sense on some level.
That's not to say I won't be an avid label reader at home. I am already. I will stand in the bread aisle for 20 minutes, to find buns that don't have milk in them.
But when I'm out to have a good time, with family and friends, I don't want to give the impression that being vegan is a 'chore.' If we want people to ease into the cause, it has to look simple.. worthwhile.. and about the bigger picture.
If you've been in a cave, Magic Mike is the beefcake summer movie.. starring Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey.. and is loosely based on Tatum's former life as a stripper.
He claims though, that he actually gained weight while going vegan for two months, because he hates the texture of fruits and veggies.. so he had to wrap everything in bread.
Wonder what his wife, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, thinks.. since she's been a vegan for 2 years, and a vegetarian for almost her entire life. You'd think she could give him some tips on doing vegan the right way.
I realize there are other 'cooking' channels out there, but there's little argument that Food Network is the 'big daddy' of them all.
And here's the deal, I'm a complete Food Network addict; particularly the challenge shows. In my household, there are generally one of three channels on. CNN, ESPN (that's my husband's preference, of course), or Food Network.
I find it relaxing and entertaining to watch. From Chopped to Iron Chef.. to literally anything with Alton Brown. (I have a weird nerdy/comedian/genius crush on that man.. which is not my husband's preference.)
I also have a thing for Ted Allen.. but I know it wouldn't be mutual ;)
But I digress...
My point here, is that as much as I love Food Network, I've become a bit disengaged.. since becoming a vegetarian.. and especially now, as a vegan.
In all my time watching shows on Food Network, I have yet to see one specific vegetarian/vegan challenge. A Google search revealed to me that there was one on a competing show; Bravo's Top Chef, but that the competitors complained about it and didn't embrace the challenge.
You'd think with an estimated 600 million vegetarians in the world, there would be a market for us on such these stations. Even meat eaters are claiming to eat less meat these days.. So it would stand to reason that they would also watch a show that demonstrates vegan meals from time to time.
I'm not asking for a vegan chef to have their own show (though, that'd be amazing). But could we at least get a couple episodes of Chopped where there aren't a bunch of random animal parts in that basket? Or that part of the challenge on Iron Chef is to not use any animal ingredients (I volunteer to be a judge on that episode)?
Food Network could be a voice for change, without actually 'pushing' anything. A few nods to veganism would make us less of an 'outside idea.' And clearly, they could prove to the masses that vegan food isn't boring or tasteless.
Come on, Food Network. We're here. We're hungry. And we're waiting.
Edit 7/4/12: After writing this blog, I started a petition at Change.org for Food Network to create some vegan/vegetarian shows and segments. To sign, click HERE.
It didn't take long.. as I ordered it just a few days ago, directly from the V-dog website. I had come to hear about it from the good folks at the Beagle Freedom Project. They rescue beagles that have been used in research labratories. I figured, if their beagles liked it and did well on it, mine probably would.
Now, when I went vegetarian years ago, I never really contemplated cutting meat out of my dog's diet. They're clearly meat-eaters. Unlike when people claim that humans are "built to eat meat" because we have tiny canine teeth.. well.. canines truly have meat-eating teeth. And they're built for hunting.
So, the idea of giving my dog vegan food, was pretty foreign.
With many doubts, I did many a Google search. "Can dogs be vegan?" "Are vegetarian foods healthy for dogs?"
The answers were all over the place. Some claiming that vegan diets are downright dangerous. Others stating that their dogs are thriving, and actually healthier, from a vegan diet. In other words.. inconclusive.
Still, let's be honest. Even though I tried to buy high-quality meat-based dog food (Organix), it's still sub-standard. Just cause it's meat, doesn't mean it's anything close to what she'd be eating if she were hunting. Obviously, ground up low-grade meat, mixed in with grains.. and then dehydrated.. just can't be the same.
So really, instincts have little to do with what we feed them anyway. Which means, the question really is: Does it matter where the nutrition comes from, as long as it's adequate?
My gut says, probably not. Am I willing to place 100% on 'probably?'
No. I'm not.
So, what I decided to do.. instead of just making her go full-vegan.. is to mix the vegan food with her old food. Perhaps slowly making it mostly vegan. But still give her meat-based treats and rawhides.
As much as I don't like buying those things.. or even touching them.. I think it would be unfair of me to force my ethical quandries upon my dog. An animal that is only a 'pet' because we (humans) have domesticated them.
My opinion on this may change. And mostly, it'll change based on how my dog responds.. I think that's the only fair way to do it. I have to let her, and her health, guide me.. not the other way around.
Can we open it, Mom?
What I can tell you, though.. is that as soon as the bag arrived, she was sniffing and begging me for some. When I mixed it in with her regular food, she pulled out only the V-dog bits, and left her old food behind. She definitely, at least on day one, seems to favor the veggie stuff.
Lickin' her lips.
So, I'm curious how other vegans (and vegetarians) have coped with this cognitive dissonance. Did you make your pets conform to your new diet? Or do you bite the bullet, and still buy animal products, because you believe it's right for them?
Fortunately, I've never been big on fur (literally, I don't think I've EVER owned anything made of fur). Wool? I probably have a lot.. in the way of peacoats and such. Leather? I believe I've had one jacket and one pair of pants.. neither of which currently exist in my closet. But belts.. oh yeah.. probably a dozen leather belts, and a couple leather clutch purses.
What's a newly vegan to do?
I mean, I always knew on some level, that being kind to animals.. and leather.. really didn't go together. But there's a difference between theoretically knowing.. and then seeing footage of it happening. So, this is another instance where the Earthlings completely opened my eyes to something that I had once been ignoring. The pain and torture these animals go through was too much to bear.
But, I feel like throwing them out would be a waste, and possibly even a bigger disservice to the animal from whence it came.
So, I've decided not to throw out or give away the things I currently own and wear. Just seems pointless.. since the harm is already done. The only possibly negative is people seeing me with a leather belt on, and questioning me about it.
Problem is, with a pleather belt.. the assumption of strangers would still be that it's leather.
But, when it comes time to replace these items.. rest assured that I'll be looking for cruelty-free options. So far, I've found a few good sites.. like Alternative Outfitters and The Vegan Store.. but I'm open to suggestions.
I am curious also.. How do other vegans feel about this? Did you throw out all your animal-based clothing and accessories, or just use them til it was time for a replacement?
Officially halfway through this challenge.. but it feels like a lot more.
I've lost weight, and I have more energy. I'm calmer, and genuinely happier.
Part of that, undeniably, is just an aspect of the diet. When you don't consume meat or dairy, you 'feel' lighter. Digestion is smoother. Phytonutrients are abundant.
But more than that, it feels good.
Good in all the traditional ways.. but also good; as in the right thing for me. I no longer feel at odds with my behavior. My actions now fit my perspective. So, I am truly at peace. And peace... feels really good.
To celebrate this happy feeling, I've planned (and will be booking tomorrow), a trip to the Farm Sanctuary (Watkins Glen, NY) in late October. I couldn't be more excited. :)
You may have seen my previous post about the Farm Sanctuary, and how I was raising money for them through a charity walk.. and how the stories of the animals there had really kept me motivated on this vegan path.
So, instead of going on some over-indulgent vacation, or buying something we truly don't need, I'm going to go and spend some time with the oft-forgotten. The animals that we choose to keep at a distance. The ones that we ignore. The disrespected.
I'm sure I'll have some mixed emotions there. A whole lot of hope and love.. and a passion for the cause. But also, some apologetic guilt.. for how I could have ever mistaken these loving creatures for anything less than deserving of life and compassion.
It may sound corny.. but I am forever changed.
To donate to the Farm Sanctuary, you can visit my fundraising page HERE.
It feels like it's been longer than that.. but not in a bad way.
I feel like I've learned so much, and absorbed so much, about being vegan. Obviously as a vegetarian of two years.. I knew what "vegan" literally meant. But I hadn't really looked into all the small details. The recipes. The controversies of soy. All the alternatives for eggs and dairy. The many different reasons for going vegan.
I'm just more informed now.. and it happened in quick order.
I have also been trying to spread that knowledge.. albeit, on a personal level. No protests for me so far ;)
Like I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I was completely devastated by the Earthlings documentary. After I recovered, I asked my mother to watch it.
Generally, and much to my dismay, she seemed unaffected by it. All the standard excuses. "Well, I don't think that happens in most places." "I can't be certain where my meat comes from, but it doesn't bother me."
*sigh*
But after actually discussing the issues with her, and explaining that although I'd like everyone to stop eating meat.. to dramatically reduce the demand by cutting back, would also help. I explained how there's literally nothing "good" about meat.
It's not good for our health.
It's not good for the planet.
And it's obviously not good for the animals.
Those were all things she couldn't really deny. And it's particularly hard to ignore all those things, when your only reason is, "But it tastes good."
Several hours later, she came back to talk to me.. and said, "Well.. I've thought about it.. and I'm willing to try the Meatless Monday thing. If I like it, I'll consider giving up meat."
I was grinning from ear to ear. She completely admitted that she wasn't doing it because she was moved by the documentary, but rather, that she saw how important the cause was to me.. and that she could understand the logic behind it.
Honestly, I don't hold high hopes that she'll go vegetarian. But even if she reduces her intake by 20%, we're all the better for it.
I don’t hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for behaving decently to animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species. We are the species uniquely capable of imagination, rationality, and moral choice – and that is precisely why we are under an obligation to recognize and respect the rights of animals. —Brigid Brophy
As I've been going on this vegan journey, I've made it a point to seek out more information. More studies. More recipes. More documentaries.
And yesterday, I stumbled upon an interview with Ellen Degeneres, who said she had flirted with being a vegetarian for years, but went completely vegan after seeing 'Earthlings.' The interviewer then asked if she'd also seen Food Inc. Ellen responded, "Yes... Yes, but Food Inc. looks like a Disney movie compared to Earthlings."
I knew I had to watch it.. and I knew it was going to be rough.
I was expecting to have to buy it or rent it.. but I lucked out and found the full film was posted on YouTube. It's not the greatest quality.. but being on YouTube means there are no excuses. It's convenient and free to watch.
Earthlings, is so named, because it is trying to put us all; all living creatures, on equal ground for the context of the issue. The issue, being pain and suffering. It's something we all know, we've all felt, and we should all want to prevent for any living being.
The documentary covers all aspects of our animal use.. from companionship/pets, to food, to clothing, to entertainment, and finally.. to research.
In honesty, I didn't make it 5 minutes in without bawling my eyes out. I even had to take a break in the middle to compose myself.
That might surprise some people that know me. I'm generally not one to shed tears. In fact, when I was telling my mother about the film, after the fact.. I told her that I cried through the whole thing. She looked at me puzzled. "Really? You? The one that doesn't even cry at funerals?"
For a brief moment, I was taken aback. Why was I so sensitive to this, when human death generally doesn't bother me much?
Then it hit me, like a ton of bricks. I don't cry at funerals, because those people generally lived full lives, typically dying of natural causes, and none of them had been tortured to death.
The reason I cry for these animals, is because they are innocent victims. These are not natural deaths.. or full lives. It is pain, it is suffering.. and it is inexcusable. It would go against every sense of decency and humanity, to not ache with sympathy and compassion for them.
I already know the basic rebuttals.
First: "These documentaries just pick the worst footage and make it look worse than it is."
Well, I don't believe that's entirely true. I take documentaries at face value. I know every filmmaker comes in trying to make a point. But the fact that it's so simple to find this footage, means it's happening far more than it should. And if it's happening at all.. that's too much.
Second: "They're just animals. This is the natural order of things."
We're just animals. Yes, we have the benefit of technology, speech, and thumbs. But we all feel pain just the same. We all have the same desire to live.. to avoid death. And even if you believe that nature gave us the upper hand.. there is nothing natural about how we treat these animals.
Is it natural to cut off their tails, trim their ears, cut out their teeth, electrocute them, crush their skulls, shoot bolts into them, brand their faces, separate them from their offspring, hang them upside down, slit their throats, and dip them into boiling water... all before they're actually dead? Because that's what we're doing.
Third: "But they don't do that where I get my meat from."
Okay. I give you credit for knowing where your meat comes from. Problem is, there's no way for you to absolutely know what an animal has been through, unless you were there every day. Secondly, it still had to die. Death is no trivial thing. A life was taken, from an innocent and loving creature, to feed you. To feed you something you didn't need. And any death, from unnatural causes, is going to involve pain.
I also hear a lot about how it used to be. "Well.. no it doesn't bother me, cause I grew up on a farm.. and it was nothing like that."
Perhaps you're not aware of how much things have changed in the recent decades. Demand has increased a lot since the day of the small family farms. Now it's about speed and profits. Neither of which are complimentary to the well-being of the animals.
Here's a fun statistic for you. Americans now consume as much chicken, in one day, as we used to in an entire year in the 1930s. Think about that for a second.. and what it must mean for how the industry has changed.
Whenever people say “We mustn’t be sentimental,” you can take it they are about to do something cruel. And if they add “We must be realistic,” they mean they are going to make money out of it. —Brigid Brophy
You can use the biology/nature argument all you want. Perhaps it is natural to hunt and scavenge. But this. What we're doing now. Is as unnatural as it comes.
And it's just plain cruel.
I know this can all start sounding a bit preachy. Though honestly, I hate that comparison. Veganism and vegetarianism aren't religions. Nothing has to suffer and die because I'm an atheist. But billions of animals are dying each year.. because of our actions. Our tastes. And our greediness.
We pride ourselves on being human. But where is our humanity?
So my challenge.. or rather my plea.. is this. A simple request. Watch the Earthlings. Give it 30 minutes. If one moment doesn't at least give you pause, then you can go on your merry way...
But if it makes you cringe. If it makes you feel defensive. If it makes you cry. If it makes you angry.. Then you now know better.. and it's on you to change it.
Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace. —Albert Schweitzer
.. just happens to be a pay day. So guess what I'm doing this weekend? Online shopping.
Which leads me to the topic of vegan swag.
What is "vegan swag?"
Well.. swag is slang for 'goods' or 'promotional items.' So, vegan swag refers to goods and promotional items that relate to veganism.
And boy, there's a LOT of swag out there.
I'm curious how other people feel about the topic. First, I must admit that some of things I've stumbled upon are just plain adorable. Others make me feel like I'm one purchase away from joining an elite and powerful club that can change the world. And yet, others make me cringe a little.
Allow me to explain the latter.
I'm all for proclaiming your vegan-hood.. loud and proud. I also enjoy the subtle nod. What I find a bit troublesome are the items that seem to partition vegans away from everyone else; almost to the extreme that vegans seem 'out there' or 'disconnected' from society.
You know.. like t-shirts or buttons that boldly say, "Meat is murder." I even saw one t-shirt that said, "Go Vegan.. or go fu-- yourself."
Sure, it might completely be how you feel. But will such a blanket statement make any current meat-eater warm up to the idea of having an honest conversation with us about our veganism?
To say such things is to remove ourselves from contructive dialogue.
Okay.. it was a normal day, until I got home after work.
I arrived home to find my husband cooking a vegan dinner (still don't know where he got the recipe). He had gone out and purchased black beans, tomato sauce, salsa verde, and vegan cheese.. in order to make vegan enchiladas (honestly, more like a burrito.. but let's not be picky).
I was instructed to go to the bedroom and relax until it was ready. Hubby had lit some candles around the bathtub, so I could take a relaxing soak. (Yeah, I know.. waste of water. But on the upside, no electricity.) Anyway, the dish turned out to be super yummy.. but I was NOT a fan of the vegan cheese. It almost had a sour taste, and the aftertaste of a stick of butter. Eh. No thanks. So I told him to keep these on the roster of recipes, but leave out the cheese next time.
For anyone who wants to make it, he took some basic flour tortillas, filled them with beans and cooked brown rice. He also put the cheese inside, but like I said, didn't enjoy that much. Then he topped them with the tomato sauce and some salsa verde/chilis.. and then baked it.
Honestly, I didn't mind the beans, but I think they would've tasted even better with less rice and beans, and more veggies.. like cut up bell peppers, jalepenos, and some onions.
Either way, it's definitely a super easy dish to modify and make it your own. Tasty, and relatively healthy.
But what mattered more to me than the food, was the clear support from my husband.
I was surprised when he agreed to go vegetarian for a month.
I was amazed when he didn't buy milk, trying to dip his toes into vegan waters..
And I am ecstatic that he's willing to go out of his way to find, buy, and make meals that fit this lifestyle. I am one lucky lady.
Welcome to day 10. A day filled with debate, vegan muffins, and Mike Tyson.
Yeah, I'll get to the first two things in another blog. Which leaves me with Mike.. who has come out as being vegan. Why the switch? Well, I'll let him tell you.
If you didn't catch it, when asked about going vegan and what changed him, his answer was:
“I just threw up the white flag,” he said. “Too many prison cells, too many jails, too many lawsuits, too many bankruptcies, too many women, too many venereal diseases, too many everything! I got tired…of every time my prostitute girl got back from a trip I had to sleep with her…I was a prostitute hunter.”
Uh.. Okay.
Now, as bizarre of an answer as that was.. I think I can explain it. He wasn't really answering "Why did you become vegan?" He was answering the overall question, "What changed you?"
And though Tyson's response got a little 'out there'.. he basically was saying that life was too chaotic, and he wanted something simple.
Fair enough. But what does this do for the vegan cause?
We all know the omnivores will have a field day with this. I've already seen a couple quotes like, "Well, it makes as much sense as the other reasons vegans use." Lucky for us, Tyson isn't really a celebrity that many people pay much attention to anymore.
And we do have a plethora of 'beloved' celebrities that help bring awareness. Ellen Degeneres, Meredith Viera, Bill Clinton, Alicia Silverstone, Woody Harrelson, and Ted Danson, just to name a few.
Still, some have waxed philosophical, asking if celebrities help or hurt the vegan ideals. Do they make it 'just another fad?'
Honestly, I don't think so. We now are in a culture where celebrities are viewed less as these 'great others.' They're more accessible. Their mistakes are public knowledge. In other words, they're just people who happen to be rich.. and these days.. many of them have no discernible talent.
The upside of that is that they're more relatable. They feel like people you could be friends with. And in some ways, I feel like that makes their lifestyle choices, also feel more accessible.
That, on top of the increased access to information.. such as documentaries like Food, Inc. and Forks Over Knives, means people are becoming vastly more aware of the food industry that we'd been blind to for so long. As a result, vegan/vegetarian eating is becoming more of an accepted practice.. and less of a 'fringe' idea.
So, I say, the more the merrier.. even the slightly crazier ones. ;)
He says that he wasn't craving meat, but was putting on weight and panicked. He needed to return to his 'safe routine.'
Eh.
Of course I'm a little disappointed. But I have to look at the upside.
First, he ate one less week's worth of meat. Second, he said that he is going to cut back (and even had a vegetarian lunch today).
Like I've said a few times.. This isn't about changing people 100%; as much as I wish I could. It's about making people aware, and inspiring them to move in the right direction. My coworker has done that.. even if he couldn't do it completely.
My husband, on the other hand, is flourishing. I don't think he's noticed the meat being gone at all. Since all of our dinners are completely vegan (for my sake), he only has to contend with lunch. I've heard no complaints.. and it gets even better..
He's contemplating going vegan. :D
That's right. My meat-eating, dairy addict of a husband.. has started cutting back on milk on top of cutting out the meat.
When I first met him, he was drinking a half gallon of milk every single day.. if not more. Since being married, it's gone down to maybe a gallon each week..
Well, when he went grocery shopping.. he came back without any milk. Instead he had some strawberry lemonade. He proudly pointed to it on the counter, and said, "See. I didn't get milk. I'm going to give it a try."
I was so very proud and appreciative of his efforts.
I appreciate it.. and she definitely appreciates it.
No changes, really. No headache today either. Pretty good for a Monday ;)
But I did go grocery shopping today. Planned to grab just a few of my staple items. Brown rice, bananas, some treats for our dog...
and then I got to the taco seasoning...
Seriously, one of my favorite dishes is/was vegetarian tacos. For me, they used to consist of black beans, taco seasoning, taco shells, and a bit of shredded cheese. Obviously, the cheese is not an option anymore. Still, I thought I'd just try a plain (perhaps naked is a better term?) black bean taco.
Imagine my dismay as I picked up the Market Pantry (Target store brand) taco seasoning, turned it around.. to see that it contained whey/milk. Gah.
Luckily, and perhaps strangely, all the 'brand name' options were milk free.
This example is just one of many that I've encountered over the past week. I've had to become a little obsessive with ingredient lists. Granted, I had a little practice at this when becoming vegetarian, having to inspect labels for 'gelatin' and such.
But it seems that milk and eggs are practically everywhere.
For example, I've found breads that are vegan friendly, while a similar one right next to them contains both. The steak buns are vegan friendly. The hoagie buns aren't. It all seems very random.. so one can never just assume.
Even the items aimed at vegetarians, completely exclude vegans. Most Morningstar items (and similar brands), although free of meat, seem to have egg as one of the top 3 ingredients. So much for the occasional breakfast sausage.
The limitation of the ingredient label, though, are all the ingredients that could come from a plant.. or could come from an animal. Companies aren't required to list the source, so sometimes, you have to make your best guess.
Some examples of ingredients that could come from either source:
Calcium Carbonate
Caprylic Acid
Lipids
Natural/Artificial Flavors
Oleic Acid
Palmitate
Beta Carotene/Vitamin A
and so many more! In fact, for a good list, check out Peta's extensive Animal Ingredient List. Don't forget to also check your cosmetics/beauty products for animal ingredients. They're super common!
At some level, though, I've had to concede that I won't always be able to know for sure.. and it's probably best for my mental well-being to not get hung up on it. I intend to just do the best I can with what I know. What consoles me in that fact is that these ingredients are generally byproducts from meat and dairy production. If I, and others, reduce the demand for meat and dairy.. then these byproducts will no longer be the cheapest 'filler' ingredient for these companies to use.
Like I said, I just have to the do the best I can with what I know.. and be willing to keep learning as I go.
In just 8 days.. I'm already learning my 'safe' items. The staples you can walk in, pick up, and not even think about.
And watching all this egg and dairy intake has had one 'symptom' I should mention...
I feel lighter.
Well, I am lighter. I've lost over 5 lbs.. but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean, I never eat a meal and feel stuffed, nauseated, bloated, or 'heavy' afterwards.
In all sincerety, it's not something that I noticed feeling.. until I didn't feel it anymore. There's just a new 'energy' about me.. and I'm liking it :)
It is apparently common knowledge.. to vegans.. that when you switch to vegan, you go through a sort of detox period. According to my cookbooks, and some quick Google searches, vegans often experience rashes, headaches, phlegm, sleeplessness, constipation and/or diarrhea. It's even noted that it's not unusual to feel weak or shaky at first; as your body and blood sugar start to readjust and stabilize.
I suppose I'm fortunate.. I've just had a few headaches, and been a bit more tired than usual.
Of the three headaches I've had, only one was really bad, and wouldn't go away. I had it all day, and it wasn't gone til I woke up the next morning. For the record, I didn't take anything for any of the headaches. Just wanted to let them run their course. And in all honesty, I can't be sure that the headaches are from the detox. It could very well be due to my denial that I need eyeglasses; and I've had my nose in cookbooks all week.
Then, the fatigue. It hasn't been extreme at all. In fact, I've found myself feeling more 'awake' while at work. I just get tired in the evening, far faster than I ever used to. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.. since I tend to stay up way too late, and pay for it the next day.
I'm guessing that I'm having an 'easier' detox, because I was already vegetarian, and then I gradually reduced dairy for a couple days before stopping. If you're a meat and potatoes person, who goes strict vegan the next day, you might want to expect some of the symptoms listed above.
I've been reassured, though, that no matter what your symptoms are.. just ride it out. You'll end up feeling better than when you started once you make it through :)
It was a strange day. I had stayed up most of the previous night, reading my new vegan cookbooks (I'm sure there will be a blog about them later.) And for some reason, it made me really emotional. I struggle, even now, to find the words that describe what I was/am feeling.
There was loneliness. Since going vegetarian, and especially now.. as vegan, it's hard to not feel 'different.' You become the butt of every bad joke about rabbit food. You get questioned almost daily on why you would ever choose such a thing.
At first, you go along with the jokes. You do a half-smile or a little chuckle.. because you don't want to start a debate. But eventually, it grows tiring.. and lonely.. to always be the 'different' one.
Then, there was sadness. I consider myself a very compassionate person, with a vast amount of empathy. It's hard for people that don't feel this way to understand.. that I literally start crying when I think about the animals that are suffering. The baby male chick, that isn't needed on an egg farm, so he's put on a conveyor belt and dropped into a grinder.. or piled into a dumpster with all the other living chicks, until they starve to death or suffocate under the weight. The cattle that are killed, and sometimes skinned alive, when the "stunning" equipment doesn't work. The baby calf that is taken from its mother, so that we can milk her, and put him in a tiny crate -- to be sold for veal.
And for what? Is a glass of milk, or a hamburger, really worththat?
“If slaughterhouses had glass walls,
everyone would be a vegetarian.” - Paul McCartney
Those thoughts.. literally make my heart ache. I don't feel a difference, between that, and human suffering. Some might find that peculiar. But a life that is brutally taken, is something that deserves our respect, and our sorrow.
And lastly, there was guilt. Guilt for all the years that I'd been eating meat.. blissfully unaware of what I'd been creating demand for. All the 'death' that I had consumed.. and paid for.
But now I know.
"When you know better, you do better." - Maya Angelou
Today, as I tried to explain these feelings to my husband, I was unable to do it without tears streaming down my face.
I just wanted, so badly, for someone to understand what I was feeling. Someone to be on 'my' side. Someone to feel like this is as important as I do.
He didn't.. But he's trying to.
I guess it's just easy to get overwhelmed with all those feelings, and the thought that you have to change people's minds. And yet, you know you can't. You will never successfully force someone to change their habits.
So what do you do?
You own your actions. You display them, and talk about them, proudly. You give people something to ponder. You inspire those that are open to change.
Don't do nothing because you can't do everything. Do something. Anything.
And I leave you with this little song I stumbled across today; a folk song from back in the Woodstock days. Still cute, and somehow poignant, at the same time.
If you would like to help stop cruelty to farm animals, please donate to the Farm Sanctuary.
Nothing too out of the ordinary. All systems functioning well. I've actually noticed myself feeling more energetic at work, and yet, able to fall asleep easier at night. Nothing drastic.. but worth noting.
Today, I'd like to dive into the topic of evolution; as it relates to meat-eating.
Let me say, ahead of time, that I'm in no way an expert on evolution. But I have a general understanding of the topic, and I believe it is true (as opposed to creationism). But even if you believe in creationism, you can still relate to this topic.
You see, one of the biggest remarks us vegans/vegetarians get from omnivores is:
"If we weren't supposed to eat meat, we wouldn't have canine (meat-eating) teeth."
Now, there are many incantations of this statement, referring to teeth, digestive juices, etc. But at the core, it's all the same. It's an argument that states: "We're built to do it, so we should."
Yeah, read that last sentence and mull it over.
Do we really apply that to everything else?
We're "built" to spread our seed and multiply, but we tend to frown on promiscuity.. and our society expects monogamy to be the norm.
We're "built" for (aka: biologically capable of), having babies when we're 13 years old. Yet, we typically choose not to; based on logic and societal goals.
And what about things we're not built for? Do we abstain? Hell, no.
You know, like flying.. and deep-sea diving. Last I checked, I hadn't sprouted wings or grown webbing between my toes.
Are you catching my drift? The beauty of us, as humans, is that we've evolved enough that we're not limited, or ruled, by the sum of our physical capabilities. We have reason, compassion, logic, and technology.. all so we can override our primitive selves.
Nevermind the fact that we have dozens of 'physical features' that just haven't evolved out yet. A prime example are goosebumps. They used to serve a function; back when we were covered in fur. They caused our fur to fluff up to keep us warm, or to make us look bigger when we felt threatened.
In neither case, does it work for humans in their current form.. Well, maybe for Robin Williams.
So, if we can disregard goosebumps as an unnecessary remnant from our ancestors.. isn't it possible that our meat-eating teeth are as well (or should be)?
After all, they came from a time when the seasons/climate dictated what you ate. Produce wasn't shipped, or frozen, or canned. You grew it (or found it). You ate it. It was gone. So there were times when meat was the only option.
In our modern world, especially the United States, seldom are we so limited. And we're no longer talking about hunting for a rare piece of meat. We're talking about raising millions of animals purely for slaughter and consumption.
Finally, let's remember, that yes.. we have teeth that can be used for meat-eating. But we don't have poison or venom. We don't have claws. Our teeth don't cycle out like a shark. We were never built as blood-thirsty hunters; intended to eat meat on a daily basis.
It's fine, if people want to say they will continue to eat meat.. but let's never pretend that it's because of their "biology." It's because of taste..and probably a lot of stubbornness.
I had the day off, so lounging around was the order of the day. So, that meant a snack was in order. ;)
I was happy to find out that Original Sun Chips were vegan. I've always liked them, and since the 'cheesy' and 'creamy' flavors are now off the menu.. they'll probably be my go-to 'unhealthy' snack. And as far as unhealthy snacks go, they're not too bad for you.
The other thing that relaxing at home causes.. is lots of Google searches. I came across a vegetarian fajita recipe. (Obviously, not a complicated recipe.. but seeing it, really made it sound good.) Other than the sour cream, it was vegan.. and it sounded good. Since we already had the peppers and an onion, I decided it was a "go" for dinner.
Of course, after chopping up the peppers, I realized we had no chili spice. So, I used some garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a tiny bit of cinnamon. Tasted yummy to me!
Two veggie fajitas later, I was stuffed.
Now, I'm sitting in my bed, sipping my chai tea. Which brings me to vegan milk options... and boy, there are a LOT of them.
Remember how I was worried about having to give up my chai? Then I decided that soy was sufficient.. even though it was thicker than my usual milk; and had a vanilla pudding taste to it?
Well, since then, I've tried almond milk. YUCK! I had tried almond milk a few months ago, and didn't really like it. I decided, that for good measure, I should at least give it a chance. Disgusting. Okay. Maybe that's too harsh. But seriously, it tasted like having a mouth full of dry, bitter almonds. As you can imagine, it made for a pretty nasty chai tea. (and for reference, this was sweetened almond milk)
As previously noted, the soy milk (original, unflavored), was okay. But it felt like drinking whole milk (I'm used to 1%), and had a vanilla taste.. that just made my chai tea not taste, nor feel, the same.
I've also used coconut milk in the past, but didn't enjoy it mixed with just about anything. I love coconut. But I don't like my tea, or my Cheerios, to taste like coconut :/
In comes rice milk.
I had tried it long ago, and remember thinking it was watery.. with a little bit of oily tinge. Sounds appetizing, right? ;) Suprisingly, it ended up making the most 'true-to-the-original' chai tea.
Now, to be fair, rice milk has the most sugar, and least nutritional benefit. So I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a full blown milk replacement. For me, the key is probably to mix it up a bit.
This is how I would probably use each milk:
Almond:
baking (when a slight nutty flavor would be nice)
smoothies
Soy:
cereal
smoothies
creamy desserts
drink plain
Coconut:
drink plain
some 'tropical' smoothies
Rice:
milk drinks (chai, chocolate milk)
some cereals/oatmeal
There are other milks, too, such as hemp milk and oat milk. I haven't yet tried them. But if I do, you'll be the first to know :)
But I can't say today didn't have its difficulties; mostly because I had forgotten about "date night." Just a week or so ago, my husband and I had discussed resurrecting "date night," which we had gotten away from when I had been working overnights. But, just a few days after that conversation, I decided to go vegan.
So when I got home today, dear hubby was expecting to go out to eat for our date. Unfortunately, in this area, vegan options are pretty slim pickings.. and none of them sounded especially appetizing to me. And honestly, I feel like I need to train my 'vegan' self at home, before I go exploring restaurants.
This, undoubtedly, turned into a fight. Initially, I was being made to feel guilty. Stated as, "Well, you chose to go vegan right after we said we'd do date nights again." As if I'd actually decided to go vegan, just to punish him.. or just to get out of date night.
After explaining how ridiculous that was, and how I was doing something.. because I believed it was the "right thing to do" .. he returned to his usual supportive self. And we ended up making dinner together, catching up on old tv shows, and just relaxing. Honestly, that sounds better than a 30 minute meal at a restaurant, any day.
I don't mention this fight to make my husband look bad. He's not. He's obviously supportive enough that he's going vegetarian for 30 days, in a show of solidarity. But the truth is, going full vegan isn't easy. It makes social eating very hard.
I think everyone contemplating this lifestyle really needs to understand that.
Going out to eat, cook-outs, wedding receptions, and holiday gatherings... will never be the same for you. And some friends and relatives will begrudge you that. They will see you as difficult, picky, and possibly snobbish.
That's why this isn't something you do to fit in, or belong to some special 'club.' You have to do this, because you believe in it.. You believe it's healthier, sustainable, and compassionate. Anything less, and you won't make it.
I certainly don't say this to deter you. I say it, hopefully, to prepare you.. and to show you that it can be done.
And remember, if you'd like to donate to the Walk for Animals (a fundraiser for Farm Sanctuary), please visit my fundraising page HERE.
Pretty uneventful, to be honest. Felt plenty energetic. Have had no 'gastrointestinal issues' as of yet (fingers crossed, I won't). ;)
And my diet today, was almost identical to yesterdays.. since I was eating leftovers. That's one thing about eating 'fresh' items. Leftovers can't survive for a week in the fridge.
Husband is also doing fine on his vegetarian diet. Don't think he's noticed a difference, since my vegetarianism caused him to cut back on meat anyway. Pretty sure this will be smooth sailing for him.
My coworker, on the other hand, is in crisis mode.. and it's only day two. Today, he texts me during lunch, to ask me what imitation crab meat is made out of. I inform him that it's fish, and not an option. So, he returns from lunch, saying he isn't sure he can do it. He has no idea what to eat.
I literally, then, type out a grocery list for him.. including items for three easy recipes, and a lot of snack foods. I, of course, ended the list with, "ANYTHING without MEAT."
I'll find out tomorrow how his shopping trip went..
But since I don't have much to update on, I'd like to address one thing. When you tell people you're going vegan, or even vegetarian, the omnivores among us say, "But what about protein?!"
People in this country really have bought into the idea that only meat (or animal products) are sufficient sources of protein. It simply isn't true.
If you're consuming enough calories, it is practically impossible to be protein deficient. Even the vegetables lowest in protein content, are sufficient.. and the veggie proteins don't come with saturated fat or cholesterol.
Nevermind if you're adding in nuts and beans, which are super rich in protein. Trust me. It's not a concern. Just ask Lance Armstrong and Bob Harper if their 'veggie' focused diets are ruining their health or ability to be athletic and powerful. In fact, most athletes that have gone veg, claim it has drastically improved their performance.
"My energy level has never been this consistent, and not just consistent, but high," says Lance. "I’m a big napper, but I couldn’t even take a nap these days if I wanted to."
So, if you're following my vegan journey, and contemplating cutting back on your meat intake, or giving it up altogether.. rest assured that protein deficiency is NOT something you have to worry about.
Speaking of athletes, I meant to post this from the beginning.. but I'll be refraining from any exercise other than yoga, tai chi, and light stretching. The reason is, I want to see how just the diet effects my weight, mood, energy, etc. Working out could confuse the sorting of cause and effect. And at the end of the 30 days, I want to be able to give an honest assessment of how I feel.
I woke up, quite tired, after only a few hours of sleep. Monday mornings have never been my forte. What was strange, though, was that I also had an air of excitement about today. Not quite "kid on Christmas morning" .. but more .. "something is really changing."
My alarm had gone off, and I'd stumbled my way to the kitchen.. like I do every morning. But instead of my standard bowl of cereal, I went for an old staple.. my breakfast burrito. It consists of a whole wheat tortilla, a banana, and organic peanut butter.. with a drizzle of honey. It's yummy. And it's filling. This morning, that's all I was going for.
I arrived to work, where my coworker.. who is going vegetarian for 30 days.. did not seem to share my enthusiasm for the day. :P He told me he had skipped breakfast, and he had no idea what to eat for lunch. I found myself listing all sorts of foods he could eat, finding it bizarre that he was having any difficulty. I guess being a vegetarian for 2 years, makes being one, seem like a piece of cake.
He ended up having a salad and a baked potato... because he said he didn't know what else to eat. Poor kid. He'll figure it out.
The day was smooth sailing from there.
Snack: banana
Lunch: veggie pizza (no cheese), a nectarine, and some pistachios.
Then dinner..
I'd been having a really weird craving for a couple days, for sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard. Normally, you'd put that on some sort of hot dog or sausage. Instead, we grilled some yellow and green peppers, put them on a vegan bun, then topped it off with mustard and sauerkraut. It was sooooo good.
Lastly, and just moments ago, I pulled out the ol' soy milk. It had probably been a decade since I'd last tried any. You know, way back.. Probably in high school when I thought soy would make me magically skinny. ;)
Surprisingly, this time around, it was better than I had remembered or anticipated. Kind of had a slight vanilla pudding taste (and this was not the vanilla flavor). Definitely NOT like dairy; especially the 1% organic that I'm used to. But it will suffice for my chai tea.
So, I'm ending the day strong. I don't feel deprived. I literally didn't notice one thing "missing" today. If anything, I feel healthier already.. "Cleaner" is the best way to describe it.
Perhaps it's an aspect of having to pay such close attention to what you eat, but it feels good to be so 'aware' of what I'm consuming. Mindless eating is no longer an option; and I like it that way.
This is Day 0. I just finished my last bowl of cereal with dairy milk in it.. at least for awhile.
You know what's weird? The dairy items I'm trying to 'squeeze in' are already tasting funny to me. No idea why. But I already feel like I shouldn't be consuming it.
In fact, yesterday, when I ordered a pizza, I went ahead and ordered it with no cheese. It was a full 48 hours before I was set to go vegan, but I did it anyway. As it turns out.. it was pretty good. As a kid, I used to eat all the toppings off my pizza, then eat all the cheese.. and then eat the sauce and crust last. So, I'm sort of just skipping the middle step. Didn't feel like I was 'missing out' at all.
All in all, I feel as prepared as I can be. Fridge is stocked with produce and vegan friendly products. I've already read one vegan cookbook, cover to cover.. and picked a few recipes I absolutely wanted to try. Then I ordered two more vegan cookbooks. ;)
But let's not pretend I'm super excited for Monday morning. I keep going over all the things I can't have, or that even if I try to have, will NOT taste the same. (People that tell you soy/tofu tastes or feels like any real food.. are liars, just fyi.)
You see, I'm a person who has milk almost every morning. Usually some cheese with lunch and dinner. And ALWAYS a glass of chai tea before bed. It's my ritual.. to the point that if I'm at a hotel, I have to at least go to Starbucks and get one before I'm comfortable falling asleep. Sure, I could try the chai in rice or almond milk.. but since neither actually taste like dairy, I think it'd be a waste of time... and chai. So, there goes that.
And it just keeps going.. No ice cream. No yogurt. No mac & cheese. No baked potato with sour cream. No deviled eggs. No chocolate milk. No milkshakes. No scrambled eggs. No lasagna. No grilled cheese. Very few baked goods. Nothing covered in (or cooked with) butter.
In sum... no eating out. Anywhere. Finding vegetarian dishes in my area was hard enough. Vegan would likely be impossible, without making so many demands that someone would surely spit in my food.
On the other hand, I still have: hummus, baked beans, peanut butter, most breads, jams/jellies, soups, veggie chili, most pasta noodles with tomato sauces, tea, water, nuts, popcorn, salads (with no cheese or creamy dressings), grilled or breaded veggies, and mounds of delicious fruit.
It was our first visit this year.. and I believe only the second or third weekend it's been open. Yeah, Indiana.. not the easiest place to be meat-free. Fresh/local/organic produce is not something you can get year round here. But given my 30 Days of Vegan, starting on Monday, I thought this was the weekend to go.
Obviously, we picked up a few veggies, then some organic hummus. Lastly, we stopped by the baked goods.
While browsing the bread at the Farmers' Market, we asked if they had any that were vegan-friendly. The guy looked perplexed for a moment, so I said, "You know.. no eggs or dairy." He then asked, "Is yeast okay?"
Hmm. Not something I had thought about. But it took me all of half a second to say, "Yeah, that's fine."
Which left me wondering.. are there vegans against yeast? A quick Google search led me to conclude that nearly all vegans are fine with it, since technically, they're eukaryotic micro-organisms, like mushrooms (aka: fungus).. and aren't considered even close to sentient beings. Whew.
If there are vegans against killing micro-organisms.. it leaves me wondering if they wash their hands? ;)
After leaving the market, we made stop at Target, for some fruit (none available at the Farmers' Market yet), some non-dairy milk replacements, beans, and to look for the Kind Diet cookbook (vegan cookbook). Unfortunately, Target doesn't seem to be carrying it anymore. But they did have this one:
It has a recipe for vegan berry waffle recipe that looked absolutely delicious. And since it doesn't take much more than breakfast food to impress me, I picked it up.
Starting tomorrow, I'm going to be blogging all about my 30 Days of Vegan. The ups, the downs, and the crying.. when I really want a freaking piece of cheese.
A couple days ago, I stumbled upon a post about the Walk for Farm Animals; which is a fundraiser for Farm Sanctuary. This organization has a list full of reasons for what they do, but it all comes down to compassion for animals. So, I decided to sign up. You can visit my fundraising page HERE. (I'm hoping others will donate to the cause through my page, but if not, I at least donated my $10 registration fee.)
Farm Sanctuary is actually a group of sanctuaries. They take in farm animals that have been abused, abandoned, or injured. They provide medical care, safe housing, and most importantly; a peaceful life.
Yes, I know some might find that ridiculous. But the more I learn about the farming industry, the more upset I become. The more saddened I become. My heart aches, literally, when I think about each individual animal.. and what they've endured.
Just as one example, Harry the Cow (California):
"Harry was born a male dairy calf, deemed useless by an industry that only values milk-producing females. Soon after birth, he was likely on his way to be sold for cheap beef at an animal auction. A twist of fate, however, landed Harry and his friend William in the care of wildlife rehabilitators. Harry arrived emaciated, dehydrated, hypothermic, and so terrified of humans that he would shiver whenever anyone got too close. The rehabilitators feared he would not survive, but little Harry pulled through. Soon Farm Sanctuary was asked to provide a loving home for Harry and William, and the two came to live at our Acton shelter. Now healthy, happy, and beginning to trust humans again, Harry will live his life in peace."
I've been vegetarian for almost two years now, but Harry is an example of an animal that gets harmed; even without the consumption of meat. I consume dairy, and he's useless for dairy.. so he's discarded.
So, as a challenge to myself, I've decided to go vegan for 30 days. (Starting Monday, June 10th)
My husband and a coworker (both meat-eaters), have promised to go vegetarian for the same length of time.
I can't be certain, at this point, that this will last beyond the 30 days. But I'm sure going to try it, and see how I feel. Cause I know I owe it to Harry, and all the other farm animals out there.. to at least give it a fair shot.
