Veganism

[lorrlor44]

A Veggie Easter

For the past several years, my family has had to deal with having a vegetarian at the table because my cousin is vegetarian. She hates to bring it up or make a fuss about it. She's perfectly capable of eating the non-meat side dishes, cooking vegetarian dishes to share with others and exercising the sort of "culinary ethics". 

However, I have been pleasantly surprised over the years to see my family keeping her diet in mind and always be supplied with veggie burgers on Fourth of July, meatless sauce on Easter or extra vegetable dishes on Christmas. 

I like to contribute to the meal to make my consign feel more comfortable and give my family some other options. I usually prepare and bring a vegetarian dish when we gather, one that I can rely to fill her and I up and that I can share with others. This Easter I introduced a new recipe into the mix that added color to the spread and paired well with ravioli and meatballs we were having (not a traditional Easter dinner by any means, but I think my family is getting sick and tired of the traditional holiday menu that center around a large hunk of meat with all other dishes playing secondary roles.)

So here is the Avocado, Chickpea and Feta Salad that I made for Easter's feast. It's simple, springtime appropriate and requires nothing but washing, chopping and mixing.

[lorrlor44]

Diabetes and Veganism

Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism where the body has too much sugar in the blood because the pancreas cannot (Diabetes Overview, 2008). When people eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from the blood into the cells (2008). However, for people with diabetes the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced (2008). This causes glucose to build up in the blood and pass through the body resulting in the body losing its main source of fuel (2008). There are two types of diabetes: Type I and Type II (2008).

Type I diabetes an autoimmune disease that results when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, causing the pancreas to produce little or no insulin (2008). A person who has type I diabetes must take insulin daily to live (2008). Type I diabetes develops from a younger age in comparison to type II diabetes (2008). Type II diabetes is typically associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, and physical inactivity (2008). When type II is diagnosed the pancreas is producing insulin but for various reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance (2008). After several years, insulin production decreases and sugar builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of energy (2008). Type II diabetes is more preventable than type I because it is something that evolves over time due to a person’s diet, exercise, and genetics (2008). 

Dr. Neal Barnard explained in his interview in the film Forks over Knives that it was believed that diabetics had too much sugar in their system, so they should not eat sugar. However, Dr. Barnard and his colleagues identified how people in East Asia have the lowest diabetes rates in the world but eat a high carbohydrate (vegetables, rice), low fat diet (very few animal products). Dr. Barnard explained how, it’s not the sugar in the body, it is the fat. By eating food that is high in fat content—meat, eggs, cheese, cream--people allow the food’s fat to get into cells and cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance then leads to diabetes because the insulin is not allowing the body’s cells to take in the sugar in the blood, taking away the body’s main source of fuel.

Dr. Barnard and his team did a study funded by the United States government to test a vegan diet. The participants were people living with diabetes and insulin resistance and they had to omit animal produces for the study. The results were extremely positive; people lost weight, their blood sugar levels came down, and their choseterol came down (Jenkins 2003). And surprisingly, the participants said how the diet was much easier for people to follow because they did not have to restrict their calories, unlike other recommended diets (2003). 

You can watch more of the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxFai4iVOtk 

And you can watch all of Forks over Knives on Netflix!

[lorrlor44]

Vegan Philosphies

There are three main reasons why people are vegan. For most people it is a combination of the three or maybe just one or two, however they are all relevant.

Environmentalism:

Environmental vegans focus on conservation rather than animal rights: they reject the use of animal products on the premise that practices such as farming – particularly factory farming – fishing, hunting and trapping are environmentally unsustainable.

Ethics:

Ethical veganism is based on opposition to speciesism, the assignment of different values to individuals on the basis of their species membership alone. They argue that all sentient beings should have at least one right – the right not to be treated as property, which is why they do not eat dairy or eggs: animals used in the dairy and egg industries live longer, are treated worse and end up in the same slaughterhouses.

Health:

It's no secret that eating fruits and vegetables is good for one's health. Some people take it to a whole new level with veganism because it is a diet where people eat mostly fruits and vegetables. It has been proven that a vegan, plant-based diet can help those with heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. By using mother nature's food to nurture one's body, the health benefits are amazing.

I would have to say that I choose to eat vegan because of the environmental and health reasons. I never feel full after a meal, I never feel tired after eating, and I always feel confident in my decisions on what to eat. So what's your reason?

[lorrlor44]

Vegan Prezi

This prezi is informative, humorous, and inspiring (minus the "Charlie/Candy Mountain" video). I particularly like the fact that this prezi highlights the practical reasons to be vegan. There are many philisophical arguments to be vegan but the reality is that it is a much cheaper way of eating than for non-vegans. The most shocking statistic is that the price of a 10-oz piece of steak at the big box stores costs the same as 1 cup of beans for a whole month. You get more fiber and overall nutritional value for the same price. So in an economic sense, it makes more sense to go vegan, too.

[lorrlor44]

L.A. Green Grounds

Ron Finley is a L.A.-based artist who co-founded an organization called "L.A. Green Grounds". The group is a non-profit that organized volunteers to plant gardens in the vacant lots of Los Angeles--Home to the Vacant Lots. A simple idea: a community garden to feed South Central Los Angeles, a place where "more people died from the drive through than the drive-bys", said Finley. Residents of South Central suffer from poor health due to lack of basic proper produce. "I have to drive 45-minutes round trip to get an apple that hasn't been impregnated with pesticides," Finley said in his TED talk. He wanted to change his neighborhood by changing the food supplied to his community by planting gardens. His gardens give people access to produce to provide opportunities for people to eat actual food. However, can Finley and his volunteers change the face of gardening and nutrition in South Central? They already have. 

Finley took the notion of classic gardening and has flipped it around. “We gotta flip the script on what a gangsta is—if you ain’t a gardener, you ain’t gangsta,” is Finley’s approach to making gardening cool and not something just for your grandma. As an artist, Finley uses the soil as his canvas to manufacture a piece of art; however Finley’s art is nurtures both your mental and physical health. His cool and relaxed personality and reputation in the neighborhood allows him to make an impact on people of all ethnicities and ages. He makes gardening gangsta because he is a gangsta who gardens.

Finley’s mission is to simply put fruits and veggies on everyone’s plate so that his neighborhood is healthy and prosperous. He is an example of how one man can make all the difference with the right amount of passion and determination.

I highly recommend that you watch Finley’s TED talk. I’ve attached the link below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzZzZ_qpZ4w 

[lorrlor44]

Clinton is vegan. Is that possible?

Former President and current world leader Bill Clinton declared himself vegan in 2010 after he had two stents placed around his heart (AARP.com/BBC online). The diet change led to a total metabolism make over, he lost 30 pounds, and an overall healthier lifestyle. He is vegan but more so than most. He only eats plant-based foods, which means no processed foods or oils (yes, even olive oil). I would describe him more as a super-vegan.

In an interview with AARP, Clinton made a spread of foods for the interview that were all plant-based and extremely healthy. The interviewer, Joe Conason, expected a bland lunch for the former president--a small price to pay. However he walked into a room with a table filled with a kaleidoscope of colors and tastes. Look at the image below if you don't believe me.

The insight that Mr. Clinton had on the topic of veganism was impressive. His determination to stick with the program in order to lead a healthier life was inspiring. And his current state of health is the proof.

It is wonderful to see world leaders take on issues regarding health and showing the the public that optimal health is possible.

[lorrlor44]

I love you, Chipotle.

Chipotle: Sofritas

We start with organic tofu from Hodo Soy that we shred and then braise with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and a blend of aromatic spices. The result is a delicious, spicy tofu that will give vegans and carnivores something they both will love.

Yes. This is exactly what we need in society! Chipotle now gives the opportunity for people to choose between meat and absolutely delicious tofu. I think that just having the option will result in a huge change in people's diets and eating habits altogether.

I'm really excited to see what types of food options Chipotle will come out with in the future and see how they will maintain their quality of food with their growing franchise.

So go to Chipotle and try the Sofritas. It's spicy but I see it as making your food more of an experience. It's the difference between eating something and tasting something. And it's Chipotle, so that should be enough reason to go.

[lorrlor44]

Animal Cruelty: Why care?

I really love ribs. Burger sliders are my definition of delicious. And those buffalo wings at BWs make me so dang happy. Unfortunately all of these foods contain meat, meaning that an animal was killed so that I could enjoy a meal. So why should you care?

The quote from Linda McCarty below hits it on the head: slaughterhouses are home to some of the most inhuman practices of animal abuse and killing. Animals are fattened up with foods (like corn, which is not a natural food source for most livestock), shipped to slaughterhouses in compact crates where they are slowly killed and cut up into processed meats. There is almost no consideration for how these animals are killed and the implications for these sorts of practices in our society.

It just seems unjust for us to promote equality and peace when we have these sorts of animal cruelty within the process of how we get our meat--or what most people just call "protein". Most people do not make the connection between the meat he or she eats and the life that was once there. When we discount other animals because they "are beneath us" or "are to too stupid to know", we promote an aggressive and hostile cultural environment.

Now after reading this, you may be surprised to know that I am not promoting a vegetarian diet. I think that we can live in a society that allows for people to eat meat, but without animal cruelty. In my opinion the best example for the proper treatment of animals in slaughter-situations is the contraption that Temple Grandin discovered to allow for more human treatment of cattle in the slaughter industry. Her work allowed for more efficient slaughterhouses (not to say they were killing more cattle) where the cattle's preferences were respected. After all, you might as well respect a life if you're going to kill it--human or not.

By promoting the idea that animals should be respected and not taken for granted, the hope is that there is more of an appreciation for meat in our food and that we cut down our overall intake of meat. The list of health issues that are related to excessive meat consumption is extensive and even our empirical evidence proves that excessive meat intake is harmful to our health. We need to cut down on our meat intake and I think that it starts with appreciation that the ribs, burgers, and buffalo wings you eat all came from another being. It's ok that you're eating meat, but where did that really come from? Maybe it's better to opt for the salad.

[lorrlor44]

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, the whole world would be vegetarian.

Linda McCarty

[tastefullyoffensive]

[lorrlor44]

Love it!

[lorrlor44]

Here is a great site for some awesome recipes! I know I'm going to cook the Basil Pesto Vegan Pizza over Spring Break!!!

[lorrlor44]

Food for Thought: Let's Think about it...

This semester I have joined a group called "Food for Thought" on campus. It is a group of vegetarians (mostly vegans) who meet up to discuss veganism and organize events to share foods and recipes. We meet every Monday and I love being a member of the group for two reasons: 1. I am now in college so I can join organizations that don't necessarily have the purpose of improving my resume. I can join whatever group because now I am looking to improve myself. 2. It is refreshing to be around people that are awesome and don't question me about my food choices.

We went to the group leader's house (another student at JMU) and ate delicious vegan foods: vegan pizza, pasta with avocado spread, salad, vegan chocolate chewy bars, and tons of multi-grain chips. It was all delicious and awkwardly spread through out the tiny kitchen. I kept thinking how this was such a college moment. Everyone chatting away, playing Cards of Humanity, eating awesome foods, and having a really great time. I really enjoyed the whole experience and can't wait for the next meet up.

The most delicious thing that we ate were these chocolate bars. They were super easy to make (required no cooking) and so healthy. It was basically raw coconut oil mixed with raw coco powder and some granola and bits of coconut. Needless to say it was all gone by the end of the night.

And the vegan pizza we ate was fantastic. They cooked it with tree nut cheese, whole grain bread, avocados, tomatoes, and tomato paste. It was out of this world... I can't wait to make some myself.

I learned a lot about veganism and how it affects the world around us and how it does not work for everyone. Like some people in the group still eat meat and dairy but very little. I think that by taking about vegan options and how it does in fact make our world a little better, we are moving in the right direction.

But they all spoke about how you have to listen to your body. If it is not working for you then you have to re evaluate your diet. Because even if total veganism helps to environment, it doesn't do much good if it is causing more harm than good to your body.

[caitlinjapa]

Breakfast & Lunch Jars

Kale Maple Blueberry Smoothie Parfait

Kale Quinoa Salad

[lorrlor44]

These actually look so cool!! And a great way to take food on the go!

[lorrlor44]

Vega One Shake - Vegan Protein Powder by Vega

Vega One Nutritional Shake is the clean, plant-based choice to fuel your healthy lifestyle and plant-based diet. Featuring antioxidants, protein, greens and Omega-3.

[lorrlor44]

For those who are doubtful

I went on a trip with my dad this weekend and the topic of veganism came up. “I just want to make sure you’re healthy, Lorraine. I mean that’s a lot of food you’re cutting out.” I responded with the same response that I usually have which is that I’m not cutting out food, I’m just changing my view of food. I can still go to the sandwich line at Dukes and get a great wrap, desserts are even better now that they’re vegan, and I feel energized by the foods that I’m eating. I doubt that most omnivores can say that. But my dad is relentless (one of the many reasons I love him) and he refused to let me go on eating vegan goods without something more. So on our way back from Williamsburg, VA we stopped at Whole Foods in Charlottesville, pulled out a shopping cart, and went at it. I had a prearranged list of things I needed for my dorm any way and if I had the opportunity I would marry Whole Foods. We moved through each aisle and stocked up on the foods I needed. THe best food that my dad and I go was the nutritional bars (a food that has a whole aisle). One of the many fun things about Whole Foods is that you can take an empty box of bars are fill it up to your hearts content. I got to choose all types of bars from Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Explosion to Nutty Walnut Party. I got twelve bars at a discount price and my dad got two boxes. All vegan and gluten free. My dad and I had been driving all day and were hungry when we got into Whole Foods, so my dad got some food from their cafeteria section. I honestly have to say that if you have not been to the cafeteria at Whole Foods, then you are missing out (but saving your wallet happy). We ate butternut squash qunioa patties and grilled tofu sprinkled with pinto beans. It was delicious and energizing. We went to the car when we were done shopping and eating and both of us discussed what we had bought and realized that it was all vegan and gluten-free (My dad dominates the gluten-free school of thought in our house). He realized that I wasn’t limiting my diet but expanding it to better food groups. One thing that we did buy that I am super excited about tasting is this product called VEGAONE. So far it tastes super good and it has tons of the nutrients that I need. I highly recommend it to people who are looking to get an after workout drink or improve their health over all. So to those who are doubtful: I’m not limiting, I’m expanding.

[lorrlor44]

I haven't mentioned this in my bog but I have taken up Cross Fit in Harrisonburg. It's probably the hardest I have ever worked and will my physical body because it involved everything from olympic weight lifting to climbing rope to a bunch of stuff that I don't even know yet. Along with that environment there are a lot of people who embrace the paleo diet. 

The Paleo Diet is basically no simple carbs, like cake and bread, and a strong focus on protein. Some people even go so far that they don't eat carbs all together so they don't even eat fruits because that's a carb. I strongly believe that if something comes out of the ground and doesn't kill you then it's good for you; I don't even know how you could argue the opposite. So I do not support the fruit argument but the grain argument is interesting. 

Basically because it takes your stomach time to digest carbs, the food sits in your stomach, which leads to some slight fermentation. This fermentation can lead to a build up of acid in your system and irritation in your stomach. I tend to reference back to this fact around my friends who have excessive acid in their system. 

However, the vegan diet has made me feel a lot better about myself and my health. I get to learn and experience the benefits of eating a more plant-based diet and my body feels a lot better not eating dairy products. I don't feel physically better by not eating meat, but I don't feel guilty for having to harm another animal now for my diet. 

By now you're wondering why I'm talking about this considering this is a blog about veganism which is arguable the exact opposite of paleo. I haven't been able to escape the results and information about the paleo diet while at Cross Fit so I'm wondering if there is a way to combine the two. Could two opposites coexist?

What would happen if I ate a paleo/vegan diet for a week? What would happen? So that's my next challenge and I'll get back to you on that. 

[lorrlor44]

Vegan Turbulence

Dear Vegan-in-the-Making, it gets worse before it gets better. Whatever character you're playing in this detox story, please bring a gas mask. You'll probably need it.