10 Foods Vegans CAN Eat

I was checking out YDV today and discovered a very frustrating post in reference to an even more frustrating article, "10 Foods That Vegans Can't Eat". Granted, it was one of those stupid Yahoo! articles that seem to be just there for content sake, rather than actually being anything worth reporting, but it was frustrating nonetheless.

And actually, the article itself was a nice little nod to the vegan community, in a way. It's intention seemed to be to inform the masses (who for whatever reason don't know already) what being vegan actually means. And I appreciate that. The real frustration was the comments. They all seemed to be ANGRY at vegans and often referred to them as hypocrites. YDV did a great job of pointing out that perhaps a better article would have been "10 Principles of Veganism".

But since I'm primarily in the business of cooking and eating, I would like to instead write a list of 10 foods we CAN eat. After all, that is the question we get asked the most, right?

In Vitro Meat

For a few months now, I've been reading about in vitro meat that the Dutch have been brewing in labs from a small, fleshy sample of a pig. They say it may be in grocery stores as soon as 2014. PETA's been throwing cash at them in support, and I'm trying to decide if I support it myself. I'm working out the implications of in vitro meat in my mind and I can't really see anything wrong with it. Personally, I don't think I'll ever eat meat again. This meat is supposed to be healthier, greener, and cruelty-free [[all the major reasons to go vegan]], but I don't think I could stomach it. I guess the only issues I have with in vitro meat are in my imagination. What if it proves to be unhealthy? More cancerous than meat already is? And since I've been playing Left 4 Dead 2 a lot-- what if it's the start of the zombie apocalypse and we run around like mad cows gnawing our faces off?? It's a stretch, but what if...?

This is a picture of lab grown meat from TreeHugger

Then, I come to the question of eggs and milk. I haven't heard any word about growing dairy and eggs, but I start to wonder-- could I eat that? Could I go out and get pasta without worrying if they use butter or oil? Probably. I may not cook with it anymore, since I've harnessed this passion for MacGyver vegan cooking, but it'd sure be nice to eat out and not have to ask a thousand questions.

Anyway, I'm curious about what you guys think. Would you eat it? Is it technically "vegan" to you? Any zombie apocalypse thoughts?

Bodega Cafe Sucks @$$: Calling All Vegans

Yes that's cheese one my side salad. They fudged up my order and brought me a new one.

So, Bodega used to rock for one super awesome reason-- their tempeh salad sandwich. It was the best faux-chicken salad I've had, and my favorite one to get. For some stupid, crazy reason -- they got rid of it!! I don't know if you've ever had it or even been to Bodega, but if you're vegan and in Columbus, please call them requesting it, demanding that they bring it back. Or you can do what we did. We ordered it, they said they no longer carried that item, so Andrew screamed in the background "well fuck you then!" and I said, "well we're not ordering then". Just so they know how much we miss it. Hopefully the message will get relayed, and they'll bring it back.

Here is their info (address, phone number, hours, and twitter):

Bodega, 1044 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio
614-299-9399
11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Mon-Wed,
11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thurs-Sat,
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun
TWITTER: @ColumbusBodega

Write them letters. Call them. Walk in and leave in a huff. If not for the salad, then for vegan options everywhere. Too often they get removed from a menu, because restaurant owners think there's no demand for them. So demand it!!

The Ad That Launched a Thousand Ships

PeTA has a new billboard that says "Save the Whales Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian".

My first reaction, as most people may have, is "That's hilarious!" Upon further reflection, I think "That's fucked up!"

But now I'm sort of stuck. This ad has launch dozens of debates today about "sizeists" (well, mostly I've been called a sizeist for thinking obese people are unhealthy). And while I still think being over-weight is bad for you, I don't necessarily think this ad is right. Is PeTA incapable of not exploiting SOMEONE to help animals. Usually it's using female sexuality, and now it seems they're targeting the morbidly obese (and the female morbidly obese mind you).

Anyway, you can't deny that their marketing is effective, but does it bother any of you? Everyone seems SO angry about this ad. Are there any overweight people out there not completely offended by this? If you are offended, can you deny that being overweight is unhealthy?

PETA Upset Over Fly Swatting Incident

If you have twitter, you've probably noticed the new "PETA" trending topic. The animal rights group is apparently angered because President Obama swatted a fly out of his face on television [[watch video here]]. People have mixed reactions; from disgust "I can't believe that PETA is on about Obama's fly killing crap...", to humor "PETA That fly had a micro-chip implanted and was on a spy mission from North Korea! Bravo Obama!". I like the spy mission theory.

Their expectations really confuse me. They get on the president because he swats a fly -- who was invading his space -- but when he gets cheese burgers with the vice president -- a ground up, innocent cow -- they turn the other cheek. I appreciate their efforts to bring to light this issue that most people don't think of; however, after reading some of the trending topic conversation, it seems to alienate people more.

Nevertheless, I hope the president puts to use this new fly catching contraption, the Katcha Bug, to safely release flies [[although I don't know how easy it is to bust out during an interview]] and helps people become more compassionate towards even the smallest of life forms.

New Documentary: Food Inc.

Peter Pringle came on Bill Maher recently to talk about his book "Food Inc". I have not read the book yet, however, from the interview, it seems that the book aims to expose some of the truths about much of the industry that we as vegans hate. The meat industry, the corporate greed, the lies.

Check out their website and this trailer. The movie came out today, however, it's not in Columbus yet. I'll keep you posted if I see it around here.

Raising the Bar: More Crazy Vegans

I'd like to say seeing vegan characters on TV shows makes me happy, but it just doesn't. They're always wackos, like the vegan chick from True Blood-- a psycho vamp killer, now dead-- or the Hockey mom from last night's Season 2 premier of Raising the Bar [[P.S. Did you see Mark-Paul Gosselaar on Jimmy Fallon?]].

She's a crazy, "organic-lovin', vegan" lady who sues this nice frumpy, fat lady for "punching her with a hot dog". The show is geared towards the little man, so we all feel so bad for the poor, frumpy lady who can't make bail, and we hate the evil, vegan bitch who needs to let it go. I'm not saying getting punched with a hot dog is sue-worthy. I'd be angry as heck, but I don't think I'd sue a fellow soccer mom. The point is-- they made vegans look ridiculous and crazy once more.

Why can't the vegan be the little guy? And why do they have to be wackos? Are people that threatened by progression and change that writers feel compelled to make vegans the evil villains in their stories?

Don't Let Them Scare You

I wanted to do a quick bit on this vegan/vegetarian guide on MedicineNet. I think this is the discourse of many omnivores. They try to scare you and tell you what you're doing is unhealthy. I often fall prey, as a lover of science, to these studies about nutrient absorption and lots of planning.

You DON'T have to do any more planning than a meat eater. Most meat eaters are overweight morons who should pay attention MORE [[based one my own experiences, I'm sure there are plenty of heath nut meat eaters]]. If you eat your vegetables and your proteins [[beans and tofu]] -- you will be fine. Take a supplement or two [[like everyone should]] and exercise often. You'll be fine.

NOW, if you eat french fries and iceberg lettuce all day, you'll run into some problems. I hope you all know better than that by now. :)

I just wanted to give a little pep to talk to everyone. Don't worry about this hullabaloo saying when to eat a grain with a protein or whatever -- there have been many vegans and vegetarians throughout history who have done just fine and lived long healthy lives. Remember that.

Pink Sucks

SO, I was looking at my google news and came across an ecorazzi post bashing Kanye West [[because who doesn't love a good Kanye bashing, am I right?]]. Anyway, it basically said Kanya loves fur, Pink [[the singer with the Pink hair? Remember her from like 4 years ago?]] got offended and now there's a post up about how much Kanye sucks for loving fur.

Me, being the inquisitive person that I am, suspected that Pink isn't even vegetarian. Although I couldn't find many credible sources that said she wasn't veg [[but some tabloids!]], I couldn't find any article confirming she is in fact vegetarian [[unless you count wikipedia, which I don't]].

So what's my point? I made a comment about what a phony Pink is because she's anti-fur but still eats meat, and how people who are anti-fur but still eat meat are hypocritical idiots [[read the comments here]]. And I get a comment from someone who not only made no sense, but tried to attack the quality of my food. Apparently I should appreciate Pink's illogical tendencies because she cares about the animals-- kind of. Not only that, but some one else found out Pink sold leather pants at an auction. Big surprise there.

My question to you is: Is being anti-fur "good enough" for you? Or does it anger you that someone says you can eat one animal but not skin another?

Being Vegan Makes You Hard

Ok. That was a raunchy title. But it's true!

Planet Green posted an article today claiming that a vegan diet improves blood circulation [[none of that artery clogging meat!]] and reduces your risk of erectile dysfunction. [[read more]] Most vegans are leaner, too, which is going to make it easier for you to want to get it on. You know it's true. Compare:


I love this article because it talks about the stereotypes of meat eating. Eating meat is NOT actually macho. I'm pretty sure Phoenix trumps Meatloaf in the macho battle. At least on looks alone [[at least before Phoenix went off the deep end... but that's manly? right?]]

So next time your dad tells you your a pussy for being vegan, just tell him, "At least I can still get it up." BOO-YA!

EVERYONE Needs More B12

I don't care if you're vegan or not, most people don't get enough B12. If you don't take a supplement, you should. It seems to be one of the most researched things out there-- and they've linked B12 deficiency to numerous ailments such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hearing loss, and more. I think we beat this one over the head by now, but it's an important one. [[more on the research here]]

Unless you're eating cow liver every night [[or various other organs]], as a meat eater you're not getting much B12, either.

COMPARE*:
Common omnivore foods:
- 1 piece of steak, 203 grams - ranges from 4 to 8 mcg. depending on the part
- Pork isn't even a measurable source of B12, unless you eat the organs
- Ground raw chicken, 1 ounce - less than 1 mcg.
- Cow's milk, 1 cup - 2 mcg.
- 1 chicken egg - 3 mcg.
Common vegan foods:
- Silk, light plain soy milk, 1 cup - 8 mcg. [[equivalent to the best kind of steak]]
- Morningstar's sausage style breakfast crumbs, a mere 55 grams - has 14 mcg.
- Nutritional Yeast, 1 1/2 tbs - 133% of your daily value [[I couldn't find it in mcg.]]
- Tofu and tempeh are not a significant source of vitamin B12

At the end of the day, we're both getting about 5-10 mcg. a day. I'm sick of the age-old question "Well, how do you get your B12?" [[or the ever popular, and stupid "How do you get protein?"]]. If anyone asks you this, tell them some of these facts. And suggest they take a supplement too, because they're probably not getting enough either [[unless they're a freak who eats ostrages and cow tongue all day-- gross]].

*All this information can be found at nutriondata.com

More Pregnant Vegan Controversy

A new article has come out, entitled "Is eating vegan while pregnant as bad ask smoking, drinking?" The title alone is enough to make anyone angry, and many did. It is inaccurate, unproven, and just poor journalism. This should not be allowed to be printed or posted.

The author, Chad Skelton, cited a study linking a deficiency in B12 in pregnant women to birth defects in their babies. Skelton made a noticeable error when he assumed all vegans are B12 deficient, thus are negligent parents like a smoker or alcoholic. Many vegans responded in anger to his inaccuracy.

A search on WikiAnswers revealed that meat and dairy don't contain B12 naturally. "Vitamin B12 is a microbe -- a bacteria -- which is produced by microorganisms." Soy milk with added B12 or a B12 supplement is no different than cultured yogurt, milk, or meat. Therefore, meat and dairy are not necessary to obtain B12. To say a vegan gets less B12 is inaccurate.

I posted an article recently that claimed the opposite. Careful planning is important with any diet when pregnant and being vegan does not change that.

Alyson Hannigan: More False Diet News

Alyson Hannigan claims that she has to eat meat and cheese now that she's pregnant. The media is driving me nuts. Random celebrities claiming they HAVE to eat meat like it's life or death-- who does these studies? How can reporters write these obviously inconclusive statements and get away with it? Damn people.

More here.


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I want to be a Chef...

And it seems the world won't let that happen. The only places that offer a Chef Certification program for vegans are in NYC, Portland, Hawaii, and Austin [[I think?]]. Unless I want to move across the country, or to a highly competitive, expensive city-- I'm screwed. Progressive places seem to be so far away. The best Andrew and I could come up with is emailing various schools in our area to see if they would accommodate a vegan.

There's a program in Cincinnati that sounded interesting. Cincinnati State offers a two-year program that then continues on to University of Cincinnati where you get your bachelors in Culinary Arts and Science. Naturally, however, a lot of the classes require butchering, working with meat, eggs, and dairy-- but a lot of that could easily be substituted. The eggs and dairy are easy to work around, but they seem to be pretty touchy about their butchery classes. Andrew tried emailing the schools about an independent study, in place of that class, where I could work with other proteins. They didn't like that, though.

It seems ignorance prevails in this world. In spite of the fact that vegan programs are popping up around the country [[and world]] to accommodate this growing sect of the population, people spit on it as insignificant.

The letter from Cincinnati's culinary program:

"Andrew
We represent a 580 billion industry and we feed about 50 million people per day who are protein eaters. Why cant you be a learner rather then a person on your own personal cause. I respect your dietary practices but your same group represents about 5 percent of the total dining population. As long as I am a chef we will not give up the practice of butchery because it it part of all culinary programs and will remain as a vital component of our program take the class you might learn something As Brendan Beahan wrote 'Once a man turns off his learning lights ignorance prevails'
Chef Kinsella CMC WCMC"

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Petri Dish Chickens

In an attempt to create food for space travel, NASA has created chicken meat grown from a petri dish. Although this is incredibly innovative, and probably a good thing, it creeps me out to all hell. I get "I Am Legend" visions of apocalyptic endings all for the love of this flavorless meat product. To top it off, PETA awards cash prizes to whomever invents this real "fake" meat? I can appreciate the gesture I guess-- I'm just not that eager to eat meat again. I'm sure it'd inadvertently turn meat eaters into cruelty-free eaters. I doubt it would end the use of farm animals though-- I imagine many chef frowning upon this petri meat. Any thoughts?

Read more here.


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'Cranky, Baguette-craving Elephants'

Zoo keepers in San Diego have pushed elephants to lose more weight-- literally, tons of weight. Animal rights activists, such as PETA, have long been concerned for the well-being of zoo animals, as they receive little-to-no exercise and are kept in poor conditions. In attempts to comply with such concerns, San Diego is getting their elephants healthier.

As always though, it doesn't seem to be enough for PETA. I guess they're only happy when we put animals to sleep. [[more here]]

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Tempeh Ruben and a little Zen

Andy and I decided, after the delicious success of the Tempeh Ruben from Vegan with a Vengeance we made on Christmas Eve, that we should do a Ruben night for his parents, which turned into a Ruben night for me, Andy, his mom, his dad, his brother, and his brother's girlfriend. I was mini-caterer-Tracy last night. I can't imagine an easier thing to serve in mass quantities, though-- just get a bunch of plastic bags, marinate all the tempeh, get a big grill, and grill up all the bread and tempeh --and voula! It was awesome to watch Andy's meat and potatoes family really enjoy something vegan [[or as his dad affectionately calls it -- vegan shit]]. It was probably the most fattening, high calorie vegan thing I could make them-- they're not really the type for a healthy flavor, though. It was a good time.

That deliciously high calorie sandwich can't help but bring New Year's resolutions to mind, even though I've never been one for resolutions. I try to stay in the mindset that the best time to do something is now. The more you wait, the more time that's wasted. Plus, the Zen philosophies Andy's always reading gets me thinking that setting goals or starting goals is the wrong way to think-- you shouldn't commit to quit smoking in the future or commit to lose weight. Your thoughts should be centered in the present-- right now, I am no longer a smoker; right now, I am a healthy person. I feel like one of those stupid pyramid scheme, self-help seminars-- but it's really true. You won't quit smoking if you still consider yourself a smoker, right? The goal needs to be in the present. So, hopefully, any resolution I come up with, I'll keep it in the now.

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Michael Vick's Dogs

A recent issue of Sports Illustrated features a story asking the question: What happens to Vick's dogs now? [[If you don't know the story of NFL player Michael Vick and his illegal dogfights, check it out here... but you really should know it]].

The article by Jim Gorant puts PETA and the Humane Society on front street:

Peta wanted Jasmine [[one of the abused dogs]] dead. Not just Jasmine, and not just PETA. The Humane Society of the U.S., agreeing with PETA, took the position that Michael Vick's pit bulls, like all dogs saved from fight rings, were beyond rehabilitation and that trying to save them was a misappropriation of time and money... If you're a dog and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals suggests you be put down, you've got problems. Jasmine has problems. [[Sports Illustrated, Dec. 2008, pg. 72]]

What strikes me as odd [[and has always been an issue, really]] is the ease and eagerness PETA takes to simply euthanize pets, especially with how this story seems to end. The article continues to discuss all the families that have adopted and have committed to rehabilitating these abused animals. PETA likes to overlook a Catch and Release Plan, which takes strays, neuters/spays them, and releases them to control populations of stray pets. And in this instance, if there are families willing to love and help these dogs in spite of the risk, PETA needs to stfu.

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Animal Extremism

I was reading an article about a man, Justin Thind, arrested for threatening and harassing a group of animal researchers over at UCSF [[that's where I wanted to go to Dental School]]. Apparently, he's been given six months of jail time [[more here]], and it's probably six months well deserved.

Back when I lived in California, there was an animal "terrorist" group that would threaten UC Berkeley Labs, and I'd hear about it and think, what a bunch of idiots. Can you really justify an animal's life over a human life? This not being routed in any sort of religious specie-ism, rather rooted in the idea that any one species will actively fight to preserve their own over another. And in the months following when I became vegan, my ideas about that really haven't changed. For me, being vegan is based on the idea that I don't have to eat meat to survive; if I did, I'd eat it. Sure, protecting animals from suffering is part of it and in a big way, environmental factors. And much less, the health benefits. But when it comes to medical research-- I'm stuck. I can't think of a better way to study diseases, and I can't honestly say I'd rather a rat not die and some else die of cancer.

And when it comes to Thind, I think he's an absolute moron. Harassing the researchers won't do shit. You have to get to the route of the problem-- it's the way we do things. Change the way we do things, and these researchers won't have to test on animals. It may sound like a weighty task, but someone with the time and commitment to actively harass a group of people should be able to handle it. Over dinner, after watching the movie Milk , Andy and I were discussing what life would be like if vegans had a community like gay people in SF; if vegans-- or anyone today-- had the hope and ingenuity to create a movement and a war against wrong-doings. It's funny to think about-- I can't imagine anyone caring like that any more. Lately, all the people that care seem to be wacko extremists. It's saddening and a hard realization to come to-- that the era of change and hope in the US has faded away.

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Sex and Veganism

I found an old article on the NY Times website, condemning a strip club in Portland, Oregon for being a vegan strip club. They don't serve meat products, and the strippers wear pleather instead of leather. The owner is vegan and most of the strippers are, too. Fellow vegans, as well as PPK's Isa, knock the guy for tainting the name of veganism. They hold their ideas alongside a progressive movement also in line with feminism. Beyond that, they knock naked protests and PETA2's naked celebrity campaign. In this regard, I'd have to agree. Sure, sex sells, but you're deterring a large market of feminists and progressives. [[Although, as a witness to one naked protest in Berkeley, it was men and women-- so I don't see the sexism in that.]] However, I don't see a problem with a vegan strip club. I don't see it as a means of promoting veganism-- but rather, providing a vegan option to a small sect of vegans who like strip clubs.

There are a variety of people who have jumped on the meatless, dairy-free bandwagon. Many are extraordinarily health-- me, I eat soy ice cream [[NOT healthy just because it's vegan as it turns out]], fried foods, and coke. Some are feminists-- me, not so much beyond equal rights [[ie: You want to shake your goodies on a table, go ahead. You want to not shave your pits ever again, go ahead. etc.]] The point of veganism is to help save animals, the planet, and your own body. You want to expand this idea to all people-- not just the ones who already know better.

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