Living Without Meat

Protein will forever be a hot topic between meat eaters and veg*ns. When I first started Living Without Meat one year ago, in May 2007, I talked for a good number of days on the nutritional subject. I brought it up in my very first post - on May 17, 2007 - as I counted the most frequently asked questions that vegetarians encouter.

I then researched and wrote a two-part article all about proteins: What are They?, and How Much Do I Need? Still, I had even more to say. After analyzing my diet for two days (day one; day two), I finally pointed out that there is more to a healthy meal than just protein.

But out of all of these articles, I never once came up with the hilarity Vegan Soapbox did earlier this week in 10 Responses to “Where Do You Get Your Protein?” The list included the perfect mix of sarcastic and educated comebacks.

My favorites were: “The grocery store,” and “The same place you do. I get my protein from food.”

Now, go read the rest of the list oer at Vegan Soapbox!

In all that you choose to do (or not do) in life, it always helps to have a support community of like-minded people. I’ve been enjoying searching for new vegan blogs to read in my quest for such. One of my new favorites is Vegan Soapbox, and, thanks to the writers over there, I have a new list of ones to check out: VegNews magazine’s VegBloggy award winners.

* Abolitionist Approach
* An Animal Friendly Life
* BitterSweet
* The Conscious Kitchen
* FatFree Vegan Kitchen
* Hezbollah Tofu
* Let’s Get Sconed!
* Post Punk Kitchen
* Ramblings of a Vegan Man
* SuperVegan
* The Urban Housewife
* Veg Blog
* Vegan Dad
* VeganEtsy
* Vegan Talk
* Vegan Yum Yum
* Vegans of Color
* Vive le Vegan
* Walking the Vegan Line
* We Like it Raw
* What the Hell Does a Vegan Eat Anyway?

Check them out, let me know if you find any particularly interesting or fun … but do come back, ya hear?

Pick up the next issue of VegNews - the music issue - to read their review of each site.

With exotic health foods becoming trendy, I have noticed that I don’t know how to pronounce some of the things that I am eating. So I will use my ignorance and a bit of research to clarify a few pronunciations, and while I’m at it I’ll tell you what exactly they are.

* Açaí (assai) : a small, round, blackish-purple, palm fruit used with increasing frequency in juices and teas. This nutritionally packed fruit shows high concentrates of fiber, good fatty acids, phytosterol (a cholesterol reducer), protein, and antioxidants. (Shown in picture, click to check out a site all about the acai berry.)

* Cacao (kuh-kah-o, also kuh-key-o): a vegan’s delight! Cacao is the plant from which cocoa and chocolate come. When cacao is the ingredient, this means that you are getting pure, raw chocolate - no milk added (unless also listed as an ingredient).

* Goji berries: this one needs an explanation just for the name. Most cultures actually call this little red fruit a wolfberry. The origin, and thus pronunciation, of “goji” is uncertain. Possible connections would suggest gou-qi, but people probably won’t know what you mean unless you say go-gee.

* Quinoa (keen-wah): the part we eat are tiny seeds from this grain plant. It cooks up similar to rice or couscous, but with a chewier texture. Protein content is extremely high, and it contains a balanced set of essential amino acids which is rare for such a grain. It’s gluten-free and a good source of iron, fiber, magnesium, folate, and phosphorus.

France and Canada have a satirical TV show about a family of environmentalists called The Tofus. How have I missed this show and where can I catch episodes from the two seasons that it ran (2004-2006)?

The family of activists, made up of Mom, Pop, Chichi, Lola, Buba, and Curly the pet sheep, decide that urban life is not for them. They pack up and move to a farmhouse in the fictional town of Beauville.

It’s hard to tell without seeing the cartoon whether it’s offensive or not, but any show that touches on subject such as environmental organizations, animal rights, vegetarianism, green living, and pacifism is a step forward in my book.

The show, which has been translated into French, English, and Turkish, is no longer being produced, and does not seem to be on DVD yet.

The onset of summer seems to invoke in people a need to think about their pets’ needs more so than other times. Whether it’s the heat or vacations, I don’t know. But here are some odd and interesting pet-related stories, news, and products.

* Veterinarians have agreed: a pet’s biggest health threat is human error. With the launch of a new site - Remind My Pet - owners can now receive e-mail updates reminding them how and when to give their loved creature medicine. Register for free and ensure that you are providing healthy and safe care.

* Animal Keepsake Memorials has a new product to help you remember your four-legged family member forever: the Fur-Ever-Friends pet urn. For $65 you can get a triangular box. For an additional $125, you can order a personalized, engraved plaque with a photo on it. For about $20, you can buy a picture frame and make your own photo memorial.

* When Leona Hemsley passed away in March, she left $12 million to her dog Trouble. And almost nothing to her grandchildren. Now, a judge reversed Hemsley’s will on the grounds that she was not in sound mind when she created it. The ruling gave each of two grandkids $3 million, $4 million to charity, and the remaining $2 million to Trouble (and his caretaker who gets $60,000 a year).

* PetMD.org published a list of ten ways to keep your pets healthy during hot summer days. In short: provide lots of water; don’t leave them in a car; know that age and weight effect heat tolerance; don’t leave food out - it can grow bacteria; learn what’s toxic; put an ID tag on them; check for bugs; groom them; provide shade, especially for fish tanks; take walks in early morning or late evening.

* The Humane Society created a top ten list for best things to do outside with your dog. But it seems they forgot the best one … having your dog help you score a date.

* Pet Sitters International has declared Friday, June 20, to be Take Your Dog to Work Day. Supposedly it’s to celebrate canine companions and encourage others to adopt a dog, but I say it’s to give pet sitters the day off.

* The ASPCA is hosting the Adopt-a-Bull contest where humans can show off their recent pit bull adoptees. In celebration of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, there is also a cat photo contest.

“Emily Deschanel just came up to me and started talking about cheese!!!!” said a very excited friend to me while we were volunteering at the Farm Sanctuary Gala in May.

Apparently, Emily has a brand of vegan cheese that she highly recommends: Dr. Cow.

Dr. Cow makes natural, vegan, living products. The company sells two superbly yummy-sounding granolas online, as well as a sprouted nut blend, and an instant oatmeal-like product that has no oats! Instead, the Que!Meal is filled with quinoa, sprouted nuts and seeds, raisins, and more.

But the product that Emily was raving about - a completely raw, vegan, tree nut cheese - is only available in certain stores, none of which I’ve heard of, and all of which seem to be in NYC. However, they will do large shipments to other states, so request it at your local coop or other vegan food haven.

For now, I am thinking I may have to try both the Que!Meal and the two kinds of granola - cocoa bean and regular.

Stores that carry Dr. Cow’s Tree Nut Cheese are: Pure Juice & Take Awa, Westerly, Organic Avenue, Live Live, High Vibes in Manhattan, Marlow & Son’s, Park Slope Food Coop, and Pumpkin’s Organic Market in Brooklyn.

Oprah is wrapping up her first week eating only vegan food, and continuing to blog about her experiences. Here’s an interesting excerpt from her Friday entry:

“Tom [Cruise]’s chef prepared ribs and chicken for lunch. I had salad and corn on the cob with no butter and a kale salad, which was also offered. There were also home made chocolate brownies with marshmallow filling made by Tom’s mom, which I also turned down. I feel like I let Tom’s mom down …”

For some reason, I thought that Oprah would not experience the same things that average Jane vegans see everyday. Being Oprah, and having the world know that you are eating only vegan food for at least 21 days apparently doesn’t mean people won’t still offer you anything but.

You cannot tell me that Tom Cruise’s (I’m not on a first-name basis with him like Ms. Winfrey is) chef didn’t know. Furthermore, he served two meats? At one meal? That’s not a buffet, nor a large family dinner, nor a church gathering. Ribs and chicken for lunch?

What is wrong with people?

But it’s not just an odd meal because a vegan eater was present, it’s unhealthy regardless.

The New American Plate, a revised way to fill your plate by the American Institute for Cancer Research, suggests no more than one-fourth of your plate be filled with animal flesh. (The other three-quarters are recommended to be two servings of different vegetables, and one of a starch.)

If you were to put one small rack of ribs and one small chicken breast on a plate, one-half of your plate would easily be overcome with meat. People do not need this much protein, fat, cholesterol, blood, flesh, bones …

The snapshot shown here is of the New American Plate brochure; click on it to see a PDF version of the insides.

It’s World Vegetarian Week this week … and I have no clue what that means, who deemed it that, or whatnot. But, hey, Happy World Vegetarian Week!

To celebrate: eat vegetarian.

Other options include making other people eat vegetarian, wearing a sign that says “I’m a vegetarian,” singing “She’s a vegetarian … oh oh and she don’t eat meat” all day everyday, or signing other people up to receive free vegetarian starter kits in the mail (because I know that you already have all of them, right?).

Appreciate the vegetarians in your life and thank them on behalf of the animals!

UPDATE: Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) says this about the history:

“World Vegetarian Week was launched in 1992 by the Vegetarian Society as National Vegetarian Week in the UK. It has since caught on worldwide…”

And now you know.

It’s not just rare, it’s probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is currently up for discussion - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, or the $300 billion Farm Bill. It was passed in the House yesterday and received more than two-thirds pro votes, which is what they will need to maintain the bill if President Bush were to veto it.

Now, I’m not up on legal or farm speak, but both fashionistas and animal/vegan advocates are showng support for this act that sets to defend farmers and the environment.

For the fashion side: Women’s Wear Daily says that this “could potentially help retailers and apparel brands save millions of dollars.”

For the veggie side: There are food safety and labeling issues addressed, with country of origin becoming a mandatory label. Nutritional programs would get more funding and support. There would be tax deductions for farmers using renewable energy sources. There are positive implications for organic food, rural preservation, and general conservation of resources, too.

To read more, the House Committee on Agriculture has put together a one-page factsheet about the bill as a whole. Plus, there is a page dedicated to the bill where you can read a factsheet on each section, follow the legislative proceedings, and read statements from involved people.

At church yesterday, of all places, I overheard and joined in on two high school boys conversation:

Boy 1: The pigs don’t even get it the worse, though.

Boy 2: What are you, PETA all of a sudden?

Me: I am. I’m a PETA member.

Boy 2: Oh. I better not say anything else then. I shouldn’t offend anyone; I could, but I won’t.

Boy 1: Yea, well I first saw it on YouTube. And when he picked up that pig and slammed it into the ground, that was hilarious! haha.

I walked away.

To me, my Christianity and veganism go hand in hand. I do not believe that it is a sin to kill and eat animals; however, when the life and killing of these animals involves evil torture, and you knowingly eat this flesh …

I’m not the only one that feels this connection between religion and diet. Did you know that there is Christian Vegetarian Association? Check it out, especially the FAQ section that talks about how the Bible supports vegetarianism without saying extremists points of view, twisting the Bible to fit their needs.

…literally.

A Scent of Scandal is an L.A.-based, brother-and-sister venture that creates all-soy wax candles with pure cotton wicks, making them better for the environment and you than the average candle. They are vegan; they are cruelty-free, and they support great organizations like PETA, Sea Shepherd, Compassionate
Cooks, and Farm Sanctuary.

But A Scent of Scandal doesn’t just give a portion of their proceeds to such non-profits, they create “Candles for a Cause” - scents in their honor! The two “Candles for a Cause” that just hit the market are: “A Roll in the Hay,” a grass-scented candle in a tin donning Farm Sanctuary’s logo; and “Rock the Boat,” an ocean-scented one with Sea Shepherd’s logo on the tin. For $15 each, with 15 percent going to charity whose candle you buy, you’ll get 30-35 hours minimum of good vibes and scents.

And as for the scandalous name? Perhaps a few of the other candles’ names and scents will help you figure that one out … “D-Cups” smells like melons; “One Night Stand,” margaritas; “Teacher’s Pet,” apple; “Tighty Whities,” fresh laundry; and “Knocked Up,” baby powder.

Choosing soy candles with metal-free wicks such as the ones from A Scent of Scandal produces no CO2 and 90 percent less soot than traditional candles. Click on the picture here - the Candles for a Cause logo - to check them out on A Scent of Scandal’s Web site, where you can order a few candles for yourself, or bulk amounts at wholesale.

Social networking site (a.k.a. the best way to stalk your crush, reconnect with high school friends, and figure out who the cute guy that works at that place is) Facebook is quickly becoming swarmed with annoying, pointless applications such as paying $1 to send a “gift” that’s just a picture of something more expensive.

But here’s a cool new one that you should go for … unless you are over 40, because then you shouldn’t be on Facebook because that’s kind of creepy:

The “I Am…” feature allows you to declare something that you are proud to be, while connecting with people who hold the same beliefs. Obviously, the “I Am” statement that I actually added, and am here to tell you about, is the “I Am Vegan” group.

You can choose from a variety of “actions” (ex.: “I do not eat any animal products”) to describe your personal vegan lifestyle, read news articles about vegan and vegetarianism, find other like-minded vegans, and answer/ask questions about being a vegan.

If you are on Facebook get to it, and add the “I Am Vegan” application to show your friends what you stand for.

Not interested in buying mom the standard (albeit organic) flowers for Mother’s Day? Think she won’t get it if you get her cereal?

Well, how about a mommy and baby endangered animal then?

Defenders of Wildlife has a wonderful Wildlife Adoption Center online where you can sponsor a particular threatened species, and receive a stuffed animal, photograph, activity book, fact sheet, and certificate (dependent on level of donation). Donate $100 or more, and receive dark blue windbreaker with the Defenders’ logo.

As a special deal for Mother’s Day, Defenders have created a handful of mommy and baby duel-sponsorship packages. For $50 you can help an entire penguin family or a panda mommy and her baby cub; for $100, a polar bear mom and her cub.

With 11 recent additions to the Adoption Center (for a total of about 25 different species), and sponsor levels starting as low as $25, this would make a great gift for an animal lover.

Plus, you can request that Defenders not send you a plushie to maximize how much of your donation goes to the animals. … but don’t feel guilty if you really want the cute, squishy version of your new adoptee! Every penny helps, and the stuffed toy can act as reminder or a tangible learning tool for kids.

Click on either photo to see more about sponsoring that animal, or to learn about the animal itself and why it is threatened. The first is a photograph of a clouded leopard; the second, a wolf mom and cub adoption gift set ($100).

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, and despite many people’s false belief that it is a Hallmark-devised holiday, you’d be a fool not to take the time to tell the moms, grandmoms, aunts, etc. in your life that you appreciate them. Moms of pets count, too!

This year, you can get momma a gorgeous bouquet or some delectable yummies, while supporting organic farmers and the Humane Society.

Organic Bouquet is teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to educate the public on the importance of buying organic, including: harvesting practices that “improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimizing damage to ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing environmental quality for future generations.”

Plus, because they love and appreciate what the HSUS does for animals and people, 5 to 10 percent of your purchase at Organic Bouquet will be donated to the HSUS. In addition to bouquets, the online store features chocolates, other plants, wreaths, flowering teas, and gourmet baskets such as the wine lover’s collection.

Now, back to that myth about Hallmark conspiring Mother’s Day …

The tradition of reserving an entire day, once a year to worship mothers dates back to ancient Greece when an annual festival was held for Cybele, the mother of Greek deities.

Today’s American holiday for mommies comes from Britain, by means of social activist Julia Ward Howe, post-Civil War. She started a call for peace, writing the Mother’s Day Proclamation.

The Jarvis women (Ann, and daughter Anna) were also crusaders of Mother’s Day with their attempts to institute a Mother’s Work Day (Ann) and a Memorial Day for Mothers (Anna) who lost children in the war.

Today, Mother’s Day is the number one day for people to dine out, according to the National Restaurant Association. So, in addition to sending mom some organic flowers and goodies, take her out for a delicious vegan meal!

Check out Wikipedia’s Mother’s Day entry for more on the history of the holiday, including when and why it is held in countries worldwide.

Look out: in Austrian petri dishes, straight from the frog’s you-know-what …SUPER SPERM is here to save the dying species!

This is an actual headline from Plenty Magazine today: “Project aims to preserve endangered frogs — by freezing their sperm”
.

The research company that has been working on this concept had this headline: “Sperm ‘On the Rocks’ - Using Semen Cryopreservation to Protect Amphibian Species”.

It is definitely a different way of aproaching an ever-growing and changing problem in the animal world. But how do they get these “samples”?