Miscellaneous News from PETA and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

 

News from PETA  Global - Issue 4 - Autumn 2020

https://www.peta.org/

-------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------

News from Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine

Winter 2021 - Volume XXX, No. 1

https://www.pcrm.org/

----------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------

Do you want to kill farm animals for a living?

OK Here's my thing! When I talk to people about why I am a vegan, I try to be honest and not judgmental, but inevitably it is clear that most people do not really see (or care to see) how the animal products they are eating or drinking get from the animal to the store. The animal product industry does not want you to see this either. It is kind of an unspoken agreement between ag business and consumers. If you want to eat that burger (or chicken or pork or bacon), you have to ignore and find ways to not think about the atrocities that occur. 

I think many people don't want to face the animal suffering in these situations and they feel that the animals are here on this planet to be our food and if they suffer pain, eat low quality food or are not treated humanely, that is just how it is.

 Large agribusiness sees their animals as a commodity and try to find ways to not spend lots of money to keep the animals happy and healthy. Their attitude is that since their 'products' are just going to slaughter, what is the point of caring about their quality of life before and during.

In the chicken egg industry, the male chicks would be more mouths to feed so they are killed at birth by throwing them from a conveyor belt in the trash or grinding them up. We go to the state fairs and see the 4H baby chicks. We all smile and marvel at their 'cuteness' not thinking  that they have been born into a world that may exploit them for our own use. 

The treatment of cows and pigs is no better. And it isn't just the meat industry that participates in this, but also the dairy industry. Yearly each dairy cow is inseminated by shoving a fist up inside the cow. Once she becomes pregnant and gives birth, her baby calf is taken away from her immediately so that every drop of her newly hormoned milk that was supposed to be fed to her baby and help her grow is now being processed for human consumption. When the removal of the calf takes place, the mother cow will wail and struggle to get to her baby as it is taken away and put in little enclosures, the baby male calves just waiting to be sent to slaughter and made into veal and females kept to replace the cows as they get older.  If you have ever seen or heard the mother cow's cries (I have many times in videos) it is horrific. 

So please check out this Vegan commercial from Israel that reflects what I have been talking about. I applaud Israel for doing so much to encourage us to eat a plant-based diet. 

So, having said the above, I will get to my original question. Would you like to clean up animal waste in those cramped quarters?; would you like to work in the staughterhouse with the animals stunned?, turned upside down on the line so the blood can run out?, then killing them, cutting them apart?, then onto the assembly line to cut further to get ready for packaging?. Then there's the cleanup crew to take care of the blood, organs, and animal waste. Sound good? I suspect and, in fact, know that most people want to eat the animals but do not want to participate in the taking care of, killing of and cleaning up so much animal waste. 

So this is where we discover that these agribusinesses employ disenfranchised workers like immigrants, the poor - people who are desperate to take care of their families and can't find work elsewhere. The wage is low, the benefits are slim - many do not offer health care and if they get hurt or sick they may be fired, many deal with blood, feces, internal organs, knives etc on a daily basis. It is like working on an assembly line but one that is there for killing animals. In addition, the employers may force workers to live at very unpleasant places with many people to 1 room. The employees have no rights and no way to fight back. If they were paid a living wage and provided employee benefits, would you be willing to pay more for your meat? Probably not!!!!

There are so many organizations working to help make changes to the horrific ways we treat farm animals. They advocate not eating these animals at all. One of those is People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and two others are Mercy for Animals  and Anonymous for the Voiceless. There are also many others also.

What inspired me to do this post was a T-shirt I saw at a local small Apple Orchard. This place is my favorite because you can pick your own apples and they have a dog greeting guests and pumpkins and all the usual autumn fare. When I was there last week, I noticed that they had a T-shirt for sale with PETA on it. At first I was quite excited, but on closer examination, I saw that they were using the abbreviation PETA for  "People For Eating Tasty Animals".  This upset me quite a bit that they would carry such a shirt that makes fun of an organization that is trying to address the inhumane treatment of the animals destined for our dinner plate. 

 

So, back to the original question? If you had to take care of these animals, kill them and clean up, would you be able to do it? If not, do you feel comfortable letting others do this for you,  knowing that you can get all the nutrition you need (including protein) from plants? You can personally affect the animal and human conditions by refusing to contribute and participate in the atrocities and GO VEGAN. You will feel so much better!!! 

If not, you may get some insights from some movies that can inspire the journey from eating many animals to being an ethical vegan. There are many, but here are a few that I have watched and was inspired by myself. 

SPECIESISM THE MOVIE

FAST FOOD NATION

PEACEABLE KINGDOM - The Journey Home

OKJA

Sad Animal Faces in Australia and Sad ones heading to slaughter

    I was watching CBS This Morning (which I watch almost every morning). I respect the co-hosts and their attempts to make the news both serious and entertaining when the topic is appropriate.       

     However there have been some comments made by the co-hosts lately that I have found troubling. The first one was made by Gayle King in response to sad pictures of so many animals being stressed and killed by the killer fires in Australia. She indicated how much sympathy she felt for them. I agree that this is a tragic situation for the animals and for the people of the land down under.

     This particular response to animals who are abused or injured is a good one; these situations receive a lot of press and sympathy from people.  What really bothers me as a vegan is that so many people are moved by what is happening to these animals but many of these people do not want to know and/or think about the violence that takes place with farm animals every day in slaughterhouses all over the world so that the animal's flesh can be eaten. The animals are forced to line up and it has been shown that they fear what is coming soon - they know it will not be kind to them. Someone I know called this "born to be slaughtered". In fact, 150 million animals are slaughtered world-wide every day and this gets no attention or no press. It concerns me further when the topic of meat alternatives is a news item to cut down on meat production to reduce animal violence, the climate and/or health, Gayle King feels the need to indicate that she loves to have a hamburger or Tony Dokoupil dismisses the issues of vegans in a mocking way by saying "they only represent 4% of the population anyway".

It is sad that the meat industry is such a threat to those who should be on the side of truth - journalism is supposed to teach and support the truth.

The public is not allowed to see the slaughterhouses or the way that animals are treated before slaughter when they are put in unclean and small little pens, and treated like a commodity, not a living, breathing creature sharing the planet with us.

In closing, there are many meat-free alternatives available now and recipes for so many vegan goodies. I encourage everyone to try them. To move toward a more plant-based diet can be any individual's way to live every day knowing that your own personal efforts are playing a part in reducing animal violence, cow production of methane gas and pig lagoons, burning of forests for cattle grazing, and improving your and your family's health. 
  

Changing Your Diet Can Help Save the Planet

Last year I researched and created a flyer called "Changing your diet can help save the planet." I was asked to do this by an environmental community group for a table at an event we were sponsoring. The reason they asked me to do it was because I brought it up as an issue during the large group meeting. The information being sought was ideas about what could be communicated to the public about the environment. I knew that even environmental activists were probably not comfortable with the food production issues. Because of this, I struggled with even bringing it up. But I felt strongly about it and decided to risk it. Many of them were concerned that people don't like to be told what to eat (including them). Somehow it seemed easier to tell people what to drive, how much energy to use etc. But, I spoke to the chairperson and she really did want me to pursue this and I told her I would try to be as factual and informational as possible without being strident. She liked it and we used it. 

Here is the result:

Spreading thanks for vegan items in restaurants

For a while now, I have been undertaking a small but (in my opinion) important activism to help farm animals. A few years ago, I was thinking about something I could do that would help the cause other than direct protest.
How could I encourage others to try veganism and show my appreciation to restaurant owners who have expanded their menu to include some vegan offerings or have shown willingness to make something vegan?


The plan went something like this:  I printed up some business size cards that I could hand out to a restaurant that ventured into taking the plant eaters as legit customers. My card looked like this:

A few years later, a friend of mine took a job with PETA and when I told her about my campaign, she gave me some cards that PETA had made up to do the very thing I was doing. At first, I was a little disappointed that my cool novel idea was not new at all, but I got over it. Now I just hand out both cards to the restaurant.

Once I started handing these out, the responses I got were so positive. From the waitress to the chef or manager, they were thrilled to get this. In one case, the chef came out to our table to thank us and chat a little about what we thought of each of his vegan items. And he brought us a full plate of some new ones he was going to offer.

At another restaurant on Hilton Head Island, there was a place that served sea food in one kitchen and all vegan in the other. We were pretty surprised to find such a place there. The waiter told us about all the different menu dishes that the vegan chef invented. In addition to the food we ordered, he also brought us out a few extra.

So, in closing, I encourage all of you to try this
out. It doesn't take a lot of time to create the cards or find a place either in a purse or pocket to carry them around. The more of us who are out there thanking businesses for offering vegan items, the more likely they will continue or add more.

Businesses need to make money to stay in business, so I think it is a worthwhile effort. AND you might even get some free cool food.

Not Eating Animals

Not Eating Animals

All those years I never thought of you

I used my knife and fork to cut up your cooked flesh

And put it in my mouth as if it was food

Why didn’t I ask how life was for you?

Why didn’t your life matter as much as mine?

Why was I ok with most of us paying others to kill you?

Why didn’t I ask why killing animals was even a job for someone?

Now that I know what happens to you – the conditions you live with,

               Your fear and pain, the male chicks immediately killed,

               The male calves ripped away from their mother to become

               ‘veal’ and the females to become suppliers just like their mothers.

               Pregnant pigs in gestation cages without room to move.

All of this slaughter and cruelty just so I can have a hamburger (a cow

               had to be killed and ground up), chicken nuggets (a chicken had

               to be slaughtered and sliced up), bacon (a pig had to be drained of

               blood and cut up), cheese (a cow was not allowed to be a mother to

               her newborn – her baby was meant for us, not her)

I could no longer ignore these things.

I have always loved animals and I feel compassion for those living among us

who are disadvantaged both human and non-human animals.

So, after much soul-searching and finding out what I could eat that would not

               Be part of the exploitation and cruelty to other species that

               Share this planet with us, I became a vegan.

Now when I see dairy products, all I can think of is the sadness the mother cow feels

               When her baby is ripped away so we can consume the milk, the cheese, the

Ice cream, the creamer meant for her baby.

When I see the pieces of meat in the grocery store, all I can see is the clever

               Packaging designed so that we won’t think about how that meat from a

               Cow, a pig, a chicken, a duck ended up on that grocery shelf.

I have seen the truth

I have acknowledged my ignorance

I can never go back.

                                                                                     

                                                                               

Alicia Silverstone on The Late Show with Steven Colbert

Recently I saw that Alicia Silverstone was going to be on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert". I must confess that I don't always stay tuned to listen to the guest interviews, but really wanted to hear Alicia. When she has appeared on other late night shows, a discussion of her commitment to being a vegan usually comes up so I had to watch to see if it did. And I was so pleasantly rewarded when the topic did come up. Alicia Silverstone is a famous and 'easy to like' vegan - a great spokeswoman. In her usual style, she was funny and calm, AND convincing  in her enjoyment and advocacy of the vegan food choices - such a delightful spokesperson for the cause. Then Colbert admitted that he went vegan 7 months ago but wasn't 100%. I think it is such a brave and responsible move when a celebrity admits to being or even saying the word. Go Stephen! Alicia's response was perfect. I think that any person's attempt to move toward a vegan diet should be supported and encouraged.  Her website is called the Kind Life. Check it out. I hope people are inspired by their conversation to at least try some of these alternate 'meats' - seitan, tempe, tofu - they can be made into some very tasty meals. I hope they can feel the same peace that I feel when I don't support the industries that treat animals so cruelly. I hope we see more of this on mainstream media.

Random thoughts after too long

NO MORE PICTURES, PEOPLE!!!

 OK here is Dylan, our cat that was a rescued cat who my daughter was fostering. When she moved out of town, we adopted him. He is a sweetheart except when he comes in our bed to wake us up a few times a night.
                                                          

Wow Angus is eating out a bowl all by himself!!!

 Angus was like our new little brother and we pretty much watched everything he did. Look, everybody, he is eating food out of a dish. My brother said, "Can I try that too?" Don't think my Mom thought that would be a very good idea. We were all in love with that feisty little fella!           




Bach was Angus's favorite

 Little sister was the youngest and she kind of claimed Angus for her own. He slept in her bed and followed her everywhere. He did play with the rest of us once in a while, but they were inseparable. Here Angus is grooving on the tunes my sister was playing on the piano. 

Some random thoughts about animals. Lately I have been sad about something good. When a lion is killed in the wild or one animal is saved from cruelty or farm animals are rescued and taken in by a farm sanctuary, so many people feel the outrage about the abuse and disregard for the lives of these animals. I go to the state fair and see the baby chick exhibit. The little children love to watch the chicks hatch and walk around and think they are incredibly cute. If that child knew that one day soon that cute chick will be either on their plate for dinner or their eggs will be and in the egg industry the males will be summarily disposed of. Everyone loves the cows and all the cute animals. The number of animals that are slaughtered every day in this world and the conditions under which it happens is just not out there in the mainstream. So now when I read about the outrage or the rescue of one or a few animals, I too am happy that people are aware and that some of these animals will lead a good life. But then I get dismayed that no one seems to display the same outrage when they don't make the connection between what they feel and what they are eating on their plates day after day without feeling compassion and outrage at so many animals being slaughtered. Sometimes I just don't understand how easy it is for some people to live in denial about many things. Once I found out about how our animal agriculture operates - the abuse, the treating of a living being as a product - dragging a calf away from its mother so customers get the milk and not the baby, I could not look away or be in denial. I became vegan.

 

 I try to remain hopeful because things are changing but when I hear the outrage at the dentist who killed the lion, I just want to shout at everyone. How do you think that cow, pig or chicken gets to your plate every day? Someone is killing that animal for you to eat. Where is your outrage about that?

 

Well, that is my rant for today and will sign off now. I have been wanting to share this for a long time.

Compassion for all !

 



Liz – my daughter and vegan inspiration and mentor

This post has been long overdue. Five years ago, my life was going along day to day just as I was used to – some highs, some lows but mostly living a very good life. On the “what was I eating front”, my diet was not ideal. Although I loved fruits and vegetables, I also loved many forms of junk food full of fat and salt and honestly, I took the easiest way out when it came to cooking.

A few years even before that, I had made a change that brought me closer to veganism. After reading “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser I stopped eating red meat but didn’t make the whole connection about the totality of animal agriculture abuse, the unhealthiness of the Western diet, the impacts on climate change and the abuse of the workers in so many areas regarding how we grow and process our food.

Then, my daughter stepped in and took me by the hand and walked me into the new compassionate world of living without using animal products or any products tested on animals. Basically, I was able to see a whole new way of looking at the world and those other creatures that live here with us. Here is how it happened!

This is Liz’s story:

“Why did I go vegan? Nine years ago, I made the decision to become vegan nearly overnight.  I had a couple of vegan friends at the time, and was curious enough one day to research online about why people become vegan.  All of the information about what happens on factory farms for meat and dairy and eggs came up, and I knew right away I could not participate in it anymore.  I also learned about what happens in research and cosmetic testing labs, and started using cruelty free products as well. Over time, I learned of the environmental, and the health benefits of a vegan diet also, and, more recently, have switched from a "junk food" vegan diet to a whole-foods plant-based diet.”

Once she went vegan, she told me she felt the need to tell other people – share and spread the important information about animal abuse. She said “if only they knew the facts”, she felt strongly that they wouldn’t want to participate in such horror. To accomplish this, she joined a local animal rights group. With them she attended protests at a French restaurant that served fois gras, the circus, and other organizations. She also helped organize a local VegFest, participated in Food not Bombs - taking plant-based food to be thrown away,  preparing it and handing out to needy people on the street and as a way to encourage plant-based eating. 

This is my story:

I was one of those people she was hoping to help see the light. So, I watched Liz’s changes in diet and was sympathetic and cooperative but not ready to make what I considered a radical commitment. I saw her using soy milk and other products like tofu that just didn’t seem appetizing to me. Despite her gentle but persistent attempts to have me see the light, I was just not ready. Her most persistent yet respectful request was to have me watch “Earthlings”. Somehow I knew that once I watched it, I would have to  stop eating all animals. So, finally I decided the time had come and I watched it. And, as I had thought, once I  saw the awful truth and shed many tears, I had to change. There was no going back for me.

Currently, Liz lives in CT and is member of a team of vegans who organize a Compassionfest that takes place in July every year.

She has also become a competitive runner and has started a local group of “No Meat Athletes”. They run together and show by example that you can be a successful and maybe superior athlete without eating animal products.

They have T-shirts that spread the word. She is also a member of Stronghearts Vegan Power running team – soon to be competing at a Ragnar race in the Poconos of PA.  

She also tries to promote new vegan restaurants to others – on social media and by taking  friends and family to them. Another activity is her role as one of the cohosts on the SvelteYeti podcast - sharing info on running, transformational change and veganism.

 

 She has even inspired her Dad, a tennis player, to become a no meat athlete also.

So, Liz has changed (and maybe saved) my life. A vegan diet and the compassion toward animals it represents means I don’t have that guilt and anxiety that comes from participating and supporting (by using animal products) in a system that abuses animals, abuses workers and is a large contributor to climate change. Also, with a family history of diabetes and cardiovascular issues, removing animal products from my diet is so much better for my health.

              -------------------------------------------------------

As parents, there is the idea that we are the ones leading the way with support and advice for our children about life’s journey. Along the way,  I have learned that I can also learn so much from my children.

           Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks, eh?

 

Day before Easter 2017 Vegan Ramblings

 April 15, 2017 - The day before Easter


Wow, it has been so long since I have posted! My excuses are flimsy except for the recent version which is that I have been very busy resisting the confusing policies, untruths, disrespects and lack of transparency of our new President. I guess you could say I am trying to do my part to protect our democracy and the tenets of our constitution.
So, my dedication to veganism has not waned, just gotten stronger every day. Being able to say that one way (3 times a day) I am not contributing to animal cruelty, climate change or the downfall of my health gives me a happiness that permeates every part of my existence. Speaking of this, please note the 2 delicious plates of food above. This was my dinner this evening. On the left was a romaine/kale, almonds, hemp seed, tomato, onion, orange, dried cranberries salad with Italian dressing. The plate on the right is my version of enchiladas - black beans sauteed with onions, red peppers and garlic for the filling. Corn tortillas are crisped up on a grill, then the layers begin in a 9X13 pan. First a layer of tortillas, then the black bean mixture and a sprinkling of daiya cheese (or sometimes I make my own cashew cheese sauce), then a layer of tortillas, then another sprinkling of 'cheese' on the top. Cover it all with an enchilada sauce. This time I used a green sauce for variety. Bake for 20 minutes and grab a beer and you are set to go. YUM!

One of the best things that has happened lately has been the proliferation of vegan meal gatherings. These are so good  for moral support, connecting with new friends, sharing ideas and eating all kinds of delicious vegan food. The newest one is a local vegan meetup. The events are mostly once a month. Some of them have been potlucks and others trips to restaurants. Sometimes there are speakers, some of whom tell a story of how going vegan saved their life. One of my favorite people in the meetup community is a vegan chef. He offers recipes, cooking tips and such a passion for cooking vegan. Another favorite of mine is a friend who now works for PETA. Her dedication and fearlessness in advocating for animals is always so inspiring. Just being around her makes my day better.

My last words for this post will be a funny story about the last vegan meetup at a local Mexican restaurant. I had not been to it before, but knew that the food served there was favorably reviewed and the ambiance urban and hip. There were 25 of us at this one pretty much filling up 1/2 of the restaurant. Since the menu included lots of Mexican dishes made with crispy tofu instead of meat protein, a majority of us ordered something with the crispy tofu. The funny part happened after the meal was over. One of the waiters starting chatting with us and asked if we were a vegan group. Once he found out we were, he told us he ran a video game drop-in down in his basement for friends etc and he always served vegan food. So, the funny part of the story was that when he took all our orders to the kitchen sort of at the same time, the chef/cooks said 'whoa'  and asked him if all his friends came to the restaurant at the same time because of all the tofu orders. We all had a good chuckle over that one. Needless to say, we invited him to get on our mailing list!!!!

Cowspiracy and Compassionfest 2016 Hamden, CT

Summer is in full swing and I have been enjoying my veggie burgers, veg dogs and skewers of delicious onions, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli and pineapple all cooked on the grill. It so reminds me how little it seems I have to give up to stop eating meat, dairy and eggs.
I have also been experimenting with curries, buddha bowls, all kinds of fresh salads, lentils and a new recipe to marinate and bake tofu. This last one for tofu needs to be reviewed further. This one is called T's Tofu and is by Theresa Bizzell. It has a delicious marinade with so many wonderful ingredients, especially the sesame oil, and bakes for 45 minutes. Since I made a whole block, I had some left over and stored it in the refrigerator. After a day or so I used it in a salad and have to say it almost had the taste and texture of cold chicken. I do not miss eating chicken at all, but it was quite an amazing flavor that this recipe added to the tofu.

********* Best of all is that I get to eat delicious nutritious food that did not harm animals or the  
                                                                               environment and makes me healthy ************

COMPASSIONFEST 

 On July 23, 2016 I attended this wonderful event in Hamden, CT called Compassionfest. This was the 2nd year that it was held. As the banner says it is about community, equality, kindness and compassion. There is no doubt that this wonderful festival successfully delivered on all of these ideas. There were wonderful speakers  - my favorites being Jasmin Singer and the poetry readings - a standout being Sky Raven. Music, delicious vegan food, craft, product and causes booths, workshops and demos - something for everyone. The organizers and supporters did such a wonderful job to reach out to all people and their attendance reflected that. 
The weather was beautifully sunny and it was impossible to be there and not realize how good it feels to be in an environment that can spread compassion to every area of our lives - how we treat each other as human beings and how we treat the other living beings that share the earth with us. 
I can't wait until next year. Hope you can attend!

The other monumental happening was when I finally watched the documentary film "Cowspiracy". 
This film is now available on Netflix and I would say that it is "an inconvenient truth" Part 2. (the following comes from IMDB) The film explores the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, and investigates the policies of environmental organizations on this issue. Environmental organizations investigated in the film include Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Rainforest Action Network, and many more.^[1][2][3][4]
The film was crowdfunded on IndieGoGo, with 1,449 contributors giving $117,092. This funding was 217% of their goal, and it allowed them to dub the film into Spanish and German and subtitle it into more than 10 other languages, including Chinese and Russian.^[5][6] Screenings are licensed through the distributor as well as on Tugg.^[7]
A new cut of the documentary, executive-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, premiered globally on Netflix on September 15, 2015.^{[8]
The film was very well done and quite entertaining. I was riveted to the screen from beginning to end - no bathroom breaks!!! I knew some things about the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the ways that this industry tries to hide the truth of the consequences of their methods. I was not actually that surprised that the major environmental organizations did not push back since it seems to be clear that animal agriculture is the main cause of climate change and that cutting down on meat consumption would show benefits to the environment right away. Even China is asking their citizens to eat 50% less meat.
It is clear we are on a very destructive path and action needs to be taken to help sustain our beautiful planet. My takeaway was that I was so glad that I am already a vegan especially since this film educated me in so many ways regarding the environmental impacts of the current food system. It has inspired me to send letters to my congressional representatives about this issue and encourage everyone I know to watch it. Please check it out and spread the word. 
*************Compassion-Love-Tolerance for humans and non-human animals*************}   
 

Vegan Treats and Ben & Jerry's

AGH!! GRR!!! I have been so behind in posting my tidbits about being vegan. I could make up an excuse (or several) but they would all be inexcusable and inadequate. There is simply no valid reason to take a break from sharing those vegan revelations, discoveries and anything having to do with food.
     I have been doing lots of home cooking discovering ways to make comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, my own granola sweetened with maple syrup and all variations of tofu stir frys with all sorts of different veggies and greens. My favorite new addition/addiction to the stir fry mix is baby bok choy. My local grocery store, Wegmans, gives out samples to customers on a regular basis and one of those was a stir fried baby bok choy with garlic and peanut oil. One taste and one gander at the cute little bundles had me hooked. I bought a huge bag and have been buying them in those quantities ever since.

     Why did it take me so long to find and adore them? I can see many of my friends rolling their eyes when the subject turns to food. "Whatever you do, don't ask her anything about bok choy. We'll never get another word in!" Hey, what is wrong with showing a little enthusiasm? I guess I'll just have to invite them all over for a tofu bok choy soup that I make - heavy on the sesame oil. This will definitely help them understand.

My next discovery topic is sweets and treats. Many of you may know that there was an appeal to Ben and Jerry's to develop a vegan ice cream flavor to add to their delicious collection. They accepted the challenge and developed 4 flavors that were recently made available in grocery stores. Luckily for me, Wegmans is carrying them. I have tried the one pictured here P.B. and Cookies and Coffee Caramel Fudge. The other 2 available are A Vegan Dessert Journey and Chunky Monkey. I am excited to report that the ones I tried were delicious. The texture was creamy and every bite was loaded with strong yummy flavors. I found that using an ice cream scoop warmed by hot water and adding some roasted nuts and whipped coconut topping sent me into dessert heaven. Thanks Ben & Jerry's for making this vegan very happy.

On our way back from my trip South in Feb/April 2016, I stopped at a legendary sweet treat bakery - Vegan Treats. Many of you may have visited their booth at a vegfest. VT is located at 1444 Linden Street in Bethlehem, PA right downtown. We had a little trouble finding it, but once we did - it was a sight to behold.

Beautiful creations of all kinds - pastries, cupcakes, cookies, candy even ice cream. It was so hard to make up my mind what to get. If any of you find yourselves near Allentown, PA, you must check it out.
Website - vegantreats.com


Stay compassionate, stay healthy, keep the faith - vegan forever!

Vegan Gifts for Christmas

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season sharing ideas, catch-up conversations, fun and most of all good eats with family and friends. Being a vegan, I must admit I find the holiday eating part of this stressful at times. On the one hand, I see it as an opportunity to share some tasty vegan choices with others who don't really think of making changes to the menu especially during the holidays. 
 However, even though I offer various vegan delights, I find that most of them don't want to sample them because the more traditional foods are still available. The committed carnivores are more likely to try items like the stuffing I make with Earth Balance instead of butter and in addition to the bread bits, celery, onions, vegetable broth and seasoning my  tasty small bits of apple or sometimes the vegan green bean casserole. 
So even though there are vegan alternatives for me, it still feels like we are eating separate meals, not a true integration. Also, the sights and smells of the turkey prep and serving have become quite repugnant to me and there is occasional kidding about 'vegans' and it just makes me realize that my whole life and patterns of thinking about what I eat have changed in a way that separate me from the committed carnivores among my family and friends. 
Despite all this, I make getting together with those close to me a priority and just continue to set an example of someone who practices what they believe regarding food and will share information with anyone who has sincere curiosity about my choices. And I keep smiling, confidently happy with the vegan path and its many positive impacts especially on animal abuse, human health, and the environment.

 Having said all this, the best part is that I received 3 fantastic vegan cookbooks for Christmas. The first one is "Chloe's Kitchen" by Chloe Coscarelli. My last post told about my visit to Manhattan and her restaurant near Greenwich Village for a great lunch. Many of the recipes for items on her menu are in this book. I have tried some of them already like the Peanutty Perfection Noodles, Thyme for Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Orange You Glad I Made Crispy Tofu. They are all delicious and very easy to make. Seeing Chloe's smile on the cover and her enthusiasm for vegan cooking represent such a great addition to the vegan food scene

The other 2 I received were both written by Miyoko Schinner and both such a welcome addition to my vegan collection. As a matter of fact, I also received a gift certificate from my daughter to order some nut cheeses from Miyoko's kitchen in California and I am expecting a delivery today. "The Homemade Vegan Pantry - the Art of Making Your Own Staples" is fantastic. I have been trying to eat more 'whole foods' rather than processed vegan foods and this book offers so many ways to create tasty recipes at home. Some of the chapters are 'condiments' like mayo, mustard, dressings; 'dairy-and egg-free goodness' like cashew cream, vegan 'cheeses'; 'the meat of the argument' like real tofu, tempeh and veggie dogs. Can't wait to dive into this. 
The other Miyoko Schinner cookbook is, "Artisan Vegan Cheese from Every Day to Gourmet". I think one of the hardest foods to give up when I became a vegan was cheese - it's melty, sometimes tangy or smelly goodness a comfort food for sure. Miyoko worked to try to duplicate all this with vegan ingredients mostly nuts by understanding the importance of aging and culturing rather than additives. I am definitely motivated to try some of her techniques and interesting recipes. Some that look good to me are Risotto Fritters with roasted red bell pepper sauce, Easy Cheesy Sauce and the real cultured aged cheeses that use rejuvelac, a fermented beverage made from whole grains.