Back!

Good day, readers! It's been ever so long since I've posted and I'm glad to be back!

In the time between then and now, I've adopted a beautiful mixed-breed puppy, who I named Adelaide. She is my heart. She's also called to mind some interesting vegan-related issues, which I will share with you in the coming posts, in no particular order.

Me & Adelaide, on our way to hike at Griffith Park

Issue #1: Can dogs thrive - not just survive - but thrive on a vegan diet? 

In short, here is my opinion on vegan diets for dogs: I think there is a good chance, based on the reading I've done, that a dog can survive and thrive on a vegan diet, BUT I don't feel that deep-level certainty I feel about vegan diets for humans. I am absolutely without-a-doubt sure that humans can thrive like hell on a vegan diet, but I need more evidence (or maybe just a sign?) to feel that sure about veganism for dogs. Also, I really want to feel that sure about it for dogs, but I am trying to hold my bias. I want to know what other vegans with dogs (or anyone who's seriously considered feeding their dog a vegan diet) think about this, so please share in the comments!!! 

I've experimented with feeding Adelaide different sorts of vegan meals. I've never been able to find V-Dog in stores, but I've heard good things about that brand of vegan dog food. We've tried Natural Balance's vegan dry and wet foods, but it seems like it's not very nutritional - it's not "bad" per se, but doesn't have a lot of nutritionally rich ingredients, in my opinion.

This is v-dog, a vegan dog food that people tell me is awesome. I want to try it for Adelaide.

Recently, I saw something that gave a recommended ratio for a vegan meal for dogs: 2 parts high protein ingredients: 1 part green and/or orange vegetable: 1 part whole grain/oat. I can't remember the source, but that sounds reasonable to me.

Often, especially when I run low on store-bought doggie food, I will make up my own blend of store-bought food and one or more of the following "human" ingredients: brown rice, mashed up chickpeas, raw broccoli (she goes nuts for raw broccoli, it's funny), boiled carrots, baked apple pieces, parsley flakes, pumpkin puree or sweet potato puree from a can, quinoa, raw lettuce. I typically use store-bought food that contains meat, although once in a while I will leave meat out of the picture completely. For meat-containing commercial foods, lately I've been experimenting with Merrick's Puppy Formula, Pure Vita Chicken & Brown Rice, The Honest Kitchen's "Natural Dehydrated" food (just add water), and Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried raw meat patties. I don't feel super good about this, nor do I feel "more okay" with using meat that's said to be free range, raw, organic, or any of that other bullshit (also, not all of these brands make those claims, though some do). The reason I went for these specific brands was because they seem to contain less crap and more actual nutrient-containing ingredients.

A concoction of peas, brown rice, carrot, apple, and store-bought dog food that I recently made Adelaide. Doesn't look that appetizing, but she LOVED it.

Adelaide also loves peanut butter, bananas, and berries. I use these more as snack items because I read that it's best not to mix fruits in meals (something about digestion I think?). And peanut butter is just too much like crack for my dog, so I give it to her as a "high value" treat. For real, she gets like a power trip from certain types of treats. I've had to ban Kongs in my house for this reason. :)

Soooo sleepy... :)

Again, I want to know, what are your thoughts? Ideas? Stuff you've tried and seen good results or bad results? I'm interested in knowing as much as I can! Please share freely in the comments section below. :)

"But I Could Never Give Up Cheese"

If only I had a dollar for every time someone told me that.

Fellow humans, you absolutely can give up cheese. Like with anything else, you must first want to give it up.

"Give up?" I actually dislike that phrase intensely when it comes to transitioning to a vegan diet. Once you read books like Eat To Live and The China Study, you'll be running from cheese, trust me. Once you read about factory farming, you'll want absolutely nothing to do with the production, sales, and consumption of cheese (or milk, eggs, and meat, for that matter). Once you learn that so-called "organic" and "free range" farms do not actually translate to "cruelty free" farms, you'll know better than to put cheese anywhere near your mouth. You'll also know better than to trust the dairy industry, which thrives on America's cheese addiction.

Once you've stopped eating cheese for a while, and you feel more energetic, awake, and alive - not to mention, less bloated and less gassy - you'll become intoxicated with the way you feel when you don't eat this crap. You'll feel better about living in accordance with your beliefs, and that will be utterly empowering.

photo cred

Once you educate yourself about the truth, you'll realize there is nothing to "give up," but only more knowledge, wisdom, and empowerment to gain.

But don't take my word for it. Go, educate yourself. Learn. See. Experiment.

Go See Bold Native NOW

A few weeks ago, I had the luck of meeting Casey Suchan at a friend's birthday event. She told me about her new movie and said it'd be screening that following Saturday. I told her it was my birthday that day, and so I'd probably be doing something celebratory. This seemed to produce excitement rather than disappointment, which confused me at first, as I was basically telling her I wouldn't be able to make it. Her response?

"It's my birthday, too!"

As a wishful believer in the zodiac, I simply can't say no to someone that shares my birthday. This is what ultimately convinced me to go see the LA screening of Bold Native last weekend, and I'm so glad I did. Even though I've been vegan for over five years now, I felt transformed after leaving the theater that night. It's the kind of movie that leaves an imprint on your visual cortex and lingers in your moral conscience. It's also the kind of movie that leaves a small mark on your partner's hand, from squeezing it so hard.

I urge you, go see this movie. No matter who you are, it will challenge you. And it could change your life.

You know it's good when I buy the shirt.

If you happen to live near Brown University, you can see it today, for FREE, with FREE vegan Indian food. This is a wonderful opportunity!

If you don't see your city or university on the list, email them to request a screening.

Doooo it nowwww!

Animal Lovers Unite: Ask Obama To Save The Turkeys!

Animal Acres' own Turkey Lurky.

This post is somewhat of a follow-up to the previous post, in which I talked about animals' poor living conditions and ill fates in the zoo system. 

If learning about what orca whales go through at Sea World made you angry, or inspired you to reach out and make a difference, or both, then here's your chance. There's this relatively new Thanksgiving tradition at the White House in which the President "pardons" two turkeys; instead of allowing them to be slaughtered for a Thanksgiving dinner feast, he sends them to Disneyland. Okay, so what's the problem, right?

Here's the thing. While the President is effectively saving two turkeys from instant death each Thanksgiving, their futures are still pretty bleak: at Disneyland, turkeys still typically die within one year of their arrival. So why doesn't the President somehow ensure that the turkeys live long, happy, healthy lives? Well, here's where you and Obama come in.

This year, Farm Sanctuary is sending a (very polite, respectful) petition to President Obama, asking him to send this year's two turkeys to their safe farm in Watkins Glen, NY. There, the turkeys will spend the rest of their years playing and, well, doing whatever turkeys like to do (I can only say that I know what Turkey Lurky likes to do, which is follow volunteers around and "talk" to them). What's certain, though, is that at Farm Sanctuary, the turkeys will be given the kindest care, and they'll never, ever be used for human dinner. But we only have until November 15th to get this petition signed, sealed, and delivered, so please, if you want to spread some gratitude and love this Thanksgiving season, sign the petition now.

I mean, really, all they need is a newly-freed turkey up in there and it'd be the best frickin' photo ever. photocredit.

And hey, if you want, you can sponsor a turkey, too! The estimable Ellen DeGeneres, the vegan celebrity spokesperson for this year's Adopt-A-Turkey Project, is telling folks "Save a life this Thanksgiving, and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project." Check them out. Kima is pretty adorable.

Not convinced? Read this.

And if you really wanna go all out this Thanksgiving...   

photocredit.

Try some Tofurky! It's 100% vegan, which makes it a compassionate alternative to the actual bird. Oh, and it's quite delicious, I must say.

To give you an idea of what Tofurkey looks like when prepared. photocredit.

If you're serious about getting a Tofurkey product for Thanksgiving, then allow me to highly recommend going for the Tofurkey "feast," which comes with dumplings. Believe me when I tell you that my omnivorous family members were practically fighting me over who got the last dumpling! That's how good it is. :)

Thanks for reading!

Interviews: Melissa: A Vegan Gone Raw

CYoFC:  Describe your current diet/lifestyle (vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pescetarian, freegan, flexitarian, omnivore with vegan tendencies...etc.).

Melissa:  I am currently a raw vegan in diet and lifestyle.

CYoFC:  For how long have you been vegan? and raw? Describe your path.

Melissa:  I have been vegetarian for 17 years and vegan for 9 (but not consecutively). In the past, there were spurts of veganism lasting 2 years at the most. But because my stance, knowledge, and experience has strengthened and expanded throughout the years - I have been able to maintain my current veganism for 3-4 years. My jump into raw food however has been a new endeavor. For about a month, I have been able to maintain a raw diet where I typically eat 90 % living food.

CYoFC:  This path of challenging the "typical" food choices has included 17 years (and counting) of your life - that's amazing! What prompted you to start at all?

Melissa:  When I was 14, I befriended a vegetarian who introduced me to animal rights by discussing the way animals are mistreated on factory farms and in the meat industry (I hate that term). After absorbing our conversations and performing outside research, I decided to eliminate all meat products from my plate. When I was 19, I wrote an English thesis paper on animal rights thinking it was an easy A since I was well informed and passionate over the subject. In the course of my research, I stumbled upon a new term I had never heard of before - "veganism." Attached to its definition was the dairy and egg industry. I read articles documenting the same form of exploitation seen in the meat industry. And in the end, when I analyzed the two types of agriculture, each were interconnected. When the dairy industry exhausts the use of dairy cows, they are slaughtered for additional commerce. And the same occurs with hens. Therefore, by supporting one industry via monetary contributions, I was also assisting the same industry I boycotted by being vegetarian. To me this was inane, so I became vegan.

Although I was equipped with drive and willpower, I was inept in nutrition. I ate horribly and I felt its consequences 2 years later. And so I rode a back and forth roller coaster between vegetarianism and veganism up until I was in my late 20's. I had a conversation about veganism with the same friend who influenced my eat habits at 14. She was in the middle of transitioning to a vegan diet and needed some tips. And when our discussion drew to an end, I found myself heavily thinking about veganism. I found myself getting lost in the flood of information I was giving her. From animal abuse to migrant workers being exploited. From communities devastated on an environmental and financial level to global environmental effects. I believed and supported the vegan philosophy and couldn't find one reason not to eliminate all animal products from my life. So that night I decided to try one more time. I didn't want to falter and I knew my weaknesses. So I focused more on dietary needs and health as opposed to humanism. I lacked the first and knew if I didn't find a balance between nutrition and compassion, I would return to vegetarianism. Not that vegetarianism is more nutritional than veganism. I don't want to make it seem like veganism is dangerous or that opting for this lifestyle or diet automatically equates to malnutrition. As with any diet, an individual has to be careful and always has the possibility of eating poorly (regardless as to whether or not this entails eating meat, dairy, eggs, or none of the above). Unfortunately in my life (because I was younger and not trained on the subject of health), eating as a vegetarian was easier and thoughtless. As a vegan I would eat cheeseless pizzas and vegan waffles. How is that nutritional? So it was more my know how than actually being vegan that did me in. But I have been successful thus far and I don't see myself reintroducing any animal products into my body or life.

In regards to raw - as I stated, I am a neophyte. My mother has always been interested in raw food and so I have been vaguely aware of the health benefits associated with the diet. Also, my husband's friend frequently goes raw for about 30 days at a time with a 2 wk break in between. So a mixture of my mom's influence and the respect I have for my husband's friend, I was motivated to do additional research. I read literature discussing how a raw food diet helps alleviate digestive disorders (which I frequently had until going raw), provides nutrients in optimal, bioavailable, and full form recognizable to the body, and maintains proper metabolism by balancing chemical secretions that control and affect your body (positively or negatively - eg. hormones, insulin, the adrenals). I also read statements citing a raw diet has a low impact on the environment. With all the information I read, I knew I wanted to experiment with raw food. I wanted discover if it made a difference on my physical and mental quotidian performance. It has!

CYoFC:  In your realization that by purchasing dairy products, you were actually supporting the very industry you'd boycotted by being vegetarian, you faced a very hard reality. This is no simple task, as you said, but you persisted through the challenge and ultimately, you decided to chose your own food chain, so to speak. Tell me more about the challenges you faced along the way. And what about current challenges of being vegan and raw, or aspects about it that you don't like?

Melissa:  There were challenges when I first became vegan. As I stated above, learning how to eat properly was something I had to master. Once I did, there were no conflicts. Being raw, is a different experience. Because this world is designed and rooted in preparing food one way - cooked, raw food is not always an easy lifestyle . Up until a few months ago, I commuted from Philadelphia to NYC for school. With a heavy commute (8 hr round trip), eating raw was definitely challenging. Because a majority of my meals are prepared at home, carrying an extra bag of food on top of my nap sack full of text books, no refrigerator, and being out of the house for 24 hours was challenging. Also I recently went on vacation with my mother to Puerto Rico and although my mornings were perfect and accommodating via a buffet housing every exotic fruit and nut imaginable, I was harbored with unknown meal plans as the day progressed. So traveling as a vegan is stress free, but traveling as a raw vegan can be problematic!

CYoFC:  Your dedication is so admirable. Do you plan on remaining vegan? What about raw? Why or why not?

Melissa:  I plan on staying vegan! My husband (who is attempting a vegan diet) and I have discussed the subject and because I am adamant about it, we have agreed to raise our children vegan as well. I know I will remain raw since I have seen digestive ailments and physical exhaustion disappear, but my husband don't know where his stance is on the subject of raising our children raw. This is up for debate, which I am fine with. Motivation for remaining a raw vegan? Boycotting an establishment geared at animal and human degradation! Saying no to devastating the environment and becoming a better role model for my children! Helping people transition to a vegan or a raw vegan diet/lifestyle! Becoming physically fit and healthy so I can enjoy the life I have and continue my journey of self discovery and discovering others as well!

CYoFC:  Why should other people go vegan - or raw vegan?

Melissa:  I think people should definitely become vegan. The benefits associated with it are positive and extreme. Treating all with respect and kindness is contagious. It heals the mind and the soul. It makes people appreciate the little things and eliminates the damp feelings that cling to hurting and abusing animals and people. Who wants global warming or streams full of industrial toxins? Who wants to decrease wildlife population or increase struggling communities or live under a weak economy? The negative effects of not being vegan are pejorative - metaphorically and literally.

Raw? I definitely recommend giving it a try. Everyone responds differently to change and the human body is complex and individual. But even going 50-60 percent raw and staying away from all processed foods has been documented to yield beneficial improvements.

CYoFC:  Right on. Do you have any tips or advice for people who want to make changes toward a more plant-based lifestyle?

Melissa:  For anyone who is attempting a vegetarian, vegan, or raw food diet/lifestyle - find what works for you and educate yourself. Some people enjoy cooking while others don't. Some find simple dishes work, while others enjoy exploring and delving into gourmet meals composed of intricate and time consuming preparation. There are those who live an on the go lifestyle and then there are people who have more time on their hands. Everyone is different and so each experience varies according to an individual's preference.

If you believe in something and want it to work, examine and analyze the challenges that would deter or prevent you from reaching your goals. Tweak and modify so the odds are in your favor. For example, when I was commuting to school - I became a frequent Whole Foods salad bar vulture. When I went to Puerto Rico, I anticipated conflicts, so I brought raw food bars, dried and fresh fruit, and raw granola made with buckwheat groats and sesame seeds. I knew I would be without my cornucopia of vegetables, but I accepted this knowing it was temporary. Resolving any concerns, I let go of annoyances and just went with the change. So if you don't like cooking, buy. If you do like cooking, go online and read cookbook reviews. Peruse some books on google or take them out from a library before purchasing. If you want simple meals, there are plenty to choose from. If you don't want to sacrifice favorite foods or meals, toss that perspective. Changing your diet doesn't equate to losing what you love! You will find perfect substitutes for many favorites! It's all about rediscovering and relearning. The internet is a great resource, over indulge and use it! Put in any inquiry, the results are amazing. It may feel overwhelming, but know it is possible and don't set goals that make you feel uncomfortable.

CYoFC:  Excellent advice, Melissa. What about your favorite foods?

Melissa:  Oh, my goodness there are too many to name! Raw - Any type of hummus, but my favorites are edamame hummus and avocado chickpea hummus. I love mango smoothies and mocha drinks. The falafels and sunburgers from "I am Grateful," ceviche, serrano peppers, and brazil nut milk with pureed bananas or mesquite powder - yum! Just plain vegan - tamale pie from Amy's, yam fries, turnip fries, yucca, millet patties, and samosa burritos.

CYoFC: Describe what the giving-up-cheese process was like for you.

Melissa:  I am lactose intolerant and I have a problem digesting protein in dairy, so giving up cheese was easy each time I went vegan. There was a period when I was on the hunt for a perfect cheese substitute and I've come close, especially with the new products currently on the market. Everyone goes through phases and food cravings and by making vegan cheesecakes and relying on brands like Sheese, Follow Your Heart, Tofutti, and Daiya - I was able to curb certain desires. But I have to admit, by becoming raw - my food cravings have diminished. There are times when I experience them, like on days when I have a long and strenuous workout. But as a whole - they are quite modest.

CYoFC:  Now, the infamous question: Are you getting enough protein?

Melissa:  I run 12.1 miles three times a week and I alternate between strength training, yoga, pilates, and cardio daily - I must be doing something right!

In all seriousness, yes. I was taking classes geared for the Dietetics program before deciding to go pre med, so I have elementary training in Nutrition and Food Science (just the basics). This is one of the tools I use to support a healthy diet.

CYoFC:  Thank you, Melissa! You are truly an inspiration.

Melissa Sutton-Navarro frequently goes by "Ms." when she's not using the title, "Simply Vegan." She became interested in the femininst movement when she was in high school, and when she discovered that Ms. was a feminist magazine co-founded by Gloria Steinem, she adopted the nickname Ms. (since her initials prior to marriage were MS.) She holds a BA in Literature and Creative Writing, but opting for a career change, she has gone from a Dietetics Program to pre med with the hopes of one day becoming a Naturopathic Doctor. She is also a New York native (Long Beach, Long Island), but has been on the go since her mid to late twenties. She's lived in California and Pennsylvania and is currently in the process of relocating to Portland, Oregon. She wishes to help others and receive like guidance to become a stronger and more adept individual (in mind and body). In line with these goals, she is also the creator and author of the blog, Simply Vegan.

Interviews: Tom: Why Discriminate Based On Species?

CYoFC:  Describe your current diet/lifestyle (vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pescetarian, freegan, flexitarian, omnivore with vegan tendencies...etc.).

Tom:  Currently I'm sort of in between a vegetarian and a vegan. I don't eat meat or dairy, but I do eat eggs.

CYoFC:  For how long have you been mostly vegan?

Tom:  I became a vegetarian on Thanksgiving 2002.  I tried full veganism two summers ago, but it only last for about six months.  I've had my current diet since then.

CYoFC:  What led to these changes for you?

Tom:  It wasn't until I started dating a vegan girl that I really paid attention to the numerous arguments for a plant-based diet.  Prior to that, I thought the only possible justification for refraining from eating meat was concern for animal welfare.  While I cared very much about animals, I didn't necessarily care more about them than I care about tomatoes or other plants, and you know that we have to kill and eat something in order to live...so "why discriminate based on species?" I thought.  But then I found out about the gross inefficiency of raising animals for food, and the terrible impact it has on the environment.  That really opened my eyes.

CYoFC:  Right on. Were there any challenges you faced throughout these dietary changes? What about current challenges of eating a mostly vegan diet?

Tom:  I don't find refraining from eating meat to be difficult at all.  There are so many alternatives, especially with the numerous advances in mock meat technology happening all the time :-)  I do find it somewhat difficult to find alternatives to products that usually have dairy or eggs mixed in, but even that is getting easier and easier all the time.  For example, the vegan bakery Sticky Fingers here in Washington, DC has lots of delicious baked goods and snacks that aren't made with any animal products.

CYoFC:  DC's Sticky Fingers is phenomenal for vegans and even non-vegans. I've yet to find a better cupcake in the country! Do you plan on continuing to eat mostly vegan? If so, what motivates you ? If not, what motivates you to change?

Tom:  I don't see myself ever eating red meat ever again; I think it's just disgusting.  I do get cravings for fried chicken every now and then, but I think I'll probably be a vegetarian for a long time, if not for life.  I'm not so sure about refraining from dairy, though.  While I don't see myself giving up my current diet anytime soon, I'm not as sure that I'll never eat a dairy-cheese pizza ever again.

CYoFC:  Vegetarian for life! Wow. Tell me, why should other people consider veganism or vegetarianism?

Tom:  For me, having a mostly plant-based diet is just one thing I can do in my day-to-day life to limit the impact that I have on environment (like turning off the lights when I leave the room, or recycling, etc.).  Anyone who is concerned about the environment should think about at least severely limiting their meat consumption.

CYoFC:  You say a mouthful. There are so many environmental effects of meat production that many of us aren't aware of. Even on small, free range farms, the amount of energy and resources needed to raise cattle, pigs, and chickens for food purposes is enormous compared to plant farming. Do you have any tips or advice for people who are just starting out on a more plant-based diet?

Tom:  If you think you'll have a hard time refraining from eating meat, check out the many mock meat brands that are on the market these days.  And, learn how to cook a dish or two.  It's not that hard!

CYoFC:  Good advice. What about your favorite foods?

Tom:  Pasta, broccoli, lentils, onions, garlic, falafel, fake chicken nuggets, vegan cupcakes, Thai food, Indian food, and Ethipian food.  Oh yeah, and eggs in the morning :-/

CYoFC: All of these options contain absolutely no cheese. Describe what the giving-up-cheese process was like for you.

Tom:  It's a little bit difficult, but now that we can get vegan pizza by delivery in Washington, DC it's not too bad.

CYoFC:  Vegan pizza by delivery? That's fabulous. I hope other cities pick up on this! Now, one more question that is oh-so-commonly wondered about plant-eaters: Are you getting enough protein?

Tom:  I think so, but I've honestly never been to a nutritionist, so I'm not too sure.


Thanks, Tom!!!

Tom, 28, currently lives in Washington, DC. In addition to his concerns for animal welfare and the environment, his passions also center around politics, media, technology, and photography.

Love Animals? You should know about Ninety-Five.

95.

That's the number of animals spared each year by 1 person eating a vegan diet. 

ONE person can save the lives of ninety-five animals in a single year.

Even eating a vegan diet every other day for a year, they can still save the lives of over fifty animals.

Eat vegan for one fourth of a year, and that's still about twenty-five lives.

I encourage you all to learn more about the new book, Ninety-Five: Meeting America's Farm Animals in Stories and Photographs, by No Voice Unheard.

Interviews: Dana: How She Met Her Meat and Went Veg

CYoFC:  Describe your current diet/lifestyle (vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pescetarian, freegan, flexitarian, omnivore with vegan tendencies...etc.).

Dana:  I currently follow a pescetarian diet, as I eat fish about once per week. My diet consists mostly of grains, fruits/vegetables, eggs, dairy, tempeh, seitan, and some meat substitues.

CYoFC:  For how long have you been a pescetarian?

Dana:  I stopped eating meat five years ago. I followed a vegan diet for the first six months and then a strict vegetarian diet for the next year. I then incorporated fish into my diet and have done so for the past 3.5 years.

CYoFC:  What prompted you, originally, to change your diet?

Dana:  I read an editorial in my university's newspaper about animal cruelty. The writer mentioned a video called "Meet Your Meat," which is produced by PETA. I ordered a free copy of the DVD; while it was incredibly painful and disturbing to watch, it solidified my decision to give up meat. I have always loved animals, and truthfully, never cared too much for meat, so the decision was a no-brainer at that point.

CYoFC:  It takes a lot of courage to watch something so painful, but you did it and it changed your whole outlook. Were there any challenges along the way to changing your diet? What about current challenges, or aspects about pescetarianism that you don't like?

Dana:  When I first started learning about the mistreatment of animals in the food industry, I was incredibly passionate about spreading the word. I believed that if people really knew what went on, they would not want to eat meat either. Unfortunately, this initially translated into a lot of frustration with friends and family members who did not feel so inclined to change their eating behavior. Over time, I learned to focus only on myself, and this has made it much easier to be around others that eat meat.

I am able to find something that accommodates my diet on nearly every menu, so I don't think it interferes with my lifestyle in any significant way. The biggest challenges, however, are the "hidden" animal products. For example, gelatin is in many yogurts, and chicken broth is frequently in restaurant foods such as Mexican rice or broccoli cheese soup.

The primary thing I don't like about my current diet and lifestyle choice is that it is difficult to decide where to draw the line. I don't eat cows, but I do wear leather... I won't eat chicken, but I will eat fish... And so on... This creates some moral conflict, but I have found it helpful to think of my dietary choices in the way environmentalists conceptualize a "carbon footprint," where every little bit helps.

CYoFC:  This moral conflict you raise is often used by opposers to argue against vegetarianism in any form. "Animals are killed, so are plants," etc., etc. But at the end of the day, an individual choice must be made, and people must choose what works for them, mentally and physically. Do you plan on remaining pescetarian? If so, what motivates you? If not, what motivates you to change?

Dana:  I plan to maintain a pescetarian diet indefinitely.

CYoFC:  Why should others go vegetarian or pescetarian?

Dana:  I think this is a very personal decision, and I have moved away from trying to persuade others to give up meat. However, I think EVERYONE should make an effort to avoid meat that comes from factory farms. Small, organic farms (which don't use growth hormones) tend to raise animals in pastures and sometimes use more "humane" methods of killing the animal.

CYoFC:  Do you have any tips or advice for people who want to do this?

Dana:  Experiment with lots of new foods. Make a big effort to get protein. Soy-based products are great, but beware that some are high in fat. The best options are typically seitan or wheat-gluten based substitues, which are high in protein and have no more than 2-3 grams of fat per serving.

CYoFC:  What are your favorite foods?

Dana:  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a new brand of meat-substitute foods by Gardein. The pulled pork and beef burgandy are especiallly good and simple to prepare. It is sold at Whole Foods and stores that have a health/organic section. I also like Tofurkey deli-slices. Quinoa is one of my favorite, high-protein grains.

CYoFC:  Are you getting enough protein?

Dana:  This is something I struggle with, which is why I added fish into my diet and have begun to make more of an effort to consume eggs and fake-meat products. I also try to eat a lot of nuts and protein bars (I added protein shakes while training for a marathon).

Want to go vegan but worried about protein? Finding enough protein is completely possible with a vegan diet. A great example of a high-protein source is kamut noodles, or any kamut product. Kamut is a type of grain originating from ancient Egypt. One serving of a popular brand of Kamut spiral pasta noodles has about 10g of protein and only 1.5g of fat (0g saturated). I like these, myself. 

Dana mentioned that she watched the documentary, Meet Your Meat before becoming meat-free herself. For those interested, you can watch it by clicking here. If you are just beginning to learn about the meat and dairy industries, I highly suggest you watch it. I warn you, though, this video is shocking and disturbing.

Dana, 29, is a clinical psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition to vegetarianism, her interests include running, golf, sporting events, reading, relaxing, and shopping.

Meatouts and the Aftermath

I am a frequent and vivid dreamer. I'm able to write paragraphs, sometimes pages, of detail recounting what happened, how I felt, what peoples' intentions were in those images that flicker across my retinas as I sleep. Usually, I find this cool and entertaining. But sometimes, I can't shake apart what I dreamed and what I actually read in the paper or heard from a friend.

This was the problem with Meatless Mondays.

For weeks, I thought that I had simply dreamed about cities, nationwide, opting out of meat for entire days at a time. I thought I had dreamed about some Great American Meatout that couldn't possibly exist.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe it wasn't a dream at all, that maybe it was something I'd heard on the radio driving to work. Maybe it could exist.

Well, sooner or later, I began seeing news articles confirming that this custom had, in fact, begun. In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, improve public safety, and encourage healthy choices, Michigan has recently encouraged its citizens to give up meat for one day. Schools in Baltimore have recently begun serving only vegetarian lunches on Mondays. And so on and so on.

This, however, is not without backlash from the meat industry. Buyer, beware: there are lobbyists out there who are invested in influencing the USDA Food Pyramid. Your Food Pyramid, as the USDA calls it (MyPyramid.gov). Even if you do not actively follow these daily guidelines, watch out for the American Meat Institute, the National Pork Board, the Farm Bureau, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

They're pretty pissed.

The prospect of losing sales has them fighting hard against these meat reductions. You may start to see subtle (or not-so-subtle) meat propaganda floating around, and "new scientific evidence" suggesting that humans require more meat, and that meat is a healthier, environmentally safer choice than other foods.

The USDA revises the Food Pyramid every five years. The latest revision? It's due to come out sometime this year. And there's been a lot of talk about what changes should be made to "your" Food Pyramid.

Interviews: Pulin: Veganism - It's Easy When You Know the (Sad) Facts

CYoFC:  Describe your current diet/lifestyle.

Pulin:  VEGAN.

CYoFC:  For how long have you been vegan?

Pulin:  12 years.

CYoFC:  What prompted you to become vegan?

Pulin:  Animal rights.

CYoCF:  Were there any challenges to becoming vegan?

Pulin:  It's one of the easiest things I've done in my life.

CYoCF:  Do you plan on remaining vegan?

Pulin:  Yes, visit Meat.org to see why.

CYoCF:  Do you have any tips or advice for new vegans?

Pulin:  Visit PETA.org to learn more and get free recipes!

CYoCF:  Favorite foods?

Pulin:  I'm flexible, no favorites.

CYoCF:  Describe what the giving-up-cheese process was like for you.

Pulin:  There wasn't a process, I just stopped eating it and that was that.

CYoCF:  One last question. Are you getting enough protein?

Pulin:  Certainly.


Thanks, Pulin!


Pulin, 29, resides in Norfolk, VA. He is the Action Team Coordinator at PETA, and digs soccer, reading, and learning about social justice issues.

Interviews: Muckford: "I Never Changed My Mind, I Just Stopped Thinking About It"

CYoFC:  For how long have you been vegan?

Muckford:  Roughly ten years, but not uninterrupted. I backslid into vegetarianism for a little while, as I tried to make the adjustment to dating/living with an omnivore... then I met another vegan, which helped motivate me to get back on track again. Like anything else, it's easier to keep up with it when you've got a support system. (I was spoiled early on by a wonderful husband who'd been vegan for many years, and was able to accomplish all kinds of delicious culinary feats.)

CYoFC:  What prompted you to become vegan?

Muckford:  Well, I guess there was both a gradual process, and a more immediate catalyst.

From the time I was an infant, I loved animals of all kinds. At age 4, when I first learned that hamburgers were made from cows, I remember bursting into tears and refusing to eat them. My mother told me that while in her house, I'd eat whatever she fed me -- but when I turned 18, I could eat whatever I wanted!

Throughout most of the rest of my childhood, I somehow got gradually desensitized again. Eating meat was just something that everybody did, as a part of "normal" everyday living. That made it easy for the moral objections I had as even a youngster to slip into the back of my unconscious. I never really /changed my mind/... I just stopped thinking about it.

As a teenager, I began to think a little more. Philosophically, I agreed with the idea that other animals have as much right to be here as we do, and that we should avoid causing them pain. Inexplicably, however, my abstract philosophical leanings didn't actually translate into a concrete lifestyle change until I met my husband (now ex).

Prior to meeting him, I don't think I'd ever /heard/ the word vegan before. He explained what it meant, and his reasons for choosing the vegan lifestyle. Once I was enlightened as to the horrible way that factory farms operate, and the cruel and unnatural conditions the animals are often kept in (cages so crowded they can't move, deprivation of fresh air and natural sunlight, debeakings, etc), I felt I couldn't in good conscience do /nothing./

CYoCF:  Were there any challenges to becoming vegan? What about current challenges?

Muckford:  There were some foods I really missed at first -- cheese and crackers used to be one of my all-time favorite snacks. But a short moment of gratification isn't worth supporting a corrupt industry and causing innocent creatures to suffer. I do my best to remind myself of that fact. Other people probably would have thought I was a somewhat unlikely candidate for vegetarianism, as I've never been a particular fan of vegetables. And it's true that at first, I was kind of a junk-food vegan. I subsisted largely off of peanut butter sandwiches, pasta with marinara sauce, and vegan doughnuts... but over time, I gradually exposed myself to new foods and tastes, and discovered some absolutely /marvelous/ additions to my dietary repertoire.. including hummus (which I may never have tried if not for my veganity!) and cous-cous (mmmm, give me some of that five-spice moroccan cous-cous salad...). In time, I even began incorporating more vegetables (spinach is great if you saute it with vegan margarine and garlic... kale is great steamed, as a leafy bed for some "shells and chreese", a Nature's End mac'n'cheese substitute).

But probably the biggest challenge to becoming vegan, and maintaining the lifestyle, are social pressures... a lack of understanding from friends and family about what veganism is, why it's important to me. Friends sometimes feel inconvenienced by having to choose restaurants that serve veggie dishes, or feel awkward or embarrassed as I rattle off a list of questions concerning ingredients to the waiter. Then there are the occasions like office birthday parties... when well-intentioned folks have purchased or prepared a cake for me, and I can't eat it. Those can be a very delicate situation to navigate. Each person handles it in his or her own way. I think the key to remember is that it's most awkward at FIRST -- if you inform the people you meet about your veganism, and explain to them what it means, they won't be taken by surprise, and thus won't be as likely to be irked or offended. Some friends have actually really enjoyed taking up the challenge of making vegan dishes and desserts for me. Others, I simply reassure that they don't have to worry about me when hosting parties at their house and such -- as I'll bring some dishes of my own, or will "bring my own baggie." It's perfectly possible to handle the socially awkward moments, especially with experience, but I do still think it's probably the most difficult thing about maintaining a vegan lifestyle. You may also face strong criticism from some, especially at first. Often, those we are closest to (who liked us perfectly fine the way we were BEFORE) resent even the smallest sign of change. My mother called me a "fanatic" when first she heard about my veganism. Nevertheless, she gradually adjusted to the idea, and nowadays there's always a tub of hummus and a carton of soymilk waiting for me in the fridge when I drop by to visit!

CYoFC:  Why should other people go vegan?

Muckford:  Well, in addition to the animal welfare-related ethical concerns, there are environmental reasons... and health ones. High cholesterol runs in my family, and has been a problem for me (along with my weight) since I was a child. A combination of vegan diet and regular exercise brought my blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides in line for the first time in my life. From studies I've read, a vegan diet seems to reduce the rates of all of the most common causes of death in wealthy nations: obesity, heart disease, come cancers. I think it closely approximates a Mediterranean diet, which is touted by many health professionals as a model diet to follow in terms of its health benefits.

CYoCF:  Do you have any tips or advice for new vegans?

Muckford:  Take it one day at a time, and don't get upset with yourself if you make the occasional slip-up or mistake. There are lots of foods and other products with hidden animal ingredients. You just do the best you can and learn as you go. There are many great vegan resources on the web, and you can always try seeking out some local vegan groups on meetup.com or a similar social networking site.

CYoCF:  One last question.  Are you getting enough protein?

Muckford:  Some days I get more than the recommended daily value, and some days less. I sometimes track what I eat on livestrong.com, and that helps to give me an idea of how I'm doing. "Smart dogs" (the tofu version of hot dogs!) and veggieburgers are a good way of giving myself a mega-boost in a day when I'm falling short, and I loooove Bolthouse Vanilla Chai Protein Shakes! I haven't had any problems.... but I do take a vegan multi-vitamin to be on the safe side (I had problems with anemia even in my pre-vegan days, so I try to be particularly careful to get enough iron). When you buy vitamins, don't forget to check if they have fish-derived or gelatin ingredients. (I've accidentally bought brands that do on several occasions.)

CYoFC:  Sounds like you know how to get your protein just fine. You might also like to try incorporating more beans into your daily diet - any kind will do: lima, pinto, garbanzo, white, black, black-eyed peas, navy...


Thanks, Muckford!


Muckford is currently completing a psychology internship in the NYC area, and, thus far, has specialized in working with adults with chronic severe mental illnesses and the homeless population. He also enjoys hiking, reading fantasy and sci-fi books, and other "ultra-geeky" pursuits (such as playing Atari-2600, and joining the occasional Dungeons & Dragons game).