Eating Consciously

Vintage vegans from 1976

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Yes, that's right. Veganism is not a new idea and as the video explains, the term and ideology were coined in 1944. Check out this fascinating piece that aired back in 1976 on the BBC.

Even more interesting... read the first "Vegan News" magazine from 1944, which coins the term "vegan." It was written on a typewriter and the logo is hand-drawn!

Part I

Part II

Part III

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Krony 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s probable that you are at least remotely aware of the video that’s been sweeping the nation, Kony 2012. Produced and released by the nonprofit, Invisible Children (IC), the film is clearly compelling and has an almost hypnotic vibe to it. The video does an excellent job at persuading the unthinking youth of the US with vivid images, emotional storytelling, techno music, and colorful Kony 2012 kits that come complete with signs and bracelets. For only a few bucks a month, you can feel like you’re making even more of a difference for this tremendous cause, which over 77 million people have tuned into at most recent count.

So, who exactly is Kony? What’s the deal with Invisible Children and is there something we aren’t being told about this cause? Since the videos release, the have been numerous, credible criticisms of the film. So many, that the CEO of Invisible Children even released a video to dispute them. IC also has a “critique” page on their website that lays out the criticisms, alongside their financials. Their financials are just one of the many valid criticisms of IC, considering they only spent 3.3 out of the nearly 8.9 million dollars they raised in 2011 on “helping” kids in Africa.

That’s only the tip of the iceberg, though. What the film doesn’t tell you is that Kony hasn’t been in Uganda for over six years, believed to have fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and hasn’t been militarizing children for some time now. In fact, the Ugandan government itself, which supports the Kony 2012 “movement,” is run by a leader that he himself used child militias to get into power. Not to mention the myriad of hideous and heinous atrocities the Ugandan government has partaken in for some time now. One such human rights violation is their controversial “kill the gays” bill, which has caused unfathomable violence and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBT community. The “kill the gays” bill was largely introduced to Uganda through evangelists from the US, who traveled to Uganda to spread anti-gay propaganda.

You might wonder who is funding Invisible Children. Well, that’s perhaps the scariest part of this entire scheme. Invisible Children has received many large donations from US-based evangelical Christian hate groups, like Focus on the Family. The connection? Many of the bigots who run these Christian hate groups are directly responsible for traveling to Uganda to propel their religion and hate in an effort to support the “kill the gays” bill. Furthermore, the CEO of IC is also a Christian, who has spoken at colleges and universities recently to discuss his strategies to quietly evangelize the world. Still, IC claims to be a secular group, but one must question this when they receive funding from these Christian hate groups and have a CEO with similar beliefs. Why exactly would these groups donate to IC, unless there was an incentive for them?

The icing on the cake, which further legitimizes the idea that Kony 2012 is an absolute scam, is that the US military has been itching to expand forces in Africa and what a better way to do it then to get US youth riled up about military intervention in Uganda? Officials have already been searching for Kony for years now. The people affected by Kony in Uganda years ago are now in the recovery process and to send in military intervention to search for a man that doesn’t even exist in that country would seem to add insult to injury. In fact, a recent public screening of the film in Uganda, at a camp setup to help those affected by Kony to recover, incited outrage. The people actually affected by Kony were appalled at the message of the film, its misinformation, and the way it exploits their people without offering really any solution as to how we are going to catch Kony.

Everyone agrees that Kony is a horrendous individual that has committed unthinkable crimes against humanity, that’s not being debated. What is being debated is the legitimacy of Invisible Children and the film, Kony 2012. Is there some other motive behind all this? Is this a way to invite military invention and get US youth excited about it? Is this some dubious way for evangelical Christian hate groups to funnel in more money and what’s their interest in all of this? Remember, they’re the ones who have been systematically destroying Uganda for many years now. And what will IC’s next “issue” be? Obviously, with all the donations they’re getting, they must have other projects in the works. Watch the Kony 2012 video and decide for yourself if you believe it’s all a big conspiracy. Research the facts and criticisms; the information is out there. Perhaps we need to put an end to this deliberate and mischievous indoctrination? #Krony2012

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Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:11:00 +0000

I figured it's been a while since I've posted a recipe, so I decided to share one with you that I just created for the autumn season. I also have some more recipes to post soon, like Boston Cream Pie, White Bean and Rice Soup, and Butternut Squash Stuffing. Stay tuned (and subscribe!) for those recipes, among other things. Also, there will be a new Eating Consciously Podcast episode in the very near future (featuring an interview with TimmyFan!), as well as a piece about communicating with non-vegans over at veganexaminer.com. If you try the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, leave a comment about how it came out!

1 lb macaroni (I used whole wheat)

1 block extra-firm tofu

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup unsweetened soymilk

1/2 tsp black pepper, ground

1/2 tsp nutmeg, ground (or 1/4 tsp if freshly grated)

1 tsp salt (or more to taste)

1/4 cup Earth Balance (or olive oil)

1, 15 oz can cooked pumpkin

1 cup nutritional yeast

Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the bag. Strain and set aside. In a food processor, blend the tofu, garlic, soy milk, pepper, nutmeg, and salt until everything is thoroughly combined. It should be roughly the consistency of ricotta cheese. In a large bowl, mix the cooked macaroni and Earth Balance until the Earth Balance is melted from the heat of the macaroni. Then, add the tofu mixture, pumpkin, and nutritional yeast. Mix thoroughly to combine. Pour into a 9 x 12 (or similar) glass baking pan and cook in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Serves 4-6.

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Raw Food Homophobes

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:26:00 +0000

While a raw food diet truly makes no sense for an ethical vegan, there’s another unethical consideration that should be taken into account. There’s a lot of evidence that many males in the raw foods movement are flat out homophobic. Not only homophobic, but also ignorant and disgusting bigots.

Take the Raw Brahs for example, who recently made an extremely homophobic video featuring the self-proclaimed “Life Regenerator.” The video features them taking a shower together and making homophobic statements and gestures to each other. The Raw Brahs are, to their own admission, “solar powered Christian raw food radically honest nomadic elitist minimalist brothers.”

In a book entitled, The Raw Controversies, page 118 cites that, “According to David [Wolfe], Durian was a gay guy that went raw, and then 'left the dark side' and decided to go for women. David and Stephen [Arlin] were convinced that homosexuality could be 'cured' by the raw food diet. More specifically, they thought that the 'hormones' in wheat and bread were causing men to become gay.” Arlin and Wolfe even wrote out about homosexuality being curable in early editions of their book, "Nature's First Law: The Raw Food Diet", these comments were later removed.

Another raw foodie, by the name of Doug Graham, posted on another raw foodist’s Facebook page that you only find homosexuality in nature because of environmental pollution. And a full detox should cure it. The comment was later removed.

It’s no wonder that comments like these are being made when one of the founders of the raw food diet, Ross Horne, had an incredibly homophobic book called, “Health and Survival in the 21st Century.” In the book he devoted two entire chapters to “Sexuality and Homosexuality” and “The Myth of the AIDS Virus.”

He cites that, “Homosexuality, like these other manifestations of diesease, is a symptom of disturbed personality. Its origins lie in the same breeding grounds as those that stunt the maturation of so many heterosexuals.” He also cites that, “As with all other disaffections, society should concern itself with increasing its awareness of the cause of homosexuality and the ways to prevention and cure.”

Not only is the raw food diet itself, completely and scientifically unfounded, but it shows that those who promote it also engage in the same type of uninformed ignorance in their social beliefs. Please do not purchase any products from these sadistic individuals and furthermore, make sure we inform others of their hateful rhetoric.

Vegans don’t need to a eat raw foods diet and there’s no conclusive evidence that it’s any healthier than eating a diet that includes cooked food. A vegan lifestyle is about promoting compassion for all, not hate. Please take a moment to unfriend and unfollow any of these homophobic bastards and please check your sources before following any fanatical diet “advice.” Also, don't trust anyone who is selling you books, vitamins, and asking for personal donations.

Watch the RawBrahs video for yourself and decide whether or not it’s homophobic:

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Stay Consistent, Reject All Oppressive Isms

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:49:00 +0000

Most homosexuals eschew the discrimination and prejudice towards them known as heterosexism. In order to be consistent with our morals and ethics, we should make a conscious effort to reject all isms which result in similar discrimination and prejudice towards others. Actions speak louder than words and we can most effectively implement change by living through example.

Oppressive ideologies all hold the position that one group of individuals is superior to another. The same discriminatory thought patterns that allow some heterosexuals to see themselves as superior to homosexuals are also inherent in other discriminatory belief systems such as sexism and racism. Sadly, these hateful beliefs too often end in violence towards those being oppressed.

Since there is clear commonality among all forms of discrimination, it would make sense that those pushing for justice and equality would embrace the plight of others who are suffering similar injustice and inequality. While many would agree that gay rights advocates should not support other oppressive isms like racism and sexism, there is one ism that’s often overlooked – speciesism.

Speciesism is the belief that one’s own species is superior to another species. Humans are animals, but we have the ability to make rational, informed decisions and empathize even with those outside of our own species. Many of us prove this each and everyday by way of showing love and affection towards our pets. We care for them, look out for their interests, and can even detect their feelings despite the species barrier.

Although we care for the animals that we interact with on a daily basis, many of us were raised in a society that is radically disconnected from the interests of the animals we consume, wear, test upon, and enslave for entertainment. Speciesism is so entrenched in our society that we often don’t stop to think about how many animals suffer and die for no necessary reason as a result of our actions.

One step that every one of us can take to reject injustice towards animals is to adopt a vegan diet, or begin the transition towards it. Being vegan is one of the biggest contributions you can make to support your health, the environment, and the well being of others.

Veganism has never been easier and there are non-animal solutions to nearly everything from food to fashion that are comparable or better than their animal-based counterparts. The time has come to consider the choices you make everyday and take action.

Check out this insight from another gay vegan, Nathan Runkle:

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Michele Bachmann is a lunatic!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:39:00 +0000

For those of you who didn't listen to my last podcast, I mentioned that I wanted to begin including more social concerns to my activist efforts. I was thinking it's been a while since I had a blog post and I think I've found the perfect opportunity to include such information.

In case you don't know, Michele Bachmann is a Tea Party candidate for president, who's married to a "silverfox," that runs an anti-gay conversion therapy clinic. Basically, he "turns" gays into "straights."

Well, beyond the many things this woman is confused about, she seems to truly believe that gays can be turned straight by God. Yes, she and her anti-gay husband attended an anti-homosexual sermon, where the below video was played. She sat in the crowd and watched the video and then she proceeded to take photos with the pastor putting on the hateful sermon!

It's funny to us, but sad that Bachmann and those sitting in the sermon with her, likely believed this total bullshit. In fact, most mainstream psychology groups agree that attempting to change one's sexuality is incredibly, psychologically damaging.

What do you think? Is this woman a whack-job, or what? And how funny is it that anyone could even think the guy in the above video was a heterosexual?! Anyway, more vegan stuff to come, but just wanted to get this out there while it was fresh on my mind.

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Free range?

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:14:00 +0000

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Ed Coffin Can Die In a Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:56:00 +0000

Or at least that's what Twitter user, XtopherHorrocks, said in regards to the scathing article that was published yesterday about me. The article came to fruition after I called out Sweet Freedom Bakery for supporting the Philadelphia Zoo. The author of the article, Christopher McJetters, has taken a lame attempt to support the bakery by trying to put the blame on me.

Mr. McJetters has a total of five followers on Twitter and the outlet he writes for, Culture Mob, has only 1,654. Not to toot my own horn, but I have 2,978 followers on Twitter, so I'm not too concerned that this article is going to be very damaging for me, especially since I did nothing wrong. Anyone with a brain can see the article by Mr. McJetters is full of blatantly false statements.

First Mr. McJetters begins by questioning why I used quotation marks around the word "vegan" when making reference to the bakery. Well, probably because they support the zoo and vegans don't support the zoo, therefore they're not vegan. Mr. McJetters goes on to state that honey is a matter of choice in the vegan community -- not true, it's well understood that honey is NOT vegan, hence the reason Sweet Freedom removed it after carrying it for a short period of time after first opening.

Mr. McJetters then goes on to deduce that I said autistic children can "go to hell," a statement I NEVER made. I'm wondering why Sweet Freedom chose to support the autism event at the zoo, when there was another similar event at Sesame Place a week later, which they did not attend. He also claims that veganism is not a lifestyle, by relying on advice from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Sorry, Mr. McJetters, but veganism was founded by Donald Watson in 1944 as a lifestyle based on the conscientious objection to animal use, so you're wrong yet again.

He goes on to say that vegans support zoos, by providing a link to a Flickr page with pictures of animals. If Mr. McJetters knew how to actually use Google, he may have been able to figure out that going to the zoo is NOT vegan. He also points out that I wrote a "glowing review" of Sweet Freedom just last year, which is true, I did that to help support a business that I actually thought was vegan when they first opened. I would have done that for any new vegan business.

He then takes the cheapest shot of all, aided by one Sweet Freedom owner herself, by accusing me of starting the attack on Sweet Freedom because they refused to carry a line of beverages produced by my company last year. It's funny to think my company would care if Sweet Freedom carried our line when we have national distribution and sales that likely topple Sweet Freedom's by 100-fold. How many bottles would they actually sell per year? 3?

Sure, I'm really bitter that Sweet Freedom isn't carry my company's line of drinks when we're in hundreds of other stores. Yes, we're really hurting over that. Also, it's funny that Sweet Freedom wouldn't carry the fermented drinks because they're produced with turbinado sugar, but each bottle contains only 40 calories and 5 grams of sugar. I wonder how that compares to the calories and sugar content of a Sweet Freedom cupcake? The Sweet Freedom owner also lied by saying that was the only contact I ever had with her, because I had a pleasant email exchange with her shortly after opening on January 18th, 2010.

Overall, the entire piece was nothing more than an attempt to divert the blame from Sweet Freedom back to me. I didn't go to the zoo, Sweet Freedom did, so SHAME ON THEM. Maybe once Mr. McJetters gets his dick out of Sweet Freedom's ass and actually becomes a real vegan, he will realize the hideous flaws in his article and be capable of writing more factual pieces that are worth reading.

Sorry, for the long rant, but I felt it necessary to respond to this attack on me and thought the blog would be the best place to do so. Stay tuned for some yummy recipes coming soon and if you don't already subscribe to the podcast, please do so now, as I will be uploading the next episode today or tomorrow where I interview the VP of Earth Balance to talk about the sustainability of palm oil used in their products. Until then...

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Johnny Weir is ugly inside and out

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Johnny Weir recently came out as being gay, as if everyone and their grandmother didn't already know that, but he also just came out with a few more things. Johnny "created" a few pieces of "fashion" for Adrienne Landau's fall 2011 collection, which premiered at New York Fashion Week. Really, what kind of gay man would Johnny be if he didn't dabble in a bit fashion design?

Not only were Johnny's "designs" hideous, but he showed us once again how hideous his personality is as well. His deathly designs consisted mainly of fur. You know, the skins of murdered foxes, rabbits, minks, and chinchillas? While one might make the argument that fur is no morally different from leather or wool, which is true, what makes this so atrocious is Johnny's apathetic comments towards the issue.

You might remember when Johnny was confronted last year about his fox fur trim on his skating outfits. His callous response to that ordeal was, "I totally get the dirtiness of the fur industry and how terrible it is to animals. But it's not something that's the number one priority in my life. There are humans dying everyday. There are thousands if not millions of homeless people in New York City. Look at what just happened in Haiti. I tend to focus my energy, if there is a cause, on humans. While that may be callous and bad of me, it's my choice."

It looks as though Johnny hasn't had much of a change in emotions since last year. Nope, instead, when asked about the fur in his new "designs" a year after the fox fur incident, Johnny had this to say, "I'm a firm believer in real fur. I don't believe in fake fur. Despite having death threats and people wanting me to be hurt because I wear fur, that makes me more aggressive in my choice to wear fur. It's my choice. And I feel like everyone is entitled to that. This is America, after all."

Clearly, Johnny has no remorse for the countless animals that are captured, abused, and skinned alive everyday to supply the hideous fur industry. Instead, he tries to make the ridiculous argument that he's more concerned about people than animals, as if you can't care about both. He also tries to rationalize his "choice" by making it seem like the American way. At the end of the day, Johnny is just another heartless bastard who's ugly inside and out.

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Vegan Gingerbread Men!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:06:00 +0000

Yep, it's been forever since my last post. I'm back though, and just in time for some holiday cheer! I decided it's time for a recipe and what better than some tasty, adorable gingerbread men?! These guys are so fucking cute, you almost feel bad eating them. So, here it goes...

Gingerbread Men:

For the dough--

1/2 C sugar
1/2 C earth balance
1/4 C blackstrap molasses
1/4 C agave nectar
2 C whole wheat pastry flour
1 TBS Ener-G egg replacer
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger

In a big ol' bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the earth balance and sugar until well combined. Add the molasses and agave. Mix until well-combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Use your hands to form a ball with the dough. If necessary, add more flour, the dough should be pliable, but not sticky, like play-doh. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour, preferably longer, before attempting to roll out.

Once the dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Grab a small chunk of dough out of the fridge and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thick. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. Fill up a parchment or silpat-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. *Be careful moving the shapes to the pan, I use a spatula to get them from the counter to the sheet.

Once finished cooking, remove from oven and place a large piece of tin foil over the entire tray. Carefully flip the entire tray, covered in tin foil, over on the table very quickly. Remove the pan, then remove the parchment or silpat very carefully off the back of the cookies. This is a delicate procedure! Allow to cool for 2 or 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Continue this procedure until all the dough is used and all cookies are baked!

Makes about 18 gingerbread men.

For the icing:

2 C powdered sugar
3 TBS Ener-G egg replacer
3 TBS water

Whip all ingredients with a hand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Put into a pastry bag with a small hole, or use a ziplock bag and cut off the tip in one of the corners if you need to do it ghetto-style. First, wait until the cookies are totally cool before icing! Then, pipe that shit on so they look like the ones I made.

Viola! Adorable gingerbread men for the eating! Nom, nom, nom!

I'll try and be back with another post as soon as possible. By the way, I've been short on posts lately because I've been busy becoming a registered dietitian and after six years, I'll be one by February! Finishing my last week of staff rotations right now, wish me luck!!

If you really want to be all up in my shit, you'd better follow me on Twitter and Facebook -- see below! ;)

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Why pets shouldn’t exist

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:15:00 +0000

Back in business! Well, sort of. I apologize to all of my regular readers and subscribers, as I have not posted a blog entry for five months! If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you probably know that I have been dealing with some personal issues and have been quite busy with school, work, and helping run the newly formed nonprofit, Peace Advocacy Network. So, this blog is not going anywhere, it’s just been stuck on the back burner for a bit longer than anticipated.

That being said, I will do my best to keep up with more regular posts now that my schedule has lighted up a bit, but I can’t make any promises as to frequency. What I will say though, is that I’d like to begin incorporating other pertinent issues surrounding veganism, animal rights, and other pressing concerns. So far, this blog has been mostly recipes, but I think you’ll enjoy diving a bit more into some other topics as well.

I thought that to start, I could announce something to you that will segue nicely into the first topic on the list. As many of my Facebook and Twitter friends and followers are aware, I recently brought a new member into my home. I adopted of dog named, Fern. Fern is one of the most friendly and playful dogs I’ve ever met, she’s perfect in every way, yet she was a lucky one because I was able to rescue her from doggie prison, otherwise know as the animal shelter.

Sadly, there are many dogs just like Fern that don’t get adopted and end up being euthanized for no better reason than because there are just too many unwanted “pets” and not enough people able and willing to take them. Even sadder, many people continue to ensure the pet industry survives and thrives by buying animals from breeders. I’ll say two things right off the bat 1) there’s no such thing as a “responsible” breeder, all breeding is wrong and hideous and 2) “pets” should not exist at all and eventually won’t once we stop supporting breeders.

This is usually about the point when many people start to think I’m totally off my rocker, but we all agree that it’s wrong to unnecessarily use animals to our own advantage, right? On the surface, it might seem that we share a mutually beneficial relationship with our pets, they love us, and we love them. The sad truth is that this relationship is far from equal. Just like animals in zoos or circuses, pets don’t really have any control over even the most mundane aspects of their lives.

Our pets rely on us for even the most basic care like going to the bathroom, going outside, getting a drink of water, eating food, and having shelter. The list goes on and on and the fact is we manipulate each and every part of their life and for what? So, we can have a dog or a cat to amuse us when we want? Many pet owners love their pets and take good care of them, but many don’t, and no matter how excellent the care, the bottom line is that this is just one more example of speciesism.

We have bred and manipulated dogs into existence just to fulfill our own selfish desire for animal companionship. If you think about it, the entire process is really pretty sad. Picture a responsible breeder, who just had a “purebred” dog give birth to puppies. Within days an ad goes into the paper and within weeks the puppies are taken from their mother and siblings, whom they’ll never see again, and be plopped into a house full of unknown people and things. Hopefully it’s a good house and hopefully the puppy doesn’t end up at the shelter one day or worse.

How barbaric is it to breed a dog and remove it from its family? What if we did that with people? Bred the most attractive people and then forced them to give birth and then took their baby away without their consent and sold it to those willing to pay the most money? The only way we will ever break the cycle is if we stop buying animals from breeders, start adopting the ones that already exist in shelters, and never breed animals.

This issue is a touchy one indeed and a bit complex to grasp at first. Pets are such a social norm; it’s hard to see through to the exploitation that’s really taking place. If you’re interested, here's a good piece about why pets should not exist and why we should support that position if we are truly advocating the end of all unnecessary use of animals.

Abolitionist Approach: Pets

Here’s a pretty compelling clip form Earthlings, on the topic of pets:

I’ll leave you with some pictures of Fern, to show you just what an awesome pup she turned out to be. If you’re thinking of getting a dog, or know someone who is, please do not even consider buying a dog from a breeder of any kind. Save a life, break the cycle, adopt!

So, what are your thoughts on this issue? How do you feel about pet ownership and how do people react when you tell them you don’t think pets should exist? Do you have any awesome adoption stories? Leave comments below, this should be an interesting discussion, as this topic often seems to be an emotionally charged one.

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Primal Strips Meatless Jerky!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:49:00 +0000

Okay, people. I have a shameless product promotion for you. Just to be clear, I do not post for any products that I didn't actually like ;) I thought I wasn't going to like these meatless jerkies, but they were actually good! Most of the vegan jerky products I've tried before were far too dry and hard, but these actually have a moist, meaty texture to them.

They come in six exciting flavors and my favorite was Thai Peanut. Mesquite Lime was pretty tasty also. I was actually surprised that even my 17-year-old, non-vegan sister liked them. My favorite part about this product is that the label has a cute little stick person hugging a cow with a heart hovering above them!

It looks like they have some of these snacks over at Vegan Essentials, for those who are interested. I wish I would have remembered that when I placed a large order through them last week. Oh well, I need to run and interview Dallas Rising for my podcast, which I assume you will all be listening to when it's released. Right? ;)

Be back soon!

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Freeing the tiramisu and seagull!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

So, I finally got the chance here to sit down and put this Tiramisu recipe together. In my experience, making GOOD vegan tiramisu is quite an accomplishment and I'm so glad I was finally able to come up with something that's good and doesn't use a ton of costly, processed ingredients. I think the slight coconut flavor of the whipped topping in this compliments the coffee and cake perfectly too!

Vegan Tiramisu

1, 9" vanilla cake cut into 1" thick strips
2 C very strong coffee, cold (triple brew it, or use a french press)
2 batches of Creamy Coconut Topping (double the recipe)
1/2 of a 3 oz bar vegan dark chocolate, shaved (use a grater or chop with a knife)

Make sure your cake, coffee, and coconut cream are all chilled, or at least below room temperature. Pour the coffee into a bowl. Get out a 9" square glass pan. Dip each strip of cake into the coffee very briefly and begin to cover the bottom of the pan. Only use half of the cake. You can use your hands to push the moist cake down and spread it out in the bottom of the pan.

Then, use half of the Creamy Coconut Topping and spread it over the moist cake layer. Sprinkle half of the chocolate over that. Then, begin another layer of coffee-soaked cake. Again, push the cake down with your hands to gently spread it around a bit. Top with the rest of the whipped topping and finish off with the remaining chocolate. Place into fridge and allow to chill for at least one hour before serving.

Serves 6-8.

On another sweet note, I finally got the chance the other day to release the seagull I rescued from the highway last month. I recorded it with video so I could share the experience with all of you too! It's such a great feeling releasing a wild animal back to its natural habitat. Have you ever had the experience? Please share your stories.

Also, I wanted to make mention that this particular rescue would not have been possible if it were not for the help of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. I made a donation to them the day I dropped off the seagull to help cover his expenses, but these kinds of organizations always need money to continue great rescue work like this. I wanted to encourage everyone to visit their website to find out how you can help to be sure these kinds of rescue stories can continue!

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Creamy coconut topping or tiramisu part II

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:24:00 +0000

So, last time I left you guys with a bit of a cliffhanger. I told you about my fabulous tiramisu recipe, but I promised to deliver it in three parts. Well, here's part two! That means in the next post you get the actual recipe for the tiramisu ;) The real reason I decided to post this recipe in three parts was because I thought each of the individual components were solid enough to stand on their own and that their versatility could land them in a wide variety of uses.

This recipe for Creamy Coconut Topping offers a less processed, less expensive, and more delicious alternative to store-bought soy whipped toppings. I'd say the texture of this Creame Coconut Topping is akin to Cool Whip and don't let the coconut scare you, its flavor is gentle and subtle in this context. Once you've mastered this technique, you'll never buy the ready-made stuff again!

Creamy Coconut Topping

1 can full-fat coconut milk
1/4 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Place the coconut milk can into the fridge for at least one hour. Remove, but DO NOT SHAKE. Remove lid and scrape off solid portion, leaving the water in the bottom of the can behind.

Here's a demonstration:

In a large bowl, whip the coconut solids, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with a hand-mixer on high-speed for 1-3 minutes.

Tip: Keeps in the fridge and doesn't break down at room temperature either! Batch can easily be doubled or quadrupled!

Makes 1.5 cups whipped topping.

Stay tuned for the ACTUAL tirmisu recipe! Here's a preview:

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Vanilla cake or tiramisu part I

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:50:00 +0000

There's something about the perfect vanilla cake. It's such a versatile baked good because you can glaze it, frost it, toss some berries on it, or even use it as a base for tiramisu as I did! I set out to make the perfect tiramisu (which I did), but I ended up with the perfect vanilla cake as well.

A bit healthier than your traditional vegan cake recipe, but it's certainly not lacking in the flavor or texture department. Very satisfying and simple without being bland. What I'm really excited to share with you is my Perfect Tiramisu recipe, but I'm going to lead you up to it in three parts.

Today you get the vanilla cake, then I'll give you the yummy coconut cream topping, and finally, you'll get the tiramisu recipe. So, if you haven't done so already, now would be the perfect time to subscribe (hint, hint) to my blog so you don't miss the best tiramisu recipe ever. Better than nonvegan ;)

Vanilla Cake

3/4 C sugar
1/4 C oil
1 TBS ground flax seeds
1.5 C soy milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBS lemon juice
2 C whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, flax seeds, soy milk, vanilla, and lemon juice. Add the flour, baking powder and salt, then mix until all the lumps are out. Pour into an oiled 9" cake pan and bake at 350 degree for 35 minutes.

Makes one 9" cake.

In other news, you might remember me telling you about the seagull I rescued from the side of the road. The good news is that he is doing well. He's eating and getting around on his own. He does have a broken scapula, but they think he is going to be just fine.

The bad news is that I found out if he is not able to fly or is unable to be released into the wild, he would be "humanely euthanized." I already requested that if he is set to be euthanized, I will personally find a refuge or sanctuary for him. So, if anybody knows any facilities that have a federal migratory bird permit, please let me know! I have hope though, that he's going to be just fine :)

Stay tuned for tiramisu part II!!

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The birds and the bananas

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:52:00 +0000

I most certainly could not let an entire month go by without a blog post! As I'm sure you have gathered, I've been pretty busy these past few weeks. Beyond my fatal deer incident, my five spring courses started and to say I've been overwhelmed is an understatement. The light at the end of the tunnel is that by the end of this year, I'll be eligible to sit for the national registered dietitian examination!

I wanted to share a quick and healthy recipe that will fuel you for these cold winter days. I picked up a bunch of bananas at the store the other day only to get home to see that my soy milk had completely crushed and smooshed all my bananas. So, when life hands you squished bananas, make banana bread! I found a bunch of loose ingredients that have been gathering dust for the past few months and the result was a slightly sweet bread that's satisfying and sustaining.

Banana Bread

6 bananas, mashed
1/2 C soy milk
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 TBS agave nectar (optional)
1/4 C ground flax seeds
1 C rolled oats
1 C walnuts, crushed
1 C whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 C goji berries (can also use raisins)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice (optional)
1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, mix the bananas, soy milk, vinegar, vanilla, agave, and flax seeds. Add the oats, walnuts, flour, baking powder, goji berries, cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Mix thoroughly and pour into a well-lubricated loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Makes one loaf.

I also had a heartwarming experience the other day while driving home from work. I was on a busy highway during rush hour when I noticed a beautiful, majestic seagull sitting right on the side of the road just beyond the white line on the shoulder. Traffic was whizzing by, but there he sat. I knew something was wrong.

I immediately pulled over and ran down the highway to go check him out. I walked right up to him and scooped him up into my arms. His legs seems to be non-functional. Another woman who had stopped gave me a towel to put him in. I plopped him into the back seat of the car and had my partner take the wheel so I could sit in the back and keep him calm.

I immediately called my veterinarian friend, Dr. Rob Teti, who advised me to call Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. I called them, but they closed at five and I wouldn't be able to get there in time. They suggested I take him home for the night and advised me that he might pass away during the evening due to internal injuries.

We got him home and placed him into a box with a blanket over it so he wouldn't be stressed out by us or the dogs. He didn't make much noise, just relaxed and slept. I woke up in the morning and was ecstatic to see him up and alert, though still unable to walk. I drove him immediately to the clinic, which was an hour from Philadelphia in Delaware.

Upon arrival, they said since he was still alive and looked energetic, that he was probably going to be okay. They confirmed his legs weren't broken, but probably suffering from some temporary neurological damage due to swelling from the impact he likely had with a vehicle.

They said they will keep me posted and that they were optimistic for his recovery. I will keep you all posted as I find out more! On that note, I need to run, but I'll be back as soon as humanly possible ;)

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Deer don't kill people, hunters do!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:19:00 +0000

Yesterday at around 3:30 PM, my partner and I were driving home from visiting our favorite sanctuary, Chenoa Manor. On our way home, we were traveling a busy highway moving along at about 65 MPH. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer ran frantically into the road and struck my Smart car head-on.

There was no time to avoid the deer. I barely had time to attempt to hit the brakes. All I can remember is seeing the deer running like a bat out of hell across the highway, then a hard impact, and finally seeing the deer fly many feet into the air before flying over a guardrail and landing about 20 feet below into a steep ditch.

I pulled over and ran to see where the deer had landed. Fortunately, she was already dead. I then proceeded to assess the damage to my vehicle. I haven't received an estimate yet, but I assume it will cost several thousands of dollars to repair. It then hit me that my partner and I were lucky to be alive because an animal that large traveling through our windshield at that speed could have killed us both.

I began doing some research on deer accidents, because as an advocate against hunting deer, I often hear the argument that hunting them protects motorists. That statement could not be further from the truth. In fact, more fatalities involving motorists and deer occur when hunting is taking place.

I also discovered that the area where I hit the deer is located in Pennsylvania's Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 5C. Hunting for antlerless deer, which this was, is occurring in this WMU until Jan 23. I also discovered that there was a PA State Park precisely bordering the roadway where the accident took place. "Hunters are welcome in Pennsylvania State Parks."

Usually deer are observed in groups grazing calmly along the roadway. This deer was alone and she looked like she was running for her life. This occurred in broad daylight, not normally when deer are on the move. I can only speculate as to what she was running for or from, but the evidence supports the claim that hunters actually cause accidents between deer and automobiles.

I often hear people incorrectly state that they were hit by a deer when in fact the deer was hit by them. I also often hear people say that "deer kill people," but I'd assume that the percentage of deer that are killed during a collision with a car are much higher than the percentage of people who are killed in the same circumstance.

During my youth, I was a deer hunter and attained both my gun and bow and arrow licenses when I was 10 years old. I used to go hunting with my Dad. I never shot anything and I frankly found hunting to be boring. Looking back, I remember my Dad saying that if we didn't kill the deer, they'd be killed by a car. I remember thinking in my head at that time, "how do you know THAT particular deer would be hit by a car?"

Obviously, hunters are merely attempting to justify their actions much in the way that most people attempt to justify their use of animals. After experiencing hunting and hitting a deer firsthand, I can say that I strongly disagree with hunting deer for any purpose. Why can't we just let the deer be? It's a tough fight, but thankfully there are groups who are advocating on behalf of the deer.

Let's also not forget that Pennsylvania has one of the strictest "hunter harassment" laws in the country. The WMU where I hit the deer had the highest kill rate of antlerless deer in 2008, which exceeded 20,200! That doesn't include the 8,700 antlered deer who were also killed that year.

This was a sad and sobering experience, but I hope it can serve to provoke thought in others to realize that deer hunting is not the solution! Let's let the deer be and consider that we are the ones killing the deer and not the other way around.

Please check out this deer FAQ from CARE.

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Vegan French toast anyone? Oh, and vegan peacoats.

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:23:00 +0000

One thing I've never been quite able to veganly perfect is French toast. Until now! Yes, I have come up with what I think is an absolute replica of the French toast I remember my Mom making as a child. Of course I substituted organic, whole wheat bread for Wonderbread, but the outcome was no less delectable. Can't wait to hear what you guys think! Be sure and post a comment after you try this recipe :)

French Toast

1 C soymilk
1/4 block tofu
2 TBS sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp nutritional yeast
a touch of freshly grated nutmeg
8 slices of bread

In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients and blend until as smooth as possible. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish that's big enough for you to dip the bread into. Heat a nonstick pan over med-high heat. Dip each piece of bread briefly into the mixture being sure to coat the entire piece. Immediately after coating with the mixture, place bread into the preheated pan. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Serve with a liberal dollop of Earth Balance and drizzle of maple syrup or agave nectar!

Serves 2.

On another note, winter has fully set itself in here in Philadelphia and around the country. One question I often get from vegan men is where to find a fashionable coat that doesn't contain wool. If the idea of not wearing wool is new to you, check out my latest article on the issue.

I always refer people who ask about vegan fashion concerns over to The Discerning Brute. Joshua Katcher is an ethically handsome man who knows his vegan fashion. Be sure to check out his recent post on the announcement of a truly fashionable winter coat for men that will be out soon from Vaute Couture. They already have a line of coats for women available.

On a final note, don't miss the BBC World Service program, Animal and Us. It discusses the current state of the animal rights movement and contemplates why we haven't made much progress in the past few decades and offers a glimmer of hope for the movement going forward. DEFINITELY worth a listen. Part 1 and Part 2 are available for free online listening.

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A healthy dose of criticism

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:36:00 +0000

I received lots of interesting feedback after my last post, where I mentioned my efforts to educate the public concerning the "humane myth" of animal products that claim to have "higher standards." This opens the door for a much-needed debate and offers the perfect opportunity to make this blog a bit more multifaceted beyond just the food and recipes. I think it's important to offer a more thorough investigation into the theories that support veganism because ethical viewpoints are ultimately what drives one to stick with the lifestyle, in my opinion.

There is a debate that has been going on for some time now in the animal rights movement and that is the controversy concerning "welfare" vs. abolition. I put the word "welfare" in quotations because I feel it really doesn't accurately describe what it is meant to imply in this application. I think animal husbandry is a more correct term, but to keep things simple I will use the terms "welfare" and "animal husbandry" interchangeably in this discussion.

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare from Gary L. Francione on Vimeo.

There are a group of people and organizations who believe that "bettering and improving" conditions for animals by causing "less suffering" for animals are steps in the right direction for animal rights. There exists another group of people and organizations that believe we should not support these efforts because we're ultimately leading the public on to think that there's a way to exploit animals "humanely" that makes it okay.

I personally fall into the latter group after seriously assessing and analyzing both perspectives for some time since becoming vegan. I feel that arguing for the "better treatment" of animals makes no more sense than arguing for the "better treatment" of slaves or other peoples being exploited. I know that argument is already going to ruffle some feathers, but that's how I honestly feel.

I also think that when "animal advocacy" groups support these efforts, it makes the general public feel morally justified about continuing to exploit animals because they see that these groups approve of it. This is why I feel my limited time and energy as an animal activist is effectively used when I spend it educating the public about "humane" animal products and the ultimate moral dilemma they lead to. I believe supporting the "better treatment" of animals is in direct opposition to the Mahatma Gandhi quote, "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

My experience in talking to the public about this issue has been that it's an easy argument for them to grasp- that unnecessary killing is unnecessary killing no matter what kind of label you slap on it. In response to my efforts, I received one particular email that I have been given permission to post in an effort to spark a healthy debate in this arena.

Love that you are an animal activist but want to suggest that your energy and creativity may best be spent elsewhere if you want to help the animals.

Briefly, the only major food retailer who has put millions of dollars to develop the best animal welfare standards worldwide is Whole Foods. As PETA'S representative to Whole Foods for over five years, I would be thrilled if other major food retailers with whom I negotiate on behalf of PETA, were half as concerned about animal welfare as Whole Foods.

Wishing you a successful and compassionate New Year

Steve Gross
Corporate Consultant
PETA

Some will automatically label this discussion we will have here as "in-fighting," making comments like "we should all work together." In my opinion, if someone has a valid and legitimate concern, their voice deserves to be heard. I think there's a difference between useless bickering and honest criticism. I think the term "in-fighting" is often used by those who choose not to hear to other side of the story.

I challenge you to post your genuine thoughts and concerns regarding this issue, but I encourage us all to be mature and rational. That doesn't mean valid criticisms should not be made, but I think we should support those claims with some factual backing. It lessens your point when you make a singular remark, such as "f*ck PETA", without providing any additional information as to why you feel that way.

All of that being said, I will not moderate the comments as I believe in free speech and that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. One thing I can't stand is when comments on debates such as this are moderated and voices are not heard. I hope this will offer an interesting insight for everyone regarding this situation. Let's begin this necessary debate!

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Happy New Year! Reflections and Projections.

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:45:00 +0000

Since I started this blog over two years ago, I've noticed one thing has dramatically changed. Reflecting back over the last 200 or so posts, I've come to realize how thoughtfully I've refined and shifted my moral and ethical viewpoints. I started this blog right about the time I was making the leap to becoming a full-blown vegan. At the time of my becoming vegan, I had no idea how much I was still unaware of and where my new lifestyle would lead me.

I'm proud to say now, that I not only consider myself a vegan, but I consider myself to be an animal rights activist. I used to shy away from concern for animals, especially when I was a mere vegetarian, but I am now confident and proud to admit that my main concern is for animals. Looking back, I think I just failed to realize how fundamentally unjust the world is for animals and how deeply concerned I was for their justice at heart.

Starting out, I had little information and didn't feel comfortable debating complex animal rights issues, which is why I avoided it. The more I learned and the more confident I became, the more I realized how simple the message really is at the core. No one wants to harm sentient beings unnecessarily, but most of us do. We live in a world where dominating non-human animals is the norm, so most of us fail to realize that we all hold the ability to simply end it.

You don't have to be knowledgeable about the ins and outs of animal rights theory to understand that animals suffer like us and that we have the power to stop it. We don't need to use animals to live healthfully and peacefully on this earth, but it's so widespread that we fail to recognize the obvious solution. We convince ourselves that it will never end, or that it's too hard, or that if it were so easy to avoid everyone else would be doing it too.

I've now come to understand that this isn't some new idea and that I feel no differently about the subject now than I did as a child. I never wanted to hurt animals or the earth, but it's only now that I've realized that I hold the power not to. I'm proud to say that in the past two years, I've witnessed a dramatic shift in the direction of veganism. It's so empowering to be surrounded by so many like-minded people and to know that we are making progress.

As I progress, I find myself becoming not more radical, but more outspoken. I can honestly say now that I only wish someone had awakened me earlier in my life. I now feel that beyond being a vegan, the main way I can contribute to the cause of ending animal exploitation and preserving the planet is through informing others. So, my projection for 2010 is to forge ahead and be as loud and clear as I can to create the largest effect possible.

One person can make a HUGE difference and we need lots of little "one peoples" planting seeds and ideas of change in order to shift the entire paradigm. Little by little, person by person, through a grassroots initiative, we are making dramatic progress. Most people already agree with the message, it's just a matter of empowering and informing people to align themselves with their hearts and minds.

Not to write a novel here, but one of the most important things I think we can all do besides becoming vegans, is to be visible to the public. Unfortunately, the system is against us and profits and industry are trying as hard as they can to keep us down. I thought I'd share a personal experience I recently encountered as I led a small, peaceful demonstration to educate the public about the myth of "humane" animal products.

I was simply exercising my right to free speech with a fellow activist when police had asked me to cease handing out literature. I'm not an expert in law, but I knew I had the right to do what I was doing. I ignored the police and continued my efforts at which time I was placed under arrest. Yes, I was arrested for handing out literature. Thankfully, the ACLU is now representing me! I plan to do an extended post concerning this troubling situation and will keep you all posted on the progress.

In the meantime, I'd like to share a video I took of the officer who arrested me right before the actual arrest. I am continuing these demonstrations at this location and this event has done nothing but fuel me to be an even more vocal advocate! This is not meant to scare you, but to encourage you to take a stand for what's right and continue spreading our important message.

So, in a nutshell, my New Year's resolution is to forge ahead with being the most effective force for change I can be! I hope all of you are inspired to do the same and I'm interested to know what your goals are for the new year. Please share them below :)

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My Sweet Vegan author, Hannah Kaminsky, answers your baking questions

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:08:00 +0000

What a busy time of year! I just realized today how quickly the holidays are approaching. I really can't believe I haven't had the time to notice any of it. One thing I like to do this time of year is enjoy vegan baking.

I recently starting looking through my favorite vegan baking book, My Sweet Vegan, to pick out what recipes I'll be whipping up this year. I'm going to be making her Mocha Devastation Cake, Self-Frosting Peanut Butter Cupcakes, Butterscotch Blondies, and of course Canine Cakes for Luna and Chico!

Vegan baking, or any baking, can be a little scary without a road map. Luckily, Hannah Kaminsky does all the experimenting for us and churns out the most creative and delicious vegan sweets around. You can catch a glimpse of what Hannah's currently confecting by checking out her blog, BitterSweet.

I recently asked my Twitter followers and Facebook friends what questions they had concerning vegan baking. I got a ton of great questions, but had to narrow it down to five because I'm writing a post, not a novel here ;) Hannah agreed to personally answer the following top five questions:

JamesFordIV (via Twitter)

What is your favorite binder/egg replacer?

Flax seeds are definitely my go-to egg replacer if I'm trying to veganize a recipe. They just work so beautifully in both savory and sweet applications, and have the additional bonus of having an appealing nutritional profile. The natural fats mimic the fats you would get in an egg, so they more accurately approximate the texture you would get from baking with eggs, in general. My standard ratio is 1 tablespoon of whole flax seeds, ground up in a coffee or spice grinder, and then blended with 2 tablespoons of water.

MacVegan (via Twitter)

What do you say to vegan baking naysayers who say you use too much sugar?

Ha, I didn't know anyone was saying I use too much sugar! If they are, then I'd like to remind them that dessert is a treat, not something to include after every single meal, every single day. It's all about balance- I eat very healthy meals so I can indulge when I feel the desire to. Besides, if you're concerned about sugar, there are many viable substitutes that can work in just about any recipe. Do some experimentation with agave, stevia, or date sugar, and you may find the results very rewarding.

ataraktos (via Twitter)

Is it possible to make vegan pate au choux, such as for cream puffs? Have you worked with VersaWhip?

Yes, it is possible to make cream puffs! There are a number of recipes on the internet that approximate pate au choux, but still leave a bit to be desired. I've come very close to perfecting a recipe, but haven't had the time to work out all of the kinks. And yes, I have a little pouch of VersaWhip in my pantry. It's a very cool ingredient that has tons of potential, but I don't often use it because I know that not many standard home cooks have access to it or would be interested in a recipe that requires it.

bazu (via Twitter)

My cookies always come out cakey. How do I achieve thin, crisp/chewy cookies?

The key to cookie texture is all about ratios, and basically, fat. The more fat you have in a cookie, the thinner and crispier it will become. As a general rule, I try to never add soymilk to my cookies, or at least minimize it to a tablespoon or so, because excess water causes cakey cookies. That's why cookies that include watery ingredients like pumpkin, applesauce, or tofu are more likely to be cakey as well. I've found that the key to getting chewy cookies is to have at least some amount of the sugar come from a liquid sweetener (ideally brown rice syrup), but not all. Also, the old advice to slightly underbake cookies is still a good practice to go by. If they look done, they'll be overdone by the time they're cool.

Marc Delaney (via Facebook)

I have a recipe that states, "pour cake batter into 9-inch cake pan." I'm totally NEW to baking, and to baking vegan. When I was at Target today, I saw baking pans that were 9x9 and some that were 9x13, etc. If the recipe doesn't specify the pan size other than "9-inch," what size/shape should I use? I saw some 9-inch pans that were round, some square, and some rectangular. Does shape make a difference? Also, does using glass versus metal make a difference in how the cake will turn out?

If the recipe only says a "9-inch pan", they it's typically assumed that this is the measure of the diameter of the pan, which would make it a round pan. Two dimensions implies that it's a square or rectangle. And yes, the shape makes a huge difference! You can actually fit more batter in a square pan than you can in a round one. Ditto the material the pan is made of. I've found that things tend to bake up fluffier/cakier in a glass pan (I discovered this while making blondies, which was not a favorable turn of events). It also changes the bake time, since metal is a better conductor of heat and will allow things to bake faster. Most recipes are written with metal pans in mind, so unless it specifies, plan on baking things longer if you're using a glass pan.

If you don't have it yet, don't forget to pick up a copy of My Sweet Vegan. It's still not too late to get it in time for your holiday baking endeavors. Better yet, buy a copy for a non-vegan; it's great activism!

What are YOU planning on whipping up for the holidays? Share your inspiring ideas!

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Busy, busy, busy with my hands in many projects right now, but I had time to whip up this new Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe last night. This uses mostly store-bought ingredients, so it's really quick to make. It's the perfect texture and has just the right level of sweetness to offset the tartness of the sour cream.

I also got around to marinating a Tofurkey in beer and making a delicious beer gravy with it too! I will try my best to get the recipe for that soon so you can make the best Tofurkey ever this holiday ;) I have to run, but here's the recipe for that tasty Pumpkin Cheesecake:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1- 12 oz container vegan sour cream
1- 8 oz container vegan cream cheese
1- 15 oz can pureed pumpkin
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ener-g egg replacer
1 store-bought 9" vegan graham cracker pie crust

In a food processor, blend together all ingredients except the crust! Pour mixture into pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. It's advisable to put another dish of water in the oven with the pie to keep it from drying out and splitting. Allow to cool for an hour at room temperature before placing into the fridge for another two hours.

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Breaking "traditions" and dealing with carnists

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Time is ticking away! Thanksgiving is now a mere few days away. I usually go all out on Thanksgiving with entrees, side dishes, desserts, and drinks, but this year I plan on taking it easy. I'm fortunate enough to be attending a vegan Thanksgiving feast at a local vegan restaurant. So much for cooking! I'll be heading to visit my parents after dinner for wine and maybe some vegan dessert :) It will be nice to take a break from having to do all the work to prepare for Thanksgiving this year, as I have a ton of other projects keeping my occupied.

This time of year can be tough for those of use who view animals as moral members of our society. Just the simple fact that people plan their entire day around a roasted carcass is disturbing to say the least. I did a little research and discovered that these "traditions" we follow on Thanksgiving really have little relevance to the original Thanksgiving.

Did you know Thanksgiving wasn't even declared a holiday until 1863? Did you know it was merely the brainchild of one woman named Sarah Josepha Hale? She also happened to write Mary Had a Little Lamb. So, when people say that you're breaking traditions, you might want to remind them that the holiday is about celebrating abundance and spending time with family and friends, not feasting on a cooked corpse.

I thought I'd bring Melanie Joy back to the blog today to give us all some advice on dealing with carnists during the holidays. This is an exchange between Melanie and I at her new Facebook discussion group, Vegetarians Discussing Carnism.

Ed:

I know many of us will be dining with carnists during the upcoming holidays. Maybe before they come, we can think of some ways we can handle hostility and think about how will will react in a way that doesn't perpetuate the defensiveness. It's good to think about how you might react in these situations BEFORE they occur, because it's often difficult to make effective decisions in the heat of the moment.

I find that everyone in my family is generally aware of my opinions. They know I oppose the use of animals for ANY purpose. When I sense confrontation, even if it seems to be in a joking manner, I try to just bite my tongue and avoid making counter arguments or comments that will just encourage them to become more defensive.

Even if I'm not confronted directly, I try not to comment when people start having discussions about things in front of me that I obviously don't agree with. I know they know how I feel and that they are just trying to see my reaction to their opinions.

To recap, I have found that it's easier to avoid conflict than it is to engage in it. I'm not opposed to discussing my concerns when people are genuinely interested, but if I sense any sort of sarcasm or opposition, I've always found it best to just avoid talking about the topic at hand. If they're serious about learning from you, they will come back to you another time and have a more genuine debate.

I will sometimes say, "I don't feel that now is the time to discuss this issue, but if you want to talk about it further, why don't you shoot me an email?" Obviously you could suggest a phone call or whatever form of communication is best for you.

In my case, since I have had work published on the topic of veganism and animals rights, I will sometimes point them to those things to learn more about my beliefs. You could also send them to a favorite book (Why We Love Dogs...) or website that they could find more information.

Melanie:

I agree with your approach, Ed. The holidays are loaded to begin with, and ideological differences just compound things. (I appreciate your comment about my book, btw)

I think how much to engage in discussion about carnism depends on the situation. If you're with close family, and people are open and curious, that's a very different situation than if you're with in-laws or hostile carnists.

I also feel that healthy communication is vital -- and healthy communication is the same no matter what the topic is. (I write about this in my first book, Strategic Action for Animals). Healthy communicating means keeping the focus on your own experience. So, for example, if something offensive is stated during a dinner, I make sure I say what I'm feeling because of the comment (again, if the situation allows). If someone comments on my food (or lack thereof), I talk about my experience of being vegan -- to a point. I think we need to find a healthy balance between biting our tongues and not feeling disrespected.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how vegans so often experience "forced witnessing" -- we're forced to witness traumatizing experiences, like dead bodies and, worse, people putting those dead bodies in their mouths. Because carnism is SO pervasive, we don't have a lot of leeway in terms of how much we refuse to witness. But I think we need to be clear about what our own line is -- how much we are willing and able to witness before it takes too much of a psychological toll. Then we need to be clear with others about what our line is. For example, last year at my boyfriend's parents' I knew I'd have to see a dead animal on the table, but I requested that they keep the whole turkey in another room. So, people put the meat on their plates but I didn't have to see a whole carcass sitting in front of me or witness it being carved.

But I agree -- holidays are not the time to be educating about carnism. Tensions are already high, and Thanksgiving is literally organized around a carnistic ritual so defenses are probably higher than usual.

One of the reasons I wrote "Why We Love Dogs..." btw was so when people comment on my veganism I could say "Well, why don't you read my book?" and hope that they'd "get" veganism on a much deeper level than if I'd just explained my own experience to them.

I encourage you to visit and join in on this and other important discussions going on in the group!

And lastly, here's a photo I recently saw in the latest Poultry Press publication from United Poultry Concerns. I'll be back soon with another guest blogger and a delicious apple pie recipe I came up with the other night!

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The best vegan split pea soup ever!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:05:00 +0000

Okay, so I admit that split pea soup isn't very photogenic, but I assure you that this is so very delicious! I made this last night for dinner and just had to get it up ASAP because it's so yummy. In fact, I'm going to serve it as part of my Thanksgiving menu.

This is such a great dish to prepare for carnists to show them how comforting and tasty vegan food can be. And who would have known you could make the best split pea soup ever without using a slaughtered pig bone? The secret? Vegan ham! On with the recipe!!

Split Pea Soup

1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBS olive oil
1 package (8 slices) vegan ham, diced (I used Yves brand)
1 TBS dried ground sage
1 TBS dried thyme
1 TBS dried oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1 vegan vegetable bouillon cube
2 C unsweetened soy milk
2 C dried split peas, pre-soaked overnight
6 C water
1 TBS salt
2 TBS Earth Balance

In a large pot, over medium heat, saute the onions, garlic, olive oil, and vegan ham for several minutes until onions turn translucent. Add the spices, bouillon cube, soy milk, split peas, and water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until split peas are completely cooked and disintegrate into the liquid. Turn off the heat. Finally, add the salt and Earth Balance.

TIPS

-Don't add the salt until after the split peas are cooked because it prevents them from cooking completely.

-If you have a pressure cooker, cook the split peas with the water for 15-20 minutes until they're completely cooked and disintegrated. This will dramatically reduce your cooking time. Just simmer with other ingredients for 10 minutes.

Be back soon with more pre-Thanksgiving recipes! I also have a special guest blogger coming soon!! Until then...

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GRID magazine feature, vegan videos, and Chenoa Manor!

noreply@blogger.com (Eating Consciously) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

It's official! This school term is more than half over and I should be able to breathe a little easier come mid-December. In the meantime, I didn't want you to have to wait too long for another post. So, here it is!

I was recently featured in the November issue of GRID, a sustainable magazine here in Philadelphia. I wrote about how to cook dried beans and gave a recipe for some spicy Black Bean and Quinoa Chili. Perfect to warm you up on these cold Autumn days! You can go to their website and check out the latest issue now. I'm on page 10.

While you're there, don't miss the Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake from my friend and fellow Philadelphia vegan blogger, Dynise Balcavage. She's on page 25. You may remember my interview with Dynise, A.K.A. Urban Vegan, a few months back. In case you haven't picked it up yet, her new cookbook is finally out too!

If you're more visually inclined, you might be interested in checking out some of the latest videos I've favorited on my YouTube channel, which I know you all subscribe to, right? The first video is titled, Inherent Violence, and is just one of several vodcasts that Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has recently started producing. She's one of my favorite vegan advocates, in fact, she is the person who convinced me to go vegan two years ago!

This second video is one that was recently recorded at the UniverSoul circus that is here in Philadelphia for the next couple of weeks. The civil affairs officers are so ridiculous towards animal advocates, they now have a YouTube channel all their own!

And finally, I wanted to share a recent article published in the Philadelphia Inquirer about my favorite sanctuary, Chenoa Manor. I personally spend lots of time there and have gotten to know many of the animals by name. Chenoa Manor doesn't have a huge budget, relying mostly on the income of Executive Director Dr. Rob Teti that he earns from being a veterinarian. I'm going to interview Rob on an upcoming Eating Consciously Podcast episode in the near future.

Currently, Chenoa Manor needs to raise nearly $200,000 to rebuild a historic barn on the property. You can donate on their website and every little bit helps. If you could make a contribution, no matter how small, it would mean a lot to me and make a world of difference for the animals that call Chenoa Manor home.

I'll leave you with that for today. Soon, I'll begin making plans for Thanksgiving and share the recipes and ideas with all of you. Until then...

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