I'm still here!

This is just a quick note to let you all know I'm still alive and well.  I'm about half way through my trip through South East Asia, and will resume regular blogs when I get home in October.  I managed to snag some much coveted internet time and thought I'd post a quick update.  I'm finding it hard to remain vegan here, so I've allowed myself to be a little flexible.  But I've told all my friends and they take good care of me, always checking to see what I can eat.  I feel like I'm causing such a ruckus!  But people have been very understanding.  To Indonesians, however (at least where I am currently), vegetarianism is unheard of!  Just the other day a lady was adamantly stating that its absolutely impossible to have a meal without meat! 

Here's something I've been thinking of lately and am curious to hear a vegan warrior's take on it.  Why is it that food companies misunderstand vegetarianism?  For example, the Hubs and I ordered vegetarian meals on the plane.  What came was a delicious fried tofu, rice, and vegetable dish.  As I was happily munching away I saw the ingredient list, and was sad to find Oyster Sauce in the list.  I presume Oyster Sauce has been derived in some way through the cooking of actual oysters, and therefore not vegetarian.  What compels this airline or food production line to label this meal as vegetarian when it clearly includes animal derivatives?  I didn't worry about it too much, after all I was famished, culture-shocked, and 10,000 feet above the earth.  I've noticed this with other dishes and am wondering why this happens.

How to Train an Elephant or Can I take that baby elephant home with me?

I hate zoos, yet still I go.  I always feel so sad seeing the animals chained or penned up.  Today, in Chiang Mai, my husband and I went on a tour that included going on an elephant ride through the jungle.  I was a little hesitant when we got there because the elephants put on a show and then they give rides, and there were TONS of tourists.  There were also a few (babies and mommas) chained up in pens.  While super cute and cool to see close up, it was sad to see them penned up.  It reminded me of Dumbo (which I could never watch without going into hysterics). 

The place we visited was the Mae Tang elephant camp, and they rescue elephants from work camps around Thailand.  They come to this camp and do shows and rides during the day, get a bath and some food, then are released into the jungle in the late afternoons to be free, wild elephants.  The Mahouts (elephant trainers) call them in the morning, and all the elephants return!  The owners hope to open a medical care facility for the elephants, because currently the closest one is a three hour truck ride away (which is a pretty long trek if you're a sick elephant!).  Some of the elephants even paint!!  I was skeptical until I saw them do it, but then I had to buy the painting.   

For 500 baht (about $17) you can sponser an elephant for a year!  Find out more info at http://www.chiangmaielephants.asia/.  Very cool!

Did you know?:
-Elephants are highly intelligent, and considered one of the smartest animals on the planet because they have been observed using tools in the wild and can follow human commands in captivity.  They also are highly empathetic to each other as well as other species.
-There are two species of elephant: the African elephant and the Indian (or Asian) elephant
-The Asian elephant is smaller than the African elephant, has smaller ears, and has one point on the tip of his truck (instead of two like the African elephant)
-The Asian elephant is an endangered species
-An elephant's trunk contains about 1000 different muscles
-Elephants eat about 300lbs of food (grasses and roots) a day!
-The gestation period for an elephant is about 22 months, and they only have one at a time.
Find out more about the Asian elephant here and here

The Protein Myth

Myth: Humans must eat animal products to take in the needed amount of protein.
Truth: Humans can get all necessary protein from plant sources.  Americans generally eat WAY more protein than actually required.

I've been working on this post about protein for days now, and just can't seem to finish it.  I found this great article on the Vegetarian Resource Group's website, and thought I'd share it.  Read it and let me know what you think.

How to Survive a 24 trip to Asia

1) Pre-order a vegetarian meal
2) When said veg meal arrives, attempt to eat portions not been doused in butter.
3) Proceed to drink lots of Chinese tea in an attempt to fill up stomach due to lack of edible food.
4) Break out Dr. McDougall's vegan Miso Ramen soup.
5) Follow up meal with vegan granola bar.
6) Take travel break in coffee shop in airport.  Contemplate single-serving portion of high-fructose corn syrup provided for adding to coffee.  Decide to forgo the diabetic-coma-induction-in-a-cup.
7) Maintain sense of humor and flexible attitude.  Keep in mind that individual serving size packs of almonds, instant oatmeal, fruit strips, and granola bars are life savers!

What the hello does being "vegan" mean anyways?

After several conversations this weekend, it has come to my attention that the term "vegan" is not completely understood by the general public.  Also brought to the forefront of my frontal temporal lobe was the sad truth that many restaurants misunderstand the term "vegetarian".  Always one to create drama out of a perfectly impotent situation, I ranted and raved to my friends about the lack of vegetarian cuisine and the lack of understanding of food service workers.  I mean, hello?!  If I go to the trouble of ordering a side of steamed vegetables, a baked sweet potato (hold the cinnamon butter), a side of green beans, and a salad (asking the chef to remove the cheese and egg), you would think they would alert me to the fact the green beans are cooked with ham and the steamed veggies are doused in butter!!  I'm just sayin'!

But that was in the south, where I've been living for the last few years.  Upon return to my native Los Angeles I was expecting a plethora of vegetarian and vegan fare, as well as informed food servers.  And while I have to admit I've already eaten at three vegan places (one of them twice!) in the week I've been home, I'm disappointed to find as ill equipped food service workers as in Kentucky.

As my friends and family at home have found out about my new healthy eating habits they always ask the titular question.  Here are the big three: What does "vegan" mean?  Why in the world would I do such a thing!  And how do I get my protein (see an upcoming post for the answer to this question).

I've already talked about my personal answer to the "why" question (see the "Reasons to Go Veg" label and my "About Me" page); let me explain exactly what I mean when I shock you with the statement, "I've gone vegan!".

Vegetarian means that the individual in question does not eat meat (this includes beef, poultry, pork, and fish) but may still eat dairy and eggs; this person is referred to as a lacto-ovo vegetarian.     Some vegetarians still eat fish and seafood (called pescatarians).  Others refrain from all types of meat and seafood as well as eggs, but still eat dairy (lacto vegetarian).

Being vegan means that someone refrains from eating all types of animal products, including beef, poultry, pork, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, and honey.  So when I say I'm vegan, it means I avoid animal products as much as I possibly can.  Hard core vegans who choose to eat this way out of compassion for animals may also avoid purchasing or using any product produced using animal testing or animal products (like leather for example).

There are many reasons why one may choose to go vegan.  Many, like myself, choose to eat this way for health reasons (see the "Reasons to Go Veg" label).  The evidence is overwhelming, well documented and researched, time tested, and compelling.  Others choose to become veg for environmental reasons (Did you know that factory farms account for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions?  We are literally causing global warming by what we choose to feed ourselves).  Yet others choose veganism in protest of the way animals are treated, slaughtered, and prepared before it gets to their plate (Who wants crap in their food?  Have you SEEN Food Inc.?  Come on!).

So now you know.  Why will you choose to become vegan?

Veg resources

I'll be travelling through October and don't know how often I'll be able to update the ol' blog.  I didn't want to leave you stranded on the vegan info, so I've provided a list of websites that I've found helpful over the last year or so.  In the meantime, you should really read The China Study and Mad Cowboy to educate yourself on the issues.  I promise you won't be the same!


Peta's starter kit for going veg http://www.goveg.com/
The Kind Life-for all things vegan http://www.thekindlife.com/
Vegan Yum Yum http://veganyumyum.com/
Vegan Coach http://www.vegancoach.com/
VegWeb http://vegweb.com/
VegNews Magazine http://www.vegnews.com/web/home.do

Vegan Body Building http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/

Thrive by Brendan Brazier-a vegan triathalete http://www.brendanbrazier.com/

Environmental Working Group-http://www.ewg.org/

Direct link to cosmetics data base http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

No Meat Athlete-being veg and being an athlete http://www.nomeatathlete.com/

Are you a runner and vegan? http://www.veganrunning.com/

The Vegan Running Mom http://www.veganrunningmom.com/

I think thats enough for now!

Taste test: Black bean burgers

I found this recipe online on and they are SO GOOD!  I ate more than my fair share.  The recipe calls for egg, but you can replace it using a vegan egg replacer or something else.  I also substituted old fashioned oats for bread crumbs.  These also freeze really well.


Try it loaded with fresh avocado, cilantro, green lettuce, and tomatoes and serve with baked potato wedges and your family will be begging for more!  Okay, maybe it was just me begging, but still, its really yummy!


Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers from allrecipes.com


Ingredients: 

• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.

2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

3. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

4. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

5. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

6. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.