Livin’ Veg

Eating Dog No Different Than Eating Pig February 8, 2010

In the NY Times last week there was an Op-Ed on the outraged reaction so many people give when they hear about the consumption of dog. In many countries eating dog is considered a delicacy. In the U.S.A. dogs are pets and therefore not an animal that we consume. Other cultures don’t feel so emotionally connected to the animals and find them socially acceptable to eat.

The Op-Ed tells us about some pending legislation in China:

As it happened, our meal came shortly before the eruption of a furious online debate in China over a proposed “anti-animal maltreatment” law that would outlaw the eating and selling of dog and cat meat, making it punishable by fines of more than $700 and 15 days of detention.

But seriously, how can it not be hypocrisy to say that killing dogs is bad but killing pigs or chickens or cows is fine. Are dogs and cats superior in some way that makes them above eating? We share our homes with them. Is that a good enough reason? Some people share their homes with a pig. Did George Clooney stop eating bacon while sharing his home with his companion pig? For a vegetarian or vegan, all animals are superior and should not be eaten. But does an omnivore have a leg to stand on when they take an ethical position against the eating of companion animals? In my opinion, no.

The Op-Ed had this to say about it:

However I cannot see a rational argument for saying eating dogs or cats is barbaric while eating pork or beef is fine. If you eat meat you cannot logically find it morally or ethically repugnant to eat a particular meat.

Basically, it’s saying put up or shut up. Be a vegetarian or stop being so hypocritical when making racist remarks about how horrible it is that people in other countries and cultures eat dogs and cats. If you wouldn’t eat your cat, but you would eat a farmed animal, well, your simmering daily in hypocrisy. Your comments are not only racist, but also specieist.

What Do You Say When People Ask Why You’re Veg? February 4, 2010

I asked that question on twitter yesterday to see what kind of responses people give. It’s a common question veggies are asked when they encounter a new person in a social setting.

Here are some of the answers people gave:

“Lately I have been telling people I am vegan because I believe in non-violence.”

“For animals, one’s health and the environment. Consuming animal products–dreadful, inefficient way of feeding people.”

“It depends on their intention behind the question. I usually say ethics and health.”

All good answers. Although I try not to overwhelm the person by listing more than one reason. I really like the “I believe in non-violence” answer. That’s a phrase usually reserved for humans but this person turned it and made it about all beings.

When people ask me, I have a few quick answers ranging “Because I wouldn’t eat my cat” to “Because in order to be a healthy happy person, no animal has be harmed.” I try to make the answer short while still leaving room for them to ask more questions - hopefully resulting in a discussion.

What is your short answer when the random person at a party asks you why you’re veg?

NY Restaurant Uo Serves Diners Live Fish - Take Action February 2, 2010

The Japanese restaurant Uo in NYC serves a traditional Japanese dish, live sashimi. And when I say live, that’s exactly what I mean. Every Tuesday night - yes, today is Tuesday - chef David Bouhadana stuns the fish, slices them open and serves them to diners while the animal’s heart is still beating.

Let me say that again. The heart is still beating while the creature is on the plate. This article from Tastings Table describes the process as follows:

Bouhadana begins the process by making graceful slits along the fish’s flesh before picking it up and slamming it down on the cutting board, where it curls and seizes, rendering it firm to the bite–in some cases, almost crunchy.

Please call the restaurant, send a letter, or stop by and ask them (very politely) to please stop this inhumane process of serving fish. The very least we can do for animals is ensure that they are actually dead before people slice and bite into them.

Here is the contact info:

Sushi Uo,
151 Rivington St. (between Suffolk and Clinton sts.)
212-677-5470

Cri De Coeur Makes My Heart Happy February 1, 2010

Over the weekend I went to a sample sale…not just any sample sale. A totally knock your socks off vegan sample sale featuring Vaute Couture, Cri de Coeur, Olsen Haus and Lara Miller. I wasn’t planning on buying anything actually. I already have my fabulous Vaute Couture coat. (My husband surprised me with it for my birthday.) I figured I’d look at all the eye candy and say hi to Leanne, the fabulous mind behind Vaute Couture. As much as I LOVE shoes and would have been happy to go and shop, I’ve had some chronic feet problems so I rarely get to wear the stylish shoes I adore.

Thankfully that didn’t stop me from trying on a few pairs of Cri de Coeur boots just to see how they feel. Well, they felt so amazing that I bought two pairs! The croco that you see in the image to the right. Those are one of my fabulous new pairs. The other is the Ariel, a sexy black boot that goes above the knee.

I wore the crocos absolutely everywhere over the weekend and received countless compliments and gasps at their vegan label. I almost feel strange walking around in such wonderful boots that look like a reptile. I’m just waiting for someone to ask, “Are those alligator?” Then I can say, “What kind of jerk wears alligator! These are vegan:)”

They are so comfortable and so sexy. If you’ve never tried on a pair of Cri de Coeur, I highly recommend it. You’ll be in shoe heaven. The creator of Cri de Coeur, Gina, is also awesome. It’s nice to get to know the minds behind these vegan enterprises. I feel like it’s important to support the work that they do. Vegan entrepreneurs make veganism more mainstream by offering the public items as fantastic as their non vegan competition. Even if you, like me, can’t afford the ticket price for a pair of shoes, a coat, or a purse from a great vegan designer, pick something up when it’s on sale. Right now, it’s the later part of the winter season so you can pick up great deals and at the same time, support these vegan pioneers.

Mercy For Animals Dairy Investigation On ABC January 28, 2010

Mercy for Animals just released footage of their latest investigation. What’s the topic? Dairy farms. ABC gave them great coverage showing the inhumane treatment of dairy cows. I normally avoid the video…it’s too hard to watch but this, because it was on primetime gets the point across without spiraling a person into a state of depression and anxiety.

They talk about milk’s fabulous marketing campaigns with happy healthy cows and people. The reality is perpetually pregnant cows, tail docking without pain relief, open wounds, violence from the workers towards the animals and little or no space to move for the duration of their lives. Click here for the full story and video or visit Mercy for Animals for more information. Note, the footage on the MFA site is going to be way more graphic than the footage on ABC.

Repost the article to your facebooks, twitters and whatever else you have. The truth about dairy should be shown to the masses. We can help spread the word!

Daiya Cheese On Everything! January 27, 2010

Last week my Whole Foods finally started carrying Daiya cheese. For those of you interested, it’s in the prepared food section near the pizza dough, pizza cheese and sauce. It’s labeled “vegan cheese” and says Daiya.

The first thing I made with it - because I missed them so so much - were nachos. Yep, the ones in the picture to your right with black beans. I have also made pineapple/onion pizza and tomorrow night is taco night. I am living in cheese bliss. I really can’t remember the last time I had a nacho. And as much as I adore salad pizza, I’m super happy with my new daiya cheese pizza.

When you get your fancy new daiya cheese make sure you note that you don’t cook it like regular cheese. You put it on when the dish is nearly cooked just long enough so that the cheese can melt. Cook it too long and it will burn. Read more cooking instructions here. For pizza, I cook my dough with thin slices of tomato/onion first, then when the dough is just turning brown at the edges, I take it out, add my daiya and my pineapple and put it back in for a few minutes. I keep an eye on it and as soon as the daiya is melted, I take it out and enjoy.

Has anyone else tried cooking with it yet? What have you made?

Still Made Fun Of At 28 January 26, 2010

I went veg when I was eleven. I had the support of my parents and a best friend who went veg two years prior. That was all the support I needed at that age to keep me on track even when I had the rest of the 7th graders and some extended family making fun of my decision.

It turns out that at 28 years old, life isn’t all that different now. It’s seventeen years later and being veg is much more common. We have our own food sections at the supermarket. We have our own fashion labels. We have health and science on our side. We have the environment and animal welfare on our side. And yet, being made fun of is still a pretty regular occurrence. Inevitably some omnivore at the table will ask for bloody rare meat while laughing in my direction or make some comment about an animal dying while smiling. It hasn’t gotten old for them, even if it became boring to me over a decade ago. Happily, I’m made fun of less now than I was in grade school. But the only reason for that is because most of my friends are veg. Among my omnivorous friends, the topic comes up again and again. And I’m not the one starting it.

My husband is new to the veg world. He hasn’t taken the total plunge. He eats meat maybe ten times a year and only if it’s free range. No factory farmed products for him. He is baffled by people’s lack of understanding and their need to make fun of people who make eating decisions based on their ethics. Why should anyone be the object of ridicule when they are living by their beliefs? His opinion - He thinks people are intimidated by those who live by their values. So few people do it. He’s not even veg and he gets made fun of!

I agree with him. I can’t think of another reason to push so hard against a decision that effects no one but me. Anyone else have a thought? Are you still made fun of years later? Why do you think that is?

Number Of Farm Animals Killed Drops! January 21, 2010

In Vegan Outreach’s weekly newsletter, I received some fantastic news.

Here it is:

“The total number of land animals killed for food in the U.S. in 2008 was down 0.6% from 2007, at 10,279 billion, despite a 1% increase in U.S. population, according to data extrapolated from the USDA.”

The population went up but the amount of animals slaughtered went down. That’s pretty remarkable. With more veg options available in pretty much every super market, and health reports released daily on the benefits of eating less meat, people are taking notice and changing their habits. I don’t know about you but so many people in my life have reduced the amount of meat they eat for health reasons. Some have gone completely veg for ethical reasons.

I remember seventeen years ago when I was eleven, being a vegetarian was a little more fringe. We had no sexy vegan shoes (just payless) and no whole section in the super market devoted to our needs. Soy milk is now a staple in many people’s homes. So are veggie burgers.

What’s my point? We’re doing good work. The message is getting through. Lives are being saved. Keep up the great work and take a moment to pat yourself on the back. You’ve earned it. We all have.

Pigs Buried Alive In Snow For “Research” Stopped By Activists January 20, 2010

When animal testing comes up in conversation, many people bring up the usual, “But animal testing saves lives and helps develop cures to diseases.” This may be true in part, but the vast majority of animal testing has nothing to do with human diseases. Most are done for students to learn, for products to be tested or other inquiries having to do with seeing how much a body can take emotionally and physically.

Case and point. A study conducted by scientists in Vienna has just been put to a stop due to an outcry from animal activists. What were they doing? They were burying pigs alive in snow to see “what factors make it possible for humans to survive an avalanche in an air pocket until rescued without suffering permanent brain damage.” And yes, the pigs would be buried until they died. The scientists claim that the pigs feel no pain because they are heavily sedated.

As I said above, they were trying to discover the factors that make it possible for a human to live under snow after an avalanche. However, since no one can control how a person becomes trapped, this test is indeed just a cruel and ridiculous indulgence of curiosity. Not exactly the kind of reason lives should be used.

Read the article here…

Live In A Tiny House January 19, 2010

I like things. I’m a thrift store addict. I love clothes, jewelry, furniture etc. I try to counter these resource wasting urges by buying used items but I recognize that it’s not the most eco friendly thing in the world to have so much stuff. The more stuff you have, the bigger the home you need to put it all in. My husband and I live in a 1000 square foot 2 bedroom apartment. We have an eat in kitchen and a large bedroom/living room. Sure our bathroom is the size of a walnut but we get by. However, we talk about wanting a house. We’re sick of stepping on carpet when we leave our home. We miss grass. We miss privacy. But apartment living is usually more eco friendly. The homes tend to be smaller and you’re sharing resources with others.

A possible solution? A tiny house! I just came across this article that shows the tiniest homes you’ve ever seen. Homes less than 100 square feet with living spaces and lofts upstairs for sleeping. A tiny studio apartment built into a house. Where would I put all my stuff? Well, that’s the beauty. I’d have to clean up my life and donate pretty much everything I own. In return, I wouldn’t have a mortgage. A tiny house is pretty dang cheap! You can build it yourself. And homes smaller than a certain size make it so you don’t have to pay taxes.

I don’t think I’ll be moving into a tiny house anytime soon, but downsizing my life is something I think about. What do I actually need? How big a space to live in is necessary? If I had ten million dollars, I still wouldn’t live in a big house. It’s a waste of resources. But I can do better and when my husband and I do buy a house, smaller just might be the way to go.