Livin’ Veg

Chocolate Party With Vegan Chocolate August 31, 2009

On Friday night my husband and I hosted an end of summer shindig. What kind? A chocolate party. As you might imagine, it was a big hit. Pretty much everyone loves chocolate.

We bought 15 different types of chocolate, cut them all up into little bite sized pieces, put each kind on their own individual plates, and scattered them around our apartment.

People were most into the different flavors. The various cacao content dark chocolates didn’t get much action. But the mint dark, pomegranate dark, espresso dark and all sorts of other flavors were big hits.

So if you’re looking to have a fun/unique little party, this is a great way to get people together (and to get your non vegan friends to eat vegan stuff without them even thinking about it).

The pictures above show my favorite kinds of chocolate that we sampled: ricemilk choco and pomegranate truffle both by Terra Nostra and mint dark from Equal Exchange.

Why You Should Be Angry At Sigg August 28, 2009

I try and do my best for everyone - animals, the environment, people and of course, for my own health. An item I bought in 2006/2007 was an item I thought would be great for all of the above. And especially for my own health. A Sigg water bottle. We’ve all seen them. They are at the front of the market when it comes to reusable water bottles. With all the press other water bottles were getting about how they leached, I was happy to purchase a Sigg, a company that said their product did not leach.

Fast forward to today. It turns out that Sigg bottles pre 2008 contain traces of BPA - a substance that has been banned in certain products for children in the following places: in CT, MI, the city of Chicago, three counties in NY and all of Canada.

The article I just read in the Huffington Post tells me the following about BPA:

I learned how stacks of peer-reviewed studies plausibly link BPA to infertility, prostate and breast cancers, a decline in semen quality, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

I recommend reading the article in full - they talk about Sigg’s behavior throughout the BPA hoopla. It’s not flattering.

Sigg claims that their old bottles don’t leach. I’m not so inclined to take their word for it. If you’re skeptical as well you can write to the company, tell them your issue and for the price of sending back your old Sigg, you will get a new one. Considering those babies are 20 bucks a pop, I know I’ll be sending mine back with some harsh words accompanying my stylish yet BPA slathered Sigg.

This news is kind of like hearing your best veg bud went back to eating beef. It’s just disappointing. I think we all expect more from eco companies. Afterall, we’re paying more because we believe in their product. That it is actually everything they claim it is.

Vegi-Delight By Rejuvenative Foods August 27, 2009

While shopping in Whole Foods I’m often tempted by interesting and yummy looking items. I’ve tried many a new food simply just by browsing through the sections.

On Monday I saw a new item in the tofu/faux meat/vegenaise section. Vegi-Delight Zing Salad. It’s raw. It’s vegan. It’s really good for you. The ingredients are: Cabbage, Beets, Carrots, Lemon, Dill, Garlic. So I bought one (kind of pricey - $9.99 - but you’re getting raw foods).

Here is the description off the site:

Our famous Vegi-Delite Live Zing Salad is made from fresh, raw vegetables that are ground up, put into a stainless steel container and left to culture for five to seven days. No water, salt or vinegar is added. Our Live-zing salad is cultured and not pasteurized, therefore it has healthful lactobacilli and enzymes that create a characteristic cultured aroma and may cause expansion. If it expands, it’s still great. Just keep it refrigerated - but do not freeze.

I had it on a sandwich for dinner last night. The taste is hard to describe but it’s yummy. Definitely strong. Definitely has a “zing.” It tastes like blended veggies but has that extra bite of veggies that have had time to sit. If you’re not into beets or the taste of veg, then this probably isn’t for you. But if you are, it’s a nice healthy spread to make your sandwich (or whatever you use it one) a little more interesting.

What Do Race Horses, Greyhounds and Lab Animals Have in Common? August 26, 2009

If you guessed that they are considered disposable by the people who use them, then you’re right.

In this country there is no system in place that requires the people who make money off the backs of animals to care for them in their retirement years. Basically, animals need a pension plan.

The hard fact is that racing animals is legal. As is testing on animals for reasons such as providing people with botox. But once the race is finished or the test is complete, the animals are either discarded or euthanized. So many former race horses end up in slaughter houses in Canada and Mexico (since the USA outlawed horse slaughter, that’s now where the horses are sent). Greyhounds end up in shelters or euthanized. Just look up greyhound shelters and you’ll see tons of them devoted just to that one breed.

All of these practices are legal. They are not going to be outlawed any time soon. But something can be done to ensure that these animals are taken care of after they have finished being used. Make the people in the industries set aside cash for the care of these animals.

An opinion piece in the NY Times talked about that very issue yesterday. Read it here.

I’m not aware of any campaigns in the AR world to get this done. Has anyone else heard anything? If there isn’t, then there should be.

PS: The dog in the picture is named Kevin and he’s up for adoption. Click here to learn more about Kevin. He’s currently in a foster home in Connecticut getting along famously with cats and kids.

Vegan Fashion in the LA Times August 25, 2009

I love how every few months a new article comes out proclaiming that vegan fashion is cool. After all, it has to overcome the granola/hemp/hippy reputation it has had for so many years.

A great article just appeared in the LA Times singing the praises of Vaute Couture, Matt and Nat, Olsen Haus, Alternative Outfitters and more. All companies I love, although I have a very special place in my heart for Vaute Couture. I’m so thrilled they are getting such great press.

What I love about these articles is that they really drive home the fact that cruelty free and stylish are not opposites. So send this to all your skeptical friends. And check out the awesome designers they mention. All are worth it.

Daiya Vegan Cheese August 24, 2009

I’ve been seeing blogs rave about Daiya vegan cheese for months now. Apparently it melts like real cheese, the texture is good, the taste is good. Everything you could ever want. I mean, look at that pizza! How much do you want to eat that right now?!

The only problem: it’s not available many places. I didn’t even think I had eaten it until I saw that two of my absolute favorite restaurants use it. Candle 79 and Candle Cafe in Manhattan. It turns out I’ve eaten it on their sandwiches. And yum! Click here for the full list telling you where you can get it. I’m looking forward to the day that Whole Foods, Trader Joes and all the other health food chains decide to stock it. Seriously, it’s been winning awards, it’s been used in the best vegan restaurants. When are the major chains going to catch on?! (Apparently, Daiya is working on a distribution strategy - they are super new.) I want to make my own vegan grilled cheese! Well, I’m getting a tad hysterical so I’ll stop now. Has anyone else tried it?

The Goodbyn Lunchbox For Work Or School August 21, 2009

Every morning I get my lunch together for work. Because I don’t like to use plastic wrap or tin foil (disposable packaging is bad for the environment) I end up using 2 or 3 pieces of tupperware. That means when I get home, there is a bunch to clean.

Here comes the solution. This delightful yet odd looking creature called the Goodbyn. Designed to have multiple compartments and dishwasher safe, (goodbye separate pieces of tupperware that I have to wash by hand) I am totally on board with this baby.

My only concern is that it’s a bit big. But frankly, it’s smaller than the annoyingly big bag I bring to work everyday to carry all my little bits of food. It can be decorated by the stickers provided to you by the company. Or you can get your own stickers. Perfect for back to school fun.

It comes in four colors and costs $34.95.

Federal Study Says ALL Fish in US Streams Have Mercury August 20, 2009

From 1998 to 2005 while testing over 1,000 fish in nearly 300 streams, a federal study found that ALL fish in US streams are contaminated with mercury. If you eat fish and that doesn’t scare you, I’m not sure anything in the world will.

25% of the fish had levels that were considered unsafe by the EPA.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar had this to say about it: “This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, restore our nation’s waterways, and protect the public from potential health dangers.”

What does mercury do to the body and how did it get into our streams?

Mercury can damage the nervous system and cause learning disabilities in developing fetuses and young children. The main source of mercury to most of the streams tested, according to the researchers, is emissions from coal-fired power plants. The mercury released from smokestacks rains down into waterways, where natural processes convert it into methylmercury — a form that allows the toxin to wind its way up the food chain into fish.

Hopefully this study will wake us up and inspire us to protect our water systems. Humanity rarely fixes anything unless it directly effects them. Well, guess what humanity: It’s time to get off our butts and do something.

Read the full article here…

Fried Green Tomatoes And A Happy Elephant August 19, 2009

I couldn’t decide which to blog about today so my choice was to blog about both. Fried green tomatoes and a feel good elephant story.

Vegan Yum Yum has posted a brand new recipe for fried green tomatoes. I’ve seen the movie. I’ve heard of the dish. I’ve never eaten them. Nor do I know where to even buy green tomatoes but you can bet your aunt betty that I’m going to find out.

Lauren over at Yum Yum describes the tastes as follows: They are sweet and tangy, still firm, and juicy–almost citrusy.

Click over here to read the full recipe. Me wants now.

And in other news, an elephant in Thailand who lost her leg in a landmine explosion (while working at a logging camp - boo hiss) was just fitted with a prosthetic and is walking on four legs for the first time in ten years. I know nothing about the organization they mention: Friends of Elephants in Thailand but kudos to them for fixing up this big gal with a leg.  Watch her story in the video below.

I’m Pro HSUS Working With Michael Vick August 18, 2009

I felt like I should state that in the title to this blog. So many AR activists are furious over HSUS’s decision to work with Michael Vick to help end dog fighting.

My feeling is this. Michael Vick has become a symbol for the consequences of dog fighting and for the brutality of the “sport.” Who better than that very symbol to go and talk to kids from under served communities about the horrors of dog fighting? Who better to reach these kids and to tell them it’s wrong? I think Michael Vick is the perfect spokesperson for the issue. Working with HSUS, he’ll reach many kids and tell them about his own experience.

People are petrified that Vick is not genuine. That he cares more about his career than he does about the dogs he killed and tortured. Well, ladies and gents, the truth is, we’ll never know. He spent two years in jail (which is frankly pretty great considering how soft courts usually go on animal cruelty charges), and he’s had lessons in humane education. He’s had time to reflect. But even if he isn’t genuine, even if this is all about his career, he’s still making a difference for the cause. Going and talking to at risk youth is amazing, and as long as he gets the message across, I’m not that fussed about how tortured he is about it on the inside. He’s one man. We need to think about the dogs, and the kids who grow up thinking that dog fighting is normal and cool. And he’s the perfect guy to talk to those kids. I applaud HSUS for looking at the big picture. On 60 minutes Wayne Pacelle says there are probably about 40,000 people fighting dogs professionally in this country. Let’s focus on them, and hope Michael Vick can help influence them for the better.

Disagree? Let me have it:)

If you missed it, watch the 60 Minutes clip here.