Why Vegan?

I WANT! Ingredients: SUGAR, BLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT...

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:47:50 -0400

I WANT!

Ingredients: SUGAR, BLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), PALM AND/OR CANOLA AND/OR PALM KERNEL OIL, COCOA (NATURAL AND PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), CORNSTARCH, DEXTROSE, FRUCTOSE, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, SOY LECITHIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CHOCOLATE. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.

Photo

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:30:56 -0400

Can’t win. ;)

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:26:44 -0500

Can’t win. ;)

The Informed Vegan: 7-Elevens Go Vegan in NYC.

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:20:00 -0500

The Informed Vegan: 7-Elevens Go Vegan in NYC.:

theinformedvegan:

New vegan options at 7-Eleven stores on the upper east side of Manhattan are flying off the shelves and owners are struggling to keep them in stock.

The stores are now selling a bigger selection fo fresh fruits and vegetables as well as ready-to-eat vegan meals like dumplings, artichoke spinach noodles, and pad Thai. The owner of the 7-Eleven at 84th and York told reporters that “we were scared no one would buy the [vegan food] but we’ve been selling out. We have extras in the back so we don’t run out.”

People are tired of the same old pork rinds and string cheese and a reaching for something filling, nutritional, and vegan. Can’t wait till more 7-Elevens are doing this. The people who run this company are brilliant. 7-Eleven is by far the best convenient store chain there has ever been.

My school has a bunch of vegan options like those sandwiches. I will have to post some of them when I get a chance.

This is very true. I understand that the absence of cheese it...

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:19:54 -0500

This is very true. I understand that the absence of cheese it pretty much what kills the vegetarian, but in time you can learn to season vegan cheezes and appreciate Daiya. Other than that milk and butter are easy to replace.

Former Prez Bill Clinton goes VEGAN

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:23:59 -0500

So I found this article from the website NEWSER. I knew President Clinton was vegetarian for a while but found out from this article that he took the big dive. The full length article was on the Stir written by Julie Ryan Evans.

Who would have thought the president most famous for his penchant for fast food burgers would ever be hailed by PETA? But in some most unexpected news, Bill Clinton has been named as “Person of the Year” by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

And just when we thought Lady Gaga had it in the bag.

Forget the fact that Clinton once dined on a double burger, fries, onion rings, and a milkshake on the eve of an obesity conference. Or the fact that he was so well known for his regular trips to a certain fast food joint that Saturday Night Live did a hilarious skit about it. Bubba has seen the light, embraced a vegan diet, and impressed PETA along the way.

“Thanks to his new plant-based diet, he’s shed some pounds, decreased his risk of future heart problems, and spared the lives of many animals,” PETA said in a statement.

His change of habits was prompted by his previous heart problems as well as daughter Chelsea’s wedding. His says the difference he’s seen since making the switch has been remarkable.

“I live on beans, legumes, vegetables, fruit. I drink a protein supplement every morning. No dairy,” he recently told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “It changed my whole metabolism and I lost 24 pounds, and I got back to basically what I weighed in high school.”

He went on to cite research that found 82 of people who follow a vegan diet have “begun to heal themselves.” Pretty amazing, and PETA notes a few other benefits as well:

“By choosing a plant-based diet, President Clinton has spared the lives of nearly 200 animals a year and reduced his risk of cancer, strokes, and other diseases. Of course, the reasons for going vegan don’t end there. The meat industry also contributes to world hunger, exploits workers, and devastates the environment.”

Definitely food — or lack thereof — for thought. It’s hard to believe that someone like Bill Clinton could make such a drastic lifestyle change, but I guess it’s pretty motivating when you see such drastic improvements in your health as well.

Congrats, Bill.

I think it is safe to say, VEGANS have found the evolution to...

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:43:29 -0500

I think it is safe to say, VEGANS have found the evolution to vegetarianism. :)

FOR THE ANIMALS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PEOPLE FOR OUR...

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:31:00 -0500

FOR THE ANIMALS

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR OUR HEALTH

"It takes less water to produce the food that a vegan needs for one year than to produce the food..."

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:18:26 -0500

“It takes less water to produce the food that a vegan needs for one year than to produce the food that a meat eater needs for a month.”

- Becoming Vegetarian, page 5.

About to devour one of my vegan favorites!! B-L-T on Whole...

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 01:04:00 -0500

About to devour one of my vegan favorites!!

B-L-T on Whole Wheat w/ Veganaise.

I have never actually had a BLT before being vegan, but I had also never cared for tomatoes either. Since being vegan I have since loved tomatoes of every kind so naturally the BLT would be amazing. I also find that the Facon is one of the best vegan mock foods.

I came across this and thought it was very helpful. This is a...

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 14:56:59 -0500

I came across this and thought it was very helpful.

This is a nice visual guide to healthy servings of each of the vegan food groups. This pyramid can also prove helpful when planning meals for what to eat each day.

One Year!

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:21:55 -0500

I have been busy with work and school and didn’t get a chance to post, that December 1st was my birthday, which marked my first year as a VEGAN. The adventure has been such a exploratory, learning, and teaching experience. Being a vegan always seems to be an ice-breaker and topic of interest around people, and I love informing and teaching others about it.

Originally, I thought Veganism was going to be a weight-loss diet but as I mentioned in one of my first posts it really started to turn into a new way of living. Over the year, I have become more and more passionate for wanting to do this not as much for dietary purposes, but more for the rights of animals, preserving the environment, and it should go without saying, a healthier lifestyle. Now, I can’t go without saying the progression hasn’t been without troubles. Yes, I have had my share of non-vegan food a few times throughout the year as well as committing carbocide. I don’t want to be condemned or criticized (I am writing this as a general reflection) but, I will admit; here and there I ate a few of my favorite missed edibles that cannot be replaced. These foods include: McDonald’s Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel, Wendy’s Spicy Chicken, Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom, and the Hobe Sound Deli in my hometown. Yes, I do understand that eating these items wouldn’t consider me to be a vegan. However, I will assert that most vegans know it isn’t the easiest of adaptions or alterations, especially if you were raised omnivorously. The fact of the matter is that it has been a transitional phase and that I have been predominantly been vegan, with regards to my isolated breaches.

I definitely perceive and appreciate the new person I have become, and know that I have made a difference physically, mentally, morally, and inspirationally. Physically, I have really noticed that I feel so much healthier when I eat or see others eating. I have lost in total, a maximum of 30 pounds. In regards to physical fitness, exercise is all that is needed now. My mentality also seems much clearer. Morally, as stated before I have a dominant respect for animals and the environment. The inspiration I have given has been to those around me. My girlfriend and I lived apart for sometime at the beginning of our relationship, but a couple months after living in the same town again she decided she would try out the Vegan Lifestyle after being around me so much. Her transition began on June 1st. She has done so well thus far. Her attempt has been an effort to start and maintain a healthier lifestyle and figure. I am not one to purposely make others feel guilty and force information down their throat. However, if they inquire I fill them in. I would say my process is delicate and subtle, I plant the “seed” in other’s thoughts and return to it over and again maintaining where I left off in hopes that they rethink their ideals at their own pace. A few of my co-workers have turned vegetarian since I have known them. I won’t take full credit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I had some kind of influence. Like I stated before, my sweetheart started this for health concerns. I am more and more inclined to trigger another response from her, and that is the morality of animal rights.

Aside from just feeling like a different person in general. I have really noticed that I feel so much healthier when I eat or see others eating. I have lost in total, a maximum of 30 pounds. In regards to physical fitness, exercise is all that is needed now.

In order for me to be enlightening others, I was obliged to become more cultured myself. That I have. I have learned about so many more fruits, vegetables, and legumes that I like. I have also found a plethora of recipes that are indulgent. When it comes to eating out, it has become easier, beginning with looking online and then talking to my waiter as needed. Fortunately, I have also found a couple completely vegan eateries and shops. Some of the best discoveries have been alternatives for chicken tenders, bacon, and cheese, especially Mac and Cheese. I also switched from Silk to Almond Breeze. I find additional substitutes more and more.

Although I have had this blog since January I didn’t start using it regularly until August. And typically I am posting on my main blog. But, last week I posted a list of famous vegans and got more of a response than I typically do i.e., reposts and follows. Right then, it occurred to me that there are probably quite a few vegan Tumblrs out there and sure enough I found so much more information, recipes, and people to get to know no about.

As a final thought, I am so proud of my decision, and I look forward to pressing on with it and inspiring others to do the same. I will carefully plant my seeds and sow them with patience. The biggest trees did not grow overnight, and neither can the minds of individuals.

Very nicely done, telling it how it is. Too bad it was rejected...

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:20:24 -0500

Very nicely done, telling it how it is. Too bad it was rejected by NBC to air during the Macy’s Day Parade even though it is not graphic in any way. It humors me that the media does not present the other view on things such as this. Every opinion matters and they should be able to be conveyed.

Tofurkey Day!

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:13:00 -0500

I know this is 4 days post-Thanksgiving, but I still wanted to share my Vegan Thanksgiving. Everything turned out well. Unfortunately, this was my first thanksgiving not going home due to my two work schedules working on both Tofurkey day and Black Friday. My roommates weren’t here either, and since almost everyone goes home I spent it by myself. I will not be doing that ever again. Luckily I was able to Skype with my girlfriend while I enjoyed my animal-free holiday. I am thankful for saving animals’ lives on an annual holiday which sacrifices over 45 million turkeys.

Photo

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 03:53:00 -0500

Famous Vegans

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 01:42:27 -0500

This list is continuously growing and changing. Actors, musicians, politicians, personalities, authors, activists, comedians, and athletes are all following the trending vegan lifestyle. Some, particuarly musicians and actors change their diets all the time so they may not stay vegan. This list was composed and cross referenced from a few websites. Let me know if there are any I left out.

Adam Russell, bassist of Story of the Year

Adam Yauch, musician of Beastie Boys

Alan Donohue, singer of British rock band The Rakes

Alan Park, comedian, Canadian TV Personality

Alanis Morissette, musician

Alex Greenwald, actor, musician

Alicia Silverstone, actress

Alyssa Milano, actress

Andre Tonelli, musician and instrumental guitarist

Andre 3000 Benjamin, musician from OutKast

Andre Moraweck, singer

Andrew G, actor

Andy Hurley, musician and drummer of Fall Out Boy

Anoushka Shankar, musician and sitar virtuoso

Anthony Kiedis, singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Anthony Rapp, actor

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, actor (fictional) of Simpsons

Barry White, musician

Benjamin Spock, M.D., pediatrician

Benjamin Zephaniah, performance poet and author

Betty White, actress

Bif Naked, punk rocker

Bill Clinton (almost completely vegan) Daughter Chelsea is.

Billy West, voice actor

Brandy, singer and actor

Brenden Brazier, ironman triathlete and author

Brian Bell, musician of Weezer

Brian Greene, theoretical

Bryan Adams, singer and songwriter

Bryan Money, Musician

Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star

Carrie Anne Moss, actress in Matrix trilogy

Casey Affleck, actor

Casey Kasem, US radio host

Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer of The Mars Volta

Chrissie Hynde, rock singer

Christofer Drew Ingle, Singer, Musician

Drew Ingle, Singer, Musician

Dan Piraro, cartoonist

Daniel Johns, musician of Silverchair

Daniel Negreanu, professional poker player

Daniela Sea, musician and actor

Danny Nova, singer and songwriter

Darren Boyd, actor

Dario Argento, writer

Daryl Hannah, actress and environmental activist

Davey Havok, singer of AFI

Demi Moore, actor

Dennis Kucinich, politician

Ed Begley Jr., actor and environmental activist

Ed Templeton, professional skateboarder

Ellen Degeneres, TV personality

Emily Deschanel, actress

Emilie Autumn, musician

Eric Roberts, actor

Erykah Badu, R&B singer

Fiona Apple, singer and songwriter

Fiona Oakes, athlete, ex-Olympian

Forrest Kline, vocalist and guitarist for Hellogoodbye

Fred Mascherino, musician of Taking Back Sunday

Gabe Saporta, singer and lyricist of Cobra Starship

Gabrielle Miller, actress

Georges Laraque, NHL player

Ginnifer Goodwin, actress

Grace Slick, singer and songwriter

Greg Cipes, actor and musician

Heather Mills, model, celebrity, and activist

Heather Small, singer

Howard Lyman, former cattle rancher turned activist and author

Huey Freeman, fictional cartoon character

Hunter Burgan, musician and bassist of AFI

Ian MacKaye, musician

Ingrid Newkirk, animal rights activist

Isa Chandra Moskowitz, punk rocker and vegan cookbook author

Issa, musician from Good Clean Fun

Jack Salley, Former NBA player

James Cromwell, actor and animal rights advocate

James Yorkston, musician

Jane Velez-Mitchell, TV News

Jared Leto, Actor and Singer of 30 Seconds to Mars

Jason Mraz, singer

Jason Scwartzman, actor and musician

Jenny McCarthy, actress, model

Joan Jett, punk rock musician and singer

Joanne Rose, actor

Joaquin Phoenix, actor

John Feldmann, musician of Goldfinger

John Peel, British DJ

John Robbins, activist and author

John Robb, musician and actor

John Salley, NBA Champion

Jonathan Richman, musician and singer

Jorja Fox, actress

K D Lang, singer

Kathy Kolla, Director, screenwriter

Kayla Laws, Actress

Kevin Nealon, comedian and actor

Kurt Halsey, artist

Kyle Vincent, singer and songwriter

Lea Michele, Actress and Singer

Leonardo Da Vinci, Just Awesome

Liam Wilson, musician

Linda Blair, actress

Lisa Edelstein, actress

Liv Tyler, actress/model

Lori Petty, actress

Lucy Stevens, triathlete

Luke Cummo, contender in UFC Ultimate Fighter

Lynda Stoner, actress, animal rights activist

Mac Danzig, athlete

Mariana Tosca, actress and activist

Martin Shaw, actor

Masami Akita, musician

Matisyahu, musician

Michael Franti, singer of Spearhead

Michael “Mickey” Madden, bassist for Maroon 5

Mike Tyson, Professional Boxer

Moby, musician and co-author

Mohandas Ghandi, spirtual leader and activist

Morrissey, singer

Natalie Portman, actress

Nellie McKay, actress, singer and songwriter

Nelly, rapper

Nicole Lapin, Journalist, CNN Anchor

Ocean, Indie musician and singer

Oliver Sykes, Lead singer

Olivia Wilde, actress

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, musician of The Mars Volta

Pamela Anderson, actress

Pamelyn Ferdin, actress and voice in Charlotte’s Web

Pat Neshek, professional baseball player

Pat Thetic, musician and drummer of Anti-Flag

Persia White, singer and actress

Phil Collins, musician

Portia de Rossi, actress

Prince, musician

Propagandhi Band, political punk rock band Ö all members

Quinn Allman, musician ot The Used

Rikki Rocket, musician and drummer of Poison

River Phoenix, actor

Rob Bigwood, Pro Arm-wrestler

Robin Gibb, musician of Bee Gees

Robin Quivers, radio personality

Robin Williams, actor

Ruben Studdard, American Idol singer

Ryland Bouchard, musician

Salim Stoudamire, athlete

Sandra Oh, actress

Saul Williams, musician

Scott Goldberg, filmmaker

Scott Jurek, athlete

Sean Conant, actor

Seba Johnson, Olympian, actress, and writer

Sebastian Grund, musician

Shane Sweet, actor

Shane Told, musician of Silverstein

Shania Twain, country singer

Sinead O’Connor, Irish singer

Steve Kilbey, singer and lyricist of The Church

Steve-O, Stunt performer & tv personality

Stic.man, musician of Dead Prez

Summer Phoenix, actress

Supreme Master Ching Hai, Spiritual leader

Ted Leo, musician

Terry Geezer Butler, musician of Ozzy Osbourne Band

Thom Yorke, singer of Radiohead

Thomas Dekker, actor

Tim Commerford, musician of Rage Against the Machine

Tim McIlrath, musician of Rise Against

Tobey Maguire, actor

Tom Gabel, singer, Against Me!

Vanessa Lengies, actress

Vanessa A. Williams, actress and dancer

Victoria Moran, author

Weird Al Yankovic, comedian and musician

Woody Harrelson, actor and environmental activist

Zooey Deschanel, actress

So I have really wanted a pair of TOMS shoes for some time now. I have always seen them at Whole...

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 23:37:00 -0500

So I have really wanted a pair of TOMS shoes for some time now. I have always seen them at Whole Foods, but recently I went to their website and found so many pairs that I like. Getting a pair has a good cause and although they are usually about 54 dollars, they are comfortable looking and you are really buying 2 pairs. However, being a cash-strapped college student I can’t come around to buying a pair for me and my girlfriend.

Here are a few of the Vegan pairs that I like:

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

The TOMS Story

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

As of September 2010, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world.

Why Shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.

People Wearing their TOMS:

Children with their new SHOEs:

All images and information gathered from the TOMS website.

Denny's?! VEGAN BURGERS??!!

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:01:39 -0400

This is an article by Jason Best from the website called Slashfood - Food News, Food Culture, Food Conversation.

Meat, meat, and more meat! That seems to have been the mantra of late at most restaurant chains (e.g., KFC’s Double Down, Carl’s Jr.’s Footlong Cheeseburger, Burger King’s NY Pizza Burger, etc.). It’s been a boon for carnivores, but if you’re a vegan, well, how about another helping of quinoa?

It’s no surprise, then, that vegan blogs have been lighting up like Christmas trees with the news that Denny’s (home of the Bacon Slamburger) is now serving a bona fide vegan burger.

“That’s really cool!” one poster writes on VegNews. “While I VERY rarely eat out, sometimes it’s unavoidable and I’m kind of bored with having only fruit or fries to choose from.” The folks over at This Dish Is Veg somewhat hyperbolically cited the news as evidence that hell must have frozen over:

“Right about now Satan himself must be ice skating throughout the underworld like some red suit wearing, two horned Scott Hamilton.”

While Denny’s did offer a veggie burger before, the Amy’s-brand burger that it’s now serving in its place is 100 percent vegan. The restaurant’s menu still calls it, simply, a veggie burger, however, and it rather obliviously includes melted pepperjack cheese as the topping of choice.

Denny’s spins the switch as trying to offer more choices to more customers, but as the nitpicking responses on some of the vegan blogs demonstrate, this demographic may be harder to please than Gordon Ramsay on a bad day.

“I wonder if the grill used to cook Amy’s veggie burger is the same one use to cook the bacon, beef, etc.,” one poster asks, while another writes: “My husband is veggie, I am vegan, but he has an allergies to oat and tomato, and I am trying to determine if he can eat the one Denny’s is offering.”

More quinoa, anyone?

Baby Carrots, Eat em like Junk Food!

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:38:29 -0400

Baby Carrots, Eat em like Junk Food!

A month and a half.

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:40:38 -0500

I am a month and a half into being a Vegan, and I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It all started in the summer (2009) when I decided I would stop eating red meat. I never really was a big red-meat consumer to start with, but I decided it was a healthy decision to go with. At the time a close friend of mine, Blair, was vegetarian, and would soon become vegan, July 1st for her. If I can recall correctly, some time in September I decided to start cutting more meat out to the point of no meat. October 16th was my “last” day to eat meat.

Originally the no-meat plan involved a system of taking certain meats out each week to every two weeks including seafood. Seafood ended up going a little into November. November 1st was the first set date to stop eating meat but I decided to move it up so I would have more time as a vegetarian since ultimately I wanted to try out the vegan thing. I decided to throw some meats back in for the last month to fully enjoy some more meat. I wouldn’t say that I had red meat again as far as steak or roast beef, but I think I had my mom’s tacos one more time, wait I take that back, I think we made it with ground turkey. But I did have bacon and pepperoni and Blair’s mom, Kim’s famous pulled pork and some of her baked beans which involve bacon and beef I believe.

October 16th, started the real game. That month and a half leading up to the vegan date taught me a few things. The most important result was the weaning of being a Fast-Food-Junkie. (Side Note: In August, Blair and I both agreed to stop drinking Soda, and I included diet. No soda for one month was rewarding, but difficult to begin with. At the end of the month we were so antsy to finally be able to drink it again. We decided to go where you can get the best soft drinks, McDonald’s. We were like little kids in the drive through nervous and as excited as little kids on Christmas morning. Her favorite, Coca-Cola, and Dr. Pepper for me were not what we were expecting. Personally I didn’t enjoy it at all really, the carbonation killed my throat and the taste wasn’t the 23 flavors I usually expected. The next few weeks were not as filled with any “pop” as my family up north would call it. But, like anything within time I was back to it and still am. I want to do it again or at least leave a day out of the week for some Pibb or Pepper.)

Okay, I realize that was basically another story and not a side note, but I always get sodas from fast food joints. Back to fast food weaning, I soon realized that fast food didn’t have much to offer that was vegetarian friendly besides a god-forsaken side salad and fries. And to make matters worse, the best fries, well they used to be were McDonald’s fries which turned out to have “(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients).”#mce_temp_url#. I also realized a lot of restaurant meals I ate usually had chicken or turkey in it. A lot of my lunches at work included meat. Soon Taco Bell and Subway beckoned me to them. Veggie subs with cheese extra cheese were great. And Taco Bell offered cheese roll ups, pintos and beans, rice, and bean burritos. Awesome, fast food was still available. I would still hit up McD’s for my $1 large Dr. P and parfait with side salad, or maybe fruit and walnuts. Chick-fil-A grants some great Waffle Fries with Polynesian Sauce and fruit cups. Anyways, I am going off in a tangent.

I did fine for that month and a half, except one episode, the infamous Turkey Day. I had a small piece or two of turkey, and I really didn’t care for it all that much. The day that pretty much had a huge effect on my life was literally around the corner, well 5 days later. December 1st, my 21st birthday, (and World Aids Day) was my official starting day into the Vegan lifestyle. Unlike most of my friends and peers I did not have a grand shit faced night. I didn’t “properly” request my birthday or the day after off and it was in the middle of the week, also not having a lot of friends since moving back home and being in a rather small town, there was no party, bar, or club to not remember. Also in my defense I am not much of a drinker to begin with, so I enjoyed my six pack of Bud Light. I wouldn’t have even gotten that if it wasn’t for a text from my buddy Sean saying please tell me you are buying beer right now.

December was a pretty jam packed month so I will try to keep this as brief as I can. Veganism changed everything in the food industry for me. If you don’t know what it is I have a definition at the top. In all basics, nothing that can come from an animal. Being vegan is not a fad or diet, it is literally a new life style. (The lifestyle and reasons for being vegan is another topic I plan on touching base on in the near future.) When it came to eating, I always had to start investigating the ingredients on everything I ate. Fast Food almost has become a thing of the past minus the fries here and there and fruit cups. And processed food? Yeah right. On the ingredients list at the bottom and sometimes in bold you will see it say “Contains” For the most part the helps me in eliminating or being able to accept the food. If the contains section is clear, usually you still have to continue to investigate the remaining ingredients. Here are a number of examples of common food that Contain (the shit I have to avoid): Popcorn, Doritos, croutons all have milk. Boxed and flavored rices might have milk, egg, crustacean shellfish, and fish, Hungry Jack Pancakes milk and eggs. Pop-Tarts usually have milk but there were some that didn’t, however I investigated further and they contain gelatin. Most boxed and frozen foods almost always contain animals or their by-products. The list is probably endless, so next time you are making a meal or just a snack look at the ingredients and see if it has something that comes from an animal.

Most people wonder “What can you eat?”. Anything that grows from the earth. A lot of the vegan foods whether they are snacks or meals involve preparing. I mostly ate salads and fruit to start off with. I also ate some pasta and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I also started eating a lot of tortilla chips and salsa. It came down to whatever I could eat. For eating out at fast food it is almost the same fries and fruit salads usually with vinaigrette. Vegetarian was hard enough, vegan has been much more difficult task. Some of my favorite vegan friendly eats include Subway, Moe’s, Chipotle, Romano’s Macaroni Grille and Chili’s. I have also become fond of McD’s apple pies and Taco Bell’s Caramel Apple Empanada. One of the BEST is OREOs.

As my month passed I went to Whole Foods, probably one of my favorite stores, and I started purchasing some new things to try such as tofu, Tofurky, Soygurt, and Veganaise. I also got some other food such as vegan butter, Soy Milk (Silk), Vegan Waffles, and Morning Star Veggie Strips (Grilled Chicken Strips). Tofu was ehh, tofurkey is sick, Soygurt is something I plan to get used to, Veganaise has been the best “cover food”, the butter tastes the same, Silk is very adaptable as well as the waffles, and the “Chicken Strips” are great. Beans of all kinds have become a favorite food which is ironic considering I hated every kind except green as a kid.

From December 27th to January 3rd I went to Nashville, Tennessee. Although it is not one of my favorite places in the world, there are some friends and a special someone that I don’t often get to see that make it much more bearable. While I was there I was pleasantly surprised to see as Blair would put it “Good to know it isn’t all about B-B-Q” Considering it is a metropolitan I found myself with vegan options at a couple restaurants called Caypso Cafe and Cafe Coco. I won’t lie, It was pretty fuckin’ awesome to not have to ask my waiter if this or that had milk, or eggs, or any animals involved in my food.

While there I also went beyond salads, beans, wraps, and rice, I actually made vegan meals. My second day there, our friend Camille made Tofu Stir Fry and Rice and some pork to go with for the omnivores. It was incredible, I had just met her and felt very welcomed and befriended fast, turns out she can cook great. (Peace sign and squinty face to you if your reading this.) One night the lot of us went to Whole Foods and I was on a mission to cook pasta and pizza that night. Everything was vegan including cheese! I don’t remember what the pasta was actually called, there were slight changes made to the receipe but I always call it Lemon Pepper Basil Linguine. The pizza had green and red peppers, basil, Smart Deli Pepperoni, and tomatoes. Thanks to Camille’s help in the kitchen, everything turned out great. Catherine even made bruschetta. Everybody enjoyed the pasta over the pizza but said both tasted really good. I was particularly delighted by the pizza and the fact that it had “cheese” since I it had been absent for a month. One night I also made grilled “cheese” and tomato soup which was also pretty good. New Years Eve we had a party and I made mini pizzas on mini pitas, and hanky panky’s as they were originally called which are beef and cheese on the small deli breads. I had one mini pizza and didn’t even get to try to the hanky pankys before they were obliterated. I also made Vegan Belgian Waffles with chocolate chips(vegan of course) in them. I won’t lie they were the bomb.com. I almost forgot, I had fried tofu from Whole Foods from the first time, it was mind-bottling, “you know, when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle” Blades of Glory. I also forgot to mention that I love tofu now.

Since being back home it has been a lot of the same foods as before but now I drink more Silk with my cereal, and Oreos. I also use more tofu and cheese. I also had boxed Macaroni and Chreese for the first time and it was tasteful, again, probably because I haven’t had real Mac and Cheese in quite a while.

Chips, salsa, rice, beans, wraps, and PB&J still remain staples but I have realized there are so many things that I have yet to try or take the time to make. I have been told there are ice creams for me too called tofutti and some made of hemp.

In some of my next entries I plan on going more into all the foods that I can’t eat, as well as some of the meals I plan on making. There will probably also be entries about being and going green. Perhaps an entry on cheating. I am also planning another rather lengthy entry hitting the most common question, Why Vegan?

And then I found $5.