My Food Fight! order just came in (yes, the exclamation point is actually part of their name). I picked the package up at lunch, and couldn't even wait to get home before I ripped it open. I got some basic staples like nutritional yeast, seitan mix, and vegan sauces, and some amazing junk food: vegan jerky, gummy candy, chocolate, some jello-type substance, and marshmallows. I didn't realize how much I missed marshmallows until I had the vegan version. (They're awesome, btw).
Anyway, Food Fight! is just one of many vegan resources out there, so I thought I'd share the news. More info to follow, but two other great vegan superstores are Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe and Vegan Essentials. I'm not going to play favorites, because all three are amazing, so check them out.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Chocolate!!!...and Rules, I Guess
So I accidentally bought some non-vegan chocolate spread the other day, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain the rules of my new diet. These rules will eventually be posted in the "About" section, when I get them finalized:
1. This is a gradual process for me. My first priority is food. From 1 Jan 2011, I have not (knowingly) eaten any animal products. This includes meat, eggs, dairy products and by-products, slaughter by-products like gelatin and processed sugar, and honey (despite debate to the contrary, honey is not vegan).
2. Once I have the food thing settled, I will be moving on to other areas of my life. I have already started on clothing and accessories, and will eventually be working with cosmetics, bath/body and household products, and finally, medicine. At the moment, I have committed to label-reading for all future purchases, but I won't be getting rid of some of items I currently own until I can find suitable replacements. My goal is to have this accomplished before the end of the year, if not sooner.
3. Although I am committed to a mostly-vegan lifestyle, I purposely titled this blog, "Vegan(ish)." The "ish" is because I have decided I won't endanger my health if I truly need something that can only be obtained from animal sources. One example would be vaccinations, which frequently contain porcine gelatin and/or egg protein. And should I happen to survive a plane crash, I also won't be starving because I refuse to kill and eat any woodland creatures. Although I will make every effort to find alternate versions of items I need, I will not do without a necessary item solely because it is animal-sourced. I will, however, be doing without items that exist purely for pleasure or convenience.
4. My final caveat to the "ish" portion of this blog concerns my job--I'm Active Duty military, and there are certain items I'm not confident of finding in vegan versions. One of these is my uniform footwear, which I have so far been unsuccessful in sourcing, although I will continue to try. Another issue that might arise is the non-availability of vegan food in deployed locations. Having recently returned from a relatively austere desert environment, I know that I might face the choice between eating pasta that may be made with milk or eggs, and not eating anything at all. Again, while I will make every effort to prevent such situations, I will not starve when no other options are available.
These are the rules I have lived by for the past twelve days. It hasn't been difficult; it's actually felt really good. Like I said, this is a gradual process for me, but I look forward to what the future may bring.
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P.S. Chocolate CAN be vegan. Most big brands aren't, either because they contain milk products, or because they use processed sugar. I was super-excited to find the spread I purchased was sweetened with evaporated cane juice, and somehow didn't notice the milk fat until the next day. I gave the spread away, but have already ordered truffles and chocolate sauce from the vegan grocery store, Food Fight! I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that Newman-Os are free of animal products and by-products, and they taste amazing.
1. This is a gradual process for me. My first priority is food. From 1 Jan 2011, I have not (knowingly) eaten any animal products. This includes meat, eggs, dairy products and by-products, slaughter by-products like gelatin and processed sugar, and honey (despite debate to the contrary, honey is not vegan).
2. Once I have the food thing settled, I will be moving on to other areas of my life. I have already started on clothing and accessories, and will eventually be working with cosmetics, bath/body and household products, and finally, medicine. At the moment, I have committed to label-reading for all future purchases, but I won't be getting rid of some of items I currently own until I can find suitable replacements. My goal is to have this accomplished before the end of the year, if not sooner.
3. Although I am committed to a mostly-vegan lifestyle, I purposely titled this blog, "Vegan(ish)." The "ish" is because I have decided I won't endanger my health if I truly need something that can only be obtained from animal sources. One example would be vaccinations, which frequently contain porcine gelatin and/or egg protein. And should I happen to survive a plane crash, I also won't be starving because I refuse to kill and eat any woodland creatures. Although I will make every effort to find alternate versions of items I need, I will not do without a necessary item solely because it is animal-sourced. I will, however, be doing without items that exist purely for pleasure or convenience.
4. My final caveat to the "ish" portion of this blog concerns my job--I'm Active Duty military, and there are certain items I'm not confident of finding in vegan versions. One of these is my uniform footwear, which I have so far been unsuccessful in sourcing, although I will continue to try. Another issue that might arise is the non-availability of vegan food in deployed locations. Having recently returned from a relatively austere desert environment, I know that I might face the choice between eating pasta that may be made with milk or eggs, and not eating anything at all. Again, while I will make every effort to prevent such situations, I will not starve when no other options are available.
These are the rules I have lived by for the past twelve days. It hasn't been difficult; it's actually felt really good. Like I said, this is a gradual process for me, but I look forward to what the future may bring.
-----------------------------------------
P.S. Chocolate CAN be vegan. Most big brands aren't, either because they contain milk products, or because they use processed sugar. I was super-excited to find the spread I purchased was sweetened with evaporated cane juice, and somehow didn't notice the milk fat until the next day. I gave the spread away, but have already ordered truffles and chocolate sauce from the vegan grocery store, Food Fight! I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that Newman-Os are free of animal products and by-products, and they taste amazing.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My Third Year of Resolutions
Two years and two days ago I lost a bet with my friend Mac. As a licensed bartender, I thought I could drink him under the table, so we agreed to go drink for drink until one of us called it quits. To my credit, I lasted fourteen rounds. To my less-than-credit, my hangover lasted five days. That was the year I decided to give up alcohol as my New Year's Resolution.
The following year, my friend Sidney told me how he had given up soda one year. Sidney loves his junk food, so this was somewhat surprising. I reasoned, if Sidney could do it, so could I. I think it was actually harder than giving up alcohol, but I made it.
Today is New Year's Day, 2011. I have been a vegetarian for fourteen+ years. I've been batting around the idea of becoming a vegan for some time now, and today is the day. If I can give up alcohol and soda, then I can do this. My official goal is to be a vegan for the next year, but my ultimate goal is to do it forever. This is my blog.
The following year, my friend Sidney told me how he had given up soda one year. Sidney loves his junk food, so this was somewhat surprising. I reasoned, if Sidney could do it, so could I. I think it was actually harder than giving up alcohol, but I made it.
Today is New Year's Day, 2011. I have been a vegetarian for fourteen+ years. I've been batting around the idea of becoming a vegan for some time now, and today is the day. If I can give up alcohol and soda, then I can do this. My official goal is to be a vegan for the next year, but my ultimate goal is to do it forever. This is my blog.
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