Ridiculous

Thanksgiving. If I were to play the game of word associations, what would come to mind first at hearing "Thanksgiving?" Turkey? Probably. So yes, here's my turkey post. I'm assuming it'll likely be laughed at or thought of as ridiculous. But I was reminded again last night of why I won't eat meat: because I cried while watching a documentary about turkeys. There we go. Ridiculous item number one. Yeah, I cried when a turkey was killed off-screen, in a reenactment, by a wild animal.

Nature, the 31-year old PBS TV series, put out an episode in 2011 called My Life as a Turkey. It's about this dude who woke up one morning with some orphaned turkey eggs on his porch and decided he'd help them hatch and then raise them for a while. Turns out this would be a nearly 2-year long commitment with no outside human contact. Just him and his birds. Who would grow to have personalities, a decodable language, needs, feelings and emotions. Just like any other living thing. Just like any human, dog, or cat.

Which is one thing that I find funny in a non-comical way. Caution... time to segue here. I have never understood why dogs and can't aren't eaten. Okay, I guess they're eaten in China, but that's gross. At least to the millions of people who have cats and dogs and think of them as family. To me, a turkey, a chicken, a dog, a pig, a cat, a cow, a guinea pig, a rabbit, a hamster, and a horse are all the same. Ridiculous item number two. When they aren't stuffed into breeding and slaughter houses for the majority of their short lives, they are, in fact, living beings with (cliche, yes) feelings. When they are stuffed into breeding and slaughter houses for the majority of their short lives, they are just animals. Fat, lazy, diseased animals, loaded with antibiotics, corn, and water, sitting on top of themselves, just waiting to be killed for your consumption. Look at substandard shelters filled to the brim with dogs. These are not pleasant animals. These are angry, dirty, and confused animals, who would probably be just as tasty as a pork tenderloin. Look at prison systems in third-world countries filled to the brim with criminal humans. These are not pleasant people. They are angry, dirty, and confused people, and frankly they'd probably taste the same as any other mammal. Ridiculous item number three.

The point is, take a turkey, coddle it and pet it and love it like you love a cat, and you could have, in effect, a cat. Take a pig, put a leash on it and take it for walks, groom it, feed it treats like you do for your dog, and you could have, in effect, a dog. Of course, an undomesticated animal will always be an undomesticated animal. But why does that mean it is more edible than a domesticated one? Why does that mean Sarah McLaughlin can tug at your heartstrings for one-eyed cats and frown-faced dogs, but no one bats an eye at chickens being dipped head-first into electrically charged water to (hopefully) be stunned before having their necks slit by an automated knife down a most disgusting assembly line? Food for thought.

This Thanksgiving, I just want people to be cognizant of what and who they're eating. Remember that he or she was a living being with feelings, just like your cat or dog you love so much. I'm happy to know that over the past 6 years I've saved hundreds of animals just by myself. Assuming I ate just one chicken a week before, that's 312 I alone have spared. I'm thankful for that. Ridiculous item number four.

Locavore's Lament

I rarely eat at, or at least try to minimize my visits to, chain restaurants. Naturally when I was younger and didn't really understand how economics worked, I only cared about image. Why would I want to be seen in a small-name mom and pop eatery when everyone I knew ate at the flashy popular corporate conglomerates? I wouldn't, so I followed the mainstream crowds and stuck to the good old chains.

Then one day for some unexplained reason, I changed. I realized what I was doing to the economy. I realized what I was doing to the local businesses that worked so hard to compete, many times to little avail. I gave my business to the wrong people. Rather than supporting the people in my community who actually cared about what they put in their food, what they do to their food and where their food comes from, I was throwing my money at the feet of corporate America only to get in return low quality goods.

I can't speak for other communities, but in Portland, restaurant, cafe and bistro owners alike love their food. They give their customers options, healthy alternatives and choices for those of us with certain food preferences. And I'm nearly 100% sure that they don't do this completely for the profit, as I'm sure nearly 95% chain restaurants do.

We went out to eat at a large BBQ establishment this evening. I was less than enthusiastic to go as I'd earlier checked out the menu only to be disgusted and let down. As with most chains, the only meat-free options came in the form of a salad. Somehow, chains seem to think that if you don't eat meat, you only eat salad. Upon earlier discussion of what I could eat at the restaurant, nearly everyone I was with said, "Well I'm sure they have salad," as if that would make it better. Vegetarians don't eat strictly salad, and if they're like me, they don't even like salad all that much. I find it so disappointing when a restaurant is so out of touch with dietary preferences that the only alternative to meat they can find is lettuce. Not only that, probably 4 out of the 5 salads on the menu are topped with meat.

Either way, as I had no choice other than to go for a salad (because the restaurant didn't even have a veggie burger option), I forlornly munched on my lettuce as the rest of the party inhaled all sorts of chickens, cows and pigs from who knows where, not thinking twice about what was required to put that food on their plates and probably not caring (as most people in the United States don't). And I don't even want to go into the amazingly incredible amount of calories and fat that were in those meals...

Anyway, after mirthfully sucking down the prepackaged, frozen and shipped from the other side of the country entrees, we handed over the large sum of money to the greedy corporation. Upon exiting, I couldn't help but notice the establishment was packed. Completely packed. People sitting, standing, pacing, just waiting to sink their teeth into this mindless food. And it made me so sad.

I wish people thought more about what they ate. I wish they would think about where their money is going. I wish they would try to open a restaurant and see what it takes to survive when there are restaurants such as this everywhere stealing all of the profits. I wish they would have a passion for food, put their heart and soul into their meals, and then see how detrimental chains are. I can't believe how many people follow the crowd. I can't believe that the majority still eat at the flashy popular corporate conglomerates and never give the locals a chance. I guess I thought that when I learned the importance of supporting one's community, everyone did.

But I still have hope. There are hundreds of amazing restaurants in Portland that are locally owned and operated, get their ingredients from local sources and offer their customers amazingly diverse choices. Looking for a barbeque tofu po'boy? Tempeh, lettuce & tomato (a vegetarian's BLT)? Grilled zucchini ciabata sandwich? Smoothie with hemp milk? Organic anything? You'll find it in Portland. I know these places are surviving, I know they have many faithful customers, and that truly makes me happy. But even if they remain small and have fewer customers than the chains, I will rest easy. I will know that while others are waiting endlessly to get a coveted booth at Red Robin only to eat mediocre food at a premium price, I'll be happy and comfy at my friendly neighborhood diner, supporting the deserving locals and getting only the best in return.

Summuh Time

Hummus. Talk about an amazing culinary invention. And for some reason my palate never tasted it until maybe a year or so ago, which is weird in itself because I'd never been adverse to garbanzo beans. I guess the idea of pureed legumes never appealed to me, nor did the pale suspicious-looking paste itself. But since I tried it, I haven't been able to stop eating it. 

I much prefer the new-age Mediterranean hummuses to the more classic Middle Eastern varieties, but both definitely beat almost every other dip out on the market. Restaurants such as Greek Cuisina and Nicolas have the traditional hummus that is especially tasty in a falafel sandwich or for use as a dip for pita, while Trader Joe's and Blossoming Lotus have kicked up the traditional recipe with delicious additions and substitutions. 

I prefer to stock up on TJ's varieties, some that don't even contain garbanzos but rather white beans, yet still have that certain something to qualify as hummus. Go figure. I got a white bean and basil hummus that was overwhelmingly basily, but was the perfect dip for carrots. The original hummus dip has an extraordinary garlicky flavor, the jalapeno cilantro is an excellent Mexican twist on the original, and the Mediterranean style with pine nuts and olive oil is extremely delicious with the middle eastern flatbread. I could definitely live off of it.

Then there's BL's live cashew hummus, a tasty concoction that contains all raw ingredients and really hits the spot. Have it in the live wrap with tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and avocado and you've pretty much gone to health-food heaven. 

Vegan Food = Real Food

I know I've at least thought it before, if not said it: vegan food is normal food. No matter how many times you say it, some people never accept or believe it. I know I used to hear "vegan" and I'd curl my lip at the word. I'd think of fake meat, bland and just plain not normal foods. I used to fall victim to the evil fast food society that has become the norm for those of us in the US. Talk about ironic; the vast majority of food we eat here IS that not normal food. Highly processed, overly flavored, molded and shaped into unnatural forms: the menu of a regular US American consumer.

So why isn't vegan, or even just vegetarian, or even just natural and whole food, eating more common? I don't know how many times I've talked to someone who is eating his or her McDonald's hamburger and agreeing with me that it's hardly real food. That has to be one of my biggest pet peeves. If you are consciously eating crap, why do you continue to eat it? Don't act like you know it's bad for you and commiserate with me about its terrible quality if it's not going to change anything. Don't say "Oh yeah, I know this is disgusting, but I just don't care." And especially don't criticize me for eating meals that don't contain meat or cheese because "that's just not normal." 

I'm getting off track. I didn't write this to complain; I wrote it to plug a new book I got: Veganomicon.

This cookbook is, from what I can tell so far, a great collection of recipes and an outstandingly feel-good piece of healthy cooking literature. Written by two brazen New Yorkers, Veganomicon is fantastic for both seasoned chefs and those just starting out. The nearly 300 pages detail everything from how to cook practically any vegetable, to how to prepare an entree that'll take you 1.5 hours to make, to how to put together a 5-course meal using a variety of their seemingly delicious self-concocted recipes. From Mexican to Asian to Southern home-style cooking, the recipes are all void of animal products but don't skimp in the flavor, aroma or texture departments. 

I don't expect everyone to turn to veganism; I know I can't do it just yet. I don't even expect everyone to become vegetarians. I just want people to think about what they eat. The Veganomicon may be extreme for many people, but its ideas and purpose are good: eat meals with tons of flavor (not the kind you get from MSG please), tons of nutritious veggies and grains, and try to make your own food as often as possible. Sometimes (usually) it's the last thing you want to do when you get home from work in the evening, but I really believe it will make you feel much better.

The End.

Lotus Position

If I could, I would eat at The Blossoming Lotus every day for every meal. And I could if I had an endless supply of money and time and gasoline. BL has been a favorite restaurant of mine for several months but you'd never know it because I rarely make it out there. 

Friends of mine aren't very into eating raw and live food. At all. Something about fresh veggies and natural ingredients scares them off. Vegan = disgusting. Vegetarian = lame. 

I'm not sure how these associates came to be, seeing as how we should be afraid of artificial ingredients and processed foods, but they're there and it's incredibly hard (and frustrating to try) to change people's views.

I absolutely love the Live Wrap at BL. It's got a cilantro lime paté, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts, avocado and cashew sour creme rolled up in collard greens. It's essentially like any other wrap except the flavors are intense & refreshing and there are about 200 fewer calories since it's wrapped in vegetable leaves rather than a flour tortilla. Nothing frustrates me more than someone who sticks up their nose at the wrap because it is rolled up in a green leafy vegetable. But I get frustrated easily...

There are so many great things to try there and something for everyone's diet: gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian. (Sorry if you eat meat, but we in the United States need to learn that a meal in fact doesn't need animal protein to be complete.) 

You can get a smoothie made with soy milk, rice milk or hemp milk; you can get vegan soft serve or DELICIOUS live fudge (outstanding with a hint of coconut); they use whole grains, fresh produce and definitely make you feel better about yourself for what you've just put into your body. You really can't go wrong there.

Writing this makes me want to go back soon; it's been way too long. 

You go too.

Yaourt

I really like yogurt. For a while I ate yogurt every day. I had grown up on Yoplait low fat yogurt and for years never branched out. I had no reason to. Until I learned about saturated fat. Sat fat became my enemy and still to this day I try my best to avoid it whenever I can. That meant saying goodbye to my yogurt, at least momentarily. I wasn't completely put off so I found and moved on to Yoplait's nonfat yogurt. It wasn't the same taste or texture, but it gave me my calcium and satiated my occasional yogurt craving. I was good again with yogurt. Until I learned about aspartame. Aspartame became my enemy and still to this day I try my best to avoid it whenever I can...

I gave up on yogurt for a while. It was just too much for a health nut like myself: if it's full flavor it's high in sat fat; non-fat and it's full of artificiality. Obviously a lose-lose situation. Or it was until I found Wallaby Organic nonfat yogurt. This stuff is great: nonfat ergo sat fat-free; organic ergo aspartame-free; delicious ergo win-win-win.

Just look at these amazing ingredients:Organic Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Pineapple Concentrate, Organic Pineapple Flavor, Organic Coconut Extract, Organic Creamed Coconut, Pectin, Organic Locust Bean Gum

No sugar, no artificial flavors, just simple plain yummy yogurt goodness. 

Now after having discovered this yogurt, it makes me wonder why I ever liked Yoplait to begin with. My old favorite strawberry yogurt has this charming list of ingredients: Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Lowfat Fat Milk, Sugar, Strawberries, Modified Cornstarch, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, Kosher Gelatin, Citric Acid, Tricalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Colored With Carmine, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3. 

Sugar and HFCS? That seems a bit like overkill, but whatever. 

If you like yogurt, go buy Wallaby. There's really no reason not to. They have amazing flavors (pineapple coconut, mango lime, strawberry guava, peach, Bartlett pear) and they come with that adorable little marsupial on the packaging. 

Pretty Soon I'm Going To Eat Alone

Today while eating lunch, I got slapped in the face. All of a sudden it just hit me. And it made me feel ill. 

Out of the 20-some-odd people I work with, I am the only one who refuses to eat fast food. Out of all of us, I appear to be the only one who has any kind of self respect or self control. I mean that strictly on a "I care about what I put into my body" basis, but I'd say that is a pretty important basis. Pretty much the only one that counts.

Every day in the lunch room, I'm surrounded by seemingly intelligent, amicable people. We engage in somewhat interesting conversation, gossip about the goings on at work and, ultimately, discuss our food choices of the day. While I don't really enjoy any of the conversation all that much, the food talk is hands down the worst. It's me against the rest in a verbal food fight about what junk food is the worst and who's eating the best example of the unhealthiest (aka best) lunch. Is it the 7-11 foot-long sandwiches (hey, they're not hamburgers), the Jack In The Box breakfast biscuit (come on, it's breakfast, the most important meal of the day), or perhaps the Wendy's chicken nugget meal (at least it's not McDonald's, PLUS it's chicken!)? Oh the warped and misguided perceptions United States citizens have these days...

Sure it's not a hamburger, but that pre-packaged processed meat and bleached enriched white bread probably has the same caloric intake as one. And you're right, it's breakfast, but it's only an important meal when it's not deep fat fried sausage, eggs & bacon and, sadly, it must be eaten in the morning. And, oh so close but, alas, Wendy's and McDonald's are really no different when it comes to beating the other's nutritional values. They both ship their frozen delicacies by the ton all across the US, fry them up in oil and salt, and sell them to the same customers. As for the misperception of chicken being healthier? Sorry again but it's been found to be more nutritionally devoid than the burgers. 

At least you have the option of getting a large Diet Coke rather than a regular one. At Wendy's that could save you 270 calories. At McDonald's, 310. (But don't get me started on the artificial sweeteners loaded into diet drinks) 

Still, for a million other reasons, truthfully, thank goodness they're not eating McDonald's this time.