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.