WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? NOTHING? DANG!

  
Greetings, fellow vegan foodies!  It's been a minute!  This issue has crossed my mind for a while now and while dining out the other night, it came to a head, prompting me to write about it in the hopes of bringing attention to this very important matter! WHERE ARE THE VEGAN DESSERTS??? While I personally don't have much of a sweet tooth, I do enjoy the occasional sweet treat while dining out, especially if I can share it with that special someone. Being vegan shouldn't mean that desserts are off limts!  Recently, we were having a lovely dinner at an upscale local mediterranean restaurant where they have several vegan appetizers, soup, salad and entrees, yet there was not one vegan or vegan-available dessert to choose from among an extensive dessert menu. Had there been one, whether a light, refreshing one or a rich, decadent one, we would've loved the chance to indulge.  I cannot tell you how many vegan-friendly restaurants, some even with a separate dedicated vegan menu, (as well as some 100% vegan restaurants ) stop short of offering vegan desserts.  It makes no sense whatsoever!!!  As much as I'm impressed at how far restaurants have come when offering vegan options, I'm amazed at how they just don't consider vegan desserts, not even one! NOT EVEN A FRUIT CUP OR SORBET! Furthermore, it takes such little effort to come up with something that could potentially satisfy both vegans and non-vegans alike.  We're already taking the time to enjoy a night out, living in the moment while spending our hard-earned money, so it makes sense that we would want the chance to enjoy dessert! The profit margin could be HUGE!  Plant-based ice creams are readily available as are vegan cookies, donuts and cupcakes, which are all relatively inexpensive.  What about some natural fruit sorbet or vegan gelato topped with fresh fruit and some non-dairy whipped cream?  How hard is that to make or outsource?  I bet most folks wouldn't even mind paying a premium for the pleasure of being served a delicious "health-conscious" dessert.  Vegan desserts aren't just for vegans but for those who may be lactose intolerant or have certain food allergies.  In addition, by offering a "healthy" dessert, patrons will have less guilt when ordering. WHAT A MISSED OPPORTUNITY!

     So... for all you passionate/compassionate restaurant owners/managers out there looking for ways to improve your business, why don't you start by offering VEGAN DESSERTS!  You're welcome :)

I Just Can't Get Enough!

 

     Sadly, my morning runs have come to a screeching halt due to a freak accident! I was reluctant to run on the uneven sidewalk on the insistance of my running partner and wouldn't you know, 3 large rocks seemed to come out of nowhere and I ended up rolling my foot on one of them.  I was in excruciating pain and instantly knew I had broken my foot.  I was hoping for the best but unfortunately, my foot was getting worse, so I got an xray which confirmed I had a Jones Fracture.  The Dr. gave me a boot and told me no exercise for at least 6 weeks and that I would probably have to wear this monstrosity for 8-10 weeks.  As devastating as that news was, I was actually a little relieved that I didn't have to endure yet another brutal So Flo summer of outdoor training in the harshest of elements like extreme heat, opressive humidity and relentless sun exposure.  Gone are the days of salty sweat-saturated hair, stinky, drenched clothing, chafing and advanced photo aging.  Since thre's nothing I can essentially do but some upper body exercises and much waiting, I've decided to turn my circumstances into a positive by rejuvinating!

     As many of you know, I have been vegan for many years, which has included using only vegan cosmetics as well as skin and hair care products.  To that end, it had been quite difficult to find available and affordable products throughout the years.  I have adhered to PETA's cruelty-free company and product lists for many years, which had left me with very limited options.  I would frequent Whole Foods to find beauty products at a hefty price, no less. I am delighted to say that at this moment, I am overwhelemed by how many companies have come around, offerering reasonably-priced quality items at either local drugstores, cosmetics chains (Sephora and Ulta) as well as online websites.  Sometimes, I don't know where to start but I'm totally fine with that predicament.  As much as we might be cruel to ourselves, especially those vegan athletes who work hard and train harder, we don't need to be cruel to animals just for our benefit.

Even if cosmetic/beauty companies aren't yet 100% cruelty free, we must still embrace their efforts and encourage them to forge ahead to hopefully one day become totally vegan!! Any effort is better than no effort at all!!!  

So... while I am still recovering, I'm pampering myself with quality vegan products that I just can't seem to get enough of.  I'm never turning back. I suggest you do the same 👄💄

*Items pictured are just SOME of my MANY personal products 😍

     

Don't Say Vegan

    

Vegan, Vegan, Vegan!!! We went from not knowing the word, or at least not knowing how to pronounce it, to seeing it just about everywhere (menus, foods, products).  As a long-time vegan, when all that we had to eat was lettuce, bread and tofu, I'm pleased to see how far we've come in recognizing the importance of plant-based living.  However, I'm starting to feel like it may be overkill to some degree.  Although many folks appreciate veganism and some have gone so far as to embrace a vegan lifestyle, there are still those skeptics that just haven't come around yet.  I find it hilarious when I hear people say, "I've never eaten vegan food before."  I guess they've never eaten fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, potatoes, etc. lol.  Although I am unwavering in my commitment to being vegan, the choice doesn't have to be binary- vegan vs non-vegan.  Just like anything else, learning about veganism is a gradual process that I feel should NOT be rushed.  In fact, going 100% vegan for some may be a bit too extreme.  I'm just happy if people can make an effort to be more plant based.  Any effort is better than no effort at all.  That being said, we must be careful not to shove it in people's faces, as it can be very off putting, to say the least.  In all my years, I have always been conscientious of not judging or lecturing people or making them feel guilty for their dietary choices.  On the flip side, as many of you know from past posts, I have been teased, bullied and ridiculed for my cruelty-free choices.  I have always taken the high road, choosing to lead by example. 

     In my experience as a vegan living in mainstream society (should anyone in the restaurant business read this post), LESS IS MORE!  Rather than labeling particular items, have a small V/VA/VO label/symbol (vegan available/vegan optional) so that vegans/vegetarians can quickly scroll down to them.  Many dishes happen to be naturally vegan, so when a non-vegan comes across them, they may order a particular item without even thinking whether it's vegan or not.  I know that my dad is terrified of foods boldly labeled "vegan," even if he loves all the ingredients.  I can guarantee you that his eyes will skip right over an item if it's labeled "vegan."  However, vegans can recognize that something is vegan without the labels.  If the abbreviations appear, then it reassures us that it's "safe."  If you are a vegan like me, you will just simply just ask before ordering for clarification.  Vegans know how to study the menu, ask questions and make informed decisions on their own.  Many menu items that aren't labeled at all can actually be "veganized," so just to be sure, ask your server is it's possible.  Another piece of advice I would offer is to POLITELY request that your server ask the kitchen staff for confirmation that an item is indeed vegan, should the server not be sure.  Servers aim to please, usually, and want to make the customer happy. They also enjoy learning something new so that they can be prepared for the next vegan patron. Sometimes I get lazy or careless (vegan burnout) and quickly order something without further "investigation."  It never gets old when a server lets me know that the fryer isn't dedicated or that the dressing has honey/dairy in it, when I make it known that I'm vegan.  Much appreciated!!!

     We recently went to visit our children who live in Tennessee.  We went to a breakfast place called Milk & Honey in Chattanooga, which was very vegan friendly.  The menu had a small VO label on several items so, of course, I was thrilled and even had a hard time deciding.  When we were looking at the porridge bowl, it was labeled VO but as we read the description, every ingredient was vegan.  The server confirmed that the item was vegan but rather than the big in-your-face VEGAN word, which could steer folks clear, they added a very subtle VO, as they did with several other items.  It was then that I realized how clever that was to have a little label/symbol next to an item that most customers won't notice but those who prefer vegan/vegetarian foods will understand and appreciate :) I would be remiss if I didn't mention the restaurant "Cashew," also in Chattanooga and 100% plant based, so...NO LABELS NEEDED (except gluten/nut free lol)!! It's complete nirvana when we find a vegan-dedicated cafe/restaurant where the only thing we have to worry about is having to choose from a plethora of delicious options as well as saving room for dessert!!

     The word "vegan" is on its way to being a household name.  In a perfect world, everything would be plant based and cruelty free where we can do away with labels altogether!  It's remarkable to see just how many vegan-dedicated restaurants are popping up all around us. They are still few and far between so in the meantime, let's just celebrate how easy it is to find mainstream restaurants that can accommodate us with a variety of noteworthy vegan options! Don't SAY vegan...just do it!

CAUTION: Products May Appear More Vegan Than They Are!

I don't know about you but I can definitely say that I have officially arrived at label fatigue!!!  Upon entering the world of veganism decades ago (I just aged myself lol) I began participating in the daunting task of reading and interpreting labels on consumer products to ensure all ingredients were devoid of animal products, meaning they were cruelty free (not necessary plant based).  I have watched over the years how society as a whole has come to accept vegans into mainstream society, with new products popping up at markets on the daily. In addition, plant-based menu options are becoming readily available at fast-casual eateries as well as even the most unlikely of restaurants.  Vegan-dedicated joints are also sprouting up more and more.  I can honestly say I am thrilled to see this happening today, since I was teased and made to feel like a freak or outcast more times than I care to remember over the years.  Veganism is so familiar now that I have become somewhat lax about grocery shopping, assuming at first glance that many products are vegan when in fact, they actually contain some kind of unsuspecting animal product (grrrr).  With so many tasty and satisfying foods being plant-based and/or cruelty free (including SOME vegan cheeses), it begs the question, WHY???  WHY must I discover animal products in my otherwise vegan products and WHY must I always have to read the fine print (I often forget my glasses)???  I'm fortunate that I don't have any allergies so if I am careless and don't bother reading packages, labels or ingredients, should I consume honey, milk, whey protein, eggs or even dehydrated chicken, it wouldn't result in anything life threatening, just feeling like an idiot!  My advice to you would be not to become complacent.  Don't be lured by the flashy packaging or plant-friendly words. For the most part, products mean what they say.  To be certain, trust but verify.  Skip down to the line following the ingredients where it says "contains" or "may contain traces of...". Take a few minutes and make sure you have your reading glasses on you and do your due diligence... for the sake of the animals!!! Fortunately, there are plenty of 100% vegan alternatives to choose from where you don't have to settle for those products from companies that just couldn't help themselves. Should you care to take it one step further, feel free to contact such companies to "plant" the idea of substituting plant-based alternatives in place of their current animal ones. You'd be surprised...many folks either just don't know or don't exactly have faith in the integrity of vegan ingredients. I would venture to say they may be willing to try.  It's worth a shot...we can't give up in our quest to become a cruelty-free society.

Here are just some examples of some products I "fell" for which contain animal ingredients.  Please feel free to comment below to add to this list. 

Is There Butter in My Quinoa???

     Oops, they did it again!!! They just couldn't help themselves! Throwing animal products in purely plant foods seems to be the trend lately that chefs/food preppers have a hard time veering from.  The good news is that if you are anything like me, your taste buds have become so refined that you can detect hidden animal products such as butter, chicken broth or beef stock upon first bite!!!  Many chefs are under the false notion that adding such animal ingredients enhances the flavor of vegetables, grains, soups, etc..   I personally feel that this mindset has the opposite effect- those ingredients actually take away from the unique flavors and subtle nuances that plant foods have to offer.  In my opinion, many food prep peeps lack either creativity, experience or self confidence when presented with the challenge of preparing flavorful and artful cuisine when they resort to using animal products in the process.  In other words...it's a cop out!!!
     I won't soon forget my recent experience at an upscale coffee shop/grill in our very own neighborhood.  I was so excited to try a protein bowl made with quinoa and vegetables.  Naturally, I asked them to omit the feta cheese as well as the egg on top (feta/eggs seem to be on everything from quinoa bowls to salads and avocado toast).  When I then asked if I could customize my bowl, the employee was happy to accommodate me.  I don't always like to identify myself as a "vegan" but rather request that my order be made with no animal products used due to allergies to ensure those ingredients are left out.  I added avocado, lettuce and pumpkin seeds and almonds to my bowl without a fuss.  As my family and I awaited our brunch items (I'm the only vegan), my bowl finally arrived and looked scrumptious.  As everyone dug in with glee, I quickly realized after I took a giant spoonful that my quinoa had been adulterated with butter and I honestly didn't know what to do.  As to not gross everyone out, I gulped it down and called the waitress over.  Luckily, I really don't have any food allergies so non-vegan ingredients won't kill me lol.  I didn't want to draw attention to myself (which is typically unavoidable by merely being vegan)  and simply asked that she speak with the kitchen to see if butter was added to my dish.  Much to my dismay, it was and there I was again...finding myself having to send my dish back and wait for them to prepare it correctly WITHOUT animal products grrrr…..
     By the time I got my newly-prepared bowl, my company had finished their meals and I was left to finish up while everyone watched.  What a drastic improvement on taste- the natural nutty flavor of quinoa shone through to my delight!!  I didn't need to say anything- it was apparent that I had my very own happy meal!!! I'm that kind of vegan that prefers to be subtle and never draw attention to myself.  If you've read any of my other blogs, you will know that I aspire to inspire by example and not my preaching.  As with anything else, like religion and politics, no one wants to be told what to do or how to conduct their lives and by doing so, you will only turn people off.  I just want to live my life, plant based and cruelty free and it should be no one's business or issue.  How hard can it be to leave off animal products from foods from nature?  Apparently, VERY!!!

Cheese Louise!!!

 

     When looking for plant-based options whether dining out or shopping for prepared foods, what is the deal with cheese on just about um, let's see...EVERYTHING??? I get it...we have been brainwashed to believe that cheese is delicious and we can't live without it!  After all, it's rich, creamy, salty, hearty, substantial, flavorful, gooey, meltable, versatile and the list goes on and on.  We have, in essence, created a society of serious cheese dependency!!!   But, as we all know, it's also high in fat and cholesterol not to mention it is derived from an animal!!! Overwhelming cheese consumption definitely contributes to the increase in obesity and heart disease, among other diseases within our population. I totally understand that the struggle to give it up altogether is real when transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle. For me personally, it wasn't that difficult to give it up in my quest to be healthy and cruelty free.  Once I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan, I noticed that food began to taste better!! Much to my chagrin, after many years of being a mainstream vegan, I just can't seem to get away from random cheese that seems to be thrown into otherwise perfectly balanced plant-based meals at just about every freaking food joint for no good reason at all!!!  Chefs, cooks and food preparers continually fall short.  They can't seem to help themselves when it comes to creating and serving healthy, nutritionally complete meals sans animal products.  It's as if they feel like something is missing..."oh yeah, let's throw some cheese on it..yeah!  Now we're talking!!" They recognize the call to include healthier, veg-friendly options but their brains won't allow them so accept something unfamiliar or foreign.  Somehow they are not convinced that there is enough protein or that something is still missing. Cheese seems to bring it all home for those who don't really get it.  "Ahhh...now THAT makes sense."
     The common misconception, as we all know by now, is that vegans don't get enough protein (where do you get your protein from- ugh!!!) So I suppose to non-vegans, the answer would be cheese so why not throw it on anything and everything whether it's healthy or junky.  The biggest problem for me besides the obvious one is that rather than enhancing dishes, cheese takes away from the subtle nuances that plant-based ingredients have to offer.  It's like taking fresh, innovative ingredients from nature and completely adulterating them.   This cheese culture, if you will, seems to be getting stronger and we must band together from near and far to convince chefs from around the world that cheese is not needed on plant foods!!!  In all fairness, I must say that I have encountered quite a few places both locally and during travel where chefs have been enlightened and do go that extra mile to accommodate vegan patrons far beyond a basic salad or quinoa bowl.  Some even take the time to make substantial house-made vegan burgers but "shocker" they might slap a slice of real cheese on it or even worse...throw it on a non-vegan bun!

 

     One trendy appetizer which falls victim to cheese invasion is avocado toast.  From local coffee shops and bistros to chain restaurants, it seems they all have their own version of these delightful little morsels and if we're lucky, they consist of a slice of toasted French baguette with lightly mashed ripe avocado, basil or arugula, heirloom tomatoes and perhaps a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze.  But, don't be surprised if some random cheese is thrown on like feta or parmesan which only takes away from the sweet and creamy avocado.  Kinda makes you think...what are they trying to hide?  Most food servers are happy to leave the cheese off.  This one local coffee shop owner who serves this item with mozzarella cheese on top recently told me that many customers ask him to leave the cheese off.  When I asked him why he uses it in the first place, he couldn't even give me a reasonable explanation.  That's because there is none!!!

     By now we are all aware of quinoa its many benefits so it's no wonder we are starting to see quinoa bowls pop up on menus with lots of veggie toppings, including....you guessed it... CHEESE!!!  Ugh!!  At least it's not chicken (although there are plenty of those around)!!! How silly, when you think about it, when food preps create a beautiful bowl with bountiful veggies, fruit, nuts and legumes only to be corrupted by a pedestrian mainstream ingredient (this time it's from a goat) which adds zero nutritional value to an otherwise complete protein meal (quinoa alone contains all 9 amino acids). I give Wawa a lot of credit for preparing many different salads and bowls to go but unfortunately, the one I want has one ingredient too much.  Same goes for the red quinoa bowl from Yard House with feta thrown in the mix.  Oh the humanity!!!

     Being vegan doesn't always mean always eating healthy.  Sure, we are more evolved than most but we are still human and can enjoy a little splurge from time to time, especially if we are athletic or very active.  By default, many junk foods just happen to be vegan like French fries and tater tots, that is, if they are cooked in a dedicated vegetable oil fryer.  Truffle fries/tots are all the rage these days but wouldn't you know, they are typically topped with parmesan cheese shreds which personally, I think add absolutely nothing to the spuds!!!  If you start with good ingredients like fresh potatoes topped with quality truffle oil, there's no need for cheese!!!  Perhaps a sprinkle of chopped parsley and maybe a little roasted minced garlic is really all you need.  I get it...truffle fries are a departure from the old cheese fries with processed Velveeta sauce but it sure would be nice to exclude cheese altogether!  If one must have a dusting or sprinkling of a cheese-like substance to feel complete then luckily, Follow Your Heart makes vegan parmesan style shreds.  For the love of fries around the world, let's all see if we can school the chefs to look into keeping this viable product on hand.  I doubt anyone would know the difference!

     As I wrap this baby up, I don't want readers to think that I'm bitter or hostile in any way.  I believe my non-vegan counterparts (just about everyone in my life btw) and I can coexist peacefully. I suppose I'm simply frustrated that just when I think we have made some serious progress in our quest for society to adopt a more plant-based lifestyle, I feel that meat-eaters are here to stay.  Fine... let them have their meat!  But for goodness sake, just don't taint our glorious plant foods with animal products.  In all fairness, many chefs have indeed come a long way in discovering new ways to prepare vegan dishes to appeal not just to vegans.  However, they seem to hesitate in allowing themselves to coax the naturally occurring subtle nuances found in those treasured gems courtesy mother nature. As a group, we need to continue our work within the mainstream restaurant setting to ensure we have plenty of vegan options wherever we choose to dine. I dream of the day when I can simply glance at a menu filled with healthy choices without having to always scream on the inside...CHEESE LOUISE!!!

Is it Me or is it Just Meat???

     If you are a mainstream vegan like me, then I'm sure you have faced similar situations where you are dining out with family/friends at a typical restaurant with some vegan options and you have wondered...is everyone ordering a VERY meaty dish because they really want it or are they doing it just to spite you???  You might say I'm being a bit paranoid but I swear that sometimes the folks around me are deliberately ordering the meatiest dish they can find just to get a reaction from me.  Mind you, I'm not one of those outspoken, bordering on obnoxious vegans always preaching or lecturing everyone about the health risks involving red meat.  I almost NEVER extoll the virtues of a plant-based diet or remind everyone of the recent report from the World Health Organization linking red meat to cancer.  In fact, I consider myself the easiest going vegan I know!!!  I usually just go with the flow, not asking for much, happy to be in good company, hoping to find a healthy, hearty plant-based option and a nice IPA on draft or a cool and refreshing lo cal cocktail to wash it down with.  I try to stay low key and not make a big deal about the menu options (or lack thereof) or brag about the meal I choose to order.  Even when they get my order wrong, which is almost always, I try not to make it an issue!  I even go so far as to inconspicuously tell my food server that I am lactose intolerant or have specific food allergies instead of declaring myself VEGAN!  SO... why is it that those around me feel the need to turn a fun, casual get-together into a meat-centric lesson.  With so many healthier alternatives that aren't vegan/vegetarian, like fish, shellfish or even chicken breast, I have noticed that my dining companions are so obvious and go right in for the kill by choosing dishes like a huge rack of ribs or lamb, steak salad (OMG, the irony) or a gigantic rib eye!  

     Two of my three kids thoroughly enjoy red meat but I know that they do not intentionally try to get a rise out of me when we go out to eat.  It's not their fault that they have been brainwashed by the industry's false advertising as well as their crafty, manipulative way of convincing everyone that animal flesh is delicious. My kids also feel very comfortable being themselves around me without worrying about me judging them.  I do hope one day my healthy choices will rub off on them but my choice to go vegan was my own and imposing my views on them would only backfire, I'm sure. 
     When it comes to my domestic partner's adult children, however, who we visit with from time to time, I get the feeling that their intentions are different but again, I may just be imagining it.  When I observe the abundantly meaty options they choose, at every meal, no less, I cannot help but feel they are doing it to make me squirm. On top of that, the subject always turns to meat with a reference to an old family animal flesh recipe guaranteed to be thrown into the mix.  They are just waiting for my head to explode.  When I address this with my partner, he insists that the only reason they are ordering the meatiest, most expensive dishes is because he is paying!  I would bet that he's right (he always is lol). It's just that when I am with educated folks, their behavior always surprises me as we continue to learn more and more about the never-ending benefits of a plant-based diet and all the health risks involved with animal products from heart disease, cancer, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, not to mention cruelty to animals as well as the direct impact on global warming.
     So when I say it's me, my partner says it's just meat.  He tries to convince me that meat is a treat. Whatever the case may be, I will simply try and keep my cool, no matter what my dining companions directly or indirectly throw at me.  Being the butt of vegan jokes has become so old and tired, am I right???  I have evolved and it's only a matter of time before everyone else does too.  I know that's wishful thinking but I'm not giving up.  At least the word "vegan" is being thrown around a lot more, with vegan options becoming more available in mainstream restaurants not to mention dedicated vegan restaurants popping up in major cities.   Perhaps there will come a time when the world is mostly plant based with the exception of that one unenlightened, unevolved odd ball here and there asking if there are any meat options available.