A meatless state of mind

July 26, 2007

From Indianapolis ( Indystar ) Those who shun animal products say it actually widens their dietary possibilities By Jessica Halverson and Jenny Elig jessica.halverson Walk into the Meridian Street United Methodist Church social hall on Saturday, pick up a fork and prepare to be surprised. Guacamole Stuffed Roma Tomatoes serves as a tasty meatless appetizer prepared by Three Sisters Cafe in Broad Ripple. Vegetarians and vegans say their diets are broader now, rather than limited. - Rob Goebel / The Star Great American Meatout • What: An international buffet will offer restaurant and homemade vegan and vegetarian dishes. Now in its seventh year in Indianapolis, the Great American Meatout is a national event that traditionally takes place in March. Indy's event takes place in July so it can keep Meridian Street United Methodist Church as the venue.• Who: The event is open to the public and is hosted by Connecting Hoosiers for Animal Concerns and Education (CHACE) and the Indy Veg Society.• When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday.• Where: Meridian Street United Methodist Church, 5500 N. Meridian St.• Cost: $10 suggested donation.• Information: www.indyvegsociety.org.• Comment: "We want the general public to come and realize that it's not scary food," said organizer Jessica Suhre. "People are genuinely surprised that it's that good."Degrees of going meatless: What all the terms meanThe traditional definition of vegetarianism is someone who eats no meat, fish or fowl, says the Vegetarian Resource Group, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that publishes the Vegetarian Journal.Though traditional vegetarians may disparage some of the following labels, here's how some people describe themselves:• Semi-vegetarians: Avoid red meat and sometimes dairy, but generally eat other animal products.• Pesco-pollo vegetarians: Eat no meat, but do eat fish and chicken.• Pesco vegetarians: Avoid meat and fowl, but do eat fish.• Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Do not eat meat, fish or fowl, but eat eggs and dairy

products.• Lacto vegetarians: Avoid all animal products and eggs, but will consume dairy products.• Vegans: Total or strict vegetarians who avoid all animal products, including milk, eggs and honey. Most do not use such animal products as leather, wool or silk.Source: Vegetarian Resource Group (vrg.org) and Time magazine (time.com) Instead of fried chicken and other traditional entrees, you'll find 18 vegan and vegetarian dishes that promise to be just as enticing. People are surprised to find that meat-free meals taste good, said Jessica Suhre, who is organizing the 2007 Indianapolis Meatout, an annual event designed to celebrate going meatless. While it's a jump outside of the

dietary box for many Americans, veganism is steadily gaining attention. Vegetarianism in general involves eating no meat, fish or fowl, but vegans live an animal-free lifestyle. For ethical reasons and health benefits, they avoid meat, eggs and dairy in their diets, and animal fibers and products tested on animals in their homes. Twenty years ago, vegans were on their own to experiment with developing meatless recipes and ingredients, but today, nationwide chains are developing soy milk and other vegan-friendly products and cookbooks featuring recipes for meatless dishes and even vegan cupcakes. On the home front, though, life without dairy, eggs and meat still draws questions. "When I told my parents (I'd gone vegan), they thought I had an eating disorder," said Sarah Smith, a nine-year vegan and a marketing manager for natural foods store Wild Oats at Clay Terrace

Mall. But instead of eating less, Smith said, her options for meals were expanded. "People say, 'Oh my gosh, what do you eat?' " Smith said. "I think it's because they focus on all of the things you're not eating. I suddenly started trying all these ethnic foods, and how much more that's out there that's really exciting." Vesanto Melina, a registered dietitian who co-authored the American Dietetic Association's position paper on vegan diets, has written multiple books and articles on vegetarian foods and health. She said there are many different sources for nutrients commonly attributed to animal foods. The proteins in beans, peas and lentils, Melina said, are especially healthful because they are packaged with beneficial carbohydrates and fiber, instead of the fat and cholesterol found in meat and eggs. Broccoli, greens and calcium-

fortified soymilk or tofu are good providers of calcium. Melina said vegans should take a B-12 supplement and eat flax or products fortified with Omega-3s. She also noted that such vegan treats as soy ice cream and eggless cookies should still be limited for a healthy diet. Isa Chandra Moskowitz began creating her own vegan recipes when she first rejected meat, dairy and eggs as a teenager. "I did it because I was young and didn't know better," Moskowitz said. Even though she had never created her own recipes before, she made something she enjoyed right away. Now 34, Moskowitz has authored "Vegan With a Vengeance," which features recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, and "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World," co-written with Terry Hope Romero. They are working on another, due out in October. The cupcakes book features tantalizing cupcakes -- little baked

goods towering with decorative frosting, fruit and sprinkles. "I think once you have your ideas solidified, your taste buds follow," Moskowitz said about going vegan. "You don't really crave the things people think you're going to crave." Call Star reporter Jessica Halverson at (317) 444-6759.Peter H

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