the latest from compassionate cooks

[Guest guest]

excerpts from

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: COMPASSIONATE COOKS NEWSLETTER

September 13, 2007

<info

 

PODCAST

 

Latest Episode: Living Among Meat-Eaters - Parts I & II

Many a vegetarian has been on the receiving end of jokes, jibes, digs,

insensitive quips, and cruel comments, and though it can be hard not

to take it personally, the truth is all of these insensitive reactions

have nothing to do with you. They reflect a resistance on the part of

the non-vegetarian to take an honest and thoughtful look in the mirror

held up for them. Though meat-eaters may feel as though they're being

judged or made to feel guilty, it's often just a matter of the

vegetarian reflecting back his or her own truth and compassion. But

vegetarians don't get off the hook that easily. As much as we each

have own process and transition to work through as we experience our

own awakenings, we have to honor the transition of the people with

whom we share our lives. Even though we may feel completely changed,

we may forget to look at how our changes are affecting our partner. As

much as we want him or her to be understanding and compassionate, we

have to provide the same compassion and understanding.

 

 

*If you'd like to receive email alerts when I post new podcasts,

you can easily sign up for this service here. Each episode addresses a

different issue, question, and myth related to veganism/animal rights.

SPREAD THE WORD

 

NEW WEBSITE FOR THE NEW COOKBOOK

 

Thanks to the generosity of graphic designer Jennifer Tyson and

software engineer David Goudreau, I am thrilled to announce the launch

of the Joy of Vegan

Baking website. This is where you can get sample recipes from the

book, find out where I'm speaking, read praise and reviews, find out

where to buy the book, and more. Visit www.joyofveganbaking.com

and spread the word!

ACT UP

 

GIVE BLOOD! One thing we all have plenty of and can give away

every 3 months is our blood. Blood centers have a critically low

supply, and it's something most of us can do. Check out my podcast on iron if you have any questions about the relationship between

iron and veganism. When I gave blood last week, my iron count was

14.7, way above the 12.4 required. Each of the meat-eating clinicians

told me they've never been able to give blood, because their iron

count is always too low. Eat your greens with citrus to absorb iron,

and you're all set. Contact your local blood center,

and give right away! You could save an animal's life (a human animal,

that is.)

 

ESSAY - THIS I KNOW

 

Some people are afraid that their social lives will suffer when

they eliminate meat and dairy from their diet, since social occasions

and food tend to go hand-in-hand. For anyone who has ever thought it

is difficult as a vegetarian to dine out, to eat at the home of a

non-vegetarian friend, or to find food to eat at parties, I hope this

can be a guide and a resource.

 

1. Be Specific. Not everybody knows what it means to eat

" vegetarian " or " vegan, " and it's important for

vegetarians/vegans to be specific about what their needs are. I know

plenty of people who think chickens are plants with wings or who think

" chicken broth " is vegetarian. They think as long as there

are no chickens floating around in it, it's acceptable for those who

don't eat birds. So be clear and ask for exactly what you want.

Scenario Suggestion: When eating out, or when invited over a

friend's for dinner, it's helpful to state specific foods. So you

can say to your server " This dish/menu sounds wonderful. Just to

be clear, I'm vegan, so please tell me if I order something with

eggs, meat broth, cheese, milk, or cream. " I've never had a

server unwilling to accommodate me, and this takes care of any

potential misunderstandings.

 

2. Be Positive. Most likely, you made the choice to leave animals

off your plate because it makes you feel good - physically,

mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If that's your truth, then

that's exactly what you should express to those around you. Your

attitude will influence the perception and attitude of others about

what it means to be vegan.

Scenario Suggestion: When ordering in a restaurant, of course it's

polite and appropriate to thank the server for accommodating you, but

try not to apologize to the point of being self-effacing. If you had a

food allergy, you would just explain to the server and move on. Your

food preferences are just as valid when based on ethical reasons. And

remember, you're paying them - they should accommodate you if they

want to keep your business. So thank them, but then just move on.

 

3. Be Confident. Food is a personal as well as political subject

that has been known to bring up people's defenses, and vegetarians

have found themselves on the receiving end of ridicule, criticism,

interrogations, jokes, and plain old rudeness. Remaining confident

that the attack has nothing to do with you personally will help you

take the encounter in stride. Also, don't feel you need to carry the

weight of defending all the benefits of vegetarianism. If asked why

you make the choices you do, speak from your heart and tell your

truth. That is much more powerful than trying to espouse all the

latest nutrition research that supports vegetarian eating (and of

course there's lots of it!).

Scenario Suggestion: You are at a party, and someone - rather

hostilely - says to you, " I just finished a book by a prominent

anthropologist, and he provides a lot of evidence that humans were

never pure vegetarian at any point in our evolution. " Many might

be tempted to respond with the fact that early humans actually

gathered more than they hunted, that we're physically designed to

eat vegetarian diets, etc., and if your goal is to win an argument,

then argue away. But, consider an alternative response that diffuses

the attack, speaks to the real issue, and enables you to remain true

to yourself. You could say something like " I don't know much

about anthropology, but I do know that I feel really good about eating

this way. It's better for my health and certainly better for the

animals. And besides, isn't being human about doing things better

than the way we did them before, especially as we learn

more? "

 

4. Be Generous. Co-workers, neighbors, clients, friends, and

family all appreciate the gift of homemade goodies, and every

vegetarian knows the power of delicious food. Anytime non-vegetarians

try your infamous meatless chili or your decadent dairy-free cookies,

they are exposed to dishes they may have never chosen on their own,

and often they'll walk away with a new perception about " vegan

food. "

Scenario Suggestion: Bring muffins in for your morning office meeting,

leave cookies on your neighbor's porch, make a cake for a special

occasion and share it with co-workers. You can visit www.compassionatecooks.com to get lots of delicious recipes.

 

5. Be Assertive. I'd be lying if I said that healthful

plant-based options are available in every restaurant, but they are

available in almost every restaurant whose focus is not " American

cuisine. " Every other cuisine, from Italian and Thai to Indian

and Mexican, offers plenty of healthful vegan dishes. But for those

times when you don't have a say in choosing the restaurant, at an

employee lunch or office party, it's worth calling the restaurant in

advance to find out which menu items can be made meat- and dairy-free

or what they can make special to accommodate you.

Scenario Suggestion: Most people don't like having their food

choices be the center of attention, especially when people may already

perceive veganism as " different " or " difficult, "

but anytime I've asked for something " off the menu, "

everyone else at the table has coveted my meal. They had no idea you

could suggest something different than what's on the menu, and they

will wish they followed your lead!

 

(Read the remaining five tips - plus a bonus one! - here.)

 

Pre-order our new cookbook, The Joy of Vegan Baking: http://www.joyofveganbaking.com

Listen to our podcast: http://feeds.feedburner.com/VegetarianFoodForThought

Join our mailing list http://www.compassionatecooks.com/join.htm

Check out our cooking DVD http://www.compassionatecooks.com/video.htm

Register for our cooking classes http://www.compassionatecooks.com/reg.htm