More Reason to Not Eat Meat. (I Hope.)

Being a vegetarian, I can't tell you how many times I've gotten into discussions where people feel the need to justify to me why they eat meat. Becoming a vegetarian was a personal decision I (well, we), made. I have never given unsolicited reasons as to why I made this decision. I have never preached to others that they are morally and ethically wrong for eating meat. I never get defensive. I never ask people to not bring meat into my home, or to not eat meat around me. I never expect people to go out of their way to create a entirely vegetarian meal when they have us over for dinner.

So why do some people feel it necessary to explain to me why they choose to eat meat? Do I think it is morally and ethically wrong? Yes. Do I think the "excuses" are pretty lame? Yes. Do I wish more people would really stop to think about how eating meat is affecting the world we live in? Yes.

Do I say that? No.

Like I said, it is a choice. A very personal choice.

I came across this op-ed today, and I wish I was as eloquent and educated as Jonathan Safran Foer. He says so many things that I wish I would have said during one of my I-eat-meat-because-humans-were-made-to-look-at-our-teeth discussions. It's intelligent, informative, and just... real. (Please read the comments, too. Some interesting -- and annoying -- discussions going on.)

I'm very excited for his book, Eating Animals, that's due out on Monday. At first I didn't think I would read it -- I don't think I can bare to read another horror story about factory farming. But after reading the synopsis on barnesandnoble.com, I can't wait to read about this very personal decision he made, and why (and am particularly interested in how his child affected his decisions).

Jonathan Safran Foer spent much of his teenage and college years oscillating between omnivore and vegetarian. But on the brink of fatherhood -- facing the prospect of having to make dietary choices on a child's behalf -- his casual questioning took on an urgency. His quest for answers ultimately required him to visit factory farms in the middle of the night, dissect the emotional ingredients of meals from his childhood, and probe some of his most primal instincts about right and wrong. Brilliantly synthesizing philosophy, literature, science, memoir and his own detective work, Eating Animals explores the many fictions we use to justify our eating habits-from folklore to pop culture to family traditions and national myth-and how such tales can lull us into a brutal forgetting. Marked by Foer's profound moral ferocity and unvarying generosity, as well as the vibrant style and creativity that made his previous books, Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, widely loved, Eating Animals is a celebration and a reckoning, a story about the stories we've told-and the stories we now need to tell.

A celebration and a reckoning. A CELEBRATION AND A RECKONING!

I'm hoping -- praying -- that because he is such a known and respected writer, this book will peak the masses interest, and the overwhelming evidence as to why a vegetarian diet is so positive will change some lives. One can only hope, right?

I read a quote from Toby Maguire (I know, right?) the other day that really resonated with me:

“I’ve never had any desire to eat meat. In fact, when I was a kid I would have a really difficult time eating meat at all. It had to be the perfect bite, with no fat or gristle or bone or anything like that…. I don’t judge people who eat meat—that’s not for me to say—but the whole thing just sort of bums me out.”

Totally and completely bums me out.

Eat Less Meat. Save the Planet.

Ideal Bite had a really great tip yesterday that I thought I would share:

Don't wanna give up meat altogether?

The Bite
Try for a happy medium - go meatless at least once a week for ginormous environmental and health benefits, without compromising your taste for the occasional sustainably raised burger.

The Benefits

• More-than-middling health payoffs. Compared to meat eaters, vegetarians have lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and obesity.
  
• Coming together for the planet. Livestock accounts for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of water use - and a meatless diet is 50% more effective at cutting CO2 than switching from a standard car to a hybrid.

Wanna Try?

• Try cutting out meat one day a week. Meat substitutes and eco-focused cookbooks make it easier.
  
• 101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian - facts to help you stick with it ($3).

I created a poster on this same subject matter for a course last semester:

Giving up meat just once a week is not only good for you, but the environment. Start a family tradition -- Meatless Mondays! :)

Happy New Year!

2009 is going to be an awesome year! Okay, so the whole baby thing is an automatic awesome factor... :) But I just know this is going to be a great year. For one thing, I'll FINALLY be done with my BFA and Trip will be done with his credentials and grad school. We'll be able to focus on our wonderful son. I can't wait! 

First, I should update you all on the whole gestational diabetes thing. So, I went in on Tuesday for the three-hour glucose screening test (I know I said I would go on Saturday, but I really didn't want to waste a Saturday morning at the hospital). The fasting part wasn't so bad. The glucola part, however, was even worse this time around. They give you double the amount of glucose for this test, and drinking that on top of an empty stomach is not fun at all. I thought I was going to get sick, but the technician told me if I did I wouldn't be able to finish the test, so I made sure I didn't. Pregnant and fasting = no bueno. Suck it up, girlfriend, cause you are not doing this again.

Three hours and three blood draws later, they couldn't get a full vial out of me for the fourth and final draw. The technician I had for the final draw was the same pregnant lady I had for my one hour test. Funny. She had to call over an expert blood person (technical term) to make sure what she was able to get was enough, and thank goodness it was. My poor little veins couldn't take anymore. Three days later and I am still bruised!

So my doctor's office called on New Years Eve with the results. My stomach dropped at first, as my OB said she would only call if there was cause for concern. But she just wanted to call and tell me my results were great, and to have a good New Years. Hurray! Chocolate for all!

Back to New Years (and chocolate)... Trip and I started the evening with dinner at La Fondue, where we literally ate until we felt ill. In fact, Tripple said we can't go there anymore because we always feel obligated to eat everything, which is way more than anyone other than Michael Phelps should consume in one sitting. So we said we'll just go for dessert from now on. :) Put a bowl full of bittersweet chocolate in front of me and suddenly I have more room to eat!

After dinner we went to Adam and Renee's for a really nice, intimate New Years with about 15 people. My friend Linda, who is due about three weeks after me, was there, so I had someone to talk baby with all night. Which of course we did. It's so great to talk to someone that is going through the same aches, pains and emotions that you are. 

So now it's New Years Day, and we started it out right by cooking a traditional Southern New Years meal (well, the vegetarian take): black eyed peas (eating one for every day is supposed to bring you good luck!), collard greens (to bring you money -- we need that!), corn bread, fried okra and squash, and Nay brought over a green bean casserole. Dessert was more Californian -- a simple fruit salad of pears, pineapple, oranges and banana. I have a feeling we'll be eating the black eyed peas for a fews days. Does that mean we'll have extra extra good luck?

Like I said, I know without a doubt this is going to be a great year. Lots of changes, lots of big milestones, lots of great times with family and friends!

Happy Birthday to Tripple, and Some Catch Up

Sorry friends of the interwebs -- I didn't post at all last week. My goal is to at least post once a week, and I would really love to post two or three times. So shame on me for slacking.

Last week was my last week of the Fall semester at Academy of Art, as was it the last week of one of Trip's graduate courses. Work has been project after project, and Trip was wrapping things up before his 2-week holiday break (man am I in the wrong profession!). So needless to say there has been some serious cramming going on. Good thing is that we really didn't do any Christmas shopping this year, so I've been relieved of that annual stress-fest. For the past few years, my family has done the Secret Santa thing, but this year I was inspired by a wonderfully heartwarming story I saw on the news about a company that decided that, because the food banks are so low this year, they would donate their $4500 holiday party budget to a food bank. So instead of drawing names, my family agreed to donate to a charity of our choice. Trip and I did the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. Christmas shopping -- CHECK! Now next year I realize will be quite different, as our son's first Christmas is sure to be an extravaganza (to say the least). But let me tell you, I have definitely enjoyed being mellow this year.

Speaking of the peanut (or English cucumber, as BabyCenter claims a 26 week baby is the same size as), everything seems to be going along smoothly. We have our 6 month appointment this Wednesday (6 months?!?), so I'll be sure to give an update, with new belly pics. I swear, the belly (among other things...) has been growing on a daily basis. As has my appetite, so go figure. At this visit our OB said she would schedule another ultrasound, just to make sure my placenta has moved up. I'm so looking forward to getting another peek at the little guy!

It was Tripple's birthday yesterday, and we had a really nice dinner at our favorite vegetarian restaurant, with a few of our favorite people. My birthday gift to him was driving him and Adam downtown to see a hip hop show on Friday, then picking them up at 1:30A. I think that wins me some Wife of the Year awards, don't you? I was a trooper again on Saturday night, when we went to a friend's party, where we stayed until after 1AM. I figure I better let Trip have some fun before it's all about the baby. Plus he deserves a little R&R after a hard first semester at work, some pretty demanding graduate school courses, and all the extra works he's had to pick up around the house (painting, kitty litter duty, cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, carrying things up and down the stairs for me, and cooking dinner most nights -- yup, he's a keeper).

Okay, I've rambled enough... I'll try to post soon after my appointment on Wednesday -- Christmas Eve!

Easy -- And DELICIOUS -- Broccoli Casserole

On my first visit to North Carolina to visit my mother-in-law, oh about 6 years ago, she made us a wonderful Christmas dinner. I left that visit with three recipes that have now become tradition with my family as well. In fact, I have many friends that have requested those recipes after having joined us at one of our holiday meals. By that far the most popular is this Broccoli Casserole. And the best part -- it's super easy!

Casserole Ingredients:

• 10 oz. package frozen broccoli (or I use two bunches of fresh broccoli)
  
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the reduced fat Campbells)
  
• 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar (I usually double this :p)
  
• 1/4 cup milk
  
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (low-fat works great)
  
• 1 egg, beaten

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter (Start with this and add more if needed. I usually end up using a whole stick! For reducing the fat, try Smart Balance 50/50)
  
• Ritz crackers, crumbled (Enough to cover top of casserole. I crumble one pack in a zip lock bag and gradually add to the melted butter. And yes, there is a Reduced Fat version that is just as tasty.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
   
2. Cook broccoli according to directions, omit salt (or steam to crisp/tender if using fresh broccoli). Drain well and put in 10" x 6" casserole dish
   
3. Mix all remaining ingredients (except Ritz cracker mixture) in large mixing bowl. Pour over broccoli.
   
4. Melt butter over low heat and add crumbled Ritz crackers. Top casserole with Ritz cracker mixture (make more if you need to).
5. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes (you want topping to be golden brown).
   

If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!

How To Buy Organic and Not Go Broke.

Trip and I went shopping at Trader Joe's on Sunday, and noticed a few of our staple items had gone up in price. We usually buy all organic, but with the ever increasing prices of produce, we've had to put some items back on the shelf.

Well, no need to skip the bananas. Just skip paying the extra dollar on organic. Vegetarian Times recently had an article on "How To Buy Organic," with a list from the Environmental Working Group of the 12 most pesticide-laden conventionally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. So here's the list of the produce items where you shouldn't penny-pinch (buy organic):

1. Peaches
   
2. Apples
   
3. Bell Peppers
   
4. Celery
   
5. Nectarines
   
6. Strawberries
   
7. Cherries
   
8. Lettuce
   
9. Grapes (imported)
   
10. Pears
    
11. Spinach
12. Potatoes

In general, thin-skinned vegetables that grow underground can absorb pesticides and heavy metals, so organic is best. So fruits and vegetables such as avocados, bananas, mangoes are okay to buy nonorganic. Also, there are quite a few fruits and vegetables that do not appeal to pests and are rarely treated with pesticides, thus have low pesticide residues (if any): asparagus, broccoli, corn, eggplant, garlic, onions, rhubarb, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapes (domestic), grapefruit and watermelon. These are all okay to buy nonorganic.

As for dairy, it's best to always buy organic. In particular, organic milk contains no hormones or antibiotics, so is highly recommended. I know, $7 for a gallon of milk seems ridiculous. But trust me, there is a huge taste difference (I drink milk all the time now! Could also be the pregnancy thing, but it really does taste better.)

Another thing to keep in mind is buying local. According to Vegetarian Times, not only do some farmers claim that after the food industry took over the "buy organic" philosophy they often ignore traditional organic values such as sustainability and a connection to the local economy, but there are certain highly perishable foods whose flavor and nutrients are so dependent on freshness that it pays to buy local whenever possible. So hit up those farmer's markets! Even if they are not certified organic, they can be a great way to put the freshest, tastiest food on your plate while supporting your local economy and helping the environment. Who wouldn't want that!

Happy Anniversary to the More Than a Hundred Animals I Saved Last Year!

This past weekend Trip and I celebrated a very special anniversary - one year since year since we became full-fledged vegetarians.

Wow - a year. Although it seems like much longer. Not in the "Gosh I need a burger" kind of way. More in the, "I can't believe I haven't lived this way my whole life" kind of way.

This is not actually my first experience with vegetarianism. Fast backward to me at 18, when I saw an Earth Day special on MTV that totally changed my life. I know, hokey, right? But to an 18-year-old that had never been exposed to animal abuse, it really was a life changing event. I guess up until then I was a naive girl that truly couldn't fathom the idea that a human being would want to deliberately hurt an animal. I grew up in household that at any given time had at least one dog and one cat (but more often than not at least a couple of each). Our pets were not pets - they were family members. We joke now that mom used to take the pets to the vet more than she took us to the doctor. This was what I knew.

So when I saw that peaceful white seal being clubbed on the head - I froze. Then I cried. Then I asked questions. Why? HOW?

It was around this same time that I went to my first Body Shop on a visit to my sister's. I don't know if any of you remember The Body Shop when it first came to the states, but it had tons and tons of pamphlets on animal testing, endangered species and animal abuse. It was the first time that a company seemed more focused on making a difference then making a buck (unfortunately, after Anita Roddick sold the company, it lost a bit of it's focus - but I'm still a dedicated shopper).

The more I read, the more I was disgusted, and the more I wanted to DO SOMETHING. So at 18, on my way off to Santa Clara University, I decided to stop eating meat.

This was 1994, people. There was no Boca burger, no Whole Foods (at least not near where I lived), no tofu paté (can you even imagine), and frankly, I didn't really educate myself on how to get the protein and nutrients that I needed. So what happened? A few years later a then 98 pound healthy teenager became an 85 pound 20-year-old anemic. After getting sick of the shots of B-12 (and my mom getting sick of telling people "no, my daughter is not anorexic"), I made a trip to the doctor - who basically told me I had to eat meat. Yes, I was a stupid 20-year-old that trusted her doctor and thought that really was my only option. So I started to eat meat again.

Fast forward to a year ago. Trip was taking an Environmental Ethics class and we were getting into these passionate discussions about the horrible environmental impact of the meat industry. Independent of that I was having conversations with a co-worker about the state of the meat industry and all the gross icky funk thats in it all. The stars were aligning. Some crazy force was beating me over the head - "you should not be eating meat!" So over lunch one day I told my friend the fish I was eating would be my last, that I was going to go back to work and print out a bunch of information to support my case for when I would tell Trip that evening.

On my drive my home I even practiced in my head what I would tell him. "It's not just an ethical choice, but an environmental one, too..."

The phone rings.

Me: Hi sweetie bear pumpkin face (or something like that).

Trip: Hello love of my life to which the sun rises and sets (or something like that). I've been reading for my Environmental Ethics class, and the more I think about it, the more I really want to become a vegetarian.

Me: (silence)

Trip: Hello? Did you hear me?

Me: (cannot speak as I am overcome by how much that crazy force REALLY wants me to become a vegetarian)

I don't know if you believe in fate folks, but you have to admit this is crazy. Whats even more amazing is how easily we transitioned into this new lifestyle. For two people that would eat sushi about once a week, we both just had this immediate change. In our heads, in our hearts, in our bodies - it just happened. And the rest is, well, a meatless history.

Which bring me to today. A year later. Now, even all you die-hard meat eaters must be slightly concerned with the recent 143 million pounds of beef recall - the largest meat recall in its history. I'm not trying to preach (don't eat meat) or convert (don't eat meat) or brainwash (don't eat meat). In fact, I don't even care if you give up meat or not (even though you should). But if you aren't willing to give up meat completely, at least try getting your meat from a less-alarming source. When buying your meat, just remember that the more you go with eco-meat, the better the chance that producers will change their ways. Check out the eat well guide to find where to get wholesome, fresh, sustainable food. You will make a difference!