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                              Vegetarian and Vegan, It’s not what you think

People from all walks of life are doing it for various reasons. For some people it’s a love of animals and disgust for the inhumane treatment they receive. For others it’s an environmental issue and a part of living green. Many people get hooked for the health benefits and weight loss. The numbers are growing and chances are you know at least one person living this lifestyle. A common misconception is that being vegetarian or vegan will limit your food choices. It may seem that way initially but I found the opposite to be true once I got cooking. It actually opened me up to a whole new world of food and made me realize what a limited rut I was in. There is an incredible variety of things to nourish and sustain the human body beyond meat.

Food is a passion of mine and eating out is an intense hobby so it gave me a chance to get creative in the kitchen and at restaurants. There was a time when I felt very much the minority but these days everywhere I roam I meet vegetarians and vegans of all ages and walks of life with very individual motivations and stories.

Here is what a few Southern Californians had to say;

Sarah Consorti is a medical student and her daughter Ava is almost 3 years old. Sarah’s sister had tried for years to get her to become vegetarian by sending her videos of animal cruelty and articles about the health benefits but something clicked for her when Ava began picking the little pieces of meat out of every dish. Sarah said “I think it was a combination of my sister opening my eyes to the suffering animals go through to become my dinner and my daughter unknowingly supporting it. The fact that I am skinnier doesn’t hurt my enthusiasm either”

Darian Salisbury- Mabunga works for the Santa Monica courthouse. “I became vegetarian 2 years ago for two reasons. One, I love animals and just couldn’t contribute to the brutality of factory farming by purchasing meat and the second reason is health. My father died early in life of heart disease and I, myself was dealing with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Since becoming vegetarian my cholesterol is at an all time low and my blood pressure is better. For me there is no denying the benefits.”

Kevin Scott works in Santa Monica, CA as a service advisor for Mercedes. “I was a major meat eater all of my life until I watched a documentary called Earthlings. It hit me how much my consumption had an impact on animals and the planet. I started to eat vegetarian about 4 years ago and it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever doone for myself. I thought it would be difficult but it’s just a choice.”

Mayte Delgado is a photographer living in Pasadena, CA. She said “Since childhood I have been a vegetarian but still ate dairy and fish. The defining moment that pushed me to become vegan was when a friend took me to a FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) conference in 2005. I learned how the dairy and seafood industries operate and have been vegan ever since.”

Living without animal products can be a challenge since most of us were conditioned to think of eating meat as essential like breathing air. However, awareness about health, the environment and how we objectify animals is growing. Even though it is far from the norm, many people do care about the larger picture when they are given all the information.

Veggie Delight

Granada Hills,CA

 Good Chinese is So Cal. FINALLY and vegan. You've got to be kidding. I am so there on a weekly basis. They make all their protein/faux meats right there on sight. I particulary loved the Roasted Duck.

It is a little cafe on Chatsworth Blvd. It is super inexpensive too. My girlfriend and I ordered 3 entrees,2 glasses of wine,soup and tea and it was $40 before tip. Unbelieveable!!!!!

LOVED IT!!!!

Vinh Loi Tofu

Reseda,CA

This little cafe is Vietnamese and vegan which I didn't know existed.Kevin Tran has been creating vegan dishes with authentic Vietnamese flavor since 2003. It's amazing what he does with tofu. I love the house special soup with rice noodles, spicy peanut broth and combo of veg fish,chicken and shrimp and the spring rolls are off the hook delicious. I have loved every dish here and even pop in weekly just to pick up his prepared tofu to bring home. There is also a dish created just for kids called Tofu nuggests and is served with tofu french fries.One of a kind and not to be missed.

Madeleines Bistro

Tarzana,,CA

This is one of the best vegan restaurant in the United States and I have been to a lot. It's a charming little candlelit room with elegant music and great service. The chef is French trained and it shows in all of his beautiful and beyond delicious entrees. I always start with the beet tartar because it's a little plate of heaven.If you grew up eating fried chicken and sometimes miss it, you have found a place that can fulfill that craving. I have taken many friends there and this is what they have all said.

Another thing to consider is checking out Animalacres.org and becoming a member by donating to the rescued animals at this sanctuary. When you become a member you get a card that gets you 10% off each visit to Madeleines.

Last but not least David has cooking classes. He has cooked for and taught many high profile people and his classes are still very reasonable.

VegiTerranean

I had the pleasure of hitting this spot last year and LOVED it. I had some kind of root vegetable dish and ate myself into a state. My husband and I brought along his parents and two of their friends.I wasn't sure how that would go but I badly wanted to check it out so I requested it. They were skeptical which is understandable since they are older and have eaten meat all of their lives. Once the drinks started flowing and we met Chrissie they started to get impressed.Funny but true even though I doubt they know who The Pretenders are. In the end the place was so much fun and the food was fantastically delicious. Everyone had to admit that and our guests just kept saying "How do they make these things without meat?" That always amuses me.

This place is stylish and has kind of a hip,place to be vibe. I remember it being in this older part of town that was very interesting. I was impressed by the atmosphere and the food. I will definately go back.

 Ristoranti Margutta

  When in Rome...

   An artists haven. This place is so gorgeous with origional artwork EVERYWHERE,spacious and dimly lit. The menu was in Italian and I could pick out certain works but no matter of course the waiter spoke english and I created my own dish. I  ordered a pasta with tofu and veggies with spicy sauce and a full bodied red and had such a great evening. I don't think you can have a bad night in Rome but this was such a great place.

                                            10 days in Iowa and Vegan?

                                              By Deanna Dylan Scott

   Let me begin by stating that I like a challenge however I was surprised to find that contrary to popular carnivore belief things are changing even in Iowa.

   Being vegan in Los Angeles, California is a cinch. We have so many great restaurants that cater to us and even the ones who don’t will  do their best when asked. The grocery stores with incredible veg items are abundant. I live in my insular vegetable world here happy, healthy and satisfied.

   I am from Des Moines, Iowa and my family, for the most part still reside there. My husband and I visit often and even have property there now. Therefore I have a vested interest in what these Iowans have going on.

  My last trip to Des Moines was 10 days long and I worked it out vegan style. Once I discovered New City Market it all started to come together. They are a natural food grocery store with many of the items I am used to in California. They have great vegetables and organic items on every shelf, not to mention many of the vegetarian meat alternatives that I love. They are at 48^th and University and they are the first place I go after landing and securing the rental car. During my time there I also shopped at Dahls, Super Target and HyVee and found that the tofu stashed in the corner is now a thing of the past. You can choose from an array of veggie burgers, chillins, my name for faux chicken patties and many other items for the humane shopper. It was fun to go to the farmers market in Valley Junction and taste the homemade gazpacho, pick up a few yellow zucchini and listen to the bands.

   Dining out with family and friends is a necessity in life for me so two evenings we went to Chucks at 3610 6^th Avenue on the north side of town which is like a landmark and has been there since before I was born. Let’s just say a bit over thirty years. Both nights I had the spaghetti marinara with chopped black and green olives and a simple green salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was fantastic. Bellisimo.  I met friends on two different occasions for sushi. One evening at Taki at 2677 86^th street in Urbandale (they sell cute shirts that read Got Rice?) and another dinner at Zen, downtown at 400 Walnut. Yes, they have sushi in Iowa now. I am a vegan who does sushi restaurants but not fish if you get my drift. I ordered the same way there that I do in LA. I got edamame, miso soup and rolls. One roll with tofu, cucumber and avocado with a bit of spice on the top and one I left up to the chef. I just said “be creative with the vegetables and it can’t be too hot.”

   The most encouraging part of my latest trip to Iowa was the barbecue that my mom put together for the family with 100% vegetarian items. To see my entire Midwestern family eating this way even if only for a day was extraordinary.

   The products are available and the restaurants will accommodate you wherever you roam. It isn’t difficult, it’s merely a choice. If I can do it in Iowa I am convinced it can be done anywhere.

The first place to go when arriving in Savannah is the grocery store named Brighter Day. They have all the products a vegetarian or vegan is familiar with and a tremendous deli and juice bar with a really friendly staff and vegan dishes made fresh daily. It sits on Forsythe park and has tables outside.

A Brighter Day

1102 Bull street

Next for a cool day hang check out the Mellow Mushroom because they actually have tons of Veg items and tofu,tempeh and portabello mushoom sandwiches. I loved their food!!! It's the kind of place people come to and hang out with friends. Lots of people brought their dogs because there are many outdoor tables on a popular street.Lot's of action and things to check out.They serve alcohol. What more could you want?.

Mellow Mushroom

11 West Liberty street

For fine dining Aligator Soul is a beautiful place. You go down the steps and the restaurant is below the street. It's a gorgeous room and very cozy. Excellent wine list and the chef will make you a special vegetarian plate with seasonal veggies. He is a chef not a cook and I was amazed by what an innovative and tasty dinner he created for us.It was magnificant.

Aligator Soul

114 Barnard Street

1. Earth balance spread- It looks,spreads and tastes like butter. It's vegan. AMAZING!!

2. Veganaise- The mayo alternative that is better than the origional. I am addicted to it

3. Any of the deli sliced Tofurky products but especially the peppered tofurky

4.Tofu- It's the great chameleon. You just have to experiment and use different methods of cooking. The sauce is the key element

5.Morningstar vegan grillers but you have to grill them. Go all the way and get all the stuff you LOVE. I do all the condiments and grilled mushrooms,pickles and vegan cheese.

6. Collard green wraps- SImply get the collard greens and envelope whatever you wish inside like a burrito.

7.Quinoa- to me it's between brown rice and couscous- high protein

8.Spaghetti with marinara and green olives

9.Veg burritos- Tempeh,black beans,avocado,jalapenos,tomatoes,vegan cheese and onions. You can also do roasted garlic and vegan cheese over the top and salsa. Perfecto!!

10.Ahlaska Chocolate syrup (non-Dairy)

To name a few

More to come.....

The Wickedness of Man

By Deanna Dylan Scott

And God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and the fowl of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. In this passage from the bible God grants man power over animals which I personally think is very convenient for atrocities to be committed and not answered for when misinterpreted. With this responsibility should come respect for life and compassion. What ever your beliefs what is being done in the factory farm system is inhumane. It is our problem and our business to stop this cruel treatment of animals. After all, it is our money that these corporations are funded by.

This is of significance to anyone who believes all creatures deserve to be treated humanely. The bible gives us responsibility for animals not carte blanche to do as we please with no regard for decency.

In the hellish factory farms animals are tortured and treated as products, mere objects from the second they are born until the moment they are killed. They are inseminated and fed by machines. They are never touched by other animals or human hands. They are shot up with 2,700 different kinds of hormones, tranquilizers and antibiotics which by the way you eventually eat and feed to your children.

These animals are in jail. They are confined to small cages or stalls their entire existence. For no crime committed they serve a life sentence in prison. Their prison makes our jails for criminals look like camp. They will never see the sun or touch the earth.

According to Matthew Scully’s research in the book Dominion four corporations are the major producers of meat in the United States. They are responsible for 81% of cows killed, 73% of sheep, 60 % of the pigs killed and half of the chickens.

According to The Pork Producers Council 80 million of the 95 million animals killed each year are reared in mass confinement.

Gail Einetz wrote a very disturbing book called Slaughterhouse. She interviewed numerous employees of slaughterhouses. Nathan Price, a worker at Carolina Foods was asked if there are cases where the hogs aren’t stunned properly. Nathan replied “All the time, because you are killing 16,000 pigs per shift.You can’t stun them all. Some of them come out kicking and raising hell. Sometimes you have to chase them and beat them with a pipe or whatever you can get your hands on.” The pigs are then downed and shackled alive as he put it. Often they still can’t be killed because they are flailing about so they are dropped into a scalding tank. This is the very definition of inhumane. It is not efficient or with a limited amount of pain as many people would like to believe.

Martin Fuentes, a worker at IBP slaughterhouse stated simply “The line is never stopped just because some of the animals are still alive.”

Ramon Moreno, also an IBP worker has the job of cutting off the hooves of strung up cows passing by at 309 cows an hour. When they reach him they are supposed to be stunned and killed already but often they are not. Moreno says “They blink, make noises, their heads move and their eyes are open and still looking around.” They can see and feel what is happening to them. They die piece by piece as they are sliced up and the flesh is ripped off their bodies. It is disgusting and horrible and they do not deserve it.

This is about money! It simply wouldn’t be cost effective to stop the line and make sure the animals weren’t being slowly and horrifically tortured.

These animals cry like babies and try to escape. There have been cases where the animals escape and run like the wind but they are just caught and brought back to this hell.

This is wrong and it is our responsibility. It is thoughtless and unnecessary, not to mention creepy and incredibly cold. They deserve to walk in the grass, to play with each other and to see the sun.

Ghandi said “I do believe that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants.”

Thoreau said “I have no doubt that it is part of the destiny of the human race, in it’s gradual improvement to leave off eating animals.”

There are things that can be done. These corporations can’t survive without our support.

Becoming a vegetarian is a great way of life. It isn’t difficult. It’s a choice ! It isn’t only better for the animals. It is amazing for your own health and energy level.

If you just can’t give up eating animals you could drastically decrease the amount or purchase free range products where theoretically the animals have some kind of actual life although there is no guarantee because the free range farms are not monitored for assurance of humane treatment and no set amount of free roaming time is logged or checked in any way. A vegetarian diet is the only way you can truly say you are not a part of this problem.

Hopefully more and more people will embrace a vegetarian lifestyle. For those of you who don’t I hope the next time you bite into that juicy burger you will at least be aware that an animal gave it’s life for you to enjoy that sandwich and not just in death but from the moment it was born.

1. Earthlings- It is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and is a real experience and education
2. Fast food Nation- Definately worth seeing to really get a sense of how behind white walls the whole meat industry is and how it gives people a false idea of the cruel reality these animals and even the workers are experiencing
3. Food,Inc- New and I will be seeing it at the theater with you all

Life is funny in both humorous and strange ways. I have been feeling very positive in the past few years about the increase of awareness about the objectification of animals but I must admit in deciding to do a blog and reading some others it is disturbing how many people think.I have to remind myself that there will always be an opposing side to everything. There will always be people who disagree,agree or are indifferent to anything and everything I think and feel.It's a hard reality in life but truth.

I am insatiable with news and information but sometimes I need to take breaks because it does become more apparrent that no matter how much you strive and create an incredible circle of people around you with compassion,intelligence and awareness,there are still people creating other kinds of circles.The dark circles!!LOL but true. I could go way off the subject but this blog is meant to be about vegetarianism so I won't. I might need more blogs.

For me not eating meat the first few years had challenges. Then giving up sushi and cheese was the challenge but it turned out not be a big D once I learned what had to be done for me to have these items. I discovered that I didn't care about things or food in the same way when I found out that torture and pain were involved for other people and animals for me to have these things. It just wasn't as sweet and in many cases made me feel sick. So I guess what I have come to now is that no matter what others are doing or what is the norm if it doesn't feel right to me from it's origion or creation I'm out. I have evolved beyond my conditioning and it feels awesome.

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Deanna Dylan Scott AWESOME!!!
Hoping the best for Adam

The PETA Files: Beastie Boy Goes Vegan to Fight Cancer Source: blog.peta.org In July, Beastie Boys bass guitarist Adam Yauch—aka MCA—was diagnosed with cancer. After