Animal Cruelty........

I'm absolutely disgusted.

      Sick to my stomach. 

                I've seen a lot of cruel and unusual things in my life, but THIS was cruel, pointless,               AND gross.

I'm actually mad.  Furious.  Pissed. 

IS.

IT. 

NECESSARY.   ??????? <---- THATS the question.  (I already know the answer)


So, I went to the MN State Fair Today and was looking forward to my vegan endeavors in the midst of the carnivore nation.  I was content doing my own searching and seeking out the secretly vegan items at the various food joints.  I ate  deep fried pickles, cotton candy, fresh fries, vegetarian spring rolls, falafa.... it was fabulous! I feel like violet from charlie in the chocolate factory now, but it was totally worth it!  Especially for those deep fried pickles with hot sauce! 

After getting my food kick, I decided to take a gander over to the art building to take a look at the amazing art that people entered into the fair.  I saw awesome paintings, portraits, and unique abstract art.... and then I saw it.  I saw the thing that took my breath away.  Literally, I couldn't breathe because I was utterly disgusted.  Yep, you heard it right.... I was disgusted by art.  Here is what I saw.  

Tons of rodents. 

Dead rodents.

They were hunted (obviously not for food), skinned, and plastered onto a canvas. 

Taxidermy after hunting is one thing.. and something that I can at least wrap my mind around if done after using the animal for food.. but THIS WAS WRONG.  It was ugly and wasteful.  What do you think of it? 

San Francisco

While I was in San Francisco, I had all sorts of different food experiences. Of them all, Tuk Tuk Thai off of Union was BY FAR the best experience!  Oh my goodness!  I was so thrilled with the food that I got that I took pictures of the food that my travelers were eating as well!  Seriously fabulous!  I feel so fortunate that I am able to go to Thailand and experience the beautiful culture and food!  I also ate a place called Boudin, which is a sourdough bread bakery and restaurant.  They didn't have any noticeably vegan items on the menu, but when I asked the waiter if there were any vegan options he was more than willing to talk with the chef to see what has been done in the past.  I was able to custom order some mushroom risotto (which was made without cheese or butter) and MAN was it delicious! I was so thankful for the waiter and the chef who were so willing to accommodate my needs.  Please, vegans, make sure to THANK chefs and waiters who are even remotely accommodating to vegans... leaving a positive impression of vegans will only help to spread a positive reputation and make restaurants more likely to come out with a vegan option!  If you feel comfortable talking with chefs or managers about possibly adding a vegan option, that would be awesome as well!

On my first day in San Francisco I went to a restaurant called Pier 23.  Once again, nothing on the menu jumped out to me as being vegan or even vegetarian.  I asked the waitress and she said that they would be able to throw together some angel hair pasta, okra, mushrooms, onions, peppers, squash, and olive oil. I was more than happy to accept!  I threw an Italian dressing that I requested on top of the pasta dish and it was absolutely fabulous!  I ate the entire thing! 

I got a portabella mushroom burger that was also fabulous!  and eggplant parmigiana.... that was absolutely TERRIBLE!  I literally didn't eat but 1/4 of the meal because it was so gross! Fortunately that was pretty much the only bad thing I got on the trip!  I never did make it to any of the restaurants on my "to do" list, but I feel more fortunate to have found acceptable vegan options at a variety of "unknown" restaurants.  I feel very confident in my ability to order vegan at    very non-vegan restaurants because of all of these trips I have been taking.    Here are some pictures of my delicious meal at Tuk Tuk Thai!  If you ever get the chance to go to San Francisco, I highly recommend going there! 

Pad Thai

Wanton Soup

Cashew Raisin Fried Rice 

And THIS is MY baby!  Thai Green Curry with vegetables, Tofu, and Rice.... FRICKEN YEA!

My Decision

Just as with any important decision that you make in your life, its extremely important to be confident and knowledgeable in your decision to go vegan.  One of the greatest challenges I have faced thus far is not knowing all of my facts when they are inquired... While this may not hurt ME in my path to living vegan (because I'm already set in my ways), it definitely can hinder those who you are spreading the word to, because it makes vegans as a whole sound uneducated and ignorant of their decisions.  That said, I have been reading a lot of information pertaining to all of the reason why people become vegan.  Information that might reach one person might be completely de-valued and unimportant to another and therefore it is important to have a rounded knowledge on the benefits of going vegan.  My goal in life isn't necessarily to "convert" people to become vegan.. but i believe that this knowledge is to be shared with those who wish to receive it and they can do with it what they will! Some of the reasons why people go vegan are: 

1. For the Animals
2. For their Health
3. For the Environment
4. For the Global Poor

Regardless of the reason why you went Vegan, its important to be educated on reasons why others might be inclined to become vegan.  Unfortunately, some people really might not care about animal rights and well-being (and they are entitled to that mindset if they so wish), but they might be drawn to the personal health benefits of being vegan, or the benefits it has on the environment, or the benefits it has towards fighting world hunger..... regardless of the reason why someone might open up to being vegan, its important to have knowledge to share with those who inquire.  You would be amazed at the impact that you can have on someone's life.  I can honestly say that without my boyfriends sister in-law I would probably be eating grilled chicken right now.   Do not de-value the power of your own voice.  There is power in your voice and their is power in education.  Though people may not always agree with you... (can you blame them, the answers to health and wellness are so much more within their reach than they would have ever known, it seems too good to be true)  education helps those who might not agree with you to atleast support your personal decision.   

I read a GREAT book recently called "Veganist" by Kathy Freston.  Kathy talked all about the "lean" into being vegan rather than diving head first into it... Each chapter covers different information on the benefits of going vegan and fact and studies to back it up.  Her book is so inspiring because it talks about every step towards a plant based diet being a valuable move towards health and wellness.  She asserts that while some people may be 100% vegan and that's great, some people may choose to employ "meatless monday" and that's great too!  Its not about perfection, its about the "lean".  I would love to see the people I love and care about make the same choices for their health as I have for mine, but I cannot force anyone to make that decision.  I encourage all vegans to make an active choice not to pressure, judge, or attack those who do not feel the same way as you do about animal rights (or whatever reason you have for being vegan).  Attacking those who don't feel the same will only push them away further.  Instead, lead by example and be willing to educate whenever necessary.  Educate yourself and you will educate the world.  Any effort towards eating a plant based diet is an effort to be praised.  Be thankful for "the lean".

Getting Ready to Head to Thailand

I'm leaving for Thailand in 2 months and 3 days!  Wow, time really flew by!  As I prepare, I'm getting all of my documents ready to apply for my visa.  While I am in Thailand I will be working at the Father Ray Foundation with children and adults with disabilities.  I'm super excited to experience the culture of Thailand!  Additionally, I've heard GREAT things about Thai food and have certainly enjoyed every bit that I have tried! I make a mean Thai curry soup! That said, I have been reading up of different Thai recipes and am going to make an attempt to make as much of them as possible before I leave! I am so excited to experience the simple pleasures of fruit and vegetables that are locally grown as I did in Haiti!  Here is a popular site that I am so excited to be part of! 

How can i NOT be excited for this delicious array of tropical fruits!?!? 

I will be working to teach English and Independent Living Skills to children and adults with disabilities as well as working in a home for orphans.  I am so excited to be able to be part of the mission of this organization as it pairs perfectly with the mission I have driven my life by and that is to treat all with respect and to encourage the independence of people with disabilities in all aspects of life!  LOVE it!  So excited! Here is where I will be working while I am there: 

And here is where I will be staying: 

And here is some pictures of the property I will be staying on! How gorgeous is THIS!?!? (click the link to see it!  feel free to look through some of the other pictures! )

So anyway, I am waiting patiently to head off to Thailand and be part of the beautiful mission of the organization! I am looking forward to spreading my talents and my passion to the mission of the organization there!  I am so blessed to have this opportunity! When I pack, I must pack clothes that cover my shoulders and knees as it is part of Thai culture that these parts are covered!  Once I apply for my visa and get accepted for it, I will be all set to go! Yay for traveling! I'm so excited! I can't even tell you!

How to Feed The World? Go Vegan  - Check out that link to the video posted by Veganasaurus!  

Vegan on the Run....

Sorry its been so long since I've posted anything, my life has been absolutely CRAZY! I have been traveling a lot lately and am currently in Duluth, MN looking at the beautiful lake superior! 

 

Duluth is such a fabulously beautiful place! I am so happy to have the opportunity to be here!  If you have never been here, I highly suggest it as a wonderful vacation spot!  It is located on Lake Superior, the worlds largest freshwater lake!  As I am here, I am faced with the challenge of finding affordable vegan cuisine... of course, I kind of enjoy the challenge.  I have mostly had a lot of salads these days... but am extremely happy to announce that I tried Denny's vegan burger which I found to be absolutely DELICIOUS and very affordable.  While I do not plan to spend my entire life consuming veggie burgers, I thought it was a great find especially for a pretty grand scale restaurant.  I was very impressed and will definitely being going there again! 

Let me think..... I will be going to a couple vegan restaurants this weekend, but I don't have a lot to report on the vegan channel.  I'm very excited to have a few days to eat home cooked meals and work out before I head off on another trip! Being vegan is great, but I still wish I had the time to be an active human being! Looking ahead, I will be heading to San Fransisco and am bound and determined to try some of the vegan restaurants in town!  I have wanted to return to the beautiful San Fransisco since the day I left! Here are the restaurants I want to try! If you have been there, please comment and let me know how it is!  I will post about any and all restaurants I visit while I am there! 

http://www.source-sf.com/our_food.php - Source (literally everything looks and sounds like plant-based deliciousness)

http://www.anandafuara.com/html/menu/main_menu.html - AnandaFuara (looks a little bit more expensive, but you never know)

http://www.herbivorerestaurant.com/Main_menu.pdf - Herbivore (maaaannnn I want to go here too!!!)

http://www.gracias-madre.com/web/menu.php - Gracias Madre (Doubt the group I'm with will want to go to this place, but maybe another time)

http://www.goldeneravegan.com/GoldenEra_Menu.pdf - I wont be with the worlds most food adventurous crowd, but sometimes the taste buds of the groups surprise ya! Decent Prices

I MUST GO TO THIS with the group:  Ferry Building Farmers' Market on Saturdays and the Marin San Rafael Farmers' Market on Sunday..  ALIVE! <--http://www.aliveveggie.com/ will be selling vegan food there! 

http://lovinghut.us/sanfrancisco/menu/lh_sf1_menu.pdf - Vegan, delicious, AND super cheap! heck yes! 

http://biglantern.com/ - Asian and ALSO super affordable!

http://ilikeikesplace.com/ - AWESOME looking sandwich place!

http://www.jayscheesesteak.com/ - This place looks really cool and good!  And friendly to the picky taste buds of my travelers!

12 Tips For Leaning Into a Plant-Based Diet Successfully!

1. Start by making vegan version of you favorite meals (tacos, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, burgers, wraps, sandwiches etc)

2. Shop for a few staples to have around the house such as a few cans of black beans, garbanzo beans, canned tomato, rice or almond milk, seasonings, etc.

3. Try new recipes that you feel comfortable with

4. Lean into trying new foods and taking food out.

5. "Crowd out" bad habbits with healthy new habits. (ex. if you love ice cream and want to eat it every day, get lots of fresh fruits and juices and make homemade popcicles from 100% fruit) 

6. Dont throw in the towel if you struggle or dont so things perfectly.  This is your own journey.

7. Do your research!  The more research you get your hands on, the more committed you will be to your decision.  

8.  Don't tell yourself that you "can't" have certain things, but rather that you "choose not to" for your own personal health, for animal rights, for the environment, or for the world's poor (whichever fits you best).

9. Pay attention to how you feel and the health benefits you are encountering.

10.  Eat balanced meals and be nutrient concious!  When making meals, make sure you have good sources of calcium (green veggies have it too) and protein, and fat etc.... Vegan diets CAN be completely unhealthy if you limit yourself to only eating cheap vegan junk food<-- that type of eating will not reap the amazing health benefits that a true balanced plant-based diet will.  

11.  Plan meals ahead of time.  If you are in a crunch, thats when it becomes difficult to avoid animal products because you are rushed and hungry.  Not planning ahead it also a sure tell way of assuring that you dont eat healthy.

12.  Keep veggies and fruits readily available and pre-cut in the fridge so that they are just within an arms reach when you are snacking.