ANSWERS YOUR VEGAN QUESTIONS!
August 13, 2010 Subject: Telling My Mum I'm Vegan
Dear Lindsay:
Hello!
My name is Melanie. I'm 15 years old, and have been vegetarian for almost a year and a half.
Two of my three sisters are vegetarian as well, and I have a few vegetarian friends. Now, I think I am ready to be Vegan! There is nothing stopping me by way of will power. It's just that I'm not sure how to consult my mum about it. See, she's already concerned about how expensive being vegetarian is... I am more than capable and willing to cook my own meals so she doesn't have to, but she feels bad when I do things like that - she wants to be a mummy! When I made the transition to vegetarian, anytime I looked at a piece of meat, all I could see was the poor animal's face and what it must have felt in it's final moments. And now, after educating myself on the dairy industry, when I reach for a piece of cheese to put atop my pasta, all I can see is that poor cow's living condition.
So my question for you is this:
How do I talk to my mum to get her on board with veganism? Should I buy my own groceries? Should I buy her an easy vegan cookbook so she's not overwhelmed? How do I do this??
Thank You!
~ Melanie, British Columbia
Dear Melanie:
Thank you so much for getting in touch with me!!
First of all, you rock for being so young and wanting to go vegan! The choice you are making - to abstain from eating animal products and to live vegan - is the absolute best choice you can make for your health, your overall well being, the animals, and the earth. Congrats!
Okay, I should start by saying that when I went vegan almost two years ago, my mom was scared at first too. Believe it or not, my mom now eats completely vegan as a result of seeing how easy and rewarding it's been for me. Cooking has become an exciting adventure for my mom and me as she's learned how many wonderful, fun, and delicious foods she can make on a vegan diet.
I think the best thing you can do for your mom is to assure her that this choice has nothing to do with your love for her or you no longer wanting to connect with her. I would make it clear that this is a very personal choice and one that you would love to share with her - but one that you need her to respect and accept as best as she can. The more positive you are about your decision, the better. I definitely think it's a great idea to share new cooking recipes with her - and make it fun! Take her grocery shopping and plan a veggie burger or taco night, and have all of the ingredients be colorful, fun, and inviting. Make dinner with your mom, make dinner for your mom, and then make a vegan cake or cupcakes for dessert and ice them together! Find ways to celebrate your new choice with your mom, and your positive energy will rub off on her in the long-term - I promise.
There's a wonderful and compelling story about a meat-eating father and his vegetarian teenage daughter in John Robbin's The Food Revolution - I highly recommend reading it and sharing with your mom!
Also, a great book to buy for her is A Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living, by Beverly Lynn Bennett and Ray Sammartano. This book covers everything and is a great starter kit for her - and you!
And this needs to be said - eating vegan does NOT have to be expensive! Organic canned beans, nuts, organic soy and nut milks, fresh veggies and fruits, and whole grains bought in bulk are incredibly cheap and, along with a vegan multi-vitamin and vegan B-12 supplement, should most likely be as much - or less - than eating animal products. Of course, if you want to eat a little fancier - using fake meats, special products, etc. - then, it gets to be a little more pricey. But in the long run - and you should inform your mom about this - eating a healthy, balanced plant-based diet will ultimately save you on medical costs, since you will be eating in the healthiest possible way for your body. The long-term costs will be cheaper and more beneficial for you, especially since animal products contain so much saturated fat, cholesterol, and way too much protein for us to be able to absorb nutrients (like calcium) properly.
Books like The Kind Diet, Skinny Bitch, Eating Animals, Diet for a New America, The China Study, Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating, and The Vegan Sourcebook are all great places to start in terms of educating yourself and your mom about the unbelievably positive benefits of a vegan diet.
Also, there's a few great cookbooks out there -
How It All Vegan, by Sarah Kramer (also check out Vegan A Go Go), Vegan with a Vengeance, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz (also check out Vegan Brunch, Veganomicon, or Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World), Vegan Yum Yum, by Lauren Ulm, and 500 Vegan Recipes by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman , to begin with!
Finally, share my blog and other positive vegan blogs with her! Show her all of the beautiful, happy, positive aspects of this way of life. Going vegan changed the way I see the world - yes, I saw plenty of cruelty and abuse as I began to open my eyes to the horrors of the way animals are handled and killed for food, clothing, and our entertainment, but I also now see so much hope in people - like you! - who are taking a brave step to help stop the madness and promote compassionate, healthy living.
I have a great page on here called "My Three Steps for Going Vegan", which you should definitely check out:
http://kissmyvegan.blogspot.
Finally, persevere, persevere, persevere. I can't tell you how many times I've answered questions similar to yours with this answer. Through your determination, your continuous positive energy, and your perseverance, your parents will see over time how important this is to you.
Don't let judgments, negativity, or ignorance stop you from going vegan, Melanie - you owe it to yourself and the world to make choices you feel amazing about. Always keep looking for ways to connect with other vegans - and know that I am ALWAYS here for you to answer any questions you have.
Thanks again for reaching out Melanie, stay strong, and please keep me updated about your progress!
July 27, 2010 Subject: Vegan Camping
Dear Lindsay:
I am going camping this summer with non-vegans. Seeing as this will be my first camping trip as a vegan, I was wondering if you had any tips and ideas for meals?
- Alexa K.
Dear Alexa:
What a perfect question for summer Alexa!
Having never camped as a vegan before, I had to do a little research to be able to give you a proper answer. What I have found is this: camping as a vegan can be an easy, fun, and delicious experience! The key here is preparation - if you make sure to stock up on staples prior to the trip, you'll be a happy camper come munching time.
Great staples to have on hand (all vegan, of course):
- Granola
- Raw nuts and dried fruits
- Peanut Butter (which should be fine for a week or so without refrigeration - at least it was when I kept it in my college dorm!)
- Crackers
- Primal Strips vegan jerky
- Rice Cakes
- Your favorite snack foods - which can range from tortilla chips to pre-made popcorn
- Dried seaweed
- Homemade or store bought fruit bars
- Oatmeal
- Shelf-stable non-dairy milks (the tiny "juice pack" sizes are perfect for trips)
- Bread of your choosing
Staples that will involve heat:
- Cans of organic beans (bring a portable can opener, of course!)
- Trader Joe's has a great line of room-temp dinners that are a bit high in sodium, but perfect for an occasional trip out in the wilderness
- Canned soups and chilis
- Pre-cooked rice in an airtight bag, which you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods
The list can go on and on depending on your budget and imagination - basically, try to bring foods that will last, and foods that do well over a grill or fire.
For more info on camping and eating vegan, check out these awesome links:
http://vegdaily.com/2009/07/help-me-get-my-camping-on-vegan-style/
http://www.recipezaar.com/
http://www.mittenmachen.com/
http://www.vegcooking.com/
http://www.thekindlife.com/
I hope this helps a bit and makes your next camping experience a delicious - and compassionate - one!
June 28, 2010 Subject: Caffeine
Dear Lindsay:
What is your take on caffeine?
August 13, 2010 Subject: Telling My Mum I'm Vegan
Dear Lindsay:
Hello!
My name is Melanie. I'm 15 years old, and have been vegetarian for almost a year and a half.
Two of my three sisters are vegetarian as well, and I have a few vegetarian friends. Now, I think I am ready to be Vegan! There is nothing stopping me by way of will power. It's just that I'm not sure how to consult my mum about it. See, she's already concerned about how expensive being vegetarian is... I am more than capable and willing to cook my own meals so she doesn't have to, but she feels bad when I do things like that - she wants to be a mummy! When I made the transition to vegetarian, anytime I looked at a piece of meat, all I could see was the poor animal's face and what it must have felt in it's final moments. And now, after educating myself on the dairy industry, when I reach for a piece of cheese to put atop my pasta, all I can see is that poor cow's living condition.
So my question for you is this:
How do I talk to my mum to get her on board with veganism? Should I buy my own groceries? Should I buy her an easy vegan cookbook so she's not overwhelmed? How do I do this??
Thank You!
~ Melanie, British Columbia
Dear Melanie:
Thank you so much for getting in touch with me!!
First of all, you rock for being so young and wanting to go vegan! The choice you are making - to abstain from eating animal products and to live vegan - is the absolute best choice you can make for your health, your overall well being, the animals, and the earth. Congrats!
Okay, I should start by saying that when I went vegan almost two years ago, my mom was scared at first too. Believe it or not, my mom now eats completely vegan as a result of seeing how easy and rewarding it's been for me. Cooking has become an exciting adventure for my mom and me as she's learned how many wonderful, fun, and delicious foods she can make on a vegan diet.
 |
| My mom and I at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, June 2010. |
There's a wonderful and compelling story about a meat-eating father and his vegetarian teenage daughter in John Robbin's The Food Revolution - I highly recommend reading it and sharing with your mom!
 |
| With my mom after a delicious - and shared! - vegan meal. |
And this needs to be said - eating vegan does NOT have to be expensive! Organic canned beans, nuts, organic soy and nut milks, fresh veggies and fruits, and whole grains bought in bulk are incredibly cheap and, along with a vegan multi-vitamin and vegan B-12 supplement, should most likely be as much - or less - than eating animal products. Of course, if you want to eat a little fancier - using fake meats, special products, etc. - then, it gets to be a little more pricey. But in the long run - and you should inform your mom about this - eating a healthy, balanced plant-based diet will ultimately save you on medical costs, since you will be eating in the healthiest possible way for your body. The long-term costs will be cheaper and more beneficial for you, especially since animal products contain so much saturated fat, cholesterol, and way too much protein for us to be able to absorb nutrients (like calcium) properly.
Books like The Kind Diet, Skinny Bitch, Eating Animals, Diet for a New America, The China Study, Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating, and The Vegan Sourcebook are all great places to start in terms of educating yourself and your mom about the unbelievably positive benefits of a vegan diet.
Also, there's a few great cookbooks out there -
How It All Vegan, by Sarah Kramer (also check out Vegan A Go Go), Vegan with a Vengeance, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz (also check out Vegan Brunch, Veganomicon, or Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World), Vegan Yum Yum, by Lauren Ulm, and 500 Vegan Recipes by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman , to begin with!
Finally, share my blog and other positive vegan blogs with her! Show her all of the beautiful, happy, positive aspects of this way of life. Going vegan changed the way I see the world - yes, I saw plenty of cruelty and abuse as I began to open my eyes to the horrors of the way animals are handled and killed for food, clothing, and our entertainment, but I also now see so much hope in people - like you! - who are taking a brave step to help stop the madness and promote compassionate, healthy living.
I have a great page on here called "My Three Steps for Going Vegan", which you should definitely check out:
http://kissmyvegan.blogspot.
Finally, persevere, persevere, persevere. I can't tell you how many times I've answered questions similar to yours with this answer. Through your determination, your continuous positive energy, and your perseverance, your parents will see over time how important this is to you.
Don't let judgments, negativity, or ignorance stop you from going vegan, Melanie - you owe it to yourself and the world to make choices you feel amazing about. Always keep looking for ways to connect with other vegans - and know that I am ALWAYS here for you to answer any questions you have.
Thanks again for reaching out Melanie, stay strong, and please keep me updated about your progress!
July 27, 2010 Subject: Vegan Camping
Dear Lindsay:
I am going camping this summer with non-vegans. Seeing as this will be my first camping trip as a vegan, I was wondering if you had any tips and ideas for meals?
- Alexa K.
Dear Alexa:
 |
| Photo courtesy of VegDaily.com |
Having never camped as a vegan before, I had to do a little research to be able to give you a proper answer. What I have found is this: camping as a vegan can be an easy, fun, and delicious experience! The key here is preparation - if you make sure to stock up on staples prior to the trip, you'll be a happy camper come munching time.
Great staples to have on hand (all vegan, of course):
- Granola
- Raw nuts and dried fruits
- Peanut Butter (which should be fine for a week or so without refrigeration - at least it was when I kept it in my college dorm!)
- Crackers
- Primal Strips vegan jerky
- Rice Cakes
- Your favorite snack foods - which can range from tortilla chips to pre-made popcorn
- Dried seaweed
- Homemade or store bought fruit bars
- Oatmeal
- Shelf-stable non-dairy milks (the tiny "juice pack" sizes are perfect for trips)
- Bread of your choosing
Staples that will involve heat:
- Cans of organic beans (bring a portable can opener, of course!)
- Trader Joe's has a great line of room-temp dinners that are a bit high in sodium, but perfect for an occasional trip out in the wilderness
- Canned soups and chilis
- Pre-cooked rice in an airtight bag, which you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods
The list can go on and on depending on your budget and imagination - basically, try to bring foods that will last, and foods that do well over a grill or fire.
For more info on camping and eating vegan, check out these awesome links:
http://vegdaily.com/2009/07/help-me-get-my-camping-on-vegan-style/
http://www.recipezaar.com/
http://www.mittenmachen.com/
http://www.vegcooking.com/
http://www.thekindlife.com/
I hope this helps a bit and makes your next camping experience a delicious - and compassionate - one!
June 28, 2010 Subject: Caffeine
Dear Lindsay:
What is your take on caffeine?
- Cheryl H., MA
Dear Cheryl:
Hmm.... that's a tough one. You see, I'm a bit of a coffee nut (or, a coffee bean, as my husband, the comedian, says). After reading Skinny Bitch and The Kind Diet, I learned how bad caffeine can be on the body (I would suggest picking up either of these to learn more), and, aside from the health detriments, there is also the environmental impact to consider, as well as the treatment of the workers.
I personally have tried all levels of the de-caffeination process - switching to black tea or green tea, caffeine-free chai teas, just not drinking coffee at all... all have led me back to my little addiction to java. The problem I find is that I'm hooked not only on that small jolt of caffeine, but also on the taste - the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee brewing equals heaven most mornings.
Here's how I've compromised: since I don't want to part with my morning cup of coffee (at least not right now), I've decided that I will only consume coffee that is certified organic, fairly traded, and shade-grown. This way, I can at least trust that the coffee was made with the best intentions and care for the workers, the animals, and the environment. And there are no pesky pesticides to worry about (yes, commercial coffee brands use pesticides!). I also try my best to only drink one mug of the stuff in the morning, and enjoy the heck out of every sip. Jim's Organic Coffee is a brand I'm loving right now (as pictured on the right).
I would say that if you have a drink you love that happens to contain caffeine in it - limit yourself. If you're someone who drinks ten diet sodas a day, cut back little by little until you're only enjoying one daily. Make it a treat - not something you take for granted. Don't drink your coffee/soda/tea while on the move - sit your butt down and savor it! One day, you might find that you don't need or even want your drink of choice at all. At least you'll be limiting your intake in the meantime.
My husband has done a wonderful job of massively cutting back his caffeine intake, so I thought I'd bring him on for this answer. Take it away Steve...
Steve says:
Let's talk about the "C" word first.
I remember my junior year of high school was the first year that I fell victim to....(insert loud "DUN DUN DUUUUUUN" here)... coffee. Every morning, up bright and early, drinking a couple (.... a few?) cups of joe to wake up me and keep me up. Unfortunately, as we all know, while I was able to wake up and stay up for awhile, I would always crash hard later on in the day. This is the predicament of caffeine. It's the promise for some short term energy and alertness (sometimes with too many jitters!) for the price of a mid-day burnout.
Recently, I got myself off of coffee (with occasional cups every once in a while - and of my choosing, not because I need it) and I feel much, much better. Brendan Brazier, author of Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, talks about eliminating biological debt from your life. When he speaks of "biological debt," he is referring the state your body goes into after the energy you've gained from whatever stimulant you've consumed has gone away.
Think of it like this: drinking coffee in the morning to boost your energy is like taking out a loan - a loan on energy. You take out this loan to help you out for the time-being, but you know you're going to have to pay back the loan eventually. Now, the smaller the loan, the easier it'll be to pay back. You'll probably even be able to handle paying it back quicker. However, the larger the loan, the tougher it's going to be - in quantity and duration. Sometimes, you'll need to take out more loans to help out with the first loan and, before you know it, you're paying back multiple loans that have accumulated tons of interest. Was it really worth it in the end?
That's what your body goes with when you consume lots of caffeine. And just like the loans, you end up spending more than you actually get. So, if you stick to the coffee, keep the loans at a minimum. One 8 oz. cup in the morning and try to lay off the rest of the day. Come afternoon, if it's gonna happen, keep it small. I just read somewhere that coffee takes 12-14 hours to be eliminated from your system. So mid/late-afternoon pick-me-ups might end up keeping you up come midnight!
For more info on the health side of things, take a look at Thrive or Skinny Bastard/Bitch (where you'll find out all the yucky things in most caffeinated drinks and what it does to your body).
I gave up soda awhile ago. Honestly, there are plenty of tasty drinks out there for you without the caffeine, aspartame, crazy yucky high fructose corn syrup and all the other junk. Still want soda? Try GuS (Grown-up Soda!) or another organic bubbly pop. It's very yummy, 100% natural and has no preservatives or caffeine. Just like Lindsay said, make it more of a treat than the beverage of choice every meal of the day.
Here are three rules I live by (or try to live by, or should live by): 1) Tea over coffee. Yerba mate or green tea are your best choices. Yerba mate, a South American plant used to make tea-like infusions, is one of the top forms of stimulation when it comes to health. It contains a trace amount of caffeine but distributes the energy differently than other stimulants and delivers less "crash" after. Matcha green tea slowly releases its energy over the span of several hours too, avoiding giving you the jitters and other stress. 2) A good night sleep and good, whole foods during your day. If you get good sleep and are eating good food (less processed, more natural and whole), then you should have plenty of energy to take you through your day. 3) It's a treat, not a necessity. Even I like to treat myself to a coffee or chai every once in a while. But I'm not going to make it a habit. And if I do, I am depending on YOU to lead my de-caffeination intervention!
June 4, 2010 Subject: NJ/NYC Vegan Wedding Help!
Dear Lindsay:
Dear Cheryl:
Hmm.... that's a tough one. You see, I'm a bit of a coffee nut (or, a coffee bean, as my husband, the comedian, says). After reading Skinny Bitch and The Kind Diet, I learned how bad caffeine can be on the body (I would suggest picking up either of these to learn more), and, aside from the health detriments, there is also the environmental impact to consider, as well as the treatment of the workers.
I personally have tried all levels of the de-caffeination process - switching to black tea or green tea, caffeine-free chai teas, just not drinking coffee at all... all have led me back to my little addiction to java. The problem I find is that I'm hooked not only on that small jolt of caffeine, but also on the taste - the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee brewing equals heaven most mornings.
Here's how I've compromised: since I don't want to part with my morning cup of coffee (at least not right now), I've decided that I will only consume coffee that is certified organic, fairly traded, and shade-grown. This way, I can at least trust that the coffee was made with the best intentions and care for the workers, the animals, and the environment. And there are no pesky pesticides to worry about (yes, commercial coffee brands use pesticides!). I also try my best to only drink one mug of the stuff in the morning, and enjoy the heck out of every sip. Jim's Organic Coffee is a brand I'm loving right now (as pictured on the right). I would say that if you have a drink you love that happens to contain caffeine in it - limit yourself. If you're someone who drinks ten diet sodas a day, cut back little by little until you're only enjoying one daily. Make it a treat - not something you take for granted. Don't drink your coffee/soda/tea while on the move - sit your butt down and savor it! One day, you might find that you don't need or even want your drink of choice at all. At least you'll be limiting your intake in the meantime.
My husband has done a wonderful job of massively cutting back his caffeine intake, so I thought I'd bring him on for this answer. Take it away Steve...
Steve says:
Let's talk about the "C" word first.
I remember my junior year of high school was the first year that I fell victim to....(insert loud "DUN DUN DUUUUUUN" here)... coffee. Every morning, up bright and early, drinking a couple (.... a few?) cups of joe to wake up me and keep me up. Unfortunately, as we all know, while I was able to wake up and stay up for awhile, I would always crash hard later on in the day. This is the predicament of caffeine. It's the promise for some short term energy and alertness (sometimes with too many jitters!) for the price of a mid-day burnout.
Recently, I got myself off of coffee (with occasional cups every once in a while - and of my choosing, not because I need it) and I feel much, much better. Brendan Brazier, author of Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, talks about eliminating biological debt from your life. When he speaks of "biological debt," he is referring the state your body goes into after the energy you've gained from whatever stimulant you've consumed has gone away.
Think of it like this: drinking coffee in the morning to boost your energy is like taking out a loan - a loan on energy. You take out this loan to help you out for the time-being, but you know you're going to have to pay back the loan eventually. Now, the smaller the loan, the easier it'll be to pay back. You'll probably even be able to handle paying it back quicker. However, the larger the loan, the tougher it's going to be - in quantity and duration. Sometimes, you'll need to take out more loans to help out with the first loan and, before you know it, you're paying back multiple loans that have accumulated tons of interest. Was it really worth it in the end?
That's what your body goes with when you consume lots of caffeine. And just like the loans, you end up spending more than you actually get. So, if you stick to the coffee, keep the loans at a minimum. One 8 oz. cup in the morning and try to lay off the rest of the day. Come afternoon, if it's gonna happen, keep it small. I just read somewhere that coffee takes 12-14 hours to be eliminated from your system. So mid/late-afternoon pick-me-ups might end up keeping you up come midnight!
For more info on the health side of things, take a look at Thrive or Skinny Bastard/Bitch (where you'll find out all the yucky things in most caffeinated drinks and what it does to your body).
I gave up soda awhile ago. Honestly, there are plenty of tasty drinks out there for you without the caffeine, aspartame, crazy yucky high fructose corn syrup and all the other junk. Still want soda? Try GuS (Grown-up Soda!) or another organic bubbly pop. It's very yummy, 100% natural and has no preservatives or caffeine. Just like Lindsay said, make it more of a treat than the beverage of choice every meal of the day.
Here are three rules I live by (or try to live by, or should live by): 1) Tea over coffee. Yerba mate or green tea are your best choices. Yerba mate, a South American plant used to make tea-like infusions, is one of the top forms of stimulation when it comes to health. It contains a trace amount of caffeine but distributes the energy differently than other stimulants and delivers less "crash" after. Matcha green tea slowly releases its energy over the span of several hours too, avoiding giving you the jitters and other stress. 2) A good night sleep and good, whole foods during your day. If you get good sleep and are eating good food (less processed, more natural and whole), then you should have plenty of energy to take you through your day. 3) It's a treat, not a necessity. Even I like to treat myself to a coffee or chai every once in a while. But I'm not going to make it a habit. And if I do, I am depending on YOU to lead my de-caffeination intervention!
June 4, 2010 Subject: NJ/NYC Vegan Wedding Help!
Dear Lindsay:
I recently got engaged, and we are planning on having a vegan/vegetarian wedding. We are having the HARDEST time finding places that can make gourmet food. I don't want to pay $200 a head and have my family be served pasta primavera. It's so insulting to a vegan mind and heart. Anyway, we're in NJ and are hoping to get married on the beach. We're really close to NYC, so I'm even considering giving up the dream of the beach just so I can get GOOD vegan fare. Any help you could give me in terms of finding a place, trying to explain to the facility what "gourmet vegan food" entails, planning a menu, or anything else, would be phenomenally appreciated. I can't wait to hear from you - not moments ago I was about to reach my breaking point because this whole thing seems to be impossible!
- Andrea P., NJ
Dear Andrea:
Well, first of all, congrats on not only getting married, but for wanting to make it as compassionate a celebration as possible! I know the task of throwing a vegan-friendly celebration can seem daunting, so I hope that my words will help ease your stress a little bit.
First of all, do you have a list of NJ/NYC caterers and vendors you love already (if you haven't begun your search, here's a good place to start)? If so, I suggest going down the list, calling or emailing them individually, and asking them if they ever accommodate vegan/vegetarian wedding couples. In the case of my venue (HollyHedge Estate in New Hope, PA, the best wedding venue in the world! Check them out!), we were one of their first veggie weddings (they had only accommodated one vegan couple prior to us), and they were very hesitant at first to help us. After explaining to them how important this aspect of the wedding was for us - to have vegan fare for our guests - they worked with their executive chef, and we ended up with a 90% vegan wedding menu, complete with peanut tempeh satay strips, stuffed mushrooms, tofu kebabs over miso-glazed udon noodles, vegan sushi, and so much more yummy, plant-based food!
First of all, do you have a list of NJ/NYC caterers and vendors you love already (if you haven't begun your search, here's a good place to start)? If so, I suggest going down the list, calling or emailing them individually, and asking them if they ever accommodate vegan/vegetarian wedding couples. In the case of my venue (HollyHedge Estate in New Hope, PA, the best wedding venue in the world! Check them out!), we were one of their first veggie weddings (they had only accommodated one vegan couple prior to us), and they were very hesitant at first to help us. After explaining to them how important this aspect of the wedding was for us - to have vegan fare for our guests - they worked with their executive chef, and we ended up with a 90% vegan wedding menu, complete with peanut tempeh satay strips, stuffed mushrooms, tofu kebabs over miso-glazed udon noodles, vegan sushi, and so much more yummy, plant-based food!
Our tofu-kebabs at the reception. Yum!
A lot of times, if you can find a good vendor with experience, you can have a conversation with them about what your wedding goals are and find ways to make them possible. Make a list of your favorite veggie foods and dishes, bring any photos, recipes, or even ideas from your favorite veggie restaurants with you that may serve as a guide, and have a chat with your vendor about exactly the kind of wedding food you want served. The right one will work with your needs and help to create a wedding that reflects you - all of you.
If your heart is set on a beach wedding, then by all means work towards it! Narrow down the list of caterers who do beach weddings in NJ, and ask them if they can accommodate what you're looking to do.
If searching in NJ leads you to want to reach out to the NYC area, there are TONS of vegan caterers and restaurants that can accommodate a veggie wedding. Some of my favorite veggie restaurants include Blossom, Candle 79, and Counter (where I had my wedding shower!), to give you a little inspiration. Maybe you could dress up a raw space and have a vegan, NYC-based restaurant cater your night?
It just takes time, doing a little research, being flexible, and, most importantly, being patient! When one venue/vendor says "no," don't let that deter you - just keep searching for one who will say "yes"- and you will find one, I promise Andrea!
I've listed a few resources below, and if you still need more help, feel free to email me back! Just know - my own wedding was a huge learning experience and a major stepping stone in this lifestyle, so don't be afraid if you hit brick walls along the way to planning the wedding of your dreams. Remain calm and kind while you ask for what you want, and you may find that the venue you choose will surprise you!
And for more inspiration, you can always visit my guest post on The Kind Life about throwing a vegan wedding.
Love and support,
Love and support,
Lindsay at Kiss Me, I'm Vegan!
Extra Resources:
http://www.caringconsumer.com/
http://www.vegan-
http://www.vegnews.com/web/
http://www.
http://www.wildflowersbylori.
http://www.nj.com/
http://www.
http://www.vegnj.com/search_
http://compassionatefashion.com/2010/05/a-vegan-wedding-guide/ - a guide to vegan wedding fashion
http://www.sustainableweddings.net/websites.htm - a great website with links to eco-friendly weddings
Do you have a question about veganism that's been troubling you? Something you've always been wondering? A recipe you've been trying to perfect? Family members who need help understanding your lifestyle?
Email any questions you have about being vegan to kissmyvegan@gmail.com, and I may choose YOURS to feature on the KMIV website!
4 comments:
Lindsay,
As a coffee professional, I wanted to respond to your most recent answer to Cheryl's question, especially since sustainability initiatives and research are an important part of my job. Often I find that consumers can corner themselves in terms of what they'll purchase because of the brilliant marketing efforts of the USDA and FLO. This is troubling to me because neither certification is without its problems and there are, in my mind, excellent alternatives which open up more and potentially better coffee to the environmentally conscious consumer.
On the issue of organics, so many coffee farms face difficulty in paying the exorbitant fees in order to be certified. Co-ops can pool their resources in order to certify member farms, but individual farms with a passion for producing an excellent product and improving their communities can often come up short. The Rainforest Alliance certification, for me, is equal to, if not greater than the USDA certification in its efforts to promote conservation programs, protection of wild animals, proper land and water use, and fair labor practices.
Regarding fair trade, the certification is mostly merited on its good intentions and not its usefulness. With a price floor, current producers over-produce and, combined with an influx of new producers, contribute to over-supply which ultimately lowers prices in the non Fair Trade market. Fair Trade farm wages often don't meet minimum wage in their countries. Even with an impressive presence, the low Fair Trade minimum of $1.26 per green pound does not encourage quality and often the high price you're paying for Fair Trade coffee is just high markup. The growing trend among the best specialty coffee roasters is to establish their own Direct Trade certifications. While each roaster has different standards, the overwhelming majority of them have personal relationships with the farms and pay at least 20% above the Fair Trade minimum. Quality is the main initiative and many roasters will offer additional incentives for farms producing stellar coffee. In addition, these farms are often small, with much of the coffee coming from microlots, instilling confidence in the consumer that great attention is paid to these superior crops. Many of the roasters are transparent with their practices and I've included some links below to the Direct Trade pages of the three most high profile specialty coffee roasters in America: Counter Culture, Intelligentsia, and Stumptown.
Shade-grown coffee is definitely a plus and you should read up on the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center's Bird Friendly certification which requires that coffee be both certified organic and shade-grown.
Overall, I think it's important for consumers to know that, considering all of the good press coffee has received lately with reference to its links to heart health, it's okay to drink coffee in moderation and there are plenty of options for drinking excellent sustainable coffee. If we're speaking entirely on the basis of quality, I have never tasted an Organic or Fair Trade certified coffee that I thought was excellent. That's not to say that coffees under those certifications aren't good, but the large scope often does not include smaller and more quality focused farms which don't tax the environment or put animals in danger.
Thanks for reading and congratulations on the success of your blog.
Links:
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org
http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/direct-trade
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/about/direct-trade
http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/coffees/direct-trade
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/coffee/
Lindsay,
As a dedicated KMIV follower, I just thought that I'd share this... for those who still enjoy a cup of coffee occassionally.
Starbucks offers several organic and fair trade coffees...
Shade Grown Organic Mexican and Organic Serena comes to mind. Both taste fantastic... and are my personal favorites.
Our family has a strong tie to Starbucks- (my husband works there)
And we are proud to support a company who works towards being more green and strives to be sustainable, cultivates strong partnerships with farmers and offers VEGAN options at stores.
Thanks Rachel and Eric - great comments!
Hi Lindsay,
I went to school with you (MFS-several years behind you, graduated '07), but I remember you and stumbled upon your blog, and was intrigued to find out what you've been up to. I've been vegan for 4 years, while living in Philly, which has made it easier for me there much more than south jersey. I've noticed that your blog, like many other veggie/vegan texts emphasize mostly the animal-rights side of being vegan and I wanted to share with you what my experience has been.
To be honest, it's been a little frustrating being vegan at times because I find myself conversing with vegans or vegetarians that have that awful condescending, self-righteous air about them, sounding like they know what's right and want to preach it loud. This is irritating as hell to me, partially because I feel like it gives veggies a bad wrap socially, and adds to stereotypes. But I've found it interesting that I seem to butt heads with a lot of vegans/vegetarians when I offer that I'd gladly eat meat that I hunted myself, that someone else hunted, or that I know was grown/raised/killed sustainably and not in the context of factory farm slaughtering. The most important thing to me about being vegan is participating as little as possible in actions that devastate the Earth. I have respect for animals just as I have respect for plants. I don't feel that the way most soybeans (and so many other grains and vegetables) are grown and harvested is sustainable either. I think sometimes the amount of fossil fuels and pollution that come from manufacturing leather-alternatives have a much worse environmental footprint and involve a lot of petroleum. Within the intense respect I harness for the Earth, I feel that continuing to remove ourselves from the food chain, as we have done for a long time as a civilized species, is worse than allowing yourself to become a part of it again. I believe whole-heartedly in the benefits of a more primitive life, because indigenous people that lived before us were fully able to eat meat, forage/grow food sustainably, and make use of it all. As a person that spends a lot of time working and playing outdoors, things like leather and wool are often way more suitable for what I need to do (which is why indigenous people were so proficient in their use of these materials), and so finding these things second hand or, better in my view, offering to a creature my entire respect by killing it and skinning it myself makes more sense to me than just forever avoiding things. I feel that then I would truly understand what my place on this Earth is, and the full responsibility it takes to end a life. I don't think killing is inherently wrong, I just think the way we are doing it is wrong.
What do you think about this perspective?
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