When I began dating my husband 20 years ago, we had a big challenge between us. Although he wasn’t vegetarian yet, he had abstained from eating red meat for years and I was very carnivorous. Initially, I didn’t think it would be a problem, but after a few dates, it became an obvious problem. One night, we went out for dinner to a burger/coffee shop. He ordered a salad and…
The first time someone serves you chicken, fish, or turkey after becoming vegan, you are shocked. Often, restaurants, family and omnivores don’t necessarily know or understand what this new diet means. You might receive a chicken salad sandwich containing chicken, eggs and mayonnaise because someone might mistakenly think that they are serving a vegan choice. So let’s review some of the things to look out for when ordering a vegan meal, and help avoid…
As I make the transition from vegetarian to raw vegan I have noticed many changes in my body–some great and some, well, stinky! In the last several weeks I have quit caffeine, adopted a vegan diet, and set the goal to cook as little of my food as possible. As a result, I’ve noticed some great changes to my waistline, but some not so great changes in my digestion! Let…
By Just a Pack contributor Amy Benson I’d read before coming that meat was a big deal, had steeled myself for potential hunger, awkward encounters, wider hips. Had attempted to comfort my previously pescatarian, juice-obsessed self with the idea that it would be fresh, free roaming, grass fed – that the African version of myself, steeped in pink sunsets and newly barefoot, wouldn’t mind. Botswana exports only two things to…
New evidence suggests that Americans are trying to cut calories and improve their diets, but a recent news report about butter consumption seems to indicate otherwise. Apparently, butter consumption has hit a 40-year high. Yeah, go figure. Here are five reasons why we shouldn’t eat butter: 1. Butter is a block of fat and cholesterol. I know, it may come as a shock to some butter buyers, but butter is no health…
At Southern California’s ‘Healthy Taste of LA’ event this November, the Cows met up with Dr. Neal Barnard, the founder and director of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. PCRM (http://pcrm.org) is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for effectiveness in research. Dr. Barnard, is a highly respected doctor who advocates a plant food diet for optimal health, and is a longtime vegan…
Yeah, yeah everyone is talking about how to be green. Turn off your lights, bring grocery bags to the store, don’t waste water, etc. I personally try to do all those things and they are very important and easy to do. But what about greening your diet? Make a few simple changes in the way you eat and you’ll get your green badge quicker than ever (or at least I…
By Sarah E. Brown Diabetes has become a seemingly unstoppable national epidemic, affecting more than 20 million Americans. According to the World Health Organization, deaths from diabetes will increase by 80 percent in the Americas, by 50 percent in the Western Pacific and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, and by more than 40 percent in Africa over the next ten years. Proponents of including natural treatment approaches draw direct connections between…
In December 2008, the Dr. McDougall posted a newsletter to his website, entitled The Fat Vegan. Frankly, I loved it. Not for its content, though, but for its honesty. Finally, someone is finally explicitly stating what the modern vegan movement has been so strongly implying: fat vegans are bad for business. PETA has shown a penchant in recent years for sexy ad campaigns, although they haven’t completely foregone all the…
Fiber is a group of indigestible saccharides (i.e. carbohydrates) from plant foods that help regulate digestion and bowels, regulate hunger and satiety (which may help promote a healthy weight), lower cholesterol, reduce risk of certain cancers, and help regulate blood sugar. Many assume that vegetarian diets automatically meet recommendations for fiber (usually around 20-35 grams/day, based on individual needs) due to the plant-based nature of the diet. However, just being…