Yesterday, my aunt asked me what it was that inspired me to become an animal rights advocate, when I wasn't raised to be.
I was raised in a typical American household. We ate meat for nearly every meal, we wore leather clothing in the winter, and we had down comforters and fur-trimmed gloves. Throughout the years, we shared our homes with several dogs, but we never focused much compassion or attention on pigs, chickens, or cows.
So, why, then, am I now a vegan and an animal rights advocate, when I wasn't raised to be?
My answer to that question is that I was raised to be. Although I don't think my parents specifically envisioned me as a future animal advocate, I do think they had in mind several traits and values they wanted me to learn and take with me into adulthood. And those traits and values - compassion, intelligence, independence, honesty, and responsibility - are what made me the advocate for animals that I am today.
Compassion
My mom and dad are both very compassionate people. Growing up, I continuously witnessed them feeling compassion for others and acting on those feelings. They always gave money or food to homeless people on the streets. They show empathy for others, and they're generous and understanding of people who live in lesser circumstances than them/us. I've taken what I've learned from my parents and applied it to my interactions with animals. It hurts me to see animals in pain or suffering, being neglected or abused, or not being treated as they should. When it storms, I think about homeless dogs and cats who have nowhere to go to stay dry. When I see links to videos or photos of animals suffering on factory farms, I feel so bad for them that I usually can't even bring myself to look. I try my best to give - usually time, more than money - to help those in need. I learned this from my parents.
Intelligence
Another theme that filled my childhood was the importance of education. My parents always stressed how critical it is to do well in school, to try hard, and to soak up knowledge. At one time, I remember them giving my brother and I rewards for bringing home straight-A report cards. When we were very little, my parents purchased savings bonds for us. They gave them to us when we went to college, so we could have spending money and wouldn't have to worry about getting jobs. They wanted us to focus on school. "School is your job," I recall them saying. Now, as an adult, I have a thirst for knowledge. What led me to become a vegetarian, was reading, listening to, and learning the facts about the animal farming industry. Before I began doing research, I had no idea about the cruelties involved in using animals for food. It was the importance I placed on knowledge and learning, that led me to where I am right now. I learned this from my parents.
Independence
When I was about 11, my dad had to live in Korea for a year. We would write letters back and forth, and he would do his best to keep teaching me things despite the distance between us. I still remember one letter he wrote me. He wrote that he was listening to a song by Aaron Tippin. The song said, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. You've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string." What my dad was teaching me, through a song in a letter, was not to do what others did, or what others told me to do, but to be my own person and stand up for what I think is right. Now, I am a vegan, because it's what I think is the right thing to do. Almost everyone I know still eats meat, still sees no problem with it. But even though I'm in the minority on the issue, I know it's not right to kill without necessity. So, I'm being true to myself and standing up for what I believe in. I learned this from my parents.
Honesty
My parents used to tell me that I could make any mistake in the book, but if I was then dishonest about it, my punishment would be a lot worse than if I would just tell the truth. They taught me that honesty is of utmost importance. I believe that's true - in relationships with others and in a person's relationship with himself. When I began learning about animal farming, I had two options: I could either decide it was too hard, too sad, too ugly, and turn away from it; or I could be honest. I took the latter route, and I allowed myself to look at the issues. I allowed myself to know and to feel. And now, when others ask me questions about the issues, I am honest with them. I learned this from my parents.
Responsibility
In line with their teachings about being honest, my parents also taught me to be responsible for my actions. They taught me to own up to what I do or don't do, and to not blame others or make excuses. They taught me to focus, not on what is happening to me, but about what I can do about it. So, now I know that animals aren't always treated properly by humans. I could sit back and complain about it - talk about how I wish that farm-workers would treat animals better, give them more space, allow them to access the outdoors, treat them respectfully - or I could do something about it. I could realize that I don't have to participate in something I'm against, and I could stop eating animals. I can also share information with others about the power they have. I can use my wallet to vote, I can use the ballot to vote. I can do something. I learned this from my parents.
I don't think my parents' pride for me is because of my work for animals, but I do think they are proud of me because of the values that make me an advocate, a vegan. I think they're proud of me for sticking to the values they taught me, and for applying them to my life in ways that help myself and others.
In a typical American household, in which we ate, wore, and used animals, I was raised to be an advocate for animals.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Throwing babies into a river
Through my work for non-profit organizations, I have learned that there are two ways to address a problem. One way is to provide immediate "band-aid" solutions. This includes things like providing:
* shelter to homeless people and animals,
* intervention or treatment for those addicted to drugs or alcohol,
* and counseling and/or medication for the mentally unstable.
These actions are important; they are necessary. There are amazing people dedicated to these causes, and I'm glad for their work. I work with these causes here and there too, and I love the work and the people I've met through it.
But I have to admit that it's the second way of addressing problems that I really love. The second way seeks to prevent problems before they start.
It’s a lot like stopping a monster from throwing babies into a river. Seriously, hear me out. A friend of mine once used this story to describe this way of addressing problems. She told us about this fictional village by a river…
One day, the villagers began noticing babies in the river. So, they went to work rescuing the babies and bringing them to dry land. They worked day and night, rescuing babies. When they saved one baby, another would appear. They just kept coming.
Then, after a few days of rescuing babies, one of the villagers stepped back and scratched his head. “Maybe,” he said, “we need to go up the river and see what’s causing these babies to appear here.” The other villagers agreed, and they made the trek up the river. What they found was a monster standing alongside the river, throwing babies into it. It was clear to them then, that their approach to the problem had to change. They still needed villagers to rescue babies from the river, but they also needed people working on stopping the monster from throwing the babies in. This is the second approach. This is prevention.
This is what The Humane Society of the United States does.
On many (if not all) anti-HSUS websites and blogs, there is a line that looks something like this: “The Humane Society of the United States is a national lobbying group that does nothing to support local humane societies.” To me, that statement is quite contradictory. How can an organization that lobbies for better regulations of poor breeders, advocates responsible pet ownership, and educates the public about companion animal issues, be doing nothing to support local humane societies?
While is is true that they do not fund local humane societies, this is not breaking news or insider information. Nor does it conflict with anything any HSUS representative has ever said. Nowhere on the HSUS website or in any of their literature have they ever said, “We fund local animal shelters.” Although they participate in both approaches to problems, the organization’s main focus is on stopping the monster from throwing babies in the river. They advocate, they speak up, they work with lawmakers, and they educate citizens.
The vast majority of negative comments you’re hearing about HSUS are coming from a group called the Center for Consumer Freedom. This group runs HumaneWatch. They are funded by people who profit from the use of animals (restaurants, meat industry, and, yes, apparently Monsanto). The guy who runs this crap is named Rick Berman. You can learn about his work here.
* shelter to homeless people and animals,
* intervention or treatment for those addicted to drugs or alcohol,
* and counseling and/or medication for the mentally unstable.
These actions are important; they are necessary. There are amazing people dedicated to these causes, and I'm glad for their work. I work with these causes here and there too, and I love the work and the people I've met through it.
But I have to admit that it's the second way of addressing problems that I really love. The second way seeks to prevent problems before they start.
It’s a lot like stopping a monster from throwing babies into a river. Seriously, hear me out. A friend of mine once used this story to describe this way of addressing problems. She told us about this fictional village by a river…
One day, the villagers began noticing babies in the river. So, they went to work rescuing the babies and bringing them to dry land. They worked day and night, rescuing babies. When they saved one baby, another would appear. They just kept coming.
Then, after a few days of rescuing babies, one of the villagers stepped back and scratched his head. “Maybe,” he said, “we need to go up the river and see what’s causing these babies to appear here.” The other villagers agreed, and they made the trek up the river. What they found was a monster standing alongside the river, throwing babies into it. It was clear to them then, that their approach to the problem had to change. They still needed villagers to rescue babies from the river, but they also needed people working on stopping the monster from throwing the babies in. This is the second approach. This is prevention.
This is what The Humane Society of the United States does.
On many (if not all) anti-HSUS websites and blogs, there is a line that looks something like this: “The Humane Society of the United States is a national lobbying group that does nothing to support local humane societies.” To me, that statement is quite contradictory. How can an organization that lobbies for better regulations of poor breeders, advocates responsible pet ownership, and educates the public about companion animal issues, be doing nothing to support local humane societies?
While is is true that they do not fund local humane societies, this is not breaking news or insider information. Nor does it conflict with anything any HSUS representative has ever said. Nowhere on the HSUS website or in any of their literature have they ever said, “We fund local animal shelters.” Although they participate in both approaches to problems, the organization’s main focus is on stopping the monster from throwing babies in the river. They advocate, they speak up, they work with lawmakers, and they educate citizens.
The vast majority of negative comments you’re hearing about HSUS are coming from a group called the Center for Consumer Freedom. This group runs HumaneWatch. They are funded by people who profit from the use of animals (restaurants, meat industry, and, yes, apparently Monsanto). The guy who runs this crap is named Rick Berman. You can learn about his work here.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
"I don't want to think about it."
A lot of people think being a vegetarian/vegan is difficult.
In her book "Living Among Meat Eaters" (which is excellent, by the way), Carol Adams points out that it actually takes more energy to remain a meat-eater than it does to move toward veganism.
It takes more brain-power to try to ignore what you already know - about the cruelties involved in raising animals for food, about the involvement you have in that cruel industry, and about the choice you could make to ease your guilty conscience.
On the other hand, if you just stop eating animal products, you would never need to feel guilty, you'd never need to ignore information, you'd never need to worry that you might happen across a news story or a conversation, or a blog (hehe) that talks about animal cruelty. You'd never again need to avoid the facts about animal agriculture. And you'd never need to rattle your brain, trying to come up with justifications for your choice of diet. You could just be.
So many people have said to me that they "don't want to know." They plug their ears and sing "la la la" (literally and metaphorically) when anyone tries to talk about the terrible things they participate in and give money to by consuming (creating demand for) animal products.
The world around them does make it easier to avoid knowledge...
Dairy commercials tell us that cows are happy. They don't tell us that cows have to be made pregnant in order to produce milk. They don't tell us where the baby calves go (cough cough veal cough).
Restaurant menus offer "hamburgers" and "ham," instead of "cow-meat sandwiches" and "pig meat."
But more and more, knowledge seeps through to them, in the form of email forwards and Facebook status updates, and news reports, and conversing with vegan friends/family members.
So many people don't want to receive information that might require them to change...
If there is something a person is doing to participate in cruelty or injustice of any kind - toward animals, toward other countries, toward other races, etc - I wish they would not be complacent. I wish they would not choose ignorance. I wish they would want to learn truthful information, learn how they can make a difference, and then get started.
I wish people would want to think.
And I think that's something to think about.
In her book "Living Among Meat Eaters" (which is excellent, by the way), Carol Adams points out that it actually takes more energy to remain a meat-eater than it does to move toward veganism.
It takes more brain-power to try to ignore what you already know - about the cruelties involved in raising animals for food, about the involvement you have in that cruel industry, and about the choice you could make to ease your guilty conscience.
On the other hand, if you just stop eating animal products, you would never need to feel guilty, you'd never need to ignore information, you'd never need to worry that you might happen across a news story or a conversation, or a blog (hehe) that talks about animal cruelty. You'd never again need to avoid the facts about animal agriculture. And you'd never need to rattle your brain, trying to come up with justifications for your choice of diet. You could just be.
So many people have said to me that they "don't want to know." They plug their ears and sing "la la la" (literally and metaphorically) when anyone tries to talk about the terrible things they participate in and give money to by consuming (creating demand for) animal products.
The world around them does make it easier to avoid knowledge...
Dairy commercials tell us that cows are happy. They don't tell us that cows have to be made pregnant in order to produce milk. They don't tell us where the baby calves go (cough cough veal cough).
Restaurant menus offer "hamburgers" and "ham," instead of "cow-meat sandwiches" and "pig meat."
But more and more, knowledge seeps through to them, in the form of email forwards and Facebook status updates, and news reports, and conversing with vegan friends/family members.
So many people don't want to receive information that might require them to change...
If there is something a person is doing to participate in cruelty or injustice of any kind - toward animals, toward other countries, toward other races, etc - I wish they would not be complacent. I wish they would not choose ignorance. I wish they would want to learn truthful information, learn how they can make a difference, and then get started.
I wish people would want to think.
And I think that's something to think about.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Daiya pizza
Second night in a row of Daiya vegan cheese. Second night in a row of kale chips.
This blog post is dedicated to Bea Elliott, who is always posting on Facebook great articles about the cruelty involved in the dairy industry (go to chooseveg.com for information on that).
______________________________________________________________________
Today, I made a pizza for dinner. I used store-bought crust and pizza sauce. On Brad's side, I put kalamata olives and banana peppers, and on the whole thing, I put sun-dried tomatoes, Match sausage, and cheddar and mozzarella Daiya cheese. It was pretty darn good.
Hot from the oven!
Brad's pizza
My pizza
This blog post is dedicated to Bea Elliott, who is always posting on Facebook great articles about the cruelty involved in the dairy industry (go to chooseveg.com for information on that).
______________________________________________________________________
Today, I made a pizza for dinner. I used store-bought crust and pizza sauce. On Brad's side, I put kalamata olives and banana peppers, and on the whole thing, I put sun-dried tomatoes, Match sausage, and cheddar and mozzarella Daiya cheese. It was pretty darn good.
Hot from the oven!
Brad's pizza
My pizza
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Quesdillas with Daiya vegan cheese!
I've decided that from now on I'm going to dedicate my blog posts. Sometimes for good reasons; Sometimes for random reasons. :)
I have an email-pal (like a modern pen-pal), and we write back and forth occasionally, off and on. We hadn't emailed in a while - almost a year or so - and a couple days ago, I sent him an email. In a response email, he mentioned my blog and that he hasn't seen many recipe-related posts in a while. I was surprised he still reads the blog. It made me feel kinda' cool. So, this recipe-related post is dedicated to you, Brett. :)
___________________________________________________________________
If you keep up with vegan eating at all, you know that Daiya is the absolute best vegan cheese in the entire universe (and no, I'm not being paid to say that). And you also know that Whole Foods now carries Daiya cheese. And you also know that this is super-duper exciting!
I've had Daiya cheese on pizzas at Pi in St. Louis, but today is the first day I've ever cooked with it myself. I made quesadillas with diced yellow pepper, tomato, and green onion. I also made cashew sour cream to go on top of them, and we had chips and salsa, and kale chips on the side. That's right: Daiya quesadillas and homemade kale chips. What a doozie.
This meal was given a 10 by me, and a 9.8 by Brad (because he feels uncomfortable rating anything a perfect 10). The pictures, as always, do the meal no justice at all. But here they are. :)
Kale chips (kale baked at 350, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt). You really can't tell from the picture, but these are crispy bite-sized chips.
Quesadilla
Yum, yum, yum!
I have an email-pal (like a modern pen-pal), and we write back and forth occasionally, off and on. We hadn't emailed in a while - almost a year or so - and a couple days ago, I sent him an email. In a response email, he mentioned my blog and that he hasn't seen many recipe-related posts in a while. I was surprised he still reads the blog. It made me feel kinda' cool. So, this recipe-related post is dedicated to you, Brett. :)
___________________________________________________________________
If you keep up with vegan eating at all, you know that Daiya is the absolute best vegan cheese in the entire universe (and no, I'm not being paid to say that). And you also know that Whole Foods now carries Daiya cheese. And you also know that this is super-duper exciting!
I've had Daiya cheese on pizzas at Pi in St. Louis, but today is the first day I've ever cooked with it myself. I made quesadillas with diced yellow pepper, tomato, and green onion. I also made cashew sour cream to go on top of them, and we had chips and salsa, and kale chips on the side. That's right: Daiya quesadillas and homemade kale chips. What a doozie.
This meal was given a 10 by me, and a 9.8 by Brad (because he feels uncomfortable rating anything a perfect 10). The pictures, as always, do the meal no justice at all. But here they are. :)
Kale chips (kale baked at 350, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt). You really can't tell from the picture, but these are crispy bite-sized chips.
Quesadilla
Yum, yum, yum!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Perspectives
I've been thinking lately about perspectives. We all know that each of us has a different perspective. But when you really stop to think about that, it's pretty fascinating. Each of us sees objects differently, hears words differently, and interprets situations differently.
Laying on my parents' couch today, I was looking around the living room and noticing all their belongings and decorations. I hardly notice them, because I've seen the room a million times and it's all just normal to me. But to someone else who hasn't often been to their house, certain belongings would stand out. They might notice that my mom has a lot of stuffed bears around the house. They might notice the knick-knacks, the family photos, or the plants.
When I walk into a house, store, or office, I notice leather chairs. Others, surely, don't think twice about them. Someone who has themselves- or has a loved one with- a disability, would probably notice ramps, stairs, and parking accomodations. Someone who grew up watching tv all the time would surely think it's weird that some people don't own a television, or don't have all their living room furniture facing one. But to those who live in that house, it would just seem normal.
The times I remember that my diet is different are when I visit someone else's house. I open the fridge and see milk, eggs, butter, cheese, and meats. In my fridge, there is soy and almond milk, Earth Balance buttery spread, fruits, and vegetables. There is never milk. Nor meat. There isn't an egg in sight. And never any butter. (There is cheese at times, as my husband is a vegetarian). I bet that sounds really strange to people whose fridges look different. They may think, "No eggs, milk, or meat? That's the bulk of what I eat, so how does this person survive? What does she eat?"
When people ask me what I eat, I usually scream silently to myself out of frustration. I need to remind myself that the question is pretty normal, and that it makes perfect sense to the mind of the person whose diet is typical of Americans. Most Americans eat cereal with cow's milk in it, sandwiches with animal meat in them, meals centered around animal meat, and desserts filled with milk and/or eggs. It's only natural for them to wonder what vegans eat, how vegans survive, and why we insist on this seemingly-restrictive diet.
In a recent conversation with a coworker, I stated that I love food. The coworker was surprised by this. I was surprised by his surprise! I love food. In fact, nearly every vegan I know loves food. We have such a huge variety of delicious foods available to us. And, upon becoming vegan, we usually discover a whole array of foods we never even knew existed previously. I myself had never eaten Vietnamese or Ethiopian food, tempeh, seitan, tvp, many kinds of beans and legumes, different varieties of vegetables, fruits, rice, and noodles, and the list goes on.
It's all in your perspective. My refrigerator is just as full as a meat-eater's. The foods are just different. I am as satisfied with my food as they are. I just eat different things.
Laying on my parents' couch today, I was looking around the living room and noticing all their belongings and decorations. I hardly notice them, because I've seen the room a million times and it's all just normal to me. But to someone else who hasn't often been to their house, certain belongings would stand out. They might notice that my mom has a lot of stuffed bears around the house. They might notice the knick-knacks, the family photos, or the plants.
When I walk into a house, store, or office, I notice leather chairs. Others, surely, don't think twice about them. Someone who has themselves- or has a loved one with- a disability, would probably notice ramps, stairs, and parking accomodations. Someone who grew up watching tv all the time would surely think it's weird that some people don't own a television, or don't have all their living room furniture facing one. But to those who live in that house, it would just seem normal.
The times I remember that my diet is different are when I visit someone else's house. I open the fridge and see milk, eggs, butter, cheese, and meats. In my fridge, there is soy and almond milk, Earth Balance buttery spread, fruits, and vegetables. There is never milk. Nor meat. There isn't an egg in sight. And never any butter. (There is cheese at times, as my husband is a vegetarian). I bet that sounds really strange to people whose fridges look different. They may think, "No eggs, milk, or meat? That's the bulk of what I eat, so how does this person survive? What does she eat?"
When people ask me what I eat, I usually scream silently to myself out of frustration. I need to remind myself that the question is pretty normal, and that it makes perfect sense to the mind of the person whose diet is typical of Americans. Most Americans eat cereal with cow's milk in it, sandwiches with animal meat in them, meals centered around animal meat, and desserts filled with milk and/or eggs. It's only natural for them to wonder what vegans eat, how vegans survive, and why we insist on this seemingly-restrictive diet.
In a recent conversation with a coworker, I stated that I love food. The coworker was surprised by this. I was surprised by his surprise! I love food. In fact, nearly every vegan I know loves food. We have such a huge variety of delicious foods available to us. And, upon becoming vegan, we usually discover a whole array of foods we never even knew existed previously. I myself had never eaten Vietnamese or Ethiopian food, tempeh, seitan, tvp, many kinds of beans and legumes, different varieties of vegetables, fruits, rice, and noodles, and the list goes on.
It's all in your perspective. My refrigerator is just as full as a meat-eater's. The foods are just different. I am as satisfied with my food as they are. I just eat different things.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Last post: Feb. 8? Yikes...
Wow, I guess it's been even longer than I thought since I last posted here. Sorry about that. I have been pretty busy at work, taking over some duties, going to Vegas a couple times for conferences, and that sort of thing. But that's no excuse, is it?
I'm in Vegas right now, sitting at my desk at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. I should really be in bed, but I figured I should drop by here and post, so readers don't think I'm dead.
I am attending a conference called Exhibitor2010 about exhibit and trade show marketing. They have this really cool "Dinner with Strangers" program, in which attendees sign up to meet each other for dinner.
Yesterday I went to a restaurant called Verandah in the Four Seasons, which is connected to the Mandalay Bay building (apparently, everything in Vegas is connected). It was very delicious. The chef sent out a complimentary flatbread appetizer, and they brought out a small vegan version especially for me. Instead of melted cheese on the flatbread, mine had a hummus dip. It was awesome.
I called ahead to let them know I am a vegan, so they would be prepared when I came for dinner. I have found that vegans are far and few between in Las Vegas, but since all the more upscale restaurants have actual chefs, it's pretty friggin' easy to get great vegan meals. You don't have to settle for noodles with vegetables on top, if you know what I mean.
I told the server I had no preferences, aside from the fact that I wanted my meal to be vegan. I told her to surprise me. She brought me a very pretty vegetable dish with zucchini, squash, rice, portabello mushrooms, asparagus, and I don't remember what else. It was super delicious. A couple people at my table were commenting on how good it looked. If you are a vegan surrounded by non-vegans, you know how much I appreciate positive comments about vegan food.
I was a little worried about having to call attention to myself. There was nothing on the menu for me, so I had to let the server know I'm a vegan, and then talk to her about what she should bring out, etc. It's no bother for me, but I know the other diners at my table are listening and realizing there's something different about what I'm ordering. I know I should look at it as a great chance to talk about veganism, but you know what?- Sometimes I just want to EAT without having a discussion about it. Anyway, the only not-great comment I got was one "I couldn't live without meat." Pretty mild. I was okay with that. Overall, it was a good experience.
Tonight I went to another Dinner with Strangers. We ate at rumjungle in Mandalay Bay, which (I didn't know, but it) is a very meat-heavy kind of restaurant. Not vegan friendly by any means. Whoops. But, like the day before, I called ahead to let them know a vegan was going to be dining there tonight, and they said they would make me something. When I told my server, however, he kind of made me feel like a pain in the butt. He made it seem like I might be eating a garden salad. I was a little disappointed, but I remembered Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's advice about being a "joyful vegan," and smiled through it.
I don't know what the server was thinking, because the meal they made me was incredible. The server called it "tofu Napoleon." It was tofu with a pineapple mango (I think) salsa, asparagus, and spinach. It was so good. The conversation resulting from my interactions with the server were also good. At first, one of the people at my table asked me why I, a vegan, would choose a restaurant like rumjungle. Eh. But everyone - including the Texan who was raised on a farm - was incredibly respectful, sincerely curious, and super nice. We had a miniature discussion, involving Temple Grandin, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Vita-Mix blenders. The conversation was excellent.
And now, it is definitely time for bed. :) Goodnight!
I'm in Vegas right now, sitting at my desk at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. I should really be in bed, but I figured I should drop by here and post, so readers don't think I'm dead.
I am attending a conference called Exhibitor2010 about exhibit and trade show marketing. They have this really cool "Dinner with Strangers" program, in which attendees sign up to meet each other for dinner.
Yesterday I went to a restaurant called Verandah in the Four Seasons, which is connected to the Mandalay Bay building (apparently, everything in Vegas is connected). It was very delicious. The chef sent out a complimentary flatbread appetizer, and they brought out a small vegan version especially for me. Instead of melted cheese on the flatbread, mine had a hummus dip. It was awesome.
I called ahead to let them know I am a vegan, so they would be prepared when I came for dinner. I have found that vegans are far and few between in Las Vegas, but since all the more upscale restaurants have actual chefs, it's pretty friggin' easy to get great vegan meals. You don't have to settle for noodles with vegetables on top, if you know what I mean.
I told the server I had no preferences, aside from the fact that I wanted my meal to be vegan. I told her to surprise me. She brought me a very pretty vegetable dish with zucchini, squash, rice, portabello mushrooms, asparagus, and I don't remember what else. It was super delicious. A couple people at my table were commenting on how good it looked. If you are a vegan surrounded by non-vegans, you know how much I appreciate positive comments about vegan food.
I was a little worried about having to call attention to myself. There was nothing on the menu for me, so I had to let the server know I'm a vegan, and then talk to her about what she should bring out, etc. It's no bother for me, but I know the other diners at my table are listening and realizing there's something different about what I'm ordering. I know I should look at it as a great chance to talk about veganism, but you know what?- Sometimes I just want to EAT without having a discussion about it. Anyway, the only not-great comment I got was one "I couldn't live without meat." Pretty mild. I was okay with that. Overall, it was a good experience.
Tonight I went to another Dinner with Strangers. We ate at rumjungle in Mandalay Bay, which (I didn't know, but it) is a very meat-heavy kind of restaurant. Not vegan friendly by any means. Whoops. But, like the day before, I called ahead to let them know a vegan was going to be dining there tonight, and they said they would make me something. When I told my server, however, he kind of made me feel like a pain in the butt. He made it seem like I might be eating a garden salad. I was a little disappointed, but I remembered Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's advice about being a "joyful vegan," and smiled through it.
I don't know what the server was thinking, because the meal they made me was incredible. The server called it "tofu Napoleon." It was tofu with a pineapple mango (I think) salsa, asparagus, and spinach. It was so good. The conversation resulting from my interactions with the server were also good. At first, one of the people at my table asked me why I, a vegan, would choose a restaurant like rumjungle. Eh. But everyone - including the Texan who was raised on a farm - was incredibly respectful, sincerely curious, and super nice. We had a miniature discussion, involving Temple Grandin, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Vita-Mix blenders. The conversation was excellent.
And now, it is definitely time for bed. :) Goodnight!
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