Great Veg Discovery in Cleveland

Pete and I were visiting family in Cleveland over the holidays, and discovered a fantastic place to eat for the vegetarian/vegan crowd in Coventry. So, I'm offering a shout-out here to my legions of faithful readers.

It's this casual sandwich joint called Tommy's and the food was terrific. But here's the thing, y'know how most veg-friendly places have a little "vegetarian" section on the menu with 4 or 5 choices? Well, Tommy's has at least 2 full pages, maybe 3, of vegetarian and vegan options. And not just salad stuff, either - relative rarities like seitan, tofu, and tempeh. We went twice while in town, and the first time I had a kick-ass veggie burger that they apparently make on site, mainly from brown rice. The second time I had a sandwich called the "Delaney" (all the menu items appear to be named after people). It was basically a kind of veg reuben, with fried tempeh for the corned beef, kraut, spinach, and spinach on 2 thick slices of rye. There was also swiss cheese on mine, but vegans could easily leave that off.

Pete had some sort of fajita-like wrap with seitan, and reported liking it quite a bit. On the second trip he had a "pie" with mushrooms and onions and cheese all wrapped up in some kind of dough. Again, it was yummy.

So, if you're traveling to the Cleveland area and wondering what to eat, I would highly recommend you get thee to Tommy's and try something there. I will warn you, though, that both times we went there was quite a line at the door, so come early!

Oh, and if Tommy should happen across this post, please open a location in NY!!

Gifting Pitfalls for the Animal-Friendly

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, I thought I'd give some thought to the idea of animal products in gifts. Some people who are vegetarian don't mind receiving gifts with animal products in them, such as leather or wool clothes, etc. And some people (vegans, generally) go out of their way to avoid any sort of animal product, including silk, beeswax, and many other products. Most people, I would imagine, are somewhere in between.

I am definitely one of these "in-between" people. I describe myself as vegetarian but this doesn't give any sort of comprehensive list of things I will buy or not buy. It certainly doesn't give anyone a guideline for gift-giving. So, unless you are on one end of the spectrum, I advocate being very specific, since most people will differ.

When I spoke to my mother on the phone recently, I mentioned that I was "avoiding leather," admittedly hoping that she wouldn't ask questions and wouldn't buy me any of the other products I try to avoid either. I was trying to avoid her dismissive attitude and hoping to keep the peace. It turned out she really just wanted to know my preferences, and didn't give me any kind of attitude when I told her I don't buy leather or wool, but that I don't concern myself with silk or beeswax generally. I know this sounds somewhat complicated, but my ethics are my ethics. I can't say I am opposed to using any animal product, but some I definitely object to. Unfortunately, it is complicated. It gets even more complicated considering that my husband has different preferences - he is vegetarian in diet but isn't concerned with animal fabrics at all. So for relatives to keep straight what the two of us are willing to eat/wear/use, they have to remember 2 different systems.

I admit I feel guilty inconveniencing people, especially when all they want is to give you a gift you will like, so it's hard for me to place boundaries on these things, especially because I have only been vegetarian for less than 2 years and I feel that people are still getting used to it. But I am glad I told my mother, and I hope I'll have the guts to tell other people too.

So my question for all of you is, how and what do you tell people about your preferences? And when? What happens when you receive a gift that includes something you are opposed to using?

American Academy of Family Physicians Apparently in Bed with Coke...

Here, see the article detailing the sale of of AAFP's soul:

Coke in US family doctors alliance

By Jonathan Birchall in New York

Published: October 6 2009 16:45 | Last updated: October 6 2009 16:45

Financial Times

Coca-Cola, the world’s largest soft drink company, has formed a corporate partnership with the leading US family doctors group to promote healthier diet and lifestyle choices, as it fights back against growing pressure from health policy groups for a tax on sugared sodas.

The American Academy of Family Physicians said on Tuesday that Coca-Cola would be the first corporate partner in a new “consumer alliance” that would work “to educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle”.

Coke is providing AAFP with a grant to develop educational content on soft drinks and sweeteners for the group’s popularFamilyDoctor.org health website.

Lori Heim, president-elect of the AAFP, said the group would receive “a strong six figure” payment annually from Coca-Cola to fund its work under the partnership. She said the group would give Coke “appropriate recognition” in the material produced for its involvement, but that the AAFP retained editorial control, including over whether or not to use Coca-Cola’s logo.

The AAFP, she said, had approached Coke and other companies over the idea of sponsorship, after previous cooperation on health issues.

Dr Rhona Applebaum, chief scientific and regulatory officer at Coca-Cola, said the partnership would “help provide Americans with credible information on beverages and enable consumers to make informed decisions about what they drink based on individual need.”

The announcement is part of a raft of steps being taken by Coke amid growing calls from some health policy makers for a federal tax on sugared drinks, and idea that has received some support from the White House.

New York city’s health department is running advertising on the city’s subway aimed at discouraging consumption of sugared sodas and juices.

Michael Jacobsen, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which is actively supporting the idea of a federal “soda-tax”, criticised the AAFP move.

“Nothing particularly good will come of it,” he said.

“But Coca-Cola will be able to brag publicly that it is involved in a health education effort with one of America’s most respected medical groups.”

Coke said last week it would put calorie-serving counts on the front of soft-drink packaging in the US, following a policy already adopted in Australia, Mexico and Europe.

It has also launched advertising in leading US markets highlighting the step and plans to introduce new, smaller 90-calorie cans of Coke next year.

Coke is also participating along with about 40 other food companies in a new group, the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, aimed at combatting rising levels of childhood obesity in the US.

Six years ago, Coca-Cola announced a similar partnership with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists on efforts to fight tooth decay.

The AAFP said that while it did not endorse any specific brand, product or service, its new consumer alliance “will collaborate with companies that share the common goal of informing consumers, as well as medical professionals, about new advances in product science and best practices for good health”.

Washington Post Dares to Suggest Cutting Down on Meat

This article from WaPo speaks the truth about the environmental impact of meat consumption. People have been willing to ask the public to give up their SUVs for some time now, but according to the sources behind this article, trading in that SUV for a Prius will do less for the environment than eliminating meat from one meal a week. Only people are very uncomfortable advocating vegetarianism/veganism because Americans take their meat consumption very seriously, and meat industry lobbyists are not to be fooled around with.

But one meal a week?!? Who can't do that? Even the most staunch meat-eaters occasionally eat meatless meals. Once a week without meat...seriously, I know I am a vegetarian but I honestly don't think I would have balked at that even as an omni.

If any meat-eaters who care about the environment are reading this, I challenge you! Eliminate meat from one meal each week! Just one meal! Let me know how it goes.

Boca Loses its Novelty

I am working at a summer camp this summer, 3 hours away from home, waaaaay up in the Adirondacks. It is a weight-loss camp, and all the food is carefully prepared and very low in fat. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised when I first got here and realized there would be a vegetarian alternative at every meal. Nice, right? So I don't just have to eat side dishes.

Here's the thing, though. The omni's get a variety of main dishes. Chicken, turkey, bison, pork, etc...all prepared in different ways so the palate doesn't get too bored. For the vegetarians? Boca. At almost every meal. Boca meatloaf, boca stuffed pepper, boca burgers, boca chili, boca spaghetti, boca all the time.

Okay, so there's the occasional tofu and the rare black bean (yay!) exception. But seriously, I've had enough Boca this summer to last me a lifetime. I used to actually like and enjoy Boca burgers on occasion. Now I never want to see one again. What ever happened to whole foods? I'd be happy with beans at every meal, I think. How about some of those same stuffed peppers, with rice or lentils instead of Boca? Or even (gasp) simply leave it out? Spaghetti sauce doesn't need meat or meat substitute! Just leave it alone!

I think it's some kind of misdirected feeling that we're not going to get enough protein without meat substitutes. It's gotten to the point that I just avoid the Boca and eat side dishes and salad to fill up. Argh.

Humans are Natural Herbivores

This article from the Huffington Post by Kathy Freston explains that, although we have been led to believe by several industries that humans must eat meat for optimal health, our bodies have yet to adapt to an omnivorous diet.

The article cites Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of The China Study (which I am currently reading) and a ton of scientific research on this topic.

The article is short and worth reading, especially as it refutes one of my favorite justifications for eating meat. Namely, "But we were obviously meant to eat meat...we have canine teeth!"

Really? Please let me know the next time you are tearing through the hide of an animal with only your "canine" teeth.

Meatless in May Campaign

Your Daily Thread and Chelsea Green team up for the "Meatless in May" campaign. It is intended to raise awareness about the environmental impact of meat production, but there are many other reasons to go meatless as well, in May and every other month. If you aren't already a vegetarian, try it out for May and see how easy it really is!