Monkey Milk

I don't drink monkey milk, sheep milk, cat milk, goat milk, dolphin milk, dog milk, buffalo milk…and I certainly don't drink cow's milk.  And neither should any human being.  It wasn't made for us, it was made for them.  It isn't a match with our DNA, never has been and never will be (at least not naturally).  Additionally, mother nature in its infinite wisdom, created those special formulas to facilitate the growth of a 2,000 pound cow, a full size dolphin and so on…not to facilitate the growth of a human.  

I find that so many interested in becoming vegan have an issue or aversion to giving up dairy.  I was once there…believe me I understand.  However, once I became more educated on the topic…it took no time for me to make the change.  Our culture has placed such great importance on factory farming (and those corporate giants involved), that every campaign and pretty package touts the countless benefits of adding dairy to our diets.  The industry has always preached the ever important Vitamin D…which is of course added to milk…as in "fortified".  Try sitting in the sun for a few minutes instead.

Now…here are some alternatives (always look for Non-GMO)…Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Rice Milk, Oat Milk, Hemp Milk, Cashew Nut Milk & Coconut Milk.  You may also be surprised to learn, that each of these carry incredible nutritional properties…such as Almond Milk, containing 50% more calcium than Cow's Milk.

Aside from the absolute illogic in consuming dairy…there is also the aspect of animal cruelty (yes, even on "organic" farms).  I am going to let the following speak for itself.  I have also included an enlightening video below (be forewarned it might disturb some…however, it WILL educate you).  

Some things just need to be said…  

The following excerpt taken from the Farm Sanctuary (http://www.farmsanctuary.org):

“Cow's milk can never be obtained without immense cruelty. Dairy cows are forcibly impregnated on what the industry calls the "rape rack" every year. Immediately after giving birth, the mother cow has her calf dragged away from her so that he or she does not drink her milk. The mother cow shows clear signs of mourning her loss including bellowing, hiding in dark places, not eating or drinking, pacing, and more. If the calf is male, he is immediately chained by the neck in a 2-ft wide crate, so small that he can't turn around, stretch his limbs, or lie down comfortably. There he spends his entire short life being fed an anemic diet, just to be slaughtered at only a few months of age for veal. If the calf is female, she is raised to be a dairy cow like her mother.
 
Immediately after losing her baby, the mother cow is hooked up to metal milk machines 3 times a day and forced to produce ten times more milk each day than she would in  nature. Just 2 to 3 months after giving birth, she is re-impregnated. While in nature a cow would live to 20 years, cows on modern farms are slaughtered at just 3 or 4 years of age to become cheap hamburger meat. More information about the routine abuses of the dairy industry is available at the Farm Sanctuary website.
 
In addition, the standards regulating the treatment of "organic" dairies are extremely weak and many animal protection, consumer advocacy, environmental protection, and public health organizations have argued that the animals in large organic farms face the same conditions as those on non-organic factory farms. Investigations at farms owned by some of the largest organic dairy companies like Horizon Organic have verified this. More information about the truth behind “organic” and other “humane” food labels is available in this article.”

Costco products and an amazing video

As I mentioned previously, I would be providing some "Josh approved" products that are available at Costco locations.  Many of our readers have written in with their suggestions and favorites too, and some of those have been included in this list (thank you to those who wrote in).  Although there are others, this list will give you some idea of what I purchase or recommend.  Additionally, here is some general advice, whether you are shopping at Costco or anywhere else…

Always look for Organics and Non-GMO (click here to see a previous post on GMO). Obviously, not everyone can afford to maintain a solely organic diet, so click here to see a little cheat sheet and find out what the most important items to buy organic are (scroll down until you see item #3, The "Dirty Dozen" image, then click on it and you can print it copy for your shopping trips).

I also wanted to share this amazing video below. It certainly makes us consider the intelligence of other beings we share our planet with.  Hope you enjoy it!

The list...

Fruits & Veggies:

If you can find organic fruits…go for them!  I am fortunate enough to live in a location with a weekly farmers market, so I get many organics from a stand there.  As far as fruits at Costco…Refer to the list of the most important produce items to buy organic.  

Earthbound Organic:

Baby Greens
Spinach
Heirloom Lettuce Heads
       Baby Carrots
       Table/Juicing Carrots
Organic Apples
Pesticide Free – Hot House Grown
       Bell Peppers:  Red 6 large
       Bell Peppers:  Red, Yellow, Orange
       Tomatoes: (Cherry, On the Vine and Roma)

Refrigerated:

Hannah Organic “Hummus” 
Emerald Valley Organic Medium Salsa

Freezer:

I would always recommend eating non-processed, whole foods whenever possible.  However, I do feel that frozen veggies and some fruits (like berries) are fine.  Again, I would prefer organic in any selection.

ByBee Foods: Organic Frozen Peas,  Organic Petite Whole Green Beans
B Bee: Copper Sweet White Corn (sustainable and non-GMO)
Triple Berry Mix
Blueberries
Village Harvest Whole Grain Creations
Madame Edamame (non-GMO)

Dried Goods: 

Tru-Roots Organic Quinoa
Tru Roots Organic Sprouted Trio Beans
Organic Golden Flax Meal

Canned Goods:

Organic Amy’s Soups

Breakfast:

Barbara’s Organic Cereals (I of course recommend those with vegan only ingredients).

Snacks:

Organic Kirkland Corn Chips
Food Should Taste Good Multi-grain chips – Non-GMO
Kettle Baked Salt & Pepper Chips – Non-GMO
Trio Bars

Beverages:

Vita Coco Young Coconut Water
Kirkland Organic Soy Milk
Pacific Organic Rice Milk
       
Nuts: (note: the best nuts you could buy would be raw and organic - but they can be expensive and found at specialty stores or online)

Marantha Organic Almond Butter - It is awesome!
Almonds
Walnuts
Pine Nuts
Pecans

Can't find what your looking for…then create it!

The "Jack & Lu"The story of the "Jack and Lu".  

After moving to our quaint little beach town, I began to frequent a local coffee house. It was one block from the ocean, great coffee, great atmosphere and free wifi…I had found my remote office!  In addition to coffee, tea and the usual delectable's you would expect at a coffee house, they had a fairly extensive breakfast and lunch menu.  However, there was little for me to choose from that was vegan.  

I found myself torn…I loved working out of this little gem of a location, yet I wanted to eat there!  And, since I felt it was  inappropriate to pack a lunch to bring into the establishment…I decided that I would ask the owners if they would consider putting something on the menu specifically for me (yes I know that's bold).  I of course "pitched" the idea with the premise that so many others would order it too.  Since I had become friendly with the husband and wife team over the few months I had been visiting…they said they that if I came up with a sandwich they could make easily…they would give it a try, and had considered an addition like this before (as well as had other requests for vegetarian/vegan menu items).  Even though I had likely already pushed the boundries…I had to make one final request…if they liked it, then I got the naming rights...

It was just moments later (although I think I waited a day to provide the details) that the "Jack and Lu" was born, appropriately named after my two kids (Jack and Lucy) and had a "deli" kind of ring to it:).

Ahhh…finally, I had all of the components necessary to create the ideal coffee, work, eating environmnet…with a view of the Atlantic to boot!  In the months that passed, the Jack and Lu has found it's way into countless others hearts (and bellies). In fact, the sandwich has become so popular, that they then created a salad version. If that wasn't enough, they now are making homemade hummus and growing there own organic sprouts (yes, another thing I suggested…which allows them to provide even higher quality).  Then they followed up all this accommodating behavior, with the addition of another vegan side dish (this one I helped with as well, and carries the moniker of "Susie's Thai Slaw"...that would be my wife).  Almost sounds like I am living in a Seinfeld episode…but that's just my life…

Josh

I know…you want to know what's in it…ok, here it is…

Food for Life's Ezekiel Sprouted Wheatberry Bread (I like it slightly toasted)
Hummus
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Cucumber
Lettuce of some sort (they use gorgeous mixed greens)
Red Onion
Sprouts
Sliced Tomato

Avocado is also an ideal addition!

Three rules on dining out as a vegan (or with a vegan)

Dining out as a vegan can certainly be challenging.  Here are some of my tips to make it easier…

1. Research the location you are going to be dining at.  So many restaurants today have websites with their menu's posted online.  You can also look at websites like Yelp and Urbanspoon, they both have menu's and reviews for participating restaurants.  It's also not a bad idea to call ahead and ask questions about vegan options, and if they can accommodate you.

2. First and foremost…be nice (okay, second in this list).  As my grandfather used to say, "You'll get far more with honey than vinegar".  There have been very few times that I have run into someone or some place that was unwilling to try and accommodate my requests…and most will go out of their way…if you're nice!  Be kind and "ask"…and if you don't seem to be getting anywhere, then politely explain that you have a serious allergy to whatever you are worried about, like dairy, etc. (restaurants do not want people having seizures or going into anaphylactic shock in front of their other guests)!

3. Eat something before going to be safe.  This is a tactic I employ often.  If I am at all unsure about my options, I always have something before I head out.  Then, at a minimum, I can usually get a salad or some veggies if my options are limited.  If they end up having more for you, you're in good shape too, and can order less and save money:)

4. (yes, I know I said three rules…here's the bonus rule) Hide food in your purse, jacket, pockets etc...(easy to bring some nuts, dried fruit, etc).  I often will order as large a salad as I can get, then add my own raw almonds or dried fruit to it.  I have never had the wait staff at a restaurant notice.

Now…if you are daring or bold enough, you can always request that a restaurant create or add something to their menu for you…Look for my next post on my little creation that has become a big hit in our town…

Josh

Just say no…to GMO

Photo Credit: Lindsay StradtnerSo many readers have been writing in looking for specific product recommendations…which I will provide, promise!  However, today, instead of a specific product recommendation, I need to make a broad product suggestion…And that is...AVOID GMO products whenever you can.

"But the real shock came when the rats started dying. Within three weeks, 25 of the 45 (55.6%) rats from the GMO soy group died compared to only 3 of 33 (9%) from the non-GMO soy group and 3 of 44 (6.8%) from the non-soy controls". (this data is taken from a study conducted by Irina Ermakova, a leading scientist at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), added GMO soy flour (5-7 grams) to the diet of female rats. Other females were fed non-GMO soy or no soy at all. The experimental diet began two weeks before the rats conceived and continued through pregnancy and nursing).

So, what are GMO's? (which can also be labeled/referred to as genetically engineered organism, or GEO's).

*GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.  Not very natural sounding is it?

Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.   But…there is money to be made by those doing it!

There are those who will argue that GMO's are safe…but are they?  *Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. In nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. Increasingly, Americans are taking matters into their own hands and choosing to opt out of the GMO experiment.

If there was ever a broad recommendation I would have for you, it would be this one…avoid GMO's whenever you possibly can.  *Unfortunately, even though polls consistently show that a significant majority of Americans want to know if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs, the powerful biotech lobby has succeeded in keeping this information from the public. In the absence of mandatory labeling, the Non-GMO Project was created to give consumers the informed choice they deserve.  (The Non-GMO Project website can be reached by clicking here)

Unfortunately, due to these labeling requirements…finding Non-GMO products can be quite a challenge. So what can you do?  Look for products with "NO GMO" on the labels or packaging. The Non-GMO Project offers a great online tool (CLICK HERE) that will help you find Non-GMO products by category, brand or specific name. 

You may never know when dining out…but you can know what you are putting in your fridge and pantry…so be an advocate for yourself and your family.

Whether you are vegan/vegetarian or not…and whether you believe the research…or think the verdict is still out…I for one, will do everything I can to mitigate the risk!

In the near future, I will be sharing my favorite NON-GMO products here.  So, keep your eye out.

Josh

* Excerpts from the not-for-profit, The Non-GMO Project - CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE