Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 6:38AM Vegan Valentines...Two Earthlings
Just a short video for Valentines day. This is Hudson and LuLu (two of the other "earthlings" that live in our home), sharing a few moments together. Another example of the potential we all have to live in peace and harmony.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 5:10PM 
Josh at the local farmers marketOne of the first questions I get when people discover I am vegan is…"but where do you get your protein"?
Here's where...I get it in the same ways as elephants; giraffes; hippopotamuses; rhinoceroses; gorillas; not to mention cows and horses? Yet, we never hear anyone asking if these animals lack protein!
Recently I even had someone ask me, "well without milk, how can you get any nutrition"?…our society is the product of quite a snow job…
Remember what Popeye used to say "“I’m strong to the finish cause I eats me spinach"…turns out he was exactly right…spot on! About 51% of the calories contained in spinach are protein (and I use 3 cups of it in my green shake each morning).
The point is…that our society, through all of its corporate greed and factory farming, has literally swayed hundreds of millions of people into believing that 1)., we must get our protein from animals (and it is superior protein), and 2)., that we need far more protein than a plant based diet can provide…both are of course nonsense.
Today, protein is almost exclusively associated with animal products and the majority of our meals are designed around a "meat" or animal main course. Vegetables have become a side dish, a garnish…which is often prepared to a point of containing little nutritional value as it is overcooked and doused in oils or worse. The word “protein” comes from the Greek word proteios, meaning “of prime importance,” Throughout history, meat-based meals were part of an affluent lifestyle, while those of the less fortunate or lower classes consumed a “substandard” plant-based diet. That assumption continues to persist today...a plant-based diet is lower quality, deficient in protein and contributes to being "weaker".
Ongoing current research has shown that ALL (yes…ALL) plants contain protein and at least 14% of the total calories of every plant are protein. Broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak and, per calorie, spinach is about equal to chicken and fish. Of course, it is based upon weight…so yes, you would have to consume more veggies that animal to obtain this protein. Now all my friends can understand how I eat so much…LOL.
Now onto the second point above…plants can't provide enough protein…According to who I ask? According to the beef or pork councils, the lobbyists for factory farms…hmmm...
Many studies have proven that if you are meeting your caloric needs through a plant-based diet, you will satisfy your body’s protein requirements. Simple mathematics actually prove this. If you consume 2000 calories per day from plant sources containing 14% protein, the total number of calories from protein equals 280. Divide 280 calories by 4 ( there are 4 calories per gram of protein) to find that this diet would supply 70 grams of protein — more than enough for the average man or woman. Historical studies of protein nitrogen balance have shown that women require, on average, 30-50 grams of protein per day and men require 50-70 grams per day based on weight.
Robert Cheeke (Vegan Bodybuilder)….go tell this guy he can't get his protein from plants.Studies and nutritional research have also proven, that plant-based protein from a wide variety of sources adequately supplies ALL (yes, again..ALL) the essential amino acids required for a healthy body. It is not necessary to consume a “complete” protein at every meal. The body’s innate intelligence utilizes the protein from multiple meals to provide the necessary building blocks. In addition, every bite of plant-based protein offers the extra health benefits of fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals (You can't say that about all animal products…the plants win again).
So…how can you add to the amount of protein you consume…easy…eat more plants. Some examples: Beans (27% protein) lentils (36%), chickpeas (33%), peas (30%), and kale (22% - go kale)
Popeye sure was smart…
Josh
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 9:14AM 
Andrew Zimmern, Host of "Bizzare Foods America""So whether it’s pig uterus hot dish in the Twin Cities or muskrat pate in the Motor City, Andrew’s advice remains the same; “If it looks good, eat it!”, says Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizzare Foods America. And therein lies the problem…I'd suggest taking a look at Andrew. Andrew Zimmern…I would call you a disgusting pig (at least in terms of your behavior)…but I cannot insult such an intelligent species…(Pigs are usually rated 4th in overall intelligence, behind chimps, dolphins and elephants).
As someone who once embodied that way of life, as an "evolved" and more educated individual…I must make certain connections…
First, we must examine…or shall I say reexamine "what looks good". It's always been easier to look at our pretty packages of dead cow, pig and sheep in the meat section of the market, or our brightly colored dairy sections peppered with beautiful pictures of farms and happy animals (often with our favorite Disney characters)…yet we avoid having to think about the suffering the animals went through for our pleasure, the torturous behavior…and let's not forget…we never asked them if it was ok. Ahhh…but of course, we are the more intelligent species right? In some eyes…but not my own…I am no longer blinded by what others wish for me to see. 
Josh's daughter treating animals how she was taughtOn a recent airplane flight, I picked up the Delta magazine and looked at it with my 8-year old vegetarian (by choice) son…we saw an advertisement for the show Bizzare Foods America…my son was aghast…guess those images don't look good in his eyes either. I couldn't help but think about his future, how if this "vision" of our food chain continues to become more jaded…where will that leave us?
I also find it incredibly irresponsible, yet a product of our financially driven western culture, that The Travel Channel would even air such a show…but hey…it's all about the ratings..and about advertising dollars…so question answered there. However, regardless of what other travel related entertainment might have interested me before on this cable channel…I'll just have to say "pass" in the future. (Oh how I love that you can block channels on my remote)!
Josh & HudsonAs a vegan, I obviously have an opposition to the content of this show. And, although it explores culture and societal behavior as it relates to food…(which from a historical perspective I understand), I cannot however understand, that it highlights and promotes the same behavior which has the US (the intended target audience for this show) at the top of the charts for heart disease, cancer and a plethora of other ailments. Ailments, which can be most certainly be improved by a plant based diet…not to mention the promotion of a far more peaceful existence with the animals we share this planet with.
Being kind to animals, at least for me, comes far ahead of the health benefits derived as being vegan. And, it is what I will teach my kids…that our choices impact us, impact other beings and impacts our planet…I am a vegan by choice. It the philosophy I live by.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:39PM 
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.”
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 10:47AM 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
