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.
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.”
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:42AM 
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!
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 3:49PM 
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
