Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Being Vegan Is About More Than Just Food

Hello, Hello! I hope everyone is having an awesome summer and enjoying the fairer months and the seasonal foods. I do very well when it comes to eating vegan food. I have never conscienceless eaten something non vegan, but have made a few accidental mistakes which I am sure has happened to everyone sometime or another. I do, however, use a few products that depend on exploiting animals. My old running shoes are made of leather and I am waiting to wear them out. I stopped using all my non leather belts, except a peace sign one that my dad made and I cannot bear to part with it. I used soap and shampoo that is most likely tested on animals and use a bunch of other things that I am sure are tested on animals that I am not in charge of buying so they are out of my control. I know when I am able to choose the cleaning products I buy, I will get ones that are not tested on animals. Over the past few weeks I have needed to buy new shoes and soap and I made a conscience effort to buy vegan.
***********************************

I heard about Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap from a friend and I think it is really amazing! You are supposed to be able to use it for 18 different things, but just a word, DO NOT TRY IT FOR TOOTH PASTE OR YOU WILL BE SORRY! I have not tried washing my hair with it yet but it works great as soap and shave gel.


Shoes!
I love shoes and have been buying vegan shoes for a while. I always had canvas Converses in the past but I wanted to try somthing different. I saw a girl wearing these Keds slip ons in the mall and so I went online to find them. They are very comfortable and have no leather in them.


I am starting my volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary soon and I really need hiking boots (last year I had to wear sneakers which was horrible). I went on a quest from non leather boots and found them on Zappos.com in the vegetarian section. I recomend checking Zappos whenever you need vegan shoes. They were majorly on sale with free overnight shipping both ways.


AND NOW FOR THE FOOD

My two newest vegan loves are Newman's Own plain popcorn (which I melt EB to put on top) and Rice Thins rice crackers.

My aunt came yesterday and bought me two HUGE bags of dark chocolate covered espresso beans and dark chocolate covered cranberries! Need I say more?


TLT (Tofu lettuce and tomatoe) on pita

Italian-flavored tempeh nuggets over salad

I found the recipe for the nuggets in the Students Go Vegan Cookbook (pg. 124). They were so easy to make and came out perfect. Don't forget to simmer and steam your tempeh first to get the bite out.
One last thought to end my long post. Many people feel they need to be protesting animal rights on the streets, this is great if you have the courage and drive to do it, but I think everyone with a vegan blog is positively protesting in favor of the animals. When we get people interested in good tasting vegan food, we get them interested in why we eat this way. Isa Chandra Moskowitz (author of Vegan With a Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World) writes on this idea of “culinary activism” here. Good job everyone and keep up the amazing work!

23 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

this is an excellent post - I agree that just by contributing our thoughts and such on our blogs, we're "educating" others about veganism (even if, like you said, we're not out on the streets protesting).

that salad with the tempeh nuggets looks sooo good!! I look forward to seeing more posts with your recipes - they always look amazingly delicious.

laura k said...

This is a great post. You're right, it's not just about food but about every decision we make. I am very thankful for the link to Zappo's--my trusty old hiking boots gave out on my last trip, and now I have been fretting about how to replace them with an animal-friendly alternative.

Your food looks incredible, as usual. The animals and the planet are fortunate to have a friend in you!

Rose said...

The food looks great. I've been wanting to try that "magic soap" since I saw it in Alternative Medicine but I didn't know it was 18 in 1! Great point by the way on the whole culinary activism.

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

I so agree with the "culinary activism" points...

GREAT POST by the way. The soap is great for washing my dogs BTW, I'm not crazy about what it does to my hair though (think giant 'Brillo' scrubby thingy!!)

aTxVegn said...

What a wonderful post, Kate! I love keds and the ones you found are so cute. And I heard some guys on the morning radio show just yesterday talking about Dr. Bronner's. I always thought it was a little harsh, but I'm willing to give it another try.

Those dark chocolate treats look really yummy and your food looks delish as always. I'm making your black bean burgers today, although it's raining so I probably won't get to grill them.

Happy 4th!

Sheree' said...

Well written post. I love the little canvas shoes. They are so cute.

Thank you for the tip to Zappo's. I am going to be needing shoes soon.

We had a 4th of July Breakfast this morning at our church and they were cooking very unfriendly vegan food. I brought my own breakfast and felt proud to be saving an animals life. You are right, all of us with vegan blogs are really doing our part to promote veganism!.

Keep up the good work and wonderful cooking.

Rose said...

The mesquite lime marinating sauce is used to flavor meat, but I use it on tofu sometimes. It gives it a really good taste. I don't know the name of the company though.

madeinalaska said...

Bravo! what a great post... covering everything from soap, shoes.. and then on to the food!

Jackie said...

Thanks for the comment.

You have a great blog. I get so jealous of the great vegan products available overseas but not here.

Will add you to my blogroll.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

I love this thoughtful post, Kate! everything about it. I'd like to find some of that soap - it sounds so versatile. And I'm impressed (& jealous) that you will be volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary! culinary activism has a nice ring to it. :)

Anonymous said...

Zappos is a great place to buy shoes. I love the veg search feature. I am in desparate need of some new hiking shoes so I'm going to see if they have the ones you bought in my size. Thanks for the link!

madhu said...

Interesting article.


I would have gone for it, if I would seen these shoes before.

I just purchased
shoes
from shoedeals4u.com, which is similar to your shoes and looking forward to it to arrive.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://cpcheat.org/]Club Penguin Codes[/url] provides you with a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-money-maker/]Club Penguin Money Maker[/url] that permits you to gain a lot of coins in Club Penguin.
[url=http://cpcheat.org/]Club Penguin Codes[/url] also gives you [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-trackers/]Club Penguin Trackers[/url] such as a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-aunt-arctic-tracker/]Club Penguin Aunt Arctic Tracker[/url], a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-cadence-tracker/]Club Penguin Cadence Tracker[/url], a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-gary-tracker/]Club Penguin Gary Tracker[/url], a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-band-tracker/]Club Penguin Band Tracker[/url], a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-rockhopper-tracker/]Club Penguin Rockhopper Tracker[/url], and a [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-sensei-tracker/]Club Penguin Sensei Tracker[/url].
Finally,[url=http://cpcheat.org/]Club Penguin Codes[/url] gives you [url=http://cpcheat.org/club-penguin-bots/]Club Penguin Bots[/url] and [url=http://cpcheat.org/]Club Penguin Mission Cheats[/url] and [url=http://cpcheat.org/]Club Penguin Coin Cheats[/url]

Anonymous said...

Wanna Get HIGH? Running out of Supply? Then Check Out My Shit!
>>>>> http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info <<<<
If you have questions, you can email my boy at online.mentor [at] gmail.com


[size=1] IGNORE THIS----------------------------
amsnita musccaria aamanita mmuscaria [url=http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info] legal highs online [/url] tina meth ufo alvarkus [url=http://buybudshoplegalherbs.info] legal herbs[/url] fly agaric toadstool wcstasy pklls [url=HTTP://BUYINGMARIJUANASALE.INFO] Purchase Cannabis Sativa [/url] manita muscarka kratom side effects [url=HTTP://BUYLEGALBUDSCOMREVIEWS.INFO] buy legal bud [/url] saalvia divihorum meth before after pictures [url=HTTP://CANNABISHIGH-PILLSHIGH.INFO] High Quality Cannabis[/url] savlia divinnorum ubfo aalvarius [url=HTTP://HOWTOBUYWEED-BUYINGWEED.INFO] how to purchase marijuana[/url] aslvia diivnorum bjfo alvsrius [url=http://legalbud.drugreviews.info] legal bud [/url]

amanita death cap safe legal hallucinogens [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legal weeds [/url] best kratom source hair sample drug test [url=http://buysalvia.lamodalatina.com] purchase salvia powder[/url] dcstasy pillls bufoo lvarius

Different Ecstasy savlia divinoorum [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legalweed [/url] salvia divinorum fort wayne budo alvariuss [url=http://buysalviacheap.com] order salvia extract[/url] lwgal nuds dalvia divinkrum
[url=http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/]height improvement[/url] - http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/
height enhancement - http://guaranteedheightincrease.info
[url=http://provenpenisenlargement.info/]proven penis growth[/url] - http://provenpenisenlargement.info/
proven penis lengthening - http://provenpenisenlargement.info/
[url=http://provenskincareadvice.info/]skin care advice[/url] - http://provenskincareadvice.info/
skin care tips - http://provenskincareadvice.info/
[url=http://getrichgambling.info/]get money gambling[/url] - http://getrichgambling.info/
get riches gambling - http://getrichgambling.info/
[url=http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/]herpes outbreak[/url] - http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/
herpes outbreak - http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/
[url=http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO]cure premature ejaculation[/url] - http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO
stop premature ejaculation - http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO
[url=http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO]used mobile phone for sale[/url] - http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO
used mobile cell phone for sale - http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO
[url=http://internationaloddities.reviewsdiscountsonline.com] international oddities scam[/url]
internationaloddities scam
[url=http://drobuds.reviewsdiscountsonline.com]dro bud review [/url]
dro buds review
[url=http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info] best acne treatment review[/url] http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info
acne treatment review http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info
[url=HTTP://LEARN-HYPNOSIS-ONLINE.INFO]learn hypnosis online[/url]
learn hypnosis online

Anonymous said...

Hey,

I'm seeking help for the kids of Haiti.

I'm here for a non-profit group that devotes themselves to
building oppurtunities for the children in haiti. If anybody wants to donate then this is the place:

[url=http://universallearningcentre.org]Donate to Haiti[/url] or Help Haiti

They give children in Haiti books and teach them.

Please check it out, they're legitimate.

I greatly appreciate anyone's help

Anonymous said...

I am able to make link exchange with HIGH pr pages on related keywords like [url=http://www.usainstantpayday.com]bad credit loans[/url] and other financial keywords.
My web page is www.usainstantpayday.com

If your page is important contact me.
please only good pages, wih PR>2 and related to financial keywords
Thanks
itergeFlers

Anonymous said...

megan fox topless, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187756]fox news megen kelly baby[/url] megan fox gets naked
kim kardashian video streaming, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187768]kim kardashian video pics[/url] kim kardashian black
taylor swift tickets for bank atlantic center, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187772]taylor swift hot picks[/url] taylor swift pics
hannah montana nintendo ds concert, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187786]hanna montana shoes[/url] disney channel's hannah montana lyrics
quidditch world cup, harry potter and the goblet of fire, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187792]harry potter exhibition[/url] harry potter ebooks
all the right moves tom cruise, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187798]boston to canada cruises[/url] cheap cruise tampa to mexico
justin beiber merchandise, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187812]justin bieber one less lonely girl song[/url] justin bieber penis
britney spears circus album, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187814]britney spears if u seek amy[/url] britney spears full length blow job video
megan fox body topless, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/175542]megan fox + naked[/url] megan fox maxim

Anonymous said...

hey


Just saying hello while I read through the posts


hopefully this is just what im looking for looks like i have a lot to read.

Anonymous said...

if you guys unwavering to non-sacred [url=http://www.generic4you.com]viagra[/url] online you can do it at www.generic4you.com, the most trusted viagra pharmaceutics seeking generic drugs.
you can learn drugs like [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Sildenafil_Citrate_Viagra-p2.html]viagra[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Tadalafil-p1.html]cialis[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/VardenafilLevitra-p3.html]levitra[/url] and more at www.rxpillsmd.net, the primary [url=http://www.rxpillsmd.net]viagra[/url] originator on the web. well another great [url=http://www.i-buy-viagra.com]viagra[/url] pharmacy you can find at www.i-buy-viagra.com

Anonymous said...

well guys! counter the latest unbind [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] games like roulette and slots !check out the all strange release [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games at the all up to the minute www.casinolasvegass.com, the most trusted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casinos[/url] on the cobweb! exhume our [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/download.html]free casino software download[/url] and give rise to impress upon the bacon money.
you can also endorse other [url=http://sites.google.com/site/onlinecasinogames2010/]online casinos bonus[/url] . check out this new [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]online casino[/url].

Anonymous said...

Predilection casinos? digging this progeny [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] games. pilot and get up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also discontinuation our up to the minute [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] orientate at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and triumph over corporeal hard money !
another new [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino[/url] spiele neighbourhood is www.ttittancasino.com , pro german gamblers, make a mistake in manumitted online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Hi guys and girls, would somebody if possible help me out? I come here the other day by using bing but now can not find again the post I was reading that day . And before somebody asks, no I'm not blond merely not that good with computers hehe.
Thanks :)

I just now come from an other site with plenty of very usefull suggestions about [url=http://newmoviereleasesdvd.info/]Watch Movies Online Free[/url], if someone also wants and needs to know about that issue see my signature.

Anonymous said...

We [url=http://www.casinobonus.gd]craps online[/url] be subjected to a ample library of utterly freed casino games for you to monkey tricks opportunely here in your browser. Whether you appetite to procedure a table recreation plan or even-handed try elsewhere a some late slots first playing for unfeigned money, we be undergoing you covered. These are the rigid still and all games that you can play at earnest online casinos and you can with them all for free.