I try to eat as much seasonal fruit and vegetables as possible since we are suckers for fresh produce. I plan my grocery lists around the in-season items and then plan meals around what I buy.
One favourite for autumn/winter (since that is where we are here in Australia) is apples. There are so many things they can be used for. Apple pie, apple juice, apple sauce, apple chutney, you can dice them up and put them into porridge along with some cinnamon and raw sugar, and they can be dried if you've got a good deal on a couple of kilos worth of them.
The other good thing about autumn and winter are the citrus fruits coming into season. Not only do I love grapefruit as a nice addition to breakfasts and orange as orange juice, but lemons and limes provides nice opportunities.
My husband is not a fan of plain water, and with lemon and lime the possibility for home-made lemonade comes into play. It is a lot better than the store bought, carbonated beverages in that the lemons and limes actually do contain large amounts of vitamin C.
And, for all those of us who love our Mojitos and Margaritas over the weekend the abundance of lime is great.
One of the new projects in our home is whispered about as being citrus mousses and jellies with the help of agar agar, and soy lecithin.
I love Asian food. Stir fries, Pad Thai, warm noodle soups and curries alike. With broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, ginger, kale, okra and Chinese vegetables making an entrance into the "in season" section again that is one thing we will be looking forward to. Bread, pasta and cous cous will slowly be substituted with noodles and rice, sweet potato and potato.
I hope I will come up with some nice recipes to share on this blog, and maybe some failed ones to warn against. As for now I am working on the grocery list for tomorrow. I might post again later today though, because now I am delving into options for beauty regimes, being the vain woman I am.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
"Veganism and Vegetarianism is a first world luxury": A response.
Let us first look at the definition of Veganism as put forward by the original British Vegan Society.
"Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose."
It is a simple definition that allows for deviations from what one would consider the norm of vegan eating when a situation is created where the complete avoidance of animal products or by-products is not possible or practicable.
One of the biggest things that is thrown in ones face as a vegan or vegetarian is this;
"Veganism and Vegetarianism is a first world luxury."
Now, it is decidedly not a first world luxury in the way the individuals who spout this phrase usually mean. In fact, meat in and of itself is not cheap to produce compared to plant matter. The high-meat diet that people in first world countries commonly adhere to is the first world luxury.
A lot of people ask what one would do if one had to live in Africa for a while. Africa is a continent where, on average, most of the food is plant based and meat is not even considered a staple but more of a delicate spice or luxury. Yams, plantains, green bananas and cassava are the essential staples in Africa. Beans and lentils are also very popular.
Most poorer countries have staple foods that are of vegetable origin as their primary food source because meat is expensive to buy, expensive to raise in terms of clean water, feed etc... and refrigeration can be a major issue causing diseases because of parasites, bacteria and similar.
So, more than the lack of meat the presence of a high quantity of meat is a first world luxury. The luxury first world vegans and vegetarians have is knowledge of nutrition requirements, and this does not disappear because you have travelled to a poorer country. Meat, as a staple, is confined to the countries that are high beef producers and the "developed first world" and in most of these cases it is factory farming that makes it possible.
http://www.afrol.com/archive/food_staples.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2008/dec/12/ugali-masai-african-food
http://www.congocookbook.com/staple_dish_recipes/index.html
http://cyberschool.oxfam.org.hk/eng/articles.php?id=82&page=2
The reason I used Africa in this is because it is the most commonly used continent in correlation with this statement.
When using places like India for example it becomes easy to refute since almost a third of the Indian population are, in fact, vegans or vegetarians because of religious convictions.
While the high level of plant-based food might not be a choice for poorer people because of the cost of meat, the problems with adequate cooling and similar that does not mean that being a vegetarian or vegan is a first world luxury. Most people do fine on the very things that would largely be available to them on the African continent, albeit in smaller portions, while faux meats might be a first world luxury, a plant-based diet is not. A meat-based diet, however, is a first world luxury on the scale your average American, Australian or European consume it.
Arguing on the Internet about someone's choice to abstain from animal products? That is definitely a first world luxury.
"Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose."
It is a simple definition that allows for deviations from what one would consider the norm of vegan eating when a situation is created where the complete avoidance of animal products or by-products is not possible or practicable.
One of the biggest things that is thrown in ones face as a vegan or vegetarian is this;
"Veganism and Vegetarianism is a first world luxury."
Now, it is decidedly not a first world luxury in the way the individuals who spout this phrase usually mean. In fact, meat in and of itself is not cheap to produce compared to plant matter. The high-meat diet that people in first world countries commonly adhere to is the first world luxury.
A lot of people ask what one would do if one had to live in Africa for a while. Africa is a continent where, on average, most of the food is plant based and meat is not even considered a staple but more of a delicate spice or luxury. Yams, plantains, green bananas and cassava are the essential staples in Africa. Beans and lentils are also very popular.
Most poorer countries have staple foods that are of vegetable origin as their primary food source because meat is expensive to buy, expensive to raise in terms of clean water, feed etc... and refrigeration can be a major issue causing diseases because of parasites, bacteria and similar.
So, more than the lack of meat the presence of a high quantity of meat is a first world luxury. The luxury first world vegans and vegetarians have is knowledge of nutrition requirements, and this does not disappear because you have travelled to a poorer country. Meat, as a staple, is confined to the countries that are high beef producers and the "developed first world" and in most of these cases it is factory farming that makes it possible.
http://www.afrol.com/archive/food_staples.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2008/dec/12/ugali-masai-african-food
http://www.congocookbook.com/staple_dish_recipes/index.html
http://cyberschool.oxfam.org.hk/eng/articles.php?id=82&page=2
The reason I used Africa in this is because it is the most commonly used continent in correlation with this statement.
When using places like India for example it becomes easy to refute since almost a third of the Indian population are, in fact, vegans or vegetarians because of religious convictions.
While the high level of plant-based food might not be a choice for poorer people because of the cost of meat, the problems with adequate cooling and similar that does not mean that being a vegetarian or vegan is a first world luxury. Most people do fine on the very things that would largely be available to them on the African continent, albeit in smaller portions, while faux meats might be a first world luxury, a plant-based diet is not. A meat-based diet, however, is a first world luxury on the scale your average American, Australian or European consume it.
Arguing on the Internet about someone's choice to abstain from animal products? That is definitely a first world luxury.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Mushroom Burgers and lip balm...
So... I finally got to go to The Green Edge, and I was not disappointed. Like most fairly new vegans I am used to the selection of, for example, refrigerated goodies be around 5 items including 2 varieties of Tofu. This place was heaven... I wanted to buy the entire store, but unfortunately this fortnight is extra hard for us. (All bills including electricity going out)
I did walk away with a neat selection. My chapped lips are in heaven thanks to the HURRAW! lip balm. I splurged and got two. One root beer and one black cherry tinted one. They're both awesome!
Their mushroom burgers were FANTASTIC! I wasn't expecting them to be THAT tasty, but the vegan cheese they used in combination with the mushroom and the mango chutney was beyond yummy, and they were LARGE. My burger had three huge mushrooms in it.
We made mini-pizzas with the cheese and pepperoni slices I bought and I loved it, the husband thought it was okay, but he was unimpressed. Now I'm boiling sweet corn and then I'm going to knit a small hat for myself, one without ears... contemplating a bath.
Tomorrow I am going to try the soy chicken in a stirfry, and later in the week we'll have the asam fillets. Can't wait. I am so stuffed... I think I was still stuffed from the burgers when I started in on dinner! :D
Veganism and bad videos...
So, I finally made that youtube video, and it was bad. Why? Because I couldn't get any editing and recording to work except for youtube direct webcam recording. That means no editing and bad quality. Eventually, after having re-done it five freaking times in one hour I thought "fuckit" and just settled for the last version. Stupid? Probably. I got most of my points across though. But this was a response to a larger youtube user, and that is kind of... silly of me.
I am going to make a good vegan video in a couple of days though, because there needs to be more reasonable ones out there. *le sigh*
Well, for now I am DONE. Now all I am going to do is enjoy a cigarette, do some knitting and load up an episode of House... if there is enough time... OH! I was supposed to take care of a bunch of other things as well! DARN IT!
Tomorrow is The Green Edge day! WHOOT! Root beer flavoured vegan lip balm here I COME! I can't decide what to get from the cafe though! Mushroom burger? Breaded tofu burger? Veggie burger? ARGH! So many choices! Or should I just get a sundae? Or both? EEEK! Maybe a thickshake?
Oh well, off to bed I go.
I am going to make a good vegan video in a couple of days though, because there needs to be more reasonable ones out there. *le sigh*
Well, for now I am DONE. Now all I am going to do is enjoy a cigarette, do some knitting and load up an episode of House... if there is enough time... OH! I was supposed to take care of a bunch of other things as well! DARN IT!
Tomorrow is The Green Edge day! WHOOT! Root beer flavoured vegan lip balm here I COME! I can't decide what to get from the cafe though! Mushroom burger? Breaded tofu burger? Veggie burger? ARGH! So many choices! Or should I just get a sundae? Or both? EEEK! Maybe a thickshake?
Oh well, off to bed I go.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Failed baking and headaches...
I developed the headache from hell earlier today. Luckily I was able to banish it with a couple of painkillers and a nap. I am still tired as all hell though. I know why, I have been skimping on the water lately. The reason for that is that our water tastes like dirt, literally. Not very appetising, and it usually makes me a little nauseated, but apparently not dangerous according to the husband, and since all the water around here seems to have that taste I'll believe him.
I tried baking vegan cinnamon scrolls today. It did not go well. The texture was good, the taste was awful. I tried a shortcut by using bicarbonate soda instead of making a proper yeast dough. Never doing that again, next time I'll either use self raising flour or baking powder at the very least. At least hubby eats the things despite them tasting like buttfluff. (Not literally, but metaphorically)
Now I am sitting here and trying to decide if I should have a bath or if I should knit and watch some episodes of House. Regardless of what I end up doing I will be making a youtube video tomorrow. Nervous about that. It is an awaited response to a larger youtube user, I always get nervous about things like these, but... someone had to represent the vegan community in a reasonable and adult way. Dear heavens my fellow vegans can be asshats!
Oh well, time for that knitting! Knitting and tea! I am thinking rose and french vanilla for today. And then we'll see if I end up watching House or if I decide to listen to some of that Lana Del Rey. My sister is sold on her, and I have to agree that she is quite good.
I tried baking vegan cinnamon scrolls today. It did not go well. The texture was good, the taste was awful. I tried a shortcut by using bicarbonate soda instead of making a proper yeast dough. Never doing that again, next time I'll either use self raising flour or baking powder at the very least. At least hubby eats the things despite them tasting like buttfluff. (Not literally, but metaphorically)
Now I am sitting here and trying to decide if I should have a bath or if I should knit and watch some episodes of House. Regardless of what I end up doing I will be making a youtube video tomorrow. Nervous about that. It is an awaited response to a larger youtube user, I always get nervous about things like these, but... someone had to represent the vegan community in a reasonable and adult way. Dear heavens my fellow vegans can be asshats!
Oh well, time for that knitting! Knitting and tea! I am thinking rose and french vanilla for today. And then we'll see if I end up watching House or if I decide to listen to some of that Lana Del Rey. My sister is sold on her, and I have to agree that she is quite good.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Cold feet and warm beds
It is cold tonight, chilly in fact... I am curled up in bed, wanting more tea and to watch an episode of Supernatural.
I made my go-to dish for dinner, a pearl couscous with mushroom and a vegan hot dog chopped up into it. And kale... kale is awesome.
I would love to spend the entire day tomorrow reading. But what should I read? I have to finish Wuthering Heights soon so I can start with another classic. And I am currently also reading "The Vampire Lestat". But I feel like some fantasy. I might have to go looking through my husband's side of the collection of books we have...
Oh well, I might just have to coax the husband to make me that cup of tea, my feet do not want to touch another cold tile in a long while.
I made my go-to dish for dinner, a pearl couscous with mushroom and a vegan hot dog chopped up into it. And kale... kale is awesome.
I would love to spend the entire day tomorrow reading. But what should I read? I have to finish Wuthering Heights soon so I can start with another classic. And I am currently also reading "The Vampire Lestat". But I feel like some fantasy. I might have to go looking through my husband's side of the collection of books we have...
Oh well, I might just have to coax the husband to make me that cup of tea, my feet do not want to touch another cold tile in a long while.
Friday, May 18, 2012
No Sushi, but plenty yum!
I ended up not making sushi anyway. I ended up making pasta with vegan schnitzel and fried beetroot with a side of roasted sunflower seeds and a carrot/red cabbage salad. It was plenty yummy, and all vegan.
Now, what to do now? Well, if I can choose I will read for a bit, followed by some dancing around the room, then writing. Or writing before dancing. Who knows?
There is still plenty of dry roasted sunflower seeds left over (and yes, I roast them myself), so that will be my snack. Now for the after dinner coffee and a large glass of water.
Now, what to do now? Well, if I can choose I will read for a bit, followed by some dancing around the room, then writing. Or writing before dancing. Who knows?
There is still plenty of dry roasted sunflower seeds left over (and yes, I roast them myself), so that will be my snack. Now for the after dinner coffee and a large glass of water.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)