Apparently Amy Sherman at Bay Area Bites did. Well, at least that’s what her blog post says. She says:
“Cooking without any meat, dairy or eggs is a pretty big challenge for me, but every once in a while I do go vegan. My problem with most vegan cookbooks is they tend to veer off into the realm of meat substitutes.”
Honestly, I don’t mean to sound like an ass here but isn’t veering off into the realm of meat substitutes the point? I mean, after all, if the cookbook had recipes for meat then it wouldn’t be vegan.
So, she goes on to recommend two cookbooks; Veganomicon (which I have already told you rocks) and The Accidental Vegan. Now, I haven’t seen The Accidental Vegan but I hear that it’s pretty stellar. While it’s great that a “main stream” (I use that term loosely) website is promoting vegan cookbooks, it’s sad to see that the reason is because the books have “recipes that will make you forget you are not eating meat”. Um, sweetie, that’s not really the point of a vegan cookbook.
A vegan guy or gal isn’t looking to “forget” meat. We choose not to eat meat for a variety of reasons including ethical ones. We choose compassion over killing and benefit not only in our conscience but in our health as well. I find it ironic that she mentions how she doesn’t like some of the dessert recipes in The Accidental Vegan because they call for “non-hydogenated margarine” which she says “doesn’t appeal” to her. Maybe you would prefer some lard?
And of course, since she goes vegan “sometimes”, she goes on to finish her article with tips to incorporate veganism into your diet. And, sadly like most omnivores, she thinks that easy vegan meals are “creamy soups, salads and snacks such as bean dips”. What about tempeh, seitan or tofu? Those are all quick, easy and tasty because they can assume any flavor. Side note here folks, I am by no means saying that salads, soups and dips are not good to eat for a meal. What I AM saying is that vegans eat so much more than that. Eating lettuce leaves and twigs is a stereotype. That is my point.
And lest you think I’m too cynical, my favorite part of the whole thing comes in the comment section where Truff says:
“I don’t have a problem with a vegan diet, but I do have a problem with vegans. I lump them with attorneys in that both groups can be safely judged to be miserable, horrible people that you want to avoid. I’d rather chew my arm off than spend time with a vegan, so I really have no interest in becoming one of their holier-than-thou, fun-hating number.”
Yes, because see? All vegans are miserable AND horrible. But not Truff, no. That person seems like a real ball of fun with such a sunny disposition.
Listen my vegan pallies, this is the very stereotype I keep talking about. Please think before you act, speak or comment. Even the most respectfully passionate person with good intentions can be misconstrued as a radical leftist with an agenda. It’s important to promote your ideas, ideals, and passions with intelligence and the same compassion we expect the omnivores to have towards animals. Even if, yes even if, that person is as stupid as these two.
I actually got told today that I was the most non confrontational vegan they had ever met. The guy was amazed that a vegan could be so easy going about the whole thing. I explained that I had met the Vegan Nazis and that I’m trying not to be like them. Because I can’t be too vegan because I won’t sell my car just because it has leather seats. It runs and I’m poor
Hilarious…that quote is funny. Some people think going vegan is going on a diet and then they go back to meat after they lose weight. jeez
all in all, amy sherman has written a very shallow article on being vegan. she totally misses the ethical point. but, i guess, at least she mentioned “go vegan.”
I find that many people aren’t aware that veganism isn’t a diet, and don’t realize there’s ethics behind our lifestyle. It’s not about forgetting meat, it’s a firm and conscious choice we have made. I direct my meat eating friends to look up what my lifestyl really means on RawPeople. http://www.rawpeople.com/?utm_source=A&utm_medium=B&utm_campaign=C
We choose compassion over killing. That by its very definition makes us peaceful. It is a small cost that we must learn to ignore the haters and peacefully pursue our chosen lifestyle. And they can continue with theirs…..
So let me understand this, I’m stupid because I choose vegan meals for different reasons than you do? Or because I choose not to eat the things you do (such as margarine or meat substitutes)? You’re not very open minded, are you? Keep preaching to the choir if you want, but being vegan is not “one size fits all.” Your hostility helps reinforce the very stereotype you disdain.
Actually, I’m not being hostile. My point was not that you are stupid if you don’t choose to be vegan. Rather, my point was that if you are going to talk about a vegan lifestyle (and go so far as to recommend products) then you might actually want to check it out first. Point in case, stating that the problem with vegan cookbooks that they veer towards meat substitutes. That, in my opinion, means you didn’t, or don’t, understand what veganism means. Too often veganism is seen as a diet when in reality it is a lifestyle choice. Veganism affects more than what you eat.
And, I would welcome an explanation of my hostility. I am not hostile at all. I did not attack anyone for their choices, I merely stated my opinion, which is perfectly normal. People do it all the time. In fact, you have.
I would also like to make reference to Truff. See, Truff took an idea (vegans and lawyers are identical, hateful people) based on whatever experiences he or she has had in life, and lumped two entire groups of people together. One based on occupation and one based on being vegan. His/Her opinion wasn’t complimentary, it was derogatory. When this happens it is referred to as stereotyping or profiling. It is not unlike racism at all. I am vegan and I am not a miserable person, yet Truff claims that I am without even meeting me. That shows a lack of intelligence in my opinion.
So I guess this is my long, drawn out way of saying that, no, I don’t think you are stupid for not being vegan for reasons like mine. I think profiling a group of people and not fully understanding something that you are recommending to others is stupid. And again, this is my opinion on the subject. I would ask you, though, to point out my hostility to me. Because that is not my intention and I can only be a better person by understanding you and your perceptions of what I’m trying to say. Contrary to popular belief, I (as a vegan) am not hostile, bitter or a fun hating individual. I appreciate learning and choose to use the knowledge I gain to evolve.
I understand the term to “go vegan,” and I understand her use in saying it. I think its because she is not an insider to the lifestyle. I myself have just recently started to not eat meat for a year and I’ve realized that the broad vegetarian lifestyle has so many tiny categories. The funny thing is, I find myself getting defensive when people say I am full Vegan and I quickly want to let them know I also eat fish and some dairy. Its so weird, but people really do get defensive and proud about which category they are in, or just proud for the lifestyle they have chosen. I think in this case you are so proud that when someone says “go vegan,” you don’t appreciate the term being used so lightly.
I feel like this proud factor is what affects the stereotype. I honestly have never heard anybody say horrible things about Vegans as you stated in your article. I feel bad for anyone who has experienced that discrimination.
Its about respect! On both ends.
Too bad Truff stereotypes people. From my experience, you stereotype & discriminate or you don’t. Since there is commonly a negative stereotype on vegans/veganism, I find it beneficial to prove the stereotype wrong by my life and mission. Like the commenter above, who was referred to as a non-confrontational vegan, I have benefitted from being very approachable by people who are interested in my lifestyle even if they don’t agree with it.
I don’t think you were being hostile in your article, but you seemed like you were emotional when you were writing it. It seemed like you took what Truff had to say personally. It’s offensive when people stereotype and group people together in a negative way, but one persons ignorance isn’t something another should take personal offense to.
Oh, and finally, I don’t think theres anything wrong with having faux-meat or without having faux-meat in a cookbook. Whole fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes should always be the focus in my opinion.
Great post!
Just found this thread. It’s emblematic of the exciting transition period we’re going through that even vegans are arguing forcefully about the use and abuse of the term.
I’m old enough to remember when the vast majority of people had no idea what a vegan was, had never heard the word. Now those people are in the minority. Concsciousness of veganism is spreading, but since its most obvious attribute is centered around food, the mainstream tends to lump it in with diet-based lifestyles, ignoring the fact that it’s really more of a philosophy of life.
I’d suggest we look at these mentions on a sliding scale and weigh the positive (getting the word out that it is possible to eat happily on a plant-based diet) with the negative (stereotyping) and not jump too fast to condemn high-profile mentions if the net gain is to increase, however slightly, the positive profile of veganism.
For example, when Oprah did her vegan cleanse, the number of people to whom she exposed the concept of veganism as something healthy and attainable was huge. That has to be weighed with the “negative” of her framing veganism as something you can do for 21 days and then drop. For me, the net gain was on the plus side.
It’s complex right now, but we’re going through a period where we will emerge at the other side with veganism as a high-profile lifestyle that most people understand, even if they don’t follow it. Be patient and try not to contribute to any vicious cycles that will inevitably be launched by people who are uneducated or intentionally closed-minded.
I don’t wonder that some vegans are hostile and defensive considering the way they are treated when explaining their choices. Between worrying about where I’m going to get my protein to shaking their heads when I order my food with no meat/no cheese (not an easy task at my local Mexican restaurant) and asking me over and over Why?, the reaction of my friends has been puzzling and hurtful. And these are people who love me, lol. I made this choice for me and haven’t tried to force it on anyone but I think people become insecure when faced with someone who chooses to go against the mainstream. No one questioned or gave less then their full support when another friend started the Atkins diet to lose weight… apparently that wasn’t threatening to them.
oh how wrong they are.
not only am i vegan…
i also hate lettuce.
Oh man! I’d LOVE to spend some time with Truff. S/he sounds delightful!
Those stereotypes drive me nuts. I do try to be a positive example of veganism, but sometimes it is hard when you’re constantly being ridiculed for being different – for making the COMPASSIONATE choice at every meal, regardless of convenience. It is frustrating and sometimes does make me feel less than chipper….but I think we all have to try to remember that because we are different, and because we are threatening, we have to work that much harder at being a good, happy example of what veganism can do. Be a joyful vegan!
I just started visiting this site on the regular after subscribing to your twitter feed. I must say, my transition from a half-assed vegetarian that still ate dairy & seafood to straight up veganism has been surprisingly simple.
I purchased the Veganomicon after reading about it here and it’s definitely given me a solid base for basic vegan cooking.
Keep it up!
That is quite hilarious!
I dont see how being a vegan makes someone a horrible and miserable person. what a narrow minded veiw.
tut tut
Surely someone should see a vegan as a caring and compassionate person?
So I went vegan 3 days ago and its very easy for me I mean I’ve been hating seafood for months now and I hate meat after going on this site that shows how much they slughter animals I just couldn’t eat them anymore. My parents think I’m crazy but this is my choice and I choose to do this. I really hate it when I tell my friends that I’ve turned vegan and their like eating only veggies is unhealthy well eatin g meat is deadly. Veggies is the most healthy thing u can do for ur self and the environment and I choose to be who I am and I won’t change how I think to be like them anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right on Dajuanna! Right on with the light on, and a toast to you for being unapologetic for your vegan beliefs.
I’ve met a lot of really aggressive vegans. I do know that the approach you take with people makes a difference. I try to just shine by example, and don’t push it on anyone. I’ve converted a few people that way :)
In my opinion, every day someone eats a vegan based diet is a day no animals suffered for that person. Multiply that by quite a few thousand and that’s a lot. If someone is mostly vegetarian, I don’t slam them for using the “mostly vegetarian” tag, I praise them for what they do. Every little bit counts. I’d much rather someone eat no meat 340 days out of the year and “treat themselves” a few days. It doesn’t mesh with my personal philosophy but it is better than nothing at all.
I have done nothing in my life to make people angrier than become a vegan. All I want to do is to live a peaceful life, and for some people who spend time with me, I think that shines through. Many of my friends have made changes in their life b/c of that. May I recommend a book?
Yoga and Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon
http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/boutique/index.html
Even if you are not a yogi, this book gives wonderful tips on interacting with others to make the greatest impact. Sharon’s approach is COMPASSION!
Good point. I often wonder why that is not most people’s first reaction. I am a psychotherapist and it’s clear to me that many carnies react from an intuitively defensive stance because their consciousness cannot tolerate the fact that on a deeper level they KNOW that they are consuming the flesh of rotting, tortured sentient beings. So often when I eat with other people the focus of conversation is questioning me about why I eat what I do. *I* am never the one to bring this up, mind you, but I am attacked time and again with ignorant arguments that I didn’t even illicit. I am just trying to EAT for chrissake! Why is that so damn offensive? I have to think a lot of carnies are wrecked with guilt over being faced with their own hypocrisy in loving “SOME” animals and paying for the continued torture and murder of others. You just can reconcile THAT.
Rather than thinking of buying a whole new car, why not try saving up to have the flesh removed from your car and having an eco-friendly cloth put in instead? I had to have this done when I bought a car and yes it was the first time anyone had heard of someone removing animal flesh from their interior because their morals prohibited their having it or supporting it. I educated a lot of people with that choice and wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t even live with DEATH near me and that’s my choice. Does that make me a “Nazi” or just someone who holds true to their values? (BTW what an abhorrent term to use so freely, “nazi.” Do you know what a Nazi is? Is a strict Vegan really a friggen Nazi? Didn’t Nazis engage in death and torture and I the complete opposite? tsk tsk)