Quick and simple:

Why is it that meat-eaters are so damned offended by the mere mention of a person being vegetarian or vegan?

Answers below…

This is one of the best responses to “Why are you vegan?” that I have heard. This woman has done her research and obviously has been asked the question before. A bit “fringe” of a response but you can take some good information from this.

The USDA has ordered its largest ever meat recall of 143 million pounds, but most of the affected beef may have already been consumed. Where is the failure here? The government that doesn’t pay attention, the factory farms…who don’t pay attention or even care, or the meat-eating consumer who is just interested in eating the most fatty, cholesterol-laden product they can at the lowest possible price?

I have just received a letter from Pei-Wei management at the Brentwood restaurant. There was a handwritten (not typed!) apology as well as a $20 certificate. The manager stated that their staff was never instructed to operate in that manner and they have been re-trained. I was, of course, invited back to have lunch/dinner on them. I am sure I will visit again, I am all about second chances.

I guess the post got someone’s attention! Read it here.

I just read an article at CNN.com this morning reporting how a person with a hidden camera entered a slaughterhouse in California (Hallmark Meat Packing Co., based in Chino, California) and taped workers abusing downed cows. They were taped prodding, kicking, poking, and spraying water up the cow’s noses in a effort to get them to get up and walk to the place where their heads will be bashed in and their throats ripped open while swinging upside down. While I obviously hate to read about these situations I do like seeing them brought to light, but this article didn’t quite make me happy. Quote from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois:

“The treatment of animals in this video is appalling, but more than that, it raises significant concerns about the safety of the food being served to our nation’s children,” Durbin said. “The apparent slaughter of sick and weak animals not only appears to violate USDA regulations, but could be a danger to our nation’s food supply.”

While the supply of beef from this plant is reported to be used in the nation’s school lunch supply nowhere in the article does anyone address the animal’s treatment more than the first nine words of Durbin’s statement.

The treatment of the animals is just as heinous as any idea of diseased meat entering the food supply. Let me state that I do hold the welfare of children and what they consume in schools and anywhere else in the highest regard. The thought of diseased anything entering the nation’s food supply is a horrible thought. I don’t wish for that and am glad attention is being brought to that point but I think more and as much attention should be given to the animal’s situation. The more attention that is given to the treatment of animals in this situation the more people will realize what it is they are really munching on at dinner.

I’m sure your kids would love to go to McDonald’s tonight.

Be sure to watch the video at the top of this article. Must see viewing.

I just came from Pei Wei at Brentwood (101 Creekside Crossing) where I had the usual, a teriyaki bowl. That’s not why I am writing this post. When I ordered and sat down there was a woman and four kids sitting directly across from me. As I was sitting down initially they got their food. They ate rather quickly, and when I got my food they were getting up to leave. As they did a boy with them, about 14 years old, took one last bite of something from his plate. He immediately picked up a napkin and spit it out. He then placed the half-eaten food filled napkin face up and open onto a pile of plates that you will find on the table for sharing. The group then left and not long after a woman came to clean the table.

I pay attention to little things when I eat alone.

The woman makes her way cleaning the table, picking up the dirty plates, used silverware, glasses and gathers everything up including the half-eaten food filled napkin from atop the plate stack. She makes her way back to the backroom with her load of dishes LEAVING THE STACK OF PLATES! Not long after she came and finished cleaning the table readying it for the next customer and STILL LEFT THE STACK OF PLATES placing napkins on top of them as usual!

I like Pei Wei, occasionally look forward to a teriyaki bowl but this makes me think twice about ever returning.

Maybe corporate would take interest. You think? I have nothing to gain but I think someone should make some changes.

Since Whole Foods has opened in Green Hills, and for a bit before that, I have written here about how much I am happy that they have decided to open a store in Nashville. If you read this on a regular basis then you would think I am a major stock holder (I own zero). I do visit at least weekly to pick up a few staple items among other spur of the moment things. It’s good to have a wider choice in the foods I purchase. For instance, I no longer have to give money to Dean Foods in order to get unsweetened soy milk. I can get a massive pack of tater tots for $1.99 to go with my lazy burger nights. I have a wider choice of produce that doesn’t look like it has been sitting on top of a heating grate for two weeks before being put out for sale.

I look at the comment board each time I am in the store. The most complaints are about the bulk spices being in the Whole Body store on the corner outside. That’s something I don’t understand as well but I’m not complaining. It is unreal the people who request that the Whole Body store be closed and health products be moved into the main store! Lazy…I’ll leave it at that. Elizabeth has twice left a compliment on a comment card but neither was posted. I guess they would rather show the negativity.

Now that there is news of another Whole Foods opening in Coolsprings I am wondering if the Wild Oats there will meet the same fate as the one that was in Green Hills. I really don’t want to see Wild Oats close but I have nothing to do with that and can’t control it, I won’t complain for that reason. I just consider myself lucky to be able to get the items I choose to use in my daily cooking and munching as easily as I can now. I am acquainted enough with some of the employees at the Wild Oats in Coolsprings enough to hear about all the complaining people do concerning the Whole Foods takeover. They hate the parking at the new store, they hate the bulk selection, they hate the prices. I have noticed prices on the same item lower at Whole Foods as opposed to Wild Oats, but as well, I have noticed a increase in some pricing at the new store. They hate the location. I heard one complaint about Whole Foods carrying conventional items, as if they thought all products were supposed to be organic.

I have noticed the selection of bulk spices and coffee dwindling at Wild Oats without being replenished. When I asked about the spices I was told that Whole Foods management has decided to cut out 8 feet of the bulk isle and the selection goes with it. Odd move, but I’m not going to get in a fit over it, someone else will. I assume the coffee is being phased out in order to supply the Allegro brand.

I’m not going to complain, I’ll leave that to the others. Just happy to have a choice.

Do you tell everyone you know of the virtues of veganism? Do you look for ways to interject your vegan lifestyle in conversation? Go to the grocery checkout with boxes of tofu, rice milk and tempeh in hopes the cashier will inquire as to why you are buying such items? If so, you may be “vegangelical”. I had not heard of the word until last week when my wife said she heard a discussion on NPR about vegans and that the word was mentioned as an “up-and-coming” word. I guess some people are on the edge of religion with their veganism, not sure I am one of those. I would see a meat-eater as being more religious with their diet, mention being a vegan to them and they get all panicked and violated as if my way of eating is a false way. You see where I am going with this.

So, are you vegangelical?

Dan Mathews, Vice PResident of PETA was at the Barnes & Noble at Coolsprings today signing his book “Committed”.   After listening to him speak I think that this site might need a little different direction.    Food is an important part of any vegan or vegetarian but most veg*ns would agree that animal welfare makes a big part of assuming that lifestyle.   I will not take away any part of this site that caters to the eats but I want to dedicate more to animals and the horrors of factory farming and animal abuse to show more people that it not just about the tofu.    If anyone has ideas or suggestions please share.

We were at the new Whole Foods in the Hill Center at 8 am yesterday, many more people were there than I expected. The line doubled around the corner for the free breakfast.  After the bread breaking (Whole Foods’ way of doing a ribbon-cutting), we were the first in the door. Everything was as I expected from the other Whole Foods locations. One standout is the Olive Oil/Balsamic Vinegar tasting station, bottles line the shelves and slices of bread are supplied for you to try almost any vinegar or oil available.

One thing that I really liked was finding Organic Valley Unsweetened Soymilk and finally not having to purchase Silk any longer. I even spoke with one lady for a few minutes and noticed she had about 10 half-gallon cartons of Silk in her cart I told her about Dean Foods which owns Silk.   I saw her soon after putting all of her Silk back on the shelf, right beside the Silk representative that was there! I get laughs in silly, vindictive ways.

I spoke with Laura Button, owner of Journey To Bliss Foods, who was giving out some great samples of her products. My daughter loved the Carrot Cake.

For those wondering, plenty of local products can be found throughout the store and a brochure is even provided to give more information.

One thing I saw that was unlike any other Whole Foods was the cafe was located outside of the cash registers. As well, there was far more outside seating available than I have seen at other locations.

When we were leaving (after returning for the third time) we walked by a lady who was complaining to management about the traffic and parking situation. She went on and on and just would take any explanation as good enough. One management member even walked her through the parking garage to help her understand the best way to enter and leave. We made it a point ot walk up to the same management and thank them for bringing Whole Foods here and told them we had zero complaints. My mother said she went back inside 30 minutes later and the same lady was complaining to someone else about the same thing.

Of course, this will be my new hangout when I have nothing better to do.

For those of you who were once meat eaters, what was the most vile piece of “food” you ever consumed?  The reaosn I ask, I just watched Anthony Bourdain, on Travel Channel, you know, the guy who eats all sorts of bizarre entrails such as pig liver stew (raw) and raven eye sandwiches (again, raw) and thought how much stuff I once ate that could count toward being “disgusting”,  somewhat.   I think the best I could remember eating was potted meat sandwiches (you know what’s in that stuff?) and once, pork brains.  Tame, I’m sure, in comparison to the stuff this guy shovels.  While we’re mentioning him, Bourdain also has a strong dislike for vegetarians.  Who could have guessed?

If you are vegan or vegetarian and have been for any amount of time then you will know exactly where I am coming from with this post. Why is it that meat-eaters seem to get offended when you mention you don’t eat meat? The seem to act like you are the head of some plot against them. Amazement and awe, a good description of some of those who I have informed that I don’t eat any animal product. They can seem to understand at first, then they seem to be upset with me, then disgust. Why? Disgust is that pile of rotting animal flesh on your plate, and if the thought of that isn’t enough then have you watched the pork chop video? I am fine with you eating whatever you choose to put into your body, I don’t get offended when the person in line in front of me at whatever joint I decide to order up lunch asks for extra cheese and triple meat on his/her sandwich so why must you get all off-put when I ask for no cheese and none of those meat drippings?

Just a ramble….

As a vegan or vegetarian, if you were to be out with meat-eating friends would you buy their lunch/dinner or would you be opposed to the purchase of animal products even in that situation?

“does cheetos have any meat” [sic]

I get questions. Lots of them. Well, actually it seems search engines do and sometimes they come in strange form and as well the sometimes lead the person inquiring to this website. The above query did at least. There’s something to be said for a cheeto with meat. I would have none of it but if your cheeto finds itself with meat…well…move on.

A first has happened. I was at a client’s house working and when I was about to leave somehow the subject of food came up. I told the lady I was a vegan and she asked exactly what that meant. After quickly explaining how I eat or use nothing that has any type of animal product she exclaimed, “God gave Adam and Eve animals to eat!” I then told her in short order that I felt that didn’t apply to me, but not really in those terms. I think I actually said something along the line of, “That’s another issue you really wouldn’t want to get into with me.” Of course that got the question, “Where do you go to church?” (on a side note, why do people ASSUME everyone goes to church?) Telling her that I did not go to any church she then says, “Well, you seem to have good morals.”

Yes, I do have good morals, ethics as well. Since when does one have to eat meat and go to church to have either or both? Morals and ethics are no more than human psychology.

So here I am, a Vegan non-church goer…the ultimate sinner!

I have a good feeling she won’t be calling me to do anymore work for her.