New Definition of Veganism

Veganism in not a diet, in any sense of the word. It includes a plant-based way of eating, sure, but it is an ethos, a guiding principle to live a compassionate life. Most vegans would define it as devotion to abstaining from animal products or using live animals for human purposes. I would like to expand the definition further to: reduce the suffering of others. This may seem to be saying the same thing, albeit more simply, but it is subtly encompassing a wider view. Others, here, is not confined to animals, or, more appropriately phrased, non-human animals, but to all animals, humans included. I do not think compassion should be limited to species other than our own. Famous figures have noted the link between compassion towards other animals and compassion for humanity. 

“While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?” - George Bernard Shaw

“Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.” - Thomas Edison

“It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.” - Albert Einstein

“You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.” - Paul McCartney

I have a bone to pick on Edison's thought that evolution has a goal but that is for another time. The point is a connection between compassion to non-human animals and humans. We need to reduce suffering for ALL creatures on earth. So, yes, not eating meat, wearing leather, or going to circuses is important but so is buying fair-trade cocoa, supporting local businesses and dismantling inequality in our socio-political systems. Just as feminism is sometimes mistakenly thought to be about women's rights only instead of human rights, veganism should be defined as compassion towards all, not some.

Chores - the new HIIT

I'm trying to get back into working out so I did some ab and leg work but wasn't really feeling satisfied so I broke out my roommate's old (read: heavy) vacuum and cleaned all the carpeted rooms in the house (including the stairs).  Let me tell you, THAT is a workout.  My arms, abs, back, and butt were all worked out and I broke out into more of a sweat than I did with the ab and leg "workout".  Plus, it was productive.  A win-win!

Even Models Don't Have Model Bodies

I've seen these types of pictures circulating the fit blog websites but don't know how ubiquitous they are outside of that group.  Now, I am by no means a model but I do eat well and am lucky enough to have a job that keeps me active so I thought I would try doing comparison pics to maybe reach an audience that doesn't normally see this. 

 These were taken within a minute of one another.  Showing your "good" side is all about angles, sucking in and staying taut.  My stomach is probably normally somewhere between the two.  Remember this next time you see an ad and feel jealous of the model's body:  Most of the time they do not have that body either.

I'm Baaaaaack!!

This girl is back and better than ever.  I've realized recently that I have so much to say and I thought bringing this website back from the graveyard of unused blogs would be helpful.  I've got new perspectives, fresh ideas, and lots of crazy rants.  Stay tuned...

Tonight's Dinner Brought To You By The Color Yellow

This is a great fall combo...it celebrates the last of summer corn and the beginnings of fun squashes.  The color scheme was purely coincidental.
 Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic

1 carrot

1 parsnip

2 medium potatoes (yukon gold's are good)

2 ears fresh corn

Water or veggie stock

4-5 dashes italian herb mix

Handful cherry or grape tomatoes

Fresh basil for garnish

Put a large stock pot on medium heat and add oil.  Chop up the first 4 ingredients and add to the pot.  Cook for 5 minutes.  Cut the kernels off the corn cobs and add the kernels to the pot.  Break the cobs in 1/2 and put them in the pot as well.  Add enough water or stock to cover all the ingredients and add the herb mix.  Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer for about 45 minutes.  Ladle out 2/3 into a blender (make sure to let it cool before you blend).  Puree it, then return it to the pot.  Throw in the tomatoes and basil and serve.

Lemony Spaghetti Squash with Capers

Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
capers
lemon juice
olive oil
salt

Poke some holes in the squash and place on a shallow pan.  Heat the stove to 375 F and heat the squash for 40-50 min. or until a knife goes through easily.  Let cool then cut in half.  Scoop out the seeds, then scoop the squash strands in a bowl.  Dole out a few spoonfuls of capers, add a bit of lemon juice and a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with some salt.  Voila!  I didn't really use measurements so just add a little at a time until it tastes right to you.

Food of the Week #2

It has become the next superstar in food...Kale!  Hopefully a certain fast-food chain won't sue me for this but...Eat More Kale! (Why would they sue?  Read up on this crazy story...Eat More Kale)  This is a  green that packs a super-punch of goodness. 

It also delivers a judo-chop and a roundhouse kick.



Origin: Originated in Europe but has traveled widely and many varieties have been cultivated.

Nutritional Info:  Is high in Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) and Vitamin's K and C.  It contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are good for the eyes.  It also contains some calcium and fiber.

Season:  All year but especially good in winter when less fresh produce is available.

Varieties:  The three most commonly seen are Curly, Lacinato (or Dinosaur) and Red Russian

Cooking:  This is a very versatile green.  I often saute the lacinato variety in oil with a little garlic and then either add a tahini sauce on it, serve it over a grain with some lemon squeezed on it, or mixed into mashed potatoes.  The curly variety tends to do better raw, chopped up small into salads (make sure to marinade it for a while in the salad dressing to soften it).  The curly is also better to make kale chips with...chop into bite-size pieces, drizzle some oil and whatever seasonings your in the mood for on them and stick in the oven for 5-10 min. or until they are crispy.  Yum!

Let's Get Physical

So, this is a bit off-topic but I said I may do that from time to time so I warned you.
Anyway, I wanted to talk a little about body image since posts like http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/fuck-society-this-is-more-attractive-than-this.jpg and http://www.designbyhuongrevealed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PlusSizeModel.jpg have recently been circulating.  There is an great article that discusses why these are merely pitting women against each other rather than getting to the basic problem of scewed body image in our society (you can read it here: http://girliegirlarmy.com/lifestyle/20120120/the-problem-with-skinny-bashing/)

But, I want to approach this discussion from a different angle.  Namely, that we should be looking to a different source for our body image;  not what our bodies looks like, but what our bodies can do.  Case in point...one of my favorite physical features are my legs.  Not necessarily because of what they look like, my thighs are bigger than what media likes to portray, but I love them because of this because they allow me to run.  I feel my best when I am running and my body image is deeply tied to my physical fitness. 

I believe if our society shifted more towards this attitude, we would have healthier bodies as well as healthier body images.  Now, I'm not saying everyone has to be an athlete.  Not everyone can or likes to run.  That was just my example.  It's about finding what your body is capable of doing, not what size clothes your body can squeeze into.  Whether it be skateboarding, lifting weights, dancing, playing soccer, as long as it is something you find enjoyable in and of itself, not as a means to an end (ex. getting uber-skinny).  It's being proud of your body for what it can do, not having to do something in order to feel good about your body.

 This is one of the reasons why I think extracurricular sports are so important, more so than P.E.  I know there still are image problems for students on sports teams, but I believe that that is from society at large still saying they have to conform to an image and, possibly, from unrealistic expectations of a coach.  This can be solved by giving student athletes education on health and realistic goals.  This is anecdotal, so take it with a grain of salt, but I have found that those who are physically active seem to have the healthiest body image and the healthiest attitudes towards eating.

And now it's time for a cute owl pic :-)