Vegan in NOLA

So... I was in New Orleans, Louisiana this past weekend. I had an amazing time!

NOT the most vegan city, considering the southern soul food has meat hidden in just about everything served, even from what I hear, items you'd think of as vegetarian. Then there are the specialty crawfish, catfish and alligator... needless to say these were off my menu.

Still, I'm pleased to report that at no time was my veganism threatened during my 4 day visit!

(Also many thanks to my cousin Jessie who I was visiting. I did NOT tell her in advance that I'm vegan, basically expecting to be OK and make do with what was available. But she had a hunch and was extremely accomodating).

Ironically, the [vegan] blues were not an issue for me in NOLA. (New Orleans, birth place of jazz / blues... get it?)

The first night, Jessie took me to Lebanon Cafe, it was excellent! (And an easy one.)

The second night's dinner gets special mention. When searching online for vegan restaurants, I read about Cafe Bamboo. I had a good feeling about this place, and I gotta say, it was incredible. Jessie and I shared Collard Green Wraps, Sol Chickn Dinner and Bourbon Chickn Dinner; in all honesty, not Red Bamboo (the owner's inspiration), or any other comprable spot in NYC compares to the taste of that soul food. The bourbon was inspirational. We even went back for breakfast before my flight on Monday. Do not visit NOLA without visiting this restaurant!

Cafe Bamboo

On Sunday night we went to Juan's Flying Burrito, extremely veg friendly, and delicious!!

Also, I need to mention that Jessie and I spent a few hours volunteering at the New Orleans Animal Rescue, where we met a few Katrina pooches and kitties who are still waiting for homes. They are absolutely amazing animals, undoubtedly deserving of good homes. The people who work there were tireless and incredibly inspiring. I was glad to be able to give these guys a break from their work- by moving some boxes of bleach, taking the dogs for their afternoon walk, and playing with the ferals in their courtyard. I'm sure I barely scratched the surface of what these guys are doing, but I'm grateful I could help for a little while. Jessie says she didn't know about the shelter and that she'd like to go back when she can, and I am very happy to hear that.

NOLA, I will be back.

Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon is the most vegan friendly city in the world.

For starters, never had a single problem finding a vegan item on any menu at any restaurant I ate at. For the restaurants that were not exclusively vegan, they definately made sure that I had something to eat, even at the most unlikely spots. Lastly, some of the food was the most delicious that I've had, period.

Here is a list of some of the excellent places I ate:

Tin Shed
Vita Cafe
Laughing Planet Cafe
Pambiche
Bamboo Sushi
Bye and Bye

This town is also scattered with parking lots filled with vendor trucks like this:

Again, no shortage of vegan options.

Then there was the fact that I was randomly in town the same weekend as the NW Veg Fest, an amazing Expo of hundreds of awesome vegan products and causes. And I got to meet 2 of my favorite vegan celebrities (I've read their books):

Yep. Thats me with Isa Chandra Moskowitz and with Rip Esselstyn!

Lastly, in general the city is light years ahead of the rest of America greenwise. Portland recycles compost, filters their rainwater before it reaches the rivers, has a bazillion bike lanes, and everything about this town reeked of ecofriendliness. (NY can be ashamed). And on top of everything vegan, this town was just beautiful.

If I had been living in Portland all this time, who knows whether this blog would even exist...

Political Vegan Blues

I regret to report that Chris Quinn defeated Yetta Kurland for City Council in Manhattan's 3rd district. I personally supported Yetta's campaign and believe strongly in her message. When I first saw Yetta's ad in the NYLHV Voter Guide, I knew that as a vegan, Yetta's support of laws supporting humane treatment towards animals would be unwavering. I also stronly agree with her stances regarding a number of other issues. She kicked Quinn's butt in the one debate Chris decided to show up to. In my eyes, she would and will be a stellar representative of the people. Besides which, she is really an incredible person. Thankfully, she will continue her work and hopefully run again next time around. Sorry to say: that she wasn't elected is a shanda on the voters of the 3rd district.

Still, as John Phillips (director of NYLHV) reported, there were many political victories for animals on Tuesday's Democrat primary election day, and we should look ahead and continue to work for progress for animal rights legislation in NYC.

Beautiful People

When I first became vegan I was worried that if I got sick or had some kind of health issue people would assume it was because of my new diet. Now, when other people I know get sick, I think its probably because of their [old] diet.

Are vegans prettier? Healthier? Happier? Some vegans think its important that other vegans are pretty, healthy and happy, in order to send a good message to non-vegans. If not, non-vegans will look, compare, realize they are quite content, and find themselves discouraged to consider a change. OK, let’s say you are a hard core vegan, and you look like shit, and you’re a pain in the ass negative nancy and your life sucks. Then the vegan movement is going to slow down, right, because who wants that? But actually, I don’t think it’s that important. Non-vegan people who think that way are just using it as an excuse. This kind of vegan is still contributing to the reduction of animal suffering. That’s one more person not consuming animal, and that’s enough for me. I say if you want to be happy, that takes work, and you don’t just become happy because you become vegan (although that can happen). So don’t think that way. As for health, if you cared enough, you’d probably already be a vegan. OUCH. If you don’t want to be happy, healthy, or pretty, that’s cool, and shouldn’t stop you from being vegan.

At the same time, no one sets a better example for aspiring vegans than the vegans kicking ass out there. And there are many.

But seriously, vegan ≠ healthy. If you are a sick/unhealthy vegan, I’d have to assume that you’re not doing it right. Find a nutritionist or health advisor who can help get you on track. If you want to replace all your favorite meat and dairy items with soy, do you. Just know, it doesn’t make you any healthier, and you may even get sick from that crap. Which is fine with me if it’s fine for you. But just admit it to yourself.



Someone recently told me they hated vegans because they are self righteous.

It’s not surprising to me now, but more than many other debates I have with my friends about veganism, the issue is philosophic. Typical questions include: oh, so you think we should turn back the wheels of evolution?; do you have a problem with the treatment of the animals, or the killing of animals in general?; how can you think people are not supposed to eat meat?; is there a right way to kill animals and eat meat, and if there was would you do it?; why not get only quality meat?; people NEED a certain amount of meat in their diet (statement, not a question); etc... The thing about this that bothers me is that in the end, the conversation is always purely hypothetical. It gets very chicken vs. egg. I don’t know the answer to most of the questions. I don’t need to know the answers (right now), although I’d like to. There are enough reasons to be vegan. Sometimes being vegan, it’s like wearing a seatbelt kind of, you do it just in case - someone might get hurt out there.

I always wonder about people who are quick to poo poo diet and lifestyle remedies to health problems. I’m no doctor, but I’ve read and seen enough to understand that there is a clear relationship between that which you consume and your health. If you are sick and sticking pretty close the Standard American Diet, I have to wonder if you have heard about or considered immediate and probably radical changes to your diet. And if you have, what exactly is holding you back from giving it a try? Please don’t tell me quality of life. I implore you to explore your (non-invasive)(diatetic)(holistic) options.

Does anyone actually think that they are immune from disease? I don’t care who you are, you’re not.

Veganism is ILL. It’s a movement that has been around for awhile, but I’d say has been largely ignored. In my time, I see the movement gaining attention and traction because the world is suffering big time.

I enjoy seeing veganism in the news, but I like it best when its done right. I dislike when someone calls it a fad. Same goes for the raw food diet. Maybe you don’t agree (for whatever reason) with the alleged health benefits, but don’t try to demean the lifestyle by calling it a hoax or a fad. You’re a fad.

Same goes for subsets of the green movement, but watch out for Greenwashing.

I admit I don’t know everything, that’s why I like to learn. A good way I learn is by trying new things, I call this experimenting. You have to have an open mind, though. I go into something new with the mindset that I may have found something interesting, amazing, eye-opening, maybe life changing; or maybe not.