Veganism.

I don't know why, but I've been more interested in this lately. By lately I mean the last two days or so...I don't know why, but I got super lax and have been eating a ton of honey...I don't know how I feel about it. Sure, I can justify it, but when it comes down to it, it's just excuses. I shouldn't eat honey. I don't think I'm going to anymore...at least for a little while.

I think a lot of it has to do with the backlash that happened when Oprah went vegan for a few weeks a bit ago...She did it to lose weight, she has personal chefs and a lot of means to make veganism super easy for her. BUT, what she also did, was make it seem super unattainable for "Joe the plumber (and the rest of "average" america...)". When someone super high profile goes vegan (or jumps on any other "fad" for that matter), it's easy to discount it as "hard" or "expensive", and sure, while she may have all sorts of fancy meals cooked for her, with a ton of expensive ingredients, it's hardly necessary. When it's all said and done, I know that she opened more eyes than she turned away, but it's hard to support someone in her quest to become less obese at the hands of a temporary lifestyle change.

I commend her for doing it, but I don't think it should be treated so temporarily. It worked. She lost weight. WHY would she go back to eating animals?

While veganism can seem hard and expensive, it sure as hell doesn't have to be. It doesn't even have to be more than occasionally inconvenient. Sure, it can be hard to find something to eat in restaurants when you're out with non-vegan people that don't really care, but it seems to me that a lot of people are very sympathetic to dietary choices...And for good reason. No one wants to be a tyrant.

It's usually possible to find something to eat on any menu. Rarely is it more expensive than meat-laden dishes. May not be as tasty, but, if you go to the right places, which are not hard to find, you can eat just as well as if you ate meat.

I've heard all of the excuses, but they're all vanity excuses. Dietary familiarity with food that has been eaten for an entire life, if not for generations. It is SO easy to avoid harming animals for the sake of your comfort. It's just silly.

People get defensive when veganism is brought up. A lot of people make smart remarks about how it's good that vegans don't eat meat, because that means more meat for the non-vegans. That is just assanine. Or, dismissing vegans as "feminine". Which is just too far from valid that it's just annoying. Everyone has their own excuses.

I would like to challenge people to try veganism, just for ONE week. What have you got to really lose? Some weight and general fatigue after eating? What are you worried about? Decreased athletic perfomance? Tony Gonzales (chiefs tight endhas adopted a vegan diet. So has the Little Guy..So have I. Brendan Brazier, (pro triathlete)Desmond Howard (nfl-er. won heismann a few year back)Bill Pearl (4 time Mr. Universe) Stan Price (world bench press record holder) Sixto Linares (world record holder, 24 hour triathlon) Chris Campbell (olympic wrestling champion)...

I think that is a fairly impressive list. And there's more. You can still dominate your sport on a vegan diet.

Is it health Benefits? read the INTRODUCTION of THE CHINA STUDY. Just the introduction. Then get back to me.

try veganism for a while. you might like it.

Just don't give me the "french fries and plain potato chips" crap...While yes, it's vegan, that's just stupid and obviously not going to help you feel better.

Basically, do this.

Eat cereal for breakfast (tip. rice and almond milks are better than soy milk). Not hard. Or a Bagel. (what on it? peanut butter. jelly. tofutti makes a delicious soy cream cheese) I tend to eat a big bowl of granola.

Lunch? Falafel? Pizza from Luce? Vietnamese hoagie from Jasmine deli? Not into eating out? Put some vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, onions, bell pepper, cucumber, etc) on some bread with mustard and pepper... Easy. what do you usually eat for lunch? I usually just bring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from home.

Dinner? Tons of options. Take a tortilla shell, put it in a pan, put some beans (refried or black...use high quality beans without lard in the refried ones) squash, peppers, onions, avocado, and salsa. Fold it in half and cook it until its hot and eat it. Delicious. OR, use a pita, put some tomato sauce on it, and then cut up some olives, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrots and garlic. Maybe pineapple, if you're into that. Salt and Pepper to taste, bake @ 400degrees until brown...

There are other options that are easier still.

Like snacks? Matt's fig newtons are delicious. Nuts are great (in small amounts. Stick to almonds and cashews. Peanuts not so much... big fan of brazil nuts). Green beans with sea salt. Clif bars!

that was easy. AND notice, I didn't even MENTION tofu until now. No "fake" meats or substitutes. All things that are handy and cheap.

Yeah. Just giving people some options. It'll help you drop a few unneeded pounds, you'll probably tone up, and you'll feel a lot better.

And if you REALLY think you're not getting enough protein, look at the labels. You're fine. If you're still worried, eat a builder bar. That's more than enough on the day right there.

(if you doubt me, again, read the intro to THE CHINA STUDY).

I'll stop there. But seriously, don't be so bull headed. Keep the option open. If you have questions, ask. It isn't hard at all.