Monthly Archives: February 2016

Health, Lifestyle

Vegan Body Building

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Before I jump into this, a word on promoting male stereotypes:  We do not, in any way, promote an ideal male or female body type or image  (please read these articles on toxic masculinity and why we should recognize what we do to reinforce these cultural norms ourselves) .  This is intentionally an article about male competitive body building, and why going vegan is totally applicable to this lifestyle, and also healthier.  I have included some names of competitive female bodybuilders at the end, but it is not the focus of this article.

We advocate for health, which definitely does not need to involve body building, in fact, I think many or most body builders do ENORMOUS damage to their body in the pursuit of the single minded goal of bulking up, not to mention stress injuries and other common sports injuries that are a risk factor in any athletic pursuit.  I (Suzi) am not a physical trainer, but I have clocked several hours in Rehab medicine, assisted on many studies, read many protocols for treatment and do a  lot of research.  Therefore, I can say it is likely POSSIBLE to be a bodybuilder, maybe even a competitive one, and to be healthy while doing it.  I don’t have the answer, but what I do know is that going vegan responsibly would go a LONG WAY to addressing some of the health concerns that would be generated by ingesting that much saturated fat, and animal protein.

Continue reading Vegan Body Building →

Cooking and Recipes

Chocolate Mousse

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Whether you are aiming for a guilt-free dessert, pudding topping or filling, this creamy delicious sweet indulgence is loaded with a nutrient density that is nothing to sneeze at!  The optional chia seeds add a lovely texture and pack this baby full of omegas too.  Don’t forget, you can leave the salt out or simply add a splash of lemon juice instead to make this healthy raw dessert completely Sugar Oil and Salt (SOS) free.

 

2 ripe avocados
2/3 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup plant milk
1/2 cup sweetener
2tsp extract
3 Tablespoons chia seeds
dash of mineral rich salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Continue reading Chocolate Mousse →

Environmentalism, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Emissions: Cars vs Cattle?

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Conversations about air pollution, carbon footprints, greenhouse gases usually focus on cars/transportation and the nebulous concept of “industry” calling to mind post-industrial brick smoke towers pumping black smoke into the sky for some factory that is as monolithic and ominous at it is cartoonish and NOT the biggest contributor to toxic air pollution.

Several studies on the sources and causes of emissions have been done, like this 2006 study and many responses by agriculture and commentaries have monitored small changes, talking about industry practice reform, such as the independent.

Detractors argue that the 3.5% decrease to observable methane emissions over 8 years is PROOF that the agricultural industry simply needs reforms to correct the issue…ignoring the fact that at 14.5% (whether we agree with this figures or not) still makes livestock the #2 ABOVE transportation, and behind the nebulous “industry”.  methane-vs-co2-graphic-new Continue reading Emissions: Cars vs Cattle? →

Events

Vegan Mac’N’Cheese SMACKDOWN

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Baltimore is home to a fantastic Vegan community, and coming soon is an event presented by the beloved monthly Bmore Vegan Drinks and the emerging Pep Foods Collective, which will be part battle royal, and part fundraiser.

Pep Foods is part social initiative, part multi-company collective, and part Vegan food producer and distributor.  Healthy foods as an affordable alternative to animal products, through cooking, urban farming, and The Eating for Life Program.  The Smackdown is one of several upcoming fundraising initiatives the collective is undertaking to fund the completion of their kitchen and get their food distributed at low cost to communities in need, and businesses who want to offer more tasty and nutritious vegan options.

February 20th, 2016 Baltimore City, come sample the culinary best from 20+ local vegan chefs, meet other vegans, chefs, foodies, activists, and new friends!

 

 

#VeganMacSmack #VeganBaltimore #PEPFoods #BmoreVegan

 

Cooking and Recipes, Health

Kimchi- Delicious Recipe for Digestive Health

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Korean traditional kimchi includes fish paste, Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), cabbage and daikon, which means not only is it not vegan, but is uses obscure ingredients. Tradition is important, and is a food obstacle for many vegans, but so is accuracy.

Never fear!

Did you know that basically every Korean with a mother and a kitchen has done their Kimchi differently?  So let’s make our own!

Here is an easy recipe with 9 grocery store ingredients, many you already have:

 

Napa Cabbage
Carrot matchsticks
minced garlic
Scallions
ginger
Sea Salt
Tamari, GF soy sauce
Sriracha red chili sauce
Date Honey/Syrup

Continue reading Kimchi- Delicious Recipe for Digestive Health →

News and Activism, Uncategorized

DXE- Disruption for the Cause

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A public place, a restaurant, a grocery store.  These are all places where people gather, and they are also places where decisions get made.  Some of these decisions can effect the rest of someone’s life, and to people working for Animal Rights this fact is very true.

On Saturday January 30th, a group of people self-organized with DXE- Direct Action Everywhere  did several “disruptions” in Washington, DC in order to encourage people to question the choices in what they eat, what they buy, and in general to attempt to break down the denial we all have about what goes into our choices: the human, environmental, and animal costs of consumer goods and our lifestyles.

Using song, calling out facts, and signs, all over the world activists disrupt the daily “ignore what we don’t see” patterns we all fall into, and encourage a deeper investigation to these issues.

Calling out: “Their Bodies,” or “Their eggs” or “Their children” and the response “Not ours”

Calling out: “They have families,” or “They feel pain” and the response “Just like us”

Powerful stuff.  DXE has organized activist efforts all over, connect with them, link above, to find out how you too can get involved raising awareness and advocating for animals who can’t speak up for themselves.

iwanttolive_piglets.jpg

 

Health, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Food IQ

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One of the biggest obstacles towards a healthy lifestyle (not to mention an ethical one!) is sifting through all the misinformation.  We grow up with one set of food traditions, and encounter a million different messages: low-fat, low-cost, low-carb, brain food, organic etc etc.  Many people describe being told contradictory messaging from one group or era and some conclude “well everything will kill you, so just eat what tastes good”

What if what tastes good, also looked good, was good for you, and didn’t break your bank?

Last Bites

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