Vegan Diets Becoming More High Profile

According to this article in the CBC News, they are growing in popularity.

Celebrities who Disappoint

This is an interesting article that reveals some stuff I didn't know about celebrities I like.

**Angelina Jolie used to be a vegan. She went back to red meat because she said the vegan diet almost killed her and was aging her hands. (I just don't believe she tried all that hard or was very firm in her convictions. To go all the way back to red meat? She could have just become vegetarian if she had to do so.)

**Carrie Underwood, a vegetarian, is a spokesperson for Olay Skin Care, owned by Proctor and Gamble which perform animal testing.

**Hugh Jackman promised to become a vegan and still has not done so.

Disappointing, but, as the article asks, is it fair to hold celebrities to a higher standard?

Natalie Portman's Vegan Transition

Here's an October interview with Natalie Portman who recently went vegan. Been meaning to post it for a while...

Humans Not Natural Milk Drinkers

I've heard this before, but it's fascinating every time it comes up.

There is such a push in society to drink milk for calcium for strong bones. But really, it's not natural for us to be drinking milk past infancy. It's the perfect example of a market being created out of nothing. Of misinformation that is repeated so often it becomes fact. If you really think about it, how many prehistoric people were grabbing pregnant cows to suckle on?

Lactose intolerant people are actually the normal ones.

Operation Pancake: Are Vegan Restaurants in LA Really Vegan?

Here is a long post from Quarrygirl.com about an investigation they did into some LA restaurants to find out if they are actually vegan. I'd comment on it but I haven't read it yet! But I will tonight. From the looks of it, they did some serious investigative work.

The Ex-Vegetarians Among Us

Of my current circle....

I have two friends who, before I knew them. were vegetarians for years before switching back to meat-eating. I recently found out that a male coworker was also a vegetarian for eight years before reverting back to meat. That's three people that I know who are ex-vegetarians.

Not counting myself, I only know one other vegetarian/vegan.

That's a ratio of three ex-vegetarians to one practicing vegetarian (in a very non-scientific survey.) It makes me wonder how many other ex-vegetarians are out there.

I haven't asked these people why they went back to eating meat. My two friends, both female, are sensitive animal-lovers. I've gathered that it was because of "health reasons" and I suspect one was advised by a doctor to eat meat for protein reasons.

Being a vegetarian is more than just a diet choice. It's a statement of values, whether one wants it to be or not. People don't usually become vegetarians because they don't like meat....in that case, they just don't eat it.

It's hard not to be disappointed in people who became vegetarians and then went back. Particularly when it's for "health reasons." There are many other sources of protein, iron, etc. out there that do not have to be dependent on meat. I think it shows a weakness of principle and conviction. I hate to say it, but I have more respect for people who have always eaten meat than those who make the vegetarian choice for years and then just give up.

Economic Conditions Make People Eat Less Steak

...but don't get excited. They're just eating chicken instead.

PAH!

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies!

A great dessert from Vegan Nutritionista!

Vegan Cosmetics Are Out There

I like this post from morbidoutlook.com. I haven't checked to see how many of the links are still active, but it's still a good read, especially if you like more daring makeup.

PETA Commercial Makes it to "The View"

PETA knows how to get attention. Their Super Bowl ad was rejected by NBC, but now everyone's talking about it. Even "The View."

PETA's Veggie Commercial Too Sexy for NBC

NBC rejected PETA's Super Bowl ad because it was too sexual.

You have just got to see it and judge for yourself. It's quite memorable.

Vegan Cosmetics Available

Alternative Outfitters sell vegan cosmetics.

Ellen DeGeneres Goes Vegan?

Well, where have I been? This apparently happened in OCTOBER.

Compassionate Cooks Worth Visiting

I really like this website for vegan cooking. Compassionate Cooks also has a podcast I used to subscribe to, but it was a bit overwrought for me. Still, they have a great website and they do important work.

Holiday Vegan Recipes

I've been posting a lot about vegan cooking lately. I'm not ready to take the plunge, but am ready to start experimenting.

Here are some tasty ideas for the holidays.

Cool Vegan Website!

Thanks to Rose for forwarding a link to Vegan Yum Yum, a cool food website for vegans!

Try a Vegan Thanksgiving!

Here's a site with some Thanksgiving recipes for vegans. I know it's a little late, but look it over and see if there's something you like. One should give thanks year round!

And you should try them out even if you're NOT a vegan.

Vegan Lunchbox Blog Worth a Read

I found this blog today and it's got some cool recipes for vegans. I also like reading people's ideas about food.