Animal Testing

I now realize that becoming vegan, at least my reasons for becoming vegan, is opening up an even bigger can of worms than I actually expected. Not that I'm shying away from the challenge; only expanding my awareness to the cause.

It's nothing new, but is something that has been pushed back into the dustier aisles of my filing cabinets: Animal Testing.

I really have to start paying closer attention to the products I'm consuming, but I realize that this goes beyond just my dietary habits. Hair care, skin care, makeup, etc.

Last night I did a little research as to which products I've been consuming aren't actually tested on animals, and THANKFULLY, some of my favorite brands are vegan: M-A-C, Urban Decay*, Sebastian International, John Frieda, Too Faced, Redken, Revlon, Wet n' Wild, Smackers, Maybelline, Bare Essentuals, Clinique, Bath and Body Works just to name a few. Of course, Trader Joes and Burt's Bees are on the list as well.

(*Be careful with Urban Decay as not ALL of their products are vegan.)

Unfortunately, though, there are a few brands that I've become accustomed to that I'm going to have to give up. I will of course do further research just to double check, but my vanity is not worth a living creatures well-being. So many amazing hair and skin care products can be made with ingredients that you stock in your own kitchen that one shouldn't have to resort to a product that was tested on an animal. Even makeup!

I found a website that lists companies which do not test their products on animals and even includes some of their contact information, should you be interested.

Another website I stumbled upon in my internet perusing last night was a diet called "The Caveman Diet". It consists of simplistic-style eating and embodies, for the most part, how I would like my lifestyle, as far as my diet is concerned, to be. This one is also caters to the carnivores out there! The only real restriction is that it says to cut out dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), which is hard, but doable.

I've stopped drinking milk long before I decided to go vegan and I actually prefer almond milk. I've replaced butter with Earth Balance, which I honestly can't taste the difference, but then again I'm not connoisseur of butter. Cheese is the hardest to replace. There are a couple replacements that are doable, but nothing (from my experience) that comes close. But in the bigger picture what's more important: your health or artery clogging goodness?

It's a choice and you are the only person who can make it.

EDIT: I was finally able to fix the disabled comments. So, comment! Comment away to your heart's content!

Those Crazians!

I realize it's been a while since I've blogged. This has been due to my untimely return to work at the Crappiest Place on Earth and partially due to falling off the vegan wagon. Yes, I cheated on my life for the past 2 weeks, and I will blame the majority of it on returning to work. It's hard to be vegan on the go! But I've started up again the past 2 days and I'm trying to stay focused.

Let me catch you up to speed.

I actually got my chance to work with fondant via Tresye's help and I couldn't have been more excited! It actually is easier than it seems, however possibly just as tedious. I tried baking a cake on my own for a friend's Thanksgiving get together and I had to nix the fondant idea due to the lack of time. I'll really have to set up a play date where I can comfortably experiment with it on my own. Anyhow, here's the turnout from my workshop with Treyse:




The cake itself wasn't vegan, however, I discovered that fondant is!

A new recipe I've played around with is Spaghetti Napolitan, which is an Italian-inspired Japanese-style dish.



If I remember correctly this recipe consisted of:
-spaghetti (I used a package of instant ramen)
-1/3 chopped onion
-1/2 can artichoke heart
-2 TBSP minced garlic
-2 TBSP Earth Balance
-1 vegan patty
-Ketchup

Yes, ketchup. That's how the asians roll.

You start off by sautéing your garlic, onion, and artichoke (or whatever other vegetables you want) in a pan via the Earth Balance, while bringing a pot of water to a boil to cook your spaghetti. Add your vegan patty before your vegetables have brown (let it defrost in the pan and chop it into smaller pieces with your spatula, or a knife and fork if you choose, once its had a chance to warm up a bit). Once your sauté has browned and your spaghetti is cooked, turn off the heat from your pain and drain your pasta. Then add the spaghetti to your sauté pan and proceed to mix your ingredients together. Once your satisfied, add your ketchup. Not too much! Just enough to marinate your dish and add a little flavor.

I was actually very surprised by the turnout. I was skeptical about the whole ketchup thing the entire time I was cooking, and this coming from a ketchup lover!

I threw together a quick cucumber salad on the side, the recipe of which I will not include as it was a rushed experiment and had I actually thought it out ahead might've turned out good.

Let me know if you decide to try out your own variation of Spaghetti Napolitan. I'm sure they are better combinations out there. I just worked with what I had on hand.