Archive for food

Being Vegan

December 8, 2008 · Filed under food, lifestyle

vegetablesEver since I can remember, my mom has been fighting me on my vegetarian lifestyle. “But you aren’t getting enough protein!”

So, when my western medical doctor decided (during a routine exam, when I mentioned stomach upset) I should try to cut out dairy for 6 weeks, you know I didn’t run home to call my mom. I could hear her now, “But what about your calcium!” Instead I did some more research online and found this article:

http://veg.ca/content/view/127/110/

It starts with: Going Vegetarian? Dietitians Of Canada And The American Dietetic Association officially say it can be healthy.

And goes on to say: A vegetarian, including vegan, diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients.

So, I downloaded their pdf, mentioned at the bottom of their article and am making appropriate adjustments, for leaving my beloved cheese out of my diet.

Oh, and I found the above mentioned article from this one (below) on Treehugger.com, about finding support for being a veghead:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/vegetarians-finding-some-support.php

Though I hate to have to defend myself for my eating choices, and I don’t make others defend their own choice (of eating things that make me squirm), I do hope this support helps those looking for a well-balanced vegetarian or vegan option.

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Outlawing bottled water…

June 25, 2007 · Filed under environment, food, lifestyle

Is the Mayor of San Fran penalizing water drinkers?

In a recent Newsweek article, Karen Breslau spoke with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who signed an executive order banning the use of city funds to purchase single-serving plastic water bottles.

I don’t drink anything but water (other than an occasional lemonade) and I prefer filtered or bottled water to Boulder’s ‘less than pristine’ tap water. So, I guess I am not eligible to become a San Fran government worker.

water up the noseBut, really, what does this mean to the Bay area government employees who share my same drinking habits?

Ugh, it’s back to the water fountain for them!

Are government buildings going to have filtered water dispensers available for employees to get a glass of clean water along with the “stainless-steel recyclable containers” the city is offering people?

Or will we see the mayor gracefully trying to avoid water up his nose as he bends over a fountain with too strong a flow? And what about the health risks associated with putting ones mouth on a faucet where the water pressure is too low!?

I can’t believe – once again – it will be easier for someone to get a sugar laden, high calorie soft drink than a refreshing drink of water.

I agree, the environmental footprint needs to be taken into consideration, but why just bottled water, why not all drinks sold in individual plastic bottles?

If the government of San Fran was really looking to reduce the effects, shouldn’t they make any individually sold plastic bottle a no-no?

And has the current mayor forgotten about the Twinkie Defense case of 1978, when a former San Francisco city supervisor killed the then-Mayor and “claimed that he was not responsible for his actions because he had OD’d on Twinkies.” (see Twinkie Abuse) – oh, the terrible things sugar can do!

I’m only half joking here. Obviously there was more to the ‘78 case, but it does make you wonder about the effects of switching over from healthy water to soft drinks. Weight gain, being the least of the problems.

But the real question here is why just water, why not eliminate spending of funds on all individual bottled drinks? If they can save $500,000 from bottled water, imagine what they’d save on all single-serving containers!

Maybe the extra funds could go towards making sure their tap water is really clean as he suggests!

What do you think of all this?

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Fast Food goes Organic

June 3, 2007 · Filed under food

So, I was looking for a Greek Salad and pulled up Google…

Typing the words “greek salad boulder,” I found a listing back to Judy’s Book

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I got to this page there was nothing about Greek Salads. However, as I read down the page, I found a post by someone named Jud V.

This Jud guy started talking about an all vegan, organic fast food place not far from my house. What is he nuts? I would have known if this place existed, wouldn’t I?

I guess not, because I ended up looking online and found their site, V.G. Burgers.

I read what they had to say and gave them a call – to find out exactly where they are located (if you are in Boulder, CO – they are on 28th, between Checker’s Auto Parts and Taco Bell. Not the best location, but close enough to my side of town).

So, I went and checked it out. YUM!

I arrived thinking I would get the Falafel Burger , since that was the closest thing to the Greek salad I had been looking forward to. However, as I waited on line (yes, there was a line – other people knew about this place), I started reading about the Three Nut Burger. Since it comes with BBQ sauce, I had to try it – I am a big BBQ sauce fan. Also, the idea of fresh pickles, onions, crispy tomatoes and lettuce sounded too good to pass up. After all, it is a burger joint, right?

Now granted, the burger by itself was $6, but it was delicious, fresh and all organic. So, I can’t complain. It was so good, I’m already thinking about going back and trying something else.

I’ll let you know how it holds up on return visits.

P.S. They were a bit too busy to chat, but I did get to ask how long they have been there – since the week before Thanksgiving! I need to get off the computer more often.

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