THOSE DAMN VEGANS & VEGETARIANS…

Do you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, harassed or annoyed when someone tells you that they are vegan or vegetarian?  Do you often think – how can these people survive on plants, are they getting enough nutrients, how about B vitamins or protein?  Why do they have to be so aggressive and ‘in your face’ about their lifestyle choice?  I thought I would answer some of these questions in hopes to debunk some of these ‘untruths’.

Many people become vegetarian/vegan to ensure a healthier lifestyle and to possibly curb or cure some medical issues they may have such as;  diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and even cancer.  Others may become vegetarian/vegan simply for ethical reasons (have you ever heard a rabbit scream?) or environmental reasons (mass deforestation, depletion of natural resources).  No matter the reason, instead of becoming uncomfortable, annoyed or treat those who are vegetarian or vegan without being condescending, why not embrace their choice as they have embraced yours?

It is normal to visit restaurants and order cow, pork, lamb, veal (baby cows), horse, fish, octopus, frog, duck, chicken and whatever other meat may be on the menu but for a vegetarian/vegan, we are limited in what is available to us because being vegetarian/vegan is out of the norm.

Let’s look at some facts regarding meat consumption:

• A diet high in fat (especially from animal fat) can cause various cancers http://www.pcrm.org/health/cancer-resources/diet-cancer/facts/meat-consumption-and-cancer-risk
• Half the water consumed in the U.S. is used to grow grain for cattle feed (not very good considering the water shortages we are facing) http://www.globalissues.org/article/240/beef
• Livestock fed grain/soybeans and corn  using 167 million pounds of pesticides and 17 billion pounds of nitrogen (US alone)
• 149 million acres of cropland (US alone)
• The process generates copious amounts of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, while the output of methane—another potent greenhouse gas—from cattle is estimated to generate some 20 percent of overall U.S. methane emissions http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/meat-and-environment/

The facts about dairy (milk/cheese):

• Cows produce milk for the same reason that humans do – to feed their young
• Baby calf’s are taken away from their mothers at infancy
• Mother cows are often heard bellowing for their young after they are taken away
• Milk promotes depletion of calcium in bones
• Milk consumption may lead to bone fractures http://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10998/the-sour-facts-about-milk-what-every-parent-needs-to-know.html

Where do vegetarians/vegans get their nutrients from?

PROTEIN SOURCES for VEGETARIANS/VEGANS

• Tempeh – 41g (1 cup)
• Wheat germ – 33g (1cup)
• Seitan – 31g (3 oz)
• Soy beans – 29g (1 cup)
• Buckwheat – 24g (1 cup)
• Lentils – 18g (1 cup)
• Beans – black beans 15g (1 cup), kidney 13g (1 cup), pinto 12g (1 cup), garbanzo 12g (1 cup)
• Peas – 9g (1 cup)
• Wild rice – 7g (1 cup)
• Raisins – 5g (1 cup)
• Avocado – 4 g (medium avocado)
• Nuts – peanuts 7g (1 oz), almonds 6g (1 oz), pistachios 6g (1 oz), cashews 5g (1 oz), Brazilian 4g (1 oz), walnuts 4g (1 oz)
• Spinach – 5g (1 cup)
• Artichokes – 4g (1 cup)
• Brussel Sprouts 4g (1 cup)

B Vitamins

B1 (Thiamine) – involved with the metabolism of carbohydrates and the production of energy.  Foods that contain B1:  whole grains, dried beans, nuts and seeds.

B2 (Riboflavin) – works with other B vitamins to produce red blood cells and generate energy by breaking down carbohydrates.  Foods that contain B2:  Any green leafy vegetables.

B3 (Niacin) – helps nerves function properly.  Foods that contain B3:  Avocados, beans, nuts and potatoes.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – necessary for the metabolism of food as well as the prodcution of hormones and cholesterol.  Foods that contain B5:  Avocados, broccoli, kale, cabbage, beans & lentils and whole grain cereals.

B6 (Pyridoxine) – involved in blood cell production and brain function.  Foods that contain B6:  Avocados, bananas, beans, nuts and whole grains.

B7 (Biotin) – involved in the breakdown of proteins and carbohydrates for energy and plays a critical role in the production of cholesterol and hormones.  Foods that contain B7:  Fortified cereals, beans and nuts.

B9 (Folate) – involved in the production and repair of DNA.  Foods that contain B9:  Asparagus, broccoli, beets, beans, lentils and green leafy vegetables.

B12 –  is used in the production of red blood cells and is needed for nerve function.  B12:  is found in fortified cereals, soy milk and nutritional yeast.  ***if you are not receiving enough B12 – you should consider a supplement***

Vegetarians/Vegans do not lack in vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  Plant-based diets promote wellness of the brain, heart and body.  Plant-based diets are also known to reverse many medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer with moderate exercise. 

Check out this great site for resources, videos and photos of vegan body builders – you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with a vegan and plant-based diet.  Here is the link:  http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=news

Together we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

 

 

ELECTRIC CARS – History and Myths

The inventor of the electric car (also know as the EV) is uncertain and several inventors have been given credit.  In 1828, Hungarian Anyos Jedlik invented a small-scale model car powered by an electric motor that he designed.  Sometime between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Robert Anderson invented a crude electric-powered carriage.  In 1835, another small-scale electric car was designed by Professor Stratingh of Groningen, Holland, and built by his assistant – Christopher Becker.  Also in 1835, Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Brandon, Vermont built a small-scale electric car.  Davenport was also the inventor of the first American-built DC electric motor.

For more on the history of EV’s – please visit www.electricvehiclesnews.com/history

There has been much controversy of the electric car – and we have to wonder why those skeptics are down-playing the efficiency of these EV’s.  Are they hired by the BIG oil and automotive companies to make the public skeptical about EV’s?  Are the positive claims about EV’s (better for environment and cheaper than cars that run on gas) even true?  Plug-In-America is and advocacy group that seeks to inform the public and shape the policy regarding all aspects of electric and plug-in electric vehicles.  Plug-In-America’s website  www.pluginamerica.org has great information about electric vehicles and their specs, along with the companies that are making these EV’s.  They have debunked 12 myths about electric vehicles:

12 Myths About Electric Vehicles (EV’s)

MYTH:  EV’s don’t have enough range.  You will be stranded when you run out of electricity.

FACT:  Americans drive an average of 40 miles per day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Most new Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) have a range of at least double that and can be charged at any ordinary electrical outlet (120V) or publicly accessible station with a faster charger.  The latter, already in use, will proliferate as the plug-in infrastructure is built out.  At present, all it takes is planning for Electric Vehicles (EV) owners, who can travel up to 120 miles on a single charge, to use their cars on heavy travel days.  Alternatively, a Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) goes at least 300 miles on a combination of electricity and gasoline.

MYTH:  EV’s are good for short city trips only.

FACT:  Consumers have owned and driven EV’s for seven years or more regularly use them for trips of up to 120 miles.

MYTH:  EV’s just replace the tailpipe with a smokestack.

FACT:   Even today, with 52% of U.S. electricity generated by coal-fired power plants, plug-in cars reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and most other pollutants compared with conventional gas or hybrid vehicles.  Plug-ins can run on renewable electricity from sources such as the sun or wind.  PHEV’s will reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions, even if the source of electricity is mostly coal, a 2007 study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and NRDC showed.  Read the summary of some 30 studies, analyses and presentations on this topic.

MYTH:  The charging infrastructure must be built before people will adopt EV’s.

FACT:  Most charging will be done at home, so a public charging infrastructure isn’t a prerequisite.  Still, a robust infrastructure will help, especially for apartment dwellers and those regularly driving long distances.  But at least seven companies are competing to dominate the public-charging-station market and a trade group representing the nation’s electric utilities has pledged to “aggressively” create the infrastructure to support “full-scale commercialization and deployment” of plug-ins. 

On personal note – I regularly visit Montreal, Quebec 2 or 3 times a year and have noticed that most highway service centres have converted their gas-stations to include ‘charging stations’ for EV’s.

MYTH:  The grid will crash if millions of plug-ins charge at once.

FACT:  Off-peak electricity production and transmission capacity could fuel the daily commutes of 73% of all cars, light trucks, SUV’s and vans on the road today if they were PHEV’s, a 2007 study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found.  Also, utilities are upgrading some local distribution systems to accommodate plug-ins, just as they do when residents add more air conditioners and TV’s.  Plug-ins, which can be seen as energy storage devices on wheels, can actually benefit the grid, making green energies like solar and wind power even more viable.

MYTH:  Battery chemicals are bad for the environment and can’t be recycled.

FACT:  Ninety-nine percent of batteries in conventional cars are recycled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The metals in newer batteries are more valuable and recycling programs are already being developed for them.  Utilities plan to use batteries for energy storage once they are no longer viable in a vehicle.

MYTH:  Ev’s take too long to charge.

FACT:  The most conventional place and time to charge is at home while you sleep.  Even using the slowest 120-volt outlet, the car can be left to charge overnight, producing about 40 miles of range.  Most new BEV’s and PHEV’s will charge from 240-volt outlets providing double or triple the charge in the same amount of time.  Charging stations that reduce charging time even more are beginning to appear.

MYTH:  Plug-ins are too expensive for market penetration.

FACT:  New technologies are typically costly.  Remember when cell phones and DVD’s were introduced?  Also, the government stimulus package includes a $2,500 to $7,500 tax credit for EV’s and PHEV’s.  Some states are considering additional incentives ($5,000 in California and Texas).  And, the purchase and lifetime operating cost of an EV is on par with or less than its gas-powered equivalent because EV’s require almost no maintenance or repair; no oil or filter changes, no tune ups, no smog checks.

MYTH:  Batteries will cost $15,000 to replace after only a few years.

FACT:  The battery is the priciest part of a plug-in, but costs will drop as production increases and the auto industry is expected to be purchasing up to $25 billion in advanced batteries annually by 2015.  Some car makers plan to lease their batteries, so replacement won’t be an issue.  The Chevy Volt PHEV will have a 10-year battery warranty that would cover battery replacement.

MYTH:  There isn’t enough lithium in the world to make all the new batteries.

FACT:  Even in a worst-case scenario of zero battery recycling, aggressive EV sales, no new mining methods or sites, existing lithium stores will be sufficient for projected EV production for the next 75 years.  See an analysis at Plugin America.org.  Also, lithium comes from many countries (24% is found in the United States), so we won’t be dependent on any one global region.

MYTH:  Lithium batteries are dangerous and can explode.

FACT:  Among the many kinds of lithium-ion batteries, lithium-cobalt batteries found in consumer electronics can pose a fire risk in certain circumstances.  These risks can be mitigated by the use of advanced-battery management systems and careful design that prevents thermal runaway.  Most plug-in vehicle makers are working with other battery types (such as lithium-iron phosphate and lithium-manganese) which have inherent safety advantages and provide more years of service.

MYTH:  Most of us will still be driving gas cars through 2050.

FACT:  Several irrefutable factors are driving the shift from gasoline to plug-in vehicles:  ever-toughening federal fuel economy standards and state caps on greenhouse gas emissions; projected price hikes for petroleum products as demand increases and supply flattens or drops; broad agreement over the need for America to reduce its reliance on petroleum for economic and national security reasons; and current climate change, which occurring faster than previously thought, according to the journal of Science and others.

We usually tend to rely on others to sway our perceptions on anything – especially the media.  If the media constantly indicated that EV’s are great economically and environmentally – we would all be lining up for the latest EV’s.  This would start a chain reaction of companies creating cars with more efficient batteries, longer ranges, etc….it would also allow governments/utilities to create more charging stations.  So why the hesitation?  Why can’t are governments end the bullying from BIG oil and the auto industry and just try.  What harm  is there in trying and who will this hurt?  Those that are making outrageous profits on are dependency on oil???  I’m ready for an EV, are you?

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

Resources:

www.pluginamerica.org

www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com

www.teslamotors.com

www.magna.com

MEET A VEGETARIAN – KNOW THE FACTS

I have always loved animals but never really made an effort to think about why I was eating them – not until send me a video of a heinous crime committed against rabbits.  Since that day, I swore never to eat animals again!  Side note:  Many people are offended and get really upset when people try to show the reality behind how meat/fur is obtained for consumption or fashion, to those people I say – “The violence and inhumane treatment that animals go through needs to be witnessed by anyone who wants to challenge the benefits of a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle”.

A QUICK LESSON ON THE VARIOUS DISTINCTIONS OF VEGETARIANISM

A vegetarian diet consists of eating plant-based foods while avoiding animal products.  However, some vegetarians may also include eggs, cheese and yogurt, among other foods, in their diet.  Here are the differences in vegetarian types:

Pescatarian (also spelled pescetarian)

Individuals who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish.

Flexitarian/Semi-vegetarian

Individuals whose diet consists mostly of plant-based foods but will occasionally eat meat.

Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo-vegetarian)

Individuals who do not eat beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish or animal flesh of any kind, but do eat eggs and dairy products.

• Lacto-vegetarian (vegetarian who does not eat eggs, but does eat dairy products)
• Ovo-vegetarian (vegetarian who do not eat meat or dairy products but do eat eggs)

Vegan

Vegans do not eat meat of any kind and also do not eat eggs, dairy products, or processed foods containing these or other animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin.  Many vegans also refrain from eating foods that may contain animal products in the finished process, such as sugar and some wines. 

Raw vegan/Raw food diet

A raw vegan diet consists of unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).  “Raw foodists” believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost a significant amount of their nutritional value and are harmful to the body.

Macrobiotic

The macrobiotic diet includes unprocessed vegan foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and allows the occasional consumption of fish.  Sugar and refined oils are avoided.   

I identify mostly with Ovo-vegetarian but am slowly swaying towards a more vegan lifestyle. 

There are many misconceptions or myths about a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle that includes some of the following reasons:

• Not enough food choices

You can make all the same food items you make with meat, using the same spices/herbs with a meat substitute.  Some meatless substitute brands include:  Tofurkey, Gardein, Yves, Sol and PC (President’s Choice).  I use Daiya/Soya cheese for my cheese substitutes.  Google any of these brand names and you can review any of their amazing vegetarian products.  Most of these items are made available to you at your local grocery stores (usually in their organic/natural foods section) 

• Not getting enough nutrients (protein, iron and vitamin D)

This is a huge misconception as many foods contain the all the proper nutrients anyone requires to stay healthy. 

Protein:  tofu, tempeh (including soy milk), cooked beans, peas and lentils, peanuts and peanut butter and most nuts and seeds.

Iron:  Vegetarians are at no more risk of iron deficiency than meat eaters.  While the version of iron found in meat (heme-iron) is more readily absorbed than the non-heme iron found in plant sources, absorption can be enhanced by combining non-heme iron options with foods high in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli or berries.  Good plant sources or iron include dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans or legumes, iron-enriched products (check labels), nutritional yeast and dried fruit.

Calcium and Vitamin D:  Calcium is important for strong bones and vitamin D is necessary for your body to be able to absorb it.  Dairy products, almonds, sesame sees, dark-green vegetables (such as broccoli, bok choy and kale), and black strap molasses contain calcium.  (I avoid all dairy and prefer to receive calcium for the other sources listed – more information about why I avoid dairy below).  Other products are fortified with calcium, including soy and rice beverages, tofu and orange juice (check the ingredients).  Vitamin D is often added to milk and some yogurt (but not cheese), soy and rice beverages, and fortified margarine. While sunlight allows us to produce our own vitamin D through our skin, it is typically not sufficient during Canadian winters.  As a result, these supplemented sources are important, especially for babies, children and older adults.  Canada’s Food Guide recommends for men and women over 50 years of age to take a daily supplement of Vitamin D of 400 IU.

Vitamin B12:  This vitamin is necessary for cell division and blood formation.  It can be found in fortified cereals, soy and rice beverages, and some types of nutritional yeast.  It’s important to read labels to ensure you are getting enough B12.  

• Never feel full

Because vegetarians are eating a variety of foods that are high in fibre, a vegetarian diet ensures that you are full throughout the day.

My main concerns for not eating dairy products are strictly ethical.  Many have linked cancer, diabetes, acne and asthma directly to milk consumption.  All you have to do is google the truth about milk – do your own research and make your own decisions about whether or not to include milk in your diet.

The main message that I want to communicate is that we all have to ask questions and not just buy what is being sold to us.  We really have to be our own advocate when it comes to our health prevention.  Just because we have done something for thousands of years doesn’t mean it is the right thing.  Have we not progressed as a civilized society.  Do we not have the obligation to ensure all living things are treated with decency, respect and in an ethical manner?  I have said this so many times and will continue to do so – we must remove the blinders and really think about why we are doing what we are doing.  Does the meat/agriculture industry have our best interests at hand or are they partially responsible for the huge increases in terminal illnesses?  Be responsible and seek the truth – do your research and lift the blinders!

Sources:

www.peta.org

www.heartandstroke.com

www.dietitians.ca

Information about milk:

www.notmilk.com

www.milkdocumentary.com