About 2 months late, but I finally finished the punk scarf I was knitting for my mom. I got word that it safely reached her, so I figure it's safe to post now. ( Pics and details under the cut )
Yes...a lot of what influenced my decision (as documented in the novel-sized reply below) was the problems around industry-produced anything. And depending on where you are, organic products are not necessarily a lot better for you or the animals than normally raised/grown stuff (for example, CA actually had to LOWER its standards for organic stuff to comply with the federal guidelines).
Yeah, I'm with you in thinking the best bet is to grow your own or buddy up to your local farmer's market vendors or produce stand - there used to be several places up dirt roads that my great grandparents would take me to when we wanted eggs or butter and the taste was soooo much better than the stuff in the supermarket. I think there's a growing market for locally-produced and DIY foodstuffs - it'd kinda be neat to see all that come back. Also, there's growing scientific research that eating local, in-season food helps build your immune system against specifically local bacteria/viruses. I'll see if I can find where I read that...
Nod. Yeah, I'll probably wear the clothes I've got until they shred and replace them with vegan-friendly stuff. Because it seems just as wrong to toss something that's still perfectly useable and go buy new things just for the sake of appearances. If someone has a problem with it, I'll just explain where I'm coming from. And there will inevitably be compromises with the local produce thing with living in the city - sometimes, you just don't have access and you have to eat. But I do think voting with your wallet is a powerful thing and every little bit you can do counts.
And I just made one kickass batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies, so there's really no deprivation involved. :)
I just picked up this one and like it a lot: Vegan with a Vengeance. It sounds much more extreme than it is - very tasty down-home recipes for things like hearty vegetable soups and potato knishes, with good advice on making the most of non-meat protein devices. On the vegetarian side, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone is a good comprehensive guide.
On alternative sources of protein, actually a lot of vegetables, grains and nuts provide considerably high levels of protein. I've found this site helpful in figuring out my requirements and how to get them: http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm There's lots of good info there on non-dairy, non-meat sources of protein and what nutrients they supply. As a rule of thumb, the RDA of protein is .45 g per pound that you weigh. For example, a cup of Tempeh provides 41 g of protein, so for me at 145 lbs that's over half my recommended intake. One good stir fry with tempeh, broccoli, spinach and some quinoa would have you well on your way. I'll see if I can find more recipes to email ya - most of them live in a folder on my desk. :)
Yes...a lot of what influenced my decision (as documented in the novel-sized reply below) was the problems around industry-produced anything. And depending on where you are, organic products are not necessarily a lot better for you or the animals than normally raised/grown stuff (for example, CA actually had to LOWER its standards for organic stuff to comply with the federal guidelines).
Yeah, I'm with you in thinking the best bet is to grow your own or buddy up to your local farmer's market vendors or produce stand - there used to be several places up dirt roads that my great grandparents would take me to when we wanted eggs or butter and the taste was soooo much better than the stuff in the supermarket. I think there's a growing market for locally-produced and DIY foodstuffs - it'd kinda be neat to see all that come back. Also, there's growing scientific research that eating local, in-season food helps build your immune system against specifically local bacteria/viruses. I'll see if I can find where I read that...
Nod. Yeah, I'll probably wear the clothes I've got until they shred and replace them with vegan-friendly stuff. Because it seems just as wrong to toss something that's still perfectly useable and go buy new things just for the sake of appearances. If someone has a problem with it, I'll just explain where I'm coming from. And there will inevitably be compromises with the local produce thing with living in the city - sometimes, you just don't have access and you have to eat. But I do think voting with your wallet is a powerful thing and every little bit you can do counts.
And I just made one kickass batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies, so there's really no deprivation involved. :)
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On alternative sources of protein, actually a lot of vegetables, grains and nuts provide considerably high levels of protein. I've found this site helpful in figuring out my requirements and how to get them: http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm There's lots of good info there on non-dairy, non-meat sources of protein and what nutrients they supply. As a rule of thumb, the RDA of protein is .45 g per pound that you weigh. For example, a cup of Tempeh provides 41 g of protein, so for me at 145 lbs that's over half my recommended intake. One good stir fry with tempeh, broccoli, spinach and some quinoa would have you well on your way. I'll see if I can find more recipes to email ya - most of them live in a folder on my desk. :)
Eee, flax! That's definitely one I want to try.
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