Changing The World One Spoonful At A Time....

So today I went to my hometown and visited my family for my mother's birthday. I brought fluffy white cupcakes, some with a pineapple vanilla frosting and some with a chocolate ginache frosting..as people were enjoying these, I couldn't help but over hear some say what they just could not live without and how there is no way that vegan would work for them! This got me thinking... If I had to give someone interested in veganism ONE piece of advice it would be, don't get rid of it until you find a satisfactory alternative! I know this sounds like common sense, but this can be harder than you think.. just becuase its vegan cheese, doesn't mean its good! This also had me thinking about one of VegNews' named 10 most inspiring vegan geniuses, Ellen DeGeneres.. yes she is amongst 10 of the most influential vegan minds! Among other things, on her website, she challenges readers to send in their favorite recipe to be "veganized." How neat?!

So, like I was saying, don't get rid of something until you find a great substitute! As you gain more knowledge about what you are eating, this may be hard as you want to stop consuming it RIGHT NOW! But, by pulling away from everything and not knowing where to turn, this could lead to going back to your old ways or leading a very unhealthy lifestyle! I thought I would share a few of the books that helped me educate myself about this lifestyle and what has helped me stick to it!

**Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis, R.D. & Vesanto Melina M.S., R.D. ~  This book has everything from the background of the vegetarian movement, to the vegan food pyramid and food guides, to how to have a healthy vegan pregnancy and raise a healthy vegan child! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

** In Defense Of Food by Michael Pollan - this book really exposes the food industry as a whole, so when you get sick of hearing over and over again that meat is bad.. why not learn about what you ARE eating.. like genetically modified soybeans and what not.. He starts the book out by saying "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants."

**Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin.. although I hardly trust any sort of nutritional advice from two retired models, I really liked their "grocery list" this is great to use for my above statement about substituting and learning your knew isles! I also really enjoyed their web resources at the end of the book.. depending on your personality, this book will either crack you up or piss you off!

** Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Moskowitz and Romeo... a gift from my sister -in-law, this book has forever inspired me to cook and you will find some of their recipes throughout my blog!

Anyways, for those of you who have been vegan for years you know that knowledge is key and you can never know to much! For those of you just dabling with the idea, take a look at these the worst that will happen is that you will learn something about your milk that you didn't want to know ;)

Curious about the top 10 most inspiring vegans?! Well I will tell you!
1. THE PERSONALITY: Ellen DeGeneres: In 2009, veganism gained of the most charismatic and influential figures in pop culture! While interviewing with Katie Couric, Ellen says that after reading Skinny Bitch and watching the documentary "Earthlings," she just couldn't participate in that sort of torture. She is the national spokesperson for Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey campaign. She says that in today's world, "Its never been easier to be vegan."
2. THE FINE TUNER: Patrick Brown: A Stanford biochemistry professor, is famous in his field for transforming genetic research with his invention of micro-array DNA.. He is currently studying the HIV virus to find a cure and has published his own scientific journal. This scientist recommends a complete transition to plant-based agriculture, not only for the obvious economical reason, but also for ethical reasons. P.S. did you know that livestock accounts for 27% of human caused methane and 65% of nitrous oxide emmision? He claims that by making this switch it will stop the deterioration of the environment.
3. THE TECHIE: Biz Stone: He is actually the co-founder of Twitter and has recently posted an article named, "The Rise of the Power Vegans." He claims that by going vegan, his career took off based on his clarity and awareness. He is an honory board member at WildCare in California and also champions for Farm Sanctuary..
4. THE MATH MAESTRO: Brian Greene: Basically supports the vegetarian movement.
5. THE MOTIVATOR: Tony Robbins: He is one of the best motivational speakers and ends all of his sold-out seminars with the advice that the kinds of changes people want to make to better their lives cannot be made while they consume animal products.
6. THE PROTECTOR: Sara Shields.
7. THE THINK TANK: Jason Gaverick Matheny
8.THE DETAIL DETECTIVE: George Church
9. THE RE-INVENTOR: Steve Wynn: Everyone knows Steve Wynn! Responsible for the Las Vegas strip basically! Vegan and animal-activist, has many many vegan options on all of his menus and was the first to bring in the animal-free acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil!
10. THE MOGUL: Russell Simmons!
P.S. Sundays will be like this.. no recipes just fun info!

Namaste.