Another Pathway to Protein

by Brittany Stowasser

Vegan:  A popular way of life in dietary options that has taken the world by storm. Vegans have vegetarians everywhere proclaiming, “I could be vegan too!!…if only I didn’t have to give up cheese!” This is clearly not a choice for the faint of heart.

For those of you who have never reaslly checked into it, a tried and true Vegan is one who consumes no animal food or dairy products. Excluding eggs and yes, even cheese in their diets.

So, WHY would they choose to avoid entire food groups that have been a part of the food pyramid for years? Former Huntington native and Vegan Megan Howard said, “I became a Vegan because frankly I don’t enjoy the taste of meat or how it makes me feel physically once I eat it. After watching the documentary “Forks Over Knives” I started to realize that our bodies don’t NEED animal protein to survive. Also, the vast improvement with my sinuses was so marked once I cut out dairy, it was all the proof I needed.”

Strict Vegans also abstain from using animal products, such as leather. So, for them, their choice comes from a non-violent approach to harming living things or using anything living to make products commonly found in household goods or clothing.

Whatever the chosen reason, health, animal lover, doctor recommended or whatever, the real question everyone wants to know is, what DO they eat?

Get your green thumbs ready! If you can grow it in a garden, vegans will eat it. Veggies galore, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds and they can make delicious “cheese” out of cashews- believe it! Some vegans even opt for dairy substitutes such as Almond or Coconut milk.

Interested in being vegan? The Google search of the word “vegan” alone turns up nearly 100 million results. Narrowing the field, websites such as Forks Over Knives,  The Kind Life or online blog lunchboxbunch are great reference points. Books such as “Veganomics” and “The Veganist” are also popular guides. Great recipes can be found for Fruit salad and Smoothies can be found on Forks Over Knives. They look great!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Quinoa and Black Beans (recipe in upcoming Taming the Wild Ramp community cookbook as well) can be found on allrecipes.com.

Still not sold on why it could be a good choice for you? Where some see massive restriction, others find freedom; they are in fact, free to be Vegan.

Let the Wild Ramp support your best efforts with always local and fresh in-season produce. The Vegan lifestyle is well supported with year-round produce, tofu and veggie burgers.