To be Vegan: Health, lifestyle, or religion?

Some people, when I say I'm vegan, give me a look like I've grown antlers or something. 

For some, it's a case of “WTF?! You you don't eat bacon? Or cheese? Or ice cream?” A genuine incredulity that one would not eat any of those fine delicacies of the mainstream diet. 

For others it's more, “What the heck DO you eat? This one is generally followed with an up and down glance and an observation as to how thin I am. (Note: those who have known me for years before my diet change will know that I have always been thin). Often this is followed with “Where do you get your protein?” and a “But you need milk to get calcium!”

Another response is eyes wide fear. Yes fear. “The unspoken fear that says “Oh God you're not one of THEM are you?”

Having changed my diet two years ago, I have seen them all. Lately I've been giving some thought as to why. People tend to develop a habitual response to certain scenarios. What it is about the V word that causes such responses? Truth, I don't know and I haven't gone about asking people what their first thought response was to being told person 'x' was a vegan.

I guess I have to go to the roots as to why some people 'go Vegan'.

I'm looking at the back page of the Earthsave Metro Vancouver Veg Directory where it reads “Why go Veg?” It boasts 4 reasons: For your health, For a sustainable future, Compassion for all and Build community and support social justice. I'll summarise each.

For health. Pretty self explanatory, no? There isn't a doctor, medical professional or nutritionist anywhere that is going to say eating more fruits and vegetable in your diet is bad for you. Not one. There is evidence to say that animal proteins, particularly dairy can cause adverse effects on one's health. Doctors can argue this one back and forth with studies showing this that or the other. In my opinion, everyone should take the time to understand what they eat and how it is adsorbed into and affects your body.

For a sustainable future. This requires that one look beyond their plate and consider the environmental impact of the world food system. At school (which was a long time ago, my friends) I learned how many tonnes of grain went into making a tonne of animal protein. According to the Earthsave brochure, ' nearly half the water and and 80% of agricultural land in North America is used to raise crops for livestock'. I would place this under the 'lifestyle' category, though how strongly one 'walks the talk' could push this into the 'religion' category.

Compassion for all. Here we are talking primarily about animal welfare and the whole industrial factory farming complex. Food Inc., the widely acclaimed documentary on the North American Corporate food industry shows a side to what goes into the grocery aisles. Following a philosophy and belief that life is to be respected and protected is very much a religious calling for many.

Build community and support social justice. The Earthsave brochure outlines how with a plant-based diet, you can host and feed anyone, regardless of culture or religion. We gather to celebrate life over a shared meal. The argument here is that it is hard to fight over differences when we can all eat from the same plate.

OK. Having summarised each, I'm note sure that explained much of why the differing reactions. But then again, maybe it did touch lightly on a few of them.

The “WTF?!” probably comes from the use of Vegan. Had I said I follow a plant-based diet, it probably wouldn't have come across as freakishly alien. That most of the world has followed a plant-based diet for centuries only in the last two developing into what the British refer to a “meat and two veg diet” (a traditional type of meal, often found in Britain, which is basic and slightly boring, usually a piece of meat and two vegetables 'The food is very much meat and two veg - you won't find any of your fancy French cuisine here.'). Mediterranean cuisine (European, African and Middle East) has long been traditionally plant-based.

The where do you get your protein/Calcium/fill-in-the-blank, response, I think, largely comes from the long term conditioning that comes from decades of “Official Food Guides for a Healthy Diet” that we have been exposed to over time. I recommend looking up where these guides come from. I won't say they are written by a board that is financed and headed by representatives from the dairy and livestock and grain industry. But I would suggest questioning who pens these authoritative guides. Check out the recent Harvard guide.

The “You're one of them!” look. Well that's just a recognition of a number of Vegan proselytisers out there. Yup, I've been one, and probably always will. The blend of lifestyle and belief incorporated into a daily food diet plan can be quite compelling and perhaps intoxicating. Some get caught up in the religious fervour of, well religion, others politics, some football or hockey. For vegan folks it seems they are caught up in the health benefits, food cycle and interconnectivity of life. There are degrees though. I promise not to ram carrots down your throats. I can't and won't speak for others, though.

For the record, I changed my diet for health reasons. No I don't eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy and quite frankly, I don't miss them. When an omnivore, I doubt very much I would be able to go through the steps necessary to get meat to my plate though I could work the soil. Speaking of soil, I share a great concern for the degree to which pesticides have become a staple component of modern farming.

When considering the age old adage "you are what your eat" I'm happy to be a collection of pesticide free fruit and veg.

Late night eats

Most of the time life follows a fairly predictable routine; wake, breakfast (oatmeal based) , prep for work, grab a coffee on the go, work, snack (muffin with fruit), work, lunch (generally from two or three day's prepared in advance from home), work, home, exercise routine, dinner, prepare lunch for tomorrow prep for the next day, read, and retire for the evening. Lately I've been getting meditation in before breakfast and some writing in after the exercise routine. But otherwise it's pretty same-same.

Nothing very exciting, I know.

Every now and then something comes along which changes the routine. Could be anything. I might have worked later, or needed to get some paperwork dealt with - accounting and payroll - grrr! Or maybe decided to stop somewhere on the route home, shopping for something, or just maybe I've just 'chucked the whole routine thing' and go for a wander in the neighbourhood and take some time to look around. I do that from time to time. it;s spring. Flowers and shrubs are blooming and with the evening light, some inspiring random moments of beauty can be seen - stuff that makes me go "Wow, isn't nature wonderful when we stop and take the time to notice it!"

Anyway, for whatever reason I find myself running short of time, and if honest inspiration, to prepare dinner for myself. What to do? What to do?

Sure there are a lot of restaurants whose kitchen offer late evening dinner options. Few are able to meet the needs of a vegan. However, in Vancouver this is changing, slowly but surely.

A friend recently reminded me of The Wallflower. I had eaten there a year ago and not been back since. Not because of the food or service or anything like that, more a case of not being into dining out. Well I'm into dining out again.... so I went back. A good call. (Thanks Dani.)


It's a friendly place that offers foods for all people: omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, the lot. The kitchen is open late - midnight methinks. The multi-page menu has a page of all vegan options and the daily special chalkboard always has a vegan special.

So far I've enjoyed their Vegan Mushroom Bruschetta, Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Penne and from the daily special board, their Sunset Burger.

If you are out and about later in the evening and feeling peckish, I'd recommend stopping into the Wallflower.

Wow! It's been well over a year since I last put fingers to keyboard and put something onto this blog. it's not that nothing has happened, because lots has, I've just been putting it off, on a daily basis, for over a year. Well, I have received a few prods recently so will pledge to be back at it again.

First off, I will confirm that I am still following a vegan diet. I will also confirm that I am feeling exceedingly healthy as well.

Some small changes, with which at first I struggled to implement, have become habits, good habits. I generally take my lunch to work. Aside from saving a tonne of money, I make sure that I eat properly during the day, something I was not particularly good at. I'll cover some of what I take in following posts. (See? I've promised to write more!)

I've also added a layer of exercise to my daily routine. A simple routine which has strengthened my core muscles, back, legs and abdominals. I'll cover this in a later post as well. It was a such a small simple routine, that paid great dividends, it would be almost criminal not to share it. From this point, I have more confidence to play with some yoga (stretching and flexibility must improve!).

Meditation, something that I was introduced to in my pre-teen years by my parents, has become more regular, though not part of my daily routine. This will happen. Habits are developed over time, one step at a time. On the subject of habits, I've been absorbing much of Zen habits. Simple slices of advice on how to simplify and reduce clutter in life by developing new habits. More on this later.

On the food side, Vancouver is starting to blossom with new restaurants offering vegan meal options, or even  a vegan menu. part of my routine of late has included Sunday brunch at the Rhizome Cafe. I was introduced to this place through Vancouver Meatless Meet-up and what a happy introduction! M y favorites include, the Breakfast Polenta and the Pumpkin Pesto Tofu Scramble. Reasonably priced, friendly service. Unfortunately they will be closing in July and shuffling off to Toronto. It will be missed. Until then I will happily enjoy my brunches there.


On the Fresh and newly opening side. Graze is opening soon. Speaking of which, I need to get my butt in gear. I am attending a soft opening dinner there in 20 minutes. Fortunately  Graze is within walking distance from my home!