Buy Local, Buy Organic

February 6th, 2010 by rgraham33. (All posts by rgraham33)  No Comments

I was doing research on genetically modified organisms (GMO) and found an article in the recent winter edition of California Alumni Magazine titled Dinner by Design. It is an interesting read.

In the article, the author presents arguments on both sides of the GMO debate ultimately siding with the argument for GMOs as he believes GMOs are best at “beating pests to extending shelf life to creating prettier apples.” He concludes his article by stating, “For many traditionalists, genomics will doubtless always be anathema. But for the billions who face famine in the developing world, these tools may be the best weapons of survival.”

I can’t speak to the effort to thwart global hunger but I can speak to the argument for eating non-GMO food and to the effort to eat well, to eat local and to eat fresh in. Let’s start with a discussion of genetic modification in general as applied to plants.

Genetic modification is the alteration of a living organism’s genetic make-up by transferring one or more genes from one organism to another. These modifications are then passed on to the organism’s descendants. This is also known as genetic engineering, gene splicing or recombinant DNA technology.

Opponents of GMOs argue that genetic engineering can cause unpredictable effects and should therefore not be released into the food chain. Opponents include outspoken individuals, groups and nations. Ireland, Japan and Egypt, for example, have taken the bold step of banning the cultivation of all genetically modified crops. Although the United States has not yet taken decisive (let alone bold) action against GMOs, there is a growing non-GMO movement spearheaded by the Non-GMO Project headquartered in  Upland, California.

Find stores in your community that sell local, organic produce. Make the effort to find local farmers with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. You’ll find that you have access to an abundance of healthy, nutritious and unmodified produce. If we have alternatives to GMO food and GMO food products, why buy food that’s been genetically modified? Who needs pretty apples?

I say buy local, buy organic. Foods labeled “certified organic” are not allowed, by law, to contain GMOs. So buy local organic food and skip the GMOs. Buy it because it supports local farmers. Buy it because it helps to sustain, not pollute, our watershed.

If you don’t buy 100% organic but still wish to avoid GMO food, there is a fairly comprehensive on-line shopping guide that identifies non-GMO food brands (vegetarian and non-vegetarian). Visit and download the PDF version for subsequent reference. Many of the brands they list can be purchased locally. This helps to support local businesses and prevents sales tax revenue from leaking to other jurisdictions.

Do I buy organic and therefore non-GMO foods 100% of the time? No. Sometimes I cave to convenience and buy a non-organic vegetable broth if our local stores are out of my favorite. Do I buy local 100% of the time? No again. Sometimes I have a need eat fresh produce that is not grown anywhere near here. Bananas, mangos and pineapple come to mind.

I may not buy local 100% of the time, but I make a definite effort to buy my produce locally. Do I make the same effort to buy organic? You bet. It is healthier for me. It also makes me feel good to support our local farmers and to contribute to the sustainable watershed effort in my community.

I ask you to join me in making a concerted effort to buy local and to buy organic. Here’s to eating well, to eating local and to eating fresh!

 Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Organic  No Comments

Veganism is extremism?

January 19th, 2010 by Canook. (All posts by Canook)  One Comment

Veganism is extremism? I came across an article in the UK press that has used veganism as an analogy to Islamic extremism of the sort that lead to the attempted Christmas bombing in Detroit. Now, care must be taken to point out that this is slightly out of context, as the author of this article was trying to highlight the attitude of University students as they search to establish their identity separate from their peers and their parents are highly susceptible to attaching themselves to a ‘radical’ movement. Whether this is socialism, environmentalism or veganism. However, there are always some bad apple extra-curricular activities students can get involved with. Like the British National Party here in the UK – a political party whose policies are defined by racism, intolerance and bigotry. And as the press is latching onto and sensationalizing, Universities can also be seen as recruitment grounds for Islamic terrorists. Preying on a students need to belong to something outside of the fringes of what their parents world was built upon.

You can read the original article in it’s entirety here.

Not wanting to get into a debate on politics or religion, let’s look again at that opening sentence: is veganism extremism? The analogy interestingly frames both Islamic extremism and veganism as comparative equals, however, the word extremism is now so linked to terrorism and violence that it can’t be any further from the beliefs held by vegans. And although distinctly different in practice and ideology, by linking them through analogy all kinds of negative connotations come to mind. So, no, based on the current view on extremism, veganism is not extremism.

But not only is veganism portrayed as being ‘bad’ it’s also put forward as impermanent. So next question, is veganism a fad or a a form of rebellion? It’s difficult to quantify the truth of this statement as statistics are sketchy, depending on where you go the numbers are all slightly different. However, all sources seem to agree that the number of people adopting a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is on the rise. (If you want to see for yourself Google ‘vegan statistics’) Current numbers from selected segments of the population in the UK and the USA both show numbers ranging from 2-5% of the respective population are vegan or vegetarian, so although a minority, vegan is not a drastic or immoderate lifestyle. The temptation is to look at fruitarians or freegans when looking for food extremes, but even here, these is no need to point fingers to label someone different. Tolerance and acceptance of personal choice and individual freedoms is necessary for all people, so long as their choices don’t harm others. You want to eat only fruit, eat only fruit. You don’t want to be vegan, don’t be vegan. Everyone needs to make the decisions that are best for them. Stereotypes and assumptions lead to comparisons between people who are defined by compassion and moral conviction with people who are defined by violence and death. And that is not right.

 Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Events, General, Politics, Veganism  One Comment

Kicking in the New Year: Vegan Style!

January 5th, 2010 by cookiem. (All posts by cookiem)  2 Comments

Hats off to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) for encouraging people to consider a test-drive of a vegan diet!   So often, there are folks who are interested in changing their behavior and their consumption patterns, but they lack the support system to effect this change.  Well, give it a whirl, folks: PCRM makes this test-drive short and sweet!  Only 21 days long and powered by an on-line support community of thousands of other vegan test-drivers, this chance to try a new diet couldn’t be easier!  Registering for the program also helps you learn about how to eat out at your favorite restaurants, how to vegan-ize recipes, and how to just plain make that change!

While switching to a 100% vegan diet might be the ideal goal of this 21-day Kickstart program, it would seem to be just as effective if people partook in this behavior more often than not.  Quitting smoking just because it’s the New Year and the new decade might sound like a great idea, but is often difficult to implement.   For smokers who try to cut out the cigaretttes, physical cravings sink in and the nicotine addiction can stymie the process.   Similarly, Dr. Neal Barnard, the President of PCRM, might also say kicking the meat and dairy habit might be slowed-down by the same addictive properties of these should-be-banned foods of the vegan diet.  Thank goodness for the support system.  It’s human to be imperfect, and that’s okay!  As long as the goal is there and the overall steps are successfully taken to change, 100% vegan or most of the time vegan, it’s much better than not making the change.

While this Kickstart is just a foray into the world of vegan eating, some might find it to be limiting.  Some vegans certainly eat healthy foods almost all the time, including cutting out processed products, fat and sugar.  However, people are human.  We need to be happy and that requires fulfillment.  Accept the consequences of your decision but also don’t deprive yourself of some small joys.  If this means occasionally eating some dark chocolate (Fair labor, organic… preferred) and using Daiya vegan cheese on your white-bread sandwich, it’s okay!  Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect!

Incorporating change takes time for it to become complete.  All people change in different ways.  Some people can tolerate replacing old foods more so than others, while some people can cut it all out without a blink of the eye.  What’s most important is to realize who you are, set your goals, and make the path to success a surefire one!  I have no doubt that along the way, people who embrace the move towards a more vegan lifestyle will feel the benefits and benefit the earth.

Here’s to a New Year and a new decade!

http://www.21daykickstart.org

  Posted in: Dining, Events, Health, Nutrition, Veganism  2 Comments

Vegan cycling

January 4th, 2010 by Canook. (All posts by Canook)  2 Comments

In the UK there is a huge surge in the number of cyclists on the road. The trend towards cycling is a result of people’s growing concern for their own health, the environment and their wallet. This is right in-line with the movement towards going veg*n.

Just as there are several shades of veg*n – vegans, vegetarians, lacto-veggies, pescetarian, etc – there’s a brand of cyclist that can suit us all. Fair weather cyclist who only get on their bike when the sun is shining are lucky because they don’t have to buy wet weather and cold weather gear. The commuter cyclist gets to set their own travel hours, no more waiting on a late bus or forcing your way onto an overcrowded train. The Sunday shopper can leisurely roll down the road with a fashionable basket to carry all your goodies from the shops. The off-road or mountain biking enthusiast get to commune with nature while playing. And the 365-cyclists, those who make cycling a way of life and not just a leisure activity, have got their healthy lifestyle sorted.

By cycling you’re helping to reduce your carbon footprint – it’s simple the less you drive, the less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere to contribute to the overall global warming.

Increasing levels of CO2 have made for an increase in adverse weather conditions like killer tsunamis and hurricanes as well as devastating heatwaves. Global warming is not only taking it’s toll on the human population but the animal world as a whole.

  • In Canada global warming has caused ice breaks to happen earlier and earlier, resulting in polar bears losing weight and getting weaker due to their decreased hunting time.
  • Fish stocks in southern England have started migrating further and further north in an attempt to reestablish their natural habitat.
  • And in Costa Rica both the golden toad and the harlequin frog have disappeared completely.

Still need further convincing? Then let’s talk money. A decent new bike will cost you roughly ÂŁ300, whereas a new car will cost you an average of ÂŁ14 000 – I don’t think I need to highlight just how much of a savings this works out to be. Short journeys are harder on your engine than longer ones would be – so making regular short trips to the shops or to your kids school means you’ll be spending more on maintaining and repairing your engine. And the fewer journeys you’re making the more money you’re spending on fuel. There is an estimate that by eliminating all trips under 2 miles can result in an annual savings of over ÂŁ600 or roughly $1000.

Furthermore, those same 2 mile trips that are saving your heaps will also have you burning up over 100 calories per 15 minute trip.

If you’re completely new to cycling or if you haven’t been on a bike since you were a little boy or girl then you may want to bolster your confidence before you tackle urban cycling. This is easy enough by joining a group ride that’s being lead by a more experienced cyclist, or if you’ve got a friend ask them to let you tag along on a leisurely weekend ride. Cycling is a great way to get outdoors and have a bit of fun with family and friends or completely on your own. Vegans tend to be more concerned about the world around them and cycling is just one more way to show you care not only about your life and your world but the world we’re leaving behind for future generations.

 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Animal Rights, Economy, Environment, Veganism  2 Comments

Peace in 2010

January 1st, 2010 by webmaster. (All posts by webmaster)  No Comments

Another year already past… amazing!

Things have really taken off here at HappyCow in the past year, and a lot of improvements have been made to the site.
HappyCow has also benefited from the over 350,000 visitors each month who continue to send in a steady flow of  updates and add new listings- Thank you!

2010 promises to bring more great changes to the site, and although economic times have been tough, a wave of new vegan restaurants are opening as more people realize the necessity to become veg*n (an essential part of saving this planet).
As usual, we continue to refine HappyCow and value your feedback & ideas.

2010 also offers potential for positive change in the world.

Our wish & prayers are for changes which create peace and balance.

May 2010 make this world an easier place for all sentient beings to live peaceably together.

From everyone here at HappyCow (including the cows),
we wish you peace, health, and wonderful veg-eating experiences in 2010!

  Posted in: General  No Comments

The Price of Food and Reviews on HappyCow

December 11th, 2009 by webmaster. (All posts by webmaster)  4 Comments

Comments from a HappyCow visitor, “Geena” on HappyCow reviews:

Being in and around the natural food business on the wholesale side I am on the pulse of wholesale food costs. Dining at vegan establishments around the country I see firsthand the good intentions and dedication to make available cruelty free food to the public.  It is common on veg/vegan sites to see reviewers complaining about the price of the food even when it is very moderately priced.

I shake my head…
Today, December 2009, serving a main course vegan meal in the US under $8.00, that establishment is most probably losing money. Peruse the many World Food Price indexes on the wholesale side and you will be shocked at what took place starting in June 2008. Oils, Grains, Beans and mainly other mainstay menu ingredients spiked to DOUBLE the price.

I recall exactly that one bag of flour that cost $32.00 spiked in one month to $72.00. Canola Oil by the 35 gallon container doubled. Potatoes, an item that rarely moves in price wholesale…
Non Organic 50lb bag went from $9.99 to $17.99 in one week and stuck there.
I and many in the industry saw it as manipulation in the market and everyone jumped on. Many of these products had been purchased by the wholesale distributor at the old price. UNFI did this with many items they shipped across the board and the will never be held accountable. So be it.

Along with that incredible shock UNFI and other large and small vendors serving these establishments added fuel surcharges. UNFI alone was adding $40 to a $1,000.00 or less order. Waste Management and other waste haulers adding $35 per month. Areas of the country such as the Northwest allow power companies, such as PGE, to raise their commercial rates by a whopping 10% every January.  I saw a major grain supplier send out a letter to 100+ more small dining establishments in Spring 2008 urging the owners to raise the prices on their menus “now or perish”. He was being kind and he was dead on.

Add on to this severe drop in business due to the economic disaster and you have many teetering on a precipice.

Add to that states like Washington and Oregon who added a minimum wage hikes instead of helping out and freezing the rate for one year. One owner I spoke with was forced to shed 2 employees and cut service which he was very concerned about. He picked up double shifts himself indefinitely. Municipalities are burdening small business with extra fees on water service (one city $100 per quarter), permits and county health license and inspection are often increasing annually for the first time.

Many owners are going deep into debt today just to keep the doors open… for as long as they can.

Half cooked and poorly presented food, dirty glassware, and nasty service are certainly inexcusable. Venues that allow such will expire from their own undoing. Before people sit down at their PC’s and write reviews on HappyCow they should take a look at the backside of running a specialty restaurant in the extreme economic conditions venues are under at this time.

Recent Poll by USA Today=47% of small business owners are expecting to pack it in mid 2010.

Changes have taken place at some venues… slightly smaller portions, under-staffing. Please, give ‘em a break once in a while instead of jumping on the keyboard. And here we sit, complaining, at the pinnacle of the World food chain.

 Tags: ,   Posted in: Dining, Economy, HappyCow Site  4 Comments