So what is a Vegan anyway?

[VeganCaribChefMayra]

What is a vegan? I’m glad you asked. Perhaps the best way to fully understand the definition of the word vegan is to first have a better understanding of seemingly less confusing words. This is especially true since I come across many people who claim to be either vegan or vegetarian “but eat a little bit of chicken and fish now and then.” As a result, it is important to precisely define some other words before explaining what, precisely, is a vegan.

Meat: Meat is any and all animal flesh. Some people think “meat” means beef. No. Beef means beef. Meat can mean beef, but meat also means chicken, raccoon, fish, elephant, cockroach, lobster, aardvark, turkey, dolphin, ostrich, rabbit, eagle, man, frog, cat, zebra, clam, alligator, dog, giraffe, etc. Meat is simply a generic term for the flesh of any animal.

Vegetarian: One who eats no meat. Vegetarians mostly eat plant-based foods, though some animal products, such as eggs and dairy, may be included in their diet. Eating eggs and dairy products still qualifies as being vegetarian because milk, cheese, yogurt and eggs, etc., can be produced without killing animals, at least in theory. (The practical truth is another story entirely, which will be subject matter for another article or three.) Vegetarians may also abstain from products that are produced by killing an animal, such as leather, fur and many soaps and beauty products. A vegetarian may use wool, which, again, at least theoretically, can be produced without harming sheep.

And last, but definitely not least, what is a vegan?

Vegan: (Pronounced Vee-gan, with the accent on the first syllable and then a hard “g”.) One who eats plant-based foods which include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and grains; plus, vegans eat the many products derived from these foods such as veggie burgers, veggie dogs, veggie bologna, veggie ham and veggie eggs, and yes, even veggie ice cream. Curry chicken, Kung-Pao pork, and even chicken parmesan can all be made completely vegan, completely delicious and completely healthy! While it may first appear that vegans are restricted, the truth is following a vegan diet opens up a vast array (yet often overlooked) of delicious, satisfying, nutritious and healthy foods. Many vegans, like me, are not “salad” lovers and yet everything we eat is plant-based. One of my favorites is bologna sandwiches. Yes, vegan bologna sandwiches!
A vegan consumes no meat, dairy or animal products of any kind whatsoever. Vegans wear no animal products, such as leather or fur, nor use products made from or tested on animals. Vegans typically believe that animals are not on this planet for human exploitation of any kind – food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, etc. Veganism holds that simply because animals can’t speak English (or Spanish or Chinese or Russian) is not a valid reason to exploit them.
“Dietary vegans” are people who eat a vegan diet but may use other types of animal products. In a meat-producing world, it can sometimes be quite a challenge at first to completely eliminate all animal products, and it should be understood that becoming vegan is a process – the pursuit of excellence, not perfection. If you pursue excellence enough, you won’t need to engage in the folly of questioning whether or not you’ll arrive there. Nonetheless, as in any practical application, there is a complete spectrum, but the philosophy and definition of veganism remains as an absolute and an ideal.
“Ethical vegans” are those who make the choice to be vegan based upon the ethics and principles of an enlightened and compassionate lifestyle, irrespective of the numerous health benefits. Ethical vegans can certainly reap the health benefits, but it is simply not the motivation for being vegan.
Now that you know what a vegan is, why not try it? Your palate, waistline and heart (just for openers) will be delighted.
Ask "Dr Flavor how to transition or just plain eat better and different.
Sexy people eat Vegan, are you Sexy enought to be healthy?

Carib Chef Mayra

[Joan Black]

Great article and very informative! Hope u r doing well!
Hope to see you at Green Drinks this week.

[VeganCaribChefMayra]

Hi Joan ~ Happy Holidays!!!
Sorry I will not be there this Month ~ :-)
Perhaps the next one :-)

Joan Black said:

Great article and very informative! Hope u r doing well!
Hope to see you at Green Drinks this week.