March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #6 - Rip Esselstyn

http://www.ilovemikelitt.com/2010/11/fighting-fire-heart-disease/

Rip Esselstyn

Know him from: His part in the ground-breaking documentary Forks over Knives (based on the concept of eating a healthy, disease-preventative diet, rather than undergoing surgery). He's also author of the best-selling book The Engine 2 Diet.

Website: http://engine2diet.com/

Why he's vegan: Health and performance reasons, just like fellow triathlete Brendan Brazier (check him out on the Hot Vegan Army page). However, Rip actually doesn't like to call himself or his diet "vegetarian" or "vegan." He prefers to refer to his food as "plant-based." The Engine 2 Diet is a whole-foods-based diet, meaning that processed foods have no natural place in it. Whole foods are like clean-burning fuel for the human engine as he sees it.

Why he's awesome: What quickly comes to mind for me in the "awesome," category, aside from the immediate fact that Rip's book could possibly save lives, is a certain scene that was included in the documentary Forks over Knives. In this scene, Rip - henceforth to be nicknamed "Ripped" - climbed up a fire pole chanting "Real men eat plants!" over and over.

This guy is certainly not a newbie to the world of physical exercise though. He was a competitive swimmer at the University of Texas back in the '80s, which is when he decided that he'd go veg' in order to get a competitive edge. After college, he became a professional triathlete, all while maintaining his plants-only diet. In fact, he didn't just compete, but he won the Capital of Texas Triathlon a whopping 8 times! Following his "retirement" from professional sports, this super physically-fit contender decided to train to become a fireman, an extremely taxing job. But through it all, his plants-only diet has served him well for more than 20 years. At almost 50, this "Ripped" silver fox is a testament to the veggie-food-as-fuel hypothesis.

Additional awesomeness: Rip is the son of famous Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a former gold-medal olympian, who is now a clinician and researcher emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Esselstyn was one of the driving forces behind former president Bill Clinton's switch to veganism, as Esselstyn is a global specialist in the field of prevention and reversal of heart disease. Dr. Esselstyn and the rest of his family follow the whole foods vegan diet, and speak about it around the world. For his part, Dr. Esselstyn is now a healthy and active 79-year-old, a shoe-in for the Hot Vegan Army senior edition.

Well Rip, I think you're going to have to be part of the "Covert Ops" division of the Hot Vegan Army. You might not call yourself vegan, but you sure make a darn good case for that style of eating. Sometimes, many different roads can lead you to your ultimate destination, and I'm glad you're in our ranks, and in our corners.

"Hooah!," Mr. Esselstyn. "Hooah!" indeed.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #3 - Maggie Q

http://www.wetpaint.com/nikita/articles/how-does-maggie-q-stay-so-slim-we-divulge-nikitas-diet-secret

Maggie Q

Know her from: Tv's Nikita, movies like Rush Hour II and Around the World in 80 Days (both starring Jackie Chan), Live Free or Die Hard, and Mission Impossible III, as well as hosts of magazine covers

website: http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/celebrity/maggieq/index.cfm

Why she's vegan: Animal rights primarily, but also for health and global concerns. She is not just a pretty face for sure. She served as a producer in the film Earthlings in 2007, a film which has been nicknamed the "vegan-maker" due to it's unblinking and graphic look at the lives (and deaths) of animals on factory farms

Why she's awesome: Maggie Q is a multi-talented model, actress, activist, martial-artist, and stuntwoman, who grew up participating in swimming and track and field competitions. She has helped to bring awareness to matters of animal rights and human health around the world, teaming up with PETA, the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, Best Friend's Animal Society, and Animals Asia Foundation, bringing her global fame to bear (and to bears) for good.

Keep fighting the good fight Maggie. As George Patton said, "If a man does his best, what else is there?"

Delicious, nutritious, and expeditious: fast food vegetarian-style

So I admit I have been a little absent over the holidays, but I know that we can all relate to the "not-enough-hours-in the day" phenomenon.

Truth is, it's really tough to get everything done that you'd like to every day, and time after work just seems to evaporate. That's why I own so many cookbooks featuring 30 minute recipes. But sometimes, I'm too hungry to be bothered to leaf through books and measure quantities. And I want something tasty, not hit or miss. I really do love food after all...

So this is my go-to recipe for a satisfying meal that's quick, simple, and nutritious. It's super helpful if you've got the tendency to turn into a hunger monster if you go too long between meals (like I do). You can have this meal on the table in 15-20 mins starting from scratch. And you might even be able to cut that time almost in half if you already have pre-cooked pasta or cooked broccoli/other veggies in the fridge. The ratios are finagle-able, and pretty easy to remember:

Saves-my-life pasta

• 2-3 tablespoons of oil (I like grapeseed or canola; your fave oil ought to be fine though, and you can add more or less to suit your preference);
• 1 med to large onion, chopped into dime-sized pieces
• a garlic clove or two, minced or pressed through a garlic press (optional*)
• salt and pepper to taste (freshly ground is preferable)
• a can of beans of your choice, drained and rinsed; (I like butter beans, or kidney beans, but your favorite kind will do; I always buy lots of cans of beans when they're on sale)
• a couple of cups of broccoli (you can use other veggies, but this is my tried and true favorite); You can also use more or less than 2 cups depending on what you've got in the house; You'll need the broccoli to be frozen or steamed to make the recipe fast; If pressed for time, I steam my broccoli for a few minutes in the microwave in a bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water added; Cooking broccoli with the microwave can diminish antioxidant content though, and frozen broccoli is often already chopped into bite-sized pieces
• a couple of cups of pasta of your choice; I like spaghetti for this recipe, but anything works

Start off by chopping your onion into dime-sized pieces. Put your oil in a fry pan, add the onions, and sauté for few minutes over medium heat. The onions will start to become soft and translucent. Mince or press your garlic and add it to the onions, turning down the heat. Garlic can burn easily. Grind some fresh salt and pepper over this mixture and stir around for a few minutes.

While your onions and garlic are cooking, put the water on for your pasta. When the water boils, put in your desired amount of pasta.

Now, open your can of beans, drain the liquid, and rinse the beans in a colander or strainer. Add the beans to your onion mixture in the fry pan. Mix and let cook for a few more minutes. If you choose to add frozen veggies (e.g. broccoli), add them along with the beans. They'll need to defrost. You may even want to cover your pan to let the steam circulate and cook the vegetables more effectively. If you already have cooked broccoli/veggies, add them to the mixture closer to the end of the cooking time. You don't want them to overcook, you just want them to warm up. When your veggies and beans seem to be soft, (not "mushy") they are ready.

When your pasta is finished cooking, drain it, and put it back in the pot with a bit more oil. Stir in your onion mixture and voilá: a meal with veggies, healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, and antioxidants. And it tastes good. You can always mess with the quantities or ingredients to suit yourself better of course, but this is my old stand-by, and has served me well over the years...

Enjoy all, and eat in good health! Happy New Year!

VIP Status

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/si4liKuGqvqd_d62RBINYA

I must admit, I have been struggling a bit lately with my veganism. I'm sure that many of you who have made the transition to a more cruelty-free lifestyle have felt the same way at some point. There are just SO many hidden animal-derived ingredients to know about. And not just in food. LOTS of everyday products contain these substances.

It can just be so overwhelming...

And some habits really are hard to break. As I've been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for the past 13 years, some eggs and dairy products have still been sneaking their way into my diet lately as I transition to veganism.

And I have been feeling really guilty about it...

But I realized something.

Sometimes, an all or nothing attitude can really defeat your progress. While I did go vegetarian basically overnight (or "cold turkey" as I have often ironically joked), veganism is a whole other animal...(Yes I am full of puns).

When I became a vegetarian all those years ago, I really had no idea what I was doing. I was just an opinionated teenager who you could not talk out of anything. I so abhorred (and still do) the thought that any animal might suffer in order for me to eat, that I really didn't plan or transition at all. I just cut meat out of my life and never looked back. Now, while I wholeheartedly believe it is one of the best decisions I've ever made, vegetarianism took a toll on me at first. I paid very little heed to nutritional requirements, and, quite frequently, ate tortilla chips and salsa for dinner. And you know that can't have been good....

In fact, it wasn't long before I started noticing that my hair was frequently breaking off in the middle, and that I had a lot more flyaways than I used to. In fact, my "molting" became so noticeable that my mother dragged me to the nutritionist. The nutritionist told me that my "shedding" was due to a lack of protein. So, I started eating yogurt, milk, and cheese like crazy to make up for the lack of meat in my diet. And it worked. My hair became as strong as it used to be, and I didn't have to worry about leaving telltale signs wherever I sat (like a cat). However, in my protein crusade, I did end up gaining a noticeable amount of weight. It probably was not until I went off to college and started exercising regularly that I was able to get myself into balance, and to know what foods to eat to keep me healthy and happy.

Veganism has been a whole other story. Life is busier now. I work long hours, take classes, attempt to find time to work out, have social engagements with family and friends, and I have hobbies that I love...But all of those things don't leave very much time to cater to the delicate transition I now find myself engaged in. So the move to veganism has been going very slowly. Like molasses uphill on a cold day (as my father is fond of saying).

But then again, beating myself up about this is not doing anyone any good. Not everyone can transition into vegetarianism or veganism within the span of an afternoon. It's a learning process. And, not only are these powerful and potentially jarring lifestyle changes, but they directly affect one's health. Becoming a full-fledged vegan or vegetarian without consulting a doctor or a nutritionist, or at LEAST without becoming educated about your nutritional needs, can be harmful to you.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1273895/LOST-The-countdown-highly-anticipated-finale-begins.html (©ABC)

Now the last thing I want to do is talk anyone out of becoming a vegan or vegetarian. As I said, vegetarianism is one of the best decisions I ever made in my life, and I don't regret it for a second. Vegetarianism has enriched my life in so many unexpected ways. I'll never go back to eating meat...........unless I'm stranded on a desert island or something like in Lost. Then we'll talk......

But if you are considering making these lifestyle changes, please honor your health and well-being in equal measure to that of the animals you hope to save. It will not help anyone if you make yourself so sick and nutritionally-deprived that you have to give up the entire endeavor to restore your health.

http://planesandstuff.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Remember, a plane doesn't just land. It hovers a little, slows down, and bounces a few times before it settles on the runway. I never want any of you to think that you are a lost cause if you "cheat" or "mess up," or eat something by accident that you didn't know was in your food, etc, while you are transitioning into a new lifestyle. There is NO SHAME - none - in making a really good decision s-l-o-w-l-y.

If you currently find yourself "in between gigs," as it were, then you are what I like to call a "VIP." A "Vegetarian (or a Vegan) In Progress." VIPs are special, and they all deserve pats on the back for choosing a more compassionate way of life.

So the next time you find yourself the victim of negative inner dialog, remember that you are a VIP, and that you only deserve the best.

Good luck to you all, and see you on the red carpet!

Chaaaaaarge! Meet the first members of the Hot Vegan Army

http://olivia-wilde-pictures.blogspot.com/2009/05/olivia-wilde-pics-part-2.html

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bob+harper

I thought it only fitting that the first 2 members of the Hot Vegan Army here on Worldly Vegetarian should be the winners of PETA's yearly "Sexiest Vegetarian Alive" contest. And this year's winners would certainly make anyone want to swear off hamburgers for life :-)

Congratulations to House's Olivia Wilde and The Biggest Loser's Bob Harper!

Olivia Wilde: You may know this sweeping beauty from tv's House, in which she plays an opinionated (and of course gorgeous) doctor with Huntington's disease. And God bless her, this knockout is a no-joke vegan, and really vocal about it. Just check out her personal website, Wilde Things. Here, she shares vegan recipes and anecdotes, as well as book recommendations and reviews. To boot, Ms. Wilde is also an activist for humans. She belongs to the ACLU, she's a board member in Artists for Peace and Justice, and she promotes several smaller human rights efforts on other pages of her website. I also remember seeing an interview with her online once, in which she said that she wished she could go back and tell her childhood self to be more confident. It was not that there were lots of things she wasn't good at, but just things she hadn't learned yet. I think we could all stand to have that attitude, and not treat ourselves so harshly sometimes. So don't hate her because she's beautiful. Love her because she is caring and makes some darn good points.

Bob Harper: You know, I've been watching the Biggest Loser for years, and not until this whole Sexiest Vegetarian alive thing did I even know Bob was a vegan. And, judging by what I have seen on Biggest Loser, and by what you can see above, vegans sure are healthy, haha. No flies on this guy for sure. He's got energy to spare. I even have some of the Biggest Loser workout videos, and this guy puts you through your paces. Additionally, as far as reality tv goes, I'd much rather see people making positive decisions that take them to a happier, healthier place in their lives, than to watch a whole bunch of immature "pretty people" backstab and gossip about each other all day.

In addition to his work with homo sapiens, Bob is of course an animal lover. He is an advocate against puppy mills, and owns an adopted dog named Karl. Bob is also the national spokesperson for this year's fundraising walk for Farm Sanctuary, a wonderful organization that I am just starting to learn about. According to wikipedia.org:

Farm Sanctuary is an American animal protection organization, founded in 1986 as an advocate for farm animals. It promotes laws and policies that support animal welfare, animal protection, and vegetarianism/veganism by rescue, education and advocacy. Farm Sanctuary houses over 800 cows, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, sheep, rabbits, and goats at a 175-acre (0.71 km²⁾ animal sanctuary in Watkins Glenn, New York. They house over 400 farm animals at a 300-acre (1.2 km²) sanctuary in Orland, California which, unlike the New York shelter, also houses burros.

So Bob, I salute you for the inspiration you give to people, and the example you provide for the ethical treatment of animals. Cheers Mr. Harper.

And cheers to the first members of our Hot Vegan Army! And there will be many more to come :-)

Intro

Hi everyone!

For a while now, I've wanted to write a blog about my experiences as a vegetarian (and a partial kinda sorta vegan). However, as a natural procrastinator, it has taken me months (read: "years") to actually write this first post.

But, as they say, there is no time like the present. I hope you enjoy my personal explorations into the vegan/vegetarian/attemptedly-healthy lifestyle. I'd love for all of you to join me through the good, the bad, and the not at all appetizing...

Well, happy June everyone, and here goes!