Vegan Challenge for Earth Week

Earth Day and the vegan challenge: Are you a climate vegan?

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:35:45 +0000

Earth Day happened this week. It seemed like it was going to be ignored, especially by our elected representatives, so a group of climate activists got together outside Toronto City Hall. They wanted to introduce the new kid in town – the Climate Vegan Campaign. “Climate Vegan” is a term recently coined by a group of Toronto activists whose aim is to join the dots of forest destruction, water usage, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions to the cow in the china shop – animal agriculture.

Veganism might be for you, but it's not for me: A true story

Vegan Challenge — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:52:50 +0000

I've been a vegetarian for almost five years now and this has never been a problem for me.

Morally, I feel as if I line up with veganism more than vegetarianism. My reasoning for going vegetarian in the first place was because I've always felt uncomfortable with the idea of eating a dead animal. I've always been an animal person, and eating my friends was just a little too icky for me.

Why my Saskatchewan family went vegan

Vegan Challenge — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 21:21:12 +0000

Join rabble.ca in taking the Vegan Challenge from April 22-29, 2015. RSVP on our Facebook event page, share your ideas and invite your friends! Recipes, stories, ideas, and more.

I am sixty-year old grandmother, artist, amateur photographer, gardener and avid reader. Six years ago I started to thoroughly investigate the impacts of animal agriculture and I was determined to leave no stone unturned. I steeled myself to not look away when the brutality of what we do to farmed animals was all too apparent and painful. And it was incredibly painful; my

Meal planning, vegan-challenge style

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:57:31 +0000

Happy Day one of the vegan challenge. How's it going so far? For me, I'll admit it's a challenge. A vegan challenge, if you will.

Since menu planning is such an important part of having any success with this week of dietary change, I thought I'd pull up some links. Check out these delish, delightful, and dietarily appropriate recipes for vegan challenge week. See you in the grocery aisle:

Are you standing there with the fridge door open, wondering how to be vegan today? Well look no further than here for some recipe ideas:

Capitalism, veganism and the animal industrial complex

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 10:59:36 +0000

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Back in the day…

When I went vegan in the mid-'90s, friends and I told ourselves that tubs of rice cream were as satisfying as the real thing and that veganism didn't mean giving up a stitch of pleasure. The truth is, though, at the time cheese substitutes largely tasted like barf and the endless plates of white pasta and watery "red sauce" at our cafeteria were a drag. We were regularly plied with the question, "But what do you eat?"

Making animal rights go viral

Vegan Challenge — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 21:13:58 +0000

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Toronto musician and film maker Gabriel Nicolau, known as Gaiaisi, has had his Tell a Friend music video go viral. His video has more than 100,000 views and has been shared by Upworthy. Steff Pinch spoke to Gabriel about how other animal rights activists can go viral.

Why did you write the song?

Recipe: Cheap vegan chana masala

Vegan Challenge — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 16:09:08 +0000

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Chana Masala is a comforting Indian curry made with tomatoes and chickpeas. This recipe combines several principles of cheap and delicious vegan eating: it uses an inexpensive protein source, it is super easy to make, and will leave you with a ton of leftovers.

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

1 large onion, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon ground coriander

Finding religion in the Vegan Challenge

Vegan Challenge — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:30:26 +0000

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When it came to going vegan this past week, all I can say is thank God I could cheat a little.

I have friends and colleagues who have little choice in the matter, either because of health reasons, or out of deeply held moral convictions. Cooking hats off to them!

Recipe ideas during your vegan challenge

Vegan Challenge — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:40:06 +0000

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Bearing witness in the save movement

Vegan Challenge — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:22:39 +0000

Hogtown. The moniker that Toronto has carried for a century. Because of that, there is no better place to have given birth to the most successful grassroots, farmed animal rights organization in all of Canada.

Three years ago, Toronto Pig Save was formed by a small group of dedicated Animal Rights Activists in order to 'erect glass walls' on Toronto's several slaughterhouses. Their purpose was to ensure that the community knew of the existence of these industrialized killing facilities; to help educate the public that there are healthier, compassionate choices; and to bear witness to the thousands of lives lost on a weekly basis.

Eating vegan on a budget

Vegan Challenge — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 16:57:05 +0000

Confession: I am not a full-time vegan. The last time I went totally meat and dairy free was the summer after I graduated from high school when I was working as a camp counsellor. I ate a lot of fake tofu chicken fingers and my legs were covered in mosquito bites. Just when I thought I might begin university as a full-blown hippie, the smell of bacon called me back to the omnivorous fold.

Over the years, though, I've grown less and less dependent on meat. A lot of meals that I make these days are unintentionally vegan, and when I do eat meat and dairy I use it as a garnish rather than the main event.

How going vegan for the environment works

Vegan Challenge — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:45:05 +0000

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With many aspects in life, it's easy to see which choice is the better one for the environment. We can see the exhaust from cars, so we know that biking and public transit are more environmentally friendly options. We know that waste has to be hauled away and that it builds up in landfills, so we know that recycling and composting are better options. However, with the food we decide to eat, it's not so straightforward.

You can take my cheese but you can’t take my Creamo: Whining my way through the vegan challenge

Vegan Challenge — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 09:25:00 +0000

I'm hungry. And I don’t blame veganism, I blame rabble’s vegan challenge.

See, I don’t actually mind giving up meat. I very rarely cook it at home because 1) I like tofu and meat substitutes, 2) I don’t like the idea of buying meat from the grocery store -- both because of how the animals who become grocery store meat are treated and because of what is in that meat, and 3) Often I can't afford to buy meat.

Vegan recipes without the fancy ingredients

Vegan Challenge — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 14:01:08 +0000

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Sixteen hours away from your home, a fridge or a microwave. Whether you're a student, work shifts, or just have a horrible commute, it's clear that a busy schedule is a huge deterrent for people thinking about going vegan.

Local, organic or vegan: What's best for the environment?

Vegan Challenge — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 10:17:01 +0000

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Local food activist Ran Goel speaks to Steffanie Pinch about how eating local, organic and vegan can be better for the planet.

How much of an impact can one person's diet have on the environment?

Four reasons why veganism supports workers

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:52:00 +0000

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Won't somebody please think about the migrant workers?

Not many people do -- except when they are faced with a vegan. And then the hand-wringing begins. "Don't you know that people are out there in the fields picking your vegan food?" they say. The idea has even become fodder for comedians, another way at poking fun at a lifestyle that people are often uncomfortable with.

Documenting my failures during the Vegan Challenge

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:32:19 +0000

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Ah, the Vegan Challenge. I think rabble has well-documented my massive failures (and gripes) with this challenge. But, since I generally feel better when I don't eat mounds of crap, and have been eating less meat and more veggies anyway, I thought "why not participate in the Vegan Challenge this year!"

Here are a few thoughts that ran through my head immediately after joining:

The Indigenous fight against colonial veganism

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 11:40:28 +0000

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There is even a ToolKit to support those rabblers who wish to pick up tools for the so called, "good fight." You know, the fight between the grain eaters and the meat eaters.

But what is this fight really all about? The right to choose what to eat? The right to dictate that choice to others?

The epic battle between the Grain Eaters and the Meat Eaters

An omnivore's defence of veganism, finally

Vegan Challenge — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 17:48:46 +0000

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Day two of the Vegan Challenge and I am going pretty strong. I did put cream in my coffee by accident yesterday (and today, um, on purpose), but so far so good. Lentil curry for lunch, meatless meatloaf with cashew cream for dinner and toast with peanut butter for breakfast today.

Why even grassfed and local beef isn't sustainable

Vegan Challenge — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:08:18 +0000

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MYTH 1: BEEF PRODUCED FROM GRASS-FED COWS IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAN GRAIN-FED

It seems logical, doesn’t it? After all, eating grass is natural for a cow. But does that make it better for the environment?

Why wouldn’t you believe the myth when a supposedly authoritative source like the Australian Conservation Foundation says: “When you do buy meat, choose pasture or grass-fed sources over grain-fed ones.” [1]

To my knowledge, the ACF has not cited any sources to support that statement.

Recipe for resistance: Food Not Bomb's vegan mac n' cheese

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:11:07 +0000

Don't worry, we're here to help as you take the Vegan Challenge. Check back here for recipes, articles and more -- and don't forget to support rabble.ca today!

My name is Tasha, and you can find me every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst in Toronto. I'm usually the one shouting "free food!" at people, handing out flyers and having conversations with curious passersby while my co-participants dish out food. I currently do most of the organizing and promoting of the Toronto chapter of Food Not Bombs.

Making the most of the Vegan Challenge

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 12:48:04 +0000

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So you've joined our Facebook event, you've googled nutritional yeast and washed all your Tupperware out for wholesome homemade lunches -- you're ready to take this year's vegan challenge! But what does that really mean?

What if we forget about being vegan, and just buy mostly vegan food?

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:27:43 +0000

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Every year as Earth Week approaches, I cringe in anticipation of the "go green" drivel that is sure to abound. If I'm not careful, I might thoughtlessly pick up one of the newspapers littering the seats on the bus and be bombarded with appeals to save the earth by buying an LED lightbulb, a low-flow showerhead or some other nifty green product that, in its use, would reduce my ecological footprint by approximately 0.00001 per cent.

Get ready for the rabble.ca Vegan Challenge April 14-21

Vegan Challenge — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:03:21 +0000

This year's rabble.ca Vegan Challenge runs from April 14-21, leading up Earth Day.

For one week, we here at rabble.ca challenge you to find a new way to look at your food systems. Whether that means going vegan, eating local, eating organic or even just cooking more! We want you to get connected to the massive impact all of our diets have on the environment, the animals that live here and the future of our planet.

We'll be blogging here about our daily challenges, recipes and inspirations throughout the week and featuring articles on the site about vegan perspectives, animal welfare, sustainablity, intersectional veganism, how to support local food systems and much more!

Vegan Challenge, Vancouver cliché

Vegan Challenge — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:51:07 +0000

Follow rabble staff and contributors as they take the 2013 Vegan Challenge in our rabble Vegan Challenge Diary, where participants will chronicle their experiences eating vegan throughout the week!

"Are any of these muffins vegan?"

The barista smiled at me, pausing to consider my question. "Um, I'm really not sure... No. The only thing here that's vegan are these cookies." She pointed helpfully to the tray of giant cookies right next to the cash register.

"Sure, OK, I guess I'll take one of these… thanks."

Vegan Challenge recipes: Lentils and vegetables over couscous

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:34:16 +0000

For rabble.ca's Vegan Challenge, our contributors, staff and friends are sharing their favourite recipes for tasty vegan meals. Check here for a roundup of recipe inspiration!

Ditch the Kraft (and the Paul Newman) bottled salad dressings

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:24:10 +0000

The other day I decided to investigate the contents of commercial bottled salad dressing.

It's not exactly a vegan issue, but I think it is important.

A friend who uses these bottled products says she has to because she "eats a lot of salad."

Maybe.

But there is a case to be made that making good salad dressing in your own kitchen can be ridiculously simple.

The fact is that I have never found any of these bottled products, from Kraft to Paul Newman, to be even slightly appealing.

Partly, that is the result of our lifetime habit -- mine and my wife's -- of always making our own dressing.

Years ago, we made our standard, daily dressing with vegetable oil and either red wine vinegar, white vinegar or cider vinegar.

rabble Vegan Challenge Diary: Sun, cherry blossoms and extraordinary meals in Vancouver

Vegan Challenge — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:12:17 +0000

Follow rabble staff and contributors as they take the 2013 Vegan Challenge in our rabble Vegan Challenge Diary, where participants will chronicle their experiences eating vegan throughout the week!

One good thing about a vegan diet is that porridge is A-OK! So add nuts, fresh berries and almond milk, and it's a winner! Actually this is something I eat for breakfast a lot; it's a great way to start the day. Of course, steel cut oats, slow cooked, are the way to go!

Protecting global climate with Vegan Challenge: Interview with Paul Mahony

Vegan Challenge — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:32:30 +0000

Paul Mahony, one of the founders of Melbourne Pig Save, speaks to Anita Krajnc about the vegan imperative to help solve the climate crisis.

Question: What is the link between meat, dairy and the problem of climate change? What is the ecological footprint of an average meat eater compared to a vegan?

Paul Mahony: The link involves many inter-related factors, such as livestock’s inherent inefficiency as a food source; the massive scale of the industry, including tens of billions of animals slaughtered annually; land clearing; and greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and other warming agents.

Vegan Challenge recipes: Dahl and brown rice

Vegan Challenge — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:56:21 +0000

For rabble.ca's Vegan Challenge, our contributors, staff and friends are sharing their favourite recipes for tasty vegan meals. Check here for a roundup of recipe inspiration!