outside our vegan bubble

It’s easy to insulate yourself in the wonderful world of veggies and forget that there are other brands, products and forms of life out there. I’ve come across two things related to veganism in mainstream culture that I thought you’d all be interested in.

The first one came in a coupon book I received in the mail from Target. I don’t expect more than I assume you should from a store like Target. I mean, I’m the first to admit that I love Target, I just bought a pair of incredibly cute all man-made material shoes there a few weeks ago, but they don’t normally deliver the vegan news. And simultaneously I also don’t expect much from L’Oreal. I mean, it’s L’Oreal, so do I really need to say more? Imagine my surprise upon opening my mail and coming across a blurb in an advertisement for some new shampoo and conditioner that reads, “Made with natural botanicals, it’s sulfate-free and 100% vegan.” Wow! It’s a part of their EverPure line, which is labeled as all vegan. I remember years ago hearing people poo-poo the impact of a veganism and down play the effect of voting with your dollars by not buying from major companies. We are a fraction of the vegetarian population, who is a fraction of the population at large. To them I say, “Ha! Check it!” Here a major cosmetics company trying to make vegan-friendly products and advertising them as such- I think companies are hearing us loud and clear.

But do they understand? L’Oreal is still listed on PeTA’s list on companies who still do animal testing. On their website, they state that they stopped doing animal testing on their finished products in 1989, but say nothing about the testing of individual ingredients. While I honestly appreciate that they are trying to create a more Earthy and animal-friendly product, they are still missing the mark. I believe there are plenty of evil companies out there, but I also believe that there are companies who just don’t get it and they need us to help educate them on our demands as consumers. We need to give them some feedback to help them grow and become a cruelty-free company. Click here if you’d like to contact L’Oreal regarding this. Be sure to let them know that they are making strides in the right direction, but that they aren’t really in the vegan category yet. Remember, well-phrased feedback is always more constructive. People who take the “jerk” approach aren’t helping anyone.

In real, constructive veg-related news, Yoga Journal has an excellent article in it’s May issue. (Why am I already getting May issues of anything?) Years ago I had been a long-time YJ subscriber, but dropped it when it started focusing more on Americanized, consumer yoga and less about the eight limbs. Like anything, there is an ebb and flow and they seem to be flowing the right way now, so I happily resubscribed this year. I have been very happy with their inclusion of vegan recipes in the issues I have received, but this particular article was gold. This is the perfect article to pass along to the people in your life who say they care about the environment especially if they are budding yogis. In an article titled “Diet for a Green Planet” they address not only the affects of animal agriculture on the environment but also work on changing the perception of beans as an inadequate source of protein. It is accompanied by two simply veganizable recipes that look delicious. The article is written in a careful and thoughtful way and would be a good read for anyone in your life who is prone to feeling judged when they have their animal-product eating ways questioned. I don’t see the article up on their site yet, but their magazine is widely available and they have tons of other interesting recipes and articles online.

I am putting the finishing touches on the book manuscript and will be done with it in the next few days, so there will be more real food soon. Until then, here is a picture of another favorite recipe in the new book: French Toast Muffins!

French Toast Muffins

Not the greatest food photo in my life, but they are sure to become one of your favorites. I am hoping to get my flickr account all loaded up with cookbook pictures and put up here this week. More noms to come!