sign in sign up
<<
Home , Reed Mangels

The Island Vegetarian of Hawaii Quarterly Newsletter

SUPPORTING HUMAN HEALTH, , AND THE ENVIRONMENT VOL. 15, ISSUE 4, OCT – DEC 2004

Inside $10,000 Scholarship

• President’s Message • Animal Rights Corner Awarded • Calendar of Events • Reviews by Karl Seff, VSH Meeting Planner

• Recipes aybelle Roth, a vegetarian who passed away five years ago at the age of

M 100, created and endowed the Roth Vegetarian Scholarship Fund at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. William Harris, M.D., a founding member of Public Lectures* this Society, worked with her to bring it about. “The intent of the award is to sup- port students who are either studying human nutrition or are engaged in a course of study directly related to fostering vegetarian habits and practices.” Applicants JOHN WESTERDAHL, PhD must be practicing vegetarians and full-time students. “Herbs & Supplements in Mele Kealoha Fernandez is the first recipient of this scholarship. She has been awarded $10,000 by U.H.M.’s Health & Wellness” Graduate Division for the 2004-2005 academic year. Sat., Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Mele has been a vegetarian since 1981. She was McCoy Pavilion among the many who were affected by Diet for a Small Ala Moana Beach Park Planet when it was first published. Mele teaches yoga, meditation, and , and she is now back at the

University learning about the science of nutrition in order GEORGE EISMAN, RD to enhance her vegetarian teaching. In memory of her late Mele Fernandez “Basic Nutrition: husband she founded in Brazil a small lacto-vegetarian What Diet Is Right for You?” preschool for which she has gathered support from various sources. Mele was Sat., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. born in California but raised in Hawaii, and she was a member of our Society be- McCoy Pavilion fore she ever learned about the scholarship opportunity. Ala Moana Beach Park Mele is now taking three units of Human Nutrition 499 (research) under the direction of Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., who nominated her for this scholarship. She will carefully examine the vegetarian and vegan food provided by the U.H. cam- WILLIAM HARRIS, MD pus food services with the goal of being able to suggest to the food service folks “Beyond Fad Diets: Putting here as well as at such services elsewhere how it might be made more nutritious. Dr. Dobbs had found that vegetarian students who ate on campus were reporting Science into Nutrition” to the Campus Health Service with health problems that were consistent with low Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. levels of some nutrients, e.g. iron.* This work may be viewed as phase II of the McCoy Pavilion struggle. (Phase I involved having vegetarian alternatives available at all meals Ala Moana Beach Park and has already been accomplished at Manoa.) Mele wants to meet more of us and to become more involved with VSH

within the limits of her responsibilities, which include taking care of her mom and handling a 15-unit course load this semester. *See page 10 for descriptions Congratulations, Mele! Take the ball and run with it. and Maui meeting dates. *Editor’s note: The problem may be not that insufficient nutrients are present in The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 the food offerings but that some students are bypassing these. Mele’s workPage is in- 1 tended to clarify this.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Alida Rutchick, MEd

reetings, VSH members and friends, The Island Vegetarian G Support for the vegetarian diet continues to mount even in mainstream The Island Vegetarian is published media. Recently I read about the new guidelines for salt intake, which recom- quarterly by and for the members of the mend no more than 2/3 of a teaspoon a day. Since Americans typically consume Vegetarian Society of Hawaii far more than this in processed foods and restaurant meals, we’re told to in- P.O. Box 23208 crease our potassium intake in order to counter the salt. To accomplish this Honolulu, HI 96823-3208 808-944-VEGI (8344) we’re reminded to eat our five servings of and a day (of [email protected] course, a vegetarian would have many more “servings” than five). Foods listed VSH.org as highest in potassium are spinach and other dark green leafies, cantaloupe, ba- VegHawaii.org nanas, oranges, tomatoes, almonds, winter squash, potatoes, and beans. While we would not recommend high salt intake in the first place, the recommenda- Visit our website for tions are a good start toward developing greater awareness of a healthy, sustain- restaurant guide, TV and meeting able, and ethical diet. Tips provided for increasing veggie intake include drink- schedules, newsletter archives, ing juice, having cut veggies available to use with dips (ed. note -- or and more. as snacks by themselves!), and adding them to soups, sandwiches, and muffins. During this past newsletter period we again aired the VSH infomercial Board of Directors on the Tasty and Meatless show. This video is another of our investments in the effort to attract more people to our group and to the vegetarian way of life. President: Alida Rutchick, MEd I am happy to announce the addition of two new Vegetarian Society Vice Pres: Jim Brown Board members. Eri Okada-Berkeley, Board candidate for our public and media Secretary: Mary Arakaki, RD relations position, now formally holds that seat on the Board. At our July Board Treasurer: Mel Hertz meeting we also elected Laurelee Blanchard to fill the newly created position of Directors: Laurelee Blanchard Maui Coordinator. Laurelee, a dedicated vegan and animal rights activist, is me- William Harris, MD dia director for and has been actively promoting VSH and its Robert Moses speakers on Maui for a couple of years. With two assistants she has been orga- Eri Okada-Berkeley Karl Seff, PhD nizing and advertising VSH events and facilitating all aspects of monthly lec- tures there, including securing meeting locations (no small feat) and arranging for the ever-popular low-fat vegan refreshments provided by Down to Earth. Newsletter Committee She even mans a table at the weekly Maui swap meet to help spread the vegetar- Jim Brown ian message. Congratulations, welcome, and mahalo, Eri and Laurelee! Alida Rutchick, MEd We hope that others will be inspired to join us in our efforts. We have very important positions available, including literature and inventory manager (research, procure, or create educational materials), outreach coordinator Mahalo to all our volunteers. (arrange for tabling and other events, such as the VSH booth at the annual Health and Fitness Expo), print manager (copy handouts for distribution), greet- ers and receptionists at monthly lectures, dining guide editor (communicate with The opinions expressed in this restaurants, arrange for VSH member discounts), dine out coordinator, adminis- newsletter are those of the writers trative assistants, and more. Please call us at 944-8344 to let us know of your and do not necessarily reflect those interest. of the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii.

Page 2 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Rejoinder: “Well, plants are con- fusion reactions and transmitted pas- scious too, so it’s just as wrong to sively by plants. All the essential or- kill them.” ganic nutrients are synthesized by A book, The Secret Life of Plants plants and microorganisms, not by published in 1963, is largely respon- animals, so animal source food is just sible for this popular belief. How- second hand nutrition ever, the experiments described in Virtually all scientific studies the book were repeated by qualified show health benefits from increased botanists at Cornell and Washington consumption of fruits and vegetables; State, who found nothing to support these are the foods primarily recom- the notion of primary perception in mended by VSH. While vegan cui- Being Vegan plants. Although a wealth of infor- sine can be elegant and complex, we

by William Harris, MD mation confirms that plants respond think the current trend toward simple VSH founding board member to stimuli and share with animals the raw food is probably the healthiest attributes of growth, metabolism, and way to eat. On a nutrient/Calorie ba- ince its inception in May of 1990 reproduction, there is no scientific sis most combinations of fruits and S the Vegetarian Society of Ha- evidence of a nervous system in vegetables with or without the addi- waii (VSH) has concentrated on three plants, no evolutionary reason why tion of , starches, nuts, and principal issues: they should have developed one, and seeds will meet the recommended hence no reason to believe that plants dietary allowances (RDAs) for most experience suffering, pain, or death, nutrients — including protein, iron, Animal Rights unlike animals who quite obviously and calcium — with the exception of do. , which must be supple- The French philosopher Des- mented. While the current low carbo- cartes held that animals are mere ma- hydrate craze is not based on good chines and that their apparent agonies Human Health science, VSH agrees that starches and affections are only robotic imita- and products, in the parlance tions of the real (human) thing. In VSH follows the labeling guide- lines of the International Vegetarian “carbs,” are not the most nutritious light of current knowledge of neuro- foods and that they should not be the science, however, that argument is Union, which defines a vegetarian as one who abstains from meat, fish, centerpiece of a vegan diet. flawed; in the opinion of many ve- gans the brutal treatment of animals and fowl. does fatal damage not only to the ani- However, an ovo-lacto- The Environment mals but also to the ethical founda- vegetarian diet may offer little health tions of human society. “The slaugh- advantage over the Standard Ameri- As of July 1, 2004 the world ter of animals is just a dress rehearsal can Diet (SAD), and because of the population was ~6.3 billion people. for the slaughter of humans.” -anon extraordinary callousness of current By 2050 it is predicted to be 9 bil- Whether or not one accepts this U.S. farming practice, no advantage lion. Feeding this exponentially quote, it should be considered in the at all from the standpoint of animal growing population has been an on- light of game theory: If one assumes welfare, since dairy cows, poultry, going problem since the agricultural it to be true and rejects animal food and their offspring appear to suffer revolution began 12,000 years ago. but by some unknown future calculus even more than animals raised for However, at every phase of popula- the dictum is proven false, then no slaughter. As for honey, it is a highly tion growth, animal agriculture mag- damage has been done; your health refined carbohydrate with minimal nifies the environmental damage has probably benefited at the slight nutritional advantage over cane sugar caused even by agricultural sys- expense of limiting your food and by definition is not vegan be- tems. At each stage of the food chain choices. On the other hand if the dic- cause bees belong to the animal king- there is a loss of energy and nutri- tum is rejected and the future shows dom. ents; the production of poultry, eggs, it to be true, then a primal ethical er- Current VSH Board members are beef, lamb, and pork wastes between ror has occurred and human exis- vegans and use no animal foods 74% and 95% of the Calories and tence has led to the unimaginable whatever, excluding not only flesh protein used to feed those animals but also dairy, eggs, and honey. All suffering of the billions of conscious of the inorganic nutrients (minerals) creatures who yearly become human See Being Vegan on page 19) food. were synthesized in stellar nuclear The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 3 salads with fat-free salad Vegan Children: A Dr. Greger’s dressings were consumed.” So be sure to include some Recent Review Newsletter source of fat at your meals. The healthiest sources of fat, egan babies are sprouting up by , MD of course, are from unrefined all over. The Washington, DC- V whole foods. So by adding based Children’s National Medical Full-Fat Salad nuts and seeds or avocado to Center journal, “Pediatrics in Re- Dressings Healthier your meal, you not only get view” recently took on the topic in an all their nutritional benefit, but you article entitled “Vegan Diets in In- than Fat-Free enhance your absorption of other nu- fants, Children and Adolescents.” trients in the rest of the meal. The assessment noted: “Multiple ex- here is a misconception in the Don’t be a fatphobe. :) perts have concluded independently T vegetarian movement that all that vegan diets can be followed fat is bad for you. In reality, there are Prostate Cancer and safely by infants and children with- good fats (those found in nuts), bad out compromise of nutrition or fats (saturated animal fat), great fats Milk growth and with some notable health (omega-3’s found in flax seeds), and benefits.” [5] killer fats (trans fats found in both rostate cancer is now the single The health benefits of raising animal fat and hydrogenated oils P most common cancer among children vegan are particularly pro- used in processed foods). men in the United States and is on nounced in the context of the current Canola oil-based salad dressings the rise in almost every country in childhood obesity epidemic. Ever are an important source of omega-3 the world as meat- and dairy- since the landmark autopsy reports fatty acids in this country. For exam- centered diets are adopted. [2] Does on soldiers who died in the ple, one tablespoon of Annie’s God- drinking cow milk really increase a Korean [6] and Vietnam Wars [7], dess Dressing contains about 25% of man’s risk for developing this killer we have known that young adults can your daily recommended omega-3 cancer, though? Yes, according to a have advanced coronary artery dis- intake--add a tablespoon of ground meta-analysis of 11 independent ease. Now we’re finding fatty choles- flax seeds or a handful of walnuts to studies published this summer. Milk- terol buildup in the arteries of chil- your salad and you’re basi- drinking men seem to have dren as young as two years old [8]! cally set for the day. he healthiest about a 70% greater No wonder Dr. Benjamin Spock, ar- Eating a source of fat T sources of chance of developing can- guably the most esteemed pediatri- with your salad greens (or fat, of course, are cer of the prostate. In fact, cian of all time, recommended that any vegetable for that mat- from unrefined the case against milk is so all children be raised vegan in the ter), also helps the absorp- strong and consistent that latest edition of his world-famous tion of critical nutrients. whole foods. even if 50 new studies Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care, Your intestines require the came out all failing to the best-selling book in American presence of fat to absorb carotenoid show any link between milk and history after the Bible. [9] phytonutrients like beta-carotene and prostate cancer, the balance of evi- This new review of pediatric lycopene. A new study published in dence would still indict milk as a sig- is in line with the po- the August issue of the American nificant cancer risk factor! [3] sition of the largest organization of Journal of Clinical Nutrition found Although the butterfat in dairy nutrition professionals in the world, that fat is essential. [1] Researchers may play a role, the researchers look the American Dietetic Association, at the University of Iowa gave people at the hormones in milk as the likely which declared “Well-planned vegan salads containing spinach, romaine culprit. “Because commercial milk is and other types of vegetarian diets lettuce, grated carrots, and cherry to- mainly produced by pregnant cows in are appropriate for all stages of the matoes. With the dark green leafy developed countries,” the researchers life cycle, including during preg- spinach in there, the salad was just claim, “it contains considerable nancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, packed with cancer-fighting antioxi- amounts of estrogen.” Combined and adolescence.” [10] dant carotenoids. However, it’s not with other growth hormones in the What is meant by well planned? only what you eat that matters, it’s milk designed to make a calf gain Attention should be paid to vitamin what you absorb. The researchers 100 pounds in 50 days [4], cow milk (Continued on page 5) found that “essentially no absorption may promote the growth of hormone- of carotenoids was observed when sensitive cancers. Page 4 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 (Continued from page 4) *Editor’s note: This seems to be similar National Cancer Institute, and the Chair

to saying that smoking 3 packs of ciga- of Nutrition at Harvard (and dozens of rettes a day is about as harmful as smok- others), as well as the latest news and my B12, of course, which is especially critical during infancy, and also to ing 3.5 packs; it does not advocate or own white paper on Atkins (always being adequate energy (Calorie), protein, excuse egg-eating by consumers of large updated--currently at 527 citations). amounts of meat. Please help me expose the low carb and mineral intake. Dr. Mangels has lies behind the Atkins diet by urging peo- said, “Of course it takes time and ple to get the facts at http://www. thought to feed vegan children. Atkins Diet Versus AtkinsFacts.org. And if anyone wants to Shouldn’t the feeding of any child Vegan Diet support my work on the Atkins diet, require time and thought?” please consider donating to the Michael For details, read Feeding Vegan he Atkins diet head-to-head Greger Legal Fund to defend me from Kids at http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/ the threat I received from the Atkins Cor- T with a vegan diet for one year-- poration’s legal department. To help, kids.htm by Reed Mangels, PhD, what did researchers find? [13] RD, nutrition advisor for the Vege- click on the donate link at the bottom of Basically, every single cardiac http://www.veganMD.org. tarian Resource Group. risk factor measured improved on the

low-fat whole foods vegan diet REFERENCES: Eggs and Death (those on the vegan diet lost 50 1 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition pounds and cut their bad cholesterol 80(2004):396 omen who eat an egg a day levels in half!) whereas every 2 European Journal of Cancer 37(2001): W seem significantly more single cardiac risk factor worsened S4 likely to die prematurely than women on the Atkins diet. The investigator 3 Nutrition and Cancer 48(2004):22 4 North East Dairy Business August who only eat an egg or two a week concludes, “Those following high fat 2002:24 says a new study published last [Atkins] diets may have lost weight, 5 Pediatrics in Review 25(2004):172 month in the American Journal of but at the price of increased cardio- 6 Journal of the American Medical Asso- Clinical Nutrition that followed over vascular risk factors, including in- ciation 158(1955):912 5000 women for 14 years. Given the creased LDL cholesterol, increased 7 Journal of the American Medical Asso- cholesterol load in eggs, this is per- triglycerides, increased total choles- ciation 216(1971):118 haps not surprising, but even when terol, decreased HDL cholesterol, 8 New England Journal of Medicine 4 researchers controlled for cholesterol increased total/HDL cholesterol ra- June 1998 levels, they still found a significantly tios, and increased homocysteine, Lp 9 Spock B, Parker S. Dr. Spock’s Baby increased total mortality in daily (a), and fibrinogen levels. These in- and Child Care. New York, NY: Pocket Books, 1998 (compared to weekly) egg eaters. creased risk factors not only increase 10 Journal of the American Dietetic As- The increased mortality seemed to be the risk of heart disease, but also the sociation 97(1997):1317 coming from a tendency toward more risk of strokes, peripheral vascular 11 American Journal of Clinical Nutri- strokes, heart disease, and cancer in disease, and blood clots.” tion 80(2004):58 the egg eaters. [11] It’s no wonder that in the only 12 American Egg Board news release 28 Men in the study did not seem study to ever directly measure the July 2004 to be at higher risk, however. The effects of the Atkins diet on the heart 13 Read the entire article by R.M. Flem- researchers attribute this to men’s found that it cut blood flow to the ing, MD posted for the first time on higher cholesterol (meat) consump- heart by 40%, whereas the vegetarian http://www.atkinsexposed.org/ atkins/131/ tion in general, which would tend to diet it was compared to opened up dilute out the effect of the “eggstra” arterial blockages in the coronary ar- Michael Greger, M.D. is a general prac- cholesterol.* Indeed the American teries and increased blood flow by titioner, a founding member of the Egg Board is quick to point out stud- 40% (actual blood flow diagrams American College of Lifestyle Medicine, ies showing that Americans seem to posted at http://www.atkinsfacts.org/ and an internationally recognized lec- eat so much meat that adding an egg atkins/87/Blood_Flow_on_the_ turer on nutrition and food safety issues. For more information visit his website: on top of the mix might not bump Atkins_Diet.htm). VeganMD.org. To subscribe to his free mortality higher than it already is. Note from Dr. Greger: As always, monthly email newsletter, send a blank [12] This new research suggests that AtkinsFacts.org provides full-text con- email to: drgregersnewsletter-subscribe those who tend to have low choles- demnations of the Atkins diet from au- @lists.riseup.net. terol intake (like vegetarians) would thorities such as the American Medical benefit most from eliminating eggs Association, the American Dietetic Asso- from their diet. ciation, American Heart Association,

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 5 Animal Rights

Corner

dogs for $100 each; (2) slaughtering Koko’s story and then the petition Dog & Cat runs about $35; (3) people in the dog button. If you would like to assist in meat trade buy dogs from anyone, aggressively pursuing legislation, Meat in including drug addicts; (4) some of you can! We can all help put an end these dogs were family pets stolen to the current lack of investigation Honolulu from their homes; (5) dogs are kept and prosecution. in unclean pens and subjected to cru- When I did the interview with by Pam Davis elty prior to slaughter; and (6) the Carroll, he said that he had already VSH member meat may be sold to individuals who received signatures from interna-

sell it to restaurants, tional groups and individuals. Hope- s vegetarians and where it will be offered fully we can show great local support vegans we avoid A to customers. as well. consuming animals and Carroll, a former animal products. When special agent, assembled we think about animals Arnold Terminates substantial evidence of killed for food, we gener- negotiations to buy dogs, ally think about cows, Foie Gras butcher them, and sell pigs, chickens, lambs, and the meat. There are audio the like. Most people n September 29 California Gov- and video tapes, photos, would not think about Koko was saved from O ernor Arnold Schwarzenegger and written transcripts, eating dog meat, and yet the dinner table. signed SB 1520 into law, a bill that and you can see some of the truth is that this hap- bans the force feeding of ducks and these by visiting pens here daily. Many of you may geese in the production of foie gras. EnviroWatch.org. (Note: No dogs have read articles or seen reports on The bill also bans the were killed for Carroll.) TV about a sale of the product Did you know that “backyard ...people recent under- when made from slaughters” are not against the law in cover investi- force fed birds. Both “ can (and Hawaii? According to the Hawaiian provisions take effect gation by local Humane Society, as long as death is do) butcher environmental in California in the “painless” and “instantaneous,” peo- and animal ad- year 2012. and eat dogs ple can (and do) butcher and eat dogs vocate Carroll Animal advo- and cats. We have all heard stories and cats (in Cox, president cates hailed SB 1520 as a major vic- about neighbors who must listen to of Enviro- tory for ducks and geese. Approxi- Hawaii).” the screams of companion animals as Watch, Inc. I mately 20,000 ducks are force fed and they are killed, skinned, and chopped interviewed Carroll and would like to slaughtered every year by Sonoma up. share this information with you. Foie Gras, the sole California pro- Would you like to help stop this Working on a tip, Carroll posed ducer of foie gras. Moreover, the leg- cruel practice? Do you think it is as a potential buyer and ultimately islation is considered historic in the ethically wrong? Carroll told me he bought Koko (pictured above), who protection of animals, as it is one of a wants to invite you to sign the online would otherwise have been killed few times that a state has banned an petition supporting legislation to ban and eaten. Gaining the seller’s confi- inherently cruel factory farming prac- eating, selling, buying, and possess- dence, Carroll found: (1) if multiple tice. ing dog or cat meat in Hawaii. Visit dogs are purchased, a price discount EnviroWatch’s website and click on Source: http://www.nofoiegras.org is offered — one dog for $150, four

Page 6 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 cruelty to ani- OutKast’s Andre 3000 has taken Alicia Silverstone mals that is in- the music world by storm, landing a herent in meat Grammy for Best Rap Album and mul- Named World’s production to tiple number one hits on the Billboard improving their charts. When he was asked recently Sexiest Vegetarian health and en- how he would spend his last day on ergy levels to Earth, he replied, “I’d probably go for he veggie voters have spoken, helping the environment by not con- a great meal— T and OutKast’s Andre 3000 and tributing to hog- and chicken-farm pol- some broccoli actress Alicia Silverstone have been lution. probably, be- selected as PETA’s 2004 “World’s Ms. Silverstone, who shot to fame cause I’m a Sexiest Vegetarians, edging out a host on the big screen in Clueless and re- vegetarian.” of other veggie Valentinos and cently starred in the critically ac- More than Venuses, including Noah Wyle, Pam- claimed TV hit Miss Match, has said, 12,000 people ela Anderson, Charlotte Ross, Kim “Once I became vegan, my nails were voted in PETA’s Basinger, and Moby. Previous win- stronger, my skin was glowing, I lost a annual “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian” ners include Tobey Maguire, Josh lot of weight. She goes on to say, poll, held on PETA.org. The complete Hartnett, Lauren Bush, Natalie Port- “Going vegan is the single best thing list of the more than 180 vegetarian man, and Shania Twain. I’ve done in my life. I am so much celebs who were in the running in this Celebrities cite many reasons for happier and confident. I made a deci- year’s poll may be found at http:// forgoing flesh foods, from avoiding the sion based on my moral beliefs.” www.goveg.com/feat/sexyveg2004/.

Dates to Remember 15-21 Feed the World Week (see http://www.ffl.org/)

October 20 & 23 VSH Meetings, John Westerdahl, PhD 1 (see page 10) 2 Mohandas Gandhi’s birth- November day “I hold that 1 the more help-

less a creature, 8-14 36th World Vegetarian Con- the more enti- gress, in Brazil (www.ivu.org) tled it is to pro-

tection by man 10, 11 & 13 VSH Meet- from the cruelty of man. ings, George Eisman, Donkey Finds 2 World Farm Animals Day RD (see page 10) 22nd annual observance New Digs (WFAD.org) 24 VSH Thanksgiving Eve Din ner at Govinda’s. Call 4 St. Francis of Assisi's Feast SH Board member and Maui Co- 595-7369 for reservations. Day - “My opinion is well V ordinator Laurelee Blanchard known. I do not regard flesh has a new boarder at her farm in 25 Thanksgiving is Murder on food as necessary for Haiku. Turkeys Day us at any stage and Saved from the livestock auction under any clime in by Laurelee, Leilani once plowed December fields in Lahaina and more recently which it is possible for was living alone in a pasture that was human beings ordinar- 8 & 11 VSH Meetings, sold for subdivision development. ily to live. I hold flesh- William Harris, MD The search is now on for a donkey food to be unsuited to (see page 10) friend for Leilani. our species.”

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 7 Baked Apples Thanksgiving Herbal Tea Nutrition Pioneer

Eve Dinner 2004 The cost is only $13 for adults To Be November and $9 for children under 12. Seat- by Elaine Johnson ings will be at 5 and 7 p.m. on Speaker VSH Member Wednesday, November 24th. Go-

vinda’s is located in the Hare egistered Dietician George Eis- e are once again approaching Krishna Temple at 51 Coelho Way man will be the speaker for the that magical time of year R W off the Honolulu-bound side of the Oahu and Maui VSH public lectures filled with bright city lights, festive Pali Highway, just before the in November. He will also be speak- parties, family and friends, ballets Nuuanu Ave. exit. ing at Castle Medical Center (see and the symphony, decadent food, Please call 595-6214 for reserva- page 10 for details). and of course, the Vegetarian Soci- tions and leave your name, phone ety’s annual Thanksgiving Eve Din- number, the number of people in ner. Our hosts for this wonderful your party, and the seating time you holiday celebration are again this prefer on the recorded message line. year our friends at Govinda’s Restau- All questions about the meal should rant. be directed to the restaurant. We This event is well known for hope to see you there. bringing together the diverse arms of the vegetarian Gourmet Vegetarian community, including ani- Luncheon Planned mal rights ac- tivists, envi- ulinary demonstrations and a ronmentalists, Cgou rmet vegan feast are planned Find out why Ralph’s favorite nutri- health vege- to inspire harmony of body, mind, and tionist is George Eisman, RD. tarians, ethical spirit. vegetarians, Honolulu Central Seventh-Day Mr. Eisman is considered one of and people of Adventist Church the nation’s foremost educators in the various reli- Sunday, October 17, 2–4 p.m. field of . He has gious groups. This can result in some 2313 Nuuanu Avenue served as a faculty member in dietet- stimulating and energized exchanges. ics and nutrition at several universi- Vegans, vegetarians, their friends - Get up close and personal with Ex- ties and colleges and created the first and families, and anyone else inter- ecutive Chef Paul Onishi accredited program in Vegetarian ested in a healthy holiday meal are - Learn the latest cooking techniques Studies. He has worked in a chil- welcome. The cooks at Govindas and hear about innovative gourmet dren’s hospital, a nursing home, and never disappoint, and with their fam- vegetarian ingredients for public health agencies in four ily-style table arrangements you are - Interact with nutritionist, master states. He has spoken at numerous likely to make some new friends. herbalist, registered dietitian, and events and conferences and is the au- As always, the buffet meal will co-author John Westerdahl, PhD, thor of two books, The Most Noble be cruelty-free, healthy, low-fat, and MPH, RD Diet (1994) and A Basic Course in vegan. The planned menu includes: - “The Millennium Cookbook” book Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition signing by Dr. Westerdahl Green Salad (2003). In 1993, he was inducted into - Taste incredible five course gourmet Turkey the Vegetarian Hall of Fame by the cuisine while test cooks share their Faux Ham North American Vegetarian Society. unique stories and insights Mashed Potatoes For more information on Mr. - Enjoy live entertainment Stuffing Eisman’s speaking tour, see the Farm - Prizes! Sanctuary website: vegforlife.org. Fresh Cranberry Sauce Baked Yams To purchase tickets ($35) or for Green Beans Almandine more information, please call (808) Dinner Rolls 524-1352. RSVP by Oct. 4. Fresh Pumpkin Pie Page 8 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Well, according to Amy Lanou, Ph.D., farmers and processors an additional “…and for the the nutrition director of the Physicians $2 billion in subsidies over 3 1/2 years, Committee for Responsible Medicine largely through price supports that in- people?” (PCRM), besides the above, flate costs for consumers. Understand “Milk has been linked to that dairy subsidies are a carryover by Hesh Goldstein anemia, allergies, obesity, from the Depression era when survival VSH Member and ovarian cancer.” So of small dairy farmers was considered

why, then, is milk regarded essential to maintaining a national food ilk, it is said, is the as wholesome and why is supply. Most of that $2 billion, how- source of calcium M the U.S. Dept. of Agricul- ever, went to larger dairy farms in 12 that helps kids grow up big ture, according to its mis- northeastern states, hanging small and strong. Milk is alleged sion statement, being farmers out to dry and actually encour- to contain vital nutrients and charged with “enhancing aging the demise of family farms. to help prevent osteoporosis. the quality of life for the American Another assertion of the suit The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, through people by supporting the production of brought by the PCRM against the its food dietary guidelines, says that agriculture?” USDA is that milk, as a staple in everyone should have 2-3 servings of Today’s USDA has the responsi- school lunch programs, unfairly dis- dairy every day. Milk is promoted by bility of assisting dairy farmers while criminates against non-whites who various government agencies, hoards promoting healthy dietary choices for have a high incidence of lactose intol- of physicians, Americans. Wouldn’t you think that erance. Of the 50 million lactose intol- ix of the eleven and the dairy this creates a conflict of interest that erant adults in the U.S, 15% are S members as- industry’s $200 puts at risk the objectivity of govern- whites, 70% blacks, and 80 to 97% signed to the U.S. million annual ment farm policy and the health of the Asians, Native Americans, and Jews of Dietary Guidelines advertising dairy-consuming public? Duh! Six of European descent. These people suffer Advisory Committee budget. Can we the eleven members assigned to the from a variety of digestive symptoms have financial ties to ever forget the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory when they consume milk and other the meat, dairy, and mustachioed Committee have financial ties to the dairy products, including gas, bloating, egg interests. faces of count- meat, dairy, and egg interests. Prior to diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. less numbers of the PCRM winning a lawsuit that Currently the USDA requires that celebrities decorating everything from claimed that USDA had “unfairly pro- every public school in the country newspaper ads to roadside billboards? moted the special interests of the meat serve milk. Some of our elected offi- And, yes, America has a love affair and dairy industries through cials are even pushing to with milk. So much so that the average its official dietary guide- provide financial incentives person consumes 600 pounds of dairy lines and the Food Pyra- for schools to install milk products every year, including about mid,” the USDA had re- vending machines. 420 pounds of fluid milk and cream, 70 fused to disclose such con- To add insult to injury, pounds of various milk-based fats and flicts of interest to the pub- students cannot get free or oils, 30 pounds of cheese, and 17 lic. subsidized alternatives to pounds of ice cream (obesity epidemic, Historically the milk, like juice or , anyone?). In total, the U.S. dairy farm- USDA’s dietary guidelines without a doctor’s note. In ers produce about 163 billion pounds have consistently reflected the indus- essence, these huge dairy subsidies and of milk and milk products a year. It is try’s push for greater consumption of broad-based promotion of milk by the “udderly” horrendous, if you’ll pardon both flesh and dairy. The USDA ex- government’s school lunch program is the pun. plains this by saying that the guidelines a form of economic racism that isolates But what if the celebrities we love should be “reality-based,” arguing that minorities and encourages them to in- and trust have been lying to us? What what people should really be eating is gest something they are intolerant of or if milk doesn’t do a body good? In- moot because it doesn’t fit with the allergic to. stead, what if milk is a major contribu- American lifestyle. Whaaat? What Stay tuned for part 2. If you can tor to breast and prostate cancer, heart they are saying is that the USDA does- believe it, it gets worse! disease, asthma, diabetes, and more? n’t even think it is reasonable to aspire What if the U.S. government and dairy Hesh Goldstein is the host of Health Talk to what constitutes a healthy diet. industry are in bed together to hide the on K108 radio (AM 1080) on Saturdays, May 13, 2002 marked the passage ill effects of dairy consumption? Nah, 8-9 a.m. (808) 258-1177; fax: (808) 377- of the farm bill, which awarded dairy they wouldn’t do that, would they? 1986, [email protected]

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 9

Vegetarian Society of Hawaii Calendar of Events: October - December 2004 JOHN WESTERDAHL, PHD GEORGE EISMAN, RD

“HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS “BASIC NUTRITION: IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS” WHAT DIET IS RIGHT

Sat., Oct. 23, 7 p.m. FOR YOU?”

McCoy Pavilion, Sat., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Ala Moana Beach Park McCoy Pavilion, • Learn about the latest information regarding the safety and ef- Ala Moana Beach Park ficacy of nutritional and herbal supplements. • Learn about the key nutritional supplements people should rying to lose weight? Unsure how to navigate food labels? take for health and wellness. T Can’t tell if your diet is meeting your nutritional needs? • Learn how certain dietary supplements optimize health. Learn to understand the foods you eat and their impact on long- • Learn responsible nutritional supplementation and how to term health. choose quality products. George Eisman has taught nutrition at the college and uni- • Learn about anti-aging nutritional supplements. versity level since 1980 and created the nation’s first credit pro- gram in Vegetarian Studies. He is a Registered Dietitian and has John Westerdahl, PhD, MPH, RD, CNS lectured at national and international nutrition conferences. He is a nutritionist, registered dietitian, certified has written articles for the Journal of Nutrition Education and nutrition specialist, and master herbalist. He and now teaches the VEGEDINE Home-Study is the Director of Wellness & Lifestyle Medi- Course in Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition. He is the author of cine for Castle Medical Center in Kailua. He that course’s text, entitled A Basic Course in Vegetarian and Ve- is a former Senior Nutritionist for one of the gan Nutrition and also a book on ethical eating called The Most leading international nutritional and herbal Noble Diet. supplement companies, and his research has led to the formulation of several state of the Mr. Eisman will be giving two more presentations in art nutritional and herbal supplements. He is a member of the Hawaii. The first will be the “Basic Nutrition” talk on Maui American Dietetic Association panel that is composed of leading on Wednesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. at the Cameron Cen- scientific experts on dietary supplements. ter, 95 Mahalani St. in Wailuku.

The second talk, “What's Wrong with Atkins?,” will be Dr. Westerdahl will also be speaking on Maui on Wednesday, October 20, at 7 p.m. at Cameron Center, 95 held in Kailua at the Castle Health & Wellness Medicine Mahalani St., in Wailuku. Center on Thursday, November 11 at 7 p.m. Call 263-5400. WILLIAM HARRIS, MD “BEYOND FAD DIETS: PUTTING SCIENCE INTO NUTRITION”

Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park

hat’s wrong with the establishment’s approach to nutrition? Why does it lead to obesity and degen- W erative disease? By sorting foods by nutrient/Calorie instead of nutrient/weight, Dr. Harris will use data from Nutritionist IV and numerous graphics to show how the system can be fixed. He’ll also discuss how the vegetarian grain based diets have set the stage for Atkins, Sears, and the low carb craze. William Harris, M.D. did his undergraduate work at the University of California at Berkeley and received his medical doctorate from the University of California at San Francisco. After stints in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Vietnam as a voluntary physician, he settled in Honolulu in the Emergency Department of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group (HPMG). He was also director of the Kaiser Permanente Vegan Lifestyle Clinic. A vegan for over 40 years, Dr. Harris is a founding director of the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii and has served in a variety of functions including six years as the newsletter editor. He’s currently the coordinator/producer of the weekly TV series “Vegetarian.”

Dr. Harris will also be speaking on Maui on Wednesday, December 8 at 7 p.m. at Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., in Wailuku. Lectures are FREE and open to the public. Donations are appreciated and tax-free. Visit VSH.org or call-944-VEGI for more info. Page 10 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Please post on your bulletin board! Variety Marked 3Q Speakers

inda Day discussed the environ- L mental hazards of meat production, Raul “the singing chef” Hayasaka and Mary Ara- kaki, RD demonstrated recipes and provided practical advice on vegetarian meal planning, and Ken Shapiro, PhD de- scribed the psychology of the dinner plate in the third VSH quarter. More than 100 peo- ple attended each of the events.

ttendees were attentive A during the lecture and demonstration prior to sampling the delicious vegan food pre- pared by Mary and Raul.

Join or renew today!

Vegetarian Society of Hawaii Membership Application/Order Form

Please Print Yes, please enroll me as a member. SAVE My dues are enclosed (add $4 per year Name(s): for a foreign address): on Multi-Year

1 yr. 2 yrs. 3 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. Memberships/ Street: Regular Renewals! $20 $38 $54 $68 $80 City, St., Zip: Full-time student $12 $24 $36 $48 $60 Couple or Family Home Phone: ( ) $30 $57 $81 $102 $120 embers receive a

Life membership $400 Mqua rterly news- Work Phone: ( ) $______additional tax deductible donation letter and discounts on

products and services E-Mail: Please check one: at many vegetarian- Vegan (no animal products at all) Vegetarian (no flesh, fish, or fowl) friendly restaurants

Associate (not yet a vegetarian) # D Ex and health food stores.

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 11

On the Menu…

Recipes from our members

Cook’s Delight: a favorite vegetarian To Prepare Lentil-Barley Soup Gifts from the cookbook with notes written beside the 2 ¾ cups Lentil-Barley Soup Mix (1 best recipes and accompanied by a dish recipe) Kitchen made from one of the recipes. 9 cups water by Mary Arakaki, RD Breakfast Bounty: whole-grain pan- 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes VSH Recording Secretary cake mix, a hot mix, a jar of organic applesauce, granola, a Rinse and drain the lentils and bar- his holiday season nourish the bottle of pure maple syrup, and as- ley and place them in a 3 1/2 quart bodies and warm the hearts of sorted fresh . slow cooker. Add the water, tomatoes, T and mix. Cover and cook on those you care about with a healthful Here’s a great soup recipe – Use homemade food gift -- a great and sub- high for 8 to 10 hours, on low for 12 to the “Soup’s On” idea and include a can 14 hours, or until the lentils and barley tle way to introduce them to vegetarian of organic diced tomatoes in the basket foods. You can find a variety of deco- are tender. or bag. rative jars, tins, containers, bags, boxes, and baskets at craft, discount, Soup Mix: Lentil-Barley department, and specialty stores. Or better yet, look at some of the contain- Alternate the lentil and barley lay- ers in your kitchen and think of inno- ers in a clear jar to create an attractive gift.

1½ cups lentils ½ cup pearl barley 1 /3 cup dried chopped onion ¼ cup dried celery flakes 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes 2 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon oregano leaves ¼ teaspoon thyme leaves vative recycling. For example, trans- Stove Top Method: Increase the water Sort the lentils and stir in the bar- to 10 cups. Bring to a boil. Reduce the form a large clear plastic container into ley. Combine the dry and heat, cover and simmer 1½ to 2 hours. a canister. Recycle your quart jars and place them in a small bag separate dress them up with a jar topper and tie from the lentils and barley. The mix Optional: Add 1 large carrot, thinly with ribbon or raffia. Here are a few can be stored in an airtight container sliced or shredded ideas: for up to 6 months. Add one 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, or Pastabilities: a basket filled with a jar Yield: About 3 cups 4 cups chopped fresh spinach of organic spaghetti sauce, a package Omit dried celery from the mix and of whole wheat pasta, a bulb of garlic, Nutrition Facts (1 cup serving): 160 cook with 1 chopped celery rib. a loaf of whole grain bread, and a bot- Calories, 3 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, tle of sparkling cider. 550 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 9 g protein. Soup’s On: a soup mix in a jar, a pack- age of corn bread mix, and a sturdy Daily Values: 6% vitamin A, 15% vi- wooden spoon. tamin C, 4% calcium, 20% iron

Page 12 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004

“Sounds of Healing”

Coming to Oahu

On Sponsorships Available

TV… r. ’s popular

D radio show, which has been broadcast for many years on Maui

and Kauai, is coming soon to Oahu!

The show, which originates from “Vegetarian” Maui, will be heard on Oahu on What’s Cooking? Oceanic Cable Channel 52 Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursdays: 6-7 p.m. KUMU AM 1500. A start date was This quarter’s VSH meetings & more not available at press time. vegan cooking classes:

On the show, Michael Klaper, Kapiolani Women’s Center MD shares practical health informa- “Tasty & Meatless” 1907 S. Beretania St. Oceanic Cable Channel 16 tion and medical wisdom. With clear Sat. 6:30 p.m. Call for class schedule, registration, Mon. 10 a.m. and other details. “Call-a-Nurse” at 535-7000 or visit kapiolani.org. Tues. 1:30 a.m. Wed. 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. Thurs. 1:30 a.m. Castle Medical Center

Pali Hwy. at Ulukahiki St., Kailua

“McDougall, MD” Classes are held monthly.

Tuesdays 8:30—9 a.m. Call 263-5400 or visit Oceanic Cable Channel 26 CastleMed.org to register (required)

explanations and a gentle sense of and for more information. humor, Dr. Klaper draws upon thirty years of medical practice to bring his

listening audience news concerning 5% Membership the latest advances in medicine, nu- Discount at …and trition, natural therapies, and self care. During the second half of the Mary Jane’s Kitchen Radio program, he responds to live tele-

vegan/vegetarian-friendly Ko- phone calls from the listening audi- ence. Listeners are invited to call in A rean Restaurant? Sounds like an “Nutrition & You” between 11:30 and 11:55 a.m.: (808) oxymoron but it does exist in Hono- Ruth Heidrich, PhD 244-9533. lulu. It’s Mary Jane’s Kitchen. It’s Terry Shintani, MD On Maui, the program is broad- now offering VSH members a 5% dis- John Westerdahl, PhD cast on KAOI 1110 AM. On Kauai, it count on all food orders. Tell them Sundays: 8-9 p.m. airs on KQNG 570 AM. you are vegan/vegetarian, and they K108, AM 1080 Potential sponsors are encour- will give you suggestions and modify Call-in line: 524-1080 aged to call Miriam at 808-572-2142. most dishes. No MSG. The review of See www.DrKlaper.com for this restaurant can be found in the July-September 2004 VSH newsletter. “Health Talk” information about Dr. Klaper, his Hosted by Hesh radio show, and more. Mary Jane’s Kitchen, 1694 Kalakaua Saturdays: 8-9 a.m. Ave., Honolulu, 943-2109, Sun-Fri: K108 (AM 1080) Dr. Klaper has been an active VSH 9 a.m. ~ 9 p.m. member for many years. He’s a popular Call-in line: 524-1080 guest speaker—most recently giving —Contributed by Eri Okada-Berkeley VSH-sponsored talks on Oahu and Maui VSH public relations director in June of this year.

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 13 are made up entirely of plant foods -- vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and Food Allergy Book -- and avoiding the foods that “don’t make the cut” such as meat, Survival Guide: Reviews poultry, and dairy products. Surviving and Thriving with Another good thing is that this book Food Allergies and Sensitivities.

won’t leave you thinking, “Well, it all Healthy Eating For sounds good, but how am I going to eat by Vesanto Melina, MS, RD, like that?” Over 80 pages of the book Jo Stepaniak, MSEd, and Life For Women are dedicated to delicious, easy-to- Dina Aronson, MS, RD prepare recipes for breakfast, lunch, Physicians Committee For snack, dinner, and even This book is for you Responsible Medicine with beverages. if: I have been a vegetar- Kristine Kieswer - You have known ian/vegan for nine years, food allergies or in- but I’m really glad to by Eri Okada-Berkeley tolerances have read this book. Now VSH Public Relations Director I’m eating and feeling - You suspect that your better than ever and have very woman owes it to herself to symptoms are caused a lot more appreciation read this book. Healthy Eating by food E for the power of the plant- For Life for Women is based diet. As - You want to become compiled by an ex- a woman who more informed in order pert panel from Phy- just turned 40, to help a friend or rela- sicians Committee for I now am en- tive with food sensi- Responsible Medi- couraged to tivities cine (PCRM), an in- know that it doesn’t have to ternational nonprofit be all downhill from now - You are a nutritionist, dietitian, organization led by on! or other health professional and Neal Barnard, M.D. Here are other books in wish to learn more about identify- that promotes preven- this series of “Healthy Eat- ing, diagnosing, and managing tive medicine though ing for Life” published by food sensitivities innovative programs. Wiley: Many women to- - You wish to learn how to thrive day are busy juggling Healthy Eating for Life for and meet your nutritional require- professional and fam- Children ments on a healthful diet despite ily lives and as a result Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and food sensitivities may experience emotional and physical Treat Cancer stress. Some also encounter health Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and - You want a collection of deli- problems, including diet and weight Treat Diabetes cious recipes, including baked issues, menstrual and fertility prob- goods, free of wheat, gluten, soy, lems, menopause, and osteoporosis. These are available at your local eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, Yet women are somehow expected to bookstores and may be ordered at tree nuts, and yeast. look their best and stay healthy at all www.pcrm.safeshopper.com or http://www.foodallergysurvivalguide.com/ times! What are they to do? amazon.com. index.html This book explains how women can

“age-proof” themselves from the in- e a part of one of the largest and fastest side, maintain optimal weight, and pre- growing vegetarian societies in the coun- vent, minimize, or even eliminate fe- B try, and help spread our healthful and compas- male health issues such as heart disease sionate message throughout the islands. Volun- and cancer. This isn’t a fad diet or new teers are vital to our success and every little bit miracle supplement. The experts at helps. Call 944-VEGI (8344) or e-mail PCRM explain how it’s all possible by [email protected]. eating the new four food groups, which

Page 14 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 An open letter to former President Clinton from John McDougall, MD

resident Bill Clinton entered the hospital on Friday, September 3, 2004 with chest pains and shortness of breath. P Within hours he had an angiogram showing multiple blockages of his coronary (heart) arteries, and bypass surgery was recommended for the following week. My guess is that he has been treated similarly to the way most patients con- fronted with this common disease are treated: he has been frightened unnecessarily, been misinformed about the results of scientific research on his disease and the treatments, not been told the real risks of this surgery, not been offered real- istic alternatives, and been rushed into making a potentially life-threatening decision. Hopefully, other people will learn from his misfortune and the personal letter I have written to President Clinton that follows.

William Jefferson Clinton The William J. Clinton Foundation 55 West 125th St. New York, NY 10027 [email protected]

Dear Bill:

The chance you will ask for my opinion on your pending surgery this week for blockages of your heart ar- teries is about the same as you escaping the heart bypass business. Regardless, for the sake of others and to clear my conscience by at least trying, I will take this opportunity to share ten challenging thoughts with you.

1) Don’t be rushed into making a decision – think about it – they gave you several days already – so imme- diate surgery is obviously not critical – you have time to learn more.

Over 80% of men in the USA by your age (58 years) have coronary artery disease that can be found by an angiogram, and over half with your cholesterol level (233 mg/dl) have at least one coronary artery already closed by 50% or more – in other words, they are fair game for bypass surgeons. Fortunately, coronary ar- tery disease is not very deadly – the over-all risk of death from this disease for people with affected arteries is less than 2% per year, untreated. Compare these facts with what you have been frightened into believing this past weekend.

2) Nearly four decades of scientific research show coronary artery bypass surgery fails to save lives in most cases. This is because the goal of this surgery is to go around very stable (rock hard) blockages; however, these firm, partial obstructions to heart blood flow are not the life-threatening problem – and your doctors know this well-established fact. These big blockages rarely close down the arteries and almost never cause heart attacks. However, most of the attention is focused on these pseudo-villains found on your angiogram because the result of their discovery feeds money into the heart businesses.

3) The culprit lesions are tiny – invisible to the angiogram – sores (volatile plaques) that explode inside your arteries, suddenly forming an occluding blood clot (thrombosis). Surgery does nothing to stop these lethal events. Fortunately, because the lesions have been recently formed and are still soft and active, this deadly side of heart disease is also easily amenable to simple methods.

4) These little time bombs (volatile plaques) can be quieted down quickly with a healthy diet and judicious use of cholesterol-lowering medications. In addition, a baby aspirin will immediately thin your blood and make the formation of a potentially lethal blood clot much less likely if a plaque were to burst.

5) You have a reversible disease, Bill – this is not concrete in your arteries. Living tissues heal and your body will fight to stay alive. Now is the time to talk to your friend Dr. . Regardless of whether

(See Letter to Bill on page 19)

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 15 the U.S., although animals are still honeydew for breakfast, and for lunch Running Around very prevalent on menus. In general, and dinner, fresh mixed salad greens, though, the people are quite slim, un- fresh asparagus, mushrooms, Roma Scandinavia doubtedly as a result of their greater and cherry tomatoes, baby corn, and activity levels; the bicycles are used jicama plus all the standard fare for by Ruth Heidrich, PhD even in their harsh winters. Bike lanes vegetables. For fruit there were blue- VSH Past President have the highest priority for being berries, blackberries, strawberries,

cleared of snow in winter. raspberries, kiwi, and even starfruit eing part Norwegian, I’d long Sadly, though, all this is changing. plus the usual bananas, apples, or- harbored the atavistic urge to visit B As people can afford it, more are buy- anges, grapes, and pears. So you can the country where my ing cars. In St. Peters- see it was easy to stay vegan, even raw ancestors came from. burg, for example, the vegan, and to stay fit. So when the opportu- number of cars has It was truly a land as magical as nity came to visit Nor- doubled since 1990. the fairy tales and trolls and as histori- way, I jumped at the Eating habits are cal as the great Viking ships we saw, chance. When the trip changing as well -- the the trip of a lifetime! also included Sweden, “golden arches” and Denmark, Finland, Es- Ruth Heidrich, PhD is the author of A their ilk have pene- tonia, and Russia, I Race for Life book and video and The trated this part of the thought of the opportu- Race for Life Cookbook. For more infor- world. Health statistics nity to look at the life- mation, see RuthHeidrich.com. in these countries re- styles of people rela- flect these changes. tively unexposed to Dr. Ruth with The Little Mer- Look at the rates of franchised fast food maid, the national symbol of First Vegan breast cancer, for ex- outlets, factory farms, Denmark. ample, and you will and two cars in every Turns 94 see that they are higher over there than garage. in the U.S. for the most part. Standing n September 2nd, Donald Wat- My first stop was Copenhagen, in front of a 200-year-old bakery in Ta- son turned 94 years old. Mr. Denmark. There we saw in a very large O linn, our tour guide told us that the Watson was the very first vegan. How parking lot, not cars, but hundreds, no, people there could eat all the and do we know? thousands, of bikes! Everyone there “goodies” they wanted because they Because he owns a bike, and even if you didn’t worked hard and burned off the calo- invented the have one with you, you can easily ries. Even if this were so, this is chang- term - he “borrow” one. Dispersed all over the ing and can only get worse as lifestyles started all city are bicycles at little stations where begin to include ever this! you pay 20 kr (less than more fast food and Mr. Wat- $3), ride to wherever, more cars. son created drop the bike off, and In between stops the word get your deposit back. we had several full “vegan” (from On a stop at the days at sea. Life on the beginning Olympic Stadium in board the ship was and end of Helsinki we saw where filled with daily ses- “vegetarian”) the 1952 Olympics sions at the fitness cen- and founded were held. I was ter where we had ac- in November pleased to see in front cess to treadmills, sta- 1944. of the stadium the life- tionary bikes, and Sixty years later The Vegan Soci- size sculpture of Paavo weights. The selection ety celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in Nurmi, one of my run- of fresh fruits and London on 4th November 2004, three ning heroes. That’s Dr. Ruth running through vegetables was amaz- days after World Vegan Day. Looking at the life- Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. ing when you consider There are now vegans all over the styles of the people in that we were in the world and a vast array of innovative the different countries, middle of the Baltic Sea. Fresh pineap- vegan products to suit every taste. For I observed that people ate a lot more ple, papaya, watermelon, cantalope, more, visit worldveganday.org. fruits and vegetables than is typical in

Page 16 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Hawaiian Moons 2411 S. Kihei Rd. Kihei, HI 96753, 875-4356

Pita Paradise 1913 #M South Kihei Rd. Kihei, HI 96753, 875-7679

Thailand Cuisine 1819 S. Kihei Rd. Kihei, Hi 96753, 874-8961

Kula Kula Lodge and Restaurant 15200 Haleakala Hwy. Maui Walk for Maui Veg-friendly Kula, HI 96790, 878-2517 Farm Animals on Restaurants and Lahaina th Pacific’o October 16 505 Front St., Shop #114 Stores Lahaina, HI 96761, 667-4341 ut on your walking shoes and take steps toward compassion for farm Makawao P Haiku animals by participating in the Farm Café O’ Lei Pauwela Café Sanctuary 2004 Walk for Farm Ani- 3669 Baldwin Ave., #I101 375 W. Kuiaha Rd. mals. Makawao, HI 96768, 573-9065 Haiku, HI 96708, 575-9242

Down to Earth Natural Foods Date: Saturday, October 16 Veg Out 810 Kokomo Rd. 1169 Makawao Ave. Time: Registration - 8:30 a.m. Makawao, Hawaii 96768, 572-1488 Haiku, HI 96708, 575-5320 Walk - 9 a.m.

Polli’s Mexican Restaurant Kahului Location: Baldwin Beach Park Alive & Well Natural Health 1202 Makawao Ave. Makawao, HI 96768, 572-0080 Please contact Laurelee Blanchard 340 Hana Hwy. Kahului, HI 96732, 877-4950 Paia prior to walk day at: 808-575-7694 or [email protected]. Bangkok Cuisine Fresh Mint 395 Dairy Rd. 115 Baldwin Ave. For more information visit: Paia, HI 96779, 579-9144 Kahului, HI 96732, 893-0026 http://walkforfarmanimals.org.

Curry in a Hurry Mana Foods Farm Sanctuary is a national, non-profit, 49 Baldwin Ave. 333 Dairy Rd. animal protection organization. The Walk Paia, HI 96779, 579-8137 Kahului, HI 96732, 877-3328 for Farm Animals helps fund its rescue and

Moana Café protection campaigns. Down to Earth Natural Foods 305 Dairy Rd. 71 Baldwin Ave. VSH Board member and Maui Coordina- Paia, HI 96779, 579-9999 Kahului HI 96732, 877-2661 tor Laurelee Blanchard is a campaign co- ordinator for Farm Sanctuary. Manana Garage Wailuku 33 Lono Ave., #150 Asian Star (Korean/Vietnamese) Kahului, HI 96732, 873-0220 1764 Wili Pa Loop Wailuku, HI 96793, 244-1833 Kihei Beach’n Bagels Internet Café Saeng’s Thai Cuisine 2395 S. Kihei Rd. 2119 Vineyard St. Stella Blue’s Café Wailuku, HI 96793, 244-1567 Kihei, HI 96753, 875-7668 1279 S Kihei Rd., D201

Kihei, HI 96753, 874-3779 Joy’s Place Simply Healthy Cafe 1993 S Kihei Rd., #17 Hui No Ke Ola Pono Saigon Café Kihei, HI 96753, 879-9258 Cameron Center, Room 21 1792 Main St. Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793, 244-4647 Wailuku, HI 96793, 243-9566

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 17 been employed by the school, and and other foods that harm us when they Students R.A.V.E. strict guidelines are given to the cater- know the dangers?” And the kids did- ers to follow what Anderson character- n’t want to be patronized; they wanted about Vegan Diet izes as the RAVE diet (no Refined hard answers that reflected their under- foods, no Animal foods, no Vegetable standing of the relationship between by Neal Pinckney, PhD oil, and daily Exercise) as closely as our health and what we eat. With this VSH member possible. experience I’ve become convinced that

But why stop with the students? we need more involvement with young n August I was invited to give a se- Staff are provided nutritional training people -- getting the facts to them be- ries of talks and a cooking demon- I that uses a series of films, some of fore they start on a lifetime of poor stration to the staff and students of a which were created by the VSH and choices. truly amazing residential school for William Harris, MD. This training has special needs students near Boston. (1) More information on the Judge Roten- been supplemented by in-person con- Amazing not only for the enormous berg Educational Center can be found at: sulting by , MD, Harvey success with students http://www.judgerc.org/homeb.html Zarren, MD, , who had not been (2) The video tape or DVD of Michael MD, Ann Esselstyn, Antonia Demas, helped in other set- Anderson’s Diet (second edition), featuring PhD, Jill Nussinow, RD, Mike Ander- VSH’s Neal Pinckney, PhD and Ruth tings, or even for the son, and this writer. Heidrich, PhD can be found at: http:// creative and colorful Dr. Israel has offered a cholesterol www.beacondv.org/ design and decoration improvement incentive program to his of every space in the Note: Neal Pinckney, PhD was the speaker nearly 900 staff, offering a paid day off center, but even more for the August 4, 2004 meeting of the Bos- to anyone who reduces total choles- so for the very low fat Dr. Pinckney ton Vegetarian Society. He has put over terol by 20% over a 13-week period by 750 people through his free support vegetarian meals adopting the RAVE diet. After only groups. More than 50 of these were sched- served and the education the students seven weeks the 40 who joined the uled for coronary bypass surgery but after receive regarding proper diet. The project showed remarkable improve- attending the group did not need it. His brain-child of Executive Director Mat- ment. Mean total cholesterol had been book, Healing Heart Handbook, is sold by thew Israel, PhD, a behavioral psy- VSH. For contact information and access reduced by 19 mg/dL (a 10% drop), chologist, the Judge Rotenberg Educa- to Dr. Pinckney’s website and discussion mean diastolic blood pressure had tion Center (1) prepares young people group online, the web portal is: www. dropped by 14 points (an 18% im- to learn academic and vocational skills, kumu.org. provement), and staff had reduced their to behave appropriately, and to live in- weight (not an explicit goal of the pro- dependently when possible. Started in ject) by an average of nine pounds. Providence, Rhode Island 31 years Most important, the number of staff ago, the center moved to Canton, Mas- participants with total cholesterol be- sachusetts in 1996. low 150 doubled from five to ten. I met Dr. Israel’s interest in the role of with these folks, and many expressed nutrition on health was sparked by amazement at the improvement in their Mike Anderson’s film, Eating (2), health in such a short period. ’ Diet for a New Amer- It was when I had a chance to talk ica, and ’s Mad Cow- with a large group of students that I boy. Dr. Israel believes that if a very Vegetarian became the person who was amazed. low fat, whole food, vegetarian diet In 11 years of giving talks and support reverses heart disease and lowers risk Home Schooler groups to adults I had never been asked factors such as cholesterol, blood pres- such penetrating questions as those sure, excess weight, and risk for onset Seeks Same posed by these students. “Why,” I was and severity of diabetes, providing a asked, “does the government continue comparable diet to his students will im- egetarian home schooling fam- to supply and require foods in school prove their health in the present and for V ily with three children under ten lunch programs that are known to the rest of their lives. looking for other vegetarian families cause health problems?” “Why does The meals at the school are pres- who may be interested in play dates, the government subsidize foods that ently catered, but there are plans for field trips, etc. Please contact Lesley kill people?” “How come they are al- them to be prepared in the school at: [email protected] lowed to advertise milk, burgers, fries, kitchen. A vegetarian dietician has Page 18 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 oil and aspirin to help reduce his per- (Letter to Bill from page 15) sonal risk of a heart attack. McDonald’s Food or not you have the surgery, you are 10) You have always been interested in Likely Culprit in going to have to change back to the better healthcare for Americans and low-fat, no-cholesterol diet Dr. Ornish now you have an opportunity to make Clinton’s Health taught you several years ago. Read my a real difference – stand up to this big June 2003 newsletter article: Cleaning business and demand the truth before Crisis Out Your Arteries. you make your decision to have or postpone surgery. Right now you are bviously, it’s been developing 6) The real indications for bypass sur- being lied to – mostly by omission of “O over a period of many years gery are: a) incapacitating chest pain vital information from doctors – you and is related to his genetic predisposi- and/or b) damage to your left ventricle can verify everything I have written to tion for coronary artery disease and en- (heart chamber) so that you eject 50% you in just a few short hours on the vironmental factors such as his heavy or less of your blood with each heart Internet (www.nlm.nih.gov). Your ex- weight and his proclivity for McDon- beat. Every cardiologist and bypass ample could save more lives, more un- ald’s and junk food.” Dr. Robert Rob- surgeon knows this. From what I have necessary suffering, than any action bins, director of the Stanford Cardio- read you have neither of these legiti- you could ever have taken while you vascular Institute in Palo Alto, Calif. mate indications for surgery. were in office. Make the most out of on former President Clinton’s current this apparent setback in your health. 7) You are known for your wit and in- health problems. tellect. This surgery causes brain dam- Sincerely, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/04/ age. Measurement of chemical prod- national/04heart.html ucts released into the spinal fluid dur- ing surgery shows that 100% of people John McDougall, MD suffer brain damage. In most cases the FAT changes are subtle – like personality Dr. McDougall has been studying, writing RON disorders, or you may not be able to and speaking out about the effects of nutri- remember names and numbers as well tion on disease for over 20 years. He is a as you used to. A study in the February former Hawaii resident and has been a 2001 issue of the New England Journal VSH speaker on several occasions. You of Medicine found that 42 percent of may subscribe to his free newsletter at patients five years after surgery had a www.drmcdougall.com. 20% decrease in brain function. My experience has been that doctors mis- Recurrent starvation epidemics in lead patients into believing this is not (Being Vegan from page 3) third world countries are in part the re- an important problem. sult of the population’s uncontrolled (Scientific American. Human Nutri- human reproduction, but animal agri- 8) There is a real possibility that by- tion. 1978. p 35). culture also contributes in two ways. pass surgery could interfere with an- In 2000 U.S. farm animals out- First, large scale animal herding leads other of your well-known attributes. numbered U.S. humans 30-fold by 8.1 to topsoil loss as witnessed in Mesopo- Erectile dysfunction has been reported billion to 260 million, their water in- tamia, Ethiopia, and the Sahara, all to be caused by bypass surgery. (Don’t take was 30 times and fecal output 130 once fertile agricultural areas that are you just hate it when people hit below times that of U.S. humans. The con- now deserts. Second, the production of the belt?) sumption of fossil fuels used to bring feed grain cash crops destined for de- 9) Your most recent attempt at weight in feed, water, and other supplies and veloped countries and the cutting down loss, the South Beach Diet, contributed to transport the animals to and from of forested areas to produce pasture- to your present troubles. Steak, market is at least 10 times that required land for export cattle deprive natives of chicken, eggs, and Canadian bacon to process equivalent plant food Calo- the land necessary to grow crops to consumed without limitation are bad ries for human consumption. In addi- feed themselves. These practices also for your arteries, Bill. Even the author, tion, the release of greenhouse gases cause habitat loss for endangered spe- Arthur Agatston, MD, must know carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous cies and curb the production of the this – after all he, himself, takes statin oxide by farm animals and their waste oxygen required for most life forms on drugs to lower his cholesterol, and fish contributes to global warming. Earth.

The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004 Page 19 Clogged Arteries?

Try Chelsea’s Way! Try Vegetarian!

A vegetarian diet has been shown to prevent and reverse heart disease.

VegHawaii.org

Vegetarian Society NONPROFIT of Hawaii U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 23208 HONOLULU, HI Honolulu, Hawaii USA PERMIT NO. 645 96823-3208

Address Service Requested

Page 20 The Island Vegetarian • Oct - Dec 2004