The Island Vegetarian Quarterly Newsletter of the of Hawaii

SUPPORTING HEALTH, , AND ECOLOGY

Volume 20, Issue 1, Jan-Mar 2009

Inside this Issue: Kauai Loses Gourmet Vegan Restaurant Aloha Friends & Family of the Lotus, Editor’s Message 2 Barring a miracle, The Blossoming Lotus will be In the News 4 closing its doors on December 31, 2008. I am saddened Readers’ Voices 6 to share such news. Although it’s ironic that our business TV & Radio Listings 7 model has taken a successful shape amidst the economic McDougall Newsletter 8 climate as a result of our recent restructure, the past debt Calendar of Events 11 the business is carrying is proving to be dire. The Blos- Kauai Events 12 soming Lotus has been a beacon of light for sustainability and healthy food alternatives. Local Happenings 13 I hope we can all find a sense of peace knowing that we did have such a positive impact Feast or Famine 14 on our Kauai community. Winning Recipe 17 Food for Life TV 17 We thank you for all your support in so many ways over the years. We believe we Book Reviews 18 have provided a safe haven, a form of sanctuary, here at our Restaurant & Juice Bar. We have found much joy in supporting our local farmers, musicians, artists, healers, and residents over the years. And we are deeply grateful for the love and support we Public Lectures: have received in return. Words cannot convey the feelings we have in relation to our shared endeavor — the entity we call “Blossoming Lotus.” DAN PIRARO Our collective hope is for the Blossoming to continue — to reach into the hearts of “THE HUMOROUS SIDE those so inspired. Miracles do happen, and it is true that we are open to them now. I OF ” Saturday, January 10th, 7 p.m. ask that you please forward all correspondence regarding the closing of Blossoming Lotus McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park directly to Gabe Zingaro. I can be reached by email at [email protected] and by cell at (808) 652- KARL SEFF, PH.D. 1440. We again thank “WHAT ARE VEGETARIANS you for support over the CONSUMING & AVOIDING AND years and wish you all WHAT SENSE DOES IT MAKE?” Saturday, February 14th, 7 p.m. the best in your lives. McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park Warmly,

GENE BAUR “CHANGING HEARTS & MINDS Gabe Zingaro & ABOUT ANIMALS AND FOOD” Saturday, March 7th, 7 p.m. The Blossoming McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park Lotus Family *See page 11 for more details A popular community gathering place, The Blos- and Maui meeting times. soming Lotus closed its doors for the last time. The Island Editor’s Message Vegetarian by Scott Snarr

The Island Vegetarian is published quarterly by and for the members Aloha, of the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. By the time you’ve read this far, you’ve probably noticed the newsletter’s new look. I thought it was time to give it a fresh appearance, and I hope you’ll P.O. Box 23208 like it. As always I’m committed to bringing you the best and most current news Honolulu, HI 96823-3208 and articles about being vegetarian. 808-944-VEGI (8344) I’m happy to report some good news. California voters passed Proposition 2 overwhelmingly, which will phase out a few of the worst abuses of factory farm- ing in the nation’s breadbasket by 2015. In a similar victory Colorado voters Visit our website for a restaurant banned the use of veal and gestation crates. guide, TV and meeting schedules, While we celebrate these merciful steps that reduce cruelty, let’s keep in newsletter archives, and more. mind that this is just the beginning of a brighter day for animals, not the end of the cruelty. [email protected] Also, the new laws were not necessarily welcomed by all animal advocates. VSH.org Professor of law and outspoken animal abolitionist Gary Francione called Cali- VegHawaii.org fornia’s Proposition 2 “A Losing Proposition,” saying that it will only make con- sumers more comfortable about exploiting animals with the “Humane Society Board of Directors Seal of Approval,” as he called it. While Francione was right to caution that such measures can mislead con- President: Alida Rutchick, M.Ed. sumers, he missed some important points in my opinion. The first is that aware- Vice Pres: Jim Brown ness about the plight of farm animals has been growing remarkably. With over Secretary: William Harris, M.D. 63% of voters in favor, Proposition 2 was the most popular voter referendum in Treasurer: Mel Hertz, MBA, CFP California history. That’s a strong indication of the widespread concern for ani- Directors: Karl Seff, Ph.D. mals in the public conscience. That in itself is something to celebrate. Laurelee Blanchard But it does not end there. The new legislation is a milestone in recognizing Patrick Moore that farm animals are beings with rights and not just economic machinery. I think that rather than easing the public conscience, the statutes will serve as reminders to all citizens that animals are not mere property over which we have unlimited Newsletter Committee authority. In any case, the issue has already sparked a previously absent public debate, without which we could scarcely achieve those goals shared by Francione Scott Owen Snarr and me and virtually everyone else in the vegan movement. Alida Rutchick, M.Ed. In other words, the success of these citizen initiatives goes beyond the ac- William Harris, M.D. commodations it will make for animals in factory farms. It advances our move- ment. But there’s a long way to go. Every one of us has to continue work toward that end — the end of animal cruelty and exploitation, that is. Mahalo I, however, won’t have the last word on this issue. I leave that to you. Turn to to all our volunteers! Readers’ Voices on page 6 where you are invited to send in your comments. I hope you’ll join the conversation. The opinions expressed in this -SoS newsletter are those of the writers Reference: and not necessarily those of the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. Francione, G. “A Losing Proposition” http://animalrights.about.com/od/proposition2ca2008/a/FrancioneProp2.htm

Page 2 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 her classmates. Officials at James The Institute of Medicine of the Does your child’s Logan High School in Union City, National Academy of Sciences has school get an A+ in California incorporated vegan foods urged school lunch programs to offer into the regular lunch menu when they fewer animal fats for yet another rea- lunch? saw how many kids frequented a son: so that children won’t be exposed student-run vegetarian “Smart Cart.” to so many dioxins—cancer-causing by Tim Enstice, PETA The Los Angeles Unified School toxins found in meat and milk. By District—the second- serving vegetarian meals When I was in school, lessons were largest school district in instead of animal prod- done with a No. 2 pencil and a com- the nation—serves vari- ucts, schools can help set position notebook. The “three R’s” ous vegan foods, and children up for a lifetime were reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, Wayland Public Schools of good health. and mystery meat was the main option in Framingham, Massa- As the late Dr. Ben- in the school cafeteria. How things chusetts offer home- jamin Spock said, “Chil- have changed! Today many kids are made hummus, salads, dren who grow up get- as likely to do their homework on a and other meatless op- ting their nutrition from PC as they are with paper and pencil. tions. Preschoolers at plant foods rather than The “three R’s” are reducing, reusing, BellaVita School in meats have a tremendous and recycling, and many schools are Longmont, Colorado health advantage. They serving veggie burgers, faux chicken even help grow the and vegeta- are less likely to develop weight prob- sandwiches, and other meatless meals. bles they eat in a community garden. lems, diabetes, high blood pressure, Perhaps one day teachers will even be I can’t wait for this trend to and some forms of cancer.” giving apples to the students. spread to every school in the nation. Other leading pediatricians en- While Salisbury steak and chicken All parents want their kids to have dorse vegan diets for children, as does nuggets—foods that cause kids’ cho- healthy choices, and it can be frustrat- the American Dietetic Association. It lesterol levels to skyrocket—are still ing if you live in a school district that will be a gold-star day when parents staples in most cafeterias, many lunch flunks lunch. My girls “brown bag” it can count on schools to promote nutri- menus have gotten a healthy make- with inventive meals from the Vegan tious vegetarian meals, too. After all, over. All 110 Gwinnett County public Lunch Box blog, so I know they’re schools should help foster our chil- schools in Atlanta, for example, offer getting wholesome food. But all kids, dren’s health, not harm it. -based corn dogs, fresh , soy no matter where they live, should be milk, and other vegetarian options. able to order nutritious vegetarian Tim Enstice is the manager of the More than half a million meat-free meals from school. Planned Giving Department for the meals have been served in Gwinnett Plant-based foods are rich in PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Nor- County schools complex carbohy- folk, VA 23510; www.GoVeg.com. since last fall. drates, protein, fiber, People for the Ethical Treatment G r a d y H i g h vitamins, and miner- of Animals (PETA), with more than 2 School, also in als—all the nutrients million members and supporters, is Atlanta, even kids need to grow up the largest animal rights organization has a separate healthy. A steady diet in the world. Founded in 1980, PETA lunch line for of meat and dairy is dedicated to establishing and pro- students who products, on the other tecting the rights of all animals. PETA want vegetarian hand, contributes to operates under the simple principle foods. It offers the soaring rates of that animals are not ours to eat, wear, dishes such as pasta lo mien and soy- obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other experiment on, or use for entertain- based sloppy Joes. ailments that are afflicting our chil- ment. Many schools are scrambling to dren. Earlier this year the American meet the growing demand for vegetar- Academy of Pediatrics issued guide- ian fare. Three schools in Broward lines calling for cholesterol screening County, Florida began serving Gar- of children as young as 2—and cho- denburgers, vegan chili, and other lesterol drugs for kids as young as 8— healthful choices after a vegetarian because so many youngsters today are student circulated a petition among overweight.

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 3 IN THE NEWS

ammonia or hydrogen sulfide is the Pachauri, Chair of Intergovern- EPA midnight same whether someone is exposed to mental Panel on Climate Change ammonia from a factory or tank car or (IPCC) drew worldwide attention ear- rule benefits from a giant cesspit of manure. This lier this year when he called on people loophole stinks of political favoritism. to cut meat consumption to slow factory farms In EPA’s warped view, deregulating global warming. He has been a vege- factory farms is more important than tarian for eight years. Former Beatles PRESS RELEASE — Environmental protecting communities’ health. member McCartney became a vege- Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “Exempting factory farms from tarian 30 years ago out of concern for final rule December 12th exempting toxics reporting requirements is clear animal rights and has been an active the livestock and poultry industries violation of longstanding law that spokesperson in the movement ever from the requirement to report re- leaves the neighbors of these opera- since. leases of hazardous substances. Re- tions at risk of serious illness. This is leases above health-based thresholds another example of EPA putting poli- would otherwise have to be reported tics before science.” Lightlife Foods to to the federal government under the Comprehensive Environmental Re- reduce eggs, expand sponse, Compensation and Liability Paul McCartney, vegan selection Act (CERCLA). The rule also created an exemption to the Emergency Plan- Rajendra Pachauri Lightlife Foods has been a leader in ning and Community Right to Know join forces the vegetarian food market for nearly Act (EPCRA), which requires notifi- 30 years — and this maker of meat- cation of state and local authorities, less foods just took another giant step for smaller facilities. This is the first Music legend Sir Paul McCartney has forward, further setting itself apart. time the EPA has ever created an ex- joined forces with Nobel Prize winner Shortly after announcing a victory emption from hazardous substance Rajendra Pachauri in urging people to with Morningstar Farms late last year, notification requirements for a spe- save the planet by going vegetarian. Compassion Over Killing began cor- cific industry. The duo coauthored a letter to The respondence with Lightlife Foods Decomposing animal waste re- Independent naming meat eating as about the growing demand for egg- leases toxic chemicals, such as am- the primary contributor to global free options. The company has been monia and hydrogen sulfide. Expo- warming. responsive. sure to these chemicals can cause res- Livestock are responsible for According piratory problems, eye and nasal irri- methane emissions, a potent green- to company tation, headaches, nausea and, in ex- house gas. McCartney and Pachauri s p o k e s- treme concentrations, death. In recent stated that going vegetarian was the w o m a n years, as the size of livestock and single most effective act anyone could C a t h l e e n poultry operations has increased and take to reduce greenhouse gas emis- S t r o n g , concentrated large quantities of ani- sions. “Beginning mal waste, a considerable body of They also blamed the rise in meat January 1, research suggests that the release of consumption for food shortages 2 0 0 9 hazardous substances from the waste around the world. According to Lightlife is reducing our use of eggs may present a public health risk. Pachauri 60% of food crop production by 166,000 eggs annually! Addition- Sierra Club Executive Director in Europe and North America is being ally, we are excited about introducing Carl Pope stated, “This is one of the diverted for meat production, and three new vegan items to the market most egregious special interest givea- 70% of Amazonian forests have been place this spring.” ways in eight long years of special cleared to make room for cattle graz- interest giveaways. The injury from ing and fodder. (continued on next page)

Page 4 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) found this carcinogen in every single the study the vegan diet dramatically sample of grilled chicken taken from cut consumption of cholesterol, fat, restaurants in every part of and saturated fat and increased health- Please call Lightlife at 1-800- California.” ful fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamins 769-3279 to thank them PhIP is one of a group of carcino- K and C intake compared with the for making this compassionate genic compounds called heterocyclic diet based on ADA guidelines. Almost decision and to let them know amines (HCAs), and it is a known half of the participants in the vegan that you look forward to see- mutagen that can cause DNA damage group reduced, if not eliminated, their ing more vegan items in 2009. that can lead to cancer. In human stud- medication compared with only 26% More than 95% of eggs produced ies investigating well-done meat con- of participants in the ADA group. in the U.S. come from hens confined sumption and cancer risk, the highest Participants in the vegan diet inside barren wire battery cages so risk is for cancers of the prostate, group avoided animal products and restrictive that the birds can barely colon/rectum, and breast. In 2005 the fatty foods and favored low-glycemic- even move, let alone spread their federal government officially added index foods. There were no restric- wings, perch, or walk. Each battery- HCAs to its list of anticipated human tions on calories or portion sizes. caged hen usually only has a meager carcinogens. Even small amounts can ADA guidelines provided recommen- 67 square inches of space in which to increase a person’s risk of developing dations on the intake of calories, car- live—that’s less floor space than one cancer. bohydrate, and saturated fat grams sheet of notebook paper. based on each participant’s body weight, lipid profile, and current food Vegan diet reduces and eating habits. Carcinogen found heart disease in grilled chicken in people with Egg consumption linked to risk of PRESS RELEASE — A new study type 2 diabetes published September 18th in Nutrition type 2 diabetes and Cancer shows that consumers are PRESS RELEASE — A new report in exposed to a known carcinogen when October’s Journal of the American PRESS RELEASE — In a new study they consume grilled chicken. One Dietetic Association shows that a low- including about 57,000 men and hundred samples from seven popular fat vegan diet has a nutrient profile women from two large, completed chain restaurants were analyzed by an and diet quality associated with a randomized trials, researchers found independent laboratory, and PhIP, a greater reduction in heart disease risk that daily consumption of eggs in- known human carcinogen, was found in people with type 2 diabetes than a creased the likelihood of developing in every sample. diet based on the American Diabetes type 2 diabetes. Daily egg intake was PhIP forms when meat, especially Association (ADA) guidelines. associated with a 77% and 58% in- chicken, is grilled or pan-fried at high “Two out of three people with creased risk for women and men, re- temperatures, and, for more than a diabetes die of heart disease or stroke, spectively. decade, it has been on the California so it is hugely significant to find that a governor’s list of chemicals known to low-fat vegan diet can treat diabetes Djoussé L, Gaziano JM, Buring JE, cause cancer. The carcinogen- and dramatically reduce heart disease Lee I. Egg consumption and risk of containing grilled chicken samples, risk,” says lead author Gabrielle M. type 2 diabetes in men and women. including salads, sandwiches, and en- Turner-McGrievy, M.S., R.D. “These Diabetes Care. Published online trées, were collected from McDon- findings should encourage anyone ahead of print November 18, 2008. ald’s, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, T.G.I. Fri- with diabetes to talk to a physician DOI: 10.2337/dc08-1271. day’s, Outback Steakhouse, Burger about adopting a vegan diet to manage King, and Applebee’s. the disease and reduce the risk of a “Grilled chicken is the largest heart attack.” source of PhIP, a potent carcinogen,” In the 22-week study 99 people says Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., lead with type 2 diabetes were randomly author of the new study and a toxi- assigned to follow either a low-fat, cologist with the Physicians Commit- low-glycemic vegan diet or a diet tee for Responsible Medicine. “We based on ADA recommendations. In

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 5 Readers’ Voices SUBMISSION laws Send your submission to GUIDELINES [email protected] with the subject line “Animal Welfare” or “Readers On November 4th voters in Cali- Voices.” fornia and Colorado passed referen- The Island Vegetarian welcomes sub- Contributions to previous topics dums that will provide a measure of missions. protection for certain types of farm are welcome: Have a comment about a current animals. • Tell us why you’re a vegetarian. event, an article we printed, or the California Proposition 2, also • Recommend a good book. known as the Prevention of Farm Describe your favorite vegan newsletter in general? Write a letter to • Animal Cruelty Act, will go into ef- meal. our editor, 75-200 words in length and fect on 2015, by which time farming marked as “Letter to the Editor.” Please limit each response to operations will have to provide veal 150 words. The next deadline is calves, battery hens, and gestation Have a question about health or nutri- March 1st. sows with enough room to turn tion? Mark it as “Ask Dr. Bill,” and it around freely, lie down, stand up, and will be answered by VSH Board Mem- fully extend their limbs. Colorado SB ber William Harris, M.D. Your favorite 201 will provide similar protection Want to try your hand at writing? We for veal calves and gestation sows vegan meal: beginning January 2018. are always in need of articles by local Most but not all animal advocates writers about the various aspects of Sally Taylor: welcomed these new laws. Although vegetarianism, especially those of lo- Here is my quick and easy meal: cal interest or about current events. animal welfare laws provide a meas- ½ can Amy’s black bean chili Articles should be 300-500 words in ure of protection for animals, they do • not strike at the underlying cause of 3 corn tortillas length. We also need book reviews on • widespread animal suffering, namely bag of slaw current books with a pro-vegetarian • the use of animals for human pur- salsa message. If you inquire, we can supply • you with titles of some books that we poses. Therefore, some animal rights I nuke the beans, run the tortillas would like to see reviewed. proponents think that animal welfare through the toaster, add salsa to a is a misguided waste of time and re- bowl of shredded slaw, spread the sources. All submissions must be accompanied beans on the tortilla, add a couple Tell us what you think. Comment by a full name and phone number so fork loads of slaw, and that is it. that we can verify the author. Students on California Proposition 2 and Colo- In a perfect world I would make may wish to include their ages, rado SB 201. Are they cause for cele- my own chili and slaw. This is quick, bration? Or are they misleading and grades, or schools. We reserve the easy, low-fat, and delicious. I could counterproductive? What are their right to edit for accuracy, clarity, eat it every day — and I nearly do. biggest strengths and shortcomings? length, and relevance to the mission of our organization. Alternatively, feel free to explain Home Le‘amohala: your overall position on animal wel- My favorite vegan foods are fare vs. animal rights. What are the The submission deadline for the next freshly picked, tree-ripened fruits, most effective uses of time, money, newsletter is March 1, 2009. locally grown of course, and garden and efforts in slowing or stopping the greens straight from the garden. For Please send submissions (electroni- unethical use of animals? You need me there is nothing more worthy of cally only) to: not be an expert. Everyone is wel- the term “super food” than these. My come to have an opinion. (See mine favorite culinary experience has been [email protected] on page 2.) (continued on next page)

Page 6 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) And then one day I learned about horse slaughter. I grew angry at the going into the garden with my wife millions of jerks who actually ate On TV... Brook with a couple of sumptuous, horse flesh. By the end of the night, fresh picked avocados. We will each though, I was madder at myself. Who find a nice big leafy green like a kale or a cabbage for a bed, then walk was I to draw the line between horses around and choose from a selection of and other animals like cows and sun-infused herbs like fennel, oreg- chickens? After a few months of re- “Vegetarian” VSH lectures ano, basil, rosemary, or whatever hap- search, I had converted to pens to be in season. Then we’ll nestle and was urging everyone around me Oahu—Oceanic Cable Ch. 52 Thurs. 6-7 p.m. it all into the bed leaf and squeeze the to do likewise. Veganism continues to have an incredible impact on my life. Go to olelo.org and click on soft meat from the avocado all over “Oahu Channel 52.” the top of the herbs and lettuce. If we It has taught me to keep an open mind and question the world around The shows are also on line at happen to have some raisins on hand 6 p.m. on Thursdays. to sprinkle over it all, that is always a me. I have better eating habits and a nice enhancement to the meal. Wrap clearer conscience. Through vegan- Maui—Calabash Cable Ch. 52 your Self up in it some time. I think ism I took control of my life—lower- Tues. 8-9 p.m. Wed. 6:30-7:30 a.m. you’ll like it. ing my impact on the environment, preventing unnecessary suffering, Maui schedule is at akaku.org Hesh Goldstein: and improving my health. Ironically, Big Island—Na Leo O Hawaii I have two favorites. One is the I gave up the horseback riding hobby Cable Ch. 54, Sat. 2-3 p.m. that started it all. vegan pesto pizza at Down to Earth. Kauai—Hoike Cable Ch. 52 It’s like the old time Sicilian pizza. Kauai schedule is at hoike.org Thick and square. The flavor is in- Irene Lee Online—www.vsh.org/videos.htm sanely delicious, and one bite is When I was living at home with enough to hook you. The second is an my family, my parents didn’t cook açai bowl, which I make myself. Here much meat, but I ate whatever they “Cook Healthy Fast” goes. First, you need a Vitamix cooked. I wasn’t a vegetarian and with Dick Allgire blender. Then blend frozen açai, blue- knew very little about it. Short, quick, vegan recipes But when I studied at the univer- Tuesdays: 5 p.m. berries, strawberries, raspberries, and KITV-4 bananas with a shot of maple syrup sity, I had to buy meals for myself. I and Rice Dream. The amount of Rice found myself buying mostly “lighter” Dream used will will make it thick or foods, without too much loose. I like it loose. Then I put straw- sugar, salt, oil, or spices. From that berry hemp granola in a bowl and time until now I’ve eaten only vege- scoop or pour the blend on top. Then, tarian. Though I seldom went to the on top of that, I add fresh blueberries, doctor before, I find that I’m sick ...and Radio strawberries, raspberries, bananas, and even less since I stopped eating meat. more granola. Talk about antiox- Now I think it is terrible to have “Healing & You” idents! And, the bugga “brok da meat because meat is taken from an Ruth Heidrich, Ph.D. mout.” animal. Eating meat is eating a dead Dr. Diane Nomura body. I can’t bear to swallow it. Terry Shintani, M.D. I also find that heavy meat eaters Sundays: 8-9 p.m. Why are you a have a bad smell, no matter how K108 — AM 1080 vegetarian or vegan? much perfume they use. And I’ve Call-in line: 524-1080 noticed that the vegetarians that I know are smarter, kinder, more re- “Health Talk” Hosted by Hesh Alyssa Tsuchiya: sponsible, and better emotionally ad- It hit when I was 11 years old. For the justed. Saturdays: 8-9 a.m. next four years Saturday morning K108 — AM 1080 horseback riding lessons became my Call-in line: 524-1080 life. I dreamed of becoming a famous www.healthtalkhawaii.com jockey, or an Olympic rider or both.

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 7 rently, organic food accounts for only 1 to 2% of food sales worldwide. Many people perceive organic as an unwise purchase. Because of inten- sive labor practices, such as crop rota- tions, natural pest control, and the use conventionally grown potatoes, rice, of manures, most organic foods cost The Organic Food corn, , and fruits results in more. Organic fruits and vegetables Movement— profound improvements in their health are not treated with waxes and pre- in 10 days—organic varieties of these servatives, which results in earlier Too Little, Too Late plant foods would have not made a spoilage. They can be odd shaped, speck of difference. discolored, and smaller. In most cases, by John McDougall, M.D. however, organic foods look identical Dietary change is difficult. Imme- to their conventional counterparts. Part 1 of 2 diate improvements, such as relief of Tests show consumers find no taste chest pain, indigestion, headaches, difference between organically grown At the McDougall Program we do not arthritis, constipation, and oily skin and conventional foods. actively teach people to buy organic along with reductions in cholesterol, foods because the immediate health triglycerides, blood pressure, body Goals of organic farming include: weight, and the need for medications benefits would be imperceptible and • Increase long-term fertility of soils are some of the benefits that follow the harm to the health of a few par- • Minimize all forms of pollution this change and encourage future ticipants from this extra requirement • Avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers would be substantial. Yet, in the compliance. Insisting on organically and pesticides grown, instead of conventionally McDougall home, we make every • Maintain genetic diversity grown, fruits and vegetables would effort to buy organic foods for our- • Produce high quality food place an additional obstacle before selves. And, if you ask me directly, I • Use local resources rather than im- will tell you to shop for organic foods. patients, increasing their chances of porting long distance failure—and in so doing harm their Does this seem like double talk? • Keep use of fossil fuels to a mini- health. Fortunately, the decisions to mum. eat organic and the McDougall Diet are not mutually exclusive—you can, Single foods, such as bananas, and should, do both. asparagus, or lettuce are designated as “organic” based on compliance with What’s Organic? designated farming practices. In the The term “organically grown US, foods that have several ingredi- food” refers to products produced in ents, such as breakfast , can use accordance with the principles and the USDA organic seal or the follow- practices of organic agriculture. Vari- ing wording on their package labels: ous countries legally regulate organic • 100 percent organic: Products are food. In the US, Canada, Japan, and completely organic or made of all the European Union producers must organic ingredients. obtain certification in order to label • Organic: Products that are at least My patients are overweight and their products “organic.” Tradition- 95 percent organic. sick because they have learned to eat, ally, organic farming has been tied to • Made with organic ingredients: from childhood, the richest diet small farms, but since the early 1990s, Products contain at least 70 percent known to humankind—a diet of ani- with a growth rate of 20% a year, or- organic ingredients. mals, oils, and sugars. Dining for a ganic food production has become the lifetime on “organically farmed” business of large companies, such as The organic certification label is meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, Kraft, Pepsi, General Mills, Kellogg, not a guarantee that the product com- honey, and flour would have caused Conagra, Coca-Cola, M&M Mars, plies with the organic standards. In- them the exact same states of poor and Hershey, to name a few well rec- spection of farming practices is spotty health. Along the same lines of ognized giants in the industry. Cur- thought, switching my patients to (continued on next page)

Page 8 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) Organic Food Is Cleaner that most pesticides and herbicides are The use of fossil-fuel-derived pes- attracted to and stored in fat. Low lev- and can be especially problematic for ticides and fertilizers began near the els found on the grasses and items produced in poorly regulated end of World War II. Currently, nearly that are fed to the chicken, pigs, and countries. all of the 450 pesticides that are al- cattle accumulate in their body fat in lowed in conventional farming are very high concentrations. Organic Does Not Mean Healthy Until the end of the Second World You would think better soil nutri- War, farmers produced bountiful har- ent recycling (composting), crop rota- vests without relying on pesticides tion to avoid soil mineral depletion, and other toxic chemicals. There is no and encouragement of the soil micro- reason why the world cannot do so organisms that improve nutrient up- again. Most people who have ever take would result in nutritionally su- walked this earth have followed pri- perior food on your dinner plate. The marily plant-food (starch)-based diets. truth is that there is no conclusive We can do that again, too. evidence that shows that organic fruits and vegetables more nutritious than Part 2 of 2 of this article will appear 1 are conventionally grown ones. Fur- in the next issue of The Island Vege- thermore, “organic” certification does tarian. The McDougall Newsletter is not claim that these products are safer prohibited in organic farming, and the available on line at www.drmcdougall. except for the pesticide issue dis- seven that are allowed are not used com. 2 cussed below. routinely. These prohibited chemicals are involved in the cause of four References: emotionally-charged health issues: 1. Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A. birth defects, infertility, brain damage Organic food: nutritious food or food (Parkinson’s Disease), and cancers of for thought? A review of the evi- children (neuroblastoma, leukemia, dence. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2003 etc.) and adults (breast, pancreatic, Sep;54(5):357-71. etc.). Children who are fed a diet of 2. Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A. organic foods are exposed to six to Organic food: buying more safety or nine times fewer toxic pesticides than just peace of mind? A critical review are children fed a conventional diet.3 of the literature. Crit Rev Food Sci Getting back to the theme of this Nutr. 2006;46(1):23-56. 3. Curl CL, Fenske RA, Elgethun K. newsletter, buying organic is not the Organophosphorus pesticide expo- most effective way to reduce your sure of urban and suburban preschool intake of potentially dangerous envi- children with organic and conven- ronmental chemicals. Switching from tional diets. Environ Health Perspect. Real harm to the public is caused animal-food to plant-food is the most 2003 Mar;111(3):377-82 when the organic label is placed on effective. Estimates are that 89% to 4. Duarte-Davidson R. Polychlorinated inherently unhealthy products. Pro- 99% of the chemical intake into our biphenyls (PCBs) in the UK popula- duction of meat and dairy products by body is from our food, and most of tion: estimated intake, exposure and organic standards is as meaningful as this is from foods high on the food body burden. Sci Total Environ. the production of tobacco for ciga- chain: meat, poultry, fish, and dairy 1994 Jul 11;151(2):131-52. rettes and rye for whiskey by organic products.4-6 In his Pulitzer Prize 5. Liem AK. Exposure of populations to dioxins and related compounds. standards. How does that saying go? nominated book, How to Survive in Food Addit Contam. 2000 “Putting lipstick on a sow’s ear won’t America the Poisoned, Lewis Regen- turn it into a silk purse.” Advertising Apr;17(4):241-59. stein writes: “Meat contains approxi- 6. Rivas A, Cerrillo I, Granada A, campaigns are misleading people into mately 14 times more pesticides than Mariscal-Arcas M, Olea-Serrano F. believing that burgers, chips, cakes, do plant foods . . . Thus, by eating Pesticide exposure of two age groups and biscuits that are marked “organic” foods of animal origin, one ingests of women and its relationship with are good for them. greatly concentrated amounts of haz- their diet. Sci Total Environ. 2007 ardous chemicals.” The reason for Aug 15;382(1):14-21. these high levels of contamination is

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 9 VSH Events—Oahu & Maui

October speaker Brenda Davis, In November Maui resident Wayne Pacelle, president of the R.D. gave an energetic presenta- Steve Blake explained the ins Humane Society of the United tion filled with touching stories and outs of fats in foods in lan- States, delivered a superb talk about her work and research in guage that anyone could under- about animals and the law in the Marshall Islands. stand. December.

Donate, Join, or Renew today! Vegetarian Society of Hawaii Membership Application/Renewal Form

Yes, please enroll me as a member. My dues Please Print are enclosed (add $4 per year for a foreign SAVE address): on Multi-Year 1 yr. 2 yrs. 3 yrs. 4 yrs. 5 yrs. Name(s):______Memberships/ Regular Renewals! Street:______$20 $38 $54 $68 $80 Full-time student City:______$12 $24 $36 $48 $60 Members receive a Couple or Family quarterly newsletter State, Zip:______$30 $57 $81 $102 $120 and discounts on Life membership $400 Home Phone: ( ) products and serv- $______additional tax deductible donation Work Phone: ( ) Contact me about volunteer opportunities. ices at vegetarian- friendly restaurants Please check one: E-Mail: and health food Vegan (no animal products at all) # ______D______Ex______Vegetarian (no flesh, fish, or fowl) stores. Associate (not yet a vegetarian)

Page 10 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Calendar of Events January-March 2009

DAN PIRARO KARL SEFF, Ph.D.

“The Humorous Side “What Are We of Vegetarianism” Vegetarians Actually Consuming & Avoiding and Saturday, January 10th, 7 p.m. What Sense Does It Make?” McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park Saturday, February 14th, 7 p.m. McCoy Pavilion, Internationally syndicated and Ala Moana Beach Park award-winning cartoonist Dan Piraro of Bizarro fame shares some of his As individuals we vegetarians fol- favorite cartoons about food, animals, the environment, and the low a wide variety of themes in our selection of food and veg lifestyle. His subject matter includes a wide variety of top- drink. What about garlic and onions, preservatives, fruit, beans ics from his cartoon career to his political views and his path to and , organic foods, raw foods, bottled water, carbon- animal advocacy and veganism. He uses videos, still images, ated beverages, pesticides and herbicides, juice diets, fatty cartoons, songs, stories, and the occasional onstage-drawing to foods, nuts and seeds, bleach vs. peroxide, vegetable oils, arti- communicate his ideas. Audiences are brought from laughter to ficial sweeteners, saturated and trans fats, wine and chocolate, concern to empathy and back again in this informative and potatoes and yams, and coffee and tea? The bottom line keeps entertaining presentation. changing as a result of active research. It is clear that some of Dan Piraro first published his internationally syndicated what we are doing has a pretty firm scientific basis, that other comic feature Bizarro in 1986. He has also published fourteen practices seem reasonable but lack full substantiation, and yet books and has traveled the nation as a stand-up comedian. others are matters of taste. Bizarro has won numerous awards, including an unprece- Karl Seff earned his Ph.D. from M.I.T. and has been a dented three consecutive “Best Panel” awards from the Na- professor of chemistry at UH-Manoa for 41 years. He has tional Cartoonists Society. He and his wife live in New York authored more than 245 scientific papers that have appeared City and are passionate vegans and animal rights/ in leading chemistry journals. He has been on the Board of environmental activists. Directors of the VSH since 1992. Mr. Piraro will also be speaking on Maui: Dr. Seff will also be speaking on Maui: Thursday, January 8th, 7 p.m., Friday, February 13th, 7 p.m., Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku

GENE BAUR

“Changing Hearts & Minds about Animals & Food”

Saturday, March 7th, 7 p.m. McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park

Gene Baur will discuss his national bestseller, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food, a thought-provoking investigation of the ethical questions involved in the produc- tion of beef, poultry, pork, milk, and eggs—and what each of us can do to promote compassion and help stop the systematic mistreatment of the ten billion farm animals who are exploited for food in the United States every year.

Gene Baur is co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, America’s leading farm animal protection organization. He holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University and has conducted hundreds of visits to farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses to document conditions. His pictures and videotape exposing factory farming cruelty have been aired nationally and internationally, educating millions. His efforts have been covered by leading news organizations, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, National Public Radio, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN.

Mr. Baur will also be speaking on Maui: Tuesday, March 10th, 7 p.m. Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 11 VSH Events— Kauai

An overflow crowd of seventy-five December people attended potluck and demonstration the by raw Jan DeLaVega. Her foods chef presentation was well received, as were her tasty“Eat food Raw, samples. Live Long”

Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray, co- owners of The Blossoming Lotus Restaurant in Kapaa, were the guest speakers at the No- vember potluck and lecture. Their topic was “Living Live: An Introduction to Raw Foods.”

to won a gift certificate Anda (right) of Kapaa Anne Rogers De Raw American for her recipe, “Juliano’s Papaya’s Natural Foods Pizza” at the December potluck. Vigil Alkana (left) was the judge.

“Live Foods and the Value of Internal Cleansing” was the topic of a talk by Kathy Matara, Ph.D. at the potluck luncheon and lecture in October.

Kellie Pleas (right) of Kekaha created the winning recipe for Monthly vegan potluck luncheons her “No Need Eat Breakfast and lectures are held at 12:30 p.m. Muffin” at the November Pot- on the first Sunday of each month luck and Lecture. won a gift cer- Jessica at the Kapaa Neighborhood Center In October Anne Faraola Murray (left) Foods for her was the judge. on Kauai. Admission is free for tificate to Papaya’s Natural See recipe on page 17. those who bring a dish. All others recipe for “Polenta with Mushroom Ragu.” are welcome with a $5 donation.

Page 12 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Local Happenings

the issue arrived, “and you can imag- tomers,” not all of whom are vegetar- Down to Earth ine my surprise!” he said. ian, Santana said. “ wrote about us The company also has introduced is flying high in a few years a customer- a g o , b u t reward card national print we’ve been this year “and by Erika Engle off the radar i t ’s g o i n g for a long gangbusters. t i m e , ” h e We already This article originally appeared in the said. have 20,000 Honolulu Star-Bulletin on December A large subscribers.” 7th, 2008. Reprinted with permission part of the blip that got it back on the The magazine hits newsstands from the Star-Bulletin. radar was its repositioning as a 100% Tuesday and is available at Down to vegetarian store, not just a health food Earth and other locations. The cover- The folks at Down to Earth are over store or a natural food store. The dif- age will not be posted online until late the moon. ferentiation is more significant than February. The Hawaii-based, Maui-born an omnivore might realize. five-store chain gets national exposure “The Vegetarian Times recogni- in the January issue of Vegetarian tion of Down to Earth is particularly Times magazine, which named it No. auspicious because there are so few Leilani Farm 3 on its “Veg25 hot list of fresh all-vegetarian stores in the nation,” Sanctuary granted voices, ingenious products, and handy Santana said. resources” for 2009. Many natural supplements, for non-profit status The magazine compares shopping instance, are sold in capsules that are at Down to Earth to “the limitless often made from a material derived Leilani Farm Sanctuary (LFS) located feeling you get in a veg restaurant,” from cow hooves. Not at Down to in Haiku, Maui, founded and operated where a diner needn’t worry about a Earth, where foods and supplements by VSH board member Laurelee dish’s ingredients. The magazine re- are plant-based. Blanchard, just received its official ports that every product the store sells “This is a values-based company,” 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, which is free of meat, fish oils, gelatin, and Santana said. “From the start, the idea means that donations are tax deducti- animal rennet and tells a bit more was to promote a healthier lifestyle ble. LFS was created to provide shel- about the store. through organic and natural foods and ter and care for abused animals and The top two Veg25 listees were a vegetarian lifestyle.” humane education to the public. The Iced Bliss, a line of soy- and rice- While not popular with the main- organization promotes a vegan diet b a s e d i c e c r e a m s a n d stream on Maui when established in and lifestyle. veganetsy.etsy.com, a community of 1977, a core group was interested, There are various ways you can artisans selling cruelty-free crafts on- kept it going, “and it caught on,” he help the sanctuary, including in-kind line. said. donations, monetary contributions, The magazine contacted Market- “They were ahead of the power animal sponsorship, and labor assis- ing Director Frank Santana a few curve, by decades.” tance. To contact Leilani Farm Sanc- months ago for information. The flagship Down to Earth store tuary, please visit www.LeilaniFarm “They wanted an update on where on S. King Street in Moiliili has been Sanctuary.org or send an email to we are and what we’re doing, and so I renovated, with space and new prod- [email protected] gave them what they needed,” he said. ucts added, “and we have been inun- Tax deductible donations can be He didn’t know how the magazine dated with compliments from our cus- mailed to 260 E. Kuiaha Road, Haiku, was going to use the information until HI 96708.

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 13 to contemplate: eliminating meat pro- animals in a very inefficient use of Feast or Famine: duction. resources. Meat Production “Whoa!” you say. “Don’t take Jeremy Rifkin, president of the away my steaks and cheeseburgers.” Foundation on Economic Trends in and World Hunger Meat-eating is such an ingrained as- Washington, DC states it succinctly: pect of Western culture that proposing “People go hungry because much of by Mark Hawthorne its demise, even to save the world, arable land is used to grow feed deserves some discussion. Fair for animals rather than people.” He Hanging in the Newseum in Washing- enough. offers as one example the Ethiopian ton, DC is a photo that is about as The United Nations estimates that famine of 1984, which was fueled by heart-rending an image as you’re 854 million people—nearly 13 per- the meat industry. “While people likely to find anywhere. Taken by cent of the world’s human popula- starved, Ethiopia was growing linseed Kevin Carter for The New York Times tion—go hungry every day. And the cake, cottonseed cake, and rapeseed in 1993, the photo de- meal for European live- picts a starving Suda- stock,” he says. “Millions of nese toddler crumpled acres of land in the develop- on the ground, as if her ing world are used for this stick-like legs could no purpose. Tragically, 80 per- longer bear the weight cent of the world’s hungry of her large head and children live in countries swollen stomach, with food surpluses that are bloated from the mal- fed to animals for consump- nourishment disease tion by the affluent.” called kwashiorkor. The demand for meat has While that alone is dis- been especially dramatic in turbing, what makes developing countries. the tableau truly haunt- “China’s meat consumption ing is the vulture pa- is increasing rapidly with tiently waiting just a income growth and urbani- few feet behind the emaciated child. problem is only getting worse. Josette zation, and it has more than doubled Sheeran, executive director of the This photograph earned Carter a Pul- in the past generation,” says Rosa- UN’s World Food Program, says, itzer Prize and epitomized the toll that mond Naylor, an associate professor “The world’s misery index is rising.” famine is taking on developing coun- of economics at Stanford University. So is our hunger for meat. As tries around the world. As a result, land once used to provide Tragically, of course, hunger has Gene Baur observes in “Farm Sanctu- grains for humans now provides feed ary: Changing Hearts and Minds only become an even graver issue in for chickens and pigs. About Animals and Food,” in 1950, the last 15 years—a point made clear The USDA and the United Na- 50,000 farms produced 630 million in a report released July 29 from the tions state that using an acre of land to Center for Strategic and International “meat” chickens in Studies (CSIS). Recommending ur- the United States. By gent action for long-term relief, the 2005 the U.S. had “Land once used to provide CSIS report calls for “a strategic U.S. 20,000 fewer farms— grains for humans now provides approach to the global food crisis.” but they were produc- “Food crisis,” however, implies ing 8.7 billion chick- feed for chickens and pigs.” some recent, short-term cause and ens for meat. That’s a effect, when in fact the “perfect lot of chicken feed. In raise cattle yields 20 pounds of usable storm” of rising energy costs, grain fact, every year industrial animal fac- protein. If soybeans were grown in- hoarding, government subsidies, tories in the U.S. feed 157 million stead, that same acre would yield 356 drought, and the demand for biofuels metric tons of legumes, cereal, and pounds of protein. Animal agriculture diverts attention from an entrenched vegetable protein to livestock, result- also wastes valuable water resources. industry and a remedy neither the ing in 28 million metric tons of ani- Population biologists Paul and Anne CSIS nor many social activists want mal protein for human consumption. Nutritious plant-based food that could Ehrlich note that a pound of wheat feed humans instead goes to feed (continued on next page) Page 14 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) few decades. But looking at Carter’s pollution, and land degradation,3 it’s can be grown with 60 gallons of wa- powerful photograph, I can’t help but easy to see why. But it’s also impor- ter, whereas a pound of meat requires believe that we have been woefully tant to recognize that some aspects of 2,500 to 6,000 gallons. mistaken in how we treat those with a vegetarian diet aren’t all too envi- Here’s another way to look at it. whom we share this planet. If we hope ronmentally friendly, either. According to the aid group Vegfam, a to bequeath a sustainable world to One such contradiction that goes ten-acre farm can support 60 people future generations, we’ll have to largely unnoticed is the environmental growing soybeans, 24 people growing shake loose this meat-produced disas- impact of vegetarian products made wheat, ten people growing corn, and ter and embrace a kinder way of liv- from Amazon soy. This is just another only two people producing cattle. Re- ing. sad case of economic profit over envi- ducing meat production by just ten Mark Hawthorne is the author of ronmental welfare. The Amazon is percent in the U.S. would free enough “Striking at the Roots: A Practical being deforested at an alarming rate— 4 grain to feed 60 million people, esti- Guide to Animal Activism” more than 12 square miles a day, a mates Harvard nutritionist Jean (www.strikingattheroots.com). good portion of which goes to cattle Mayer. Sixty million people—that’s production. However, a majority of the population of Great Britain, this cleared land also goes to soy pro- 5 which, by the way, could support 250 Going the extra mile duction —enough to let Brazil lay million people on an all-vegetable claim to the soy crown of the world. diet. While about half of this soy then goes on the vegan diet 6 Not surprisingly, the meat indus- to fattening European chickens, try has a beef with these statistics. by Alyssa Tsuchiya sleazy U.S. food produc- ers import millions of They say, for example, that the grains VSH member and soybeans fed to farmed animals tons of soy stateside each are not of the high quality that hu- year (which means reli- We all know the reasons ance on other countries mans would expect to eat (tell that to we became vegetari- a starving child). Yet it’s difficult to and transportation green- ans—animal welfare, hu- 7 dispute the fact that animal agribusi- house gas emissions.) , man welfare, the envi- some of which may end ness uses land and water that could be ronment, health—the list used to grow plant foods for human up in our vegetarian goes on. With our hearts, products, which we buy consumption. minds, and grocery lists As Rifkin observes, it is ironic in hopes of helping the we invest in our diet, environment. The irony. that millions of consumers in devel- making countless sacri- oped countries are dying from dis- Similarly, because fices, substitutions, and Down to vegetarianism is not currently a main- eases of affluence, such as heart at- Earth pit stops. But every so often it is tacks, diabetes, and cancer, brought on stream diet, many of our specialty important to evaluate our diets’ real foods (e.g., veggie burgers and other by eating animal products, while the impact on the Earth—there are actu- poor in the Third World are dying of meat analogs) are not locally made. ally several contradictions in vegetari- Thus, that frozen veggie patty sitting diseases of poverty caused by being anism that denied access to land to grow food i n y o u r must be ac- freezer proba- grain for their families. knowledged, “Every so often it is impor- “We are long overdue for a global bly has seen but once con- more of the discussion on how to promote a diver- fronted and tant to evaluate our diets’ sified, high-protein, vegetarian diet Lower 48 and resolved, the real impact on the Earth.” Pacific Ocean for the human race,” says Rifkin, case for giv- whose book Beyond Beef: The Rise than you will ing up meat (the problem being, of course, the fos- and Fall of the Cattle Culture ad- becomes even stronger. dresses the moral paradoxes of eating sil fuels expended in its From the United Nations Food transportation). meat. 1 and Agriculture Organization to the But don’t go back to eating meat Are those steaks and cheeseburg- University of Chicago,2 vegetarianism ers really worth all the lives they just yet. These contradictions of vege- is consistently lauded for its environ- tarianism and environmentalism can take—human and non-human? It mental benefits. And with livestock would be naïve to think the world will agriculture’s track record of green- go vegetarian overnight, or even in a house gas emissions, water and air (continued on next page)

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 15 (continued from previous page) among the most informed and consci- entious people, but there’s always an- Dog owners swap be avoided. When reading food labels, other article to read, another person to bones for broccoli don’t just stop at the ingredients and inform. A vegetarian diet is, in itself, nutrition facts—go the extra step to better for the environment than an PRESS RELEASE—The latest report see what company produces your omnivorous one, but in a world where from insurance provider LV= has food, and how. Most companies that even the best intentions can have un- shown that health concerns have led produce vegetarian food are also very intentional consequences, it’s never to a surge in pet owners changing eco-friendly (ex., Silk soy milk uses bad to go that extra mile. their pets’ diets and swapping meat American soybeans, and its produc- for vegetables and fruit. tion is 100% offset by wind power9), References: 40% of pet owners in the UK now so chances are, you’ll be encouraged 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/ feed their pets up to three portions of by what you find. At the same time, business/media/29adco.html fruit and vegetables a day, and accord- there will always be companies that 2. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/1 ing to the new research by pet insurer take the easy way out—slave labor, 2/18/meat-dead-zone.html LV= there are now more than 145,000 dangerous work conditions, violating 3. http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612 cats and dogs in the UK on a vegetar- environmental policies, etc. Learn to sp1.htm ian diet. avoid them. 4. http://news.mongabay.com/2008/112 In turning their animals vegetar- As for transportation emission 8-amazon.html ian, these pet owners are following costs of imported foods, the easy solu- 5. http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/ celebrity dog-owners such as Alicia tion would be simply to become a undercover-investigation-revea Silverstone and Paul McCartney who “locavore”—eating locally-grown and 6. http://www.nature.org/magazine/autu mn2007/features/art21918.html feed their dogs a vegan and vegetarian produced foods as much as possible. 7. http://environment.nationalgeographi diet respectively. Schedule regular trips to the farmer’s c.com/environment/habitats/last-of-a One of the main reasons for the market—it’s easy and more personal. mazon.html trend in vegetable heavy diets is the Logically, making unnecessary the 8. http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/o perceived health benefit, with 42% of cost of importation would reduce the ct07/diets.ag.footprint.sl.html pet owners who have increased the cost of local food. But either way, the 9. http://www.silksoymilk.com/AboutSilk number of vegetables in their pets’ quality is better—Hawaii maintains OurCauses/HelpingTheEnvironment. some of the best growing conditions. aspx And especially in these bad economic (continued on next page) times we should be supporting our local economy as much as possible.

The sustainability of this option, ells as in a study of vegetarian and om- W nivorous agriculture land footprints, has not yet been assessed for Hawaii, but in any event, plant cultivation is invariably better for the environment.

Although some animal agriculture Colleen Photo: may only utilize lower-quality pas- turelands that can’t be used for crops anyway, it nevertheless produces pol- lution, erosion, and sometimes loss of biodiversity. With the fragile nature of our island state, this is just not a prac- tical industry. More than anything, we need to learn that everything we do has con- sequences—every purchase we make, every organization we support, every- thing we eat and drink. Readers of Ace, a German Shepherd, gnaws on one of his favorite treats—a stalk of cel- The Island Vegetarian are probably ery. Dogs can thrive on well-planned vegetarian diets.

Page 16 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) LV= is a trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited Food for Life TV diet saying they have done so to im- (LVFS) and LV= is a trading style of prove the health of their animal. the Liverpool Victoria group of com- Want to learn how to improve your 16% of pet owners said they sim- panies. health from the comfort of your own ply follow Government nutritional ad- The research was carried out on home? Then tune into Food for Life vice for humans, such as eating five behalf of LV= by YouGov. A nationally TV, PCRM’s interactive webcasts for portions of vegetable and fruit a day, representative sample of 2,050 pet anyone who wants a healthy diet. and apply it to their pet. owners were questioned online be- This online video support group, According to the report from LV=, tween 9th and 11th September 2008. based on PCRM’s popular diabetes other reasons given include the Results are weighted to be representa- classes, offers free information on cheaper cost of a vegetarian diet tive of the UK adult population. You- diet and disease, including diabetes, (12%), because organic pet food is Gov is a member of the British Polling cancer, and heart disease, as well as considered a waste of money (29%), Council. cooking demonstrations and group and because it’s more ethical (4%). support for anyone looking to lose Just one in four (24%) of the UK’s cats weight, lower cholesterol, or simply and dogs now exist on a meat-only No Need Eat improve his or her health. diet. Breakfast Muffin Each 30-minute show focuses on The most popular vegetables to a different topic and usually includes give to pets are carrots (19%), potatoes by Kellie Pleas (see page 12) a lecture by PCRM president Neal (12%) and peas (11%). Barnard, M.D. as well as a cooking demonstration by chefs and nutri- As well as pets eating more vege- 1 cup whole wheat flour • tionists. Class discussions range tables, the LV= research shows that • 1 cup brown rice flour from the science behind type 2 dia- 13% of UK pets are given vitamin or ½ cup soy flour • betes, to the dollars and cents of vegetable supplements daily. ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour • healthy eating, to how foods can help Health-conscious owners say they 1½ cups wheat or oat bran • fight headaches and migraines. have noticed a range of improvements 1½ cups flaxseed meal • Susan Levin, M.S., from their veggie-eating pets, from • 4 tsp baking soda R.D., Jill Eckart, fewer health problems (27%), glossier 2 tsp baking powder • C.H.H.C., and other coats (21%), and a better digestion 1 tsp salt • PCRM nutritionists and (28%) to loss of weight (13%). 4 tsp cinnamon • health counselors answer Emma Holyer, Spokesperson for 3 cups shredded carrots • nutrition questions from LV=, said: • 4 apples, peeled and shredded, or use the online audience, share “As this research shows, there are applesauce w/wet ingredients success stories from par- thousands of cats and dogs consuming 1 handful each of raisins, shredded • ticipants who have vegetables in their diets without any coconut (unsweetened), coarsely adopted a healthy vegan problems. In fact, these diets are well chopped almonds, walnuts, maca- diet, and demonstrate how to known for relieving arthritis, skin and damia nuts, or whatever you fancy make easy and healthful recipes such fur problems, and obesity in dogs. 1½ cups almond, soy, or rice milk • as Mediterranean Salad with Bal- “However, pet owners thinking of 1⅓ cups raw agave • samic Syrup Vinaigrette. Classes putting their pet on a vegetable only Ener-G egg replacer equivalent to • have featured guest lecturers and diet should check with their vet. Cats four eggs chefs, including chef Robyn Webb cannot survive on a vegetarian diet and • 2 tsp vanilla will need specialist supplements, and and nutrition expert and author although dogs can survive, a sudden Mix together all dry ingredients in Brenda Davis, R.D. change in diet is likely to cause prob- a large bowl. Stir in carrots, apples, The classes air Thursdays at 8 lems. Animals are just like humans in and your favorite fancies. Combine p.m. EST and again on Satur- that they need a mixture of minerals milk, agave, Ener-G, and vanilla. days at 1 p.m. To watch and vitamins to keep them healthy, and Blend wet ingredients into dry, mixing previous classes or to cutting out whole food groups can se- until the flour is moist. Fill muffin receive e-mail up- riously damage their health.” cups full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15- dates and a weekly 20 minutes. Yields 24 muffins. reminder, please visit FoodForLifeTV.org.

the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 17 Book Reviews

lier books. All of the recipes are easy Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers with Sun- Vegan a Go-Go!: A Cook- to prepare with a minimum of ingre- flower Seed Risotto. book and Survival Manual dients and are guaranteed to deliver Now, with instruction from the energy, nutrition, and great flavor. The great chefs themselves, anyone can for Vegans on the Road rest of the book contains information by Sarah Kramer and advice pertinent to vegan travel- ers, from how to deconstruct a restau- rant menu to what food items are best 256 pages (paperback) suited to carry around in your luggage Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press or handbag. There’s even a section on (September 1, 2008) “How to Say ‘I Am Vegan’” in nu- ISBN-10: 1551522403 merous languages. ISBN-13: 978-1551522401 The book is also designed with the traveler in mind: it is small enough to slip into one’s pocket or purse, yet has a reinforced cover to ensure durability under the harshest conditions. Full of Sarah’s high- energy wit and verve, Vegan a Go-Go! makes life for vegan travelers a lot create a delicious vegan meal that is less stressful and a lot more fun. more appetizing than the standard steamed vegetables and pasta. Great Chefs Cook Vegan

by Linda Long The Ultimate Vegan Guide: Compassionate Living 272 pages Without Sacrifice Publisher: Gibbs Smith (August 11, 2008) by Erik Marcus ISBN-10: 142360153X Product Description ISBN-13: 978-1423601531 190 pages (paperback) Sarah Kramer is a vegan superstar; Publisher: CreateSpace she was named “The World’s Coolest From the Inside Flap (November 18, 2008) Vegan” by Herbivore Magazine, and Great Chefs Cook Vegan includes ISBN-10: 1440464987 her first three cookbooks have sold a recipes from 25 of the greatest chefs, ISBN-13: 978-1440464980 combined total of over two hundred including Thomas Keller, Jean- thousand copies. Vegan a Go-Go! rep- Georges Vongerichten, Daniel Bou- Product Description resents a change of pace for Sarah: it lud, Charlie Trotter, and many other YOU could be the world’s next vegan. is a cookbook and more for vegan James Beard Award-winning chefs. It’s easy if you know how, and this travelers, many of whom are daunted Each chef provides a delicious uniquely helpful book tells you every- by the idea of going on the road and three- or four-course vegan meal, thing you need to know. Every topic being able to locate and/or prepare the complete with beautiful photography related to vegan living is covered, in- kind of nutritious animal-free meals of mouthwatering dishes like Baby cluding cooking, nutrition, food shop- they enjoy at home. Beet Salad with Pistachio Vinaigrette ping, dining out, and much more. The new book includes 150 reci- and Chickpea Fritters, Sweet Pea You’ll get clear and straightforward pes, many of them new, and others Ravioli with Sauteed Pea Leaves, and that have been adapted from her ear- (continued on next page) Page 18 the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 (continued from previous page) not well utilized. Cow’s milk has diation breaks up disulfide bonds in 3 guidance from one of the world’s slightly less D than human milk, so in various molecules , probably includ- most respected vegan authors. Going the 30s the industry began adding er- ing IGF. Hence, when milk irradiation vegan is something you can easily gosterol, a fungus-derived D precur- stopped in the late 40s, the human 1 accomplish; let The Ultimate Vegan sor , to the product and then irradiat- intake of intact IGF went up, and as Guide show you the way. ing it with ultraviolet light (UV) in a males reached their cancer prone device invented by Professor Harry years 30 to 40 years later, the IGF Steenbock of the University of Wis- kicked in and prostate cancer rates consin. This produced active vitamin went through the roof. D, so the dairy industry got credit for That sex hormone-related cancers ending rickets, a widespread child- have at least something to do with hood bone deformity caused by D cow milk intake is supported by FAO/ deficiency even though adding D to WHO data showing that animal any other commonly used food would source calcium (dairy) intake corre- have done the job as well. lates linearly with prostate, breast, and However, irradiation was phased ovarian cancer rates as well. out during the late 1940s because it became less expensive to manufacture D in the lab and add it to the milk. Bibb notes that the end of the Steen- bock process appears to coincide with the start of an upward climb in the incidence of prostate and breast can- cer. Now IGF (Insulin-Like Growth Factor) is a hormone made of two strands of protein held together by disulfide bonds and existing in the Deadly Dairy milk of all mammals for the purpose of promoting infant growth. Cows Deception must go from a birth weight of 90 lbs to 490 lbs in 260 days, a five fold in- by Robert D. Bibb, M.D. crease. By contrast, a human infant experiences a ~ 2-1/2 fold increase in Publisher: Sheriar Press the same period. Ordinarily, proteins (2008) and peptides are broken down to ISBN: 978-0-615-24227-9 amino acids before absorption, but References: www.deadlydairydeception.com/ clearly IGF is absorbed intact by in- 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergos fants or it wouldn’t be there in the terol Review by William Harris, M.D. first place, so the question is whether 2. Nutr Cancer. 2004;48(1):22‑7. Robert Bibb is a dermatologist, it is also absorbed by milk drinking Milk consumption is a risk factor but this book is about the surge in adults. Bibb thinks that it is, and since for prostate cancer: meta‑analysis prostate cancer, which peaked in 1992 a number of studies show that human of case‑control studies. Qin LQ, at 240 per 100,000 males/year and serum IGF goes up after milk con- now runs around 190 among black Xu JY, Wang PY, Kaneko T, sumption, the next point of interest: Hoshi K, Sato A. men, which is about twice the rate IGF is also a powerful tumor pro- 3. Protein Sci. 2006 Feb;15(2): among white men. The rate was below moter. Not only does it induce rapid 343‑51. Photonic activation of 100 in 1975 and Bibb’s question is, growth of normal tissue but cancerous disulfide bridges achieves ori- what caused the increase? tissue as well2. ented protein immobilization on His answer is unique. The dairy Bibb’s thesis is that during the biosensor surfaces. Neves‑Pe- industry has always promoted milk as days of milk irradiation, not only was tersen MT, et. al a calcium source, but without the so- ergosterol activated to D, but the IGF called “vitamin D” (actually a hor- was inactivated. Ultraviolet (uv) ra- mone, not a vitamin), the calcium is the Island Vegetarian ◆ January-March 2009 Page 19 Six million sentient beings are killed for their meat every hour worldwide, not even counting sea animals. Meat consumption causes more suffering and death than any other human activity and is completely unnecessary. World Day for the Abolition of Meat, January 31st, is intended as a means of promoting the idea of abolishing the murder of animals for meat. Groups around the world are organizing conferences, demonstrations, and information booths to spread the idea that meat consumption is ethically unjustifiable and must be abolished. They will promote vegetarianism and veganism and call for an end to the practice of killing animals for food. It is important to question the murder of animals for meat so that society can no longer avoid a public de- bate on the legitimacy of this practice. www.nomoremeat.org

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