PAGE 1 VeGeTaRIan aDVOCaTe Volume XXIII, Number 1 February 2012-April 2012 Rochester, NY USA LESS MEAT EATING June 2011, a survey found that 50 percent of A VEGETARIAN DIET American adults were aware of the Meatless What is it, and Why? In a blog for the New York Times enti- Monday campaign, with 27 percent of those who were aware reporting that they were If you are not a vegetarian or a member tled “Why Are We Eating Less Meat?” (1/11/12) Mark Bittman writes that actively reducing their meat consumption. of RAVS, this column is for you. Here are Bittman reports that on his speaking tours, some of the basics. the average American eats one-half pound of meat a day. “But that‟s changing, and consid- when he asks his audience members how What is a vegetarian? A vegetarian, ering the fairly steady climb in meat con- many have reduced their meat consumption traditionally, is someone who eats no flesh sumption over the last half-century, you in the last 10 years, about two-thirds raise foods: no meat, poultry or fish. A vegan is a might say the numbers are plummeting. The their hands. He concludes that we are still vegetarian who goes further and eats no ani- department of agriculture projects that our eating too much meat, and only the industry mal products: no eggs or dairy products. meat and poultry consumption will fall again could get upset about a 12% decline over 5 Why do people choose to eat this way? this year, to about 12.2 percent less in 2012 years. Bittman‟s final words: “The rest of us Every vegetarian has a story to tell, but basi- than it was in 2007. Beef consumption has should celebrate. Rice and beans, anyone?” cally the reasons to avoid animal foods are been in decline for about 20 years; the drop these: for your health, for the animals, and in chicken is even more dramatic, over the MORE VEGAN EATING for the planet. Every day there are new find- last five years or so; pork also has been A new interactive Harris Poll was com- ings that a plant-based diet is best for health. steadily slipping for about five years. Holy missioned by the Vegetarian Research The standard American diet (SAD), which cow. What‟s up?” Group (vrg.org) and conducted from March Bittman looks at an item in the Daily revolves around meat and animal products, 30 to April 3 of 2011. VRG had conducted a Livestock Report in December 2011 that results in poor health for people, suffering previous poll in 2009, and while it is difficult blamed the decline in meat-eating on, among for animals, waste of resources, and devasta- to compare the two polls due to differing other things, a “war on meat.”: “It blames the tion for the environment. But changing your methodologies, the data appear to show that decline on growing exports, which make less diet can be hard and people who want to vegan eating has doubled since 2009, with meat available for Americans to buy. It change often need help. 2% of adult men and 3% of adult women blames it on ethanol, which has caused feed If you want to move in the right direc- identifying themselves as vegan. Equally costs to rise, production to drop and prices to tion, the Rochester Area Vegetarian Society encouraging is the rise in across-the-board go up so producers can cover their increasing (RAVS) can help you. We are here to provide interest in vegetarian meals even in those costs. It blames drought. It doesn‟t blame information and support. You do not need to who do not identify themselves as vegetari- recession, which is surprising, because that‟s ans or vegans. The poll shows that 30% to be a vegetarian to give us a call, to attend our a factor also. All of which makes some sense. 40% of Americans are “very interested” in meetings, or to join our group. You do not The report then goes on to blame the federal vegetarian meals, and about 33% are eating need to be a member to attend our meetings; government for „wag[ing] war on meat pro- vegetarian meals a significant amount of the guests are always welcome, and you don‟t tein consumption‟ over the last 30-40 years.” time. VRG attributes the rise in interest in need to reserve beforehand. You only need to Bittman goes on to say; “Is this like the war vegetarian meals to programs like Meatless follow our “vegan rule” for the dinner meet- on drugs? The war in Afghanistan? The war Mondays, Tofurky Tuesdays and other pro- ings (see box on p. 2 for full explanation), and against cancer? Because what I see here is: a grams to encourage the consumption of less there is a $3 guest fee for non-members. If you history of subsidies for the corn and soy meat, and VRG encourages food providers want to participate, give us a call at (585) 234- that‟s fed to livestock; a nearly free pass on everywhere to satisfy the growing demand 8750, or come to a meeting. You will find us environmental degradation and animal abuse; for vegan food, as well as for foods that are an unwillingness to meaningfully limit the helpful and welcoming. locally grown and organic. use of antibiotics in animal feed; a failure to curb the stifling power that corporate meat- IN THIS ISSUE packers wield over smaller ranchers; and THE GREAT AMERICAN MEATOUT! what amounts to a refusal — despite the ad- RAVS Update p. 3 vice of real, disinterested experts, true scien- If you are not already a full-time vegan, In the News p. 4 tists in fact — to unequivocally tell American try it for one day on March 20, the first day consumers that they should be eating less Vegan Substitutes pp. 5-6 of spring, a good day for fresh starts. The meat.” Great American Meatout is sponsored by the Film Series p. 7 Bittman says that, contrary to the self- Farm Animal Rights Movement; visit Calendar p. 8 serving livestock report, Americans are eat- farmusa.org and meatout.org. ing less meat because they simply want to. In PAGE 2 ROCHESTER AREA VEGETARIAN SOCIETY RAVS RULES FOR SHARE-A-DISH MEALS Coordinators: All dishes must be completely vegan. They may not contain any meat, poultry, fish Ted D. Barnett, M.D. eggs, dairy products or honey. This rule guarantees that everyone can eat everything Carol H. Barnett, Ph.D., J.D. (allergies and preferences aside). Board of Directors: Please watch out for gelatin (a meat by-product) and hidden milk products, such as whey Shelley Adams Leena Isac in cookies, crackers, bread and margarine and casein or caseinate in “non-dairy” soy cheese, Carol H. Barnett Ken McBride coffee creamer and whipped topping. Also be alert for eggs in baked goods, mayonnaise and Ted. D. Barnett Daryl Odhner salad dressings, and honey in breads, pastries and preserves. Bud Burdick Ted Potter Please prepare a 4x6 card with your name, the name of the dish and a list of all ingredi- Ellie Cherin Barbara Savedoff ents. Write the recipe on the back of the card and indicate where the recipe came from or if it Nancy Hallowell Bob Zimmermann was original. Prepare enough to serve a crowd. Please bring your own table setting as well as a serving utensil. If you don‟t feel like cooking, you may bring fruit, cider, tortilla chips and Vegetarian Advocate Staff: salsa, green salad, fruit salad, etc. Non-members, in addition to bringing vegan food, must Editors: pay a $3 guest fee, which is applied to membership dues if you join that day. Carol and Ted Barnett Contributors: Voracious Vegan Shelley Adams IF YOU ARE NEW TO RAVS Vegetarian Resource Group Poetry Bruce Ross, Ph.D. P.O. Box 1463 Design Bern Berg You don’t need to be a vegetarian, or Baltimore, MD 21203 a member of RAVS, to attend one of our Tel: (410) 366-VEGE RAVS Staff: events. All we ask is that you bring vegan Fax: (410) 366-8804 Treasurer: Ken McBride food to our dinner meetings. You don‟t E-mail: [email protected] Website: Bob Zimmermann need to inform us beforehand that you will Website: www.vrg.org Ted Potter be attending. The box above, and the calen- Membership (annual): $20 Library: Leena Isac dar and directions on the back page of the Publication: Vegetarian Journal newsletter, tell you what you need to know Cooking Instruction: Wendy Gilmore (quarterly) in order to attend. Call 234-8750 if you The Rochester Area Vegetarian Society is a have further questions. These are both excellent groups, and non-profit, tax-exempt, non-sectarian, all-volunteer both have mail-order bookshops which are educational organization dedicated to promoting the MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS joy, compassion and life enhancing possibilities of a included in the publication they will send vegetarian lifestyle. We are an educational resource Membership in RAVS entitles you to you when you join. for those interested in any aspect of vegetarianism. Another not-so-tangible benefit of your We provide support to our members through social receive the Vegetarian Advocate (published four times a year) and any other mailings, membership is to others, namely, the people events that include monthly gatherings with a shared we reach through our community education meal and programs on topics important to our mem- usually notices of upcoming events. It also bers. Membership in RAVS is open to all vegetarians, entitles you to free admission to monthly efforts, which are funded by your dues.