Tag Archives: loving animals

On Humane Eating

A few weeks ago I began what I have been calling “the vegan challenge.” A lifelong animal lover, I’ve always been disturbed by the inconsistency of loving animals and yet eating meat, so I have done a few stints as vegetarian, pescatarian, and flexatarian, but I had never gone all-out vegan. I decided to try it. I read a few books, most notably The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone, and Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Furman. I recommend both without hesitation. I was surprised by Silverstone; she proved thoughtful and fun to read. Fuhrman is practical and backed by empirical evidence. The two validated my beliefs and gave me good information so I decided to give it a go. It proved easier than I expected it to be, and I was in for a few surprises along the way.

The only major challenge I faced, along with its accompanying concession, was eating out. I live in Belgium. Europe is not California, where vegans abound and Earthfare and other vegan friendly stores and restaurants are plentiful. The contrary is true; ask for vegan food and people look at you like you have two heads. On the other hand, ask for vegetarian, and they will give you the meal of your life. Tons of roasted veggies, a starch and…*sigh*…some sort of cream sauce; so au revoir, veganism. I conceded almost immediately: when eating out, you may have to eat a dairy product. And so I did, from early on, eat dairy perhaps once a week.

When eating at home, I had no problem. I didn’t miss dairy most of the time. I had thought I would miss eggs, and at first, I did, but I quickly learned that I don’t need them at all. Recently someone offered me some organic farm eggs, and I took them, thinking I would enjoy a frittata or some spaghetti with eggs, a former favorite. I learned, however, that after six weeks without eggs, I don’t really like them anymore. Good news for me since I have cholesterol issues. And I have learned to prepare some wonderful dishes that more than make up for eggs and cheese.

Ratatouille is my new go-to dinner. I make it on Sunday maybe once a month and eat some for lunch or dinner for three or four days. Eggplant, zucchini, onion, and whatever else I have, plus brown rice or my new favorite grain, quinoa. Quinoa is without doubt the best “grain” ever. It isn’t really a grain but rather a seed, and packs a higher protein punch than any other similar item. Quinoa has become a new staple for this starch-lover. Whole grain pasta with loads of spinach, basil and olive oil is a lovely meal. Roasted vegetables with olive oil are a favorite; frozen green beans, fresh eggplant, onion, zucchini, and whatever else I have are all delicious roasted. Any kind of dark green plant is very good for you, and very filling, so I try to use a lot of dark green vegetables.

Fuhrman recommends a pound of spinach or other dark green leafy vegetable a day: a POUND! That is so hard to do, but I have begun eating loads of spinach. My favorite breakfast either fruit or a smoothie. A bag of frozen fruit, about two large handfuls of raw spinach, half a cup of juice and some flaxseed — throw it in the blender and yum-yum-YUMMY! The spinach is tasteless but gives the smoothie a satisfying crunch. If I’m short on time, a half a bag of fruit, the same two handfuls of spinach, a tablespoon of almond slivers and some flaxseed equals delicious satiety until lunchtime. These are the two best choices for breakfast I’ve ever made in terms of feeling full and satisfied.

Lest you think this journey has been easy, I have missed one thing quite a lot: sour cream. It’s the only dairy product that I would love to have, especially when I eat one of my staples, something I call nacho salad. All canned products: black beans, refried beans, pintos, green chiles, and rotel, along with cumin and chili powder. Simmer a half hour or so then serve over tortilla chips and salad, along with sour cream to top. I’ve continued to eat this dish, but I have really missed the sour cream. Soy sour cream is hard to find here; perhaps you can find it but I haven’t yet. I hear you can make a good substitute using raw cashews, but I’m not that ambitious in the kitchen. So I’ve done without up to now but I tried a soy cream product and it’s a decent substitute. And about the tortilla chips: be careful, they are rarely vegan. Read the labels!

Speaking of reading labels…this fascinating pastime has become my new hobby. Well, not really, but in the grocery store I do wear my reading glasses now. You’d be surprised at the things that contain milk products. Like “veggie” cheese. Good grief. If I wanted milk products in my cheese, I’d buy CHEESE.

One final piece of good news: I’ve lost five pounds without even trying. It’s pretty easy when you’re eating so much green stuff. On the other hand, if I give up wine, I’ll lose five more, at least. So that will be the next challenge! Stay tuned!

And a post-script:
The above was written several months ago, and I’m no longer strictly vegan. I’ve added back in farm butter, an occasional egg, and farm or abbey cheeses. I’ve also eaten two tuna baguettes in the past couple months because I was totally craving one at the time, and when I was home in coastal NC, I ate calabash seafood. Twice. Or maybe three times. I’m not even a great vegetarian, much less vegan! 

In any event, I am continuing on the journey of more humane eating and while being 100 percent vegan would be the ideal, I’m not there at this moment. Nevertheless, this journey is one worth taking, and one I feel good about. Take a step or two toward a more plant-based diet. Save the planet and save your life. And the lives of a few of God’s furry creatures along the way.

Final Installment in: Ferals and Fosters

“Where are the boys?” I asked, when I could only see Pepper sitting on top of a box.

“I don’t know,” answered Jay. We started searching the room, and Jay noticed a hole in a box underneath another box. We moved the box on top and opened the other one, and there were Sampson and Stormy, snuggled up together. “Oh, dear,” I said, as Jay picked Stormy up. I gathered Sampson up and he stiffened but didn’t resist. I put him in the carrier and zipped it up. I wished them luck and headed home with my little ‘fraidy cat.

Sampson remained in his little circle bed inside the wire kennel for the first half day. Then he ventured out to eat. Later that evening, to my surprise, I heard him meowing. I had never heard him vocalize at all before! I went up and walked into the room. For the first time in his little life, he didn’t run from a human. In fact, he didn’t seem at all afraid. He was cautious, and he was curious. And lonely. This was the first time in his short, four or five months of life that he’d ever been alone. He finally didn’t have his brother and sister to lean on, and he didn’t like it. He didn’t want to be held but he sure wanted me near. So much so, in fact, that he actually approached me! This, too, was a first. Now he wanted me around, let me pick him up without fear, and snuggled up as I petted him. I hung out with him for a while and he finally began to play with me as I dangled a feather that was attached to a plastic stick.

That evening, when I went to bed, I heard him meowing again, all alone in his room. He was very insistent and loud. I hardened my heart, knowing I mustn’t teach him that meowing loudly was the way to get his needs met. Soon it became quiet.

By the next afternoon, Sampson was a different cat.  He wanted to be held and touched; he meowed for attention, and snuggled up against me when I held him. He called for me when I wasn’t in the room with him, and he wanted to come out and be with me and the other cats, which I tried to do, but he was overwhelmed by them, and they were afraid of him (as I expected) so I continued to keep them separate. He loved my company, though, and he wanted to play and be touched all the time. He became such a little lover-boy that I neglected my own furbabies a little so I could be with him over the next days. I was quickly falling in love with this little guy.

On my lap: finally comfortable with human contact.

On my lap: finally comfortable with human contact.

Well, I knew I was in danger of ending up with FOUR cats instead of the three I had, so I put an ad on our local community’s facebook page. Within two days, a lady contacted me and asked about him. They had recently lost their beloved black cat and their other cat was lonely; they wanted to have a companion for her, as well as for them. We talked for a few days then arranged for her and her husband to come and meet him.

They arrived earlier than planned, but no matter. I brought Sampson down to see them and he stiffened up immediately, as I was sure he would. The wife and I chatted and then I held him out to her and said, “Would you like to hold him?” and she eagerly took him from me. He was clearly uncomfortable but he watched me for clues. When he saw I was calm, he consented and finally relaxed a little. She unhesitatingly fell under his spell and it was clear she wanted him. The husband watched Sampson, whose fear was unmistakable. “Do you think he’ll relax with us and our other cat?” he asked me. I could only be truthful. “I don’t really know,” I said, “I would expect he will, but it might take time. And if it doesn’t look like it’s going to work out for any reason, just let me know and I’ll take him back.” They exchanged a look and she said, “We want him.” So I gathered his belongings and bit back tears, and I let them take my little sweetheart out the door. And then I cried like a child.

Over the course of the next few days, I learned that the other two kitties were doing great. Without Sampson’s negative influence, they were coming out and socializing with the family, finding favorite hangouts in the house, and generally becoming normal house cats. And Sampson? Well, he quickly adjusted to his new home and family, even snuggling under the covers with them at night! My darling little fellow loves to watch his new daddy play xBox and climb the enormous cat tree they have. And sleep in his new mommy’s arms. Getting updates from both the adoptive families makes me indescribably happy.

I have discovered that I’ve never done anything as rewarding as this. As much trouble as they were, as many loads of laundry and and as much money as I spent, the happiness I feel knowing they are loved and learning to love is beyond mere words. I possess a very clear understanding of  how much BETTER their lives are now than if I’d not gotten involved. If my friend and I had not let our feelings turn into action, these little guys would be cold, hungry and afraid. And the little girl would undoubtedly be pregnant by now, about to give birth to more hungry, cold, frightened kittens. We stopped that cycle, at least for them.

Let’s not let ourselves think that we can do nothing, or that we can’t do enough. Every time we say, “the problem is too great,” or “I can’t handle the pain,” remember the difference two women made in the lives of three feral kittens. This won’t be the last time I cry for the voiceless ones, and it won’t be the last time I act on their behalf. And I’m sure it won’t be the last time I fall in love with a formerly feral foster feline!

Reaching up for a kiss on the head

Reaching up for a kiss on the head