Roger J. Wendell
Defending 3.8 Billion Years of Organic EvolutionSM
 Ecuadorian market |
Vegetarianism For the Earth!
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¡Soy un vegetariano! |
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"Today it is generally accepted that although the earliest humans probably ate some meat, it was unlikely to have played a major role in their diet. Plants would have been a much more important source of food. This is true of almost all the hunter-gatherer peoples whose way of life lasted into the last century." |
 Grapes for sale - Italy |
National Public Radio's Morning Edition 12-11-07: A new medical study links high consumption of red and processed meats to an increased risk of different forms of cancer. Health experts already knew red meat increased the risk of colon cancer. Now researchers have found an increased risk for a number of other cancers, as well.
"One positive development within modern society is the way in which, together with a growing appreciation of the importance of human rights, people are coming to have greater concern for animals. For example, there is growing recognition of the inhumanity of factory farming. It seems, too, that more and more people are taking an interest in vegetarianism and cutting down on their consumption of meat. I welcome this. My hope is that in the future, this concern will be extended to consideration for even the smallest creatures of the sea." |
 Vegetables for sale - Italy |
"Research clearly demonstrates that a long-term vegetarian diet is associated with markedly higher fasting plasma antioxidants, and lower levels of triglycerides, uric acid, and inflammatory markers. Long-term vegetarians have a better antioxidant status and coronary heart disease risk profile than do apparently healthy omnivores. Vegetarians generally also have lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and exhibit greater baroreflex sensitivity than omnivores. Further studies demonstrate that vegetarians generally have lower glucose, lower insulin, levels, and improved insulin sensitivity than do omnivores."
Volume 27, Number 3, 2007 pp. 5-6
Note: The Journal also stated, "However, strict vegetarians should be sure to eat foods fortified |
"People often say that humans have always eaten animals, as if this is a justification for continuing the practice. According to this logic, we should not try to prevent people from murdering other people, since this has also been done since the earliest times."
- Isaac Bashevis Singer
McDougall:
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"A Health-supporting diet contains no animal products." p. 38. "Plants do not make or contain cholesterol." p. 63. "All animal products, including meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fish, and shellfish, contain no fiber. All unprocessed plant foods are high in dietary fiber." p. 116. "No cholesterol is found in plants. Plant products, with the exception of coconut and chocolate, and a few vegetable-derived oils, will tend to lower your body stores of cholesterol and your risk of cholesterol-related diseases." p. 72.
"Our evolutionary history clearly shows that humans developed primarily as herbivores (plant eaters), not as carnivores (meat eaters)." p. 37 - John A. McDougall, M.D. & Mary A. McDougall in their book, The McDougall Plan |
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Fish is not health food! |
According to Doctor Neal Barnard, M.D., "Fish is not a health food by any stretch of the imagination. According to a study published in The New England Journal of medicine, people wo followed a diet emphasizing poultry and fish, called the National Cholesterol Education Program Step II Diet, found that their cholesterol levels changed very little.""Fish's selling point is omega-3 fatty acids. But the fact is, fish fat is a mixture of fats. Anywhere from 15% to 30% of the fat in fish is plain old saturated ('bad') fat. That's somewhat lower than in beef and chicken but far higher than in healtful vegetarian foods. And fish fat is everty bit as fattening as lard or chicken fat. People adding salmon to their diets in hopes of some vague benefit often find it hard to manage their weight, because of the load of fat they are eating. Fish flesh contain plenty of cholesterol too. Ounce for ounce, shrimp and other mobile shellfish have nearly twice the cholesterol of beef."
"Fish often carry contaminants from polluted waterways. About 40% of fish samples have so much bacterial contamination that they have already begun to spoil before they are sold. Fish are also often contaminated with PCBs, which have been linked to cancer and birth defects. Consumer Reports found PCBs in 43% of salmon, 50% of whitefish, and 25% of swordfish. The US Food and Drug Administration and the US Environmental Proteciton Agency warned pgregnant women, women who may become pregnant, breastfeeding women, and children to limit their soncumption of fatty fish because it contains mercury, which can also contribute to birth defects, kidney damage, impaired mental development, aned even cancer."
"So where will we get our omegas-3s? Vegetables, fruits, and beans don't contain much fat, but what fat they do have is relatively high in omega-3. A person aiming for a higher omega-3 intake, for whatever reason, will find it in ground flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts, soy products, and vegetarian omega-3 supplements, such as Sea Vegg."
If you really want to work on beating heart disease, forget the fish and try a vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans low in fats of any kind."
PETA's Animal Times, winter 2007, p. 21
A Restaurant Experience:
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Hey Roger,
I was just surfing the web and wanted to share my experience with you. I am a vegetarian, have been for many years, and recently, sort of unknowingly, I took a job at a restaurant that well, serves an awful lot of flesh foods. Like lots! Fried pork bellies, lamb shank, meatballs made from lamb, pork and beef. The whole thing was awful. I saw all these beautiful animals getting placed on the warmer waiting for the staff to put them on the tables... and I wound up walking out. I couldn't do it. As broke as I am, the whole thing was just so sad and disgusting. I am so many times in shock as to how people can be so cruel, so ignorant. I'm not sure if i made the right decision or not, goodness, i'm so broke, but i guess that in my heart i had faith, that when you stay true to yourself and do what you think is right, all will turn out right in the end. I think I wound up deciding that serving them, was almost as bad really, as eating them. Say a prayer for me. Love,
Theresa [I do believe Theresa did the right thing and I did say a prayer for her! - Roger] |
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Click Here for my guest book page and other reader comments... |
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Except for a couple of trips through Asia (in addition to eating some ants in Amazonia) I've done a pretty good job of avoiding the intake of animals since the early 80s. And, besides the obvious* health benefits, there are compelling economic, ethical, environmental, and moral reasons for you to become a vegetarian, or even vegan** as well: |
In addition to a bunch of us regular folks, people like Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, George Bernard Shaw, Leo Tolstoy, and Mahatma Gandhi were vegetarians. In recent times, people like Paul McCartney, Jane Goodall and Carl Sagan have been vegetarians.
- The way we humans treat animals, in general, is downright inhumane. Caging them, feeding them drugs, depriving them of their mates, community, offspring and natural way of life is wrong and we know better. And, of course, slaughtering innocent animals is so gruesome that no expense is barred in hiding it from the general public.
- Raising animals for meat consumption is energy and resource intensive - the world's hungry could be cared for on a vegetarian diet.
- Meat is expensive - this is because it takes a lot of water and energy to raise, transport, preserve, and serve it.
- Landscapes, lakes and ocean floors are decimated for the production of beef, fish and other animal products - The Fertile Crescent, ancient lands that now comprise present day Iran and Iraq, was turned to desert by cattle grazing.
- Landscapes, lakes and oceans are polluted with the concentrated effluent generated by the "factory farming" of hogs, poultry, fish and other animals.
So, what do you say, want to try vegetarianism on for size? It's not too tough and I'd be happy to answer what questions I can. Of course, your doctor knows best so check with him or her first...
- Roger J. Wendell
Golden, Colorado
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Click Here for my diet page... |
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Click Here for my page on food... |
Some Definitions:
 Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant - Denver, CO |
*In case you didn't know, meat (including fish) is low in fiber, high in cholesterol, high in fat and generally loaded with pesticides, chemicals and drugs. Meat products are responsible for increases in heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. I believe we're susceptible to these problems because our bodies were designed to thrive on a plant based diet. Our really long intestinal tract, best suited for the absorption of nutrients from plants, has difficulty in handling meat like the short intestinal tracts of carnivores. Further, our teeth and "claws" (fingernails) are best suited for a plant diet - hardly the instruments necessary for tearing and cutting flesh.
**Vegetarians don't eat meat while Vegans (Pronounced "Vee-Gun") don't eat anything of animal origin, including eggs, milk and cheese. |
Health A March 5th, 2000 Associated Press article reported that while 55 percent of the U.S. population is overweight (one in four adults are obese) 1.1 billion men, women, and children around the globe are underweight. The AP also reported that there are about 790 million people in poor countries chronically hungry, yet worldwide, in stark contrast, there are over a billion people overweight. I believe vegetarianism can help those who are overweight while at the same time freeing up resources to feed those who are in such desperate need...
Diet Ironically I, your humble webmaster, are one of those Americans who has struggled with weight control and diet for many years. Also, people have often asked me how I obtain enough protein on a vegetarian diet? Well, some vegetarians, like me, are fond of eating their weight in cheese. Others, even though living on a strictly plant-based diet, may be consuming too many nuts and other fatty foods while continuing to "maintain" a sedentary lifestyle. Well, on my diet page I have lots of information on protein, dieting, and other diet related issues - especially some great material from the author Monique N. Gilbert...
According to John A. McDougall, M.D., the following diseases are caused by the "RICH" Western Diet most of us are accustomed to: Allergies, Appendicitis, Arthritis, Arteriosclerosis, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Colitis, Constipation, Diabetes (Adult), Diarrhea, Diverticulosis, Gallstones (cholesterol), Gastritis, Hormone Imbalances, Hemorrhoids, Hiatus Hernia, Hypertension, Indigestion, Kidney Cancer, Kidney Failure, Kidney Stones, Malabsorption, Multiple Sclerosis, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Pancreas Cancer, Polyps, Prostate Cancer, Strokes, Testicle Cancer, Ulcers, Uterus Cancer.
Dr. McDougall states, on page 5 of his book, Twelve Days to Dynamic Health, that "Diet is a primary causative factor in all the above diseases and it is controllable. (Heredity is also a primary factor, but it is not under our control.)"
Some History
 Tomatoes for sale - Italy |
Back when I was in high school (and college) there were a variety of anthropological references to the
!Kung (Ju/'hoan) Bushamn of Africa. Being relatively uninfluenced by western culture, it was believed that
the Ju/'hoan were a good example of how most humans lived throughout our history. The July/August 1997 issue
of the National Wildlife Federation's International Wildlife publication (page 22) suggests that most Ju/'hoan ate little meat:
"Harvesting tubers and roots, the foundation of her diet, a Ju/'hoan woman plumbs the soil with a long stick. Meat, provided by male hunters, was a relatively small part of the traditional fare." |
Ital Food
(Pronunciation, rhymes with "Vital")
In the world of reggae music there's occasional mention of "Ital" - it's a word that's been translated from Jamaican patois slang as "pure" when used with food or cooking.Ital is organic, non-processed food from the Earth (usually vegetarian by most definitions) that is pure and beneficial by Rastafarian belief. The Ital style is mostly vegan (using honey as an optional sweetener at times) and avoids processed items like table salt, tobacco, drugs, milk, animal flesh, and other "modern" foods most of us are accustomed to.
Ital dishes often contain a variety of herbs and spices as well as many fruits and vegetables. The Rastafarian way of life, in general, seeks harmony with the natural world that embraces community and simplicity.
Water
In late 2001 I heard a radio broadcast by John Robbins (Of Baskin-Robbins ice cream fame) talking about how much water it takes to grow a pound of various food types. Although I was in my car, I was able to scribble down a few notes on what he said:23 gallons of water per pound of lettuce
49 gallons of water per pound of apples
70 gallons of water per pound of grapes
5,214 gallons of water per pound of beef
He added that gallon containers holding all the water needed for a pound of beef could be stacked a mile high!
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Did you know? |
In the year 2000, 9,713 million (9.713 Billion) animals were killed for food in the United States.
Source: United Poultry Concerns, Inc.260 Million acres of United States forest have been cleared to create cropland to produce a meat-centered diet.
Source: John Robbins, Diet for a New America.
Vegetarian Quotes:
 Fruit for sale - northern Italy |
"We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."
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Pneumatic Diner
Reno, Nevada
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Their menu says:
Real Food
All together in a practical
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 Main entrance |
 Toby Riley is the owner! |
 What to order? |
 Tami and the waitress... |
 Food preparation |
 Salad & Klingon Blood Wine |
 Lunch plates |
 Vegan Minty Choc. Cake |
 Looking in |
 PD Stairwell |
Other Vegetarian Restaurants:
In the early 80s, when I began my vegetarianism, "restauranting" was a bit of chore as not only were there few non-meat selections, but even the "vegetarian" stuff (like soups, rice, lo mein, salads, etc.) had various pieces of meat or beef and chicken stock mixed in. Nowadays most restaurant owners are vegetarian savvy and know that most folks don't want gelatins, bonita flakes (flakes shaved from dried bonita fish!), or lard secretly mixed into their meals. Of course there are still places like Panda Express (chicken broth mania), McDonalds ("beefy" french-fries), and other outlets that feel it important to add a very real meat flavor to your favorite vegetarian dish!Well, I don't want any kind of meat, meat flavor, or meat byproducts (gelatin or lard) dumped into my restaurant meal and am glad to endorse restaurants where I've experienced, firsthand, a completely meat-free meal. So, here's my list although it's a work in progress as time and memory permit:
- Govindas - Tami and I love the one in Denver (14th and Cherry) and have seen 'em in other states and countries as well (Dublin, Ireland for example!). They never, ever serve any meat but are very fond of ghee, a clarified Indian (from India) butter that doesn't have any solid milk particles or water.
- Pneumatic Diner - Reno, Nevada. I've traveled through Reno, a lot, and have had a number of great meals at the Pneumatic Diner (located at 501 West First Street at the time of this entry in December, 2006). There's no meat in the place plus they have a great Vegan selection in addition to all of their vegetarian fare. They even gave me a souvenir sample of their 11-01-2002 menu (Version TM-3) that proudly states, "Real Food, Real Beer, Real Coffee - All together in a practical NITROGEN-OXYGEN based atmosphere" - I always stop in whenever I'm in Reno, that's for sure!! (see above for some photos I've taken at the PD...)
- Boulder, Colorado is one of my favorite cities on the planet and deserves a category of vegetarian restaurants all its own! Not only did I work in Boulder, for over 15 years, but I've played, protested and passed through there ever since the early 1970s. Like any other city, Boulder has restaurants that come and go. But, unlike other cities, nearly all of Boulder's restaurants offer extensive vegetarian fare. Here are a few that I've experienced firsthand that were still in business at the time of this entry in '06 (and subsequent updates after that...);
- Boulder Co-op Market Cafe - 1904 Pearl Street. An excellent place to have lunch and buy groceries at the same time!
- Falafel King - 1314 Pearl Street. Although they serve big hunks of meat their vegetarian stuff is fantastic!
- Kathmandu Restaurant - 110 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland (okay, a bit west of Boulder but still in the same county!). They serve all kinds of Nepali and Inidan cuisine and are very understanding if you tell 'em to leave off the meat!
- Khow Thai - 1600 Broadway.
- Moe's Broadway Bagel - 2650 Broadway. I've eaten a "ton" of their bagels over the years!
- Mustard's Last Stand - 1719 Broadway. Although they serve a lot of traditional hotdogs their vegetarian dogs and vegetarian chili are fantastic! Tami loves it there, too, so you know it's gotta be good (She says when a vegetarian is craving a "dog" Mustard's is the place to go!)
- V.G. Burgers - 3267 28th Street. I'd been out-of-town for about four months and didn't discover this place until March 23, 2007 - about four months after it had opened... Anyway, they advertise "Organic Food Fast" and have a menu that's completely vegan! I enjoyed a vegan burger and vegan hot dot, all served in recyclable packaging with a drink cup made of cornstarch for your compost pit - these guys are on to something! Click Here for their website and nutritional information...
- Watercourse - 17th & Emerson (new location as of December 2006). Excellent vegetarian selection with a veggie Reuben sandwich that can't be beat!
- Sweet Tomatoes - numerous locations. Clearly marked vegetarian items.
- Souper Salad - numerous locations. Clearly marked vegetarian items.
- Frontroom Pizza - 13795 W Jewell Ave on Green Mountain. We love them so much that we celebrated Tami's graduation there with her 30 closest friends! Whether or not you're a vegetarian (and I hope you are!) their pizza really is the best - and I'm not just saying that as friends and family ask us to join them there all the time!
- Woody Creek Tavern - Hunter S. Thompson's old haunt, WCT, offers great Vegan and Vegetarian options albeit very expensive (like everything else in Pitkin County). In July '07 I enjoyed a large portion of their Vegan tacos. Again, expensive (I believe it was $14 but don't recall for sure now...) but there was more than one person could eat and it was very good!
Apologies! - Okay, I didn't start this restaurant list until I was 51 years old and my memory was going bad. I've eaten at dozens and dozens of vegetarian restaurants, all around the world, but simply can't recall 'em all! So, if you're a vegetarian restaurant owner and I haven't mentioned your establishment it may be because I haven't eaten there or I just couldn't remember it at the time of this entry - sorry!
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Meat always seems to be in the news! |
Kroger Expands Ground Beef Recall to 20 States
FoxNews.com - Wednesday, July 02, 2008
"Kroger's recall stems from meat obtained from one of Kroger's suppliers, Nebraska Beef Ltd., that has been linked to illnesses reported in Michigan and Ohio between May 31 and June 8 caused by E. coli bacteria."Note: The portions in bold are your humble webmaster's emphasis to help foster public safety!"Nebraska Beef has recalled from wholesalers and other processing companies nearly 532,000 pounds of ground beef produced on five dates between May 16 and June 24."
"Kroger said Wednesday that as a precaution it removed from stores all ground beef supplied by Nebraska Beef marked with sell by dates of May 21 or later."
"Ground beef in stores today comes from other suppliers not involved in the recall," Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said Wednesday."
"The Cincinnati-based company initiated a recall June 25 for Kroger stores in Michigan and in central and northern Ohio. The expanded recall includes ground beef sold at Fred Meyer, QFC, Ralphs, Smith's, Baker's, King Soopers, City Markets, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott's with overlapping sell-by dates from mid-May through mid-July."
"In some stores, the recall includes products in Styrofoam tray packages wrapped in clear cellophane or purchased from an in-store service counter. It does not include ground beef sold in 1-, 3-, or 5-pound sealed tubes or frozen ground beef patties sold in the frozen food section of its stores.
"Kroger is notifying customers about the expanded recall by placing signs in stores in meat departments. It also is using its register receipt notification system."
"Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. It can potentially be deadly, but most people recover within five to seven days."
"Health officials urge people to thoroughly cook hamburger and, if possible, use a digital thermometer to make sure meat has been heated to at least 160 degrees."
"They also recommend that people wash their hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food."
Articles:
Vegetarian Links:
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One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it. - Anthropologist Margaret Mead |
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