Oprah’s Vegan Challenge
2 02 2011On a daily basis I am faced with all kinds of comments about how “radical” my diet/lifestyle choice seems. It really isn’t, at least I don’t see it that way. So look… if Oprah can influence 378 or so members of her staff to go completely vegan for a week (including herself), I’m pretty sure you can too. I’m just happy momma O has devoted an entire episode to talking about veganism. To me, this is monumental. If Oprah is talking about veganism to ALL of America it therefore can’t be that “crazy”. Here’s a chunk of the show that aired Feb 1, 2011.
So it’s been just about a month of my new updated version of my diet. I haven’t had any white bread! But I do know some other refined sugar has snuck in, in small small amounts. I had some vegan chocolate chips that I was NOT about to throw out! (I’ll post those baked goods another day) No alcohol and no coffee. Not NO caffeine, I’ve had maybe 3 black types of tea. But that’s a HUGE step. I feel better. But I’m still working on it. I still haven’t kicked the movie popcorn!!
I made a Barley Risotto recently that was really good. I actually prefer it to using Arborio Rice which is a white starch. Barley is a whole grain and good for the immune system. I just cooked it slowly, the same way as a risotto, and added hot water and stock in small amounts stirring constantly until absorbed and the barley looked creamy. I added sauteed mushrooms and peas to the mix as well, AND lots of black pepper. Delicioso!
Its great that Oprah brought veganism into the spotlight to people that perhaps had never heard of it. But what’s not so great is how veganism was portrayed as just a way to clean your bowels, and that Oprah had a personal chef and spiritual mentors to help her through this tough week. Being vegan is not a fad diet, its a way of living! Its also really easy and can be done without personal chefs and spiritual mentors.
On a different note, I feel your pain too. My stomach is so sensitive which is unfortunate because I love to eat! I’ve noticed that since cutting out gluten, meat, high sugar and dairy that I no longer have stomach aches that keep me on the couch for the rest of the night. But I’m still working on finding out the other culprits that make me feel just bloated and gross. I’ve picked up The Kind Diet a few times in stores but have yet to buy it. Are a lot of the recipes good?
Stef
I agree with you on the way veganism was portrayed on Oprah, not to mention the stroking of the ego to Cargill BUT I feel like even if it compells some people to try it even as a fad diet, they’re still doing the planet some good. And if what’s starts as a fad or fleeting moment for some might still change them entirely. You can’t deny how good you feel once you cut out the crap.
THe recipes in The Kind Diet are good. There’s a lot of variety. But you can also go to the website and find some of them too!
Yeah, perhaps they will spark some inspiration in people and they will stick to it. My mom bought a Vegnews magazine on her own last week and made several vegan recipes from it. I was so proud! haha
I’ll have to check some of the recipes out on her site, I looked through it once and the vegan nacho layered thing looked sooo good. Thanks for the heads up!