DoyCave.com

…where Doy occasionally writes.

Tag: Vegan

  • Living In The Meatrix

    The video above was made in 2003, and describes a frightening narrative that has been tossed about lightly, mainly because the science needed to confirm the hypotheses takes time.

    Fast forward 10 years (and right upon my return from vacation, no less), and this week we have yet another peer-reviewed study out of North Carolina, reinforcing the idea that keeping animals in tight confinement, routinely feeding them antibiotics (to keep them from dying in said confinement) and then slicing them up and selling them to you and me…AS FOOD…is a bad idea.

    Specifically a bad idea because on these farms they are breeding “superbugs,” or bacteria that resist antibiotics and are presently killing some 18,000 people per year and hospitalizing another 365,000 people per year. A 2011 study revealed that Multi-Drug Resistant Staph, or MDRSA is found in 1 out of 4 random meat samples tested.

    Let me reiterate this fact: these farms are BREEDING and GROWING bacteria that can kill you. It’s sometimes in the meat they sell. And they’re asking you to buy and eat it.

    This latest study involves the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA ST398, known as “Pig MRSA,” which was first spotted in the Netherlands in 2004, where it had infected both a farmer’s pigs as well as his young daughter. Since that time, it has spread throughout Europe, but in the U.S. had been limited mainly to Iowa. This study focused on the bug in hog-farm workers in eastern North Carolina, where it’s thriving just fine, thank you.

    The study compared workers from the industrial hog farm, where they routinely use antibiotics, with hog farm workers from antibiotic-free farms. Both groups carried staph and drug-resistant staph, which was expected. However, workers from the farms using antibiotics were many times more likely to carry the “Pig MRSA” strain, specifically linked to farm drug use.

    Here’s the numbers breakdown:

    • 41 out of 99 (41.4%) industrial hog farm workers and 42 out of 105 (40%) of the antibiotics-free farm workers carried staph bacteria in their nostrils.
    • Of the 41 industrial workers with staph, 13 of them carried “Pig MRSA” strain
    • Of the 42 antibiotic-free workers with staph, only ONE of them carried “Pig MRSA” strain

    What does this mean for you, my four faithful readers?

    This isn’t one of those preference kinds of things, really. In the end, if we’re being honest, giving money to this industry ensures the ongoing breeding of microscopic killers. You want a personal account? Here’s one, from a hog farm worker in North Carolina who passed MRSA on to her husband and daughter. 

    I think in the long run, this problem can be curtailed by awareness, but in the short term, I’m not so sure. Industrial pig farming, and all industrial farming for that matter is driven by one thing: profits. The ONLY way to stop this trend is with your dollars. If it’s within your means, I suggest finding local meat dealers that can ensure a better product. Or, if your grocer has access to local meats, shop there by all means.

    Resources:

  • What do the Amish have that I DON’T?!

    Amish Farmer
    Photo by Beechwood Photography

    Unsurprisingly (for those of you who know my story), I’ve been thinking about the link between nutrition and disease for awhile now.

    My change in nutrition has not only allowed me to lose 100 lbs., but it has also reduced my blood pressure (which has gone from an average 140/90 to 120/80, and often lower), it had reduced my cholesterol (with medication, it was around 220 and is now 85 TOTAL) and has reduced much of my anxiety, which I’ve previously managed on and off with medication as well.

    And though I won’t see the results for at least another year or so, I’m believing that this way of eating is repairing the damage caused by Coronary Artery Disease, a result of my previously unhealthy diet.

    So, you can imagine I was excited (and ultimately unsurprised) to find this article in the WV Oupost about the Amish, of all people.

    According to the article (and to the medical findings contained within), the Amish don’t get autism or the learning disabilities that continue to plague the rest of the U.S. Both are on the rise in America (1 case for every 100 children now), and scientists have speculated several causes, while in Amish communities, there have been three confirmed cases of autism. EVER.

    In addition, and what really excited me, is that these same Amish communities very rarely get any of the other diseases that are literally ripping through America’s population: diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

    Why?

    The article suggests it’s their diet and lifestyle that shields them from our maladies. Namely, that they aren’t exposed to ours.

    “Their diet consists of eating organic, fresh, locally-grown produce, and of course, they do not follow the established vaccination routines.”

    In addition, they don’t eat genetically modified foods (GMO’s), they don’t use our chemically-engineered medicines or our chemically-altered foods. And they’re healthier for it!

    Dr. T. Colin Campbell found the same types of results in his massive “China Study,” which studied an unprecedented number of villages and people, detailing their nutrition and disease. In those villages where residents ate more meat, fish, dairy and processed foods as part of their diet, the more cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The less meat, fish, dairy and processed foods, the less disease.

    I know this particular article is a bit preachy and gets downright “conspiracy theory” at times. I can’t really fault them for their frustrations. However, in spite of the slant, you should be asking yourself, “What do the Amish have that I don’t?”

    They have less hospital visits, for one thing.

  • 100 Pounds: Always Remember

    Me. 358 lbs. And feeling every painful pound of it.
    Me. 358 lbs. And feeling every painful pound of it.

    The photo at right was taken on June 6, 2010. I was 358 lbs. This morning, I weighed in at 258 lbs.

    An even HUNDRED! Will miracles never cease?

    Looking back, I don’t remember the details of those days as much as I remember how it felt.

    I remember distinctly how it felt to carry that gut around. It was a constant strain on my back and my knees. I remember how it felt to lean forward and tie my shoes, and the sharp pain I would experience as I did. How I would have to adjust my leg and lean more to the side just to reach my laces. It wasn’t long before I began wearing slip ons to avoid this pain.

    I remember the depression, brought on both because of my self-image and as the result of the horrible foods I was putting into my body. I remember the evenings — I hated them! — because they brought on the most uneasy feelings of dread, pains in my chest, labored breathing and blood pumping like sludge in my veins. I could feel it all.

    I remember the acid reflux and heartburn. Night after night it caused me stinging pain in my throat and chest. I would take antacids every night before bed, sometimes in the middle of the night and in the morning — all while sucking down countless liters of diet soda to wash everything down.

    My skin was red and pockmarked. My elbows rough, cracked and sometimes bleeding. My feet were swollen.

    It hurt to stand up, and I would find a place to sit as quickly as I could when visiting friends or going to church. I was winded after simple walks in the yard or down the street. My clothes always felt like they were tight and sticking to me in the most unflattering of ways.

    Me today. 258 lbs. Still have a ways to go before I hit my goal of 215.
    Me today. Still have a ways to go before I hit my goal of 215.

    I don’t remember a lot from then, but I’ll always remember how it felt. And because I remember how it felt, I will never return there.

    I still hate that it took SIX stents and an unfixable branch blockage to put me on the right path. Were I able to do it over again, I would certainly do things differently.

    But I guess that’s the value of reflection: ruminating on the past in such a way as to let it course-correct your future.

    I don’t know what you four faithful readers are going through in your fight against obesity and the pain that goes with it, but let me encourage you and leave you with a few things I’ve learned:

    • I am not more special or talented or motivated than you. You CAN lose the same amount of weight or more than I have. This is a fundamental belief, and you must understand this first. To quote Kung Fu Panda, “There is no secret ingredient.”
    • The way I eat is no longer about weight loss. It’s about healing my body from the awful effects of processed food. This is a huge shift in my thinking, and I think it will be the same for you.
    • Everyone has a breaking point: that point at which they finally concede to the problem and make a huge life change. I pray yours will come before emergency care is necessary, as it did for me.
    • Slow and steady wins the race. This is an annoying saying, but is also just as true as the color of the sky. You don’t need to lose more than a couple of pounds a week. This will not only help you lose weight in a more healthy way, but the slow pace will help you adjust your life over time to your new lifestyle.
    • Fad diets might work, but they aren’t good for you. Many of them shock your body into rapid weight loss and/or depend on processed foods and processed powders, laden with chemicals, carcinogens and neurotoxins, in order to lose the weight. A low carb diet can send you into ketoacidosis and kill you. Diet-branded frozen meals are loaded with sodium, MSG, and literally dozens of other ingredients you don’t want in your body.
    • Numerous studies are showing that a whole foods, plant-based diet is the best way to heal your body and exponentially improve your health, protecting you from cancer, heart disease and diabetes, which needlessly claim more and more American lives every year.

    Please don’t hear all of this as a statement of superiority. I’m no better than anybody. In fact, it took literally DOZENS of hospital visits and SIX stents to get me to really change my ways.

    My prayer — my reason for writing — is that it won’t take you nearly as long.

  • Snacks That Won’t Derail You

    You really shouldn’t eat while watching TV. This website says so.

    Even in the face of evidence, however profound, I’m an unabashed couch-snacker. This is not to say that I snack on couches (which are difficult to digest), but I snack when I’m on the couch, which is different. I eat in front of the TV OFTEN…and with lackadaisical intent.

    Unfortunately, snacking is one of those dangerous areas that can completely wreck your healthy lifestyle. If you aren’t prepared (which I’m sure I’ve mentioned before), you can end up on the wrong end of 10 pounds and progress.

    However, because of your faithfulness and loyalty, my four faithful readers, I will share with you some of my snack Kung Fu: snacks that take 10 minutes or less (hopefully less) to make, but stave off the need for something more destructive to my diet. I will leave it to you to determine the worthiness of my skills, grasshopper.

    Fruit. Duh.

    We keep fruit in the house as often as possible. Not only do I eat fruit as my breakfast when I’m in a rush, but it’s also great for a satisfying treat in-between meals.

    Dr. Esselstyn limits you to three pieces of fruit per day on his diet, and I find that’s plenty.

    I stick to apples, oranges, grapes and bananas for the most part, but I’ve been working on expanding my fruit horizons…which, of course, makes me a better person.

    Fruit Sandwich. Huh?

    One of my favorite snacks is also one of the simplest. It’s a simple fruit sandwich…but so much more.

    I toast two pieces of Ezekiel Bread and slice a banana into a couple of thick slices, laying them lengthwise on the bread…you know…for more coverage.

    Then, I take just a tablespoon (or two?) of pure maple syrup and pour it over the bananas.

    Finally, I sprinkle on a teaspoon or two of cinnamon.

    Close sandwich. Eat. It’s so delicious. I have it for breakfast sometimes, too.

    You don’t want to eat it everyday, mind you. Maple syrup isn’t exactly topping the great foods list, but it’s great to widen your snack choices during the week.

    Veggies and Dip. Also, kind of duh.

    Fruits and veggies make great snacks not only because they taste great, but the fiber and water content make them satisfying snacks, too. The dip is just bonus, really.

    I’ve shared my Black Bean “Hummus” recipe with all of you previously, but there are plenty of places to find great hummus or dip recipes.

    Engine 2 Diet, the diet created by Dr. Esselstyn’s son, Rip, has a recipe for a more traditional hummus, which could be a great dip for a range of veggies. And for those vegans who can have tahini and oil, you’ll find a lot of great hummus recipes on Chow, Food.com and more. Always check out Happy Herbivore’s recipes, too. Her food is so good!

    Dry Cereal

    If you’re a long-time vegan, you may have become accustomed to the taste of Almond Milk or one of the handful of other dairy substitutes. I have not warmed to Almond Milk as of yet, but have occasionally dabbled in Coconut Milk, which I’m slowly beginning to enjoy.

    Before I dabbled in non-dairy milk, however, I would find different cereals that were okay to eat (see Jane Esselstyn’s “Safe Food List” on the “My Journey” page), and just snack on it dry. It was definitely satisfying, and with the right cereal, strangely addictive. I had to restrain myself on occasion.

    Kashi has some great tasting cereals that are free from any Esselstyn Violations. Just make sure the cereal is free of oil, is made from whole wheat and grains, and doesn’t have many more than five or six ingredients all told (much more and you start getting into the highly processed foods, which are generally a no-no).

    Popcorn with Caveats.

    Air-popped popcorn (which I’ve mentioned before) can be a great snack for movie nights, when you’re craving the oil-popped, butter-laden original. Spray (read “mist”) your popcorn with water, lime juice or other fruit juice and sprinkle on your favorite complementary toppings.

    It’s a great way to take a normally bland snack and jazz it up.

    Were you four faithful readers patrons of a better site, you would presently find yourself heaving breathlessly from the awesomeness of what I just shared. As it is…you have me.

    I know these are not earth-shattering snacks, but I will say that it’s good to have a toolbox stocked with things that will serve you in the tough times. I can’t guarantee you’ll like all these snacks, but I can guarantee that the tough times are coming…and finding those tools is essential to stay on course.

    Please share your favorite snacks in the comments below. I’m always on the lookout for more ways to keep my couch-snacking at bay!

  • How to decrease your cancer risk right now

    hot dogs on grillIt’s scary time on Eating To Live…just in time for Memorial Day, even! I’m sure it won’t be this way often, so don’t assume I’ve gone dark or anything.

    Cancer is honestly one of those things you can’t talk about without a collective hush coming over the room. It’s a plague that’s taken too many of my friends and affected too many of my family. And it’s on the rise.

    WebMD reports worldwide cancer rates are going to jump more than 75% by 2030.  In the U.S. specifically, obesity related cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer are expected to rise, and the blame is increasingly falling on our diet.

    Our food, in many cases, is killing us, and a 2007 World Cancer Research Fund review of 7,000 clinical studies says it’s LITERALLY killing us.

    The review, which I’ve only read recently, thanks to Holly Lee’s nutrition blog, essentially says that processed meat should be stricken from your diet right now in order to reduce your cancer risk.

    In fact, the study reported that every 50 gram serving (roughly 1 hot dog) eaten per day increases colorectal cancer risk by 21 percent. Yes, you read that right. As a result, the study recommends people simply avoid processed meat.

    Why processed meats?

    The two big chemical offenders here are Sodium Nitrite and Monosodium glutamate (MSG). Sodium Nitrite is a color additive used to make meats look bright red and more fresh, and MSG adds an addictive savory flavor to make even long-packaged processed meats taste good.

    Both are horrible for you and are linked to both a sharp rise in colorectal cancer risk as well as neurological disorders, obesity and other serious health conditions.

    Still not convinced?

    A separate study, published in 2005 by Hawaii University, reports that eating processed meats increases pancreatic cancer risk by 67%. That makes you almost SEVEN TIMES more likely to get pancreatic cancer, which, if you didn’t know, has a five-year survival rate of less than 5%.

    I’m not a vegan evangelist by any means. I’m on my diet out of necessity. I’ve adopted this strict diet in order to fight the Coronary Artery Disease that would otherwise have surgeons sawing open my chest. I’m sure that a vegan diet can improve your health, but I know it’s not for everyone.

    I will, however, say this. If you’ve never had a doctor give you a bad prognosis, you won’t understand the regret and the self-hatred that comes when you realize your disease is something you could’ve easily prevented. I’ve been there, and it’s a bummer of a ride.

    Because I honestly care about you four faithful readers, I hope you never take it.

    Further reading:

  • From the Horse’s Mouth!

    If you’ve ready ANYTHING on this blog, you’ve heard me gush about Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.

    Just so you know, I’m not a stalker…though he hasn’t returned my five-hundred-and-eighth phone call and I’m starting to get twitchy. Anybody know where he lives?

    What were we talking about again?

    I’m a fan of Dr. Esselstyn because he’s honestly given me another option…something OTHER than bypass surgery or further stenting. One day, I hope to be free of the medications, too.

    I’m always encouraged when I hear him speak about his passion. With every appearance, I’m reminded of the growing research data he’s amassing with each new patient. With every appearance, another success story…another person given a new lease on life.

    This is a great condensed version of his research and results. I know that not all of you four faithful readers suffer from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) the way I do, but it’s good to be armed with information. The western diet is dangerous, and I hope this encourages you to leave it behind for good…for YOUR good.

  • A Cancer Cure You’ve Never Heard Of?

    2164797Just for the record, I wasn’t sold on plant-based nutrition from the outset.

    We briefly tried to go vegan early last year. It lasted a couple of weeks before we were back to grilled chicken and burgers.

    My entry into the Esselstyn diet has honestly been one of necessity. I’m going down this road because if it will indeed reverse my heart disease, I might just get to see my grandchildren one day.

    That said, however, I’m becoming more and more convinced of the value — dare I say necessity? — of plant-based nutrition in battling America’s most debilitating diseases. The modern American diet as we know it is a sure-shot killer, and more and more people are being taken from this earth by its slow and deadly precision.

    This weekend I saw the documentary, Dying to Have Known by filmmaker Steve Kroschel (presently available on Netflix instant streaming). In this film, he specifically focuses on Gerson Therapy, an intense regimen of plant-based nutrition that is purported to CURE cancer. You read that right, by the way. Cure. Cancer.

    In the film, Kroschel talks mostly with patients, all diagnosed with various forms of cancer, some given only months to live. In each case, they claim the cancer went into remission and hasn’t come back since.

    The science behind the therapy lies with Dr. Max Gerson, who wrote about his first successes with cancer in the 1958 book, A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases and the Cure of Advanced Cancer. The therapy aims to strengthen the liver, flooding the body with antioxidants and starving and dissolving the cancer cells.

    The therapy and the man behind it are genuinely interesting. Dr. Gerson went before the senate in in July 1946, bringing with him five cancer patients healed with his plant-based therapy. He was shot down by the medical establishment, received very little press coverage, and after his death in 1959, we’re still hearing very little.

    Unfortunately, however, Kroschel’s take on the subject isn’t very thorough. He often gets in the way of the storytelling, interjecting his own feelings, questions and reflections about the subject and avoiding some of its most basic facts. Other than knowing the source of the therapy and some of its success stories (in overview), I left wanting to know more about this therapy and what it’s about. My summary above is based on internet research, not what I learned in the film.

    In short, the film is more personal essay than journalism; more reflection than reporting.

    That said, however, I would still recommend seeing it. It’s important to hear stories from real people who have made changes in their lives for the better. In this case, the changes probably saved their lives outright.

    I take the time to write these articles for you, my four faithful readers, because I genuinely want you and your families to flourish on this earth, unhindered by the toxicity and disease that plagues the citizens of this country.

    Obesity is at an all-time high. For the first time in history, our children may live shorter lives than we live. Cancer is at an all-time high. Autism affects more children than ever. Obviously, something is wrong.

    I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I certainly can’t say that spinach will save our country or our lives.

    I can, however, say that it won’t hurt. And I can definitely say you’ll be healthier as a result. I’m living proof of that.

    Check out Dying to Have Known. It’s just over and hour and can move slowly at times, but the knowledge gained within is worth your time…and your health…and just might spark your interest in learning more.

  • A No-Fat Snack for Movie Night!

    I’m a movie junkie, and if you’re trying to eat right, you know what a horrible trap this can be.

    It’s difficult to think of relaxing on the couch, remote in hand, without pizza and popcorn and chocolate and butter and oil and fat, OH MY!

    Figuring out an appropriate snack for movie nights can be a chore, but not impossible. Here are a few suggestions I’ve enjoyed over the last few months.

    I’ve already filled you in on my new favorite vegan ice cream. I’m actually going to enjoy this rare delight tonight, along with a movie or several tv episodes…I can’t decide which. This stuff is amazingly good…so delicious, even. Hee hee.

    It’s hard to imagine movie night without popcorn, though. My problem, however, is that getting GOOD popcorn means I need to pop the corn in olive oil, drizzle it in butter, and then add my favorite seasoning.

    You guys see Dr. Esselstyn shaking his head behind me, right? I’m not seeing things? Mmkay.

    Because I can’t have oil, I’ve had to go the route of air-popped popcorn. This can be pretty good, but not only is the product a little chewier than the original, it’s tough to get it seasoned without the butter.

    Let me say here again, were this someone like the Happy Herbivore, you would be receiving life-altering information. However, my four faithful readers, you have me…so when you say, “I could’ve figured that out myself, genius,” you’re only hurting me on the inside. Boo boos of the heart, if you will.

    Anyway…the problem with air-popped corn is the lack of adhesion, obviously. So, the remedy is…you know…WET things. Get yourself a small spray bottle and add your favorite liquid. Be sure, however, to set the sprayer to MIST rather than STREAM. Drenched popcorn isn’t the most appetizing movie food. Spray lightly and sparingly!

    Sometimes I’ll just use water, which works as well as anything. However, if I want a Southwest flavored popcorn, I might use some lime juice and then season with Chili Powder and Cumin. If you’re looking for something sweet, try some Stevia drops in water and then season with Cinnamon. Feel free to experiment and share your combinations.

    Lastly, I’ve become a fan of the snack sandwich. These can take on various forms, but my favorite has been the banana sandwich…which probably doesn’t sound as good as it really is.

    I get two slices of my favorite sprouted grain bread (usually Ezekiel Bread or Spelt Bread), and toast them lightly. Then I take a banana and slice it length-wise, adding the slices to the bread. Then I sprinkle the banana with cinnamon and then sprinkle with a little Turbinado Sugar or a light drizzle of pure maple syrup. Just enough to add that sweetness.

    I know it doesn’t sound like much, all told, but these snacks have seen me through SEVERAL rough patches…times when I would’ve gladly raided a donut box or surrendered to a bag of Dorito’s. It’s always good to have a few standby snacks in your arsenal for the battles that will surely come.

    And if they make it easier to stomach Kristin Stewart’s performance in [fill in the blank], then isn’t it worth it? I should think so.

  • Why Spinach Will Save Your Life

    2407253After receiving the first two of my six cardiac stents, my doctor told me about the copious amounts of plaque in my arteries.

    “What can we do about that?” I asked.

    “Nothing,” he replied. “You’ll have that the rest of your life.”

    I’ll never forget how helpless I felt at that moment. It was truly debilitating, and made me deeply concerned for my future.

    It was a year or more after that incident that I saw Forks Over Knives for the first time. And in that film, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn called Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) a “toothless paper tiger,” saying we need not fear it as we have for years because spinach is a brutal, plaque-destroying ninja. Well…he didn’t say THAT, but you get the idea.

    I remember being impressed and enlightened, but I wasn’t ready to make the change yet. I didn’t think it was necessary at the time.

    Oh, if I could go back in time and punch myself in the face.

    Lee Fulkerson’s Forks Over Knives is simply THE best documentary on the benefits of a plant-based whole foods diet. The interviews are thorough (there’s even a separate documentary with extended interviews), the research is thorough, almost to the point of being overwhelming, and the experts are well-versed and have been studying in excess of 25 years on this topic. The information is relevant and engaging and can honestly change your life.

    Why should you not eat meat? Why should you not drink milk? Why is the standard American diet killing a greater number of Americans each year? All of these questions are thoroughly and scientifically answered in this documentary.

    The film focuses on the research of Dr. Esselstyn (mentioned ad nauseum ad infinitum on this site) and T. Colin Campbell, who was a part of The China Study, the largest and most comprehensive national health study ever devised. In the study, Campbell and Chinese researchers were able to see that in provinces where meat and dairy was more a part of the daily diet, there was also a higher rate of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mortality. It was the first time scientists were able to see such results on such a large scale.

    Campbell explains why the chemicals in meat (cholesterol) and dairy (casein) cause problems in the human body, and in what ways they can actually spur disease. Esselstyn’s research specifically focuses on a strict cardiac diet (which I’m now following) that allows the body to repair the lining of the arteries and allow plaque to be broken up and carried back to the liver. Both are very calculated and specific in their claims, and cite the data to back them up.

    In addition to the doctors (some six or seven respected doctors all told), the film interviews some of Esselstyn’s patients, some of whom were basically told to go home and wait to die because of their diagnoses. Their stories are inspirational and honest. They acknowledge the struggles and celebrate the victories, some of which come from their simply being alive.

    Fulkerson himself goes vegan during filming and gets some comparative numbers before and after the change. Even during his short experiment, his health improves enormously.

    I’m honestly at a loss to tell you how vital this documentary is to your way of thinking about health and nutrition. The information contained within is truly life-altering and I can’t recommend seeing it enough. I’ve seen it three times at least, and I find something new and refreshing every time. It reminds me why I’m on my journey and continues to give me hope that I’ll overcome this disease.

    I really hope it will do the same for you…all four of you faithful readers.

    Watch it for free on Hulu and on Netflix Instant Streaming.

  • 41 is lots of fun?

    Someone told me 41 is lots of fun.

    I said 41 is when your health’s undone.

    But I was probably just being pessimistic. You see, it was my birthday yesterday.

    This is one of those weeks where food and weight and health and everything just feels like drudgery. I would imagine all the pollen-related crud I’ve been experiencing the last two weeks would be to blame, but that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?

    However, in the midst of this drudgery, I discovered something that could potentially change my life (and waistline) forever!

    For us strict vegans, one of the things we tend to miss the most is dairy. Instead of cheese, we usually opt for Nutritional Yeast. Instead of milk, we opt for one of several different types of vegetable milk, or none at all in my case. Instead of ice cream, we usually opt for Sorbet…which is delicious, by the way!

    And then I found the So Delicious company.

    Whilst perusing the ice cream section, I found both a vanilla and chocolate ice cream with no dairy, no oil, no animal-derived chemicals. Nothing I couldn’t eat. JOY!

    I squealed a little as I put it in my cart.

    I have to say, though, the taste is even better. Because they’re made with coconut milk, they have just a slight coconut aftertaste that is SO good. I found some whole grain flax and bran flakes I was going to snack on, and ended up crumpling some of them over it.

    It was heaven, people. Sheer heaven.

    So, as far as birthdays go…this one really doesn’t rank at all. Work. Home. Grocery Store. Etc.

    However, I will cherish my birthday find! And pray for the strength not to overindulge!

    What’s your favorite vegan dessert?

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