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CHAPTER ONE: BEFORE WE VEGAN

What Veganism Is, and What This Book Is Not

vegan:

a person who does not consume, use or eat any animal products; a supporter of veganism

veganism:

the practice of eating neither meat nor other animal products, such as fish, milk and milk products, eggs, and honey; a way of life which strictly avoids use of any kind of animal products and services that are based on exploitation of animals (Source: http://en.wiktionary.org)

Christina-Marie’s goal in collaborating with William on this cookbook is to create a simple, realistic tool for busy parents, those new to a vegan diet, people with egg or dairy allergies, folks watching their cholesterol, and traditional foodies who would consider a vegan diet if only it weren’t so intimidating.

The first vegan cookbooks Christina-Marie purchased were filled with bizarre-sounding ingredients like xanthan gum, agar agar, agave nectar, and other things she couldn’t find at her local grocery. Of course, that was almost fifteen years ago, and large retail supermarkets have come a long way in stocking natural foods and vegan options since then. Even in her very rural area, she can usually request special orders through her grocer and small natural foods store. See Chapter 4 for tips on getting your local store to stock vegan products.

Choosing a vegan diet is a personal decision for every individual, and each has his or her own reasons. Some are allergic to eggs, dairy, or animal proteins. A doctor may recommend a vegan diet for patients with high cholesterol, because cholesterol is only found in animal-sourced foods. Many call themselves “ethical vegans,” citing a personal desire to reduce animal suffering and exploitation. Some choose a vegan diet for environmental reasons, declaring that the raising of livestock contributes to air and water pollution. Still others believe a global shift toward a vegan diet can solve the world hunger problem, claiming plant-based agriculture makes better use of natural resources and produces more food per square foot than the raising of livestock.

Veganism, for many, is about more than food choices. “Abolitionist vegans” strive to end the exploitation and killing of all animals by the food, clothing, entertainment and other industries.

While several vegans share their personal reasons for enjoying a vegan diet in Chapter 3, this cookbook is not intended to decry or condemn anyone’s food or lifestyle choices.

In fact, this book is NOT…

…intended to be misconstrued as medical advice.

…a handbook or manifesto on abolitionist veganism. The views expressed by interviewees or recommended resources are those of the individual, not of the authors.

…a diet or weight-loss book. With these rich desserts? Are you kidding?

…full of weird or hard-to-find ingredients. Most can be found at any large supermarket. Get tips on finding vegan ingredients in Chapter 4.

…for expert chefs only. Indeed, Christina-Marie has no formal baking experience or training, outside hanging around her mom’s bakery as a young teen. Even then, she was pretty much just waiting for cute guys to come in and buy doughnuts. Christina-Marie, that is. Not her mother.

…a very large advertisement for any particular company or product. If we name a product, it is only to identify a brand that may be widely available or easy to obtain for those not living in large metropolitan areas. It’s not because they’re lining our pockets to pimp their product.

…an endorsement of any company’s practices, ethics or manufacturing processes. If abolitionist veganism is a lifestyle you embrace, please research each manufacturer to determine if their policies align with your personal beliefs. If you have significant food sensitivities, please contact individual companies to ascertain whether cross-contamination is possible during the manufacturing process. Just because a product is egg-free, for example, doesn’t mean the equipment it is manufactured on isn’t also used to process ingredients containing eggs.

…a stale, old-school-recipe book. We aim to inform and entertain. We believe food should be a celebration. Let’s get the party started!