The All-Vegan Easter Menu

April 3, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / 1 Comment

This menu for an all-vegan Easter is brought to you after carefully selecting the best springy recipes so that you can enjoy a tasty Easter without harming any animal nor the environment. What can you ask more?!

During these holidays there are many blogs that will give you 30+ recipes suitable for such events. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find it a bit overwhelming, especially if all the recipes look so good making it difficult to select the “right ones” (there obviously are not “right” recipes, but I mean it in the sense that are best for how you are feeling on the day, how much you want to cook, what do the Moon and the rest of the Cosmos suggesting, etc.). So, looking around, searching my favourite vegan blogs, I selected those course that I think would make a nice menu for Easter 2021.

Appetisers

I know I am repeating myself, but Sam’s Deviled Potatoes (ItDoesn’tTasteLikeChicken) are a must for this Easter: easy and delicious, just GO. FOR. THEM.

However, if you don’t feel like an egg-y dish, why not try the cutest Spinach Puffs by ConnoiseurusVeg?

Main

A lovely Minestrone by The Minimalist Baker, would be the perfect soup for Easter.

Then there would be the choice between a Vegan Pesto Risotto with Roasted Tomatoes (FromMyBowl) or a Creamy Pasta Al Limone (EatingByElaine).

Whatever your choice, after that go for the Vegan Hotpot With Lentils and Mushrooms (LazyCatKitchen): YUM!

Side

[I was going to suggest a potato salad – the Roast Potato Salad – YumVeganLunches – but I also understand that you might have had the Devied Potatoes as an appetiser so this recipe is only if you’re feeling extra (after all it’s holiday, so why not?)].

There is the option of a Cannellini Bean Salad With Olives and Cashew Cheese (LavenderAndMacarons) or a Kale Salad With Apple (VeganOnBoard).

Dessert

If you don’t already have an Easter Egg, then you could make one following the recipe for Peanut Butter Eggs by The Minimalist Baker.

However, there is the option for a Carrot Cake (recipe by VeganHuggs).

Whichever dessert you choose, I would definitely “pear” it with the Healthy Baked Pears (RunningOnRealFood).

A Speech on Veganism

March 21, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / Leave a comment

It is just over a year and a month now, that this speech was made. So why am I writing about this just today? Well, first of all, this blog was born like three months ago, and unless we have a time machine available it would have not been possible to write this at the time. Second: I didn’t think about this speech until a couple of days ago, and I actually don’t even remember why I thought about it. Third: I don’t believe this speech has gained that much consideration, even at the time it was made, a year ago, while it is absolutely still relevant (despite this fast-running, speed-racing machine that is the contemporary world, where things become obsolete after few months). Hence I feel like this should be made more widespread.

The speech I am talking about is the one that Joaquin Phoenix gave when he won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Joker in the homonym movie (which is brilliant: if you haven’t watched it yet, do it, you won’t regret it! I leave you the trailer at the end).

So, Joaquin Phoenix is a long-time vegan (since he was a child) and he has publicly spoken many times as well as taking part in public protests for animal rights (you can read it here, here, here and what a recent interview here). If this wasn’t enough, he has also been arrested during a protest on climate change.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he took such an important opportunity, such as the Oscar’s acceptance speech, to raise awareness of animals rights. But in these 5 minutes, he managed to include themes of social justice, the fight against racism, gender rights and LGBTQ+ rights. Few moments, with very powerful words.

You might remember that Leonardo DiCaprio did something similar when he won his first Oscar (whoo-hoo! Well done Leo, you should have gotten one much earlier, but better late than never!). He said that “making The Revenant [the movie for which he won the award] was about man’s relationship to the Natural World, a world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history. Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find snow. Climate change is real, it is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating, we need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters, the big corporations, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people who will be most affected by this, for our children’s children and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed. I thank you all for this amazing award tonight. Let us not take this Planet for granted, I do not take this night for granted.”

I find that Joaquin’s speech went beyond that: that through veganism people can not only live in a more compassionate way, but also that the vegan lifestyle can benefit non-humans and humans alike, helping in the fight against social injustice as well as for a better environment.

I leave you the video here (and the transcript below it):

“I’m full of so much gratitude right now. And I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees or anyone in this room because we share the same love, the love of film and this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life. I don’t know what I’d be without it. But I think the greatest gift that it’s given me and many of us in this room is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless. I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the distressing issues that we are facing collectively and I think at times that we feel, or were made to feel, that we champion different causes. But for me, I see commonality. I think whether we are talking about gender inequality, or racism, or queer rights, or indigenous rights, or animals rights, we are talking about the fight against injustice, we are talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender, or one species has the right to dominate, control, and use and exploit another with impunity.
(applause)
I think that we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world and many of us, what we are guilty of, is an egocentric worldview: the belief that we’re the centre of the universe; we go into the natural world and we plunder it for its resources; we feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives birth, we steal her baby even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable and then we take her milk, that it’s intended for a calf, and we put it in our coffee and our cereal. And I think, we fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrifice something, to give something up: but human beings at our best, are so inventive, so creative and ingenious and I think that when we use love and compassion as our dieting principles we can create, develop and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and to the environment.
(cheers)
Now, I’ve been a scoundrel in my life, I’ve been selfish, I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and ungrateful but so many of you in this room have given me a second chance, and I think that’s when we are at our best: when, when we support each other, not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other towards redemption. That is the best of humanity.
(applause)
When he was 17, my brother [River Phoenix] wrote these lyrics, he said ‘run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow’.
Thank you.”

Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu Ideas

February 14, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / 5 Comments

Valentine’s Day is here. And you’ll want to surprise your partner with some good homecooked meal that is both delicious and plant-based. Then you are on the right page! Here, I will list some of the recipes that are perfect for celebrating love, while also being obviously vegan.

I have tried a couple of these and I can assure you they are deliscious and will pleasantly make your partner happy.

Let’s start with some Vegan Bruschetta, which is also gluten-free and my own perfected recipe!

Ingredients:

10 oatcakes
5 big garlic cloves, minced
25 plum or cherry tomatoes, chopped
salt, a pinch
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
10 basil leaves

In a bowl assemble garlic, tomatoes, salt, pepper, oil. Leave to rest for 10 minutes. Take one spoonful of the garlic-tomatoes, put on one oatcake and place on a serving plate. Repeat for all the oatcakes. Garnish with basil leaves.

Note: If you or your partner are not too much of a garlic fan, you can always reduce the number of garlic cloves to 1 or even not put it at all and you’ll still have a great result because the tomatoes have already a decisive taste which is enhanced by the olive oil.

Another appetiser can be hummus served with warm pitta. A delicious recipe is for a Roasted Sweet Potato Hummous by Nourish Plate. And if you feel adventurous, you can make your own pitta following the My Greek Dish recipe.

Then the Gnocchi Bake by The Lazy Cat Kitchen: this is so beautifully easy and full of taste you’ll want to double the recipe! And you can try making your own gnocchi thanks to the recipe of The Curious Chickpea.

You also have the option of some Vegan Cacio e Pepe with Garlicky Mushrooms. This recipe is From My Bowl, and she makes tasty, easy dishes.

Why not venture in a good, warm Goulash? The Forkful of Plants’ recipe is the one you want to look for!

Another easy recipe is the Grilled Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.

I would also add the Tofu Katsu Curry following the recipe by Vegan Huggs.

In the desserts section, my number one choice is for the Magical Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding by The Full Helping: I love a good toffee pudding and hers is an easy yet luscious recipe.

If you don’t like the idea of the toffee pudding, then go for a classic Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes of My Goodness Kitchen: another chocolatey and luscious recipe.

A third delicious option are the Chocolate Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, recipe of From My Bowl. Trust me, these little guys are extra tasty, and the work behind them is almost non-existent.

Chocolate Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies by From My Bowl

Whatever you decide, I hope you’ll have a day full of love with your special one.

Happy Lunar (Chinese) New Year

February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / Leave a comment

Today is the Lunar New Year, more commonly known as Chinese New Year.

Fu meaning “good fortune”, is the symbol used during these celebrations (source: Macau Photo Agency)

It is mainly known as Chinese New Year, because China is famous for the big celebrations that they do during this day. However, this day is also observed in the rest of Asia, from the Middle East with the Islamic New Year to Vietnam, to Nepal and Indonesia.

Lunar New Year is the first day of the lunisolar calendar which is

A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures whose date indicates both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year. If the solar year is defined as a tropical year, then a lunisolar calendar will give an indication of the season; if it is taken as a sidereal year, then the calendar will predict the constellation near which the full moon may occur. As with all calendars which divide the year into months there is an additional requirement that the year have a whole number of months. In this case ordinary years consist of twelve months but every second or third year is an embolismic year, which adds a thirteenth intercalary, embolismic, or leap month.
Their months are based on the regular cycle of the Moon‘s phases. So lunisolar calendars are lunar calendars with – in contrast to them – additional intercalation rules being used to bring them into a rough agreement with the solar year and thus with the seasons.
The main other type of calendar is a solar calendar.
Lunisolar calendar, Wikipedia

Now that you know a bit more about why there is another New Year, let’s go and see what is the most traditional food consumed during this day: we have dumplings, sweet&savoury tofu, spring rolls, longevity noodles, etc. I selected some recipes that I have personally tried and can confirm are delicious, easy and quick to make: all pros and no cons.

I’d start with a Vegan Fried Rice, recipe by FoodPassionical. Already since the first time I tried it, I fell in love with it: super easy, using easy-to-find ingredients, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make.

How To Make Vegan Egg Fried Rice | 全素蛋炒饭, Food Passionical

Then I would go for some Vegan Gyoza. They are great both steamed or fried. The only con is the making of the wrappers: I still need to find the right way of making them (I know that it would be easier to buy them, but I always try to make them – You only have yourself to blame, I am aware), but with this recipe they come out very decently. The recipe is by Bianca Zapatka

Followed by some Hotteok by Maangchi. They are nice, and fluffy and rich with nutricious veggies. I made them not long ago, it’s a recipe that doesn’t take too long and with a delicious result.

Hotteok filled with vegetables & noodles (Yachae hotteok: 야채호떡) by Maangchi

This is another recipe by Maangchi: Vegetable Pancake. I make them quite often, because are very easy to prepare, between preparation and cooking time it’s no more than 20 minutes.

Vegetable Pancake (Yachaejeon: 야채전) by Maangchi

To these beauties, I would add some Sweet and crunchy tofu. Every time I make it, I can’t even wait until it’s cooled down: it’s too good! Trust me: you’ll thank me later.

Sweet and crunchy tofu (Dubu-ganjeong: 두부강정) by Maangchi

I hope that you’ll enjoy this day and if you made any of this recipes, please let me know.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Every Argument Against Veganism – TEDx talk by Ed Winters

February 6, 2021February 3, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / 1 Comment

Just dropping this video here: Ed Winters eloquently, but simply explains the philosophy behind veganism.

More on Non-Vegan Companies

February 3, 2021November 28, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / 4 Comments

As I was saying in this post, a lot of companies producing plant-based products are actually non-vegan.

There is obviously no judgement if you are buying such products, especially without knowing this information. And you might also have a conception of veganism where you consider these products as vegan.

However, remember that these companies are not vegan, their policies are as far away as possible from the vegan philosophy: it is not only the fact that they use ingredients from animals, they are also responsible for deforestation (you might also want to check this website and this one) and they have been found using questionable working standards (you can read more here about some of the most recent Unilever controversies, here, here, and here; examples from another big company – Coca Cola – are this and this, this and this). Again, I am not saying don’t buy from them, but now you know a little bit of what these big companies do and I hope I can give you the tools to make conscious buying decisions.

If you recall, in this post I told you how the great majority of these big companies are related to Monsanto and how Monsanto tests on animals. I would also like to add that it also has many controversies around the world because many of its chemical products are deemed unsafe to use or have been found to have long-term side effects on people and the land (I’ll leave you this article, this and this, but please let me know if you would like me to found some more articles on the topic).

I’ll leave you with this very useful pie of all the brands connected to these big companies (source: World Politics News

Delicious vegan spinach and cheese pouches (vegan gozleme)

February 1, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / Leave a comment

These spinach and cheese gozleme are just great for a light but tasty dinner or for an afternoon snack. I am following the recipe by the Lazy Cat Kitchen and I have now made them three times, each time better than the other!

This is a recipe that I like to make usually on a Saturday night when I feel like wanting something tasty, but that wouldn’t take as long as making a pizza (from scratch). They are an easy recipe that can be made also after work because it takes less than an hour between prep and cooking time (30 minutes being the resting time for the dough).

I have tried both with homemade feta, like from Ania’s recipe and with store-bought cheese (Violife): both ways will leave your tastebuds extremely satisfied. However, I never used the soy yoghurt (simply because I never keep yoghurt in the fridge and I should think ahead of making these to remember buying it, which I can’t be bothered doing given the level of laziness that my mind can reach).

Just make them, you’ll thank me later.

De-li-ci-ous!

Non-Vegan Companies

January 21, 2021November 28, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / 9 Comments

Note: Part of this was first posted on Facebook’s account of We Are Wilderness.

The following companies are all connected to Monsanto, where they use genetically modified ingredients. Monsanto is also known to experiment on animals (you can read of it here and here), so it’s definitely non-vegan which extends to its partners and those using their products.

You’ll see that many items that some vegans say are vegan, are actually not (see Doritos, Oreos etc.).

And you’ll recognise some big names (like Nestle’, Unilever, Coca Cola and Pepsi), so you have an idea what to avoid.

Baby Food ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Nabisco (Phillip Morris)
-Arrowroot Teething Biscuits
-Infant formula Carnation Infant Formulas(Nestle)
-AlSoy
-Good Start
-Follow-Up
-Follow-Up Soy

Enfamil Infant Formulas (Mead Johnson)
-Enfamil with Iron-Enfamil Low Iron
-Enfamil A.R.-Enfamil Nutramigen
-Enfamil Lacto Free-Enfamil 22
-Enfamil Next step (soy and milk-based varieties)
-Enfamil Pro-SoybeeIsomil Infant Formulas (Abbot Labs)
-Isomil Soy-Isomil Soy for Diarrhea-Similac(Abbot Labs)
-Similac Lactose Free-Similac with Iron-Similac Low Iron
-Similac Alimentum

Baking ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Aunt Jemima (Quaker)-Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix
-Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix
-Cornbread Mix
-Easy Mix Coffee CakeBetty Crocker (General Mills)
-Pie Crust Mix-Original Pancake Mix
-Complete Pancake Mix
-Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix
-Muffin Mixes-Banana Nut
-Lemon Poppy Seed
-Blueberry
-Wild Blueberry
-Chocolate Chip
-Apple Streusel
-Quick Bread Mixes Banana
-Cinnamon Streusel
-Lemon Poppy Seed
-Cranberry Orange
-Gingerbread
-Cookie Mixes Chocolate Chip
-Double Chocolate Chunk
-Sugar
-Peanut Butter

Bisquik (Betty Crocker/General Mills)
-Original
-Reduced Fat
-Shake ‘n Pour Pancake Mix
-Shake ‘n Pour Buttermilk Pancake Mix
-Shake ‘n Pour Blueberry Pancake MixDuncan Hines (Aurora Foods)
-Muffin Mixes
-Kellogg’s All-Bran Apple Cinnamon
-Kellogg’s All-Bran Blueberry
-Blueberry
-Blueberry Crumb
-Chocolate ChipHungry Jack (Pillsbury)
-Buttermilk Pancake Mix
-Extra Light & Fluffy Pancake Mix (all varieties)
-Jiffy-Corn Muffin Mix
-Blueberry Muffin Mix
-Raspberry Muffin Mix
-Pie Crust MixMrs. Butterworths (Aurora Foods)
-Complete Pancake Mix
-Buttermilk Pancake Mix

Pepperidge Farms (Campbell’s)
-Buttermilk Pancake Mix
-Pillsbury
-Quick Bread & Muffin Mixes
-Blueberry
-Chocolate Chip
-Banana
-Cranberry
-Lemon Poppyseed
-Nut-Hot Roll Mix
-Gingerbread

Bakers (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Unsweetened Chocolate
-Semi-Sweet Chocolate
-German Sweet Chocolate
-White Chocolate
-Hershey’s
-Semi
-Sweet Baking Chips
-Milk Chocolate Chips
-Mini Kisses-Nestle
-Toll House Semi
-Sweet Chocolate Chips
-Milk Chocolate Chips
-White Chocolate
-Butterscotch Chips
-Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bars

Bread ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Holsum (Interstate Bakeries)
-Holsum Thin Sliced
-Roman Meal
-12 Grain
-Round Top
-Home Pride
-Buttertop White
-Buttertop Wheat

Pepperidge Farms (Campbell’s)
-Cinnamon Swirl
-Light Oatmeal
-Light Wheat
-100% Whole Wheat
-Hearty Slices
-7 Grain
-9 Grain
-Crunchy Oat
-Whole Wheat
-Light Side
-Oatmeal
-Wheat
-7 Grain
-Soft Dinner Rolls
-Club Rolls
-Sandwich Buns
-Hoagie Rolls

Thomas’ (Bestfoods)
-English Muffins Original
-Cinnamon Raisin
-Honey Wheat
-Oat Bran-Blueberry
-Maple French Toast
-Toast-r-Cakes Blueberry
-Toast-r-Cakes Corn Muffins

Wonder (Interstate Bakeries)
-White Sandwich Bread
-Country Grain
-Buttermilk
-Thin Sandwich
-Light Wheat
-100% Stoneground Wheat
-Fat Free Multigrain
-Premium Potato
-Beefsteak Rye
-Wonder Hamburger Buns

Breakfast ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Kellogg’s
-Pop Tarts (all varieties)
-Pop Tarts Snack Stix (all)
-Nutri-Grain Bars (all)
-Nutri-Grain Fruit Filled Squares (all)
-Nutri-Grain Twists (all)
-Fruit-Full Squares (all)

Nabisco (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Fruit & Grain Bars (all varieties)
-Nature Valley (General Mills)
-Oats & Honey Granola Bars
-Peanut Butter Granola Bars
-Cinnamon Granola Bars

Pillsbury (General Mills)
-Toaster Scrambles & Strudels (all varieties)

Quaker
-Chewy Granola Bars (all varieties)
-Fruit & Oatmeal Bars (all varieties)
-Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles
-Buttermilk
-Blueberry

Eggo Frozen Waffles (Kellogg’s)
-Homestyle-Buttermilk
-Nutri
-Grain Whole Wheat
-Nutri-Grain Multi Grain
-Cinnamon Toast
-Blueberry
-Strawberry
-Apple Cinnamon-Banana Bread

Hungry Jack Frozen Waffles (Pillsbury/General Mills)
-Homestyle
-Buttermilk

Cereal ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

General Mills
-Cheerios
-Wheaties
-Total
-Corn Chex
-Wheat Chex
-Lucky Charms
-Trix
-Kix
-Golden Grahams
-Cinnamon Grahams
-Count Chocula
-Honey Nut Chex
-Frosted Cheerios
-Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
-Multi-Grain Cheerios
-Frosted Wheaties
-Brown Sugar & Oat Total
-Basic 4
-Reeses Puffs
-French Toast Crunch

Kellogg’s
-Frosted Flakes
-Corn Flakes
-Special K
-Raisin Bran
-Rice Krispies
-Corn Pops
-Product 19
-Smacks
-Froot Loops
-Marshmallow Blasted Fruit Loops
-Apple Jacks
-Crispix
-Smart Start
-All-Bran
-Complete Wheat Bran
-Complete Oat Bran
-Just Right Fruit & Nut
-Honey Crunch Corn Flakes
-Raisin Bran Crunch
-Cracklin’ Oat Bran

Country Inn Specialties (all varieties)
-Mothers Cereals (Quaker)
-Toasted Oat Bran
-Peanut Butter Bumpers
-Groovy Grahams
-Harvest Oat Flakes
-Harvest Oat Flakes w/Apples & Almonds
-Honey Round Ups

Post (Kraft-Phillip Morris)
-Raisin Bran
-Bran Flakes
-Grape Nut Flakes
-Grape Nut O’s
-Fruit & Fibre date, raisin and walnut
-Fruit & Fibre peach, raisin and almond
-Honey Bunch of Oats
-Honey Nut Shredded Wheat
-Honey Comb
-Golden Crisp
-Waffle Crisp
-Cocoa Pebbles
-Cinna
-Crunch Pebbles
-Fruity Pebbles
-Alpha-Bits
-Post Selects Cranberry Almond
-Post Selects Banana Nut Crunch
-Post Selects Blueberry Morning
-Post Selects Great Grains

Quaker
-Life
-Cinnamon Life
-100% Natural Granola
-Toasted Oatmeal
-Toasted Oatmeal Honey Nut
-Oat Bran
-Cap’n Crunch
-Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch
-Cap’n Crunch Crunchling Berries

Chocolate ~ Genetically Engineered IngredientsCadbury (Cadbury/Hershey’s)
-Mounds
-Almond Joy
-York Peppermint Patty
-Dairy Milk
-Roast Almond
-Fruit & Nut
-Hershey’s
-Kit-Kat
-Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
-Mr. Goodbar-Special Dark
-Milk Chocolate
-Kisses
-Symphony

Kraft (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Toblerone (all varieties)
-Mars
-M&M (all varieties)
-Snickers
-Three Musketeers
-Milky Way
-TwixNestle
-Crunch
-Milk Chocolate
-Chunky
-Butterfinger
-100 Grand

Carnation (Nestle)

Hot Cocoa Mixes:
-Rich Chocolate
-Double Chocolate
-Milk Chocolate
-Marshmallow Madness
-Mini Marshmallow
-No SugarHershey’s
-Chocolate Syrup
-Special Dark Chocolate Syrup
-Strawberry Syrup

Nestle
-Nesquik
-Strawberry Nesquik

Swiss Miss (ConAgra)
-Chocolate Sensation
-Milk Chocolate
-Marshmallow Lovers
-Marshmallow Lovers Fat Free
-No Sugar Added

Condiments ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Hellman’s (Bestfoods)
-Real Mayonnaise
-Light Mayonnaise
-Low-Fat Mayonnaise

Hunt’s (ConAgra)
-Ketchup (regular & no salt)
-KC Masterpiece
-Original BBQ sauce
-Garlic & Herb Marinade
-Honey Teriyaki Marinade

Kraft (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Miracle Whip (all varieties)
-Kraft Mayonnaise (all)
-Thick & Spicy BBQ sauces (all varieties)
-Char Grill BBQ sauce
-Honey Hickory BBQ sauce

Nabisco (Nabiso/Phillip Morris)
-A-1 Steak Sauce

Open Pit (Vlasic/Campbells)
-BBQ sauces (all)
-Chi-Chi’s (Hormel)
-Fiesta Salsa (all varieties)
-Old El Paso (Pillsbury)
-Thick & Chunky Salsa
-Garden Pepper Salsa
-Taco Sauce
-Picante Sauce

Ortega (Nestle)
-Taco Sauce
-Salsa Prima Homestyle
-Salsa Prima Roasted Garlic
-Salsa Prima 3 Bell Pepper
-Thick & Chunky Salsa

Pace (Campbells)
-Chunky Salsa
-Picante Sauce

Tostitos Salsa (Frito-Lay/Pepsi)
-All Natural
-All Natural
Thick & Chunky
-Roasted Garlic
-Restaurant Style

Cookies ~Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Delicious Brands (Parmalat)
-Animal Crackers
-Ginger Snaps
-Fig Bars
-Oatmeal
-Sugar-Free Duplex
-Honey Grahams
-Cinnamon Grahams
-Fat Free Vanilla Wafers
-English Toffee Heath Cookies
-Butterfinger Cookies
-Skippy Peanut Butter Cookies

Famous Amos (Keebler/Flowers Industries)
-Chocolate Chip
-Oatmeal Raisin
-Chocolate Sandwich
-Peanut Butter Sandwich
-Vanilla Sandwich
-Oatmeal Macaroon Sandwich

Frookies (Delicious Brands/Parmalat)
-Peanut Butter Chunk
-Chocolate Chip
-Double Chocolate
-Frookwich Vanilla
-Frookwich Chocolate
-Frookwich Peanut Butter
-Frookwich Lemon
-Funky Monkeys Chocolate
-Ginger Snaps
-Lemon Wafers

Keebler (Keebler/Flowers Industries)
-Chips Deluxe
-Sandies
-E.L. Fudge
-Soft Batch Chocolate Chip
-Golden Vanilla Wafers
-Droxies
-Vienna Fingers
-Fudge Shoppe Fudge Stripes
-Fudge Shoppe Double Fudge & Caramel
-Fudge Shoppe Fudge Stix
-Fudge Shoppe Peanut Butter Fudge Stix
-Country Style Oatmeal
-Graham Originals
-Graham Cinnamon Crisp
-Graham Chocolate
-Graham Honey Low Fat
-Crème Filled Wafers
-Chocolate Filled Wafers

Nabisco (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Oreo (all varieties)
-Chips Ahoy!(all varieties)
-Fig Newtons (and all Newtons varities)
-Lorna Doone-Nutter Butters
-Barnum Animal Crackers
-Nilla Wafers
-Nilla Chocolate Wafers
-Pecanz Shortbread
-Family Favorites Oatmeal
-Famous Wafers
-Fudge Covered Mystic Sticks
-Honey Maid Graham Crackers
-Honey Maid Cinnamon Grahams
-Honey Maid Chocolate Grahams
-Honey Maid Oatmeal Crunch
-Teddy Grahams
-Teddy Grahams Cinnamon
-Teddy Grahams Chocolate
-Teddy Grahams Chocolate Chips
-Café Cremes Vanilla
-Café Crème Cappuccino

Pepperidge Farm (Campbell’s)
-Milano
-Mint Milano
-Chessmen
-Bordeaux
-Brussels
-Geneva
-Chocolate Chip
-Lemon Nut
-Shortbread
-Sugar
-Ginger Men
-Raspberry Chantilly
-Strawberry Verona
-Chocolate Mocha Salzburg
-Chocolate Chunk Chesapeake
-Chocolate Chunk Nantucket
-Chocolate Chunk Sausalito
-Oatmeal Raisin Soft Baked

Sesame Street (Keebler)
-Cookie Monster
-Chocolate Chip
-Chocolate Sandwich
-Vanilla Sandwich
-Cookie Pals
-Honey Grahams
-Cinnamon Grahams
-Frosted Grahams

Snack Wells (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Devil’s Food
-Golden Devil’s Food
-Mint Crème
-Coconut Crème
-Chocolate Sandwich
-Chocolate Chip
-Peanut Butter Chip
-Double Chocolate Chip

Crackers ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Keebler (Keebler/Flowers Industries)
-Town House
-Club
-Munch ‘Ems (all varieties)
-Wheatables
-Zesta Saltines
-Toasteds (Wheat, Onion, Sesame & Butter Crisps)
-Snax Stix (Wheat, Cheddar & original)
-Harvest Bakery (Multigrain, Butter, Corn Bread)

Nabisco (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Ritz (all varieties)
-Wheat Thins (all)
-Wheatsworth
-Triscuits
-Waverly
-Sociables
-Better Cheddars
-Premium Saltines (all)
-Ritz Snack Mix (all)
-Vegetable Flavor Crisps
-Swiss Cheese Flavor Crisps
-Cheese Nips (all)
-Uneeda BiscuitsPepperidge Farm (Campbell’s)
-Butter Thins
-Hearty Wheat
-Cracker Trio
-Cracker Quartet
-Three Cheese Snack Stix
-Sesame Snack Stix
-Pumpernickel Snack Stix
-Goldfish (original, cheddar, parmesan, pizza, pretzel)
-Goldfish Snack Mix (all)

Red Oval Farms (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Stoned Wheat Thin (all varieties)
-Crisp ‘N Light Sourdough Rye
-Crisp ‘N Light WheatSunshine (Flowers Industries)
-Cheeze-It (original & reduced fat)
-Cheeze-It White Cheddar
-Cheeze-It Party Mix
-Krispy Original Saltines

Frozen Dinners ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Banquet (ConAgra)
-Pot Pies (all varieties)
-Fried Chicken
-Salisbury Steak
-Chicken Nugget Meal
-Pepperoni Pizza Meal

Budget Gourmet (Heinz)
-Roast Beef Supreme
-Beef Stroganoff
-Three Cheese Lasagne
-Chicken Oriental & Vegeatble
-Fettuccini Primavera

Green Giant (Pillsbury)
-Rice Pilaf with Chicken Flavored Sauce
-Rice Medley with Beef Flavored Sauce
-Primavera Pasta
-Pasta Accents Creamy Cheddar
-Create-a-Meals Parmesan Herb Chicken
-Cheesy Pasta and Vegetable
-Beef Noodle
-Sweet & Sour
-Mushroom Wine Chicken

Healthy Choice (ConAgra)
-Stuffed Pasta Shells
-Chicken Parmagiana
-Country Breaded Chicken
-Roast Chicken Breast
-Beef Pot Roast
-Chicken & Corn Bread
-Cheese & Chicken Tortellini
-Lemon Pepper Fish
-Shrimp & Vegetable
-Macaroni & Cheese

Kid Cuisine (ConAgra)
-Chicken Nugget Meal
-Fried Chicken
-Taco Roll Up
-Corn Dog
-Cheese Pizza
-Fish Stix
-Macaroni & Cheese

Lean Cuisine (Stouffer’s/Nestle)
-Skillet Sensations Chicken & Vegetable
-Broccoli & Beef
-Homestyle Beef
-Teriyaki Chicken
-Chicken Alfredo
-Garlic Chicken
-Roast Turkey
-Hearty Portions Chicken Florentine
-Beef Stroganoff
-Cheese & Spinach Manicotti
-Salisbury Steak
-Café Classics Baked Fish
-Baked Chicken
-Chicken a L’Orange
-Chicken Parmesan
-Meatloaf with Whipped Potatoes
-Everyday Favorites Chicken Fettuccini
-Chicken Pie
-Angel Hair Pasta
-Three Bean Chili with Rice
-Macaroni & Cheese

Marie Callenders (ConAgra)
-Chicken Pot Pie
-Lasagna & Meat Sauce
-Turkey & Gravy
-Meat Loaf & Gravy
-Country Fried Chicken & Gravy
-Fettuccini with Broccoli & Cheddar
-Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes
-Country Fried Pork Chop with Gravy
-Chicken Cordon BleuOre
-Ida Frozen Potatoes (Heinz)
-Fast Fries
-Steak fries
-Zesties
-Shoestrings
-Hash Browns
-Tater Tots
-Potato Wedges
-Crispy Crunchies

Rosetto Frozen Pasta (Heinz)
-Cheese Ravioli
-Beef Ravioli
-Italian Sausage Ravioli
-Eight Cheese Stuffed Shells
-Eight Cheese Broccoli Stuffed Shells

Stouffer’s (Nestle)
-Family Style Favorites Macaroni & Cheese
-Stuffed Peppers
-Broccoli au Gratin
-Meat Loaf in Gravy
-Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole
-Homestyle Meatloaf
-Salisbury Steak
-Chicken Breast in Gravy
-Hearty Portions Salisbury Steak
-Chicken Fettucini
-Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes
-Chicken Pot Pie

Swanson (Vlasic/Campbells)
-Meat Loaf
-Fish & Chips
-Salisbury Steak
-Chicken Nuggets
-Hungry Man Fried Chicken
-Roast Chicken
-Fisherman’s Platter
-Pork Rib

Voila! (Bird’s Eye/Agri-Link Foods)
-Chicken Voila! Alfredo
-Chicken Voila! Garlic
-Chicken Voila! Pesto
-Chicken Voila! Three Cheese
-Steak Voila! Beef Sirloin
-Shrimp Voila! Garlic

Weight Watchers (Heinz)
-Smart Ones Fiesta Chicken
-Basil Chicken
-Ravioli Florentine
-Fajita Chicken
-Roasted Vegetable Primavera

Energy Bars & Drinks ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Power BarsPower Bar (Nestle)
-Oatmeal Raisin
-Apple Cinnamon
-Peanut Butter
-Vanilla Crisp
-Chocolate Peanut Butter
-Mocha-Banana
-Wild Berry
-Harvest Bars Apple Crisp-Blueberry
-Chocolate Fudge Brownie
-Strawberry
-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Drink Mixes

Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix (Nestle)
-Creamy Milk Chocolate
-Classic Chocolate
-French Vanilla
-Strawberry
-Café Mocha

Heat & Serve Meals ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Chef Boyardee (ConAgra)
-Beefaroni
-Macaroni & Cheese
-Mini Ravioli
-ABC’s & 123′s

Dinty Moore (Hormel)
-Beef Stew
-Turkey Stew
-Chicken & Dumplings
-Hormel
-Chili with Beans
-Chili No Beans
-Vegetarian Chili with Beans

Kids’ Kitchen (Hormel)
-Spaghetti Rings with Meatballs
-Macaroni & Cheese
-Pizza Wedges with 3 Cheese

Franco-American (Campbell’s)
-Spaghetti O’s
-Mini Ravioli
-Power Rangers Pasta in Sauce

Meat & Dairy Alternatives ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Loma Linda(Worthington/Kellogg’s*)
-Meatless Chik Nuggest

Morningstar (Worthington/Kellogg’s*)
-Harvest Burger
-Better ‘n Burgers
-Garden Veggie Patties
-Grillers Burgers
-Black Bean Burger
-Chicken Patties

Natural Touch (Worthington/Kellogg’s*)
-Garden Vegetable Pattie
-Black Bean Burger
-Okra Pattie
-Lentil Rice Loaf
-Nine Bean Loaf
*A company letter states that they are in the process of converting to non-genetically modified “proteins” in all products.

Worthington (Worthington/Kellogg’s*)
-Vegetarian Burger
-Savory Slices

Dairy Alternatives

Nutra Blend Soy Beverage(Bestfoods)
-Original
-Vanilla
-Apple
-Orange

Meal Mixes & Sauce Packets ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Betty Crocker (General Mills)
-Garden Vegetable Pilaf
-Creamy Herb Risotto
-Garlic Alfredo Fettuccini
-Bowl Appetit Cheddar Broccoli
-Macaroni & Cheese
-Pasta Alfredo

Knorr (Bestfoods)
-Mushroom Risotto Italian Rice
-Broccoli au Gratin Risotto
-Vegetable Primavera Risotto
-Risotto Milanese
-Original Pilf
-Chicken Pilaf
-Rotini with 4 Cheese
-Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken & Vegetable
-Penne with Sun
-Dried Tomato
-Fettuccini with Alfredo
-Classic Sauce Packets Hollandaise

Béarnaise
-White
-Brown
-Lemon Herb
-Mushroom Brown
-Onion
-Roasted Chicken
-Roasted Pork
-Roasted Turkey

Pasta Sauce Packets Alfredo
-Four Cheese
-Carbonara
-Pesto
-Garlic Herb

Lipton (Unilever)
-Rice & Sauce Packets Chicken Broccoli
-Cheddar Broccoli
-Beef Flavor
-Spanish
-Chicken Flavor
-Creamy Chicken
-Mushroom
-Sizzle & Stir Skillet Supers Lemon Garlic Chicken & Rice
-Spanish Chicken & Rice
-Herb Chicken & Bowties
-Cheddar Chicken & Shells

Near East (Quaker)
-Spicy Tomato Pasta Mix
-Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Pasta Mix
-Falafel Mix
-Lentil Pilaf
-Couscous
-Tomato Lentil
-Parmesan
-Toasted Pinenut
-Herb Chicken
-Broccoli & Cheese
-Curry

Pasta Roni (Quaker)
-Fettuccini Alfredo
-Garlic Alfredo
-Angel Hair Pasta with Herbs
-Angel Hair Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
-Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Parmesan
-Angel Hair Pasta Primavera-Garlic & Olive Oil with Vermicelli

Rice-a-Roni (Quaker)
-Rice Pilaf
-Beef
-Chicken
-Fried Rice
-Chicken & Broccoli
-Long Grain & Wild Rice
-Broccoli au Gratin

Uncle Ben’s (Mars)
-Long Grain & Wild Rice (Original & with Garlic)
-Brown & Wild Rice Mushroom
-Country Inn Mexican Fiesta
-Country Inn Oriental Fried Rice
-Country Inn Chicken & Vegetable
-Country Inn Chicken & Broccoli
-Natural Select Chicken & Herb
-Natural Select Tomato & Basil
-Chef’s Recipe Chicken & Vegetable Pilaf
-Chef’s Recipe Beans & Rice
-Chef’s Recipe Broccoli Rice

Frozen Pizza ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Celeste (Aurora Foods)
-Supreme
-Pepperoni
-Vegetable
-Four Cheese
-Deluxe
-Cheese

Tombstone (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Pepperoni
-Supreme
-Sausage & Pepperoni
-Extra Cheese
-Stuffed Crust
-Three Cheese

Totino’s (Pillsbury)
-Crisp Crust
-Pepperoni
-Combination

Snack Foods ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Act II Microwave Popcorn (ConAgra)
-Butter
-Extreme Butter
-Corn on the Cob

Frito-Lay* (PepsiCo)
-Lays Potato Chips (all varieties)
-Ruffles Potato Chips (all)
-Doritos Corn Chips (all)
-Tostitos Corn Chips (all)
-Fritos Corn Chips (all)
-Cheetos (all)
-Rold Gold Pretzels (all)
-Cracker Jack Popcorn
*Frito has informed its corn and potato suppliers that the company wishes to avoid GE crops, but acknowledges that canola or other oils and ingredients in its products may be from GE sources.

Healthy Choice Microwave Popcorn (ConAgra)
-Organic Corn (soy/canola oils)

Mothers Corn Cakes (Quaker)
-Butter Pop

Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn (ConAgra)
-Original
-Homestyle
-Butter
-Smart Pop
-Pour Over-Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Cakes
-Chocolate-Caramel
-Orville Redenbacher Mini Popcorn Cakes
-Butter
-Peanut Caramel
-Chocolate Peanut

Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn (Betty Crocker/General Mills)
-Natural-Homestyle
-Jumbo Pop
-Extra Butter
-Light
-94% Fat Free Butter

Pringles (Procter & Gamble)
-Original
-Low Fat
-Pizza-licious
-Sour Cream & Onion
-Salt & Vinegar
-Cheezeums
-Quaker Rice Cakes
-Peanut Butter
-Chocolate Crunch
-Cinnamon Streusel
-Mini
-Chocolate
-Ranch
-Sour Cream & Onion
-Apple Cinnamon
-Caramel Corn
-Quaker Corn Cakes
-White Cheddar
-Caramel Corn
-Strawberry Crunch
-Caramel Chocolate Chip

Soda & Juice Drinks ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Coca Cola (Coca Cola)
SpriteCherry Coke
Barq’s Root Beer
Minute Maid Orange
Minute Maid Grape
Surge
Ultra

PepsiCo
Pepsi
Slice
Wild Cherry Pepsi
Mug Root Beer
Mountain Dew
Cadbury/Schweppes
7-Up
Dr. Pepper
A & W Root Beer
Sunkist Orange
Schweppes Ginger Ale

Capri Sun juices (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Red Berry
-Surfer Cooler
-Splash Cooler
-Wild Cherry
-Strawberry Kiwi]
-Fruit Punch
-Pacific Cooler
-Strawberry
-Orange
-Grape

Fruitopia (Coca Cola)
-Grape Beyond
-Berry Lemonade
-Fruit Integration
-Kiwiberry Ruckus
-Strawberry Passion
-Tremendously Tangerine

Fruit Works (PepsiCo)

-Strawberry Melon
-Peach Papaya
-Pink Lemonade
-Apple Raspberry

Gatorade (Quaker)
-Lemon Lime
-Orange
-Fruitpunch
-Fierce Grape
-Frost Riptide Rush

Hawaiian Punch (Procter & Gamble)
-Tropical Fruit
-Grape Geyser
-Fruit Juicy Red
-Strawberry Surfin

Hi-C (Coca Cola)
-Pink Lemonade
-Watermelon Rapids
-Boppin’ Berry
-Tropical Punch
-Smashin’ Wildberry
-Blue Cooler
-Blue Moon Berry
-Orange
-Cherry

Kool Aid (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Blastin’ Berry Cherry
-Bluemoon Berry
-Kickin’ Kiwi Lime
-Tropical Punch
-Wild Berry Tea
-Ocean Spray
-Cranberry Juice Cocktail
-Cranapple
-CranGrape
-CranRaspberry
-CranStrawberry
-CranMango

Squeeze It (Betty Crocker/General Mills)
-Rockin’ Red Puncher
-Chucklin’ Cherry
-Mystery 2000

Sunny Delight (Procter & Gamble)
-Sunny Delight Original
-Sunny Delight With Calcium Citrus Punch
-Sunny Delight California Style Citrus Punch

Tang juices (Kraft/Phillip Morris)
-Orange Uproar-Fruit Frenzy
-Berry Panic

Tropicana Twisters (PepsiCo)
-Grape Berry
-Apple Raspberry Blackberry
-Cherry Berry
-Cranberry Raspberry Strawberry
-Pink Grapefruit
-Tropical Strawberry
-Orange Cranberry
-Orange Strawberry Banana

V-8 (Campbells)
-V8 Tomato Juices (all varieties)
-Strawberry Kiwi
-Strawberry Banana
-Fruit Medley
-Berry Blend
-Citrus Blend
-Apple Medley
-Tropical Blend
-Island Blend

Soup ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Campbell’s
-Tomato
-Chicken Noodle
-Cream of Chicken
-Cream of Mushroom
-Cream of Celery
-Cream of Broccoli
-Cheddar Cheese
-Green Pea
-Healthy Request Chicken Noodle
-Cream of Chicken
-Cream of Mushroom
-Cream of Celery
-Campbell’s Select Roasted Chicken with Rice
-Grilled Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes
-Chicken Rice
-Vegetable Beef
-Chunky Beef with Rice
-Hearty Chicken & Vegetable
-Pepper Steak
-Baked Potato with Steak & Cheese
-New England Clam Chowder
-Soup to Go Chicken Noodle
-Chicken Rice
-Garden Vegetable
-Vegetable Beef & Rice

Simply Home Chicken Noodle
Chicken Rice
Garden Vegetable
Vegetable Beef with Pasta

Healthy Choice (ConAgra)
-Country Vegetable
-Fiesta Chicken
-Bean & Pasta
-Chicken Noodle
-Chicken with Rice
-Minestrone

Pepperidge Farms (Campbell’s)
-Corn Chowder
-Lobster Bisque
-Chicken & Wild Rice
-New England Clam Chowder
-Crab SoupProgresso (Pillsbury)
-Tomato Basil-Chicken Noodle
-Chicken & Wild Rice
-Chicken Barley
-Lentil
-New England Clam Chowder
-Zesty Herb Tomato
-Roasted Chicken with Rotini
-Fat Free Minestrone
-Fat Free Chicken Noodle
-Fat Free Lentil
-Fat Free Roast Chicken

Tomatoes & Sauces ~ Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Del Monte (Nabisco/Phillip Morris)
-Tomato Sauce

Five Brothers Pasta Sauces (Lipton/Unilever)
-Summer Vegetable
-Five Cheese
-Roasted Garlic & Onion
-Tomato & Basil

Healthy Choice Pasta Sauces (ConAgra)
-Traditional
-Garlic & Herb
-Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb

Hunts (ConAgra)
-Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
-Four Cheese Spaghetti Sauce
-Tomato Sauce
-Tomato Paste

Prego Pasta Sauces (Campbells)
-Tomato, Basil & Garlic
-Fresh Mushroom
-Ricotta Parmesan
-Meat Flavored
-Roasted Garlic & Herb
-Three Cheese
-Mini-Meatball
-Chicken with Parmesan

Ragu Sauces (Lipton/Unilever)
-Old World Traditional
-Old World with Meat
-Old World Marinara
-Old World with Mushrooms
-Ragu Robusto Parmesan & Romano
-Ragu Robusto Roasted Garlic
-Ragu Robusto Sweet Italian Sausage
-Ragu Robusto Six Cheese
-Ragu Robusto Tomato, Olive Oil & Garlic
-Ragu Robusto Classic Italian Meat
-Chunky Garden Style Super Garlic
-Chunky Garden Style Garden Combo
-Chunky Garden Style Tomato, Garlic & Onion
-Chunky Garden Style Tomato, Basil & Italian Cheese
-Pizza Quick Traditional.

I hope you’ll find this helpful!

Starting on your vegan life

January 18, 2021 / thevegancatlibrarian / Leave a comment

The title of this blog is quite clear: I am a librarian who loves cats and follow a vegan lifestyle.

This very first post I want it to be focused on what means to be vegan.

What does it mean to be vegan? This is now such a popular term that probably it doesn’t need much explanation, because now everybody is vegan or knows someone that is vegan. However. I don’t think that many people, vegan and non, really fully grasp the meaning of “going vegan”. I say this because I see people on Instagram, Twitter and also in article, are a bit confused with the essence of veganism. For example, there is so much ado about Beyond Meat: this is a company that produces plant-based food and so many vegans really adore it. Well, while this is plant-based, it doesn’t mean it is vegan. Because Beyond Meat is owned by Tyson Food that in Wikipedia we read it “is an American multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world’s second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork after JBS S.A. and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of the United States.” I mean, this is a big no-no for vegans. And yet, so many are sharing the dreadful journey of cows and porks to the slaughterhouse, while they buy plant-based food from a company whose profits will go in the pockets of an other organisation dealing in the killing of animals.

Similarly, your beloved Oreos: they are produced by Mondelez International which “manufactures chocolate, cookies, biscuits, gum, confectionery, and powdered beverages”. And this stuff is not vegan, trust me. Or look it yourself on the ingredients.

This is not veganism.

This is capitalism investing in a trend.

Capitalism is very insidious and has managed to infiltrate a very profitable market.

People calling themselves anarchists and buy blood-stained food.

People who genuinely think they are vegan, are actually indirectly paying for the killing of millions of non-human animals.

And this is also part of the problematic common belief that veganism is expensive. Obviously, if you buy such overly-processed foods from these companies, they’ll make you pay for it. Because it is so fashionable to buy something “vegan”, following the trend, and oh we need these plant-based burgers so much!

To be vegan, means not exploiting animals for any reason: it is not only for food, or clothes, but also for entertainment and cosmetics and you have to do some research to see which are the decent companies and those that are not. It is requiring some effort, but it has to be done.

To make it a bit easier for you, I’ll post soon a list of those food companies that are not vegan.

So how do you start this vegan lifestyle?

Start reducing the intake of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey. As you do this increase the use of legumes (lentils, beans, etc) and veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, spinach: these foods are rich in important nutrients, proteins, minerals and fibres. Tofu and tempeh are other items that you can integrate in your diet: but please look at some recipes to make them as their flavour is too bland (tofu) or quite pungent (tempeh), and you will enjoy them much more!

In terms of clothing: you’ll probably have something with wool or leather. There are two ways you can deal with this: you either discard those items (give them to goodwill, recycle etc.) or you can keep them. This second way follows the idea that you already bought such items, you already financed the exploitation of animals, you cannot go back and you accept it. Either way, make your choice, both are okay.

Animals are still exploited for cosmetic and medical tests. On the medical tests, you cannot do much: there are very few organisations that is against the use of animals in their tests, so we have to look into it. For cosmetics, the only big pace where this kind of test is required by law is China: this applies to imported goods meaning that all those brands importing to China are voluntarily or not agreeing to their product being tested on animals. Avoid them. There are many websites dedicated to asking various cosmetic companies what are their policies on testing the products and if they sell to China. This is very thorough.

Please be aware that there are many multinationals (like Unilever, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, Pepsi, Coca Cola) settled in more sectors: for example, Unilever goes from food to cosmetics and you have to be careful as they are very sneaky.

So you have some tool to go vegan. Let me know what you think, what is your experience. I will soon post some of the companies that are absolutely not vegan.

Stay tuned!

The Vegan Cat Librarian

A blog full of rainbows, cats, libraries and other wonders (and information on vegan lifestyle)

vegan