ASK MISS BLISS - MEAT MADE MY BODY SICK AND I NEED HELP BECOMING VEGETARIAN

Written by Miss Bliss on May 14, 2008 – 10:23 am -

Dearly loved Bliss,

I recently became very ill and, as a result, had to have my body COMPLETELY flushed. As a result, I am having a really hard time dealing with “normal” food. Even before my illness, I had been considering becoming vegetarian for health reasons, but never really saw it as convenient. I was willing to tolerate my problems with food in exchange for yummy stuff! The more I research it, though, the more I am realizing I don’t have to trade taste for health, but can combine, thanks in part to your lovely blogs about a decadent and healthy lifestyle.

Now more than ever (and because of my illness) I am very seriously considering giving up meat. If you get a chance, I would love your opinion on it, tips on eating healthily, anything. Also…is your delightful husband health-conscious as well? My fiance is an amazing chef who delights in creating wonderful things with food, but he’s never tried cooking anything without meat. I think this could be a challenge for both us - more for him, honestly, because he does all that cooking (I know, I’m totally spoiled. :D).

I guess all I’m asking for is your input. I know living in California and New York probably makes it easier for you because you have more top-quality produce available to you, but here in Atlanta, it seems people haven’t yet discovered the meaning of the word health. :)

I know you’re a terrifically busy woman, and if you never get a chance to get back to me, I understand. But I would love to hear your thoughts, maybe glean a bit of wisdom from you.

Love from afar!
Sick of Meat

Dearest Sick of Meat,

I very much understand how scary it must be to know that you no longer have a choice when it comes to food. Due to weak health, you have to dramatically change your diet to return to your vibrant self and the implications of this change do not only affect you, but affect your partner, as well. In a relationship, it can be hard to have different dietary needs, especially when one partner is the primary cook.

When I first became vegetarian six years ago last week (my veggie anniversary), my partner panicked. A dedicated carnivore, he liked very few fruits and vegetables and since I was the primary cook, he knew immediately, that my choice to stop eating animals would affect his life, too. At first, I thought it would be easy to continue as we had eaten before. When we stopped at Burger King, I ordered the veggie burger. At Subway, I ate the “veggie delight” sandwich (which basically is a cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickles, olives, etc.). I ordered pasta with marinara sauce at Italian restaurants and asked for salads without the meat in more traditional places. Basically, I tried to adapt without affecting the way my partner ate because I always saw my vegetarianism as “my choice” and never wanted to push it on my love or anyone else in my life.

But soon, I became bored of icky-tasting veggie burgers and cheese sandwiches. I didn’t want to get fat on carbs and dairy by making the mistake many vegetarians do of overindulging in macaroni and cheese and margherita pizzas. I knew that I had to learn how to cook if I was going to be a happy and healthy veggie girl. And, if I was going to be a vegetarian chef, my man’s diet would have no choice but to change, as well.

WAYS TO HELP TURN YOUR PARTNER ONTO A VEGGIE LIFESTYLE

1. FAKE MEAT HAS NO CHOLESTEROL AND DOES NOT CAUSE HEART DISEASE

Many transitional vegetarians feel confused as to what to eat to replace meat. In the beginning, I could not imagine a meal that did not have some kind of “protein”, so I tried to make my favorite dishes with “fake” soy meats because I had not learned to enjoy tofu and seitan yet (that took a good couple of years) and I also hadn’t realized how many marvelous dishes there are just veggies and grains. I made my man tacos with ground soy “meat”, and stir-fried veggies with soy “chicken” strips. For breakfast, we would make scrambled eggs with soy “bacon”. Even though it was not as satisfying as meat, we learned to enjoy how little cholesterol we were eating and my man got behind the idea that we were lowering our heart disease risk and losing weight. I encouraged him to continue cooking meat for himself, but he did not feel comfortable doing this, and so I tried to think of vegetarian dishes that were “almost” like his favorite foods – all with soy meats.

2. BEING VEGETARIAN IS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING

Goveg.com reports that “A 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, Hummers, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined.”
So tell your man if you both reduce your meat intake, you can help stop global warming and ensure there is a beautiful world for your future children and grandchildren. To read Fight Climate Change with Diet Change, CLICK HERE.

3. LEARN TO ENJOY VEGETARIAN MEALS BY EATING IN ETHNIC RESTAURANTS

For some transitioning vegetarians with meat-eating partners, the best way to find new veggie dishes you like (and that he may like, too) is to visit ethnic restaurants that serve both veggie and non-veggie entrees. Indian, Thai, Chinese, and Italian restaurants all have vegetarian options. He can order the flesh meal, and you can try veggie entrees and have him taste them. He might just prefer the meal you chose!

4. ASK HIM TO KEEP THE MEAT ON THE SIDE

Many home-cooked meals can easily be modified to be vegetarian. If he cooks pasta with meatballs, ask him to keep the meatballs on the side so you can have veggie pasta with marinara sauce. If he’s making chicken with a salad, ask him to make an extra large salad for you and augment its protein by adding nuts or cheese. Or, have him pull a soy chicken breast from the fridge and cook that for you. At first, this can seem like a drag, but soon enough, it will get you helping him in the kitchen which can be a lot more fun and good for your relationship.

5. THE BEST PRODUCE IS AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

Even in California and New York, the best produce is not found in the grocery store, but at the Farmer’s Market. And, guess what, darling reader? There are Farmers’ Markets even in Atlanta, Georgia. CLICK HERE to see the many markets in Georgia. Shopping in Farmers’ Markets supports local farmers and also helps stop global warming because you are purchasing food that was not packaged or shipped, wasting precious natural materials, gas and oil. Plus, at the Farmers’ Markets, the prices are cheaper, the produce is fresher, and you get to taste food before you buy it. I personally find it moving to meet the people who make and harvest my food and it is easier to get good, non-pesticide-sprayed organic foods at the Farmer’s Market. Many markets also have musicians, fresh flowers and are a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning with the person you love.

6. WHEN HE FEELS MORE COMFORTABLE, GO TO VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS TO FIND NEW ENTREES YOU BOTH LIKE

When I did a quick google search of vegetarian restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, many options came up. So, when you are feeling ready, do a search and explore some new places and new foods in your area.

7. GET ONE NEW BIG VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK

I rarely cooked before I became vegetarian. But when I grew bored of the three or four veggie dishes I knew how to make, I finally purchased Marilyn Diamond’s massive cookbook, The American Vegetarian Cookbook From The Fit For Life Kitchen. With over 400 pages of recipes, you can find some dishes you will both like. And, since they are healthy for you, your new entrees will help you both be thinner, fitter and healthier while not denying you yummy taste.

7. BE GENTLE HELPING YOUR PARTNER TO ACCEPT YOUR NEW DIETARY HABITS

After six years of my being vegetarian, my man is now a vegetarian 26 days of the month. I have never tried to force him to be veggie and understand that sometimes his body needs meat. When it does, we try to purchase clean, organic meat in restaurants we trust. He understands that I will not cook meat and he does not feel comfortable bringing animal flesh into our home, but that is his choice, not mine. The number one thing to being successfully vegetarian is to notice how your body feels when you eat veggie dishes. As your body becomes healthier, you will naturally reach your ideal weight and trust me, your partner will want to be more like you!

XOXXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR


Posted in HEALTH, NUTRITION, RELATIONSHIPS, body size, boyfriends, natural health, soy, vegetables, vegetarian |

ASK MISS BLISS - IS RICE MILK RIGHT FOR YOU? & CAN MY TODDLER BE VEGAN?

Written by Miss Bliss on February 4, 2008 – 6:23 am -

Hi Bliss,

I know that Rice Milk doesn’t pack the protein punch of soy or almond milk, but how does it fare nutritionally? Better or worse than soy?

Yours,
Dairy Free

Dearest Dairy Free,

There are three types of dairy-free milks sold in most health food stores today: (1) soy milk, (2) rice milk, and (3) almond milk. All three come in various flavors including plain, vanilla, chocolate, unsweetened, and sometimes, carob. (Carob unsweetened almond milk is hard to find, but one of my personal favorites. Add a little agave nectar and it is just dreamy!)

SOY MILK
Soy milk is the only vegan milk that is comparable to cow milk in terms of protein content. Cow milk has 8 grams of protein, and soy milk can have between 8 and 11 grams of protein per serving. So if you are concerned you are not getting enough protein in your vegan or vegetarian diet, you may want to include soy milk as a part of your daily diet.

As I mentioned in my blog, Is Too Much Soy Dangerous?, soy may be dangerous for non-Asian women with family histories of breast cancer. However, soy milk is safe if you limit total daily soy consumption to one glass of soy milk a day and one serving of tofu (or other traditional soy product).

RICE MILK
Dearest Reader, you are correct when you write that rice milk does not have the protein and good fats that soy milk has. Rice milk is packed with carbohydrates and should not be considered a nutritional replacement for dairy milk because it lacks the fat and protein found in other milks. Most rice milk brands are sweetened with brown rice syrup or evaporated cane juice, which ups the sugar, carbs, and calorie content. However, its sweet taste does make it an excellent replacement for dairy in baked goods.

Rice milk is also low in protein content, having 1 to 2 grams of protein per serving. So why would you choose rice milk over soy, cow and almond milk? If you have nut allergies, are lactose-intolerant and/or have a history of breast cancer in your family, rice milk may be the right vegan milk for you.

ALMOND MILK
Believe it or not, store-bought almond milk is NOT high in protein. Most brands of almond milk sold in stores have only 1 gram of protein per cup. However, “what sets almond milk apart is its high vitamin E content. According to Blue Diamond Growers’ specifications, one cup of almond milk (240 ml) contains 14.99 IU of natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol). In contrast, the USDA nutrient database reports one cup of soymilk has 3.31 mg alpha-tocopherol and 1.35 mg vitamin E added” (click here to read “Thoroughly Modern Milk”).

If you make almond milk yourself, and do not strain out the almond pulp, you may get up to 5 grams of protein per serving. Raw vegan enthusiasts say it can be easy to make your own almond milk. Take a cup of raw, organic almonds, soak them in purified water overnight, drain and rinse them in the morning, then blend with four cups of water in a high-speed blender. The milk will be chalky when it is not strained, but it will be full of all the protein , fats, and nutrients almonds are famous for. According to sixwise.com, “Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat. They’re rich in magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium. Almond milk, then, may be one of the more nutritious milk alternatives on the market.”

Vegan milks have no cholesterol or saturated fat and are lower in calories than milk. They are lactose-free, environmentally sustainable, and do not harm animals when produced. Based on your protein needs and your personal family history, I am sure you will find the vegan milk that is right for you.

XOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR

Dear Miss Bliss,

I am making the slow transition into veganhood, if you will. My daughter is only two, though. I do not give her meat, but obviously she consumes a lot of other dairy products, mostly milk. I was wondering if you knew any healthy alternatives to cow’s milk for a thriving two year old toddler?

XOXOXO
Vegan Mom

Dear Vegan Mom,

After your child is six months old, almond milk can be used instead of cow milk. Raw food enthusiast, Gabriel Cousens, M.D., recommends breastfeeding your child for the first six months, and then introducing almond milk as a breast milk supplement.

Soy milk and soy products should be avoided as soy is already being overused in baby food and processed foods to up protein counts. Many health advocates say that more research needs to be done to see how high levels of soy protein affect children. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, “Soy milk, rice milk, and homemade formulas should not be used to replace breast milk or commercial infant formula during the first year. These foods do not contain the proper ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, nor do they have enough of many vitamins and minerals to be used as a significant part of the diet in the first year.”

For healthy vegan children, the Vegetarian Resource Group recommends the following diet plans:

Table 17: Diet Plans for Vegan Children
TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS (AGE 1-3)
FOOD GROUP NUMBER OF SERVINGS
GRAINS 6 or more (a serving is 1/2 to 1 slice of bread or 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked cereal or grain or pasta or 1/2 to 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal)
LEGUMES, NUTS, SEEDS 2 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked beans, tofu, tempeh or TVP; or 1-1/2 to 3 ounces of meat analogue; or 1 to 2 Tbsp. nuts, seeds, nut or seed butter
FORTIFIED SOYMILK, ETC 3 (a serving is 1 cup fortified soymilk, infant formula, or breast milk) [I PERSONALLY RECOMMEND ALMOND MILK]
VEGETABLES 2 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked or 1/2 to 1 cup raw vegetables)
FRUITS 3 or more (a serving is 1/4 to 1/2 cup canned fruit or 1/2 cup juice, or 1 medium fruit)
FATS 3 (1 tsp. margarine or oil) (use 1/2 tsp. flaxseed oil or 2 tsp. canola oil daily to supply omega-3 fatty acids)
CHILDREN (AGE 4-13)
FOOD GROUP NUMBER OF SERVINGS
GRAINS 8 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 10 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds
PROTEIN FOODS 5 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 6 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds
VEGETABLES 4 or more
FRUITS 2 or more
FATS 2 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 3 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds
OMEGA-3 FATS 1 per day
STARRED FOOD ITEMS 6 or more for 4 to 8 yr olds; 10 or more for 9 to 13 yr olds

Notes: Serving sizes vary depending on the child’s age.

Congratulations, wonderful reader, for choosing a healthier life for you, your child, and our environment.

XOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR
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HAVE A QUESTION FOR ASK MISS BLISS? EMAIL ME AT bliss@blisswarrior.com.
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IF YOU ENJOYED READING THIS BLOG, YOU MAY ENJOY:
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Posted in ASK MISS BLISS, HEALTH, NUTRITION, almond milk, breast cancer, cow milk, dairy drama, raw food, recipes, rice milk, soy, vegan, vegan children, vegetarian |

IS TOO MUCH SOY DANGEROUS?

Written by Miss Bliss on January 14, 2008 – 6:00 am -

“You can’t eat any more soy?”

“Nope. My doctor told me to stay away from soy.” Emily is staring down at her menu and I study her chin-length hair and the light shimmer on her eyelids.

“Why not? What’s the problem with soy?” Being a vegetarian for over five years, and off cow milk for four, I have heard stories that soy may not be the health food scientific research claims it to be.

“My breasts were getting huge,” Emily exclaims, lifting her black-lined eyes up to mine. “Enormous! I went up two sizes to a double D and almost an E, and I was already big to begin with!”

“Big? I prefer to call you perfect and gorgeous.”

She laughs sarcastically and then says, “It was painful! I had the worst back pain. You can’t imagine! So I went to the doctor and he told me to get off soy, and you know I love soymilk! But I’m off soy for three months now and I’ve lost weight and my breasts are nearly normal again. Well, normal for me.”

“Perfection, again,” I say flirting, and she looks at me with a wicked smile.

After lunch, I walk away a little down. Giving up cow milk was hard enough; now I have to give up soy, too? Or do I?

IS SOY DANGEROUS?

1. DOES SOY HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS?

YES- Scientific research has proven that soy can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels which decreases the risk of heart disease. Scientists also agree that when soy is used to replace animal protein, less calcium is lost from the body.

NO - Most of the studies demonstrating soy’s positive effects were sponsored by the soy industry, making it difficult to determine whether the positive effects were soy-based, or simply because the study participants were eating less animal products and, therefore, less cholesterol.

THE END RESULT? If you have a history of heart disease in your family, switching to soy from animal products will lower your cholesterol. But then again, switching to a vegetarian diet without soy will do the same!

2. DOES SOY CAUSE BREAST CANCER?

YES - Soy is full of phytoestrogens which many call “plant estrogen”. Some believe phytoestrogens in soybeans can act like human estrogen and cause hot flashes or promote estrogen-sensitive breast cancers.

NO - There is no definitive data to prove that soy contributes to breast cancer. Doctors do, however, stress that non-Asian women should consume less than 25 grams of soy protein per day. This is about one glass of soy milk and one cup of tofu, only! So if you are drinking a soy latte with your cereal and soy milk, then having a soy burger for lunch, soy chicken stir-fry for dinner, and topping it all off with soy ice cream, you may be increasing your risk of breast cancer. If your man is a soy consumer, make sure to let him know he can rest easy: science has shown that soy does not cause vegan men to develop breasts.

THE END RESULT? If you have a family history of breast cancer, it is in your interest to limit your daily intake of soy protein to less than 25 grams per day, or avoid soy altogether.

3. ARE SOME TYPES OF SOY FOODS HEALTHIER THAN OTHERS?

YES - The American Cancer Society approves up to three servings of traditional soy products for breast cancer patients. What are traditional soy products, you ask? Miso, natto and tofu. Now, I don’t even know what “natto” is and I’ve been a vegetarian for over five years. Tofu, as many of you know, is a great form of vegetable protein. Miso is fermented soybean paste and known for its many health benefits, including the reduction of breast cancer cells.

NO - The soy industry argues that any kind of soy protein is equally beneficial.

THE END RESULT? Medical researchers warn consumers that non-traditional soy-based processed foods, (including soy milk, soy ice cream, soy burgers, soy chicken, etc.) are to be treated like all processed foods and are to be eaten in moderation ONLY!

After researching the benefits and potential harm of soy, and thinking about my sweet friend Emily’s story, it seems there is plenty of evidence that soy should be treated like all processed foods and be eaten in moderation. But to live healthy is to live balanced: eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds and the occasional soy treat will not harm you.

REMEMBER, HEALTHY EQUALS HOT!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
BLISS WARRIOR

[Many of the facts for this blog come from my new favorite magazine, VegNews, and from the excellently researched article by Ilyse Simon titled, The Great Soy Debate. On newsstands today.]

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MISSED THE SAN DIEGO BRUNCH LAST WEEKEND?
11 BI-GIRLS MET IN SAN DIEGO FOR BRUNCH & CONVERSATION
AND HAD A FANTASTIC TIME! DON’T MISS THE NEXT EVENT IN SAN DIEGO!
CLICK HERE to join the San Diego bi women myspace group and never miss an event again.
Not on myspace? CLICK HERE to join San Diego bi women on google groups or email them at san-diego-bi-women@googlegroups.com for more information
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BLISS IS BRUNCHING IN SOUTH BEACH MIAMI THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th at 11AM.
WE ALREADY HAVE FOUR AMAZING, SMART, GORGEOUS GIRLS COMING
AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!
EMAIL ME AT BLISS@BLISSWARRIOR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Posted in HEALTH, NUTRITION, breast cancer, cancer, soy, vegan, vegetarian |