Last week I came across an article on CNN about how differences in diet can cause serious divisions in relationships. As you would expect, the article primarily focused on couples with extremely different diets with more than a few examples of half vegan/half omni pairs. What struck me was how seriously the couples in the story and the author treated the subject, even going so far as to offer up tips for navigating this issue from a licensed psychologist.

I suppose my surprise stems from my own experience as the vegan half of an “interdiet” relationship. When my husband and I met 10 years ago I ‘d never given a second thought about the implications of eating animals and had an appetite for them that matched his own. Fast forward to today where I’m now an enthusiastic animal advocate who keeps a fairly strict vegan diet while he remains a conscientious but dedicated omnivore.

I suppose on paper that sounds like a recipe for disaster (and according to this CNN article, it is!) but that couldn’t be further from the truth for us. Andy has been and remains open-minded and supportive of my slow but steady transformation from unequivocal meat eater to full-on vegan even as he continues to include animal products in his diet.

Certainly it helps that he is the least picky eater possible (he can be counted on to dispose of the failed vegan experiments that even I won’t touch with a ten foot pole) but more than that I think the reason our differing diets have been such a non-issue for us is owed to our deep mutual respect for each other. While I do keep an entirely vegan kitchen/home, he’s free to buy and prepare anything he wants (an option he very rarely exercises). Likewise, when we eat out, he orders as he pleases. As for me, I keep all my gross-out facts and guilt-inducing stories of animal abuse and neglect to a bare minimum in his presence (sometimes it slips!) and abstain from food-related judgement or preaching.

Sure, I would love it if he decided to become vegan but if things are just the way they are now in 50 years, I’m cool with that too. I’d bet you he feels the same.

I know our situation isn’t an uncommon one, so I’m curious: if you’re in an “interdiet” relationship, how does it work for you? Is it a major issue? Give me the scoop in the comments!

Seeing as how finding good vegan health and beauty products can require a little extra effort for women, when you take into account the generally smaller selection for men’s products in this category, you can see how this could be an issue. Thankfully, great options for men’s vegan toiletries are out there – and as it turns out, not actually all that hard to find!

Pictured above are my gentleman’s top picks for cruelty-free personal care products. First up, Refresh body wash from good ‘ol Trader Joe’s. Not only does this smell great, it’s readily available at any TJ’s and is characteristically affordable, yet high-quality.

Next, Natural Apricot Shampoo from JASON. Part of their Everyday Hair Care line, Andy likes this one primarily because the scent is super yummy without heading too far into “girly” town. He also appreciates that it creates a sudsy, rich lather – something that’s missing from a lot of natural/vegan shampoos.

Finally, a new addition to his routine and one that has quickly become a fave, Dr. Bronner’s Magic “All-One!” spearmint shaving and soap gel. He thinks this stuff is the cat’s pajamas. Right now he’s using it as a face wash/shaving gel combo.

Obviously, none of these products are exclusively for men (I pretty regularly use his shampoo because it smells so great!), but they all have a certain unisex appeal.

What vegan personal care products does your guy like? Vegan men, anything else you’d recommend?

I’m headed out to the ballpark today to see the Cardinals beat the tar out of the Cubs (Go Cards!). Typically, I eat before or after going to the stadium and/or bring my own snacks both for lack of options and to avoid the outrageous prices, but today I got to wondering just what might be available to a vegan fan at Busch Stadium?

Every year, PETA releases a top 10 list of veg-friendly Major League ballparks in the U.S. In 2008, Busch Stadium came in at number six on the list for offering a wide variety of veggie fare including a veggie burger, vegetable stir-fry, fire-roasted veggie burrito, Mediterranean tapas and whole roasted corn. Unfortunately, since then the pickin’s seem to have slimmed considerably – which explains our absence from subsequent lists.

On the bright side, there are still a few options for a hungry vegan at Busch. First, there’s my favorite game-day snack, roasted peanuts. Grab these from nearly any concession stand in the park, or save a few bucks and bring your own. Another good snack option that is widely available throughout the park are soft pretzels (sans cheese, of course).

As far as more substantial vegan food options inside the stadium, it looks like the last man standing is the veggie chicken sandwich at Dizzy’s Diner – not that I’m complaining! It would be nice to have more than one meal option, but if there is only one thing available, I kind of love that it isn’t a standard veggie burger.

And then, of course, there’s always fries (my BFF/arch-nemesis).

Just out of curiosity, I think I’m going to give the chicken sandwich at Dizzy’s a shot this afternoon. I’ll let you know how it goes down.

Finally, no trip to the ballpark would be complete without a $10 beer, right? Thankfully, you can toss ‘em back with a clear conscience when you’re at Busch Stadium because Bud Light and Budweiser are both vegan friendly brews.

Go Cards!

Ok, before anybody makes a crack about vegans requiring that even the dishes that hold their food be vegan – that’s not what I meant when I titled this post!

Clearly, what I’m talking about are the really, really, ridiculously adorable dishes pictured above that feature the word “Vegan” on their finish! I saw these yesterday in a post on Alicia Silverstone’s blog and I’m now totally in love.

These dishes are the handiwork of Ms. Jeanette Zeis, who runs the aptly named, Vegan Dish, on Etsy. In addition to the bowls pictured, Jeanette also makes equally delightful serving bowls, mugs, cupcake stands and wooden wall signs.

I cannot get over how seriously cute this stuff is. I WANT. If you agree, get yourself to the site quick because her current stock is low and it seems she’s taking a break until next month. I suppose a few weeks isn’t that long to wait for new merchandise, but when we’re talking about things with this level of charm, it’s hard to hold your horses!

After yesterday’s post you might be wondering what a family-friendly outing in St. Louis looks like in lieu of the zoo and/or Grant’s Farm. Thankfully, our fine city offers up a plethora of fantastic cruelty-free options for family fun!

First up is my favorite:

The City Museum

In short, The City Museum is RAD. Somehow, I wasn’t even aware of its existence until a few years ago – well into my twenties. Needless to say, after my husband and I quickly disposed of an entire afternoon crawling through intricate crevices and zooming down giant slides, I gave my parents and earful for never taking me there! This place will keep the whole family entertained for hours on end. Most definitely an experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Saint Louis Science Center/The Magic House

Yes, I know these are two fairly different places. The way I hear it though, the magic at The Magic House has quite a bit to do with science. Imagine that! I haven’t been to the Science Center since elementary school, same goes for The Magic House. I have fond memories of both, but I’m told that nowadays, The Magic House is sort of a more age-appropriate version of the Science Center for younger children. Maybe (likely) your kids would enjoy both, but checking these out according to how big or little the youngins’ are might work well.

Forest Park

The options for family-friendly fun abound in Forest Park! Bigger than New York’s Central Park, Forest Park is one of the most gorgeous and expansive outdoor spots in the city. Great ideas for a summer afternoon here with fam include flying a kite (and/or rolling down the hill) on Art Hill, biking along the riding trails and paddle boating on Post-Dispatch Lake. And of course, what trip to the park is complete without a picnic lunch!

The Muny

Speaking of Forest Park, another great place for cruelty-free family fun in St. Louis lies smack in the middle of it, The Muny! Always a fun place to take in a show, the outdoor ambiance of The Muny makes it especially appealing to little ones. More importantly, the lineup of shows that makeup The Muny’s summer season is always chock full of family favorites. Catch Disney’s The Little Mermaid showing now through the 14th!

Citygarden

Citygarden is sort of the new kid on the block when it comes to cool places to hang out with the family in St. Louis. Citygarden sits on nearly three acres between Eighth and Tenth and Market and Chestnut streets, right in the middle of downtown. Here you’ll find two dozen pieces of sculpture displayed amongst vibrant landscaping and a giant video wall. Not just cool to look at, most of what you see at Citygarden is interactive and child-friendly, full of fun features like a six-foot waterfall, a spray plaza with 102 computer-controlled spray jets and custom lighting and a “meander” wall that beckons you to try to keep your balance on the granite stones.

The Arch

And finally, what roundup of family(and animal!)-friendly activities in St. Louis is complete without mentioning the Arch? Strangely enough, I know plenty of native St. Louisans who’ve never been up. How you can go to school in St. Louis and never take a field trip to the Arch, I do not know, but if you’ve never been, you’re missing out! Likewise, even if the view isn’t new to you, it probably is to your kid! It’s easy to forget just how cool the Arch is when you’ve spent your whole life looking at it – which is another reason to take a trip to the top if it’s been a while.

This is just a sprinkling of all the cool, family-friendly stuff there is to do in St. Louis with zero collateral damage. A similar list could be easily composed for nearly any city in the country. Giving Zoos the boot is easier (and more fun!) than you think!

Oh, brother can this be a touchy subject.

For a lot of people, a trip to the zoo is deeply tied-in to happy memories of childhood field trips and family outings. So much so, it’s often one of the first things parents want to do with their own children when they’re old enough. That certainly helps to explain why people tend to dismiss or strongly object to arguments about the ethical implications of caging wild animals for entertainment or “educational” purposes, but it doesn’t change the fact that zoos are unnatural and often-miserable experiences for animals.

Aside from too-small and typically ill-suited enclosures and wild differences in natural climate – both of which wreak havoc on the mental and physical health of captive animals and are undeniable downsides at even the best facilities – zoos also regularly buy, sell and trade animals without any regard for established relationships. Sure, this isn’t as big of a factor for some animals as much as others, but for many species (pack animals in particular), separation from a family member or long-time companion is a devastating blow with very real consequences.

These practices, in combination with the basic restriction of natural behaviors like flying, swimming, running, hunting, digging, etc. cause a great number of zoo animals to lose their minds – literally. Think about how often you’ve seen an animal in an exhibit rocking, swaying or pacing. These behaviors are very common symptoms of psychosis in captive animal populations. Less cute than you thought, right?

The first argument zoos like to make for themselves is that they work to protect species from extinction. Interestingly enough however, you’ll find very few animals on the endangered species list in zoos – that’s because those who draw the largest crowds aren’t necessarily those who need protection (when’s the last time you saw a Weta or a Dugong at a zoo?). If there isn’t money to be made, their concern wanes considerably.

Consequently, while you can argue that confining animals in zoos technically keeps them alive (granted, the lifespan of captive animals is much shorter than their native counterparts, on average), captivity does absolutely nothing to protect wild populations and habitats. Furthermore, an animal born and raised in captivity can almost never be released into the wild for lack of survival skills and the risk of transmitting non-native diseases.

At the end of the day, zoos are businesses. Serving up popular, cute and charismatic animals for a curious public is what they do (in addition to making sure there are plenty of overpriced souvenirs and junk food on hand for you to buy up). If the breeding programs they run to guarantee that there is always an endless supply of adorable baby animals around contributes to conservation, great, but it is not their primary objective. I won’t even get into what happens when room needs to be made for all those crowd-pleasing babies, but you can bet it isn’t pretty.

Of course, the story is essentially the same for aquariums and the like – circuses are another subject entirely (for which there are no redeeming qualities, whatsoever).

So, that’s why I don’t do zoos. Sure, it can be hard to refuse a family event and I’m certain that it will only get more difficult when I have children of my own, but  I am confident in my position. Not only does my absence in zoos mean that my money does not directly support what I believe to be an unethical institution, but now that I’ve given some thought to what life is like on the other side of the glass, visiting a zoo would truly be a depressing experience. Give me an amusement park or a fantastic museum any day!

The fact that the pickings are generally a little slimmer for guys when it comes to fashion isn’t news. As you can imagine, things get even bleaker when you add a vegan filter (btw, by “fashion,” I don’t necessarily mean high dollar couture. I’m talking shirts and shoes here).

To make things just a little easier on this front, enter Brave GentleMan. Launched just this month by Joshua Katcher (the brains behind the long-running, popular vegan blog “The Discerning Brute“), Brave GentleMan is an online shop that aims to provide a high quality selection of attire and lifestyle supplies for vegan men.

In addition to pants, tops, shoes, outerwear, accessories and products for personal care and the home, Brave GentleMan will also soon be offering custom tailored suits.

At the moment, the selection is a little light and it looks like the pricing here is going to be on the high-side, but as the store continues to grow I think it could become a really great resource for high quality men’s vegan clothing and shoes. In any case, it’s a fantastic concept and I hope it inspires more designers and retailers to produce and sell vegan fashion for men on a widespread basis.

Go check it out!

If you follow this blog, you know I’ve got mad love for Alicia Silverstone. Her outlook on veganism and life in general is so positive and inspiring and she is a great source for all kinds of useful tips and delicious recipes (like Saturday’s french toast!).

Last week, an excerpt of an interview she gave to a German magazine started getting some publicity on the web and it raises an interesting point. She’s been vegan for over a decade and told the magazine that she believes her looks have improved as a direct result:

Being vegan changes everything. First of all your looks. You don’t need any expensive creams anymore because your skin, hair and fingernails just look better. And you lose weight – without the yo-yo effect.

I recall her having mentioned something similar about her newly “glowing” skin in her best-selling book, The Kind Diet, as well.

Here’s the thing: I fully believe that her experience has been exactly as she describes. I am, however, a little hesitant to use improved appearance as one of the (many) benefits/selling points of veganism because I think everyone’s experience is different in that regard. There’s actual science to back up the health benefits, but whether or not going vegan will make you better looking is less certain.

Coincidentally, the improved hottie quotient is actually something I hear people list as a benefit of their experience with veganism quite often – particularly from older converts. I think that goes along with something else Alicia said in the interview that got a little less buzz:

Before I became vegan I didn’t even know how good I could feel. I don’t have mood changes that much anymore and I am much fitter. You become more sensitive in a good way and you pay more attention to your body.

I think that sort of nails it.

I will say, I too have experienced a bit of what Alicia is describing, particularly as it relates to my skin. I’m certainly not “glowing” as Alicia does (I still look sort of sad and sickly without makeup), but there has been one significant improvement.

Like many people, I have struggled with acne since high school. A round of Accutane (sort of the nuclear option in acne treatment, if you will) in college improved things a lot, but the problem didn’t completely disappear until about a year ago when I went vegan. Maybe that’s a coincidence, but as someone who had literally tried everything, I highly doubt it. There’s been a little research to suggest that dairy could be a contributing factor to problem skin. For me, at least, I definitely think there is some truth to that.

Additionally, I have also experienced a newfound stability in the number on the scale – which is always a good thing.

As I said, I wouldn’t recommend conversion to a vegan diet soley for the beauty benefits. For some people, that just isn’t part of the deal. However, as Alicia was hinting at, so much of our perception of beauty is tied to the way we feel, and there is no doubt that veganism is something to feel good about.  I’d say, give veganism a go for your health, for animals or both. If you end up looking like Alicia Silverstone as well, think of it as a (fantastic!) fringe benefit!

I will confess that I did not start taking vitamins until after I went vegetarian. However, this is NOT because I doubted that I could get all of the necessary nutrients from a veggie diet – just a residual effect of becoming more aware of what I eat as it relates to my health.

Now back to the point of the post: if you’re not vegan, you might not have ever given a second thought about what is actually in your vitamins. Here’s a hint: if they don’t say they’re vegan (and sometimes even if they do) a lot of what is in them is probably sourced from animals in one way or another. Obviously, this makes it necessary for vegans to seek out vitamin supplements that are not only formulated for their specific dietary needs (extra B12, for example) but also actually sourced from vegan ingredients.

As you might expect, there aren’t a ton of options out there. That doesn’t mean that those that do exist aren’t awesome though! As you can see, I’ve found a few that I’m really happy with. I take a daily multivitamin from a groovy company called DEVA Nutrition. All of their products are made specifically for the dietary needs of vegans and vegetarians. All DEVA products are 100% vegan and certified by the Vegan Society – a key attribute.

The first “vegan” multivitamin I was taking, RAW ONE for Women, turned out not to be vegan. It seems the D3 in this is sourced from Lanolin, a waxy substance secreted by sheep. Funky -  and not vegan. They’re supposed to be changing the packaging to say “Vegetarian” instead of “Vegan,” but as you can see, it’s still “Vegan” on their website. Not cool. This is why it’s a good idea to look for trusted logos from the Vegan Society or Vegan Action, whenever possible.

My only gripe about my multivitamin is that I can’t find it locally. Ordering online is not a big deal, just slightly less convenient than running out to Walgreen’s and grabbing a bottle whenever I need more. Don’t cry for me though. I’ll live.

In addition to my daily multivitamin, I also take a calcium supplement from Trader Joe’s. Yes! Trader Joe’s has vitamins – some of them vegan! Like everything at TJ’s, the vitamins are high-quality and low price. A 30-day supply of these is less than $3. I actually only take this once a day instead of twice, as recommended, because I get quite a bit of calcium from my diet. I also get more than enough protein, which explains the need for extra calcium (get the rundown here).

How do you know which vitamins at Trader Joe’s are vegan? Remember my post about vegan grocery shopping a while back? I mentioned that many of the vegan items at TJ’s are marked with a “V” on the label. If you take a gander at the photo up there, you can see the “V” in the lower left of the label. Easy as pie.

No matter how you eat, I think a well thought out supplement plan is probably a good idea. And even if you’re not vegan, what’s to stop your vitamins from it? Can’t hurt!

Ok now, hear me out for a second before you hit the back the button!

I fully understand that a lot of people have a very negative impression of PETA, and I get it. They are admittedly hard-core. So much so, in fact, that there are some pretty big divisions within the animal rights community itself when it comes to PETA. A lot of people blame them for the “crazed, angry vegan” stereotype, and to a certain extent, that’s valid. But here’s the thing: what they do is necessary.

Even though some of their rhetoric does come dangerously close to crossing the line and many people find their behavior alienating, I still think they play a very important role in the fight against animal abuse and exploitation.

PETA is of the opinion that all publicity is good publicity – and in this case, they’re right. They’re right because the major challenge of the animal welfare movement is awareness. The problem isn’t getting people to admit that abusing animals is wrong – people inherently know that it is – but rather, to get them to recognize it when it’s happening. No one does this better than PETA. They get your attention – even if they have to shock or disgust you to do it.

Of course, PETA’s controversial methods do sometimes limit their effectiveness. That’s where I think the work of more mainstream, less radical animal rights groups like the Humane Society and the ASPCA come into play. PETA starts the conversation,  HSUS & Co. turn it into real change. Honestly, I think PETA has the tougher gig, but each kind of outreach is just as necessary and important as the other.

Even though outrageous antics is what they’re famous for, it certainly isn’t all PETA does. They’re an unstoppable force for the good of animals all over the world. Personally, I think the primary reason I love PETA so much is because their style is so different than my own. They’ll say and do things I just don’t have the guts for. Even if you disagree with their methods or their message, you’ve got to admire that kind of passion. I certainly do.

P.S. My check is on the way, Ingrid. (…you can stop sending me reminders now!)