My Position on Soy

Edamame

I have heard a lot of criticism of soy. Namely that it's so dangerous because of the phyto-estrogen. Phyto=plant. Mothers seem to be overly concerned about their little boys growing vaginas.

Here's my thinking:
People have been eating soy and tofu/tempeh for centuries with no problems. There are scores of studies done showing the benefits of soy. Check out PCRM's work.

Tempeh

What about the plenitude of hormones in animals? There's well over double the amount of estrogen found in milk and flesh than in any plant. And that's certainly not plant-estrogen. I won't even get into the amount of extra hormones the industry adds to the feed of livestock to ensure quick growth.



People that have a problem with tofu and tempeh because they're curdled and fermented-how is cheese or yogurt made?

The other thing I see is that veganism and tofu, hell vegetarianism and tofu, are often slapped together. It's assumed if you're vegan, you must consume vast amounts of soy.
Again, pay attention to sources. A lot of the studies showing how dangerous and evil soy is, is often funded by the animal agriculture industries. I suppose they're thinking is if they demonize a bean, people will be too scared to stop eating animals.
I eat soy(including tofu and tempeh) probably 2-3 times a week. That's way less than meat at every meal that I see most people consuming.
You don't have to eat soy, there are plenty of other plants to choose from. I know a number of people that can't eat soy because they are sensitive to it or have allergies. They eat other plants. Simple.
I don't typically drink soy milk either. Almond or rice milk for me. I haven't even tried hemp, oat, hazelnut, peanut or cashew milk yet.

Tofu

Troy and I also buy only organic soy. To avoid GMO's. 90% of the soy grown is to feed livestock, and it's mostly GMO, unless you're buying organic meat. So the cows are eating GMO soy, and we're eating the cows. Hmm...?
I'm more concerned with the amount of isolated soy protein I see on an astounding amount of package ingredients. This is not only with 'vegan food', but food most people buy. I've noticed this especially once I started paying attention to ingredient lists.
I no longer consume near the amount of processed, packaged food. Again, only 2-3 times a week if I'm feeling lazy, because I can make anything I want using just plants(whole foods), and if I'm not sure, I google it. Easy.

Soy(pun definitely intended!), let's not forget to use our brains when we get information.

Thought I would add Colleen' podcast regarding soy. Enjoy!
Soy Is Not Evil

Death On A Factory Farm

In the summer of 2010, Troy's brother, Tyler recommended we watch a documentary about factory farming that was on HBO called Death On Factory Farm. This documentary focused on pigs. We watched.
I couldn't recall the name of this documentary, just that it was about pigs, so I recently texted Tyler, and he could only remember that it was HBO.
I Googled:  factory farm pigs HBO. Found it.

It was very disturbing. Especially after learning that pigs are so smart, and are not all that different from us.
I can't remember the documentary very clearly, but I do remember it confirming everything that I had previously read about animal agriculture: it's hell. 

On that note, I appreciate being reminded why I'm vegan.
It reminds me to never give up. To keep trying, there are still billions of nonhuman animals that need me to keep at it. It's good to have reminders. Maybe it's just me and my brain injury, but there are moments when I need reminders.
It is good to educate myself on vegan things. That way I can speak to whatever I'm hearing people talk about. I have no problem being a voice for nonhuman animals. Even if I can't always access my words, and I sometimes trip over what I'm trying to say, and I often forget figures to quote.
I have to say, my memory is absolutely improving all the time!!

I definitely feel that anyone eating animals owes it to themselves, the animals, the planet, and the people working at those facilities, to watch how that               (fill the blank with whatever animal part or secretion) ended up on their plate.
Or on their back, or in their face moisturizer. Etc.

This thirst for more knowledge has not only grown my vegan library, but I own lots of different documentaries. I have a dozen more listed on my iPhone to watch. All have been very good! I'll review them here soon.
I thought I'd start from the beginning of my vegan journey, and catch you up to what I'm doing now.
It's the paleo-diet! Kidding! That was a joke. 
Speaking of, not to jump way ahead, but you must listen to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's newest podcast episode, The Newest Diet Fad: Paelo.
Okay, 'must' seems like an order, what I mean is that I strongly recommend listening. It's really informative and insightful.

A Challenge!! Veganize This: Hungarian Torta

Okay, here's the recipe my mom uses to make her torta. There are lots of versions, even within my own family, maybe your family makes something similar.

The version of this recipe that I had, has terrible directions! Terrible!
"Add the vanilla extract? What vanilla extract?! There's none listed...and how much?!?" Argh.
I didn't get it, so I had Troy look at it. He was super confused, so I talked to my mom. Luckily she was able to email me her recipe(which uses no vanilla extract!). Then we added more instructions because my family recipes seem to not include instructions. :P
Meeting with my mom in person, twice, 6 emails, and 5 phone calls later, I was able revamp the recipe so not just my mom gets it.
This recipe has many steps, it takes about 4 hours, but I am begging you to help me veganize this! Please note that this recipe can be reduced.
Help?
Please? I'll be your friend forever.                 

Hungarian Torta
The Dough-Torta Layers
This should make enough for 3 to 4 large cookie sheets.The layers get cut in half, once baked, so 6-8 layers.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line cookie sheets with foil.  Coat the foil on the cookie sheets with lard and dust with flour. Be sure to coat all the lard with flour.

• 18 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp  salt
• 3/4 tsp baking powder Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.

• 18 eggs, separated               
• 18 Tbsp granulated sugar

Beat egg whites till stiff. Add half (9 Tbsp)of the sugar. Keep beating till mixed in well. Set egg-white mixture aside.

Beat egg yolks till thick, adding other 9 Tbsp of sugar.

Fold dry ingredients mixture into egg yolks. Fold in the egg-white mixture.

Put batter in just to evenly cover the pan.Watch carefully as it bakes quickly. Should be a very light brown.

Remove from oven, remove foil from pan and turn over onto brown paper. Gently remove foil from layer.

Repeat till all layers are baked.

 The Torta Filling

• 10 egg yolks
• 2 eggs(whites and yolks)

Beat these together until they're a creamy yellow colour. Put mixture in fridge to keep cool.

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Place in a pot, mix and boil, stirring constantly. Boil till mixture forms a thread when dripping off a spoon (till it is thick to drip off spoon-my grandma calls this 'threading'). Immediately, but slowly, add to the egg mixture beating all the time. Beat till completely mixed. And mix for a couple minutes longer.

Once quite cool add the following butter mixture:

• 2 cup unsalted butter, softened  
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder, add more to taste

Sift the cocoa powder into the butter. Then mix butter mixture with the cooled egg mixture.Cut the dough layers in half put frosting between each layer and top. Be sure to alternate the layers to prevent lopsided Torta.
Trim sides of cake and frost.
*********************************************************************************
We cut the cake into thin-ish slices, rather than the classic cuts like the cake shown above.
I always loved this cake served frozen. My mom likes it room temperature. But to each their own!
Please don't hesitate to message me, or tweet me any questions!!

Violated?! An 'Ah-ha' Moment

I had a really interesting talk with my counselor, Jo, regarding anxiety and depression and trauma.
We talked about my anxiety level and why I seem to have so much of it.
Basically, she was saying that while I was in the coma, things were done to my body that I had zero control of. Things like, having the catheter placed, the feeding tube up my nose, all of the monitors attached to me, being strapped down, and the tracheotomy. All of this was done while I was unconscious. My brain has no memory of these events. But my body does.
Which helps explain my high level of anxiety around medical professionals, namely.
After she explained why being in a coma, in itself, would be traumatic.

As she was explaining, I thought, so I was violated?
She confirmed, that yes, violated.
I mean, violated so medical professionals can help heal my body. It was a good thing! Fair enough.
But apparently, my body doesn't really see the difference or remember it that way.
We've been doing some S.E. work to help release that energy that my body is clinging to. Somatic Experience Exercises helps your body release the tension it kept from the traumatic event.

This talk with my counselor got me thinking more.

Maybe the reason that I find being vegan a pretty simple decision is because, on some level, I can relate to our 'food' animals. These animals also have zero say in what we do to them, or what happens to them. I know there is much protesting on the part of the nonhuman animals, we just don't care.
I don't want to violate anybody. Or pay to have anybody violated, on my behalf.
Not doing it.

The other ah-ha moment I had in the last few months, was also related to veganism and the collision.
Can you really blame me for thinking about it all the time?! 
I don’t remember much from the car collision.
I do recall making the decisions on what to wear for work that morning.
I do remember being panicked and absolutely terrified!! I truly remember the absolute panic I felt.
I am not supporting an industry that profits from anybody’s terror.
I don’t care how ‘humane’ or ‘happy’ that animal was.
I was happy in my life, but when it comes time to die, it’s fucking terrifying!!

Seems like an easy decision to me. 

Vegan. There you have it.