Consumption

Have you ever tried plant-based vegan hazelnut chocolate pie? Or vegan chocolate cake? Or vegan ice cream?

I must admit, these are delectable examples of opting for soy over dairy in some very wonderful recipes that lend themselves remarkably well to soy and nut based options! The more, the better, and I would like to say here that I am so grateful to the recipe developers who create dietary alternatives based on peoples needs!

However, that being said, when none else other than dairy will do (and there are a few cases - like fried and scrambled eggs on real butter), I don't think it is reasonable for me, a person who lives on dairy products from since toddlerhood, to deprive myself of dairy if no other vegan based option will do to sufficiently replace. For example, vegan coffee creamer simply doesn't have the same "onctuousness" or creaminess that I simply crave when having a hot chocolate or coffee; if I have to choose between vegan coffee creamer or not, I'd sooner taste and drink my coffee black. That's how much vegan coffee creamer makes me squirm and grimace, LOL! It's literally quite visceral!

I give 110% Kudos to the recipe and food developers who create meat and dairy alternatives for us every day! I think it is brilliant for those of us who have no need to withstand temperatures below zero every day! But, the fact is - in my personal experience growing up in a cold weather climate - protein, fat, and carbs still play a vital role in surviving cold temperatures, especially if one must work or exert energy. Dairy, carbs, and meat still remain highly efficient winter foods - usually the best food for survival where long-burning resistance and stamina against very very cold climates is required.

For me, I like to eat fruits and veggies in spring, summer, and early fall; I like meat and dairy in winter (though I only eat about 1 palm-sized amount of meat and/or eggs each day); Grains, lentils, pulses and starchy root vegetables I eat all year round. My diet seems to reflect what can easily be prominent in the local growing seasons. And then, I have a lot to learn about agriculture. I really dig those videos on how big agro operates - so far, I don't really know what's wrong with it? Maybe I fail to see "the aftermath" of big agro?

I am defintely not in favour of developing chemical pesticide resistant strains of plants with a view to increasing their tolerance for more chemical pesticides. This seems to me, genetic & chemical manipulation for the sake of what? To introduce more chemicals into the mix? We have seen how people have been harmed by pesticide spraying. How is this a reflection of the wisdom of Creation who formed the elements and living organisms?

Maybe if we learn more about nature, in great detail and in every magnitude of order of observation (visible to invisible) and let Nature do its thing, maybe we could learn to appreciate the biodiversity that Creation is quite capable of managing itself, leaving us to merely observe and learn and respond to the immediate needs of our crops. Otherwise, we might just "let it be" and let Nature and Creation work their "magic" - we just have to be grateful for what we have from Nature and Creation. I think being Grateful is the best investment in the future; observing the Science of Nature and Creation of Biodiversity offers an interesting view of interwoven relationships between creatures and humanity.

Boy, I just need to get our of this cubicle of a studio apartment and into the Arbutus Greenway Community Gardens more often! Or perhaps take advantage of my UBC student status and visit the Botanical Gardens and Nitobe Gardens and UBC Farm. Maybe we should do this sometime?

Anyone up for a weekend outing to said destinations?

Cheers, and Happy Weekend!