SuperMeat: Real meat without the cruelty

Back in January this year, I conducted a survey about lab-grown meat, asking my readers and people across the internet how they felt about this new and controversial development. Perhaps surprisingly, a massive proportion of meat-eaters were enthusiastic about the idea, with 81.9% wanting to try it. 47% of vegetarians and 33% of vegans wanted to try lab-grown flesh, but even those who did not want to try it were still supportive of the idea. Overall, the majority of those surveyed showed overwhelming support for lab-grown meat. But back in January, the prospect of lab-grown meat becoming a household name seemed distant.

"Essentially, SuperMeat is real meat, but it's produced in a lab. This means animals do not need to be farmed and killed for SuperMeat to exist."

Now, SuperMeat has stepped onto the scene, and the concept of a world without factory farms seems closer than ever before. With a month left in their Indiegogo campaign, SuperMeat has raised over $150,000 USD to fund their "meat machine" prototype.



On their Indiegogo page, SuperMeat offers a short overview of their goal:

We were looking for the best way to end animal suffering, but also be realistic about meat eating habits. Together with Prof. Yaakov Nahmias, an award winning biomedical engineer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, we've been developing a system for producing cultured meat. That means growing REAL meat, non GMO and without antibiotics in machines in supermarkets and communities all over the world.

Essentially, SuperMeat is real meat, but it's produced in a lab. This means animals do not need to be farmed and killed for SuperMeat to exist. SuperMeat is eco-friendly and humane. On top of this, its creators believe SuperMeat will help fight world hunger, claiming that by 2050, there won't be enough livestock left to feed the world's 9.6 billion humans - but there will be enough SuperMeat.

The following infographic illustrates how SuperMeat is made:



Only one single chicken is needed to collect the cells, and this chicken will not be killed or harmed in any way.

Because of the way SuperMeat is produced, it will be much cheaper than meat as we know it today. As an added benefit, because SuperMeat is grown under supervised conditions, it will be healthier, too. Most importantly, no animals will suffer for SuperMeat, and the problem of food scarcity for people in underprivileged communities will lessen.

The creators of SuperMeat have a specific timeline set in place. Founded in December 2015, the company plans to build its first prototype in January 2018, begin production in April 2021, and make the product publicly available in July 2021. That's only five years away. A cruelty-free world is so much closer than we could have ever imagined before.

If you would like to support SuperMeat, please share this article or donate to their Indiegogo campaign at this link. You can also follow the project on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to leave your opinions and ideas about lab-grown meat in the comments below.

The ethics of palm oil: is it vegan?

The topic of palm oil is one that often divides the vegan community and causes heated arguments and discussions. I see it all the time on Facebook. Whenever somebody posts a picture of, for example, Oreos - which are technically vegan, but contain palm oil - you can expect a burst of outrage in the comment section about the ethicality of palm oil. These comments usually end up being deleted.

Technically, palm oil is vegan - but only so long as we follow the standard definition of veganism. According to dictionary.com, a vegan is "a vegetarian who omits all animal products from the diet", and/or "a person who does not use any animal products, as leather or wool." By this definition, palm oil is vegan, since it is plant-based and is not derived from an animal.

But let's look deeper. The dictionary.com definition only scrapes the surface of what veganism is about. Personally, I follow the Vegan Society's definition of veganism: "a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment." In short, veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude exploitation of and cruelty to animals. Veganism is, according to the Vegan Society, about much more than simply eliminating animal-derived ingredients from our diets and clothing choices.

"Palm oil, as we know, is often collected through unethical means, and palm oil production is known to cause damage to the environment and to destroy animal habitats." 

I consider the Vegan Society's definition the most accurate because the founder of the society, Donald Watson, actually coined the term "vegan". Who could be more qualified to define a word than the creator of the word itself?



So, if we follow the Vegan Society's definition, veganism is about, as much as is possible and practicable, making ethical choices in every aspect of our lives. And palm oil, as we know, is often collected through unethical means, and palm oil production is known to cause damage to the environment and to destroy animal habitats. Most commonly, palm oil production is associated with the habitat destruction of endangered orangutans. According to Wikipedia, human activities have caused severe declines in the populations and ranges of both Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. Habitat destruction is one of the three largest threats to both species.

"So, while palm oil is certainly a plant-based food, I personally think that unethically sourced palm oil cannot be included in an ethical diet."

So, while palm oil is certainly a plant-based food, I personally think that unethically sourced palm oil cannot be included in an ethical diet. It's as simple as that. Of course, there are many vegans who do consume palm oil, and while I encourage them to seek out alternatives, I do recognise that different people follow different definitions of "veganism".

If you are interested in cutting out palm oil from your diet, there is a very useful app from Palm Oil Investigations. The app can be downloaded here. Keep in mind that it may not be available in your country yet -- in this case, you may like to donate to Palm Oil Investigations to help them raise funds to expand their app.

One Green Planet offers a very helpful list on their website, found here. The list gives information about vegan brands that use and do not use palm oil. Please, next time you do your grocery shopping, keep this important information in mind.

Vegan-friendly restaurant review: Montezuma's and E for Ethel

For readers who aren't familiar, Montezuma's is a vegan-friendly Mexican-style restaurant located on Melbourne Street, Adelaide. Back in 2014, I wrote a review for Montezuma's and a neighbouring dessert cafe named Elephant Walk. Recently, Montezuma's changed their menu, opting to add some awesome new plant-based options to please their vegan customers. All vegetarian meals can now be ordered with vegan cheese and/or vegan sour cream. So, of course, I had to go back to review their new additions!

I'll start by mentioning the fantastic customer service. The woman serving me, Cam, was lovely, and was doing a fantastic job of managing the floor on her own. My grandma and I had a great chat with her and she was very helpful in pointing out all of the vegan options, including her own personal recommendations. Thank you very much, Cam!

I had some trouble deciding which meal to get because I'm not used to having so many options to choose from. I'm not complaining, though! I ended up picking an old favourite of mine - the vegetarian Montezuma's Delight. If you're after a vegan option, all you have to do is replace the sour cream and cheese with vegan versions (or just omit them entirely).

I'm not sure what brands of vegan cheese and sour cream are used, but the cheese looked and tasted similar to Daiya and the sour cream was probably Tofutti. Both brands are favourites of mine. I know a lot of vegans don't like Daiya cheese, though, so if you're one of them, the Montezuma's Delight is just as delicious without.



The meal was presented nicely. I love to see a motley of colours on my plate. The Montezuma's salad is the best I've ever tried and I often make my own version at home. It boasts an array of healthy raw veggies, including cauliflower, celery, broccoli, red cabbage, carrot and - the best part - green apple. It's a simple way to add a sweet and fresh crispiness to the salad.

Underneath the salad sits a corn tortilla smothered with frijoles, and it's all topped off with a hearty tomato-based sauce and some black olives.

Taste-wise, my grandma and I both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and will definitely order them again - but we're also keen to try everything else on the menu! The vegan cheese and sour cream were excellent choices and complimented the meals well. The servings were huge and so the food was very filling, but that's what I expect from Montezuma's! The prices are reasonable considering the size of the meals.

Montezuma's isn't a classy, high-brow restaurant with five star-quality meals, but it doesn't need to be. It's simply a fun, well-decorated and affordable place to grab a tasty and filling meal. If you're a vegan, vegetarian or omni looking for a fun place to eat with your family, friends or partner, Montezuma's is my number one recommendation.

On another note, if you like to drink coffee after lunch, there is a nice eco-friendly coffee shop around the corner that Cam showed us. It's hidden away but it's definitely worth going in - they have lots of milk options for vegans as well as some vegan desserts. Their coffee was great! They also sell homemade paintings, toys, sculptures and other little gifts. The cafe is called E for Ethel - check them out on Facebook here.

E for Ethel make great coffee!

If you're reading this, thanks for having me Montezuma's (and E for Ethel) - I'll be back soon (when I'm not too busy with Uni work!)

Cheese is addictive: how to cut it out for good

For a lot of people trying to transition to veganism, or even just removing dairy from their diet, cutting out cheese is seen as the hardest part of the process. It's one of the most common reasons people give for not switching to veganism and for not giving up dairy. But giving up cheese is so important. More and more now, people are starting to realise how awful dairy production is for cows, for the environment, and for our own bodies. We're simply not designed to consume milk beyond infancy, especially that of another species.

But I love cheese! I can't imagine my life without it! I can't go a day without eating cheese!

I once felt this way, and I know so many others who are facing the same problem. We're accustomed to topping nearly everything we eat with cheese. We can't imagine eating pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads without it. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Well, recent research has found that cheese is addictive. That's why it's so hard to give up. But cheese addiction, like any addiction, is possible to break. And luckily, cheese addiction is one of the easiest to let go of. There are so many alternatives out there to try, but if they're out of your price range, you can make your own fairly cheap.

Saying cheese is addictive is a pretty hefty claim, but there is a scientific basis for this assertion. Of course, for every scientific study released into the realm of journalism, there will be a conflicting scientific study saying the first was totally false. Personal experience, though, has lead me to believe that the cheese certainly feels difficult to give up at first, whatever the reason may be.

Cheese contains something called casomorphins. Casomorphins are protein fragments derived from the digestion of casein, a milk protein commonly found in cheese. According to some sources, casomorphins have addictive properties comparable to those of opiates such as codeine and morphine.

If you're unconvinced about the addictive properties of casomorphins in cheese, consider the high fat content of dairy products. People suffering from food addiction often gravitate towards foods with a very high fat content, such as fried foods, oily food, meat, chocolate and - of course - dairy. According to some studies, high-fat and high-sugar foods are addictive and, when suddenly eliminated from the diet, may evoke depression-like symptoms.

Despite all of these claims about addiction, it's not impossible to remove cheese from your diet. If you are genuinely concerned about your health, our environment, and the welfare of farmed animals, the following advice may help you cut out dairy products for good. And even if the addiction claims are entirely false, it's still true that people find cheese hard to cut from their diets and that dairy just isn't meant for human consumption.

"In western society, cheese is essentially a dietary staple. Tradition, like addiction, can be hard to break - but the availability of vegan cheese alternatives makes things much easier."

The issue of addiction goes hand-in-hand with the issue of tradition. In western society, cheese is essentially a dietary staple. Tradition, like addiction, can be hard to break - but the availability of vegan cheese alternatives makes things much easier.

For those looking to transition from vegetarianism to veganism, I have another useful article on that exact topic, which you can find here. It offers advice for cutting out dairy products, eggs, honey, and other animal products featured in the average vegetarian diet.

Cashews can be used to make delicious, creamy cheese alternatives

But if you're more interested, specifically, in cutting out cheese, here is a list of alternatives you could try. I have included brands purchasable in the three countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia) that make up my blog's main audience.

United States: Chao, Daiya, Tofutti, Go Veggie!, Follow Your Heart

UK: Violife, Vegusto, Sheese, VBites, Tesco Free From

Australia: Daiya, Cheezley, Sheese, Biocheese, Tofutti

Of course, there are many other dairy-free cheese makers out there. If you're looking for other alternatives, Google is your friend!

If you're looking for a healthier cheese alternative, you could always try making your own. Vegan cheese can be made at home with common household ingredients. There's cashew cheese, almond cheese, macadamia cheese - the list goes on. And there is a seemingly endless list of different flavours and types of cheese to try - chilli cheese, Gouda, parmesan, black sesame, nacho cheese, feta, mozzarella, brie, pepper jack, and much more. Why not give them a go?

You can find a list of vegan cheese recipes here.

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Sources: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9216246

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117959

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/98684/20151023/cheese-is-addictive-as-drug-dairy-product-triggers-brain-region-linked-to-addiction.htm

https://skepticalvegan.com/2012/08/10/cheese-addiction/

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/12December/Pages/High-fat-food-addictive.aspx

A medley of delicious and diverse vegan pizza ideas

When I first considered becoming vegan, I was hesitant. I am, and was, a lover of food. I mean, I really, really like to eat good food, and - like many people - I especially like to eat junk every now and then. So, I thought: if I go vegan, I'll miss out on so much. No more chocolate, no more ice cream, no more pizza...

Pfft! How wrong I was. In fact, becoming vegan has driven my love for food even higher. I'm passionate about making my own meals and have come to savour every bite of what I eat. And what's that about pizza? I eat more now than I ever did as a vegetarian! You don't need dairy cheese to make a damn good pizza pie.

So, without further ado, here is a list I've compiled of awesome vegan pizza recipes from all corners of the internet, with a few of my own ideas thrown in. Bon appetite.

A healthy choice

When we think of pizza, the word healthy doesn't often come to mind. We typically associate pizza with lots of cheese, lots of sauce, and lots of fat. But it doesn't have to be this way. A pizza with a wholemeal base topped with piles of veggies is delicious and packed full of vitamins. Try these toppings on for size:

- Homemade marinara sauce (recipe here)
- Spinach
- Onion
- Pineapple
- Broccoli
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Chia Seeds
- Avocado

A not-so-healthy choice

Healthy isn't always the most important thing. Sometimes, delicious takes centre-stage instead. This three-cheese pizza is made with processed cheese and lots of oil, but it tastes too damn good for me to care. Of course, you should probably avoid eating this too often. If health is a concern, leave this one for special occasions.

You can use any three cheeses you like - including homemade if you prefer a healthier option - but here are some suggested brands that are available in Australian supermarkets.

- Daiya mozzarella cheese
- Shredded MyLife Biocheese, cheddar flavour
- Cheezly (various flavours)

This recipe is very simple, but you could always jazz it up a bit. All you need is a standard pizza base, some store-bought marinara sauce (which is usually vegan) and bake it so the three cheeses melt over the top. Feel free to add any other toppings you enjoy.

Simple vegan pizza (from The Minimalist Baker)

Some people just aren't great at cooking. I'm one of them. Some people also don't have access to expensive or exotic ingredients. I'm one of those people, too. If you fit one or both of these definitions, The Minimalist Baker's recipe is right for you. It's easy to prepare and the ingredients are cheap and widely available.

The Minimilast Baker also offers a 1-minute, homemade vegan parmesan cheese recipe, which looks and tastes awesome on the simple vegan pizza.

Check out the recipe here.



Buffalo chickpea pizza (from Vegan Richa)

Just the title of this one makes my mouth water. I've never heard of anything like it before, but I'm always on the lookout for new flavour experiences!

This recipe is a little more complicated than the others, but I'm sure it's worth it. It's perfect for people who love a lot of flavour. This unique pizza is topped with sriracha hot sauce, olive oil, black pepper, Italian herbs, ranch seasoning, celery seeds, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder... the works! If you're looking for a flavour explosion, this is where you'll find it.

Go here for the recipe.

Spicy Indian-style pizza (from Oh Dear Drea)

Here's another flavour-rich option for vegans who love everything hot and spicy! Indian cuisine is one of my favourites, and I'm pretty much addicted to Naan bread, so this pizza sounds absolutely amazing.

The recipe uses non-vegan yoghurt and non-vegan Naan bread, but these can easily be replaced with vegan alternatives. There are a few brands of vegan Naan bread available in supermarkets, but if you can't find anything, you could always make your own. Here's a recipe for vegan Naan bread.

If you can't handle too much spice, don't fret. The pizza uniquely uses mango as a topping, which should offset some of the spiciness.

Read the recipe here.

White wild mushroom pizza (from Chef Chloe)

Mushrooms are my favourite pizza topping ever. If I could afford it, I'd order ten times the amount of mushrooms on my takeaway pizza. But two dollars per extra topping is highway robbery! That's why it's much better to make your own at home!

The concept of wild mushrooms sounds a little fancy, but the recipe is much simpler than it seems. The outcome, though, looks very professional.

Chef Chloe's recipe can be found here.

Roasted veggie & black bean Mexican-style pizza (from Connoisseurus Veg)

Here is another unique and flavoursome recipe for lovers of spice. This recipe boasts blended black beans, a garden of healthy roasted vegetables and tahini nacho cheese. Have a look at the photos on the website - this pizza looks spectacular.

According to the writer, this pizza is like a plate of nachos in pizza form. For takeaway food lovers, I can't think of anything much better. As an extra plus, compared to your average takeaway pizza or nachos, this recipe is healthy and vitamin-rich.

Check out the recipe on the Connoisseurus Veg website.

P.S. Damn, Connoisseurus Veg is a creative name. I wish I'd come up with that.

Banana Split Dessert Pizza (from Breast Cancer Maven)

Once you've finished eating all your savoury, spicy, cheesy pizza, you'll probably be hanging for something a little sweeter. This banana split dessert pizza from Breast Cancer Maven is exactly what you'll need.

Topped with banana, strawberries, chia seeds and a healthy chocolate ganache, berries, coconut shreds, and anything else you think would work, this recipe is perfect for fulfilling those after-dinner dessert cravings. It's gluten-free, too, and fairly healthy if you top it with a medley of fruits.

See the recipe here.

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I hope you've enjoyed the options I've presented here. Please let me know if you find any other unique and diverse vegan pizza recipes. I want to try them all!

For now, start cooking :)

 

33% of vegans and 47% of vegetarians want to try lab-grown meat

Recently, I created a poll to find out how vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters respectively feel about lab-grown meat. Would they eat it, and why or why not? I wanted to learn more about lab-grown meat and its potential for future success, and how a person's lifestyle may affect their opinion on this unusual concept. These are the results I found.

Meat-eater responses 

Not surprisingly, the strongest proponents for lab-grown meat were meat-eaters. Of the 150 omnis polled, 81.9% said they would eat lab-grown meat, and 11.4% were unsure. Interestingly enough, 6.7% were opposed to the idea.

Why did meat-eaters say yes?

"It's essentially meat. Why would it be a big issue if I'm a meat-eater anyway?"

"I don't have any revulsion towards it, and it makes more economic, ethical and environmental sense than traditional meat products."

"I don't have any revulsion towards it, and it makes more economic, ethical and environmental sense than traditional meat products."

"If they can make it identical in flavour and cheaper, why not?"

"I like meat but I hate the ethical consequences. Bring on the lab meat!"

"Lab grown meat would allow me to eat tasty, tasty meat without contributing to climate change."

"Saves an animal, gives me meat. Win, win."

"It stands to be far more environmentally efficient, and is ethically superior."

"I'm not a vegetarian but I do recognise that the way we treat our animals is pretty cruel. If I could eat delicious meat without the moral problems, I'd do it in an instant (assuming it tastes good.)"

And why did meat-eaters say no?

"'Animal-flesh product' made me cringe. I rarely eat meat, mainly due to taste and texture."

"I don't think scientists would be able to mimic the flavour of meat from a cow that's eaten different feed or plants, which can give it a unique taste."

"I bet real meat is better for you."

"Not ethical, and I wouldn't trust it."

All of this isn't especially surprising - if somebody is willing to eat naturally produced animal parts, they'd probably be up for the idea of at least trying the exact same thing produced in a lab. It's interesting to note how many omnis mentioned the more ethical and environmentally friendly nature of lab-grown meat. It's good to know that even omnis are concerned about these issues.

Vegan responses

The idea of lab-grown meat has divided the vegan community. While 49.4% of vegans would not eat lab-grown meat, 32.7% would, and 17.9% said they are unsure.

Why did vegans say yes?

"No animals are harmed. Tastes good (probably.)"

"All the flavours, none of the ramifications."

"No cruelty is occurring so if I find something tempting, I see no reason not to try it."

"If there's no animal suffering, I have no problem with it. I probably wouldn't eat meat often, but it would make meals with omnis easier."

"No animals are harmed, so there's no harm in eating it. I wouldn't eat it all the time, but I'd definitely try it and support it, and tell others to try it."

"I became a vegan due to opposition to factory farming. If my meat was never sentient, I'd give it a shot."

"I literally don't see the harm in it, though I suspect I wouldn't like the taste anymore."

"It's not from an animal. No suffering, so why not try?"

"No animals are being hurt. I would still need to check the environmental impact of the new meat."

And why did vegans say no?

"I don't like eating dead animals, why would I eat fake dead animals."

"It's not necessary to grow meat in a lab to feed people."

"Find it gross and I understand that it is still just as unhealthy as real meat in most respects, although perhaps fewer bacterial endotoxins."

"No need, plant-based food is delicious."

"Eating a synthetic imitation of dead animal flesh disturbs me almost as much as non-lab grown meat."

"Meat weirds me out after not eating it for a long time."

"I would encourage those who eat meat currently to eat it, but after going without meat for two years I am disgusted by the idea of eating it again."

"Raised vego so the idea of meat makes me sick (hate mock meats for same reason). Think is good idea for those who physically cannot or will not go vego."

"Unnecessary. Overly processed. Unnatural. Gross."

"The DNA would have to come from a real animal, it would be like eating the clone."

Would you eat meat grown in a lab?

Half of respondents said they wouldn't eat lab-grown meat, and I'm not surprised. Many people avoid meat because of the associated health problems, and on top of this, after not eating meat for a while, it becomes repulsive. I personally wouldn't eat it for this reason - I'm happy with the diet I have now and animal flesh disgusts me. But I'd actively encourage the production and sale of lab-grown meat as an alternative for omnis. So many lives would be saved.

Vegetarian responses

The vegetarian respondents were more unsure of how they felt than the vegans and omnis, with 19.7% of respondents selecting 'unsure' in the survey. Interestingly, the majority of vegetarians said they would indeed eat lab-grown meat, with 46.5% of respondents selecting 'yes'. Only 33.8% of respondents said they wouldn't eat this new alternative, compared to the 49.4% of vegans who said they wouldn't.

Why did vegetarians say yes?

"If the meat can be made ethically and its environmentally friendly I'm all for it."

"As long is there is no suffering on the animal's behalf, I would like to see what it tastes like again."

"No harm to animals. Lower environmental impact."

"If the meat can be made ethically and its environmentally friendly, I'm all for it."

"I don't refrain from eating meat because I think it's not tasty. On the contrary, I miss the taste of meat very much. If I can consume meat from a source that causes little harm to the environment or animals, I'm very enthusiastically 'in'".

"No suffering, no problem!"

"I would love for this to finally be for sale. Sometimes I miss eating meat but I won't buy it because it is cruel. Animals won't be abused and killed so what is not to love?"

"Ethically and morally okay - although unsure about economic viability and resources required."

And why did vegetarians say no?

"The texture of meat is why I don't eat meat."

"Corporations would control the technology and the environmental impact of high tech may be worse."

"I'd be fearful of the negative and unhealthy repercussions that would come from this. Not an ethical issue but rather a 'I don't want it to hurt my health' issue."

"I'd be fearful of the negative and unhealthy repercussions that would come from this. Not an ethical issue but rather a 'I don't want it to hurt my health' issue."

"Don't like the taste of meat."

"I don't eat meat because of health problems. It doesn't matter where it comes from."

"Don't like the thought of eating animal flesh."

"I find meat repulsive."

What does it all mean?

The reasons for eating or not eating lab-grown meat given by the vegetarian respondents are very similar to those given by the vegan respondents. The difference is that significantly more vegetarians are in favour of the idea than vegans. I have a hypothesis about why this is. Most vegetarians don't eat meat because they don't want animals to suffer and die. That's why I first became vegetarian. It doesn't necessarily mean they don't like meat. Many say they enjoy the taste of meat and would happily eat meat if it didn't cause suffering. So when lab-grown meat comes along, you'd assume they'd be all for it - except for the vegos who don't like the taste or texture. Vegans, it seems, are a little different. Many of us are disgusted by what meat actually is and find flesh repulsive. That's why, I think, most vegans won't eat lab-grown meat.

As I said earlier, I wouldn't eat it. It's gross. I can't stand the smell or sight of meat, although I do eat meat alternatives. I just really don't want to eat flesh. But given the information we know so far, I don't have any problems with other people eating lab-grown meat. I wholeheartedly encourage it and I think its production will change the world for the better. So many animal lives will be saved, and humans will be spared the horror of working in slaughterhouses. And 82% of meat-eaters support the idea. How good is that? A future with significantly less animal suffering or exploitation is well within our grasp. And personally, I can't wait.

To see all of the poll responses, click here.

Would you eat lab-grown meat?

Lab-grown or in-vitro meat is, according to Wikipedia, an animal-flesh product that has never come from a living animal.

Here is some further information on the topic, from Wikipedia:

"In vitro meat, also called cultured meat, is an animal-flesh product that has never been part of a living animal. In the 21st century, several research projects have worked on in vitro meat in the laboratory.[1] The first in vitro beef burger, created by a Dutch team, was eaten at a demonstration for the press in London in August 2013.[2] There remain difficulties to be overcome before in vitro meat becomes commercially available.[3] Cultured meat is prohibitively expensive, but it is expected that the cost could be reduced to compete with that of conventionally obtained meat as technology improves.[4][5] In vitro meat is also a cultural issue. Some argue that it is less objectionable than traditionally obtained meat because it doesn't involve killing and reduces the risk of animal cruelty, while others disagree with eating meat that has not developed naturally.[6]"

Given this information, and knowing that animals will not be used to produce in-vitro meat, please answer the poll below.

I look forward to seeing the results.

How to have an amazing vegan Christmas

How does your family act at the annual Christmas lunch?

Do they accept your choice to be vegan with loving arms, and happily prepare vegan options for you? Do they let you bring a few meals of your own? Or do they shun your lifestyle choice, make fun of you and try to get you to eat some Christmas ham?

I'm fortunate enough to not have experienced the latter problem - but from what I've heard, a lot of vegans have. And it's not okay. Nobody should have to suffer through ridicule and rejection because of an important lifestyle choice they've made. Now, many families are accepting and accommodating, which is totally awesome. It's great when families are willing to learn about how delicious vegan food is and how easy it is to prepare. But some people just aren't so lucky!

And so, to help you have the very best vegan Christmas you can, or whichever holiday you celebrate, and to help you avoid feeling completely out of place and unaccepted, here are some tips.

Educate your family and friends about what veganism actually is 

This seems so simple, but it's super important. If you're a part of a family of gift-givers, you won't want your family members spending money on presents for you that aren't vegan. A lot of people just don't understand what veganism actually is. They get the vegetarian part - no meat - but some people aren't aware of the problems with milk, eggs, wool, silk, leather, etc. A good idea would be to bring up a discussion about Christmas presents and politely ask the family member if they're having any trouble finding vegan gifts. Be helpful, and let them know that you'd appreciate a gift that doesn't contain any animal products, and explain what this includes. It's important to be as friendly and polite as possible if you don't want to stir up trouble, because some people feel uncomfortable when talking about veganism. It's a guilt thing, I think.



Bring some plates of vegan food

Again, this is a simple tip, but one of the most important. If you want your family members to experience the awesomeness of vegan food and realise how delicious it can be - the best way is to show them! Cook up the tastiest vegan Christmas food you can muster, and offer it to your family and friends. Try not to make a big deal about it being vegan at first, because this can turn people off. Wait until they've tried it, then shock them with the news!

"If you're not a fantastic chef, consider ordering some vegan catering to bring along, or buy something from the store."

If you're not a fantastic chef, consider ordering some vegan catering to bring along, or buy something from the store. Otherwise, there are plenty of delicious, simple vegan recipes that you can try instead, so even beginner cooks will have a good chance of success.

Eat what your family is eating

Of course, this doesn't mean you have to eat real Christmas ham, or turkey, or whatever else your non-vegan family is eating - just have a vegan version! For most people, Christmas is about bringing everyone together. Eating a meal together is a huge part of this. So if your meal is totally different to what everyone else is having, you might feel a bit out of place, and your family might think that vegan food is really weird and different. If you make a vegan version of what they're having, they'll realise that vegan food can be just as good as what they eat, and you won't feel like an outcast. If your family's having Christmas turkey with gravy and roast veggies, bring some tofurkey and vegan gravy along - or, if you're not interested in mock meat, a big plate of roast veggies can be just as good.

If all else fails, celebrate Christmas elsewhere 

Christmas is usually a family affair, and spending time with your family is important. But when your family is unaccepting of your lifestyle, ridicules you, and often makes you feel uncomfortable, you don't owe them Christmas day. You shouldn't feel guilty for not wanting to spend time with people who are rude to you. Go out and enjoy Christmas by yourself, or with some friends, or with your pets - choose people who are accepting and loving, people who want everyone to enjoy Christmas, regardless of their lifestyle choices. If there's no one else to spend Christmas with - why not cuddle up at home with some blankets, a big bowl of roast vegetables, and watch Christmas movies? Or head our for dinner with your friends, or cook for your pets, or chat with other vegans online who may be in the same situation as you. You, like everyone else, have the right to an enjoyable and stress-free holiday season!

If you're wondering about how your veganism will affect your Christmas or other holiday celebrations, I hope these tips have helped you. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday and a wonderful new year!

 

5 of the best travel destinations for lovers of vegan food

So many of us long for the joy of travel - the excitement of experiencing a new culture, trying new food, meeting new people, and relaxing far, far away from the daily grind. It's wonderful to have the privilege to enjoy cuisine from half-way around the world, taking in the refreshing atmosphere and enjoying the new sights, smells and flavours.

Unfortunately, not all parts of the world will cater for vegans. For some, the vegan movement is completely unheard of, and meals will generally be filled with a wide variety of animal products. That's why it's important for vegans to do a little research before travelling to avoid any problems when dining abroad.

This list is in no particular order.

1. The USA

At first, this may seem like a ridiculous suggestion - why would the fast-food capital of the world be a great place to vegans to visit? Well, the reason is kind of related. The USA has such a huge variety of places to eat that you're bound to find many vegan cafes and restaurants. It also depends where you go. States such as New York, California and Washington are great places to go for vegan eating - although, as far as I know, all of the other states have options too. Of all the states, if I had to pick one, it seems that California is the place to be. With 103 vegan/vegetarian restaurant and cafe options listed on HappyCow in a small section of Los Angeles alone, you'd be kicking yourself if you didn't visit! New York city has 163 listings, Washington D.C. has 93 - even Austin, Texas (a state known for its love of steakhouses) has 66 listings! With all of this taken into consideration, its clear that the USA is heaven for lovers of vegan food.

2. India

With a population made up of approximately 40% vegetarians and vegans, India is an obvious choice for lovers of vegan food. Because of the large population of vegetarians in India, many restaurants offer exclusively vegetarian meals, and the majority of vegetarian food is clearly labelled.

"With a population made up of approximately 40% vegetarians and vegans, India is an obvious choice for lovers of vegan food."

When eating vegetarian meals in India, you should watch out for ghee, which is a popular ingredient in Indian cooking. It it a type of 'clarified' butter, and it is not vegan. Egg is not commonly used in Indian dishes, but keep your eye out for it anyway. Common vegan Indian dishes include dal, vegetable korma, alu gobhi and mushroom masala.

Many Indian dishes are traditionally vegetarian

3. Israel

Israel has one of the largest vegan populations in the world, and the prevalence of the movement is growing rapidly. The Israeli army even offers vegan meal options for soldiers. Israel is also home to the Vegan Fest, where over 15,000 guests gather annually to celebrate the vegan lifestyle. Domino's Pizza in Israel offers dairy-free, vegan cheese. There are over 400 certified 'vegan-friendly' food establishments. This country-wide vegan trend has come only recently, with the percentage of Israeli vegetarians and vegans jumping from 2.5% in 2010 to over 8% in 2015. When surveyed, a further 13% of Israelis said they were considering vegetarianism or veganism. Most vegan action in Israel is centralised in Tel Aviv, so definitely consider making the beautiful, ancient city your next travel destination.

4. The UK

Long before 'vegan' and 'vegetarian' food labelling was mainstream in Australia, I saw it used in the UK. On my first visit to England as a vegetarian (in 2004, when I was 10), I had no trouble finding food to eat because everything in the local supermarket was clearly labelled with a green 'V'. This kind of thing is widely seen in Australia now, but England is definitely a forerunner.

"The Vegan Society, the oldest registered vegan organisation in the world, is based in the UK."

Under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, food manufacturers in the UK are not permitted to falsely label their products as 'vegetarian' or 'vegan'. The Vegan Society, the oldest registered vegan organisation in the world, is based in the UK. The society's founder, Donald Watson, is credited with coining the term 'vegan.' The Vegan Society offers their own vegan certification for food products through an easily recognisable sunflower symbol. So, if you're not a fan of reading twenty-ingredient-long lists when doing your weekly grocery shopping, why not try the UK on for size?

5. Italy

According to Wikipedia, Italy boasts the largest percentage of vegetarians and vegans in the European Union, at 10% (or over six million vegetarians). Italian food is a staple in the diets of many vegetarians - personally, I don't think I've gone a week in my life without eating at least one pasta dish. I live for pasta. HappyCow.net lists over 137 results for vegan and vegetarian health food stores, restaurants and cafes in Rome alone. And options, of course, stem far beyond Italian cuisine - with Western and Indian dishes being popular alternatives. Italians are known around the world for their skills in making hearty and flavoursome food, so definitely don't pass it up if given the chance to visit.

I'm hungry just looking at it!

As you probably know, this list isn't exhaustive - there are many, many other countries around the world that offer a wide variety of vegan foods to eat. I just don't have the time to list them all here! I have heard, for example, great things about vegan Thai food - which doesn't surprise me, as Thai cuisine is one of my favourites to eat at home. So, if you're lucky enough to have a chance to travel outside of your home country, consider giving the above places a try, as well as anywhere else you'd love to go. Just make sure you do some research first - it'll make things so much easier. And don't forget to explore your own country's options if travelling abroad isn't in the cards for you.

Enjoy!

 

How to Help Family & Friends Become Vegan

Once you've been vegan for a while, and you've cooked a lot of delicious vegan meals, your family and friends might start to feel a little curious. At first, they might think you're crazy for avoiding meat, eggs and cheese - but eventually, they might start wanting to try some of your cooking. They might comment on how delicious it is, and how they can't believe it's vegan. They might, even, mention that they would be vegan too, if only they didn't love meat and cheese so much!

And that's the catch. A lot of people are 'potential vegans'. They care about animals, they care about their health, and they like to eat delicious food, just like vegans do. But there's a few issues that get in the way. Addiction and tradition are two examples I've come across often.

"For many people, eating meat is normal. It's something they've grown up doing, and something they never thought much about before."

Let's start with tradition. For many people, eating meat is normal. It's something they've grown up doing, and something they never thought much about before. When meat-eaters talk to vegans, however, they're forced to think about it. These thoughts affect different people in different ways. Sometimes, they'll get defensive. Sometimes, they'll be curious. And sometimes, even, this initial defensiveness will lead to curiosity. This gives vegans the opportunity to show their curious family and friends just how awesome it is to be vegan.

The concept of not eating meat seems (from what I've seen and heard) to be really difficult to comprehend for a lot of people - especially older people. People who grew up in a time when food was scarce can be confused or even offended by the idea of being 'picky' about food. I can understand that, but in actuality, it's not about being picky. Veganism, to me, is about wanting to cause as little harm to animals, people and the environment as possible. So it's a super positive thing, and we can hope that these people will eventually catch on to that. Make sure to let them know.

Help your family learn that all families matter

So, next, let's move on to addiction (a word I'm only using for lack of a better one. If you can think of a better term let me know! I know this isn't really comparable to other, more serious forms of addiction). Cheese has addictive qualities. I've written at length about this in another post, so if you're interested in the addictive nature of cheese, head on over here to find out more. In summary, it can be difficult to give up cheese, but there are lots of alternatives to try, and after being vegan for a while you likely won't ever want to eat cheese again. My post about transitioning from vegetarianism to veganism, found here, has lots of information about cheese alternatives.

Today, I watched a really interesting and informative video by Unnatural Vegan on this topic that I encourage you all to watch. Here it is:

Some vegans probably won't agree with the message in this video, but I think it's totally true, and it's something we should all consider when introducing veganism to non-vegan family members and friends. Unnatural Vegan's message works super well in conjunction with the points I've made in this post.

To summarise Unnatural Vegan's points, most people who eat meat aren't evil. They just don't think the way vegans do. But that can change. I imagine most vegans - including myself - find it impossible to fathom the idea of eating or using animals ever again. We don't understand how anyone could ever want to. And, as someone who hasn't eaten meat since I was six years old, I find the idea of seeing animals as food even more difficult to comprehend. But most vegans ate meat at some point in their life, and most vegans took a while to fully transition into an animal product-free lifestyle. What I'm saying is: the majority of people care about animals and have the potential to be vegan. In most cases all they need is some education, friendly encouragement, and time to reconsider everything they've been taught about animal agriculture. Then, the path to veganism will be the obvious choice to take.

"Veganism isn't hard. It takes getting used to, sure, but it's not hard at all, and if you do it properly you'll never want to go back. Make sure your friends and family members know this."

So the best way to help your family and friends become vegan is to be friendly, helpful and encouraging. Appeal to their best interests. Understand that they probably do care about animals and probably don't really want to eat them. They just need to be made aware of all of the delicious, healthy, fulfilling and nutritionally sound alternatives. Cook for them and show them how awesome vegan food can be, or take them to your favourite vegan restaurant. Perhaps more importantly, make sure they know that the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and Dietitians of Canada have all certified veganism as appropriate for all stages of the human life-cycle (including during pregnancy, infancy and old age). [source 1, 2, 3]

Veganism isn't hard. It takes getting used to, sure, but it's not hard at all, and if you do it properly you'll never want to go back. Make sure your friends and family members know this. I know it can be difficult sometimes, but try to be understanding. Support and actively encourage any tinge of interest your family members and friends may show. Take any opportunity to educate. Help them realise how amazing veganism actually is. It's getting easier by the day - more and more vegan options are popping up in restaurants and supermarket chains around the world. Now is a great time to act. Make a difference in the world, and help someone you love become vegan today!

 

Awesome Vegan Smoothie-Making, Travelling & Gardening Tips - A Busy Vegan Musician Tells All

When you spend a lot of time on the road or in the sky, travelling from city to city, you're going to need to eat a lot of filling, nutritious food to keep your energy levels up. Unfortunately, if your travels are full of adventures, you won't have much time to slave in front of an oven all day. If you're travelling on a budget, you also probably won't have much money to spend on eating out. Thankfully, Emaline Delapaix - a vegan musician who spends a lot of time on the road - has graciously offered some super useful tips on how to eat vegan cheaply and easily while travelling, along with a wealth of other info on life as a vegan musician - including smoothie-making and gardening tips!

Read ahead to find out more.

1. How long have you been vegan? What inspired you to make the decision?

I've been properly vegan since 2011. I was vegetarian for many years, close to vegan but it took me a while to educate myself that being vegetarian didn't really help animals and I needed to go vegan to make a real change. I had this feeling inside me for many years before becoming vegan that using animals for food/products was really wrong and when I left Australia I started to find out the truth and knew veganism would be my path.

2. I see that you spend a lot of time travelling - is it difficult to find good vegan food while on the road? What food do you eat while travelling?

Depends where. North America is pretty good, as is most of Germany but of course in the smaller places it's tough so I try to carry a lot of fresh fruit, veg and nuts with me as back up.

3. Has being vegan inspired any of the songs you write?

Veganism has opened my eyes to the world and made me more emotional so sure it has inspired some of my writing, in particular Seal Song about the slaughter of baby seals in Canada.

4. You mentioned that you're an avid gardener. I love gardening too, and so do many of my readers. Do you have any vegan gardening tips or suggestions?

I am still learning and making some mistakes as I can only grow in pots where I am but it's really good to do a lot of reading and try different ways of doing things when you're just starting so you have some back up plants if some die. I've been growing a lot from kitchen scraps in glass jars and little pots and grew my first potatoes from scraps a month ago which were delicious. I've also been enjoying raspberries and Swiss chard recently. Watering is important, sometimes when on tour it's been hard to keep up with that.

5. What are three of your favourite raw vegan smoothie recipes? 

6. What are your favourite vegan dinner recipes?

I make pretty simple things and prefer to make salad when I am home to counteract a lot of cooked or more processed foods I usually have when on tour. One of my favourite salads:

Chickpeas, mint, baby Swiss chard, peach, tomatoes, cucumber, cayenne pepper, salt, walnut oil with white balsamic and a squeeze of lime.

7. Where can we find out more about your music?

Official website: www.emalinedelapaix.com
Official store: www.emalinedelapaix.bandcamp.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/emalinedelapaixmusic 

How to Easily Transition from Vegetarian to Vegan

The idea of transitioning from vegetarianism to veganism can seem daunting, especially if you have only recently switched to vegetarianism. In reality, it's easy. If you do it the right way, it can be one of the simplest and yet most rewarding changes you ever make. There are so many vegan alternatives for animal products available these days, all helping to make your transition much easier.

I became vegetarian at six years old and became vegan at age eighteen. For most of my life, I couldn't imagine being vegan. I didn't know much about it, and it seemed so difficult. No ice-cream? No chocolate? No cake? No cookies? No cheese? What a horrible life that must be! 

How naive I was! I had no idea about the abundance of vegan ice-creams, chocolates, cakes, cheese and cookies available. I couldn't fathom how these foods could taste delicious without milk or eggs.

What's awesome is that since becoming vegan - which wasn't that long ago, only three years - the amount of vegan food available at the supermarket has grown exponentially. I can walk five minutes to my local supermarket and find all sorts of animal product alternatives - vegan cheese, cake mix, biscuits, meats (everything from herb sausages to pepperoni), cookies, chocolate, yoghurt, ice-cream... the list goes on. Five years ago, this wouldn't have been possible. Awareness of veganism certainly has grown in leaps and bounds over recent years, bringing an abundance of cruelty-free food along with it. It's fantastic.

So I was wrong about vegan food. It isn't boring. It isn't lacking in nutrition. For most people, it isn't difficult to find. For the majority of vegetarians, the transition from vegetarianism to veganism should be a smooth and delicious one. It certainly was for me!

Why vegetarians should switch to veganism

At first, vegetarianism can seem like enough. I mean, it's fairly obvious that eating meat causes animal suffering. Most people know about the horrors of slaughterhouses. Many people, however, don't know about the extra suffering hidden under the surface, the suffering that isn't so obvious - all caused by the dairy and egg industries.

As a young vegetarian, I didn't really understand why vegans existed. I figured it was a health fad. I couldn't see how taking milk from cows and eggs from chickens could possibly harm them - you don't have to kill a chicken to take her eggs, I thought, so what's wrong with eating them?

There is a great deal wrong with eating eggs, and drinking milk is just as bad. The level of suffering caused by the egg and dairy industries is just about on par with the meat industry. I won't go into too much detail here - there are plenty of sites that offer this information already (here, here) - but, in essence, the dairy and egg industries kill cows and chickens by the millions (after letting them suffer for their entire short lives).

If you want to stop animal suffering and promote animal rights, going vegan is the best way to do it. Vegetarianism is definitely a good step forward, but there is always more we can do to help. We should be striving to do our very best. And veganism is simple and easy, so why not make the switch?

Replacing cheese, milk and eggs in a vegan diet

One thing always seems to get in the way when people try to switch to a vegan diet: cheese. A lot of people crave it and end up switching back to vegetarianism. There's a reason for this: cheese is addictive! There's an ingredient in cheese called casein. When casein is digested, a protein fragment known as casomorphin is produced. Casomorphin has properties similar to opioids, which can be highly addictive and cause withdrawals. That's why withdrawal symptoms are experienced by people trying to cut out cheese! (Source, source)

I don't recall suffering any cheese withdrawals after switching to veganism, but I did miss the flavour. I no longer do. I eat cheese substitutes from time to time, sprinkled on pasta or other hot meats, but I certainly don't garnish every meal with cheese like I used to. I can quite happily go without it. In fact, the smell of cheese is very off-putting to me now, along with the smell of milk and eggs (well, I've always hated the smell of eggs). Cheese substitutes are nice to have around, but I don't feel like I need them.

You can make delicious vegan cheese from nuts and spices

I also used to be a big milk-drinker - especially flavoured milk. Banana milk was almost a daily staple in my vegetarian diet, despite how bloated and nauseous it often made me feel. Since dropping dairy, I rarely feel those effects.

If you're looking to drop cheese, milk, eggs, and other animal products from your diet, here's a table that can help you find alternatives:

Product	Faux/Processed Vegan Alternative	Natural/Homemade Vegan Alternative
Cheese	Vegan Cheese – Chao, Daiya, Sheeze, Notzarella, etc.	Homemade vegan cheese using nuts – cashew cheese, almond parmesan
Egg	Egg replacer powder – Orgran, Ener-G, etc.	To replace one egg: 1 TBSP ground flax seed + 2 ½ TBSP water 1 TBSP chia seed + 1/3 cup water ½ banana, mashed ¼ cup of applesauce
Milk	Almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.	Easy-to-make homemade plant-based milks such as almond, oat
Honey	Vegan honey – “Bee Free Honee”, etc.	Agave nectar, maple syrup
Yoghurt	Vegan yoghurt – So Delicious, Trader Joe’s, Alpro, Kingland, Co Yo, etc.	Homemade yoghurt
Ice-Cream	Vegan ice-cream – So Delicious, So Good, Almond Dream, etc.	Frozen bananas, blended

With all these alternatives readily available, making the switch from vegetarian to vegan shouldn't be difficult at all. Once your body has moved past the brief "withdrawal" stage that you may experience, you will feel wonderful; and eventually, the mere thought of eating animal products will make you sick. You won't crave it anymore, and you'll feel better for it.

If you're looking for specific recipes, search online! You'll find an abundance of information all over the internet. I'm not a great cook myself, so I can't provide you with any awesome recipes, but there are many vegan food blogs out there that will help. Here's a few popular sites to get you started: link, link.

Of course, you don't have to replace any of these products if you don't feel like it. You could just go without, as many vegans do. Plain fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and seeds are more than enough for many people.

Make the switch today

If you're a vegetarian looking to become vegan, hopefully this post has helped you. If you're vegan already, and have vegetarian friends (I know many of us do) this post may help them out - why not share it with them?

I definitely haven't regretted making the change from vegetarian to vegan. Honestly, it's the best decision I've ever made in my life. It opened my eyes to so many new foods, new people, and the blogging community. It really has changed my life for the better. If you love animals and don't want them to suffer, and if you love to eat delicious, healthy food, I encourage you to make the switch to veganism. If you do it right, you'll never look back.