A Vegan at Disney World

Christmas is coming up, and for many that means traveling to visit family. For a lot of people, that travel will include a visit to Disney World. I decided that it would be a good time to share some of my experiences and tips as a vegan Disney lover.

To say that I love Walt Disney World would be an understatement. I practically grew up there. The first time I visited the Magic Kingdom was when I was 3 months old, and I've been to it and the three other parks hundreds of times since. My dad and I are certified Disney nuts, so we go to the parks every chance we get. Epcot and the Magic Kingdom are tied for my favorite park, but I love Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney MGM Studios) and Animal Kingdom as well. Some of my favorite rides are Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Dinosaur (aka Countdown to Extinction), Mission: Space, and Splash Mountain to name a few. The Disney resort hotels are also wonderful. So far I've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, The Polynesian, The Yacht Club, The Pop Century, Port Orleans Riverside, The All Star Music resort, and All Star Movie Resort. I've visited (but not yet stayed in) the Contemporary, The Grand Floridian, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. My favorite hotels are the Wilderness Lodge because of the Native decor, the Polynesian because I love Hawaii, and the Pop Century because they display many items related to my favorite TV shows and music.

If you are a vegan or vegetarian visiting Disney for the first time, you may be a bit apprehensive about the food situation. You may be wondering if you'll find anything that you can eat beyond iceberg lettuce. If so, let me reassure you that the Disney Parks offer a vast amount of yummy animal free food! I have not visited Disney as a vegan yet, but I did go a few times after I became a vegetarian and I never had any problem finding food. Their veggie burgers, which were vegan the last time I was there, are delicious. Also, the Disney chefs and cooks prepare food for MILLIONS of visitors from all over the world every year, so they are no strangers to special orders! Here are some tips from my experience to help you during your visit:

1. If you have any questions, please ask to see a chef. My mom has many severe allergies, so she often has to ask about ingredients. One time we were eating at one of her favorite restaurants in the Magic Kingdom called the Liberty Tree Tavern. She had a question about a menu item so she asked the waiter who offered to get a chef. He came out to the table and was very polite and helpful. He informed her that the meal she was planning to order included french fries that were prepared in shellfish oil, which she is highly allergic to. My mom and the chef discussed the items that she couldn't eat and he made her a special meal. I've have heard that they will also do this for us vegans. So if you see a fun restaurant that you want to try that has nothing vegan on it's printed menu, don't automatically rule it out. Ask to speak to a chef (preferably when you make your reservation if you are going to a table service restaurant) and see if you can work something out.

2. As usual, buffets are your best friend. They have the most ingredients to work with and I've been told that some chefs will walk you through the buffet if they have time and tell you the ingredients of any questionable items.

3. Epcot is probably the best park for food lovers. A large portion of the park dedicated to what is called the World Showcase. It is divided up into pavilions which are built to resemble different counties. The countries featured are the US, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany,Italy, France, the UK, Norway, and Morocco. Each Pavilion has at least one restaurant (some have two) where you can taste the unique cuisine of that country. My biggest piece of advice for veggies at Epcot is to avoid the restaurants in the China Pavilion. I haven't ate at those restaurants since becoming a vegetarian because according to the AllEars website (listed below), all of their food is cooked with beef stock. However, if you see something on the menu that appears veggie friendly, ask about it because they could have changed in the meantime. If they have, let me know because I LOVE Asian food!

4. Veggie burgers are available at counter service restaurants in the various parks. Some of the restaurants such as the ones at Epcot prepare them fresh with each order, which is great. The only problem is this means that you will likely have to wait awhile for your food, especially at lunch and dinner times! I'd advise you to try to eat a little bit early or late if possible to avoid that hassle.

 5. One of the best things to do is research the restaurants before you book your trip. One of the best websites I have ran across is the AllEars site. It is chock full of info on Walt Disney World written by visitors. it contains more info than Disney's official site, and the vast majority of the info on the site is very reliable. The best part is that they have an entire section of the site for vegan and vegetarians, including a list of all the vegan items that are available at each restaurant. It is regularly updated and maintained by a vegan woman. It really takes the guess work out of meal planning! The guide is divided into three sections: Counter Service (parks), Table Service (parks), and Resorts Table Service. You can find them at Vegan Park Counter Service , Parks Table Service , and Resorts. You might also want to check out these links: Vegetarian Disney Dining Strategies and A Vegetarian at Mickey's Table

Have a fun filled vegan vacation at Disney!

Vegan Men and Stereotypes (The Herman Cain Statement)

As you may have heard recently, GOP candidate Herman Cain recently made some pretty insulting remarks about vegan men. In an interview with GQ magazine, Cain reportedly said that "manly" men like their pizza's covered in meat and that veggie pizzas are "sissy pizzas". You can read the full quote and story here: http://www.ibtimes.com

This got me thinking about some of the stereotypes surrounding vegan men. Unfortunately, many meat eaters do see veganism as "girly" and will attempt to paint vegan men as weak or effeminate. Statements like the one Cain made reveal a defensiveness about meat eating (because deep down they know it's wrong) and a deep seated homophobia that is sadly still common in this country. All I can say is I am very glad that I decided to join the Green Party because they actively support and speak up for both animal and gay rights!
Once, when I told two older male friends of mine that I vegan, one of the things they said to me was something to the effect of "well then how is a guy supposed to take you out to eat?" Obviously they assumed that all straight men are meat eaters. Many people seem to think that traits such as kindness are a bad thing for men to express. As a woman, the thing that I find most attractive in a man is a caring heart. I like men who are not afraid to express their feelings and stand up to injustice and cruelty. I would love to marry a vegan man one day and raise one or two happy, healthy vegan kids. What the people who believe this stereotype don't realize is that it takes tremendous strength to go against the crowd and speak up for what is right! Vegan men deserve a lot of credit for staying true to their beliefs in spite of such nasty attacks.

If you are a vegan man who is in need of some support, I would encourage you to visit Vegan resources for vegan men It has links to several articles and books written for vegan men by vegan men.

What do you think about the stereotypes about vegan men? Have you or anyone you know experienced prejudice because you are a male vegan? Feel free to leave a comment and tell me your story.

Vegan Gift Ideas

Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzza are just around the corner. Here are some great gift ideas for the vegan in your life! If you are vegan, you can use this list to give your relatives and friends some hints so you don't end up with another ugly wool sweater!

Books:
Many vegans (myself included) love books, especially books on veganism and animal rights. Cookbooks are really great, especially for new vegans. Many vegans are also eco-friendly, so try to find a gently used version of the book, preferably from a local bookseller.

Clothing:
Another great gift idea would be a 100% cotton t-shirt with a vegan message on it. You can find lots of vegan t-shirt designs at online stores such as Herbivore Clothing Company, Etsy, Cafepress, and Zazzle . If you are the crafty type, you can give your gift a personal touch by making the shirt yourself with iron-on letters or fabric paint.

Magazines:
Subscriptions to magazines such as Vegetarian Times, VegNews, All Animals, and the Sanctuary are good options.

Shoes:
We vegans LOVE stylish, cruelty free shoes! The good news is that vegan shoes aren't always expensive. I got myself a pair of beautiful vegan sandals at Marshall's on clearance for $5. Check out http://www.veganchic.com/ and http://www.mooshoes.com/ (which is pricey, but has some decent clearance and sale prices at times).

Gift Certificates:
You can't go wrong with gift certificates! A gift certificate to the local health food store or their favorite vegan restaurant would make most people very happy! If the recipient does not live near either of those, many online vegan retailers offer gift certificates as well.

Vegan Goodies:
Most of us vegans also have a sweet tooth! Vegan chocolate, cakes and cookies are sure to be a hit!

Happy Holidays!

A day a the Zoo: Educational Family Fun or Cruelty?

One of the many hot topic issues in the vegan world is whether or not it is okay to visit zoos. When I was younger, my mother, myself, and my two friends and their mom would often go to a small local zoo to see the animals. I'll admit that as a child I loved seeing the animals and having the monkeys take treats out of my hand with their tails. I also visited a few larger zoos such as the Atlanta Zoo and the National Zoo in Washington DC. I, like most people, never stopped to think about whether or not it was fair to take wild animals out of their natural enviroment and put them into a confined space. Looking back, I remember seeing monkeys in barren cages and large animals like apes and giraffes in enclosures that were far too small for them. It makes me sick to think that I once gladly supported such cruelty. Fortunately, after I became a vegan I had my eyes opened and I am proud to say that I have not visited any zoos in over a year. If you or someone that you know is thinking about visiting a zoo, I urge you to take a look at http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/zoos.htm to see just how cruel zoos really are and a list of cruelty free ways that you can learn about animals.

A win for animals!

I have some good news! Yesterday, the city of West Hollywood voted to OUTLAW the sale of new garmets which contain animal fur or skin! Unfortunately, the ban does not apply to wool, furniture, or leather items(hopefully they will work on banning those in the near future), but it is a definate step in the right direction. It is the first law of it's kind in the US and hope that other cities follow their example. You can read about it here: California fur ban

Vegan Thanksgiving: How to Have a Great Tofurky Day!

Coming home from work today, I saw several wild turkeys on the side of the road. They truly are beautiful creatures. This got me thinking about the approaching holidays, and it made me sad to think that one or more of those birds will probably be killed in a few days. For those of us in the US, Thanksgiving is fast approaching. It is a day for getting together with family, enjoying a meal and being thankful for what we have. Unfortunately this meal is traditionally centered around animal based foods, so it can be a tricky day for vegans, especially new ones. This will be my first vegan Thanksgiving. I have discussed the issue with my mother (who has finally accepted my veganism for the most part) and she is more than willing to see to it that there is vegan-friendly food available. She even informed me that the recipe that she has always used to make cherry pie (my favorite) is 100% vegan! That made me VERY happy! However, not all families are so accommodating. You may find that there is nothing for you to eat, that your family members are offended that you won't eat the turkey, or they pester you with endless jokes and questions. It can be enough to make you want to pull your hair out and run away screaming.

The good news is that it is 100% possible to have a delicious vegan Thanksgiving!  The site Gentle Thanksgiving contains many useful resources for vegans, including recipes and tips on how to deal with non-vegan family members. You can check out the site at http://www.gentlethanksgiving.org/

For those of you who can't or don't want to cook, the company Tofurky makes 100% vegan pre-cooked meals called "Tofurky Holiday Feast". These are available in many mainstream supermarkets, so they should be very easy for most people to find. For more info, visit Tofurky holiday feasts

Have a happy, healthy Tofurky day!

What to do with your old leather

If you are like me, you used leather products before you became a vegan without a second thought. I am a crafter, and I love making dream catchers. Before I became a vegan, I would go to powwows and craft stores and buy bunches of deerskin to wrap the dream catchers. One day, someone asked me to make a vegan dream catcher for them (which, as I describe in the first post, started me on my journey to veganism). I made it out of ribbon, and it turned out so well that I never used the deerskin again. The problem was that I was left with a bunch of unused deerskin in my craft bin. I thought a lot about what I should do with it. Ultimately, I decided to sell my scraps on eBay and donate a portion of the proceeds to the Humane Society. I just listed them a few minutes ago and haven't got any bids yet, but hopefully some good will come out of the deers death.

Here are some suggestions on what to do with your old leather items:
1. If you can wear it/use it, use it until it wears out and then buy a cruelty free replacement. This is what I am doing with my shoes. Throwing out a usable item is wasteful, hurts the environment, and is an insult to the animal that died.

2. If  you are uncomfortable using the items and they are in good condition,give the items to a non vegan friend or donate them to a homeless shelter/Goodwill/Free Clothes Closet. It helps others and gives you the opportunity to have some fun by going shopping for cruelty free replacements!

3. Sell your items and donate the money to a reputable charity. If someone wants to buy leather, it's much better that they buy it second hand instead of contributing to more animal deaths by buying a new item. Plus, you'll be helping to make the world a better place!

For more tips and advice on this issue, please visit http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?520-Using-old-leather-and-other-non-vegan-products/page5

Nice Girls Fake It (Fur, That Is)!

There is much debate in the vegan world over whether or not it is okay to wear fake fur or pleather. Some say that it's okay because no animals were killed, while others advise us vegans to stay away from the fake stuff because it sends the message that it's okay to kill animals. I have been looking into this issue recently because I am interested in making a pair of faux leather moccasins. I am of American Indian (Cherokee/Sioux) heritage and very proud of it. Before I became a vegan, I had a pair of deerskin moccasins that I loved to wear whenever I got the chance. Now that I know about the cruelty of the fur and leather trade, I do not wear them outside the house, nor do I wear them when I have guests over. However, even though I don't like the cruelty, I do like the look. Therefore, I started looking for traditional style moccasins made out of man-made materials. I found a few pairs, but they were either butt ugly, cost an arm and a leg, or made in China. I buy American or Canadian made items whenever I can, and I absolutely refuse to buy any American Indian themed/inspired item that was not made by American Indian or Canadian First Nations people. I was very disappointed. Thankfully, my mom found a solution. She sews a lot, so when she found out that a local store was having a sale on patterns, she went down to check it out. She found a beautiful moccasin pattern and bought it for me. Now I plan to buy some Ultrasuede next time I am in a fabric store and make myself a pair of cruelty free moccasins!

I know some of you are saying to yourself "but won't that send the message to non-vegans that it's okay to wear leather and fur?" Don't worry, I thought about that. I just purchased a pin back button that says "fake fur is cool, real fur is cruel". I plan to wear it on my shirt whenever I wear the moccasins (and with the rest of my button collection on my purse even when I'm not wearing them) to let people know that I do not wear real animal skin.

The issue of whether or not fake fur is okay to wear is a complicated one. It was recently revealed that some manufactures were deliberately lying to customers (big shock). Some of them sold items that were labeled a faux fur, when in fact the fur was REAL and came from Raccoon Dogs! Thankfully, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act was passed into law and signed by President Obama in 2010. It took effect in March and closes the loophole that allowed the false advertising.  To be on the safe side, I'd still advise you to do some research before you buy any faux fur/pleather item and make sure that it really is faux. For more on this, please visit
Closing The Fur Labeling Loophole

For those of you who do wear or want to wear faux fur/pleather, here are some great buttons to let everyone know it's fake!

Faux, not fur button

Fake Fur is Cool (the one I bought)

Fake, not leather button

real women fake it handmade button

Anti Fur Button handmade

So tell me, where do you stand on the faux fur issue?

An Unpleasant Suprise (IMPORTANT WARNING TO VEGANS)!

Today I had a very unpleasant experience. I should start by saying that I LOVE peanuts. They are delicious and a great source of protein. Today I was eating some Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts. As I was munching on them, I decided to take a look at the ingredients just out of curiosity. That's when one word jumped out at me: GELATIN! Yes, they put something derived from dead animal bones in PEANUTS! I immediately googled "Planters vegan" and found several vegan message board postings discussing the issue. Most of those people were just as surprised as I was. You would expect gelatin to show up in things like candies, but many of us just assumed that all nuts were vegan.This really pissed me off because I used to like Planters products. Now I'm considering boycotting them.

I guess we vegans can never assume that any pre-packaged food is safe (unless it is from a company that we know is 100% vegan) no matter what it is. Just so you know, I was not the one that purchased the nuts, but now I've learned my lesson and will check the label before I eat anything.

I sent an e-mail to Planters telling them how disappointed I was. You can do so as well by clicking here: Contact Planters

Have a great day guys and remember to always read the label!