Q: What about "free-range" eggs?
A: A growing number of people are looking to "free-range"
as an alternative to factory farm eggs. Eggs (and poultry) may be labeled
as "free-range" if they have USDA-certified access to the
outdoors. No other criteria, such as environmental quality, size of
the outside area, number of birds, or space per bird, are included in
this term. Typically, free-range hens are debeaked at the hatchery,
have only 1 to 2 square feet of floor space per bird, and -- if the
hens can go outside -- must compete with many other hens for access
to a small exit from the shed, leading to a muddy strip saturated with
droppings. Although chickens can live up to 12 years, free-range hens
are hauled to slaughter the same as battery-caged hens – after
a year or two. Free-range male chicks are trashed at birth, just as
they are in factory farms. Although free-range conditions may be an
improvement over factory-farm conditions, they are by no means free
of cruelty. For more information, visit United
Poultry Concerns.
Q: What are some common vegan
foods?
Oatmeal, stir-fried vegetables, cereal, toast, orange juice, peanut
butter on whole wheat bread, frozen fruit desserts, lentil soup, salad
bar items like chickpeas and three bean salad, dates, apples, macaroni,
fruit smoothies, popcorn, spaghetti, vegetarian baked beans, guacamole,
chili...
Vegans Also Eat...
Hash browns and vegan sausages, tofu lasagna, homemade
pancakes without eggs, hummus, eggless cookies, soy ice cream, tempeh,
corn chowder, soy yogurt, rice pudding, fava beans, banana muffins,
spinach pies, oat nut burgers, falafel, corn fritters, French toast
made with soy milk, soy hot dogs, vegetable burgers, pumpkin casserole,
scrambled tofu, seitan.
When Eating Out Try These Foods
Pizza without cheese, Chinese moo shu vegetables, Indian curries and
dahl, eggplant dishes without the cheese, bean tacos without the lard
and cheese (available from Taco Bell and other Mexican restaurants),
Middle Eastern hummus and tabouli, Ethiopian injera (flat bread) and
lentil stew, Thai vegetable curries...
Q: What can be substituted for eggs?
A: A company called Ener-G makes a powdered egg-substitute
that a is suitable replacement for eggs in cooking. Two oz. of soft
tofu can be blended with some water and added to substitute for an egg
to add consistency. One Tbsp. flax seeds (found in natural food stores)
with 3 Tbsp. water can be blended for 2 to 3 minutes, or boiled for
10 minutes or until desired consistency is achieved to substitute for
one egg. Half a mashed banana or 1/4 cup applesauce or pureed fruit
is a good egg substitute in baking. One tsp. soy flour plus 1 Tbsp.
water can also be substituted for one egg.
Q: What is tofu?
A: Tofu, or soy bean curd, is a whitish substance
made from soybeans. It has a variety of uses in vegetarian cooking because
of its bland taste that soaks up other flavors. It comes in a couple
of varieties, basically amounting to soft and firm style. Soft tofu
is often used to make frostings for cakes, and dips for chips and vegetables,
while the firmer style is generally used in stir-fries and soups where
it will hold its shape.
Q: What is seitan?
A: Seitan is a form of wheat gluten. It is a high
protein, low fat, no cholesterol food that is usually found in the refrigerated
section of most organic groceries/health food stores. It is usually
near the tofu and typically comes in small tubs (like margarine tubs).
It is brown and sometimes comes in strips. Seitan is made from whole
wheat flour, which is mixed with water and kneaded. This dough undergoes
a simple process of rinsing and mixing to remove the starch and some
bran until a gluten is obtained. After boiling in water, this glutenous
dough is called Kofu, which can be further processed in many ways, one
of which is seitan. Kofu becomes seitan by simmering in a stock of tamari
soy sauce, water and kombu sea vegetable. Seitan can be used in sandwiches,
or to make dishes such as sweet and sour seitan, seitan stir fry, salisbury
seitan, etc.
Q: Is honey considered vegan?
A: No. Insects, including bees, are animals. Honey is therefore an animal product and thus not
vegan. However, some people who otherwise identify as vegan do consume honey. When cooking or labeling food for vegans, however, it's best to be on the
safe side and not include honey. Agave nectar is a common substitute for honey.
