Vegan Hot and Sour Soup

It's Fall and I'm feelin' like soup!  This is a hunky soup absolutely loaded with flavor.  You can literally eat it with a fork (or chopsticks!).  In China, if noodle or hearty soup is served, many consider it a more elegant way to eat by picking the noodle into a serving spoon first, then eating from the spoon, rather than slurping directly from the bowl into the mouth using chopsticks. 
Sometimes you must ask, "What Would Martha Do?"
Really, who cares, this soup is so good you won't even hear anyone else slurping!

This is an adapted recipe from the Veganomicon cookbook by Isa Chandra-Moskowitz.
If you’re looking for a vegan cookbook that will please the pickiest meat eaters, this is the one! This lady knows her stuff!

Grab your wine...here we go! 

What you’ll need: (cut the recipe in half if you’re going solo, you’ll still have plenty left over).

½ oz. dried wood ear (or shitake) mushrooms + 2 cups boiling water
6-8 leaves Napa cabbage (depends how much you ♥ cabbage)
6-8 cups vegetable broth
¼ cup + 2 Tbs. soy sauce (or Braggs)
¼ cup + 2 Tbs. rice vinegar
1-2 tsp. Asian hot chili oil (very hot stuff, so tone it down if you need to)
¾ tsp. sesame oil
1 ½ tsp ground white pepper
1 ½ cups thick-sliced white/cremini mushrooms
1 heaping Tbs. arrowroot or cornstarch + 1 cup cold water
1 lb extra-firm tofu, pressed & cut into matchsticks (or whatever shape you like)
½ cup shredded carrots
½ - 1 cup chopped scallions (optional)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Substitutions:
I put a few more carrots (they dull they numbing effect the chili oil has) and a few less fresh mushrooms.
I used Bragg's Liquid Aminos instead of soy sauce.
I use the cubed-style veggie broth, it's cheaper & tastes great!
Pressed Tofu: I promise to do a blog on this only soon...it's confusing for the non-tofu eaters, but it is oh-so-tasty & worth it!

Method:
Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl & pour boiling water over them so that they are submerged by a few inches. Cover with a plate and let sit for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile… Pour the vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hot chili oil, sesame oil & white pepper into a soup pot. Cover & bring to a boil.
While that is heating, prepare the cabbage leaves, lay them on top of each other so they’re spooning. Cut in half, stack again (or in two batches) and thinly slice them width-wise.
Once the broth is boiling, add the cabbage and the fresh mushrooms. Reduce to a low boil and cook until the cabbage is fully wilted, 5-10 minutes.

The dried mushrooms should be ready at this point, so remove, drain, cut into bite-size pieces and add to the soup.

Mix the arrowroot with the water until dissolved. Add to the soup and stir until just slightly thickened, a minute or two. This will not make the soup thick; the starch just helps to give it a little body.

Add the shredded carrots & tofu and cook about 5 more minutes. Serve/garnish with scallions (if using).

“Having a good wife and a rich cabbage soup, seek not other things.”
- Russian Proverb

I chose this quote because this is a soup my husband (a meat eater/lover) actually gets excited about.  As a vegan, I'm not sure there's a greater feeling than a non-vegan loving your food.  It gives you hope!

Fill up your favorite mug (or bowl) & slurp to your heart's content.

Relax, It’s Just Food!

I’ve got a question: When did food become health food?

Just because it’s “vegan” doesn’t mean you have to freak out…it’s just food. Food people all over the world eat. Food our ancestors (even the Gladiators!) ate for thousands of years. Food that gives strength, well-being and nourishment to cows, horses, rhinoceroses, gorillas, elephants, giraffes, hippos and MANY others! These are some of the largest land mammals on earth and they seem to be doing just fine (minus the bastards who hunt them for “sport”). I’m just saying: If these animals don’t need meat or dairy, neither do you. Be an adult and wean yourself from another species tit already!! You’re embarrassing them!

Recently I was forwarded a very peculiar e-mail by a friend. It described why eating fruit holds no nutritional value unless it is eaten on an empty stomach. I did a little research to see where this ridiculous myth may have originated. Turns out there were several “diet plans” in the 70s and 80s that promoted this silly suggestion. They claimed fruit would “rot in your gut” if eaten after a meal. Granted, we would all benefit from eating more fruit, but essentially telling a person that’s all they can eat and when to eat it is not beneficial. The nutritional value of a piece of fruit is the same whether it's eaten on an empty stomach or after a meal.  If someone is trying to lose weight then yeah, eat the fruit first to fill some space in your stomach before your meal. Unfortunately there are a lot of crazy diet gurus out there who have given fruit a bad rap and made it "diet food".  Fruit used to be just food.  Sadly, not everyone sees it that way these days.

Actually, eating fruits after a meal is really good for you. You get scrubbing fiber that keeps everything inside squeaky clean and you satisfy your post meal sweet tooth.  Diabetics can actually calm the effect fruit has on spiking their blood sugar levels by ingesting it as part of a meal.  Since fructose is not absorbed as rapidly as sucrose or glucose, it has much less effect on blood sugar levels and insulin (also why I recommend agave nectar to diabetics over sugar or even honey).
Last night I saw a Sonic commercial claiming “…we are now serving real ice cream…” As opposed to what?! What the hell was in their “ice cream” previously?!?
I actually tried to research this and all I found was a statement from Sonic's chairman and chief executive, J. Clifford Hudson, “The new ice cream ... is richer, it is thicker, it is creamier than our current soft serve, which is what we have to call it because that is what it has been; a non-ice cream, lower-fat dairy product.”
Well, by all means, get the artery-clogging shit in there because that’s what Americans need!

Statements like Mr. Hudson’s make us feel like the crap we eat is okay and that it’s actually “good for us”. Making fruits, vegetables, beans and grains “diet foods” and giving the notion that they’re only needed if you want to rid yourself of a few pounds. In actuality these choices are not “diet” food, it’s just FOOD. Food from the earth that we’re killing by making and eating mass-produced CRAP!

It makes me kind of confused when people look at something I’m eating and say, “I should be eating healthy like you…” Okay. Then. Do. It.  I very rarely think about “eating healthy” (another handy vegan perk!).  I just eat.  My moral commitment dictates my food choices; these choices just happen to be plant-based and (pause for effect) healthy.

It’s simple as this: Put good stuff in, get good stuff out!

Think of the fierce energy concentrated in an acorn!  You bury it in the ground, and it explodes into an oak!  Bury a sheep, and nothing happens but decay.              ~ George Bernard Shaw

A Vegan’s View of NYC

Let me first state that I am in no way qualified to give “expert” guidance to this incredible, eccentric, fantastic city. I wanted to share my experiences, but (of course) with a vegan twist, ‘cause I’m just that crazy!

First of all, I highly suggest you plan a trip to NYC…now! For those who have never been to The Big Apple, you literally do not know what you’re missing. The energy, creativity and vibe is phenomenal. I have never seen or felt anything like it; I was immediately hooked. From the first sighting of the Statue of Liberty in the plane to the white-knuckled cab rides to the copious choices of cuisine and unending culture, I was unquestionably addicted to this city.

I’ve had opportunities to visit New York, but have passed. My ideal vacation consists of a warm, tropical location featuring a beach; a scene not typically associated with The City. Fortunately for NYC, my tropical dreams may have detoured slightly to the left of sand and palm trees and into frenzied crowds and skyscrapers. I may have traded the white noise of an ocean for the din of the city.

I want to point out the highlights of my travels (some touristy, some not).


1. Walking.  Seriously, this is by far the best way to see the city. You will see it all, trust me. You’ll see things that confuse and confound you; you’ll see the sadness of the streets, the success of immigrants, the extreme of fashion and perhaps even a fist fight or two. Manhattan is a small island, so pack your walking shoes and plan on pounding the pavement.

2. Food.  There is a double-meaning to The Melting Pot in NYC. Every country and culture is represented; you could eat a different ethnic food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for weeks! If your diet is more limited – a vegan diet, for example – you’ll still be in Vegan Hog Heaven. Check out HappyCow for some really good restaurant suggestions. I was happy to see that many restaurants also have vegan options. Since our first night was my friend’s work-related dinner at Carmine’s, I was a little concerned. It was a pre-planned dinner and they just brought out various menu items. I asked if they had any vegan options and they were more than accommodating. The chef made a lovely roasted garlic and olive oil (eggless) pasta that was not on the menu and they brought me a large garden salad with all kinds of yummy [vegan] antipasti scattered within. The chef and maitre d’ even came to check on me to make sure everything was suitable. I have never had a non-vegetarian restaurant be so compliant. It was very refreshing to be treated like a regular patron!
Then there was the fabulous Ethiopian restaurant, Queen of Sheba. They had many vegetarian options and several vegan options. My friend, Paul, thoughtfully made sure everything was we ate was vegan – it was delicious!  I will rally Knoxville to get an Ethiopian restaurant of its own!
Finally, my crown jewel: Blossom. Blossom is a completely vegan and kosher restaurant. This is the first 100% vegan restaurant I have ever been to, so I was very excited. The seating was a little too close to the next table and the dining area was very loud, but this is just something you come to expect in NYC. Once the wine and food came out, any shortcomings were forgotten. We had the Cape Cod Cakes (a blend of seaweed, tofu, herbs and spices, served with a vegan tartar sauce). I literally do not have words to describe these: delectable, heavenly, scrumptious? Words don’t do them justice. My friend (a meat-eater) said it was the best tartar sauce she’d ever had! My main course was the Pistachio and Pepper-Dusted Tofu. This was served over a roasted root vegetable crepe with a lemon truffle sauce; a mixed greens salad tossed in red beet vinaigrette finished the dish. $20 is much more than a vegan typically pays for an entrée, but this was worth every penny (and then some)! I have never tasted anything so blissfully luscious. I am still sad I didn’t have room for dessert, but that will have to wait for my next visit!


3. People.  Forget everything you’ve heard about New Yorkers being foul-mouthed and rude. Wait…Keep the foul-mouthed bit, but toss the rude! Every time I asked for directions, I luckily did so of a local and they were always very kind and willing to help. Retail associates were generally more helpful than people in the South! I love how New Yorkers can be very direct, tell you what you need to know and leave it at that. Being direct in the South translates into you being rude or short-tempered. Any rude people I encountered, were actually tourists themselves! Go figure.


My friend, Jannae (who lives in NYC), summed it up perfectly when she put it something like this: “We all live in such small spaces that the city is like our living room. We hang out together in the parks and bars and restaurants. We’re all in this together and it just works.”
And it does work. No one stands alone but everyone can make their own path.


“It isn't like the rest of the country - it is like a nation itself - more tolerant than the rest in a curious way. Littleness gets swallowed up here. All the viciousness that makes other cities vicious is sucked up and absorbed in New York.” - John Steinbeck

The Politics of Eating

I came across an interesting article recently. It discusses food politics between a couple: she is a vegan, he is an omnivore. Wow, doesn’t this sound familiar?! I was not a vegetarian when I met my husband. The only thing that was not a part of my diet at the time was red meat which I cut out when I was 18.

My decision to stop eating animals was twofold: Health and Compassion, in that order. My passage into the world of vegetarianism was not a hurried one. First, red meat, then other mammals (chicken, pork, turkey, etc…), lastly, fish got the boot. Then, I decided to give up dairy for two reasons. First, I am lactose intolerant. My body rejects milk and milk-based products for a reason; I shouldn’t force it to accept something I don’t need. Secondly, I had my gall bladder removed in April of 2007. After undergoing a surgery, albeit a minor one, I never want to go through that again if I can help it; eating a plant-based diet is the healthiest/best way to ensure that.

I still eat food that tastes good and I can still indulge my sweet tooth! I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything; I actually feel like I’ve gained so much.
You can’t watch what goes on inside a slaughterhouse and push those images to the back of your mind. You can’t watch animals writhing in pain, being treated with the same respect you give gum on your shoe and comfortably swallow your Big Mac.  (What happens after you swallow that burger??)

But, what about “organic meat”? It still carries hormones, cholesterol and the fact that a living being is being raised only to be killed. Plus, organic meat wastes precious resources like water, grain and land and pollutes the air we breathe. I’ll spare you the details, but if you’d like more info GoVeg.com is a fantastic fact-based site.

Back to my original reason for this post: Can vegetarians and omnivores live in harmony? In a [vegan] nutshell, yes! The hubby and I do it all the time. It’s called compromise. It takes practice and some juggling of viewpoints. Ultimately, food is a basic element in everyone’s life; we all need it to survive. Start there.

I try not to bring up the “V word”, but seems like there is food everywhere. Nearly every social gathering will include food. “Piggies” in blankets, crab puffs, sausage balls, cheese balls, veggies w/ some kind of sour cream/mayo concoction – all things taboo in Monica’s Book of Ethics. In the south, there’s even bacon in the veggies! Oh, the horror!

Bringing up your views of religion, abortion or politics tends to go over easier in a social situation than mentions you’re a vegan. Sometimes it really sucks being a vegan in a meat-eaters world. I’d be lying if I said it was easy. No fancy Italian leather shoes or handbags for me! I can’t pick up a lot of my vegan necessities at a regular grocery store. I can’t go to just any restaurant. I must always bring food to gatherings (but I would do that regardless); a girl can’t live on raw veggies and crackers alone! Well, she can, but she’d get bloated/gassy and that isn’t cute!

Having reservations about what someone else chooses to eat can be as insulting as questioning their religion. Trust me, I’ve had years of experience with people giving me the Stink Eye as soon as the word vegetarian – or worse, vegan – comes out of my mouth. It’s like living in a Marilyn Manson concert when you’re the only member of Young Life.

It’s hard to connect with people when they feel you’re judging them. Food isn’t just nourishment; it is a major bonding experience. It conjures memories of family dinners, holidays, special events like graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. These moments bond us and the dishes we make for these moments speak volumes. You can tell who cooks with love and who shops hastily in the frozen food section.
But, yeah, I do judge others; I judge them as soon as they judge me. As soon as my morals and values are diminished and disrespected, you can be sure I will lose any respect I had for your right to eat what you want to. Deliberately shoving meat through your plump cheeks while ill-mannered moans of ecstasy waft out will guarantee a place for you on my No Likey list. (Yeah, this has actually happened…several times). I won’t waste my breath on the horrors of factory farming or the global impact the meat industry has on our delicate planet because they won’t appreciate any of it and they aren’t worth it.  At the end of the day, it’s their heart being destroying, so go on and have another burger.  I will not respect anyone's right to act like a total jackass. This is what irritates me the most; the ignorance of where food comes from and how it gets to your table.

Respect my right to eat compassionately and I will respect your right to eat meat.

There must be compromise in everyone’s life. It is an essential tool of existing in peace. This philosophy can be applied to nearly every conflict on the planet. If we all learn to give a little more, bitch a little less and make a little room next to our beliefs, this world would be a more peaceful place. Be open to a new experience, influence or behavior, you may find it makes you a better, more successful person. Omnivores and Herbivores (i.e. my husband and I) can cohabitate in peace and harmony because of our mutual love of so many other things. The majority of my friends, co-workers and family are meat eaters. I get along perfectly fine with them all. And it is always a joy when someone asks for diet/nutritional advice or is simply curious about my lifestyle. It isn’t my evil plan to turn the world vegetarian. I just want us all to get along.

Peace, love and compassionate eating,
                   - Monica

Vegan Midol: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

I guess I'm rare when it comes to women: I very rarely crave chocolate.  But, when I do, I do it right!
Midol is said to be Vegan (I'll have to research that later).  For all you natural gals, this cake is the next best thing.  It's a combination of three different recipes, culminating into PMS ass-kicking goodness.

This one's for my sistas!

Cake Ingredients:
3 cups unbleached flour
½ tsp. salt
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3 cups almond milk w/ 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
½ cup black cocoa powder (or dutch processed)
3/4 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar
3 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup unrefined sugar
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:
2/3 cup soy or almond milk
4 Tbs. pure maple syrup or agave nectar
8 oz. bitter sweet chocolate, chopped

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Frosting:
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 to 4 Tbs. water
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions:
Sift dry cake ingredients together (sift, don't skip the sifting!!)  Mix the wet ingredients into the dry. 
For all you OCD folks, this will yield enough batter for 2 10-inch round pans - each pan will have 1lb 10oz of batter. 
Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes.

Meanwhile....
Melt the PB filling in a double boiler (or you can be ghetto and use the microwave, but keep an eye on it, for Wonka's sake, it can burn in 20 seconds!)  Set aside.

Melt the Chocolate Ganache Ingredients in a double boiler.  Keep ganache warm until you're ready to use it.  Warm, not hot!  You don't want to scorch it.

 

Alright, let's get it on!

Spread a generous (read: all of it) layer of the PB filling on top of the bottom cake layer.
 
Top off with 2nd cake layer.
 
Drizzle ganache all over top layer like so......
 

Yeah...I know.
You're Welcome.

Holla for Garam Masala

I’m thinking of talking more about what I eat. Not exclusively, of course, I’ll still bring up hot-button issues, but I do love food. There are also a lot of people who are completely mystified by a vegan diet.  I love experimenting with food, trying different types of cuisine and making meat-laden dishes more compassionate. Food gives us an insight into a culture’s way of life. Bread dough kneaded, left to rise, kneaded again and baked in a brick or stone oven gives new meaning to life and love. Buying a perfectly-sliced, full of preservatives, Wonder Bread that’s wrapped in petroleum-based plastic most likely means you’re comfortable with 1 BM every couple of days. 
I believe good food is impossible to achieve without a good amount of love put into it.
The following quote is on a magnet I keep on my refrigerator door:
The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking: love, for those you are cooking for.
- Sophia Loren

I recently stumbled on a spice mix called Garam Masala. Those familiar with Indian cuisine have heard of this. I, however, was mystified by this yummy blend and had to try it for myself. I adore Indian food. I immediately begin to salivate when entering an Indian restaurant; the aroma of another world instantly transporting my culinary desires into reality. You, too, can go on this journey in your own kitchen; you’re just 6 little spices away!

You will need:
4 dried bay leaves, 7 black cardamom pods (seeds only), 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, 2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 5 whole cloves.

Toast all ingredients if you like (sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t). For all you control freaks: if you can’t find black cardamom pods, don’t freak out. The green will work just fine. Look for cardamom pods in the bulk spice section of health food stores or in Asian markets. You can make this with a mortar and pestle if you don’t mind a little wrist action. I work 8 (actually 9) hours a day, so I use a spice grinder (pick one up at Target for $13 bucks – it’s totally worth it)! Also, you may want to go ahead and double this recipe; you’re going to use it!

Making this exquisite spice blend reminded me of the first time I was introduced to Indian cuisine. One of my best friends in high school was a lovely girl named Shireen. Shireen is from India and we met in a summer school program. She was so sweet and kind, I instantly took a liking to her. She invited a couple girlfriends and me over for dinner one evening. I was intrigued just walking through the door. Her grandmother, wrapped in a traditional sari, sat in a corner chair – she would occasionally shuffle to the kitchen to check on some wonderfully-smelling potion brewing on the stovetop. Shireen’s parents were just as kind and welcoming as I expected them to be. I watched, completely captivated by the unusual ingredients being roasted, sautéed and boiled. We had a yellow curry with homemade naan that night. It was one of the most excellent dishes I’ve ever eaten. I became instantly addicted.

I’ve tried many Indian curry dishes without the same effect. I love going to Indian restaurants, but was frustrated that I could never duplicate the same dish at home. Then I found Garam Masala! (Holla!!)

Try this recipe, you will NOT be disappointed!

Monica’s Masala
1 medium onion, diced
1 can stewed or crushed tomatoes w/ liquid
3-4 cooked russet potatoes (optional)
1 can chick peas, rinsed
1 cup Basmati Rice
1-2 tsp cumin seeds
2-2 ½ cups water (or veggie broth)
2 Tbs. oil, divided
3-4 tsp garam masala
1 tsp curry powder
Salt to taste

Rinse rice in water to remove excess starch. Combine 1 Tbs oil and 1 tsp cumin seeds in saucepan, flash fry (about 30 seconds) & reduce to low. Add rice, water/broth, and about ¼ tsp. salt. Let mixture set for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, sauté onion in 1 Tbs oil until soft. Add 2-3 tsp garam masala and continue to sauté (about 5 minutes), mixture may be a little dry.
While onions are cooking, bring rice mix to a boil, stir & reduce to low. Cover and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Add tomatoes to onion mix and salt to taste. Simmer about a minute & taste, (add more garam masala or salt if desired). Add chickpeas and potatoes simmer about 10 minutes. Mixture should be a little soupy, this is a good thing!  If you want more liquid, add broth, coconut milk or water until you've reached desired consistancy.
Serve over rice. Enjoy with someone you love!!

Masala Vegetable Stew

What Does It Mean to be American?

During the celebration of our country’s Independence we often reflect upon the price we’ve paid for our freedom. We thank and remember those in service who selflessly trade their lives so we may have better ones. We broke away from the British Empire because we wanted better lives – yearned for the freedom to make our own choices. Yet, it seems as though today we’re faced with more rules and regulations than ever. We cannot marry whomever we chose. We cannot seek medical help when we are ill. It is in these times we wonder what is the most important thing to fight for? We need to get back to the basics. Get OUT from under the Empire’s thumb. We’ve ended up back where we started. Taxes, illness, poverty, unjust treatment…of not just human, but of all beings. Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Take a minute to think about the way we treat our animals.

Behind the closed doors of factory farms (slaughterhouses), billions of cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, horses, etc, are subjected to a life of misery that few could even imagine; suffering out of sight and out of mind. These animals only know a life filled with severe confinement, abusive handling, painful mutilations, careless neglect and merciless slaughter. Though these animals struggle, kick and scream, their cries repeatedly fall on the deaf ears of profit-driven factory farm producers, who view these responsive and intelligent creatures as mere commodities.

If you haven’t yet seen Food, Inc., I highly recommend you do. I guarantee you will learn something about your food. Not just about how the animals are raised and how they’re treated, but about what companies aren’t telling you – they are lobbying our senators and governors to get what they want and they’re getting it. They keep getting what they want because we aren’t fighting for a change.

This poor woman who lost her son due to an E-coli infected burger cannot even say on camera that she has changed the way she eats! They will come after her, sue her and make her out to be the bad guy. What does this remind you of?  Oprah??
Oprah’s statement of not wanting to eat another hamburger (guest: Howard Lyman) – caused 6 years of litigation and over $1 million in legal fees..
"In 1999, University of Wyoming law professor, Debra Donahue, who holds a masters degree in wildlife biology, wrote a book in which she said the most important thing that could be done to protect species from extinction and preserve biodiversity is to remove livestock from nearly all public lands. In response, Wyoming Senate president and cattleman Jim Twiford proposed a bill that would dismantle the university law school." (Wilkinson, Todd, "In a Battle over Cattle, both sides await grazing ruling," Christian Science Monitor, May 1, 2000)
There are only 3 or 4 companies controlling the meat market. This isn’t just major market control, this is control over an entire populations’ food. The sad thing is: we’re allowing it to continue. Every day you get three votes to tell the government how you want your food grown. You get three votes to improve the environment, your health and our society.
Another topic mentioned in Food, Inc. are the much-admired Commodity Crops – the majority of what makes up the bad calories (sodas, candy, processed foods). These commodity crops (and NAFTA) did away with the need to import corn from Mexico leaving thousands of farmers and ranch hands out of work, thus leading to the influx of South American immigrants to the US. The corn grown to feed the animals you eat along with the slaughterhouses where these animals are processed are the main reason why so many immigrants are in the US. Don’t you dare blame them, blame yourself. Next time you sit down to enjoy that holiday ham, think about where it came from. Better yet, think about that before you buy it. Think about the meat that has been processed with ammonia in order to kill the E-coli that lives within the carcass. Think about the lobbyists and lawyers who used to work for commodity crop and meat industries who are now working for the FDA and EPA. The fact that this is happening in a government I want to trust and I want to have faith in is nauseating to me.

There is a veil between us and where our food comes from – a world deliberately hidden from us. We are entitled to know about our food. So make your three votes per day; make them count. And never give up the conviction and strength that we, as Americans, can turn our society, health and environment around; we can have a better future, but we have to want it badly enough and we have to want it together. Independently of what we’re told to want.