veganmadre

My only hope is that these drastic measures are enough to make people aware of our current state of repression and to break out. I, unfortunately, think things are going to have to get REALLY bad before rebellion is considered and our government is great at keeping the masses paralyzed with fear. The only positive thing to come out of increased survelliance would be a few more people fed up and ready to revolt.

The Pittsburgh group - Voices for Animals was just about to protest Giant Eagle. They had a mass demonstration planned for last Saturday and ended up changing it to a "thank you" celebration instead - signs and chanting and all. Giant Eagle is a large chain in the Pittsburgh area - it makes it difficult for other grocery businesses to compete. At the same time, it's working hard to cater to niche markets with it's new "Market District" stores popping up in established and wealthy neighborhoods. They even had a big billboard right beside the Whole Foods that said "Whole Paycheck?" in traditional Whole Food lettering. Underneath, it exclaimed that Giant Eagle carries and extensive organic and vegetarian selection. I would agree - Giant Eagle (especially the Market Districts) carries a real variety.

Thanks to everyone for relating! I can always count on my friends here to understand - this board is much more than an internet distraction for me. (I suppose that explains 1000 posts, huh? ) Thank you!

I would say that I agree with the business saavy of avoiding the term "vegan". It is isolating and restricts your target population. The company is seeking to provide not only a cruelty-free alternative or a healthy alternative, the business is seeking to compete with others interested in a "fast food" market. I'd say that there really ARE huge stigmas attached to veganism. I find that even with the cupcakes I make - I'm bombarded with questions - "But how do they rise without egg?" "How are they so moist?" "So, that means these are good for me?" It'd be foolish to think that those same curiousities would play a part in choosing to eat the cupcake - "vegan cupcakes couldn't possibly work without egg -how would it rise? - it probably wouldn't taste very good or be very moist" "vegan cupcakes are "healthy" - who wants to eat a healthy cupcake?" Michael didn't even tell his coworkers that the cupcakes were vegan until after they sang cupcake praises. My coworkers where shocked as well. HA ha! It's very satisfying to feed people vegan food and hear how much they love it. Plenty of people are adventurous eaters. No need to cater to that population - they'll try it regardless. It's important to try to think about the cautious folk, though - not giving them the opportunity to grow weary prior to giving the food a chance.

Sexist... It could be a sexist statement but given that I truly enjoy domesticity and could live out my life barefoot (naked), pregnant and in the kitchen happily...

Michael laughed when he read the "quantity". I suppose I'll be doing much more than 6 dozen. I can make about 4 dozen at a time in my oven. One day work and I could crank out quite a bit. I'm not sure if you have our address. I can follow up with a PM.

Yep. March 31, I'm renting a table at the "You're Not the Boss of Me"trade fair at Carnegie Mellon University. I'll be selling vegan cupcakes and passing out vegan literature from vegan outreach. I ordered 200 "Why Vegan" pamphlets today and they offered to have a box of 300 shipped directly from the printer for no additional cost! Excellent! Rob, I'll gladly pass out some veganbodybuilding information as well if you want to mail it to me! Cupcake suggestions? I'm assuming I'll make at least 6 dozen. They expect around 150-300 people?!?!! What's a reasonable amount? We live about 3 miles from the venue.

Now I hit 1,000. I was quite sure I'd hit 1,000 last night but the anticipation was so great that I swore of VBB&F for the night, went bowling and played scrabble. Dolt! As if hitting a thousands posts wasn't nerdy enough, I just told you how I chose even MORE NERDY things to do instead...

You're talking to the wrong person about that, potter! I'm not a "lesser of two evils" kinda girl! I don't appreciate people who "aren't that bad". I want someone "good".

I was pretty distraught immediately after my daughter's death. Ironically, I had a real sense of everyones very sincere regret and sympathy. I appreciate all of you who expressed it once again - of all the people in my life now, I feel like the individuals on this board know me best - you knew me walking 4 miles a day pushing TWO little girls in a double stroller back in Watsonville, CA and you know me now in all of my cupcake fanaticism, travel and shared girlies with the one and only VBB&F michaelhobson. I didn't have an extensive network of friends/family during Sofia's life - other than my online family here. Thanks!

While I'm not a huge fan of corporations in general, I do find more reasonable prices at Whole Foods than I do at our local Co-Op. Now with the surge in 365 Brand, I can even find things more reasonably priced at Whole Foods than at Trader Joes! I like individual business to stand a chance - I also realize that our society doesn't exactly "promote" the same ideals at I. Michael and I purchase most of our items from independent stores on our street. That's very appealing to me. One positive thing I feel worth mentioning about Whole Foods is this: When my daughter died, I was also very active on another message board - the weight watchers vegetarian/vegan board. The members of that board contacted Whole Foods in an effort to create a care package (long distance) for me. Without hesitation, not only did Whole Foods make me a fantastic vegan basket, they did so absolutely free. The sentiment didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated.

As in supports intervention in Iran? No, I'm assume he means protest the US invading/attacking Iran. Love the pictures Chesty! I hope I'll have the opportunity to participate in more LARGE scale protests in the future. That environment - full of like-minded individuals - seems really refreshing! Thanks for sharing!

If it's of any consulation, I used a low-fat cake recipe for the tiramisu cupcakes! That's why I make them to "give away". I really only make them for the decorating but because I'm cupcake crazy. I'm still crazy - just not cupcake crazy!

Well, good to know she has excellent vegan guidance. My offer is retracted as it is apparently unnecessary. I'm not from Oregon so I can't help with your original question but plenty of people are the forum are so...

Thank you, flanders. I've always felt a special closeness with you given that our girls were not so far apart in age. I've always known that your sympathy is extremely genuine and have appreciated that tremendously! As for being with my girls, Michael and I fully intend to do so this summer as we quit our jobs and experience hippie life. Looking forward to it very much!

I've never tried cupcakes without liners. It's worth the investment, I'd say. As for the icing - make sure the shortening and the margarine are at room temp before combining. Then, thorougly beat the shortn./marg. mixture before adding confectioners sugar. Add vanilla (or other flavoring) to the mix along with a T or so of soymilk, soy creamer or coconut milk. Add the confectioners sugar GRADUALLY! If it gets too stiff, slowly add more soymilk/liquid (1 t at a time). Also, when cooking cupcakes, be sure to remove the cupcakes from the pan immediately after removing the pan from the oven. If they cool in the pan, you are trapping the heat and risking soggy cupcakes. Hope that helps.

Thank you, Rob! Your support (and the the very thoughtful care package you sent post her death) has always been extremely appreciated - even if over the past year I have not been able to verbalize it like I would have liked. Thank you again for the kinds words in this thread, as well.

I know, i was disagreeing with the general idea of saying that we're logically superior generally because faith has nothing to do with being logical or not, whether you have it or lack it. I'm just tired of everyone thinking they're better than someone. Do i pretty much disagree with the whole idea of faith and organized religion? Yea. Do i want to rub it in other people's face that this is what i do and i think it makes me smarter and more logical? No. Quite frankly experience has proved to me for the most part I am but there are cases when Christians have been really excepting and cool and not locked in a box where they don't think for themselves at all. It has plenty to do with logic. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/logic I agree 100% with Formica. Religion is regularly "shoved" in the faces of athiests - from large and showy public holidays to ringing of church bells in small towns. Why is athiesm considered less of a valued "opinion"? Why should athiests be hush about their beliefs out of respect for "believers"?! ?!?!

Look dude. I'm insanely perfect at so many things that I some times have to fudge up photos so that the FBI doesn't realize that I'm a bot. I'm sure you understand.

I hate when dreams linger into the morning. I'm having one of those days today. I just had a day like that a few weeks ago, as well. Hmmm, I didn't realize until I just thought about it - the same people were in both dreams. Last week, I dreamt about my daughter Sofia. It brought up all kinds of sensitive emotions and made the day drag like no other. I miss her terribly and I often feel as though I'm alone (with the exception of Michael who has shown me more compassion than I realized possible). All of my new friends, most of my online friends...everyone knows me now "without" her. She did, after all, die within 2 days of moving to Pittsburgh from California. And there are days when I just want to talk about her - but not just talk about her - share her - and well, I have no one to share her with because my new life involves all people who didn't physically know her. It's akward to talk to people about her. I feel a loss when I'm talking about "our girls". I still want to tell people about "the missing one" but it's uncomfortable, at best, for the other party and what does it accomplish? Just a stressor. It also contributes to the stress I feel today, though. I realize how fleeing life is and I'm frustrated to be away from my other girls. What does it accomplish to work to pay someone to watch your children while you work? Grr. Beyond that fact that my job is mindless, the worst part for me is that Eva is stuck in a daycare center! When she's home with Michael and/or I, she's much more contented and agreeable. I really sense that daycare stresses her past her limit and interacting with her in the evenings can be trying (at best) after a long day for her - let alone that I'm tired and need a little time to unwind. Most average middle/low class families live like this but why? I'd much rather be poor and spend quality time with important people rather than live for the dollar. For those who don't know my little Sofia: http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/f40f.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/Sofia_Swinging-1.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/Sofia4.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/2_Hours_After_Repair_2.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/sofia.jpg

Potluck Pictures! http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059572.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059575.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059576.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059606.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059607.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059608.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059609.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059610.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059612.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/event_1059613.jpg

She has a complexity of things she is dealing with right now. Transitioning her child to a vegan diet is going to be something of concern for her as well. It's hard enough making the soley personal decision. How old are her children? As for "less" cruel options, I have no idea but, I agree that encouraging her to jump into veganism is a the best solution. What is it that she "needs" eggs for? Is it that she likes scrambled eggs? Introduce her to strambled tofu. Soymilk is an essentially equal exchange for milk, in my opinion. Desserts can be made sans eggs. Follow your Heart vegan cheese has great melty qualities. Earth Balance is trans fat free and fantastically tasty. What are her "crutch foods" - what are the foods she feels as though she can't give up? I'm willing to bet that I have a recipe to replace it and I'd be happy to share! Same for her children - what do they love and fear losing with a vegan diet?

Ironically, I remember to this day the exact moment when I was told "there isn't really a santa claus" because my exact words were - "so, there also isn't a tooth fairy or a god, right?" I grew up in a relatively progressive religous home and it was OK for me to question religion. I had what I believed to be an "out-of-body" experience when I was younger and I'm still not certain that I can identify my own sense of spirituality. There is no rational way for me to express my beliefs and I would ultimately consider myself an athiest above all other explicit "options". And, while it's a shame that it isn't the same for most kids, the santa/toothfairy myth was equated with the god myth for me as a kid.

So, I made toasted cocount and tiramisu for Michael to take to work (don't want to leave cupcakes lingering around the house for me to eat!!!) but, I made my coworkers jealous. To appease them, I made crimson velveteen cupcakes topped with fluffy buttercream, chocolate ganache and dark chocolate shavings. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/velveteen.jpg http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/velveteen2.jpg Ready for a ride on the city bus! http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/veganmadre/velveteen3.jpg

No no, and no once again. Arnold. Bleck. Bleck. I don't like his politics, I don't like his movies and I don't like his muscles. Proceed with your praises. I'm just trying to boost my post count!