Comments for The Casual Vegan http://www.thecasualvegan.com Researching a Better Diet Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:01:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Is Shrimp Healthy For You? by Greg http://www.thecasualvegan.com/is-shrimp-healthy-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-739 Greg Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:01:33 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=570#comment-739 Thank you for the thoughtful response Bob. I wrote about shrimp because no article for <strong>Is shrimp good for you?</strong> mentioned pollution or the Harvard Nurses Health study. In fact, none of them other than the CNN piece made reference to any studies at all. Many of us who like to read food studies believe the low fat craze of the 80's and 90's was probably more marketing hype than healthful eating. There are some convincing arguments that wild shrimp is good for you. However, 90% of the wild caught shrimp in the U.S. comes from the Gulf. The media may have forgotten, and the industry is quick to tell everyone that disuprsants and oil pose no risk to our food supply, but I'll play it safe. The fact is, the sea food the Norwegians ate in the 40's just doesn't exist anymore. Thank you for the thoughtful response Bob. I wrote about shrimp because no article for Is shrimp good for you? mentioned pollution or the Harvard Nurses Health study. In fact, none of them other than the CNN piece made reference to any studies at all. Many of us who like to read food studies believe the low fat craze of the 80′s and 90′s was probably more marketing hype than healthful eating.

There are some convincing arguments that wild shrimp is good for you. However, 90% of the wild caught shrimp in the U.S. comes from the Gulf. The media may have forgotten, and the industry is quick to tell everyone that disuprsants and oil pose no risk to our food supply, but I’ll play it safe. The fact is, the sea food the Norwegians ate in the 40′s just doesn’t exist anymore.

]]> Comment on Is Shrimp Healthy For You? by BobBiologistPhD http://www.thecasualvegan.com/is-shrimp-healthy-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-737 BobBiologistPhD Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:36:36 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=570#comment-737 Seafood and shrimp are bad because of us, not because they're meat. We've poisoned the oceans and lakes, and now shrimp are burdened with things like mercury. Farmed fish and shrimp are just as bad, especially since they tend to feed them more dead fish, and they're often housed in poor conditions or partitions sections of natural bodies of water. Fundamentally, however, shrimp and other seafood are the best meats that omnivorous people should be considering. They're a virtually unparalleled source of lean protein and DHA/omega-3/omega-6. People wonder why those in Norway saw such a huge drop in coronary heart disease and similar ailments during WWII. Some people, like the fraud Campbell, would have you believe it was because of circumstances forcing them on a plant-based diet. But it was actually because of the huge increase in fish consumption. Eating shrimp and fish can be super healthy. Much more so than beef. Your headings are very misleading and scientifically skewed based on a technicality. Of course a vegan website is going to say shrimp is unhealthy. The reason they're unhealthy now is because of the crap we've essentially put into them. In short: meat by itself = not bad, not poison, not guaranteed cancer and clogged arteries. Meat after we've altered it = very bad. We just need to stop poisoning meat. Technicalities are fun, eh? Seafood and shrimp are bad because of us, not because they’re meat. We’ve poisoned the oceans and lakes, and now shrimp are burdened with things like mercury. Farmed fish and shrimp are just as bad, especially since they tend to feed them more dead fish, and they’re often housed in poor conditions or partitions sections of natural bodies of water. Fundamentally, however, shrimp and other seafood are the best meats that omnivorous people should be considering. They’re a virtually unparalleled source of lean protein and DHA/omega-3/omega-6. People wonder why those in Norway saw such a huge drop in coronary heart disease and similar ailments during WWII. Some people, like the fraud Campbell, would have you believe it was because of circumstances forcing them on a plant-based diet. But it was actually because of the huge increase in fish consumption.

Eating shrimp and fish can be super healthy. Much more so than beef. Your headings are very misleading and scientifically skewed based on a technicality. Of course a vegan website is going to say shrimp is unhealthy. The reason they’re unhealthy now is because of the crap we’ve essentially put into them. In short: meat by itself = not bad, not poison, not guaranteed cancer and clogged arteries. Meat after we’ve altered it = very bad. We just need to stop poisoning meat. Technicalities are fun, eh?

]]> Comment on Is Shrimp Healthy For You? by Greg http://www.thecasualvegan.com/is-shrimp-healthy-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-728 Greg Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:37:09 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=570#comment-728 That's a fair question. And my answer is that the shrimp your grandfather ate simply doesn't exist anymore. Farmed shrimp is a terrible product due to unethical producers, lack of regulation, and the overall capitalist system that values income over health. You think wild shrimp is the perfect alternative? Well, there are several reasons that I don't eat wild shrimp. The main ones are: 1. Wild shrimp populations have been harvested to the brink. Commercial fishing has been all but non existent for more than 20 years. 2. There's this little company you may have heard of called BP. They insist gulf sea food is safe, but after the millions of tons of chemical dispersants and unimaginable quantities of oil that were dumped into the gulf, I'm not going to get my food out of it. I'm sure most of the pollution has settled to the bottom, and I'm not expert on the life patterns of aquatic life, but I'm going to play this one safe and avoid shrimp. Having said both of those, you can eat almost anything in small quantities and still be a happy, healthy person. What's more, as long as you're not getting more than 10% of your protein from animals, you'll probably still get all the benefits of a vegetarian diet. That’s a fair question. And my answer is that the shrimp your grandfather ate simply doesn’t exist anymore. Farmed shrimp is a terrible product due to unethical producers, lack of regulation, and the overall capitalist system that values income over health.

You think wild shrimp is the perfect alternative? Well, there are several reasons that I don’t eat wild shrimp. The main ones are:

1. Wild shrimp populations have been harvested to the brink. Commercial fishing has been all but non existent for more than 20 years.
2. There’s this little company you may have heard of called BP. They insist gulf sea food is safe, but after the millions of tons of chemical dispersants and unimaginable quantities of oil that were dumped into the gulf, I’m not going to get my food out of it. I’m sure most of the pollution has settled to the bottom, and I’m not expert on the life patterns of aquatic life, but I’m going to play this one safe and avoid shrimp.

Having said both of those, you can eat almost anything in small quantities and still be a happy, healthy person. What’s more, as long as you’re not getting more than 10% of your protein from animals, you’ll probably still get all the benefits of a vegetarian diet.

]]> Comment on Is Shrimp Healthy For You? by gabe http://www.thecasualvegan.com/is-shrimp-healthy-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-727 gabe Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:50:20 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=570#comment-727 I'm looking at switching to a whole foods diet...or at the very least...drastically decreasing my meat/animal protien intake. While I do believe that science supports the benefits of a whole foods diet...why do you fail to recognize that there may be some nuritional advantages to shrimp. Seems to me that in moderation...especially if they aren't farmed they would be ok in a diet. Thoughts? (Maybe a vegan site isn't the best place to ask this :)) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=107 I’m looking at switching to a whole foods diet…or at the very least…drastically decreasing my meat/animal protien intake. While I do believe that science supports the benefits of a whole foods diet…why do you fail to recognize that there may be some nuritional advantages to shrimp. Seems to me that in moderation…especially if they aren’t farmed they would be ok in a diet. Thoughts?

(Maybe a vegan site isn’t the best place to ask this :) )

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=107

]]> Comment on Polenta vs. Whole Grain Cornmeal by Tony Smith http://www.thecasualvegan.com/polenta-vs-whole-stone-ground-cornmeal/comment-page-1/#comment-716 Tony Smith Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:09:15 +0000 http://thecasualvegan.com/wordpress/?p=3#comment-716 How weird is this -- two days ago I was in Whole Foods and saw the whole grain cornmeal and the polenta sitting next to each other. I chose the corn meal because it was cheaper, and I thought it would allow me to make the same dish as the "polenta." So - I started researching to make sure and discovered this webpage. Thanks for the tip! How weird is this — two days ago I was in Whole Foods and saw the whole grain cornmeal and the polenta sitting next to each other. I chose the corn meal because it was cheaper, and I thought it would allow me to make the same dish as the “polenta.” So – I started researching to make sure and discovered this webpage. Thanks for the tip!

]]> Comment on Vegan Pregnancy by Jules Moon http://www.thecasualvegan.com/vegan-pregnancy/comment-page-1/#comment-704 Jules Moon Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:19:43 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=630#comment-704 I know I'm a bit late to the party, as Dax is now no longer giving you morning sickness, but is now here in the world with the rest of us air-breathers. (Congratulations, by the way!) But better late than never, I wanted to say hi. I'm an almost-but-not-quite midwife and longtime veggie, planning to cater to vegan and vegetarian clients. My goal is to be the most up-to-date midwife in Portland when it comes to veggie nutrition for pregnancy. Anyway, I wanted to write because I appreciate how you listened to your body and your baby. You mentioned some ways in which this was hard for you; I hope your support system was, well, supportive! It sometimes seems that everyone feels entitled to judge pregnant mamas for how they eat, and I've seen vegan clients get it from both directions: folks (even care providers) who think a vegan diet is unhealthy for developing babies, and then if the mama decides to broaden her eating choices, some in the veggie community get down on her for doing so. So it's really nice for me to read stories of mamas (both of you!) being so open about their diet during pregnancy, without negative posts in the comments, and without a disclaimer apology. Thanks for sharing. I know I’m a bit late to the party, as Dax is now no longer giving you morning sickness, but is now here in the world with the rest of us air-breathers. (Congratulations, by the way!)

But better late than never, I wanted to say hi. I’m an almost-but-not-quite midwife and longtime veggie, planning to cater to vegan and vegetarian clients. My goal is to be the most up-to-date midwife in Portland when it comes to veggie nutrition for pregnancy.

Anyway, I wanted to write because I appreciate how you listened to your body and your baby. You mentioned some ways in which this was hard for you; I hope your support system was, well, supportive! It sometimes seems that everyone feels entitled to judge pregnant mamas for how they eat, and I’ve seen vegan clients get it from both directions: folks (even care providers) who think a vegan diet is unhealthy for developing babies, and then if the mama decides to broaden her eating choices, some in the veggie community get down on her for doing so.

So it’s really nice for me to read stories of mamas (both of you!) being so open about their diet during pregnancy, without negative posts in the comments, and without a disclaimer apology. Thanks for sharing.

]]> Comment on Running with Cerebral Palsy by T http://www.thecasualvegan.com/running-with-cerebral-palsy/comment-page-1/#comment-693 T Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:12:21 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=1206#comment-693 I have mild cerebal palsy as well I have a limp and a very soft voice, the doctor used forcebs as I was coming out and caused lack of oxygen to my brain. I have always hiked, walked, but never did I dream I would want to run. Its hard! I have just started, what I do I start out walking a few steps then I start into a jog then its running, but not far running because I have asthma as well. Once I catch my breathe I start back running. I run about half a mile to this church down from my house, and I end up walking back. Yet in doing so it has only taken me 30 minutes from beginning to end. I am hoping that by building the muscles in the back of my legs I will one day be able to run completely without stopping. Its going to be tougher than a "normal" person but I suggest start out slow, you know how your body works. An start doing other exercises that will also help with your muscles, get on a bicycle and ride for a mile or two then ride back. There is nothing we can not do if we are willing to do it. An talk to your doctor, he or she might can recommend more things or know of equipment that might help in helping build the muscles back. I have mild cerebal palsy as well I have a limp and a very soft voice, the doctor used forcebs as I was coming out and caused lack of oxygen to my brain. I have always hiked, walked, but never did I dream I would want to run. Its hard! I have just started, what I do I start out walking a few steps then I start into a jog then its running, but not far running because I have asthma as well. Once I catch my breathe I start back running. I run about half a mile to this church down from my house, and I end up walking back. Yet in doing so it has only taken me 30 minutes from beginning to end. I am hoping that by building the muscles in the back of my legs I will one day be able to run completely without stopping. Its going to be tougher than a “normal” person but I suggest start out slow, you know how your body works. An start doing other exercises that will also help with your muscles, get on a bicycle and ride for a mile or two then ride back. There is nothing we can not do if we are willing to do it. An talk to your doctor, he or she might can recommend more things or know of equipment that might help in helping build the muscles back.

]]> Comment on The Free Range Lie by Tweek http://www.thecasualvegan.com/the-free-range-lie/comment-page-1/#comment-685 Tweek Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:25:23 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=372#comment-685 @ eyerouge. Okay, it is three years later. You probably don't even post here anymore, but, really? You're comparing the AIC to the autrocity of human enslavement? Please, do some research. The one in no way compares to the other. What happens within the AIC may be unethical. Human enslavement is immoral. @ eyerouge. Okay, it is three years later. You probably don’t even post here anymore, but, really? You’re comparing the AIC to the autrocity of human enslavement? Please, do some research. The one in no way compares to the other. What happens within the AIC may be unethical. Human enslavement is immoral.

]]> Comment on Is Shrimp Healthy For You? by fidel http://www.thecasualvegan.com/is-shrimp-healthy-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-665 fidel Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:55:51 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=570#comment-665 Med: You must not be familiar with the work of Bruce Ames at UC Berkeley and numerous others with respect to your comment, "vegetables, and fruits do more harms [sic] to your body than you think, since they are produced using dangerous pesticides." Ames' work, replicated by many others and now the gold standard in human toxicology, clearly shows that even consuming conventionally-produced fruits and vegetables in the U.S. extend longevity in humans, improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Many grocery stores sell produce with no detectible pesticide residue, and many producers of produce, especially where most of the U.S.'s produce is grown, California, use the lowest amount of pesticide in the world. I choose organic produce whenever I can, but it is not because I worry that eating fruit and vegetables "harms" my body. Gosh, even our mothers taught us when young, "eat your vegetables." Med: You must not be familiar with the work of Bruce Ames at UC Berkeley and numerous others with respect to your comment, “vegetables, and fruits do more harms [sic] to your body than you think, since they are produced using dangerous pesticides.” Ames’ work, replicated by many others and now the gold standard in human toxicology, clearly shows that even consuming conventionally-produced fruits and vegetables in the U.S. extend longevity in humans, improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Many grocery stores sell produce with no detectible pesticide residue, and many producers of produce, especially where most of the U.S.’s produce is grown, California, use the lowest amount of pesticide in the world. I choose organic produce whenever I can, but it is not because I worry that eating fruit and vegetables “harms” my body. Gosh, even our mothers taught us when young, “eat your vegetables.”

]]> Comment on Running with Cerebral Palsy by C R http://www.thecasualvegan.com/running-with-cerebral-palsy/comment-page-1/#comment-663 C R Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:56:53 +0000 http://www.thecasualvegan.com/?p=1206#comment-663 Hi, I have a mild case of cerebral palsy. I was born premature and the doctors said i would never walk,talk or.....RUN. I do cross country for my school and we have to run 2 miles and everybody is so pround of me, especially my mom.When I went to my first cross country meet and ran the whole 2 miles, everybody was so proud of me. So who cares if you finish a race, track meet because it's fun Hi, I have a mild case of cerebral palsy. I was born premature and the doctors said i would never walk,talk or…..RUN. I do cross country for my school and we have to run 2 miles and everybody is so pround of me, especially my mom.When I went to my first cross country meet and ran the whole 2 miles, everybody was so proud of me. So who cares if you finish a race, track meet because it’s fun

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