I was surprised -- and thrilled -- a few weeks ago when I was browsing at the local Barnes & Noble and discovered a vegan area in the cookbook section.Now, this wasn't just a few books off to themselves. This was a full-on genre of cookbooks, complete with its own large headline rising above the display: VEGAN.
I love when I see that word in mainstream places, for many reasons.
It means veganism is gaining attention. The gatekeepers -- whether they be newspaper editors or TV producers, bookstore execs or restaurant owners -- have allowed the word to enter the space of the average American.
And that means that information about veganism will continue to spread, reaching Jane Soccer Mom and Joe Football.
It also means that veganism has become popular. Barnes & Noble wouldn't highlight a section it didn't think would sell. Thanks to talented chefs like Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Isa Moskowitz and Tal Ronnen, among many others, bookstores have a slew of vegan cookbooks to tout.
Another unlikely place that veganism has made an appearance is at my husband's workplace. The cafeteria in his 22-floor office building in Chicago was recently remodeled and now offers vegan food, which is labeled as such.
This change not only helps co-workers who may be vegetarian or vegan, but it also introduces meat-eaters to veganism. Some of Keith's friends at work jokingly (and in good fun) call him "Tofu" because they know he's married to a vegan. But the other day one of them actually decided to try tofu for lunch.
It's so encouraging and uplifting to see the notion of veganism spreading!
(Photo courtesy of Nikki J. at "Generation V.")
Posts
6 comments:
Hi! My name is Matt, and I eat tofu.
You know, 12 years ago, I would never have thought that I would say that. I ate meat, and thought tofu was a sissy, silly thing for a red-blooded Texas boy like me to eat.
My wife, who is an excellent cook, taught me that you can make some mighty fine dishes with the soy product. My daughters love it. I love it. We don't pretend it's meat. It simply is what it is.
I'm not a vegetarian, though, and I strongly doubt that I ever could be. As for giving up cheese, this is out of the question.
I don't doubt that I might be healthier. I don't doubt that fewer critters would live the last days of their lives on fee lots if we didn't more of us go veggie. But I like meat and meat byproducts.
Choices in diet are good. I don't slam you for making yours.
Is that cafeteria open to the public? And if so, where is it? I work in the loop and am getting tired of the few options I have and am always looking for more places to eat :)
Matt, don't underestimate yourself. At one time or another, all vegetarians and vegans thought they couldn't do it.
Emily, the cafeteria is open to the public, but it's on the Near-North Side, so it may not be an option for you. Here's the address, though: 211 E. Chicago Ave.
Yay!!! It makes me want to run to the bookstore to buy a cookbook just to show my support. :)
Wow, I guess that's new in your area? My bookstores have always had a vegetarian section with a subsection that was vegan. And the vegan section keeps growing.
I like to visit the bookstore once a week or so, pull a vegan book off the shelf and stick it on display somewhere ;)
Our Barnes & Noble now has a full 2 shelves completely filled with vegan cookbooks! I wish I could afford to own them all, particularly the ice cream books that have recently come out!
Post a Comment