Honey and being vegan

[Guest guest]

Hopefully this won't start a long thread but, frankly, I hadn't

thought about honey or honeybees until I had posted a recipe with

honey listed as an ingredient. Shortly afterward someone rightly

pointed out that the recipe wasn't vegan, and a simple google search

on " vegan and honey " produced the (obvious enough) reason:

 

http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm

> Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation

> of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for

> life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the

> plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey,

> animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of

> alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from

> animals.

 

Especially today when honeybees are in crisis,

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080505.htm and

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/12/conservation.wildlife1,

even non vegans might decide to boycott honey and products containing

honey.

 

A remaining sticky point (sorry about the pun) might be that honeybees

are kept by people not only for producing honey but for pollinating

farmer's fields. But since it would be nearly impossible to determine

which farmers - if any - rely on non managed (i.e. wild) bee colonies

to pollinate their produce, it would follow that only the most

self-reliant of home gardeners would be able to state with certainty

that they have not exploited honeybees.

 

The crisis is severe enough, though, that it would be worthwhile for

small (are there any left?) organic grocers to try to label food grown

by farmers relying only on wild bees.

[Guest guest]

I too hope this won't become a long and emotional thread! But I do find it a very interesting topic. I don't eat honey, because it is an animal product. A vegan friend of mine does eat honey, seeing it as less damaging to animals than cane sugar (the fields are burned after harvest to kill off all the snakes that live in the cane fields, apparently). No matter how careful we are, we can't help but have a negative impact. I guess we just have to try and make sure that we also have a big positive impact.If people are eating no animal products except honey, then they're doing a good deal better than most of the population!I have heard it suggested that conservation-minded people should start keeping bees in their backyards - not as a source of honey, but to help the bees and the rest of our ecosystem.Best wishesaliceOn 28/12/2008, at 8:22 AM, hinton_johnson wrote:Hopefully this won't start a long thread but, frankly, I hadn'tthought about honey or honeybees until I had posted a recipe withhoney listed as an ingredient. Shortly afterward someone rightlypointed out that the recipe wasn't vegan, and a simple google searchon "vegan and honey" produced the (obvious enough) reason:http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm> Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation > of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for > life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the > plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, > animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of > alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from > animals. Especially today when honeybees are in crisis,http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080505.htm andhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/12/conservation.wildlife1,even non vegans might decide to boycott honey and products containinghoney.A remaining sticky point (sorry about the pun) might be that honeybeesare kept by people not only for producing honey but for pollinatingfarmer's fields. But since it would be nearly impossible to determinewhich farmers - if any - rely on non managed (i.e. wild) bee coloniesto pollinate their produce, it would follow that only the mostself-reliant of home gardeners would be able to state with certaintythat they have not exploited honeybees. The crisis is severe enough, though, that it would be worthwhile forsmall (are there any left?) organic grocers to try to label food grownby farmers relying only on wild bees.

[Guest guest]

As a gardener, when I need to make sure I'm getting good pollination for my insect-pollinated plants, I make sure that I also plant something that actually attracts bees, etc. Bee balm, borage, clover - bees love 'em. Of course, where they keep their hive is their own business. I'm not setting up bee condos for them. So, we invite bees, thereby feeding them, so our own produce gets a chance to thrive.

 

Rose

 

 

[Guest guest]

We have bee and hummingbird friendly plants in our yard, including

salvia and butterfly bush. Unfortunately we live in a nearly urban

suburban area with small, close together yards. In the Bay Area nearly

everyone works at least full time with a result that mow and blow yard

care is the norm. While we've see a few wasps, it's been years since

I've seen a honeybee fly through. It may be time to increase our bee

friendly flowers and to add a few vegetables.

 

Speaking of yards, plants, and low fat recipes, we have nasturtiums in

our yard and we know from tossing a few flowers into our salads that

they have a wonderful peppery taste. So I thought I'd look up and try

a new recipe:

 

http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/nasturtiums2.html

Nasturtium Vinegar

This vinegar is always one of my most popular gifts.everyone loves how

attractive the vinegar is with a wide range of different colored

nasturtium blossoms included. The finished vinegar has a nice peppery

bite and makes an excellent ingredient to use in salad dressings,

sauces, and other dishes.

 

1 cup nasturtium leaves, flowers, and buds

1 pint champagne, white wine, or apple cider vinegar

 

Place the ingredients in a clean clear glass jar or bottle. Tightly

seal. Let sit for at least 3 weeks before using. The nasturtium can

remain in for decoration, but you should make sure the vinegar always

covers the flowers or they will mold. Makes 1 pint vinegar.

 

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Sitting Time: 3 weeks

Total Time: 3 weeks

[Guest guest]

Please introduce your friend to agave nectar, a great honey substitute that is vegan and not made from regurgitated bee spit.:)On Sat, Dec 27, 2008 at 2:39 PM, Alice Leonard <alice wrote:

 

 

I too hope this won't become a long and emotional thread! But I do find it a very interesting topic. I don't eat honey, because it is an animal product. A vegan friend of mine does eat honey, seeing it as less damaging to animals than cane sugar (the fields are burned after harvest to kill off all the snakes that live in the cane fields, apparently). No matter how careful we are, we can't help but have a negative impact. I guess we just have to try and make sure that we also have a big positive impact.

If people are eating no animal products except honey, then they're doing a good deal better than most of the population!I have heard it suggested that conservation-minded people should start keeping bees in their backyards - not as a source of honey, but to help the bees and the rest of our ecosystem.

Best wishesaliceOn 28/12/2008, at 8:22 AM, hinton_johnson wrote:

 

Hopefully this won't start a long thread but, frankly, I hadn'tthought about honey or honeybees until I had posted a recipe with

honey listed as an ingredient. Shortly afterward someone rightlypointed out that the recipe wasn't vegan, and a simple google searchon " vegan and honey " produced the (obvious enough) reason:

http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm> Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation

> of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for > life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the

> plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, > animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of

> alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from > animals. Especially today when honeybees are in crisis,

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080505.htm andhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/12/conservation.wildlife1,

even non vegans might decide to boycott honey and products containinghoney.A remaining sticky point (sorry about the pun) might be that honeybees

are kept by people not only for producing honey but for pollinatingfarmer's fields. But since it would be nearly impossible to determinewhich farmers - if any - rely on non managed (i.e. wild) bee colonies

to pollinate their produce, it would follow that only the mostself-reliant of home gardeners would be able to state with certaintythat they have not exploited honeybees.

The crisis is severe enough, though, that it would be worthwhile forsmall (are there any left?) organic grocers to try to label food grown

by farmers relying only on wild bees.

 

 

-- AIM: A Blue Rose 156 YM: blue_rose_156http://x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com~Boston_Gothic

Boston_MysticBoston-Pagans

[Guest guest]

Thank you, this is an issue I had not even thought of, I appreciate the input!--- On Sat, 12/27/08, hinton_johnson <hinton_johnson wrote:

hinton_johnson <hinton_johnson Honey and being vegan Date: Saturday, December 27, 2008, 9:22 PM

 

 

Hopefully this won't start a long thread but, frankly, I hadn'tthought about honey or honeybees until I had posted a recipe withhoney listed as an ingredient. Shortly afterward someone rightlypointed out that the recipe wasn't vegan, and a simple google searchon "vegan and honey" produced the (obvious enough) reason:http://www.vegetus. org/honey/ honey.htm> Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation > of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for > life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the > plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, > animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of > alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from > animals. Especially today when

honeybees are in crisis,http://www.ars. usda.gov/ is/pr/2008/ 080505.htm andhttp://www.guardian .co.uk/environme nt/2008/aug/ 12/conservation. wildlife1,even non vegans might decide to boycott honey and products containinghoney.A remaining sticky point (sorry about the pun) might be that honeybeesare kept by people not only for producing honey but for pollinatingfarmer's fields. But since it would be nearly impossible to determinewhich farmers - if any - rely on non managed (i.e. wild) bee coloniesto pollinate their produce, it would follow that only the mostself-reliant of home gardeners would be able to state with certaintythat they have not exploited honeybees. The crisis is severe enough, though,

that it would be worthwhile forsmall (are there any left?) organic grocers to try to label food grownby farmers relying only on wild bees.

[Guest guest]

I've found a great substitute for honey to be agave nectar. Same texture, and moistness, and neutral flavor.

 

 

----

 

 

hinton_johnson

12/27/2008 2:22:40 PM

 

Honey and being vegan

 

 

Hopefully this won't start a long thread but, frankly, I hadn'tthought about honey or honeybees until I had posted a recipe withhoney listed as an ingredient. Shortly afterward someone rightlypointed out that the recipe wasn't vegan, and a simple google searchon "vegan and honey" produced the (obvious enough) reason:http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm> Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation > of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence for > life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the > plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, > animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of > alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from > animals. Especially today when honeybees are in crisis,http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080505.htm andhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/12/conservation.wildlife1,even non vegans might decide to boycott honey and products containinghoney.A remaining sticky point (sorry about the pun) might be that honeybeesare kept by people not only for producing honey but for pollinatingfarmer's fields. But since it would be nearly impossible to determinewhich farmers - if any - rely on non managed (i.e. wild) bee coloniesto pollinate their produce, it would follow that only the mostself-reliant of home gardeners would be able to state with certaintythat they have not exploited honeybees. The crisis is severe enough, though, that it would be worthwhile forsmall (are there any left?) organic grocers to try to label food grownby farmers relying only on wild bees.