Silverdale woman writes her way in among top inspirational vegans

December 30, 2005

Pemberley Vander Linden’s veggie-curious boss was browsing the Internet for vegetarian restaurants a few months ago when she came across the HappyCow search engine. The Web site announced an essay contest HappyCow was co-sponsoring with The Blossoming Lotus Restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii and the authors of “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” cookbook. Tipped off about “A Vegan World is Possible,” the contest, Silverdale resident and vegetarian-turned-vegan Vander Linden submitted her essay in September. “I have a strong bond to long, soothing, water-wasting showers. To me it is a natural affinity,” she wrote in the opening of her personal story of “veggiedom.” Her parents, whom Vander Linden describes as staunch environmentalists, always gave her a hard time for indulging herself in the lengthy bathing habit. One day, about six or seven years ago, sitting in a classroom at North Kitsap High School, she read a factoid the teacher

had just put up on the chalk board — 6,000 gallons of water go into making 1 pound of beef. It got her thinking about her eating choices and soon she cut out beef from her meals. Gradually she kicked chicken, turkey, pork and all other meats from her diet and opted instead to stick to the habit of long showers, you see. So goes Vander Linden’s essay and even though she did not win the grand prize, a fully-pampered trip to Hawaii, she received one of 50 awards among 1,000 contestants from 25 countries and all 50 U.S. states. “I think the best thing I got out of (the contest) is solidifying that I was vegan,” Vander Linden said. That was an important feeling of validation as she transitioned from vegetarian to vegan during the summer, not long before she learned of the essay contest. While vegetarianism came pretty easy because she still consumed butter, milk and cheese, veganism proved a challenge in ways she didn’t foresee. “(As a vegeterian) it’s kind of

frustrating when you go to a restaurant and the vegeterian choice is a grilled cheese sandwich,” she said. But as a vegan, that menu choice was not simply frustrating, it was impossible. “It’s been a good lesson in assertiveness,” Vander Linden said with a smile. Since turning vegan, she has had to be more picky when eating out and requesting specially-made dishes and alterations to even vegetarian menu options. That has not deterred her from going out for food nor from her nutrition choices. There is something tougher. “I felt like I had to defend my choice more,” she said. And she does, gladly educating anyone who is curious and asks her about her diet. “Things taste really nice when they don’t come packaged from the store anymore, but when they come straight from your oven,” Vander Linden says. “I eat lots of really yummy and delicious foods.” And she reads up on veganism as well, which comes in handy when she encounters the incessant, puzzled

question — “What do you eat?” “I’ve been living without meat being part of my life for so long that it strikes me as an odd question,” she says and often tosses back the question, “’What do you eat?’” Contrary to common guesses she has heard, Vander Linden isn’t much of a tofu fan. And she does not eat salad at all. “There’s so much more to a vegetarian-vegan diet than salad,” she said, laughing. “I’m not a bunny rabbit.” Vander Linden does admit, however, that she chose a great time to turn vegan. There are more and more options available to vegans, especially in the health food sections in grocery stores. Being a vegan is increasingly easier and it also is “not any more or less expensive,” Vander Linden says. During the holidays, while visiting a friend for four days, Vander Linden said the two of them spent $25 on all the groceries they needed for two meals per day. Another myth she likes to dispel is about insufficient protein and calcium in her diet.

In countries with the highest rate of milk consumption, there also is the highest rate of osteoporosis, Vander Linden said. As for protein, Americans consume too much of it and from unhealthy sources. Beans and tofu are much better-for-you containers of the nutrient. When Vander Linden became a vegan, her mother Dawn Rancourt became a vegetarian. The whole family has been supportive, offering different ways to accommodate the vegan and vegetarian in the Christmas dinner. “Don’t be afraid to experiment,” Vander Linden says to to those who are interested in the veggie-lifestyle. “The best way to approach life and vegetarianism in general is that life is a journey and you’ll find the right destination and it never hurts to ask vegetarians (about their eating habits).” ••••••• Pemberley Vander Linden's essay (reprinted with permission) I have a strong bond to long, soothing, water-wasting showers. To me it is a natural affinity. When I learned that more water

goes into producing one pound of beef than my efforts of transforming the bathroom into a sauna I was shocked, alarmed and disgusted. How could I be so wasteful in consuming something I neither needed nor enjoyed? Until this moment I never questioned the validity of having an animal carcass on my plate. My mother has always been a realist. “Hamburgers on the hoof” (i.e. cows) were pointed out on drives through the country. Our family library was stocked with various environmentalist texts covering recycling, deforestation and animal rights. I could only hope that my karmic path would not incarcerate me into the miserable existence of livestock. Seeing felled trees brought tears to my eyes, spiders were escorted outside (not killed), and the thought of worms pierced on fishing hooks for “sport” sent me into hysterics. Why, then this disconnect between my meat meals and compassion for all living souls? I never put two and two together,

until the little water factoid glared at me. The realities of an animal based diet are seldom displayed for public review. Meat, egg and dairy industry-centric propaganda, misleading news reports, entertainment media and public service institutions lead a campaign of misinformation and ridicule. Sitcoms, movies and children’s programming regularly mock “bland” tofu and plant-based meal choices; while the food-animal industry extols the wholesomeness of meat, egg, and milk consumption. The Food and Drug Administration bows down to current political whim and food industry pressure. The food guide pyramid has yet to encourage the reduction of meat, egg and dairy in the American diet, instead Americans are advised to choose lean meats and poultry, and drink low-fat milk. News media agencies report breakthroughs in nutrition and then next week confuse viewers by recanting or nullifying the “amazing” discoveries. The effectiveness of this multi-pronged campaign are

best evidenced when a stunned meat-eater asks a vegan/vegetarian “What do you eat?!?” or “How do you get enough protein, calcium, or iron.” In many non-vegan minds, meat eggs and dairy are essential to human livelihood. Vegans are routinely expected to drop dead due to malnutrition. From personal experience a solely plant based lifestyle has enhanced my physical and spiritual health. Being able to leave behind the karmic baggage of having something killed for my plate is quite a nice improvement as well. I can sleep easier at night knowing that my small choice has huge implications for animals who only experience cruelty at the hands of agribusiness. The food we eat should provide energy, strength, and vitality, not diminish quality of life for all on earth. Meat and dairy consumption is counter-productive to this purpose. Ironically, departed lunches and dinners have the last laugh, as eating dead animals is killing humans through chronic poor health, heart attacks,

obesity and a whole host of other ailments. Each and every one of us must assume responsibility for our chosen lifestyle. An animal based diet is not forced upon us. For me the journey in “veggiedom” began in the shower. Along the way, I have become more informed and certain I was on the right path. We all have our starting point, and unique destinations, even being vegan for one day a week is an improvement. I have never regretted going vegan or my long showers. At least I know I am squeaky clean both inside and out. The ability to incorporate an earth friendly existence lies within every person on the planet. “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” is one of the most inspiring vegan cookbooks I have had the privilege to encounter. Each page is a journey of the compassionate palate guiding readers into the practical wisdom of a vegan life. Every time a meat eater asks me, “what do you eat” I want to brag about all the delectable dishes I can make from the

“Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” cookbook. By deciding to go vegan you are saying that you are entering a partnership of health—the planet’s and your own—and have a commitment to compassion and equality. Peter H

Play Santa's Celebrity Xmas Party, an exclusive game from

December 30, 2005

With reference to the HappyCow list of restaurants - a lot of them are out of date and do not exist anymore, so if using this site it is best to phone ahead to check.Jo

-

peter hurd

Friday, December 30, 2005 8:22 PM

Re: Silverdale woman writes her way in among top inspirational vegans

Pemberley Vander Linden’s veggie-curious boss was browsing the Internet for vegetarian restaurants a few months ago when she came across the HappyCow search engine. The Web site announced an essay contest HappyCow was co-sponsoring with The Blossoming Lotus Restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii and the authors of “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” cookbook. Tipped off about “A Vegan World is Possible,” the contest, Silverdale resident and vegetarian-turned-vegan Vander Linden submitted her essay in September. “I have a strong bond to long, soothing, water-wasting showers. To me it is a natural affinity,” she wrote in the opening of her personal story of “veggiedom.” Her parents, whom Vander Linden describes as staunch environmentalists, always gave her a hard time for indulging herself in the lengthy bathing habit. One day, about six or seven years ago, sitting in a classroom at North Kitsap High School, she read a factoid the teacher had just put up on the chalk board — 6,000 gallons of water go into making 1 pound of beef. It got her thinking about her eating choices and soon she cut out beef from her meals. Gradually she kicked chicken, turkey, pork and all other meats from her diet and opted instead to stick to the habit of long showers, you see. So goes Vander Linden’s essay and even though she did not win the grand prize, a fully-pampered trip to Hawaii, she received one of 50 awards among 1,000 contestants from 25 countries and all 50 U.S. states. “I think the best thing I got out of (the contest) is solidifying that I was vegan,” Vander Linden said. That was an important feeling of validation as she transitioned from vegetarian to vegan during the summer, not long before she learned of the essay contest. While vegetarianism came pretty easy because she still consumed butter, milk and cheese, veganism proved a challenge in ways she didn’t foresee. “(As a vegeterian) it’s kind of frustrating when you go to a restaurant and the vegeterian choice is a grilled cheese sandwich,” she said. But as a vegan, that menu choice was not simply frustrating, it was impossible. “It’s been a good lesson in assertiveness,” Vander Linden said with a smile. Since turning vegan, she has had to be more picky when eating out and requesting specially-made dishes and alterations to even vegetarian menu options. That has not deterred her from going out for food nor from her nutrition choices. There is something tougher. “I felt like I had to defend my choice more,” she said. And she does, gladly educating anyone who is curious and asks her about her diet. “Things taste really nice when they don’t come packaged from the store anymore, but when they come straight from your oven,” Vander Linden says. “I eat lots of really yummy and delicious foods.” And she reads up on veganism as well, which comes in handy when she encounters the incessant, puzzled question — “What do you eat?” “I’ve been living without meat being part of my life for so long that it strikes me as an odd question,” she says and often tosses back the question, “’What do you eat?’” Contrary to common guesses she has heard, Vander Linden isn’t much of a tofu fan. And she does not eat salad at all. “There’s so much more to a vegetarian-vegan diet than salad,” she said, laughing. “I’m not a bunny rabbit.” Vander Linden does admit, however, that she chose a great time to turn vegan. There are more and more options available to vegans, especially in the health food sections in grocery stores. Being a vegan is increasingly easier and it also is “not any more or less expensive,” Vander Linden says. During the holidays, while visiting a friend for four days, Vander Linden said the two of them spent $25 on all the groceries they needed for two meals per day. Another myth she likes to dispel is about insufficient protein and calcium in her diet. In countries with the highest rate of milk consumption, there also is the highest rate of osteoporosis, Vander Linden said. As for protein, Americans consume too much of it and from unhealthy sources. Beans and tofu are much better-for-you containers of the nutrient. When Vander Linden became a vegan, her mother Dawn Rancourt became a vegetarian. The whole family has been supportive, offering different ways to accommodate the vegan and vegetarian in the Christmas dinner. “Don’t be afraid to experiment,” Vander Linden says to to those who are interested in the veggie-lifestyle. “The best way to approach life and vegetarianism in general is that life is a journey and you’ll find the right destination and it never hurts to ask vegetarians (about their eating habits).” ••••••• Pemberley Vander Linden's essay (reprinted with permission) I have a strong bond to long, soothing, water-wasting showers. To me it is a natural affinity. When I learned that more water goes into producing one pound of beef than my efforts of transforming the bathroom into a sauna I was shocked, alarmed and disgusted. How could I be so wasteful in consuming something I neither needed nor enjoyed? Until this moment I never questioned the validity of having an animal carcass on my plate. My mother has always been a realist. “Hamburgers on the hoof” (i.e. cows) were pointed out on drives through the country. Our family library was stocked with various environmentalist texts covering recycling, deforestation and animal rights. I could only hope that my karmic path would not incarcerate me into the miserable existence of livestock. Seeing felled trees brought tears to my eyes, spiders were escorted outside (not killed), and the thought of worms pierced on fishing hooks for “sport” sent me into hysterics. Why, then this disconnect between my meat meals and compassion for all living souls? I never put two and two together, until the little water factoid glared at me. The realities of an animal based diet are seldom displayed for public review. Meat, egg and dairy industry-centric propaganda, misleading news reports, entertainment media and public service institutions lead a campaign of misinformation and ridicule. Sitcoms, movies and children’s programming regularly mock “bland” tofu and plant-based meal choices; while the food-animal industry extols the wholesomeness of meat, egg, and milk consumption. The Food and Drug Administration bows down to current political whim and food industry pressure. The food guide pyramid has yet to encourage the reduction of meat, egg and dairy in the American diet, instead Americans are advised to choose lean meats and poultry, and drink low-fat milk. News media agencies report breakthroughs in nutrition and then next week confuse viewers by recanting or nullifying the “amazing” discoveries. The effectiveness of this multi-pronged campaign are best evidenced when a stunned meat-eater asks a vegan/vegetarian “What do you eat?!?” or “How do you get enough protein, calcium, or iron.” In many non-vegan minds, meat eggs and dairy are essential to human livelihood. Vegans are routinely expected to drop dead due to malnutrition. From personal experience a solely plant based lifestyle has enhanced my physical and spiritual health. Being able to leave behind the karmic baggage of having something killed for my plate is quite a nice improvement as well. I can sleep easier at night knowing that my small choice has huge implications for animals who only experience cruelty at the hands of agribusiness. The food we eat should provide energy, strength, and vitality, not diminish quality of life for all on earth. Meat and dairy consumption is counter-productive to this purpose. Ironically, departed lunches and dinners have the last laugh, as eating dead animals is killing humans through chronic poor health, heart attacks, obesity and a whole host of other ailments. Each and every one of us must assume responsibility for our chosen lifestyle. An animal based diet is not forced upon us. For me the journey in “veggiedom” began in the shower. Along the way, I have become more informed and certain I was on the right path. We all have our starting point, and unique destinations, even being vegan for one day a week is an improvement. I have never regretted going vegan or my long showers. At least I know I am squeaky clean both inside and out. The ability to incorporate an earth friendly existence lies within every person on the planet. “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” is one of the most inspiring vegan cookbooks I have had the privilege to encounter. Each page is a journey of the compassionate palate guiding readers into the practical wisdom of a vegan life. Every time a meat eater asks me, “what do you eat” I want to brag about all the delectable dishes I can make from the “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine” cookbook. By deciding to go vegan you are saying that you are entering a partnership of health—the planet’s and your own—and have a commitment to compassion and equality.

Peter H

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