SoulVeggie

Audio: Orson Welles Meets "Vegan World"

Dr. Don Wagner and I did an "Orson Welles War of the Worlds" in a radio interview last week, with the concept of "what if the world went vegan last night?" 

It was quite the improv experience. 1st few minutes, my book, the rest, a "thought experiment" in real-time on what the implications would be for the planet and global society.  Apparently, some listeners actually thought it had happened and went looking online social media for reference to the event!

It's about 45 minutes streamed or as an MP3 audio download:

Don and I had talked about the possibility the night before, and I said, "sure, you lead, I'll follow."  We were basing the idea upon a recent blog anniversary essay I wrote, "While You Were Sleeping..." 

A wild ride ensued.  We covered, among other things, farm animals, Global  Climate Change, water, companion animals and cancer, the entertainment industry, the health profession, the military-industrial complex, and more. Don has interviewed so many "biggies" the past several years (Barnard, Esselstyn, Tuttle, Goldhamer, Greger, etc.) and was quite knowledgeable and obviously "on fire" during the discussion.

In many ways the interactions encapsulated some distilled essences of many of those interviews and what he's learned in his efforts to "change the way we eat, and in effect, change the world." We riffed on a war between two worlds: plant-based and current.

My thanks to Dr. Don for a wonderful bit of time thinking about the future, and the fun we had.  It was a tightrope walk, and I'm honored to have been on the rope with him.  We all DO need to ponder about and plan for the future inevitability of most of the planet being whole foods plant-based.  It's gonna happen.

Check out his archives for so many marvelous and informative interviews (over 600 he's done, don't know how many are in the archives) with authors, nutritionists, scientists, and movers'n'shakers swimming upstream society's river of ignorance.  You won't be disappointed.

Article: "The [Sleazy] Hard Sell on Salt"

 "With salt under attack for its ill effects on the nation’s health, the food giant Cargill kicked off a campaign last November to spread its own message.   “Salt is a pretty amazing compound,” Alton Brown, a Food Network star, gushes in a Cargill video called Salt 101. “So make sure you have plenty of salt in your kitchen at all times.”  The campaign by Cargill, which both produces and uses salt, promotes salt as “life enhancing” and suggests sprinkling it on foods as varied as chocolate cookies, fresh fruit, ice cream and even coffee. “You might be surprised,” Mr. Brown says, “by what foods are enhanced by its briny kiss.”  [Yeah, the "kiss of death"]

By all appearances, this is a moment of reckoning for salt. High blood pressure is rising among adults and children. Government health experts estimate that deep cuts in salt consumption could save 150,000 lives a year... [that's a low ball estimate... check out my earlier post here for referenced statistics]  the industry is working overtly and behind the scenes to fend off these attacks, using a shifting set of tactics that have defeated similar efforts for 30 years, records and interviews show. Industry insiders call the strategy “delay and divert” and say companies have a powerful incentive to fight back: they crave salt as a low-cost way to create tastes and textures. Doing without it risks losing customers, and replacing it with more expensive ingredients risks losing profits...  [and clearly profits are more important than healthy people...]

...Salt also works in tandem with fat and sugar to achieve flavors that grip the consumer and do not let go — an allure the industry has recognized for decades. “Once a preference is acquired,” a top scientist at Frito-Lay wrote in a 1979 internal memorandum, “most people do not change it, but simply obey it.”  [Essentially acknowledging it's addictive]

...Salt started out more than 5,000 years ago as a simple preservative. But salt and dozens of compounds containing sodium — the element in salt linked to hypertension — have become omnipresent in processed foods from one end of the grocery store to the other.

...The food industry releases some 10,000 new products a year, the Department of Agriculture has reported, and processed foods, along with restaurant meals, now account for roughly 80 percent of the salt in the American diet. The rest comes from the kitchen salt shaker or occurs naturally in food. In promoting cooking with salt, Cargill and its star chef, Mr. Brown, said they recognized the health concerns and recommended “smarter salting...”"  [How about intelligent non-salting?]

The above are selected snippets from this article.  It's depressing when one realizes that, just like with the successes of the dairy, meat, sugar, and fat industries have had in convincing people and regulators that they're doing nothing wrong, the salt industry will probably stave off or delay most serious efforts to reduce sodium consumption for many years.  Indeed, if so many vegans still consume much more sodium (Tamari, soy sauce, Bragg's), added non-food fat as olive oil (ridiculous amounts), and sweetner (with abandon), than even the American Heart Association recommends, how can we expect the "average" American not to do the same?

In my experience it takes (1) believing in the facts,  (2) a determination that you will reduce your addictions to fat, sugar and salt to facilitate a healthier life, and (3) staying with it long enough to enable your taste receptors, as Dr. Esselstyn puts it, be re-calibrated.  It can be done, you just have to want to.

For some it's easy, for some it's not, for all it's advised.  Them's the facts.  Added sugar, fat, and salt, are the unholy (and highly addictive) trio.  Reduce consumption of them, and you increase your chances for a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Video/Review: "Food Revolution: Jamie Oliver Pt. 02"

Thoughts while watching:  Jamie’s showing kids a cut-up chicken where all the “nice cuts of meat are” and those that aren’t.   “What happens to the giblets and carcass?” the question is posed.  He proceeds to blend all the castaway parts with a food processor to a fine slurry.  He asks the kids, “which is the good meat?  Those cuts there, or the slurry?”  Of course you know how they’ll respond, he says.  To the slurry he adds taste ingredients, stabilizers,  It makes a “big load of gunk.”  Cut’em out, add bread crumbs, and deep fry.  They still would eat it.  “We’ve brainwashed our kids so brilliantly so even though they know something is disgusting and gross, they’ll still eat it if it’s in that friendly shape.”

Me?  I'd have taken some LIVE chickens and let the kids play with them, then suggest we kill 'em all and make either "good food" or "bad food." Let's see how they react to that.  Then, let's make nuggets or a fine "chicken pie."  Of course, I'd offer a fine multi-colored vegan entree as a substitute.  "Eat a Rainbow."  A robust stir-fry without oil, but ladden with several vegetables, spices, flavors, and textures, over a whole-grain.

It's ironic that his focus was on the "giblets and carcass" and not on the fact that he's working with a dead animal's cut up body and about to feed it to children.  Wrong on so many counts, but then, he thinks eating meat is natural and fresh.  That's the fundamental brainwashing.  Let's the children see the live, warm, living animal that's about to be slaughtered then butchered.  I think the chicken nuggets will then be much more unappealing than from Jamie's approach (and he was stunned that American children were willing to eat this stuff).

Back at the cafeteria.  Only one choice this time, the fresh food.  He comes in wearing a “pea pod” suit.  Watching him dance in front of the kids in the costume is kind of disturbing.  Ton of food not eaten, thrown away.  Next, a test of what older (6 yrs. old) kids know about produce,  You can guess the results.  Admittedly, pretty pathetic when you've got to wear a "pea pod" suit to attempt to convince kids to eat more vegetables {of course, Viva Vegie has been doing this for at least 13 years... ).

THE FAMILY:  they’ve “loved” the menus he’s provided.  Apparently, not all the recipes were made.  Kids still fave “pizza!”  Off to the hospital to take measurements and gauge the health of the family.  Kids showing signs that they have a high probability of their life being shortened by 30 years through diabetes, heart disease, and other disorders.  Fat Dad expressing concern.  Duh.  And Jamie's menu might reduce the risk a tad, but it won't eliminate it with all that meat and added oil/fat.

THE SCHOOL:  he brings in the parents to see what the kids are eating for lunch.  Pours a month's worth of chocolate milk into a big canvas “pit”... sloppy joes, french fries, natchos, and all these rest.  Then dumps a truckload of fat, representing a whole year’s worth, into a humongous container.  Of course the parents support him (or it’s shown as such).  Nice to see Mom and Pop involved.  But then, is their own diet that much better?  Overall, visually, an effective bit.

THE OBESE KID:  shows him how to do a vegetable, noodle, chicken stir-fry.  Tear jerking, until, Step One:  add a bunch of oil to the pan without measuring to saute your vegetables & chunked dead animals.  I'm not impressed.

THE SCHOOL:  beef frijitas (“fresh meat” with cheese), “fresh vegetables.” That's the thrust of the menu.  In England, kids can use knives, forks, and spoons.  In America, he discovers, only spoons.  WTF?  Some drama, has spent double normal alottment of funds, nutritional analysis not in, you’ve got a few more weeks.

How ironic that the next commercial is from Hilshire Farms Lunchmeats, "Go Meat."  I'm not impressed, again.  Jamie's passion and goals are good/admirable, but his methods are flawed.  The moaning and groaning gets a bit tiresome after awhile, but still, for every 45 minutes of the two episodes I've seen, there's about 15 minutes or so of really interesting stuff:  the Feds requirements about grains, silverware issues, and more.

I'll watch the next one.  At least he's stirring up a debate, and I hope it goes farther than the show itself.

FDA Cites POM Products As Drugs

The FDA just came down on POM, among other company's products, citing them for misleading labels and that their products are being marketed as new drugs.  Considering how many vegan bloggers gleefully accepted free samples from POM and promoted their juice recently (I turned them down), it's kinda cool to feel somewhat validated.  Here's an excerpt from an article about the announcement:

"POM Wonderful: POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx products (promoted for conditions that cause the products to be drugs)"

"...The consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has lobbied the FDA to toughen food-label standards, hailed the FDA action in a news conference.  "This is a once-in-a-generation event," said Bruce Silverglade, CSPI legal affairs director. "Not since the early 1990s have we seen FDA actions of this magnitude..."

The actual letter sent to POM is stunning in its length and detail.  Here's some excerpts from the full "warning" letter here:

"...Your POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and POMx products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, the products are new drugs as defined in section 201(P) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 321(P)]. Under section 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 355(a)], a new drug may not be legally marketed in the United States without an approved New Drug Application (NDA). FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective..."

"...Your POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is also a misbranded food within the meaning of section 403(r)(1)(A) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 343(r)(1)(A)] because the product label bears a nutrient content claim but does not meet the requirements to make the claim. Characterizing the level of a nutrient in food labeling of a product without complying with the requirements pertaining to nutrient content claims for that nutrient misbrands the product under section 403(r)(1)(A) of the Act. The following violative nutrient content claims for POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice were found at

http://www.pomwonderful.com:

• "[U]niquely high levels of powerful antioxidants ...."

• "POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice ... full of antioxidants called phytochemicals..."

It's about time the FDA cracks down on this pseudo-science gobbleygook that too many bloggers blithely believe, repeat what companies say on their websites, and blather about without doing any homework.  It's refreshing to see the FDA finally doing it's job and warning companies that such misleading claims that effectively market their products as drugs must stop.

New Surgeon General: Do as I Say (Not as I Do)

Obama just announced his pick for Surgeon General, and I've this nagging concern about her appointment.  Sure, she's got an impressive resume of achievements, motivation, compassion, and intelligence.  But, and I'm probably going to take some heat for this, is this enough?

"The president praised her [Dr. Regina Benjamin] as a "relentless promoter of prevention and wellness," and a New York Times profile of her work in Bayou La Batre called her an "angel in a white coat." She even won a prestigious "genius" grant from the MacArthur Foundation last year. There's no question she's an accomplished doctor familiar with the struggles of the poor and disadvantaged."  (from here).

Her role is to be the "Nation's Doctor."   Clearly she's qualified, has the chops to do this, and well.   So what's bugs me?

Dr. Benjamin, with all due respect, you are appear to be severely overweight.  Have seen the photos.  You've two, almost three, chins.  In your role as Surgeon General, you'll probably wail against obesity, the faux food that people consume that promote obesity and resulting related "diseases:"  heart, diabetes, Altzheimer's, cancer... and I've no doubt that you'll push hard to get the need for US citizens to eat heathy, exercise, and get healthy (and also, thereby reducing the incredible cost these "metabolic disorders" bring upon our economy, let alone, the personal & emotional impact upon individuals and families).  You'll also push for universal heath care, and I won't go into the irony of this in that those non-vegans are such an unnecessary burden on the health care "system."

But, Dr. Benjamin, again, with all due respect, what level of credibility does a significantly overweight (and as such, person of higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, Altzheimer's, and cancer) have with just "words?"  How can it be that you are so brilliant, so insightful, so caring, so giving, that you cannot find the discipline, personal will power, and self-examination to maintain a reasonable BMI?  You are a gifted doctor from a State (Alabama) that has an abysmal level of obesity and corresponding or related physical disorders.  Couldn't you muster the intestinal fortitude to keep your weight at a reasonably healthy level?  Can't you be "relentless" in "preventing" your own odds of dis-health in the future by dropping that weight?

Sure, one can "know the wisdom," "pontificate the wisdom," and not "follow the wisdom."  We are, after all, not perfect.  But then, isn't someone obese advising others to eat healthy, exercise, loose the excess weight, and live longer, not unlike an alcoholic lecturing on the evils of alcohol?  For what it's worth, when I see a 'fat' chef, I question the value/wisdom/nature/credibility of his/her "culinary skills."  If you are making healthy meals, you should, imho, be (and at least, appear) healthy.

Anyway, Dr. Benjamin, I sincerely do wish you well in your tenure and hope that you do great good in your role as largely a spokesperson for real health.  I also hope that you consider setting an example:  losing your excess and unhealthy body mass.  That would truly have a powerful positive inspiring impact, underscore the seriousness of your concerns,  and amplify the value, importance, and gravity, of your vital messages.  After all, aren't these your true goals?

...and better yet, why not go low-fat vegan?... and it'll be easy, effective, permanent, and have greater personal and social consequences than just personal or collective health.  The research is in, and the conclusions are obvious. 

One doesn't have to be a "genius" to understand, accept, embrace, and promote them.

Farm Bill Reform & Childhood Obesity

[It's been a long hard month and some since my last post.  Between a multimedia/website development project, major harvesting, canning, and watering (managing some very large gardens and 60 new trees during a drought), things have slowed down a bit on the harvest side and I can post again. The following is a very very funny, superbly executed on all counts, yet serious (in concept and intent) video from PCRM.]

"It may surprise you to learn that the federal government buys up millions of dollars worth of bacon, burgers, and fatty meat and dairy products and dumps them in our schools and food assistance programs. This practice persists, in part, because companies making these unhealthy products give millions of dollars to members of Congress through political action committees. Until these practices end, stopping childhood obesity will remain a difficult challenge.

Help us stop this vicious cycle of funds for fat. Tell Congress it’s time for the government to stop funding foods that contribute to America’s growing rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other diet-related illnesses."

[PCRM provides some excellent resources, tips on how to help, and facts at their childhoodobesity webpage.]

The Global Warming Diet

"... if you want to help even more, consider that you have three more opportunities every single day to do something for your planet: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Americans eat more than a billion pounds of food each day... Many of the 100 million acres of land and 17 trillion gallons of irrigation water used to grow animal feed could be put to more productive uses - or not used.  The energy used just to produce fertilizer for feed crops could instead be used to fuel 1 million homes. Reducing the use of fertilizer to grow corn in the Midwest would bring aquatic life back to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, where there is now a New Jersey-size dead zone.  ... methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more conducive to global warming than carbon dioxide. The methane produced by belching cattle and giant lagoons of hog manure has the same impact on global warming as the carbon dioxide produced by 33 million automobiles.

The standard American diet, relatively high in meat and dairy, might as well be called the Global Warming Diet. Making even small changes can add up, as you can see on calculators available at [here]... Replacing one hamburger, one egg and a 1-ounce serving of cheese each day for a year with a mix of vegetables, fruit, beans and whole grains would spare the need for 1.8 acres of cropland, 40 pounds of fertilizer, and 3 ounces of pesticides. It also would mean dumping 11,400 fewer pounds of animal manure into the environment.

... Vegetarians and others who eat more-plant-based diets are healthier than the rest of us. They have much lower rates of obesity, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. Eliminating all the fats from beef, pork, poultry and dairy foods from Americans' diets would save about 65,000 lives a year. And adding lots of plant foods would make arteries more flexible and reduce rates of cancer... The government gives corn farmers several billion dollars a year to provide cheap feed for livestock and cheap high-fructose corn syrup for soda makers.  Why not direct those billions to putting more fresh fruits and vegetables on the lunch trays of America's school kids?..."

[Very edited from here.  Full article below.  I think the good Dr. is low-balling (65,000 lives a year).  Around 45,000 people a MONTH in this country die from heart-disease related issues.  A low-fat vegan diet has been scientifically proven to arrest and reverse heart disease.  Just going vegetarian isn't enough.  Go vegan.  Better yet, go low-fat vegan.]

Vegan Terrorists?

"...You may wonder how words can amount to a terrorist act in the land of the free and home of the outspoken. It is not widely known, but Congress recently passed legislation called the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), which can be used to prosecute civil disobedience and speech as “domestic terrorism” when an animal-related business loses profits and property. The Act also protects corporations that pollute and destroy the environment.... If you think you may want to use your free speech someday to criticize something, anything, then you had better be very concerned.

...What are the parameters of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act and who could be tangled in its web, slapped with prison time and branded a terrorist? Could Oprah Winfrey--the beloved and successful talk show host--and her former vegetarian guest, Howard Lyman, be prosecuted as terrorists if they were to repeat anti-beef comments made to Winfrey’s 15 million viewers in 1996?... If Winfrey and Lyman were to make these comments today, and viewers hit the streets, embarking upon civil disobedience, vandalism, even breaking into factory farms and rescuing frightened death row cows from slaughter, could the pair be held liable as AETA conspirators? It is entirely possible.

But nothing this extreme needs to occur because the penalty section of the AETA explicitly states that a person can violate the law and go to prison even if there is no property damage, no loss of profits, no fear to any persons, and no injuries. In other words, if Lyman were to say to Winfrey, “Gee, I hope someone rescues those poor tortured, cows before slaughter,” his comment could be interpreted as a violation of the AETA, more specifically as a “conspiracy to interfere with the operations of an animal enterprise.” "

[Very very edited from the superb and thoughtful essay, "Are Your the Terrorist Next Door?" by Dr. Charlotte Laws at her blog and below.  Be concerned.  Learn more at: http://www.noaeta.org ]

Documentary Clips/Howard Interviewed

[Fine interview of Howard Lyman (he's on the phone) on "Out There TV."  Well-done 15 minutes of clips (some graphic slaughterhouse footage included) from the Mad Cowboy Documentary starts the 57 minute video, and there's 27 minutes of Howard interspaced with absurd commercials (unfortunately).  I'm guessing this was done in June or July 2006.  Original source here.]