SeeingBlack.com Community

[martha theus]

“Y’all don’t eat no chicken? Then what do you eat?” If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve been asked that over the past 22 years (which is the last time I ate chicken, fish, meat, or eggs) I’d be a millionaire! But, that’s my people! What can I say? Actually, I can’t blame them. In all seriousness, what image pops into your head when you think of the word “vegetarian?” Probably someone pale and emaciated, with long stringy hair wearing something we haven’t seen since the 60’s. I’m sure that Black, healthy, strong, hip and athletic aren’t exactly the images that come to mind. “Black Vegetarian” is, for most people, an oxymoron. It’s sort of falls in the same category as “Affordable Health Care”, or “Job Security.”

At least that’s how it was, but things are rapidly changing. My entire family is vegetarian, including my husband (vegetarian for 25 years) and my children (currently in college and vegetarian since birth). We have survived what I refer to as the “stone age” of vegetarianism where we were in a class by ourselves among Black folks. Having lived through those days and breaking more than a few myths along the way (for example, my “meat-free” son is 6’5, weighs over 190 lbs and yes, he is a baller!), I am pleased to say that vegetarianism, even Black vegetarianism, has come a long, long way and is most definitely the new trend. In Los Angeles alone, I have personally been to four vegetarian restaurants owned and operated by Black folks, and these are just the ones I know about! When we lived in Maryland, I made a weekly trip to Soul Vegetarian down on Georgia Avenue.

This is encouraging for me because back in the day,I could count the number of Black vegetarians I knew on one hand. Now, I have to wait in line if I decide to treat myself and eat at one of my favorite “Veggie Soul” places across the country. It is evidence that we as a people are finally facing the fact that we are in a state of emergency and are caught in the jaws of poor diets and poor health. Our people are racked with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, primarily because of how we eat. It’s not as simple as our dependence on the traditional “plantation food.” In fact, the soul food our parents ate was far healthier than how most of us eat today. In the last thirty years, our entire country has become a “fast food nation” and we no longer eat at home where we can control not only the quantity but also the quality of what we eat.

For this reason, I feel the lifestyle of a Black vegetarian is actually closer to our true nature and our true heritage. Our ancestors from West Africa and other regions understood the importance of family and preparing a nourishing environment, physically and otherwise. Our sisters prepared live, whole foods that were in many cases grown right in their villages. Now, mind you, I do not have a garden and do not grow my own food and prepare these elaborate, organic, straight-from-the-ground-to-the table meals, but I do feel connected in many ways to my ancestors, because (thankfully) our lifestyle has forced me to keep it simple and not give in to the convenience of letting someone else feed my family. I never had the luxury of “stopping by the drive thru” to pick up dinner on the way home from a long day at the office. Our vegetarian lifestyle actually forced us, in a positive way, to embrace our true interconnected heritage of family, food, vitality, and health.

The time is now to reclaim our most precious asset – our health. Try a meal or two at home, preparing whole, live foods that your family needs. Nowadays, you can find vegetarian versions of nearly every product; ground beef, sausage, and yes, our beloved chicken. These versions are so close to the “real thing” that it’s almost scary! The only part you’ll miss are the chemicals, hormones, and other elements that the government is passing off as food these days. Most of the meals I make fool my meat eating friends - even my son’s teammates! Basically, if it tastes good, they will eat it. Guaranteed. Make a choice. Do your research. Even if just for one meal or one day a week. It is far easier than you think and the benefits are well worth it.
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Martha Theus
www.21stCenturyVegetarians.com

[davisdebose]

Hi there...my name is Aisha. I have tried...tried and have tried some more to adapting to a vegan lifestyle. (I still can't get away from chicken and fish). Last winter I made a drastic move and stopped eating meat altogether. I still craved meat and found it very difficult to find vegetarian foods that really appealed to me. Do you have any suggestions as I would like to go back to this lifestyle for not only myself but my son as well.

Another question/future suggestion that I would like to see discussed is what if one were to develop/change to a vegetarian lifestyle however is faced with the challege of having severe food allergies (nuts, fish, shell-fish, wheat and soy). How would you suggest that he/she go about this?

Would you have recipes or sugeestions of food alternatives?

Peace and many blessings!
Aisha

[martha theus]

Hi Aisha!

Thanks so much for writing. Let's talk about the first issue - finding meat alternatives that really appeal to you. I totally understand this issue because I have been through nearly every "meat substitute" on the market and some are not very appealing at all. I have a list of over 75 of my favorite products in my book "Throwin' Down" Vegetarian Style! which can be ordered at www.21stCenturyVegetarians.com. On my site, you will also find free recipes and a place where you can sign up for our monthly newsletter that always includes new products and recipes.

But, to get you started, here are a few products you can try right away that are relatively easy to find:

Chicken Substitute: I use about 3 - 4 brands regularly, depending upon what I am cooking, as follows:

1)For the Fried "Chicken" I use Chic-ketts by Worthington foods. They are frozen (you can see an image on my website on the product page) and can be found in most independent health food stores (not the large ones like Whole Foods). Also, if you have a Seventh Day Adventist Church store nearby, they would carry them. You can also check HappyCow.net for a list of stores near you. The image below is my BBQ Fried Chic-ketts.



2)For a lot of other recipes, I used VEAT Chickn Free Nuggets. These can be found in most grocery and health food stores in the frozen section. They are outstanding is so many ways - I make a sesame ginger stir fry and also a sweet and sour "chicken" dish and serve it over rice.

3)Whole foods has Gardein Vegan Chicken in thier deli section which is outstanding as a grilled chicken breast, cut in strips for pasta and fajitas, and also to use on sandwhiches. The image below is grilled teriyaki Gardein.



4)For dishes like stiry fry rice or BBQ Chicken that can be served over rice or with Black Beans, I use Wheat Meat Chicken Style - again this ia found in the frozen food section.

Meat Substitutes:

There are soooo many that I like. Here are a few:

1) Smart Ground Taco Burrito Mix (great for making enchiladas)
2) Boca Burgers
3) Boca Burger crumbles (great for chili and spaghetti sauce)
4) Seitan
5) Morning Star Farms Meatless "Beef" Strips
6) Tofurkey Hickory Smoked Deli Slices
7) Tofurkey Sweet Italian Sausage
8 ) Cedar Lake BBQ Jumbo Veggie Dogs (great for chili dogs - you son will love them)

Fish Substitutes:

There are not many, but I do like VegTuna and VEAT "Salmon" These can both be found in the frozen food section.

I hope this helps get you started! I will research some alternatives for those transitioning to a vegetarian diet that have food allergies. This is becoming more common so I will see what I can find out about this and post some info on the blog.

Take care!
_________________
Martha Theus
www.21stCenturyVegetarians.com

[jazzyone]

I am wondering if there is a guide to vegetarian restaurants across the country...and especially Black vegetarian restaurants?

I feel a natural urge to return to a vegetarian diet but that process requires some planning and discipline. Too often, I find myself out of the house, starving and I just grab the best, closest thing--and that is usually a sandwich that includes chicken or turkey...

[BlackVoice01]

COME ON HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN AFFORD THIS, PLUS AFFORD THAT AND ALWAYS ON THE GO, A FAST VEGGITERIAN POST WOULD BE AMAZING!

[Madea]

I'm vegan & proud of it! GO VEG!!!!