Vegan day 58: Red Bamboo, Greenwich Village NYC
The lecture I attended tonight was about the Farm Sanctuary:
“Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food” by Gene Baur. Gene Baur did speak of the “commodity” aspect of commercial farming but what really sent daggers through my heart was how they treat the sick animals. Information I received from the lecture tonight included that “downed” or sick animals could legally be left to suffer alive, they could be destroyed inhumanely or they could even be put back into the food chain- this is disturbing to say the least and I’m sure mostly everyone would agree! The overall message though was that we can make a difference – even one person at a time! Awareness, compassion about where our foods comes from and eating consciously can all lead to change. Certainly eating vegan and living a vegan lifestyle makes such a difference- individually and collectively. Policies and laws take time, however, social consciousness can make waves in industry- quickly and powerfully.
We did the right thing after an event like this- we supported a vegetarian/ vegan restaurant right there in the NYU Greenwich Village neighborhood. I had been wanting to go to Red Bamboo for a while now so off we went.
A tempting menu in every which way for many- dishes named after every animal dish that you might find in an Asian restaurant- all made vegan or vegetarian. It’s not 100% vegan due to use of some dairy items in some dishes. I almost ordered the “fake meat” dishes but I exercised some will power tonight due to the GMO factor of soy (it wasn’t organic) and the high sauce content of the dishes. Soy is also pretty heavily processed at this point- even so, I have to ask- where does one buy these cute little soy medallions… where do they buy them in bulk and is it even possible to get them organic? I mean what if I wanted to have an organic soy nugget party recreating a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget in 20 different ways lol.
Even in a vegetarian place, I found it hard to stay away from ordering a so-called protein plate. It’s as if you don’t feel psychologically full unless you order one! Weird! I resisted the soy chicken dishes with curry and the sizzling steak in a hot plate.
I ordered a vegetarian item– portabella mushrooms with mixed vegetables, brown rice and a salad. I must say that raw mushrooms are the last of the veggies that I can eat raw on a salad- I guess my palate is not as advanced as I would have hoped. Other than that – I ate everything and it was delicious down to the last drop! I am glad I didn’t order the other dishes! One friend ordered a burger and fries.
“A burger and fries is still a burger and fries” – vegan or not lol! I mean it’s great that no animal died for that burger but it’s still a white bread roll with “deep fried” potatoes- nutritionally deficient and addictive in nature. The CDC came out with a report last week linking “bread” as the highest overall source of sodium consumed in this country.
Once again, I resisted dessert! Oh wait– I didn’t resist- lol- they were out of my favorite supplier of desserts: VEGAN TREATS! So my urge for something sweet lingered. I almost stopped at Lifethyme for a vegan cupcake and then my favorite gelato place! I feel like a smoker who NEEDS that after-dinner cigarette. I am a sugar junkie looking to kick the habit. Suggestions are welcome!
