Before Vegan Week was a reality, I became a little obsessed with learning all about Natalie Portman.
via thecinemasource.com
It started when she appeared on Top Chef, and blew the chefs’ minds by telling them they needed to create a delicious meal — that was vegetarian. Of course, this was the moment that made everyone fall over with laughter:
But it got me thinking — why IS it so difficult for people to create dishes that are flavorful, healthy and meat-free? I’m an omnivore, but more often than not, I create meals that just happen to be vegetarian.
Earlier this year, I had a similar reaction when the Top Chef Masters…some of the most accomplished and creative chefs in the world…were thrown for a loop by Zooey Deschanel, who announced that she’s not only vegan, but soy- and gluten-intolerant (sound familiar, Michelle?)
Et tu, love of my life Rick Bayless? (Believe me, the true love of my life understands.)
Listen, whether you’re a vegan or not, it’s time to give veggies a chance! Let’s make them the focus of our foods and let the proteins be on the side.
I know a few celebrities who would agree. Any surprises on the vegan list?
- Alicia Silverstone
- Andre 3000 (Outkast)
- Brandy
- Casey Affleck
- John Salley (former NBA player)
- Emily Deschanel
- Ellen Degeneres
- Joan Jett
- Kevin Nealon
- Alyssa Milano
- Demi Moore
- Portia de Rossi
- Prince
- Woody Harrelson
- Dennis Kucinich
- Alanis Morissette
- Anthony Kiedes
- Casey Kasem
- Elijah Wood
- Fiona Apple
- Erykah Badu
- Jason Mraz
- Jenny McCarthy
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Liv Tyler
- Linda Blair
- Moby
- Steve-O
- Tobey Maguire
- Weird Al
And did you know that Leonardo da Vinci was a vegan?
Obviously, I don’t think anyone should consider a vegan (or vegetarian, or dairy-free, or all-dairy, or chocolate or ANYTHING ELSE!) diet because a celebrity follows it, or that it should even be a concern. But if we cheer for sports teams based on the athletes, and read books because we like the authors, why not at least look at the people who are associated with a given lifestyle?
This Vegan Week adventure has made me even more committed to learning all I can about food, farming, factories and the whole “how’d that get on my plate?” phenomenon.
Has it changed your outlook at all?
I should note, I just finished a tremendous book that I started months ago…yeah, I’m busy. I picked it up on a whim after seeing the movie Food Fight (even better than Food Inc) and can highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in the history of the organic and Slow Food movements.
I heart Alice Waters.
via thomasmcnamee.com
Interesting list! I forget how widespread veganism is. I think this week has made me reflect more on the way my vegan lifestyle affects my life. I realized my running has gotten easier and my stomach problems have lessened since I embraced the lifestyle. This is not saying I don't miss my meat product food or cheese on my pizza but when I think how amazing my run went today I miss it a whole lot less.
I would love to hear Andre 3000's reason for being vegan! And how other rappers react to it. I can't imagine much veganism is going on in his world.
Great post!
Natalie Portman is so gorgeous! It's really interesting to see which celebrities are vegan too.
http://veganmindedblog.com/2009/11/21/thanksgiv…
I know vegan week is almost over for you, but incase you decide to extend it a bit for Thanksgiving, check out my post of tips and tricks to make it veg-friendly.
Awesome — I'm in charge of a few sides for Thanksgiving, and I think I'm going to make them vegetarian to help people balance out the meat-fest that will be on the table. Thanks!
I would love to go vegan – but it's very hard for my H and I to agree on this subject. I eat as healthy as possible but it's a battle.
Ahh! I love that book. Isn't it so inspiring?!?
Wow! I didn't realize all those celebs are vegan…neat! Though I'm not vegetarian or vegan, I found vegetarian dishes are often much more creative than the meat based ones. I had some of my most unique flavor combinations at vegetarian restaurants.
PS Would you be interested in a Thanksgiving Challenge (spreading the healthy-love and making over a Turkey Day dish)? http://thechiclife.typepad.com/the_chic_life/20…
I am obsessed with Natalie Portman! I have a huge girl crush on her. This was a great post
Gordon Ramsay once said, “There's no bigger pain in the a*s than a vegetarian”.
I'm not sure why chefs are hard pressed to come up with an interesting dish when they're asked to prepare a vegan or vegetarian one. We eat more than just pasta primavera, green salad and stir frys.
Great post! Love it! We get the same reactions when we tell people our long list of things we don't list. Love that is was on Top Chef… very cool. I hope that more people don't look at us as different… because veggies are cool
Ok we are dorks.
I love Gordon Ramsay…:) Even when I disagree with him.
Go Team Veggies!
Gordon Ramsay once said, “There's no bigger pain in the a*s than a vegetarian”.
I'm not sure why chefs are hard pressed to come up with an interesting dish when they're asked to prepare a vegan or vegetarian one. We eat more than just pasta primavera, green salad and stir frys.
Great post! Love it! We get the same reactions when we tell people our long list of things we don't list. Love that is was on Top Chef… very cool. I hope that more people don't look at us as different… because veggies are cool
Ok we are dorks.
I love Gordon Ramsay…:) Even when I disagree with him.
Go Team Veggies!