By Marissa Mooney |Asst. A&E Editor|
The Presidential election isn’t the only thing to be aware of this November. Since 1994, World Vegan Day, Nov. 1, has been recognized as a vegan holiday and is celebrated all throughout the month.
The Vegan Society is a recognized educational charity founded on November 1, 1944 in England by Donald Watson. Watson coined the name vegan to mean “non-dairy vegetarians.”
“The Society’s strength is its membership. Countless thousands of people have benefited from joining the Society – initially, with advice and support to help with the transition to a vegan diet, through to help with more practical issues finding non-animal products and maintaining a vegan lifestyle within a largely unsympathetic society,” as stated on vegansociety.com
At CSUSB, there aren’t many food options for vegan students. The food trucks sometimes carry options like tofu burritos, but vegan students often make their own food which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Local restaurants in Loma Linda and Colton like Happy Family Vegetarian and Cheezy Pizza serve vegan options on the menu.
“I am vegetarian, I feel like vegan food would taste bland when you think of all the soy products put in it,” said student Natalie Esparza.
Becoming a vegan is a totally different lifestyle change. It can directly change the options of food that are offered to a student on campus.
“I wouldn’t go vegan. I wouldn’t know where to start. It would be hard to have a balanced diet. What is offered on campus that is vegan? Do you have to go to a special place that sells vegan food?” questioned student Byanet Hermosillo.
For vegans that can’t find a bite to eat, there are plenty of recipes from desserts like cookies to full course meals like pesto broccoli pasta.
Being vegan may sound like an expensive life style to choose from, but some of the vegan staples such as rice, beans, pasta and vegetables are often cheaper than animal products. Most vegan dishes at restaurants are a lot cheaper than a meat dish.
Remaining healthy is also a concern for first time vegans. A balanced vegan diet with fruits, vegetables and fiber means consuming less saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol.
The protein needed in a balanced diet can come from tofu, lentils, or any other type of soy product. Also, nuts like almonds, Brazilian nuts and cashews are a perfect high-protein substitute.
It is not impossible to become vega. Many vegetarians turn fully vegan and are happy with their decision. Famous celebrities like Lea Michele, Avril Lavigne, Russell Brand, Alicia Silverstone and Brad Pitt are vegans.
A 2008 survey for the Vegetarian Resource Group reported that 0.5 percent of Americans, or one million, identified themselves as vegan.
Becoming vegan is a process that is ongoing and should be done at an individual’s pace.
Vegan.org stated, “It can be hard to go vegan, especially if you hold yourself to too high of a standard at first. The important thing is to make changes you feel comfortable with.”
Any Yote could make the change on their own with the right positive attitude.