I cheated. Now I am a cheatin’ vegan. I am a fair-weather vegan.

In my defense, I have been dedicated and fearless in the face of pudding, ranch dressing and Brie. It was a big date with my husband who has been traveling a lot lately. We rarely get a night out alone. I had a vegantini (no animals were harmed, but I think I was) and my inhibitions were down.

I wanted it. I had to have it. I couldn’t keep my hands off of it.

No, I’m not going to get spicy here. I wanted meat. Specifically pot stickers and a sashimi tuna martini. And they tasted amazing. Sure, I felt a little guilty but it was with my husband and it didn’t mean anything. It was just physical. It won’t happen again, I swear. I’ll go to counseling. I’ll do anything for another chance.

For most people, after a long winter, the budding of trees and spring flowers can be a greatly anticipated time of year. However, for allergy sufferers, it can be an unwelcome time as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes prevail. Being proactive with your health during allergy season can vastly prevent most symptoms and make springtime a time to be outdoors.

Histamine is a neurotransmitter that is released from mast cells when the body is exhibiting an allergic reaction or immune response. Histamine dilates blood vessels and increases blood vessel permeability. This leads to visual signs in the body such as localized swelling, warmth, and redness. Histamine also irritates nerve endings that can lead to itching and pain. The bump and redness immediately following a mosquito bite is a good example of this reaction, which occurs seconds after challenge of the mast cell by an allergen. If you are a person whose body “over-reacts” to bug bites, then your body likely has a tendency towards inflammation and allergy.

Try taking a daily dose of Vitamin C. Research shows that 1-gram a day can help to reduce overall histamine levels in the body. Foods that tend to increase histamine levels in the body are strawberries, tomato, chocolate, wine, bananas and shellfish. These foods should be limited or avoided all together during allergy season. In general, dairy foods such as cheese, milk and yogurt should be avoided as well, as they have a tendency to cause generalized inflammation and can create more mucous if it already exists.

Berries such as blueberries, cherries, and raspberries as well as mango contain a good amount of bioflavonoids. These phytochemicals stabilize mast cells in the body and decrease overall histamine response, thus reducing inflammation.

Lastly, try using a HEPA air filter. It can reduce dust in the bedrooms and main living areas as well as eliminate circulating pollen that enters through open windows. Be sure to keep windowsills wiped down in the bedroom and sweep under the bed. Keep in mind; the bedroom should be the most dust-free room in the house as this is where you will have the most concentrated period of breathing throughout the day!

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

Say you want to try vegan food and don’t want to have to cook different meals for your family. In the early stages, it’s daunting and time-consuming to figure out how to maintain nutritional balance and not fall back into old patterns. Prepare to be amazed. Two words: Hungry Vegan. Meet Amy Townsend. (Amy, Future Vegan. Future Vegan, Amy.) Now kiss and hug her. Amy started the Hungry Vegan (www.hungry-vegan.com) which is a company that ships prepared organic vegan meals nationwide. I don’t live in Manhattan and even getting the pizza guy to find my house is a struggle, but somehow Amy managed to send a cooler of vegan food to my doorstep. It’s some of the best food I have ever tasted. The mushroom bisque with thyme was delicious and cleared my sinuses. For around $85 per week (delivery charges vary based on location), I have been eating delicious, nutritious food which requires minimal prep time. Amy has about 50 clients per week who order her prepared meals and most of them are women (she also mentioned that most of their names start with the letter J. I would have thought V). Her next step is to launch a second vegan menu geared toward reversing diabetes and heart disease. It will be a no oil/no salt added/low glycemic diet that follows the guidelines of the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine. As the Vegan Mary, I hereby declare Amy to be Vegemighty.

 I am re-running this post to get your Friday creative juices flowing.  It’s a comment contest!!  I am going to choose, at random, one person to receive a Wrap-n-mat reusable sandwich wrap for the best new moniker for vegans (nothing snarky, please).  I know, I know - Edamommy already suggested such good ones.  But try your best.  The Vegan Mary is already taken.  I’ll announce the winner in one week and send you your Wrap-n-mat. Ready - set- comment!  I see these comment contests work, so stop back often for more prizes.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

Now that I am an experienced vegan of two weeks, I feel I need to lobby to change the moniker. Vegan doesn’t sound welcoming or happy. I came up with a few which I will try out on the public: Edamommy - nurturing, warm and happy, but gender-specific Vega - the brightest star in the constellation Lyra (I think it should rhyme with Degas) Vegas - already taken but very interesting how one small letter change makes a huge difference. Fun, festive and a little naughty Vegemighty - sounds like a new superhero – if you eat xx amount of vegan food, you could earn a superhero cape!Veggin - friendlier and hip - Just veggin’Weeeegan! - way more funThe Vegan Mary - I guess that would only apply to me and other Marys-”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are a great example of rapidly evolving technology that will improve our lives. The question is, does it pay to be an early adopter? Environmental concern and cost savings are typical purchase motivations. Hybrids can also provide a means of publicly projecting that environmental commitment. Flex fuel vehicles (many larger domestic vehicles that can run on 85% ethanol, or vegetable based alcohol) and diesel vehicles (all of which can burn biodiesel, or refined vegetable oil) are also increasingly common.For hybrids, every analysis has come to the same conclusion: they don’t pay for themselves. That $3-$5,000 premium will never come back in fuel savings. Flex fuel vehicles may not cost a dime more than standard (many people don’t realize they drive one), and the fuel costs the same as gas, but ethanol provides less energy per gallon. Thus, flex fuel vehicles actually get lower fuel mileage. Biodiesel, even with a $1 per gallon Federal subsidy, is still more expensive than petroleum diesel. Still, with no cost savings to be had, isn’t there yet a large environmental benefit?With both flex fuel and biodiesel, farm subsidies artificially lower the cost of crop-based fuels and disguise their environmental impacts. Farming consumes LOTS of petroleum, for everything from operating equipment to transporting crops to making the fertilizers and pesticides that are applied. Much of that fertilizer and pesticide ends up in rivers and lakes, too. The tailpipe emissions from flex fuel and biodiesel are better than their petroleum equivalents, but overall it’s unclear that there is currently any net environmental advantage with eitherHybrids are expensive not so much because of the additional design work and electronics, but because of the increased material content of the vehicle, the electric motor/generator and the battery array. The batteries in particular are typically heavy and made of expensive and toxic materials that are processed in phases around the globe. The hybrid premium goes primarily for dirty industrial manufacturing and transportation, rather than clean design engineering in an office. Plus, if you really compare apples to apples, hybrids only get about 20% better mileage overall.What is a budget-minded and/or environmentally conscious driver to do? Until progress is made on the real promise of alternative fuels, such as growing oil-rich algae in sewer water, we need to remember the basics: keep your tires properly inflated, drive slower, carpool, take public transit, buy the wagon rather than the SUV, etc. Later this year Volkswagen will introduce the cleanest running car on the planet, a turbo diesel Jetta that will get 40/50 miles to the gallon, or 30% better than its gasoline equivalent. Superior mileage, cleaner emissions and apparently more powerful than a hybrid: Wow! But will it draw the proper approving glances in the Whole Foods parking lot? We shall see…–“Tech Dad” John Svoboda is a consumer electronics enthusiast, manager and business owner since the time of the 8-track, and holds a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications

I belong to a moms’ group and one of the members is an amazing artist (www.happytomatokids.com). She is also a meat maven, pork princess, lamb lover, veal vixen, hamburger helper and a chicken champ. She stalks follows famous chefs and all of their culinary creations. We are the Laverne and Shirley, the Odd Couple, the Charlotte and Samantha, or the Homer and Ned Flanders of the great meat debate. We discovered our dueling blogs (hers is www.happyhoarfrost.com) through a mutual friend. Turns out, my meat-loving friend just ate her with f-f-f-fava beans. You’ll have to look up the term hoarfrost on your own. I can assure you it only sounds naughty.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I have to say, the ramp-up time is more significant than I ever imagined. Do you realize how many products contain some form of animal in them? And honey?Some very strict vegans won’t consume certain sugar products or wines because of the way they’re filtered.I have to just look the other way when it comes to the wine. You can only ask for so much.I keep saying (joking) that I am going to write a book (I actually am writing a book about being 32, single and joining the Peace Corps, but that’s another entry for another day) called Chicken Soup for the Vegan Soul.Surprisingly, people are taking me seriously. Either my bagel disequilibrium has really thrown me off course, or I am just not funny. I am going to write to the Chicken Soup publisher and see if they bite on the idea. I guess maybe I am turning into one of those people that says “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I know I am not a full-fledged vegan. I’m still not sure joining TV (Team Vegan) is my ultimate destiny.But, on a non-vegan front, I believe I may have reformed the Reform Judaic Seder at my daughter’s preschool with a decidedly non-vegan move. I was asked to bring hard-boiled eggs to the Seder celebration yesterday and I posed what I thought was a typical question: peeled or unpeeled? Then, I happened to mention to the preschool director that I buy eggs already hardboiled and peeled.Complete silence.“You do what?”Feeling sheepish at my flagrant lack of knowledge of Seder customs, I responded “I buy them already cooked and peeled.”“You can buy them cooked and peeled???” They responded in unison in complete disbelief. “Where, oh where, can we buy these eggs?”

Apparently, making the hardboiled eggs is a major thorn in the side of Seder prep, at least for these two women. Ironically, we attended the children’s Seder and the meal that followed; someone had made their own eggs and they were not cooked all of the way through (Salmonella Seder?). Sometimes it pays to cheat.I have to tackle one other awkward non-vegan/Seder subject. I have to admit something, in addition to the embarrassing habit of choosing theme songs for events in my life (see Day 1).I fall down miserably when it comes to bagel equilibrium. Bagel equilibrium is achieved when you have enough bagels and their accoutrements including cream cheese (I eat with peanut butter now) and broccoli sprouts (more on sprouts later – I married into the broccoli sprout empire so there might be some shameless promotion for www.brassica.com).I always am short of one ingredient—tubs of cream cheese, no bagels, no sprouts; dozen bagels, no cream cheese, 3 boxes of sprouts. You get the picture.So, I finally, finally reached bagel equilibrium and now it’s Passover. No bagels, just matzah for a week.Happy Passover. I hope you achieve unleavened equilibrium.

(the Emerald City of Seattle, not the Emerald City of Oz)

A HUGE thank you to all those who visited us at the First Annual Seattle Green Festival! It was a great weekend, and now that I’ve finally adjusted back to east coast time, I thought I’d share the experience with you.

If you have never been to a Green Festival, you must get to one! They are fantastic! I was a little unsure of what I had gotten myself into by volunteering to work this event, but once the show began, I loved every second of it! It was great to meet so many loyal Kiwi readers and chat about upcoming projects and to introduce our magazine and our philosophy to those who were unfamiliar with us. When I got a chance to escape from my booth for a few minutes, I was in awe as I walked down aisle after aisle of fascinating “green” and “eco” stuff. The food samples were tasty and the people were friendly and eager to answer any questions I had about their products and company. There were so many great companies there, but a few stuck out in my mind as my favorites.

My absolute favorite was Mr. ElliePooh. If you haven’t guessed from its name, this company makes stuff out of elephant poo! My first thought was “ew, gross,” but when I learned more about the company, I loved the idea (and bought lots of paper and notebooks to prove it)!

You can read Mr. ElliePooh’s entire story on their website, but basically, by making various paper products from elephant poo, this company is allowing people and elephants to live in harmony in Sri Lanka. Cool, huh? I’m all for saving elephants, especially if it’s as easy as buying some really nifty paper!

Kathy’s Climate Kits also stood out in my mind as being really different. Recipients of the Climate Kit are provided with helpful tips and tools to lessen their impact on the climate and environment. What a great way to introduce your friends and family to the eco-friendly lifestyle!

Also worth noting is the group Women’s Voices for the Earth, which was promoting its new campaign, the Green Cleaning Party. When you order a Green Cleaning Party Kit from the group’s website, you’ll receive everything you need to host a get-together where you and your guests can concoct your own safe and effective cleaning supplies from ingredients you already have in your home. I’m thinking this is probably more fun than the typical handbag or candle demonstration, because you actually get to dirty your hands and make stuff!

There were many more exciting happenings at the Green Festival, but I don’t want to give away any surprises! Check out the upcoming Green Festival in Chicago in May, and then in November in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

See you next year, Seattle!

-Jena Parise, Marketing Coordinator for KIWI Magazine

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

The most challenging part of this transition is not at all what I expected. I don’t miss meat (yet). I am ok with soy yogurt, although I wouldn’t want to be stranded on a desert island with it yet. The most difficult part is the time it takes to read through every ingredient and really try to determine if the product could be vegan. I love when the product actually says it’s vegan right on the label because it cuts my shopping time significantly. I just want to thank Amy’s Kitchen for a) labeling their products vegan (or not) and eliminating my neophyte guesswork AND b) making really delicious vegan food. Why, they even have vegan pizza! I am trying to eat tons of fresh fruit and veggies, but there are just some evenings where I am making dinner for my beloved meat eaters (or they want to eatpizza) and I can not be tempted because I have a few prepared foods on hand. It’s not an every day occurrence but it is very helpful as an option.

Amy’s Kitchens also has an awesome section on their website about using their food to diet. I think it’s pure genius. I have a family member who goes on one of those commercial diet plans every year for about 6 months and it costs a lot of money (she told me $100 or more per week in food when you include fees and delivery). My theory is to buy healthy frozen food from Amy’s, buy lots of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and buy a great pair of walking shoes with the money you save on fees. Amy’s gives you free downloadable diet and other tools. I have a trip planned this week so I am going to give it a whirl when I return. Let me know if you’ve tried it. I need to lose this baby weight before my baby is driving. I am also trying to keep everything organic as much as possible. You can certainly eat a lot of junk or less healthy food as a vegan, so keeping it fresh and organic is important to me. One of my dearest friends (Hi Jessica!) warned me that, when she went vegetarian 12 years ago (she’s mostly vegan from what she described), she managed to find every junk food product possible. Jessica and I have a major sugar addiction which we are trying to tame (any ideas out there?) I switched to stevia and blue agave (and just raw sugar), but I am talking sweets like chocolate and baked goods. Every time I write my blog, I get hungry. -”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

Although I did not set out with a strategy to veganize, it is evolving slowly. I am trying many of the convenience foods out of sheer curiosity. I have to think it’s easier now than ever to be a vegan because all of our vegancestors (I just made that word up) experimented with egg, cheese, milk and meat substitutes and figured out a way to make most of it taste good and be better for you. The vegan cheese I tried goes in the same category as carob; it looked like cheese, smelled like cheese and tasted like toe jam or a refrigerator science experiment. Should cheese be spongy? In my experience, the only edible cheese that is spongy is cheesecake. I just had a Homer Simpson moment. Mmmmmmm. Cheesecake. Although I want to reduce my family’s meat consumption, it does concern me that there are so many ingredients in packaged meat-replacement products. As this vegan-venture continues, I still want to try prepared foods periodically, but plan on finding great cookbooks so I cook fresh ingredients and healthier dishes.

My very picky daughter loves Morningstar Farms chicken nuggets which I mistakenly assumed were vegan. But, she eats chicken or turkey most days so I am happy to find what I think may be a healthier option. Happily, she eats fruit and vegetables with gusto. I don’t give her very much packaged food but I do keep some on hand for emergencies or general lack of preparation on my part (you know – it’s 5:45 and you have no idea what dinner will be). Through our highly scientific testing (I eat one, my daughter eats one, the dogs each get one), not all “cheatin’ chicken” nuggets are created equal. I found some (brand shall remain nameless) which are vegan and no one could eat them. They had a grey, spongy (do you notice a theme about eating spongy food?) interior and there were not enough condiments in my house, even the hot buffalo wing sauce I put on everything, to cover up those bad actors. The dogs seemed to enjoy them, but they often eat inappropriate things. Including my daughter’s Easter basket (just the basket, not the contents.)-”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

Did you know?

• Omega-3 fats taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce a mother’s risk for postpartum depression

• Omega-3 fats support the healthy development of the fetal brain, eyes, nervous system, and immune system

• Omega-3 fats significantly reduce the risk of allergies in infants

• Omega-3 fats improve attention and focus in infants and young children

One thing we know for certain is that being pregnant does not automatically mean that you will become depressed after the birth of your child. However, if you do not nourish your body properly during pregnancy and breastfeeding you are at risk. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an Omega-3 essential fatty acid that makes up approximately 20% of the human brain and nervous system. DHA is considered essential because the body cannot produce this type of fat and it is essential that it is obtained from the diet.During the last trimester of pregnancy, the developing fetus’ nervous system undergoes a tremendous growth spurt. In order for the developing nervous system to grow properly, it requires healthy fat in the form of DHA from the mother. Maternal stores of DHA are preferentially shuttled to the fetus at this time, leaving a smaller supply for mom. I’m sure most moms will agree; we always give our children the best of what we have!Unfortunately, unless a mother is eating a lot of fish, or supplementing with a high quality fish oil product, the new mom can be left depleted of DHA, and therefore at risk of developing postpartum depression. Following childbirth, a newborn’s nervous system continues to grow rapidly, and similar to pregnancy, DHA is preferentially shuttled through breast milk to the new baby. Again, leaving mom with depleted stores of healthy, essential fat, furthering her risk factors for depression and baby blues.The bottom line is that pre and postnatal supplementation with essential fatty acids is as essential as a prenatal vitamin! International organizations recommend a minimum of 300mg daily of DHA, however I suggest 450mg of DHA. Try Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA, which will give you this amount in just 2 capsules.–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I read an article in the New York Times about vegansexuals. That’s a new one. So, pity the poor singletons today who not only have to worry about finding true love, but now they have to make sure they are culinary-compatible. I met my husband when I was 37 and he was 49 and I am soooooo happy that I never had to worry about smelling like meat or worrying that my yogurt addiction was detrimental to my relationship. The article was alarming. Does your date eat some meat, no meat, no eggs, some dairy? Holy cow! Time to get a dog. They don’t care. They lick you when you come home all sweaty from the gym, think the mailman looks scrumptious and think you are agorgeous, intelligent, witty genius.

One quick Google and I see there are many lifestyle-based internet dating sites; I’m talking food orientation. The home page of one of the sites has a couple kissing next to a buffet of vegetable crudités (uh-oh – I spy ranch dressing:. “You’re not a vegan! You lied to me! You probably eat hot wings in your closet. You, you cheatin’ vegan!”)Well, I am shouting it from the mountaintops: I am a vegan (sort of) and I am in love with a bone-afied meat-eater! There. I said it. -“Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I have a question.

There’s Tofurky, soy hot dogs, fakin bacon and soy sausage. In theory, you can use soy to make any kind of meat, right?

So, I think we should get really creative. If it’s just soy and not real critter, then why not:

Tofeasal – weasel

Tomingo – flamingo

Tofunky – monkey

Tofoceros – rhinoceros

Tofuffalo – buffalo

Tolar Bear

“Honey, your toshrew is getting cold!” “I’m not sure what goes best with tofaardvark. White or red?” “Mmmm. I’ll have the steamed tofedgehog.”I just don’t see why not. If it’s not meat anyway, let’s get exotic! It will probably all taste like chicken, only gamier.

-”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

The state of women’s emotional health during and following pregnancy has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill. During the spring of 2008, Congress will be addressing provisions for “The Mother’s Act”, Senate Bill 1375, which provides federal funding for the development of new treatments for anxiety, depression, and unpleasant mood changes that can occur with motherhood. The “baby blues” of motherhood are characterized by mood swings, feelings of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, irritability, mood changes and a sense of vulnerability, all of which any new mother can attest to!

While the excitement around the passing of this bill is high, it can’t be overlooked that much of the funding for this bill is coming from the pharmaceutical industry. Let me assure you, pregnant women do not have an anti-depressant deficiency. Nutritional treatments for improving emotional health during and following pregnancy have been scientifically proven and need to be considered as well.

It is well established that appropriate nutrition greatly improves pregnancy outcomes for both mom and baby. During pregnancy, a women’s physiology changes dramatically to meet the needs of the growing baby. Nutritional demands, in the form of fat, protein and calories, must be increased to ensure that these physiologic changes are met.

Be sure to write your Senators and let them know that you support this bill, especially if it is inclusive of non-pharmaceutical means as well, including, but not limited to nutritional intervention. Let your voice be heard!!

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I haven’t mentioned how I am going to approach the non-food side of veganism. I do own leather shoes and handbags. I am sure some of my cosmetics have lanolin and honey. When I was a Pre-V (pre-vegan), I bought mostly organic food and more natural cosmetics and products. Although I won’t be removing all non-vegan items from my home, I won’t be buying any more items which contain animal products for myself, and I’ll try to find non-animal substitutes for my family.

Here’s a loophole which I plan to exploit shamelessly. I am a big fan of consignment and thrift shops, so I feel less guilty about giving clothes a second life even if they contain wool or leather.

I went to my local Goodwill today and I spent $9 on clothing. Here’s what I got in the kids department: Three Laura Ashley summer dresses, two flannel-lined jeans, two Gymboree capris, one very sparkly dance leotard, one Hanna Andersson spring dress, a light spring jacket, a VHS tape (the Wiggles with Bindi the Jungle Girl) and an Elmo book that talks. Nothing I bought had any animals in it, but the VHS tape had animals on it (that’s ok).

Hope I am still in good standing with all of the vegans I haven’t met. Not sure how I will know if I am not. I wonder if a little “V” will appear on my forehead, like Harry Potter’s lightening bolt.

-”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

Are you still hanging on to those old sneakers from 1985? Sure, they’ve probably taken you to great places, but come on, you know you’ll never wear them again. Why not give them a new life?

Donate your old sneaks to Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe Program. Your old sneakers will be ground up into a rubbery material and used for playgrounds and sporting surfaces. Cool, huh?

All brands of sneakers are accepted, but cleats, shoes containing metal, and wet or damp shoes are definite no-no’s.

Just drop off old sneaks at one of dozens of drop-off locations around the country or send them directly to the processing facility.

And who knows, maybe your old kicks might make their way to a playground near you!

-Jena Parise, Marketing Coordinator for KIWI Magazine