Happy Wednesday! Did any of you watch this morning’s Oprah that featured Alicia Silverstone (author of the recently released The Kind Diet vegan cookbook), Michael Pollan, and excerpts from Food Inc.
I was so excited when I heard this lineup!! Oprah has such an enormous influence millions of people, and I thought that if she was finally starting to address the issue of where our food comes from and what we are really eating, then that meant that the ideas that I firmly believe in will perhaps become more mainstreamed to the masses.
I enjoyed the clips that Oprah showed from Food Inc., and I appreciate the fact that she strongly encouraged her viewers at home to see the movie. As I’ve mentioned before, watching Food Inc. precipitated my decision to finally become a vegan. I don’t care what your views are on the topic, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to watch this movie and to not be at least slightly moved by the disgusting practices that take place in the meat and dairy industries. So, props to Oprah for bringing this to our attention!
However, aside from the Food Inc. clips I was pretty disappointed with the episode. Alicia Silverstone, to me, showcased veganism as more of a superficial decision on her part and praised veganism for improving her body, skin, and energy levels. While I certainly don’t think she meant it to come across that way, I really wish she would have touched more on the impact that veganism can have on your health and to the greater society. When Oprah made jokes asking whether it was ok if she ate meat that was treated “really really well”, Alicia just laughed and brushed off the question. Yeah yeah, I know it’s hard to stand up to Oprah, but I felt like she tiptoed around the greater issues. Many times the issue of sustainable agriculture was brought up and not once did either guest bring up the fact that growing more, or mostly PLANTS, and less animals, is truly the only way to truly provide enough food to go around without the use of antibiotics or hormones.
I think that I am being so critical because I AM already a vegan and already find these issues to be of utmost importance - maybe I am being too hard on Oprah for not taking the issue further. What did you think of the episode?
So, I owe you guys a post I’ve been talking about for awhile! After making Butternut Squash and Pea Risotto last week, I was dying to make a similar, but sweetened, dessert version. It’s basically just like a rice pudding – yum!
Butternut Squash, Pineapple, and & Coconut Milk Dessert Risotto
Ingredients: 1 1/2 c. arborio rice, 6 c. very hot (simmering) water, 1 c. light coconut milk, 1 1/2 c. butternut squash puree, 1 1/2 c. pineapple puree, 3 tsp. cinnamon, 3 tsp. vanilla, and 1/3 c. agave nectar
* Add arborio rice to a hot pan
* Add 1 c. hot water and gradually stir into the rice
* Once the rice starts to fluff up and expand, continue adding a cup of liquid at a time, rotating between hot water and coconut milk
plus the butternut squash and pineapple puree and 1/2 finely chopped apple while continuing to stir
* Toward the end, stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and agave nectar
***
Since I haven’t put up a lot of meal posts recently, here are a couple pix of recent snacks… I’ve been absolutely obsessed with nut butters recently to the point that I’m not even sure if I want to buy myself any more because I go through it so quickly!
Angela’s pancakes (made with WW flour instead of spelt) with almond butter and maple syrup:
Almond butter stirred into oatmeal/banana:
And when I ran out of oats I turned to…. quinoa!! Yes, my friends, the world’s most nutrient-packed grain (ok so technically it’s a seed not a grain, but ya know) is an excellent stand-in for oats/banana/almond butter!
When I ran out of ALMOND BUTTER (*tear*), I chopped up a toasted bagel and mixed it up with tahini and agave nectar. So good!
All of this posting is making me hungry for some more nut butter… the kitchen is calling my name and I think I might make a stop there before yoga tonight. Have a great one!
I'm a school social worker who is also a newlywed (and had a Big Fat Greek Wedding, no less!) living in Chicago. I am starting this blog to talk about the training process I will go through to prepare for the Chicago Marathon, while also raising awareness for Ceasefire, a Chicago anti-violence program.
I don’t watch Opera but I’m with you – that is something I wish they would have touched on. It’s the #1 reason why I’m a vegan (the fact that there is no way we could feed everyone in this world antibiotic + hormone free food otherwise and the environmental damage that the meat and dairy industry has) and it affects everyone!
Ahhh I could go on about that for a long time. Just wanted to say I agree with you – enough to leave my first comment
I really wish I’d seen this episode!
Have you ever tried sunflower seed butter? It’s my new addiction…
The risotto looks so good
I’m not an Oprah girl, but I do share your view that Alicia Silverstone tends to focus more on superficial issues for pop culture vegan references. But maybe she figures that’s a way to hook people in. Either way, I’m glad it got you thinking!
i’ve got that oprah episode dvr’d – very interested to see it!!!
I think you’re right that a lot of issues were skimmed over, but I also agree that because you are already a vegan your opinion and reaction is completely different from the average Oprah viewer, many or most of whom have never heard the word vegan. For many I bet it was the first time they’d heard of many of these things. You are lucky enough to be past those baby steps.
I blogged yesterday about how I really wanted to see that episode (I have been doing a series on The Kind Diet) but I missed it. I am disappointed Silverstone acted that way. I mean, she doesn’t have to attack Oprah, but say something.
Of course, this is coming from the mouth of the girl who drew a blank last night when someone asked why my husband and I are vegetarian. It was so weird. Words just left my mouth. What the heck!
First off I want to say I really like your blog!
I recorded the Oprah episode so I’m going to watch it today.
…Also, good creativity in the kitchen. I have had quinoa for breakfast before. When I used it, it was chilled and tossed with some fruit, chopped sorrel, and agave. It’s a great way to get all the nutrients from the seed early on in the day!
Thank you Val for talking about Oprah. Overall we felt it was okay, just glad this topic made it to her show! But yes a lot of points were overlooked, but baby steps I guess. It is frustrating though for people like you and us that are already vegans, to understand how people think they have to have meat. It is a due to the marketing done over many years that people are brain washed to think meat is needed to survive. I just hope more people really start to understand where their food comes from and how their bodies might actually feel better when they do not eat meat. And they have a choice everyday to support farmers, to support fair trade and sustainable companies…well hopefully more of these topics will be discussed more often.
Didn’t see the show but I’m always happy to hear about mainstream media discussing the meat industry and its negatives. I am sad to hear that veganism wasn’t promoted more, but I have to wonder if they kind of ‘froze up’. I find that when people ask me about being vegan and why I turned vegan, I am always dissapointed with how I answered when I think about it later. Although, that’s why I’m not on t.v. promoting it either.
I swear I need to write up what I want to say and then memorize it so I can just spit out my spiel when I need to! 
That risotto sounds really yummy and I hear ya on the nut butters. It’s a serious issue around here too!
-K
I wish I would have caught that Oprah episode. I am not veggie or vegan, but after seeing Food Inc last month, I have been rethinking my food choices.
Kim
I watched the episode and enjoyed it. Everyone has their reasons for being a vegetarian or vegan. If it is for superficial reasons, they are still making a good impact on themselves, the economy, and environment. I think Oprah didn’t dig too deep into this because several years ago she got in trouble from the meat industry. I think they tried to sue her for talking about becoming a vegetarian and speaking out again meat and the industry. So I think she was trying to be careful. I loved the bit about Chipotle yesterday as well!
[...] Reviews « Butternut Squash, Pineapple, & Coconut Milk Dessert Risotto [...]