Email Me: calamitywilde@gmail.com

one girl's quest to follow her heart... into her food

You can call me vegan, but definitions can get messy. I haven't eaten animal products in a year and a half, but I didn't throw away all my leather shoes when I turned vegan, because I also believe in no waste. I don't eat animal foods for ethical reasons, and I eat plant foods for health reasons. I don't believe that an animal-free diet is right for everyone, but I do believe that a conscious connection to our food is vital. I am a nutritional consultant, and I am in school to further my knowledge of holistic health. I love life and health and think the two are inseparable. This blog ponders what we put into and onto our bodies. We really are what we eat, and because the skin is so great at absorption, we are what we wear, too. Through this blog, I will explore cruelty-free, toxin-free, chemical-free, GMO-free, and big corporation-free methods of eating and caring for our bodies. Hippocrates had it right when he said, "Let thy food be thy medicine."

Thursday, April 15, 2010

For Vegans with a Sweet Tooth

Let's talk about sugar. I don't think I could live without my sweets. It's one of those little things that makes life so great. When I started going vegan, I happened upon several different articles about sugar not being vegan. So, here's the scoop (or two, if you like).

Refined sugar is often processed with animal bone char. The char is the filter through which the sugar goes in order to remove color and impurities (and also minerals). So while the sugar doesn't actually contain animal bone char, it is processed with it. So, you can check with your sugar company to find out how they refine their sugar. Some companies that do not use bone char are Florida Crystals and Supreme Sugar Company.

Further, you can use raw sugar, turbinado sugar, succanat (non-refined cane sugar) or even sugar substitutes. My favorite substitute is agave nectar. I use it in baked goods, tea, smoothies, and oatmeal. I also love molasses, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup. You can also try beet sugar, date sugar, corn syrup, or barley malt. Get creative! There are so many delicious options.

So, get out there and satisfy your sweet tooth, and rest assured that no animals were harmed in the process.


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