Comments on: Vegan Sugar

By: Lane

Lane — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:43:59 +0000

Hi Kim,
thanks for providing that info on PETA.
Yes, sometimes their methodology seems to be at odds with their mission!

Interesting info on PF Changs… It points to Jane’s continuing comment that if you are not preparing the food, you don’t really have much control. People either don’t know, are misinformed, or don’t care.

We try to be very specific when ordering, and hope for the best.

By: Lane

Lane — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:09:54 +0000

Hi Addie,
Yes, first you’re so overly cautious about things. Once you get the hang of it, it seems that most people relax a bit.

Hi Marija,
Glad this was of use to you.

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:59:49 +0000

Mary over at Animal Person http://www.animalperson.net/ has some recent entries about PF Changs and sugar – some really enlightening comments from readers included. I recommend checking those entries out.

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:32:18 +0000

RE: PETA and the animals left in dumpsters – my understanding is these were animals pulled from kill shelters in South Carolina that were too ill to adopt out, and would have been killed by gas or gunshot. These workers were trying to provide them a more peaceful death. There has never been any evidence presented to the contrary.

Was it wrong to leave the bodies in a dumpster? Yes. Should PETA be involved personally with making these decisions about euthanasia and carrying it out themselves? I prefer they didn’t, since it provides fodder for such rhetoric as was posted here, and all around the net, that is used to discredit animal advocacy in general.

My anger doesn’t lie with PETA, but with the breeders who keep producing more animals for profit while animals are being killed every second in shelters and “owners” who don’t take responsibility for the animals in their care – disposing of them like garbage.

I don’t concern myself much with sugar. If I eat something processed and sweetened it’s generally of a better quality that doesn’t use recfined sugar anyway. Sugar in general should be avoided, although I know that’s hard!

By: Marija

Marija — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:17:45 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I had no idea there were all these kinds of sweeteners.
I’m printing the list for my next trip to Whole Foods.

Much appreciated!!

By: addie

addie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:56:36 +0000

Lane–
When I first became Vegan I ate very little because I was afraid of making any mistakes. Very little. lol
I’m slowly learning to be more like you – not making myself nuts over every bite or byproducts. After all a person has to eat, right?

addie B)

By: Lane

Lane — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:34:56 +0000

Hi Addie,
First, we don’t yell here. You are entitled to your opinions. And you can even tell me I’m wrong…

Re by-products: Cotton was the primary crop, so reducing your consumption ultimately reduces the total consumption of the product. You vote with your wallet. I believe that by not eating meat, I am saving x amount of animals from death, simply because the demand is reduced. (I believe in the laws of supply and demand.) So buying cotton at that time would have kept up demand.
The holocaust victim lampshades are an extreme example of by-product, since those people were being slaughtered regardless of the quality of their skin, and most of the skins wound up being “thrown away.” And no, I would not by that, but I don’t buy leather either (not a byproduct). Perhaps over time I will feel differently about animal byproducts. Since it is taboo, and a crime to kill a human, but it is not to kill an animal, I can’t equate the two. I know plenty of people who can and do, and will tell me this doesn’t make me a true vegan. As I stated in my post, I believe that byproducts are used primarily because they are so inexpensive. Once animals are no longer slaughtered for food, those cheap by-products will become much more expensive and manufacturers will look to other, less expensive alternatives.

By: Lane

Lane — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:21:23 +0000

Hi Tristan,
Thanks for the info on PETA. Personally, I’m not a supporter of their methods. More often than not I think their advertising has the adverse effect of their intent. But I still think their list of foods that are vegan is a valuable resource.
As I said in my post, we do our best to avoid animal byproducts. But I know that even if I ask my waitress, I’m not likely to find out if the products I’m ordering at a restaurant are truly vegan or otherwise. So I do my best, but I don’t make myself crazy.

By: addie

addie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:20:52 +0000

Vegan Beware–
Yesterday I had those white Oreo’s, thanks to you!

Want my Dachshund:)

addie B)

By: Lane

Lane — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:10:41 +0000

Hi Addie,
Glad you find it informative