Vegan Celebrity Spotlight

Put down your Kiss the Vegan apron and chopping knife. Today, I want to mention a role model to the vegan world. Maybe it's my soft spot for American Idol or the fact that I watch too much daytime TV, but Ellen Degeneres is at the top of my heterosexual Likes list today. She and her partner, Portia, went vegan last year. Somehow I managed to miss the breaking news - probably because it's not breaking news to anyone outside of the vegan population - but hearing about it now is making me grin ear to ear. Ellen is a cool chick. She dances around like a maniac on her show and really believes in herself. If being a lesbian wasn't putting her into minority enough, she chose to embrace the sometimes-cruel words of society and become a member of the vegan world as well. I commend you, ladies. On her talk show website, Ellen provides a "Why Go Vegan?" article with some basic explanations and arguments of those who choose the lifestyle. Who knows if Ellen wrote/ contributed to the article but I think it's worth noting. Check it out. You may notice some statements worth arguing, but I want to avoid the "preaching" today and just state that there's always an argument when it comes to the vegan lifestyle. I've heard all of them, as correct or incorrect as they may be, every great argument comes from research. If you really want to be knowledgeable, pick up one of my favorite veg textbooks, Becoming Vegan by Davis & Melina. Or visit www.vegansociety.com. I'd really like to put a public figure in the vegan spotlight once a week so if anyone has a suggestion of a celebrity who is speaking for the vegans of the world, let me know! Tonight I'm enjoying my favorite beyond any ready-made vegan dinner: Amy's Black Bean Enchilada. Everyone deserves a night off!

Ray