Vegan Firefighters Engine 2 Diet Endorsed by Chicago Mayor

[freshwest]

[Kalidurga]

1. So awesome.

A positive approach. Who would have thunk it. We do need to stop being so judgmental on people who are overweight and unhealthy, so much better to show them a way that will give them nearly immediate results. Financial incentives are also good. I think they should extend to everyone that wants to change if they aren't already. A person doesn't have to be overweight or have serious health problems to benefit from going vegan.

I hope to be 100% vegan before the end of this year. So far I have given up meat. Then I gave up eggs. I am working on giving up cheese, but I still use sprinkles of Parmesan occasionally. Oops haven't really given up eggs, totally, I still use mayo sometimes. But, I am working on it when I am out of mayo before the end of this month, I won't be buying anymore. I would say I am 75% vegan. Oh, I am also giving up table sugar because of the way it is processed. I am finding out a lot of things I didn't know like marshmallows aren't vegan or possibly not even vegetarian. And vaccines aren't vegan either. So, there is a lot to learn and I hope to have learned enough to be able to apply vegan principles in my daily life without having to think about it all the time.

[freshwest]

2. I haven't had marshmallows in years, but how can they not be vegan? What's in them?

Thought they were made of the root of the marshmallow plant and sugar...



And I agree about not getting on anyone about their body - after all, it is their body - and not ours - that is suffering. I think most weight is due to undigestible food stuff. And I know people who are overweight because the medications they are on clogs their livers or acts as steroid and they get big. It's a sad thing to watch.

[Kalidurga]

3. Marshmallows are made with gelatin usually from pig skin...

I was sort of heartbroken when I found that out. But, I had already decided to give up table sugar at that point so it was a moot point. I still slip up on the sugar thing sometimes, but I can't do the marshmallow thing, myself. I don't think people are horrible though if they say they are vegan and have non vegan/vegetarian things once in a while. It is a very hard world to live in if you don't have any leeway. There are so many things besides food made from animal products and byproducts, just read that beer might be one of them. I don't drink beer so I don't have to worry about that, but I do know vegans/vegetarians that do. I don't know if they know that beer is processed with a fish byproduct or not.

We do need better labeling though so people can make informed choices. I would like table sugar labeled myself. Some isn't processed using animal bones for bleaching, so a vegan if they wanted sugar could get that. Many people don't know gelatin is made from animal sources. I didn't know about vaccines myself. It's a pretty long list, but spelling things out would be good so people can make choices that make sense to them. Plus allergies and sensitivities, it would help people identify triggers faster I think.

[Chellee]

4. These are vegan and delicious!

http://www.sweetandsara.com/

[Kalidurga]

5. Thank you

But, I figured out a while ago if I want vegan treats, I have to learn how to make them. There is a vegan bakery in town, but it's really really expensive. I am not vegan yet though, so I do have regular baked stuff occasionally or rather rarely maybe once a month.

[Chellee]

6. Okay. Have fun. Be careful, sugar syrup burns. Don't lick the spoon. :D

Vegan Marshmallows

Ingredients

3 tbsp vegan gelatin
1 c water
2 c unbleached sugar
3/4 c light corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp vanilla
Cornstarch - lots

In a bowl, place 1/2 c of the water and the vegan gelatin. Let sit 1 hr.
About half an hour after doing that, begin to prepare a syrup. In heavy pan over low, add remaining 1/2 c water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt.
Blend until dissolved.
When the mixture starts to boil, cover for 3 minutes to allow crystals that have formed to be washed away. Be careful not to let the mixture boil over.
Continue to cook uncovered and unstirred over high heat to the firm-ball stage (244 degrees F). Overcooking makes the marshmallows tough.
Remove the mixture from heat and pour slowly over the gelatin, beating constantly with an electric mixer. Continue to beat about 15 minutes after all the syrup has been added. While beating, when the mixture is thick but still smooth, add vanilla.
Put the mixture into an 8 x 12 in pan that has been dusted with cornstarch. Dust the top with cornstarch and set aside.
When it has dried for 12 hours, remove it from the pan, cut it into squares with scissors dusted with cornstarch, and store the fully dusted pieces in a closed tin.
Makes 1 3/4 lbs

[Kalidurga]

7. Oh those sound so good.

I can feel them melting in my mouth.