Tending toward simplicity: on the blog address and title

My first choice for a blogspot address was: thoughtforfood.blogspot.com, but it was taken. So I settled for simplyvegan (after trying a few other names out). I was hesitant to choose a name that bespoke my ethical/food inclinations, but ultimately did not think of any other suitable name. Therefore, (at least part of) my position is out in the open.

My choice of 'simply' for the title speaks to the persistent belief among many people that being vegan and, in particular preparing vegan meals, is difficult at the very least; particularly if one is interested in having tasty, healthy foods. Like anything, preparing vegan meals is a learning process (...life-long learning), it takes some time to familiarize oneself with new ingredients, textures, and recipes. But, with a little time for learning and adjustment, being vegan becomes straightforward and simple and can even be taken for granted - except when dining out! Sometimes I liken the accustomization to vegan foods to the old phrase "developing the taste for X (insert wine, beer, olives, etc)." This phrase actually resonates strongly with my own experience of food aesthetics. Just as many people develop a liking for things they once did not enjoy such as beer, over time people who want to eat more vegan foods will end up enjoying them.

I remember that when I decided to eat only vegan foods I thought that I would always like cheese. In fact, in the 2 or 3 instances when I was in position where I had to eat cheese since my 'conversion' to veganism, I, surprisingly, found cheese quite gross and distinctly unenjoyable. My palate had changed. (In yogic philosophy and in addictions counselling and therapy there is much talk about cessation. In yoga they say that if do anything for 40 days and you won't long to go back. In psychological theorizations the number of days varies,but the point remains the same. In a fairly brief period you will overcome your longings and indeed develop new favoured tastes/preferences.)

So, part of what I will talk about on this blog are the ways in which vegan eating and living can be quite simple. But on a larger scale, I will be writing about food movements and food issues.

Please comment or email me at: pharmakonvegan at yahoo dot ca.