My First Political Phone Call: I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but yesterday was the first time I ever made a political phone call. I’ve written to legislators, and even created a campaign encouraging others to send their extra holiday cards to legislators asking them to prioritize gun control legislation after a school shooting in 2012. My mom has called legislators; I even have a good model for doing so.
But I was always too nervous to call.
It turns out, I shouldn’t have been.
They expect you to call: Legislators have office administrators dedicated to receiving calls from constituents and marking down your concerns. You can go the extra mile and ask to meet with or speak directly to a legislator, but if you’d like to let a legislator know that you support a specific bill, or are concerned about a certain issue, it takes 5 minutes of your time to call their office and let their staff know.
They track the number of phone calls in support of each issue: Their staff is expecting to receive calls like this, and they keep track of how many constituents call about certain issues. They then give those numbers in summary form to the legislators, who may alter which issues they prioritize based on how many phone calls an issue has received.
They don’t grill you about your stance: Before I called, I read the entire bill I was supporting, and all the talking points on the advocacy group’s website. I wanted to be an expert before I called… but I really didn’t need to be. I volunteered a few sentences about why the carbon pricing issue is important to me, gave my name and the town I live in, they tallied my concern, and I went about the rest of my day.
It was easy. It was fast.
Not many people make phone calls like this, which means my call is even more influential. So if you believe in something (and don’t we all?) you can call your legislator’s office and let them know that you’re a voter in their district and you’d like to see them work on issue ____ . It doesn’t even have to be a specific bill, it could just be letting them know you’re worried about funding for your local school, or climate change in general.
Some tips:
If you’re supporting a specific bill, call the office of the legislator who filed the bill and ask them how you can best support it. They may be able to give you a specific legislator who is undecided and who might benefit from seeing evidence of constituent support. They might tell you that the bill is still being reviewed by a committee, and to call that committee and ask that them to vote the bill favorably out of committee. They can give you specific phone numbers (and they’ll be excited to do it, trust me) and save you the time of figuring out who to call.
If you’re calling a legislator, you can ask their staff person whether that legislator supports the bill as well as leaving a message letting the legislator know why you do (or do not).
Don’t be afraid:
I was worried that I would be wasting someone’s time, that a legislator was going to answer the phone themselves and ask me questions about the bill I couldn’t answer, that I was going to end up in a debate with an office aide… these were all completely unfounded fears.
You don’t have to be an expert on an issue to call and express your concern, and state that you’re supporting a bill. It’s ok to put your faith in an organization or politician who has authored the bill based on all the research and political experience they have, and to support a bill even though you’re not an expert. Become reasonably informed, read a dissenting opinion or two, but you can know you support a cause without knowing every exact legislative detail. It’s a necessary part of our political system – we have to choose who to trust, based on their stated goals and objectives.
I don’t know everything about carbon pricing and carbon emissions, but I know I believe in financial incentives to reduce our carbon footprint, and I support this bill that environmentalists have been working so diligently to get passed. And I can make a five minute phone call, give my name, state my support, and go back to emptying the dishwasher.
You matter. Your voice matters. Your phone calls matter. Your vote matters.
I saw something very unusual on twitter this morning – Jocyeln, a runner I follow, posted a photo of an old fashioned bulletin board ad she saw somewhere. The ad requested love letters to be sent to an e-mail alias, with a promise that they’d write back.
I’ve never written a stranger a love letter before, but I like writing, and I like love, and I like helping, so why not.
Re-reading what I sent, I probably should have signed it “love” since no one sends a love letter signed “best”, and probably the word “neat” wasn’t a good choice. Perhaps my INTJ personality type kicked in there. Still – it felt good to respond. Perhaps they really will write back! I’ll let you know if they do, though may respectfully keep their response private (plus who knows what I could get back from this, right?!)
My Letter:
Good morning!
Just wanted to send you some love.
I was feeling vulnerable yesterday because I’d posted some dreams I have, and by sharing the dreams, I showed my hand… which is that I’m not there yet.
But then I realized that I don’t want anyone to assume I am anything more than what I am, because what I am is enough. Where I am in my journey to become a runner is not just good enough, it’s amazing, because of what I did to get here and where I plan to go.
I hope that wherever you are in your goals and your dreams, you can remember this, too. That there’s no need to worry about appearing to be more than we are. Accepting and embracing the stage we are in whether we look at our goals or our life, helps us recognize the true next steps towards becoming what we long to be.
It’s wonderful to dream… and wherever we are in the process, that’s good enough for right now. It helps us know what’s next.
I love you for posting somewhere that you’re accepting and returning love letters – knowing you could get some odd e-mails. It’s neat.
I’m excited. I’m chasing a dream, and getting closer. I’ve decided this year is the year to expand from blogging into freelance writing and speaking about the benefits of plant-based nutrition. I finished my certification in plant-based nutrition in July, and dove headfirst into figuring out how I can share that information with the world.
My Goal: Share the Health & Environmental Benefits A Whole Foods, Plant-Based diet: Anyone who has seen Forks Over Knives is probably aware of the health and environmental benefits of eating a whole foods, plant-based diet – and the lessening of cruelty to animals is a pretty obvious plus. But there are many people out there who don’t know that a whole foods, plant-based diet can prevent and reverse many chronic diseases. There are people who want to keep our oceans cleaner and healthier, people who shut the faucet off whenever they’re brushing their teeth, who probably don’t realize that it takes 1,248 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef. By eating meatless meals even half the time, they could drastically reduce their water consumption.
Food Choices Are Personal, But They Should Be Informed: I want people to have the information that could save their lives, improve their health, and help them drastically reduce their environmental impact just by making different food choices. What people chose to do is up to them. I know there are people who would choose, as we have, to eat differently if they had this information. I want to share this knowledge with them, because it could prevent them from suffering and even dying from major health problems. Knowing that animal cruelty isn’t necessary, or even healthy, to feed ourselves is something every person should know.
My Master Plan: I plan to become a free guest lecturer to high school audiences about the benefits of a plant-based diet. I have a master’s degree in education from Harvard and am a former high school teacher. I believe that the earlier people know about the health and environmental benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet, the easier it will be for them to change. High school students are a great audience, because they’ll be leaving their homes soon and making their own food choices. I can tailor my presentations for classes in either health or science, offer a high quality presentation, and even give their teachers a day free from the need to lesson plan. (Can you tell I used to be a teacher?) I’ll also be expanding my guest writing and blogging.
Progress: I found a top quality graphic and web designer who is working on my logo and website redesign. Greg, who is a photography enthusiast, took a fabulous headshot for me to use in my freelance and professional work. I have an upcoming article in the Nov. edition of Definition Fitness Magazine. I’ve commenced work on my lectures, and plan to start networking with former teacher friends in the future.
I Am Still Running This: I’ll still be here, running half marathons and helping people stay motivated to live their best running lives. This blog has been such a gift, and I love the e-mails from fellow runners, the chance to connect, and the outlet for all my running thoughts. In fact, I’m planning to expand and offer a newsletter with running motivation delivered straight to your inbox this fall! So stay tuned, and stay with me.
You keep me going 🙂
I am so excited to be following this dream. If I impact even one person, that will be enough… because when I think of the people I know who have been lost to cancer, I’d do all of this for any one of them.
The above photos are all food I’ve made using Lighter. Tofu & Broccoli Tostadas, Spring Pea Soup, Plant Powered Pad Thai, Lower Fat Pesto, and Purple Cabbage & Edamame Salad.
Confession: I’ve outsourced half of my meal planning and grocery shopping, and IT IS AMAZING. I’ve been using Lighter Culture meal planning and grocery delivery service to supplement our weekly meals. Before you read the details, see if Lighter is available where you live. If it is, trust me, read on. If not, scroll to the end for an amazing recipe courtesy of the Lighter team!
What is Lighter?
Here’s what the Lighter team does: every week, they craft a meal plan for me, and arrange for all the groceries I’ll need to be delivered via a local grocery delivery service (they’ve teamed up with different ones across the country). I approve the grocery list before the food is delivered, indicating any items I already own to reduce food waste (things like soy sauce, cinnamon, or local produce I may have in the fridge from the last farmer’s market.) The day my groceries are delivered, I get access to all the recipes for the week online.
I pick the day of the week and a two hour window for my grocery delivery, and I pick the number of meals I’d like and which types. I’m on the 9 meals a week plan, so each week I pick a variety of lunches, dinners and breakfasts depending on our schedule.
I even tell them how much time I have on average to cook, and how skilled I am in the kitchen. They use that information to create a custom menu for me, and have the groceries delivered!
Why I love it: I originally signed up just to check the service out before I recommended it to people who want to eat healthier. I had no intention of sticking with it. After all, I’ve been eating a whole foods, plant-based diet for already two years. I’ve got tons of recipes and cooking experience up my sleeves! I don’t need Lighter to rescue me from the Standard American Diet, I already did that. Go me!
Except… it’s amazing. I’m trying new recipes every week. I’m feeding the kids recipes that I would have skipped over doing the meal planning myself, convinced they’d never eat them.
I’m watching Will eat kale or spinach basil pasta and kicking myself for not being brave enough to serve it to him sooner.
Meal planning was one of the most stressful parts of my week, and when I didn’t get around to it, meal times were really stressful. (Day 534 of burritos, anyone?)
I never thought I’d keep using Lighter, but now it’s one of the highlights of our week.
For more information, check out their FAQ: https://www.lighterculture.com/faq. It answered all the questions I could think of before we decided to sign up.
Benefits of Lighter
I have more time to cook because I’m not spending as much time meal planning and grocery shopping. I never get halfway through dinner prep and realize that I forgot to get the red pepper because Will and Andrew distracted me in the grocery aisle.
I’m finally serving leftovers because the recipes are all designed to make two meals. Initially, I was a little disappointed because I’d been hoping for unique meal plans for each lunch and dinner. But only cooking and cleaning up after a large meal every other day is amazing. The recipes are designed with leftovers in mind, and have all kept well in the fridge for the few days before I serve them again. I’ve been getting my groceries and new meal plan on Thursdays, cooking a lot on Friday, and then having leftovers ready to heat up all weekend. That means we can show up to a healthy, prepared lunch and dinner after all our weekend adventures and spend time as a family instead of cooking. It’s AMAZING. It has transformed our weekends.
Using Lighter means we have more time for moments like these.
I’m saving money and reducing food waste. I’m not impulse buying produce that looks good with no plan for how to use it, so I’m wasting less food, and saving money. Lighter is designed to be budget friendly, so the meals take advantage of wholesome foods that are less expensive, integrating rice, beans and whole grains to balance out those fresh organic raspberries they sent to top the overnight oats. The meals never feel cheap, but because every piece of produce enters the house with a plan, we’ve been saving money on our grocery bill.
I can have people over spontaneously. The recipes make enough for leftovers… or company! My sister wasn’t sure until day-of whether they’d be able to come for dinner, and I was stress free. I had a recipe and ingredients on hand for an awesome meal that would serve all of us, or serve just my family and we’d have leftovers. It’s amazing to always have enough to share, or to skip meal prep and dishes two nights later. You can’t lose.
Greg cooks more. Greg’s a fabulous cook, but I was in the habit of cooking every meal because it was easier than explaining my half-formed plans for dinner.With Lighter, suddenly neither of us knows the plan for the produce in the fridge better than the other one.
I still plan some of our meals. I am on their lowest quantity meal plan, because I do love spontaneity. I didn’t want to outsource meal planning completely and not be able to go to the farm stand and spontaneously put together a meal based on the seasonal produce. I love that I can still see a recipe online and plan to try it that week. Now it’s a pleasure and not a chore, because Lighter has my back for over half our weekly meals.
Tips for using Lighter:
Experiment with the type of meals, day of the week, and appetite size until you find what’s right for your family. We originally said we had large appetites because we run a lot, but found because the kids eat so little we ended up with way too much food. We’ve cut it back, and now we’re really happy with the amount each recipe is making.
Be sure to list any allergies you have, and take advantage of their food dislikes column so the meal plans are tailored to your family’s preferences. That said, be adventurous! I have tried and loved some recipes I never would have picked out of a cookbook (edamame and purple cabbage salad, for example… the name doesn’t do it justice, it’s drowned in a gingery peanut butter sauce that’s to die for).
Don’t be afraid to modify a recipe slightly for your family – I don’t cook with oil, and was originally sad that this wasn’t an option, but then realized that I’m completely comfortable modifying the recipes accordingly.
Other services I’ve tried: I’ve tried several other healthy meal services and none of them come close to Lighter. The Purple Carrot delivered all the ingredients to prepare really tasty recipes, but with way too much packaging and the pricing wasn’t competitive. Veestro sent microwaveable meals that were convenient… but again, way too much packaging and who really wants to eat microwave meals, no matter how gourmet? (I wanted to love every healthy meal service out there, I really did.)
This meal from the Purple Carrot was delicious, but every ingredient came in its own plastic container, which was shipped in a box with a thermal cube and freezer pack. I cannot justify that kind of packaging footprint for the sake of convenience.
Back to Lighter –
The Lighter team hasn’t endorsed this post in any way, and I’m not receiving anything from them except all the above benefits from using their service. I wanted to try their service and share it with people because I think it has the ability to save people time and money. Lighter makes it incredibly easy for you to eat meals that are better for your health, the environment, and the animals we share the earth with. I believe in their mission, and I’m impressed with how they’re carrying it out.
Above: Co-Founder of Lighter, Micah Risk, on the cover of a recent Runner’s World magazine. When I e-mailed Lighter to ask permission to use a screen shot of their menu in my review, she said in her reply “I checked out your blog– I love it! I’m a runner too! I actually just got back from the Falmouth race on the Cape.” Um, yes. I kind of knew that you’re a runner. BECAUSE YOU WERE ON THE COVER OF RUNNER’S WORLD. There are very few vegan runners (and probably no vegan running bloggers) who don’t know who Micah Risk is. She knocks our socks off.
Not only did Micah give me permission to share the menu screen shot in my review, she also sent me a fabulous recipe to share with you! I love Lighter.
Wait until you taste this sauce – Greg said it was hands down the best pad thai recipe I’ve ever made. Try it for yourself!
A Lighter Recipe: Plant Powered Pad Thai
INGREDIENTS
Rice noodles, 4 ounces
Tofu, extra firm, 1 block
Peanut butter, 4 tablespoons
Frozen broccoli, 2 cups
Carrot, 2
Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
Garlic, 4 cloves
Lime, 2
Apple cider vinegar (or white/rice vinegar), 3 tablespoons
Soy sauce, 4 tablespoons
Water, 0.5 cup
OPTIONAL- Green onion, Sriracha
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large flat saute pan.
Drain the tofu and cut into small cubes and place them in the warm pan in a single layer. Regularly flip the tofu so it doesn’t stick to the pan, and so it gets an evenly golden brown cook on each side. (This will take 10-15 minutes.)
Produce Prep: While the tofu is cooking, wash the carrot. With a peeler, peel the carrot lengthwise into long ribbons. Not a lot of time? Just chop up the carrots into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the garlic.
Heat water in a pot and cook the rice noodles according to the directions on the box. (Don’t overcook them!)
After 10-15 minutes of tofu-cooking, add the broccoli to the tofu pan. If you don’t love raw garlic, add the garlic here! Cook for another 5 minutes, or until broccoli is warm throughout. Add the carrot ribbons to the tofu right before you turn off the heat to give them a very mild cook.
In a deep bowl, mix peanut butter and all the seasoning ingredients (except the lime) together. If you have salted peanut butter then you may want to decrease the soy sauce (and increase water by that amount) so the dressing doesn’t come out too salty. To combine all the ingredients, whisk vigorously with a whisk or a fork. Some find it easier to shake up the ingredients in a tightly sealed jar. Drain the noodles and place them back in the pot (removed from heat). Mix the sauce with the noodles while they’re still hot.
To plate, top with tofu and vegetables, and squeeze a lime wedge onto the dish before serving.
Kid-Friendly Tip: Pru, the official 6-year old Taste Tester of Lighter, says this dish is better than pizza. We hope your little one loves it, too!
Many thanks to Micah, Alexis and the team at Lighter Culture for letting me share this fabulous recipe with my readers, and for planning our dinners and arranging our grocery delivery so we can hang out as a family instead 🙂
You can use code SEED2015-1765 to get $10 off your first order – thanks Lighter!
In the aftermath of beloved lion Cecil’s death at the hands of a big-game killer, animal lovers have taken to social media in outrage.
Vegan groups are trying to harness the outrage for the vegan movement, using the hashtag #IAmCecil to show photos of pigs and other livestock.
The goal of the comparison is clear, but is it effective?
Killing an endangered (or threatened) animal for sport is not the same as eating a non-threatened species for dinner, as critics will likely point out. But it’s not entirely different, either. Both cause the suffering and death of innocent sentient beings, for the pleasure of humans.
Notice I said for pleasure. I consider eating meat to be something humans do for pleasure, because I understand that eating meat is not only unnecessary for health and survival, but detrimental to our health. Exposure to Forks Over Knives and The China Study led me to become certified in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. I understand how unhealthy meat is for our bodies, so to me, the only reason to eat meat would be for pleasure. That makes me more sympathetic to the I Am Cecil comparison of livestock to big game hunting.
But showing these images to someone who feeds their family a traditional roast for dinner is likely to put omnivores on the immediate defensive. They’re feeding their children, and they may believe that meat is a healthy and necessary way to do that. Without an understanding of the health and environmental consequences of eating meat, it will be hard for any non-vegan to hear the #IAmCecil message.
I worry that comparing someone who feeds their children meat with someone who kills lions for sport will alienate people. It is wonderful that people feel sadness and outrage at Cecil’s death. Is trying to make them feel hypocritical really helpful, or will it just push them away?
I would love to find a way to help people see the connection between Cecil’s death and the unnecessary suffering of other animals.
I’m just not sure comparing omnivores to big game hunters is the way to do it.
