Good Morning,
I am pretty much addicted to the inspiration I find in the efforts of others. It helps to clarify things for me when I am confused about my own thoughts, and starts me thinking about something I had not considered before. Very often, what I experience, see and notice makes me cry. Yes, I can be a great big cry baby!!! So, if you see a lady of a certain age driving a car and balling her eyes out, that might be me LOL! Something on the radio or the CD I am listening to inspired me.
So, for instance, songs (a collaborative effort on the part of the songwriter, the artist, the musicians etc., etc..) that remind me of my mother and all of her wisdom, make me cry. To this day my mom (Helen, Maggie, Mother, Mom, Mommy, Granny, Grandma and Grandmama) remains the biggest inspiration in my life.
My mom at Western University, London, Ontario 1947So, when I started testing the waters of what I called veganism (really a whole foods plant based diet at the time. I was not really vegan because I used non human animal by products in other areas of my life), my daughter introduced me to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a non human animal activist, and renowned speaker and cooking instructor within and beyond the Vegan community.
My daughter, The Busy Happy Vegan started suggesting to me vegan recipes that she had tried, recipes that she was sure I would enjoy. Sometimes I would try them at her house for supper after a wonderful day taking care of my granddaughter and sometimes I would hear about them over the phone, followed by a recipe sent by e-mail.
Better than Tuna Salad by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau from The Vegan Table, page 72This is one of the first recipes that my daughter shared with me and is still one of my favorites. Colleen quickly became an important vegan inspiration for me(after my daughter, that is) and I still draw from her wealth of knowledge. I have all of her books (some gifts, some I bought).
Those of you who are curious, interested, and/or looking for a change to a kinder way of living would enjoy her blog/website (still don’t get the difference LOL). which is loaded with information and is presented in a compassionate, inclusive way. Please check her out. You don’t have to be vegan to find inspiration there. There are podcasts, recipes, vegan clothing(Messagewear) for sale, and many words of wisdom, to name just a few.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau says:
“May our daily choices be a reflection of our deepest values, and may we use our voices to speak for those who need us most, those who have no voice, those who have no choice.”
“How often do we talk just to fill up the quiet space? How often do we waste our breath talking about nonsense?”
Here is her recipe for Better-Than-Tuna Salad
Here is what it looks like it when I make it:
Ignore the immersion blender. Use a food processor or re-purposed egg chopper, or you will end up with a sticky yucky paste.
Chopped and ready to mix
Add some sprouts and tortillas with raw organic veggies on the side and…
Voila!! Lunch, supper, or even breakfast if you like.As I often do, I made a couple of changes to this already great recipe. I added a little extra mayo(scant 1/4 cup, because I like mayo ) and about 1 teaspoon of cumin-a relatively new spice for me since I discovered that quite a bit of Indian food is vegan. These add-ons/ins are a matter of personal choice. The recipe is wonderful the way it is.
My daughter serves this meal as a kind of smorgasbord-She puts out the main event, with vegan pitas, spinach, tomato, cucumber and whatever else strikes her fancy and has people make their own. This is also very fun!!
GRAMMIE’S VEGAN VIEW
Use the things that inspire you in your life to look for a newer, kinder and I think, better way of life. Remember that adopting a whole food plant based diet does not make one vegan. Vegans by definition eschew any product that was made using the by products of our non human animal friends.
Until next time,
May all beings be happy and free
Anne
VEGANISM, INSPIRATION, MY MOM AND COLLEEN PATRICK-GOUDREAU
I recently discovered Goudreau too – love her! I’ve listened to some of her podcasts, which were really inspirational. I also have one of her cookbooks. Great post! Celeste 🙂
Thanks, Celeste, I have not listened to all of her posdcasts yet-that is on my to do list. I am inspired by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s determination to make a change for all the non human animals as well as for we humans. Shining a wise light is powerful. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Anne