Things That Make You Go Huh?

The other day my coworkers forced me to go to Burger King and try their new french fries.  (Okay, they didn't necessarily force me, but they were very adamant about going, even though I haven't had that kind of fast food in years.) I was reluctant because I figured their fries were like McDonald's french fries.  In 2001, McDonald's confirmed their fries were made with beef extract.  Their website said the french fries were from potatoes, partially hydrogenated soybean oil and "natural flavor."  But what they didn't mention was that the "natural flavor" came from beef.  Needless to say it pissed a lot of vegetarians off, and they filed a class action lawsuit.  Eventually, a $10 million settlement was agreed upon, and $6 million of that went to various vegetarian groups.  Long story short, Burger King fries claim they do not have meat and their ingredients include natural flavors from plant sources.  They also do not cook them in the same oil as anything else that is fried.  So according to the website, and some other bloggers who may or may not be right, BK fries are essentially vegan.  McDonald's ones are definitely not.

That got me thinking... what other things aren't vegan that you probably don't even realize?
Here's a list:

1. McDonald's french fries: beef extract
2. Marshmallows: gelatin
3. Panera, Dunkin Donuts bagels: L-Cysteine, an animal byproduct
4. Honey: Bees make honey
5. White sugar: PETA says white sugar is processed with bone char.
6. Some beers and wines: Filtered with animal products (Anheuser-Busch beers are suitable for vegans, as are a number of others.)
7. Some salad dressings: Lecithin is derived from animal tissues or egg yolk
8. Most breads: Made with whey or eggs
9. Gummy bears: gelatin.  The ones made with pectin are vegetarian friendly.
10. Gel capped medicines: Yup, you guessed it, gelatin
11. French onion soup: Unless stated, it's made with beef broth.  I found this out the hard way.
12. Refried beans: lard = Animal fat
13. Parmesan cheese: Obviously it's cheese so it's not vegan, but get this: it's required by law to have rennet in it, and that's basically enzymes scraped from a cow's stomach. Rennet is found in other cheeses as well, and in Twix and Snickers.
14. Tortillas: Mexican restaurants have animal fat in their tortillas; Chipotle, Taco Bell, and Baja Fresh do not.
15. Twinkies: Among other non-animal products that I'm sure are awful for you, Twinkies contain beef fat.
16. Energy drinks: Taurine is found in the intestines of animals

In a Stew

This is my new favorite winter recipe.  I found it in my Whole Living magazine last month and I tweaked it a little bit.  Their recipe called for mushrooms, which I don't particularly care for, and a few other ingredients that I just didn't feel like using.  So I made it my own way and it turned out to be amazing.  I've actually made it twice and I think it's becoming my go-to for an easy, delicious, uber healthy, warm meal.


Vegan Stew:
1 big can of organic whole tomatoes
1 regular can of cannellini beans
1/2 bag of mixed frozen peas, beans, carrots
Italian spices
olive oil

First put a half bag of the frozen veggie mix in a large pot and add some olive oil.  Let those thaw out and cook a little while.  Next, use a food processor to puree the whole tomatoes.  Discard the leftover juice in the can.  Throw the pureed tomato into the pot, add the cannellini beans, and throw in a lot of spices.  I like Penzey's Tuscan Sunset, which is basil, oregano, garlic, bell pepper, black pepper and fennel.  Bring the pot to boil and then reduce the heat to low.  Leave it on the stove for about 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables seem soft, and stir occasionally.  You could leave this simmering for an hour if you wanted to.  I think that's the beauty of stew.