veggie items like chili... are veggie!

[bumbershoot]

So I'm wondering, what type of vegetarian would eat fries that were fried in the same oil as chicken and fish sticks? Are there any that clearly avoid that? Although a huge part of my recent decision to go vegatarian has to do with health, it also stems from treatment of animals... what about organic and free-range? The lactating thing you mentioned, wouldn't organic and free-range farms not allow that type of treatment? And I just can't go totally soy just yet!

One thing though, if Disneyland did start offering some organic and/or free-range, I think I wouldn't be freaking out as much...I don't think it would hurt those that don't care for organic, wouldn't the food still taste just as good?

I worked at Jack in the Box in the mid 80s. Even back then, the fries were cooked in an entirely different, unconnected, fryer unit than anything else. They didn't want the fries to start tasting like the other things! I don't know what McDs or other places do, but I would imagine that quality (or at least taste) control of foods would start failing if their oils were connected.

Part of a dairy farm is calves. What do you DO with the calves that are part of the dairy farm? Males are NOT useful to the process, except as "donors" (I'm not sure dairy farms allow free access of males and females, I have a feeling that all pregnancies are assisted, but I could be TOTALLY wrong, I'm just going on ancient info from a family friend who was heavily involved in assisted reproduction in cows on dairy farms back in the late 70s, early 80s), so they have to go somewhere. Therefore, the males go elsewhere, and that elsewhere is not pretty. The females of course would be kept for dairy. Baby cows can't have as much access to the milk as would be normal, b/c humans want it. There's just no way around baby cows being shorted their milk, and boy calves being sent elsewhere for non-pretty purposes.

Unless you're dealing with a TINY farm, buying milk directly from them (and that would likely mean raw milk at least in WA, which I don't have a single problem with but others are afraid of it), where perhaps they can keep those calves, it's an absolute "by-product" of the process of getting loads of cow milk for adult humans. (see why I call myself a hypocritical jerk when it comes to that????)


Both soy and dairy, even dairy without added hormones, worry me, b/c soy has some sort of pseudo estrogen in it, and milk naturally has hormones in it. So both of them are a bit worrisome to drink or eat a ton of.


Organic dairy and eggs taste WAY better than conventional. Farm-fresh eggs taste INCREDIBLE. We had chickens when I was little, and the eggs were amazing. I didn't really notice how good they were until my father put the Alaskan malamute into the chicken coop (on purpose) and we had to buy eggs from the store from that point on...rubber, they tasted like rubber, from the store.

I think it would be great if a magical place like Disneyland could start including the option, but I'm sure from a business point of view it would be horrible. Also, IF people responded positively to it, it would absolutely overwhelm the available organic dairy and eggs! Might cause more organic farms, but if a conventional farm wanted to switch over, that process takes a couple years to do.

Ach, philosophical "let's change the world" discussions and I haven't had my second cup of coffee (in my Disneyland Minnie mug!) yet!

 

[bumbershoot]

Here is a link to the names of the head chefs at DLR and their contact info. The site is for gluten-free information, but the chefs can be contacted for any dietary concern or question. Hopefully, they will be able to clear up some things regarding the "vegetarian" options at the parks

http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=ewK0LjP7E&b=88697

Thank you!

I do wonder if it will include the counter service food, but I guess I'll have to find out once I put on my phone persona and call.

I was once told by a CM (via a post on MiceChat or MousePad) that the rice & bean were both made w/o stock & lard.

Thanks!!!

 

[tortugaverde]

Oh, and as a long-term lactator myself, there is no animal in the milk. However, the dairy industry is fairly nasty (baby cows not allowed to nurse very long b/c humans want the cow milk, mama cows must continue to lactate, so are kept pregnant more often than they normally would be, then what do you do with all the baby cows...and that's where the veal industry comes into play, from the "useless" in the eyes of the dairy farm boy cows) and I'm a 100% hypocritical jerk in that I know all this but consume dairy anyway. (when DS was only 1 and I was nursing quite a bit more than I am now, I burst into tears driving by a dairy farm, thinking of the mamas...) I hide my head in shame. Hand me my latte please?

I am a retired long-term lactator and I too get a little weepy eyed when thinking of all those mama cows ! We only do organic... I secretly hope that the organic farmers care a bit more, although sadly... I doubt it. I try not to think about it too much
My daughter has inherited my love for animals and does not eat meat (except chicken nuggets, but those don't really count... do they?? ) and she is only 5. Although I am a meat eater! She just has always said she can't stand the thought of eating cute animals (and she has never really liked the texture of meat). My son however, has taken to my husbands perspective and wants to be a hunter. Funny kids

I am anxiously awaiting your response from DL!

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

I am a retired long-term lactator and I too get a little weepy eyed when thinking of all those mama cows ! We only do organic... I secretly hope that the organic farmers care a bit more, although sadly... I doubt it. I try not to think about it too much
My daughter has inherited my love for animals and does not eat meat (except chicken nuggets, but those don't really count... do they?? ) and she is only 5. Although I am a meat eater! She just has always said she can't stand the thought of eating cute animals (and she has never really liked the texture of meat). My son however, has taken to my husbands perspective and wants to be a hunter. Funny kids

I am anxiously awaiting your response from DL!

too funny! my kids didn't realise that chicken we eat was actually chickens that go bok-bok! and hamburgers were once cows that moo! when they found out their faces turned green and they really got affected, tho' i swear i did not intend them to take it that way... we're still in weaning process, and have moved on to fish, but now they are queasy about it because of Nemo and Flounder!
Yes, I too wish and hope that these organic farms are just as conscious about treatment of these animals. I've heard that Kosher groups are actually very cautious about even chickens getting bruised, that they are very careful about that...
Amazing how food is such a focal part of life- enjoying the tastes, nourishment, and as a social thing (parties, meetings, gatherings.etc....)
just can't be without it... but gotta be thankful to have it too!

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

Part of a dairy farm is calves. What do you DO with the calves that are part of the dairy farm? Males are NOT useful to the process, except as "donors" (I'm not sure dairy farms allow free access of males and females, I have a feeling that all pregnancies are assisted, but I could be TOTALLY wrong, I'm just going on ancient info from a family friend who was heavily involved in assisted reproduction in cows on dairy farms back in the late 70s, early 80s), so they have to go somewhere. Therefore, the males go elsewhere, and that elsewhere is not pretty. The females of course would be kept for dairy. Baby cows can't have as much access to the milk as would be normal, b/c humans want it. There's just no way around baby cows being shorted their milk, and boy calves being sent elsewhere for non-pretty purposes.

Unless you're dealing with a TINY farm, buying milk directly from them (and that would likely mean raw milk at least in WA, which I don't have a single problem with but others are afraid of it), where perhaps they can keep those calves, it's an absolute "by-product" of the process of getting loads of cow milk for adult humans. (see why I call myself a hypocritical jerk when it comes to that????)


Both soy and dairy, even dairy without added hormones, worry me, b/c soy has some sort of pseudo estrogen in it, and milk naturally has hormones in it. So both of them are a bit worrisome to drink or eat a ton of.

I think it would be great if a magical place like Disneyland could start including the option, but I'm sure from a business point of view it would be horrible. Also, IF people responded positively to it, it would absolutely overwhelm the available organic dairy and eggs! Might cause more organic farms, but if a conventional farm wanted to switch over, that process takes a couple years to do.

That is very sad what they do to the whole family of cows (calves, boys, mamas).
And I have thought about estrogen in Soy, which is why i'm so hesitant as well... O boy, so what is there left?

As far as Disneyland, I agree, it's not a great business direction and I'm am training myself to ease up a bit whenever we are out or at social gatherings... some friends i have also don't go organic and rarely offer vegan/vegetarian dishes at their gatherings, i can't complain and try not to panic, after all i'm the guest here. Trying to look at Disneyland as a guest as well, tho' i can't help to care more about it since it feels like home!

 

[bumbershoot]

tortugaverde for all past and present lactators.



quest, my process to my current diet was a fairly long one (would have been shorter but for spite against the newbie vegans I met at the beginning of the process, man oh man were they obnoxious!) and it's for many reasons. When I'm forced to cut it down to a short story, and/or when I don't want to gross people out for some of the reasons, it comes down to "I don't want to eat anything that I wouldn't be able to kill and process for eating". Pretty simple!


As for organic, I am simple about that, too. I just want to eat as few pesticides as possible. So since we're organic most of the time at home, especially b/c DH and DS can't have high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup and it's hard to find those as organic, LOL, we're already eating fewer pesticides than most Americans, and that's a good thing. It's fairly easy to be relaxed on that, for us, at Disneyland, b/c our home life allows us to have fewer -icides.

I do wish their fruit were organic, because I won't eat conventional apples or grapes if I can help it, but still, the occasional bunch of grapes conventionally grown probably won't hurt too much (or obviously).

 

[EMAW]

All I know is I rarely eat out unless I have to because I am tired of asking a million questions so that there is no confusion whether things are vegetarian or not. I am surprised at how many people don't think using chicken stock makes it non-vegetarian, but most servers and waitstaff don't seem to understand that.

Some places completely do cook their fries, hashbrowns, veggie burgers and the like in oil with meat items or on a grill with meat items. That's why beef fat and chicken fat is added to fries and such, it adds a taste that some like.

I don't think you can really rely on something being vegetarian unless you cook it yourself, are in a restaurant that does not serve meat, or are willing to give a chef or manager the fifth degree about ingredients and cooking method. That being said, to each his own and everyone has a different level of 'pickiness'.

I hope this place makes it and becomes national!!! http://www.zenburger.com/menu.html

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

Bumbershoot, that was well said... that's right, a lifestyle of conscious-eating habits etc... is the way to go, i'm still a newbie, and often get carried away, so thanks for your level-headed thoughts and input! by the way, when you say lactators, do you mean lactation consultors?

 

[bumbershoot]

We mean we are nursing or did nurse, our children, for either a long time b/c of many children, or for an extended period of time (compared to other Americans) for each child.

It's why I feel solidarity with my cow sisters! Except that my little guy is with me, and her calves are elsewhere. Aw man, again, hugs to the cows!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

tortugaverde for all past and present lactators.

And future ones too!!!

I hope you find an answer to the dining question, Molly. I'm dying to know the answer..

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

In that case, then i count myself as one (lactator)! i;ve just never used such a fancy word before!

 

[bumbershoot]

Finally found my phone and called some of the numbers on that gluten free list. After a couple false starts, got through to Chef Chris' voice mail, and left a message!


Teehee, Quest.

 

[kaoden39]

tortugaverde for all past and present lactators.



quest, my process to my current diet was a fairly long one (would have been shorter but for spite against the newbie vegans I met at the beginning of the process, man oh man were they obnoxious!) and it's for many reasons. When I'm forced to cut it down to a short story, and/or when I don't want to gross people out for some of the reasons, it comes down to "I don't want to eat anything that I wouldn't be able to kill and process for eating". Pretty simple!


As for organic, I am simple about that, too. I just want to eat as few pesticides as possible. So since we're organic most of the time at home, especially b/c DH and DS can't have high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup and it's hard to find those as organic, LOL, we're already eating fewer pesticides than most Americans, and that's a good thing. It's fairly easy to be relaxed on that, for us, at Disneyland, b/c our home life allows us to have fewer -icides.

I do wish their fruit were organic, because I won't eat conventional apples or grapes if I can help it, but still, the occasional bunch of grapes conventionally grown probably won't hurt too much (or obviously).

I grow my own grapes, peaches and pears. Believe me I am organic, I have never used pesticides on any of them. I was late planting this year but I usually grow a lot of our veggies too. I was really surprised the other day I went to a Super Walmart and they had organic fruit. I usually buy my apples and other fresh fruit and veggies at a higher end market because I want the more organic fruits and veggies, I don't look for a bargain on our produce.

 

[bumbershoot]

I grow my own grapes, peaches and pears.

Yum! I will be stopping by soon.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Finally found my phone and called some of the numbers on that gluten free list. After a couple false starts, got through to Chef Chris' voice mail, and left a message!


Teehee, Quest.

Great! I figured a phone call to the head chef might get you quicker answers than an e-mail. I have heard that Chef Chris has helped a lot of people with special dietary needs and questions. I plan on contacing him too as my ds and I both have certain restrictions . He doesn't eat any animal products such as chicken broth, etc. so I need the "vegetarian" info. for him too. He was interested in the veggie chilli, so we'll see what you find out!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm just a shy person IRL and I think I used up all my phone time as a teenager, LOL. Also I prefer email that can be kept and printed and shown, or referred back to, unlike a phone call or message. That's why I went straight to email. I was so nervous calling, and in fact called Disney Dining first, and they wanted to put me through to Chris! It never went through to anything, so then I called the number directly, but it too never went to anything but 20-30 rings.

Then I called that Chef Toby number, but I got Global Destinations (or something like that), and the guy answering kindly put me through to the main switchboard (ooh, fun!) and she put me through in some magically direct way to his voicemail. Whew!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I'm just a shy person IRL and I think I used up all my phone time as a teenager, LOL. Also I prefer email that can be kept and printed and shown, or referred back to, unlike a phone call or message. That's why I went straight to email. I was so nervous calling, and in fact called Disney Dining first, and they wanted to put me through to Chris! It never went through to anything, so then I called the number directly, but it too never went to anything but 20-30 rings.

Then I called that Chef Toby number, but I got Global Destinations (or something like that), and the guy answering kindly put me through to the main switchboard (ooh, fun!) and she put me through in some magically direct way to his voicemail. Whew!

Good point about e-mailing so that you will have something in writing. I don't like to call places either. I am very outgoing, but for some reason, I get nervous on the phone.....Go figure. Well, hopefully you will have some answers soon.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I know one might have nothing to do with the other, but I was looking on allears.net and saw that the vegetarian chili at WDW doesn't have chicken broth, only a tomato-based broth, so let's hope DLR is the same.

 

[disneychrista]

Oh please keep us posted on what they tell you Molly. I sure hope the VEGETARIAN items are just that. There are so few things to choose from already to limit even more because Veg items aren't would be very disapointing.

 

[kaoden39]

Yum! I will be stopping by soon.

I'll leave the light on.