The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » Prop2

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:40:40 +0000

1. History has been made as Proposition 2 passed in California. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of animal advocates around the country, 20 million farm animals' lives will improve with the removal of veal crates, gestation crates, and battery cages. The news, Wayne Pacelle's Blog: What it means for animals. 2. Beef jerky is consumed by real men. At least that's what Umberto's new campaign 'Eat Like An Alpha' wants you to think. The website is so full of insulting, stereotypical, and gender-defining crap that I almost didn't notice how gross the shriveled-up-flesh product is. 3. Custom Vegan Shoes! All you have to do is send in an image of the shoe or boot you want to Vegan Wares, and they'll make it vegan! Holy Cow-less! CLICK HERE! 4. Fur-Free Fashion Week! There are so many fashion events to go to this week! Start out at HSUS' Cool Vs. Cruel on November 12th in NYC, celebrating Calvin Klein. But first vote on the people's choice award for the CvC design contest! Then go to Friends of Animals' 'Reception Beyond Fur' on November 24th in NYC! See you there! Lastly, don't forget the classic Fur Free Friday on November 28th targeting ShopNBC and Nordstrom. 5. New vegetarian restaurant Dirt Candy has already won me over with their tag-line "Anyone can cook a hamburger, but leave the vegetables to the professionals". BRUTAL ADVICE I got this letter from a reader the other day:

Dear Discerning Brute,

I've been talking with this guy lately, and we've gone out a few
times. Problem is, he's not even vegetarian (I'm a vegan). I honestly
just can't let myself "look past it"--in my opinion, it's like dating
someone of a completely different religion and neither of you want to
convert; the individual in question may be an all-around great person,
but to figure them into a relationship might not be the best idea, for
both parties.

Am I just being paranoid? I live in a small town in the South,
visit NYC often (family in Brooklyn) and plan to move there upon
graduation. Needless to say, it is VERY difficult to find vegan men
around here! :)

Thanks for taking the time to read this!
"Vegan & the City"

Dear "Vegan & the City"

I completely know where you're coming from! I've dated the vegan, vegetarian, and the omnivorous, and there is simply no rhyme or reason to evaluating the potentials of a relationship on that alone.

If you decided to come out as a vegansexual in your small town and date only the veg, you are probably cutting down your pool of available bachelors in the US by 90%, and in your hometown by 99.99%. I don't recommend going this route, though it has its benefits: No need to explain yourself at meals, and less conflict of values. Is this enough in itself to make a relationship work? Not necessarily. I'd say that if everything else is working, the best thing you can do is be patient, compassionate, and steadfast. If he is a good guy, he will find joy in understanding you and he will become inquisitive without you having to push your values on him.

There are several things to be careful of as an equal-opportunity dater:

First, It's important to distinguish that your veganism is not a religion. It is not faith-based. Rather, you are a voluntary spokesperson for a social justice struggle. You must make that clear so he respects it as a choice, not as a persuit of faith-driven puritanism. Second, if he decides eventually to go veg for you, or for any reason - be careful not to end up in a teacher-student dynamic. Often, when I've dated non-vegans who decide to go cold turkey on cold turkey, I end up being their vegan guru (whether I liked it or not) and that can totally kill the chemistry. If this happens, makes sure to have a book and a video to hand over, and step back and let them sort it out without being the babysitter or the critic.

It sounds like if you really like him, you have to stand your ground, and insist on being respected as an animal advocate. If he can deal with that, it's a start. That means he should never, ever put you in an uncomfortable position concerning animals, even if he eats them on his own time. There is no need to accommodate his meat-eating any more than you would accommodate any other sort of disrespect. If he continuously disrespects, ridicules, or marginalizes your advocacy, it's time to lose him and move on.

Yours,

DB

Lean & Green: Jake Shields

TheDiscerningBrute — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:23:16 +0000

He's anything but beefy. Jake Shields is the clean cut, handsome, Mixed Martial Arts champ that has more buzz floating around him than a beehive. Raised in the mountains of northern California, home-schooled, and brought up vegetarian since birth, Jake is rocking both the MMA world and the vegetarian community. He is the Elite XC Welterweight Champion, and he holds one of only three Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belts ever earned. Jake voted Yes on Prop 2 in California, and he's just opened his own gym in Berkley, where he teaches jiu jitsu and plans on taking his career all the way to the top. Like Mac Danzig and the Diaz brothers, Jake Shields is yet another pro fighter responding to the cliché myth that vegetarians are weak with a swift kick to the head. I got a chance to catch up with Jake recently about fighting, food, and teaching. Here is the interview:

Discerning Brute: Why do you fight? Jake Shields: I've always loved to compete and MMA is competition to the max. DB: There are so many myths about being vegetarian like you can't get enough protein or you will be sick and weak. How would you respond to this as an athlete? JS: Well I'm a life-long vegetarian and the diet obviously works. I also have two brothers that are strong and healthy. But you do have to have a good balanced diet and eat healthy foods. There's plenty of ways to get protein other than eating meat.

DB: What was it like growing up veg? JS: Never really felt any different. I never thought anything about it and nobody ever bothered me about it. DB: What's been your greatest accomplishment as an athlete? JS: A lot of different things come to mind in grappling and MMA. But winning the RUMBLE ON THE ROCK TOURNAMENT was probably one of the best. It was an eight man tournament with 5 top ten fighters, Anderson Silva, Frank Trigg, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Dave Menne & Renato Verissimo. I fought two really tough fights in one night against Yushim Okami and Carlos Condit in the finals.

DB: What kind of slack have you taken from teammates or opponents about your veg diet? Was your lifestyle ever an issue with your trainers or coaches? JS: I haven't really ever had any problem with anyone about my diet. The only problem is sometimes it's hard to find good food when I'm traveling. DB: What advice would you give anyone who wants to start training in martial arts? JS: Find a good school and go for it. Train hard.

DB: What other veg fighters have you met or do you know. Is there a camaraderie there? JS: There's actually a number of them. Nick and Nate Diaz are practically vegetarian. There's a lot of camaraderie among all the fighters, veggie or not. DB: Would you consider fighting Mac Danzing in a VeggieBattle? That would be fun! Ya, that'd be great--then I'd be King of the Vegie Fighters! But he'd have to come up, I'm not going down in weight.

DB: What's next in your plans. Do you have an ultimate goal? A retirement plan? JS: I just want to fight the best and be the best. I really love fighting. I won't be retiring until I don't love it anymore. I also like to teach. I've been teaching Gracie jiu jitsu and MMA since 2002 and just opened my own gym in Berkley a couple of weeks ago. DB:Complete the sentence: In a perfect world... JS: ...I'll be the UFC Champion next year. For more info on Jake, click:

DB's Etiquette Recommendation: There are tons of resources for vegan MMA Gear. Both Vitamins & Minerals of Brazil, and Everlast make decent non-leather MMA gloves. In addition, Combat Sport International, has 3 styles of vegan gloves, and UFC has several vegan gloves.

Proposition

TheDiscerningBrute — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:24:33 +0000

This November, California has an amazing opportunity to become a beacon of compassion and equality among a sea of fear, ignorance, and greed.

Prop 2: Vote YES!

Prop 2 could easily be the most import farm animal anti-cruelty legislation ever. California's Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which will reduce the suffering of 20 million hens, pigs, and calves—will lead to changes across the nation. Battery cages, veal crates, and gestation crates do not allow animals to turn around, spread their wings or legs, or even lie down. This initiative is up against big wealthy agribusiness. Please make a donation today. If you live in California, you must vote YES!

Prop 8: Vote NO!

No on Prop 8 is being supported hugely from celebrities like Brad Pitt and Steven Speilberg. The christian right is attempting to take away basic freedom from same-gender couples. Every Californian should have the choice to marry the person they love. It’s a personal and fundamental freedom guaranteed by the California Constitution. But this November, Californians will have an opportunity to vote on Prop. 8, it’s not right for California, and it’s not right for you. Vote No, and see what esle you can do to help.