Once again, we are beaten by the Vegan Twosome to the new place on our radar (check them out on YouTube). Taybeh is one of the few places with a Plant Curious offer that we are not familiar with (same motivation for Vegan Twosome no doubt) so we just had to check this place out. One bus ride from Burrard Station got us there although parking is not bad in the area if you are driving. Located at 4th and MacDonald, this is not a vegan eatery but they have several vegan options as Middle Eastern places (in this case Syrian) often do.
Tayybeh - Vegan Options
Is a Vegan Diet Too Expensive or Inaccessible?
I was told recently by a friend (and this led to a spirited discussion), that it was too expensive for most people to eat a vegan diet. He said that veganism was considered to be only available to people of privilege, that it was a North American thing (I recently read that it's a G20 thing), not available to most people in the world. This is not verbatim but I feel like the basic premise of what my friend said is here and needs to be addressed.
First of all, it needs to be stated that Veganism is not a diet. It is an ethical stand against cruelty towards animals (including human animals...my friend seems quite concerned about migrant farm workers and rightly so) to the extent that it is possible and practicable. No one is suggesting that a person starve to death if he lives in an area where the only sustenance available is fish (for example) and there are such places. It is another one of those progress not perfection kind of things. One does the best that one can. And while I am not well placed to address the plight of migrant farm workers, that does not mean that I should do nothing at all. That would be taking an all-or-nothing position and...nothing would be accomplished. I am still in a position to reduce cruelty on the planet (though there will likely always be cruelty) by not eating animals or consuming animal products (including migrant farm workers ....sorry; that certainly borders on offensive). Many people eat plant-based because they are concerned about their health and the impact that animal agriculture has on the environment and climate change and that is admirable but veganism is more specifically defined as above.
But the question that I will attempt to address here is one of affordability and accessibility for you and me, and the many who struggle to make ends meet, right here in Metro Vancouver. Hopefully, in future posts, I will be able to address the issue of cruelty towards animals in the dairy and egg industries (hint: it is most certainly as bad as the meat industry), and the damage that animal agriculture does to the environment (hint: by some metrics, it is considered to be as much a contributor to climate change as fossil fuel). You can wait for that or you can do some research for yourself (avoid the temptation to use TikTok or Facebook) and realize what is actually going on. Or you can keep your head buried in the sand which is a popular choice. On some level, I don't actually blame people for choosing to remain ignorant as realization and change are hard. For many people, forming an opinion and sticking to it, excludes the possibility of correcting that position (OK, Boomer).In my own life, I have made several massive policy swings as I grew and educated myself and I can tell you that some of those changes were difficult and required humility.
It is probably a pretty common idea that the reason veganism is expensive is that vegans only eat organic and non-GMO foods from Whole Foods or farmer's markets. While I do not question anyone's right to do that (I made the mistake of mentioning Woody Harrelson to my friend who he apparently considers to be a bit of a weirdo and who probably imports expensive exotic fruits on yachts because he has unlimited money and therefore it is easy for him to be vegan. I doubt that is a fair picture of WH but I have admittedly exaggerated my friend's reaction (for comedy effect!) to him as well. Of course, Woody could afford to be a carnivore and not give a shit also.). The fact remains that there are people who spend a lot of money avoiding animal products and that is their right but such is not necessary. Just like omnivores might choose to eat only wagyu beef or vegetarians may choose to eat only Taleggio cheese and truffles (for the record, I miss Taleggio a great deal), we can spend a lot or a little on our nutritious food. I am not an advocate of insisting on non-GMO foods (the science of GMOs is keeping us alive even now) or organic farming which, as it produces about half of the produce of conventional farming, makes it definitely inaccessible to most people of the world. I admit that I do like to browse at WF because they have cool stuff like wildly coloured carrots but I rarely buy anything.
Hellcrust Pizza - Vegan Options
All of a sudden, it occurs to me that vegan pizza is not such a rare commodity anymore. There are a lot of small chains, and single outposts, not to mention Pizza, Pizza and Panago, that offer plant-based alternatives now. I might have to stop running all over the lower mainland just because I heard there was vegan pizza. That won't stop happening though until we have at least tried Hellcrust Pizza.
Happy Veggie World - Vegan / Vegetarian Grocery
So, not a restaurant but we got a coupon for a couple of free products (and we love free products) at the Planted Expo and so headed to Richmond to take a walk through this little store.
Chau Veggie Express, Granville Island - Vegan Market Eatery
We almost completely missed the Vancouver International Jazz Festival again this year but at least showed up for one performance. We were delighted with the young people (as well as the organizers and mentors) of the Vancouver Youth Jazz Orchestra. They played on Sunday afternoon at Performance Works on Granville Island.
Grounds and Greens, Fort Langley - Plant Based Cafe
Our first visit to Grounds and Greens was June 1, 2020, and at their White Rock cafe (obviously). Everyone remembers what was going on at the time in the world and it was our first time visiting any restaurant after a period of months when all dining rooms were closed. G and G had just opened and would succeed despite those most difficult of circumstances. Not only did they succeed but they have thrived to the point where they have expanded and opened their Fort Langley location! We are delighted to have them closer to us but also that a fully vegan cafe can prove so popular!
About Us
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