Interviews

Q&A with Dreena Burton
author of The Everyday Vegan

1) In the beginning of your book you talk about your early interest in the similarities between human digestive systems and those of herbivores in the wild, can you explain these similarities?

There are a number of good resources, including the book “Fit For Life” by Harvey Diamond, which explain how our digestive systems are similar to those of other herbivores. For example, our teeth are meant for grinding foods, rather than tearing into flesh like carnivores do with their sharp pointed teeth. Our intestinal tracts are very long, and we need a lot of fibre to move food through our systems. Carnivores, on the other hand, have a short intestinal tract that can quickly digest animal flesh. Even our hands are meant more for picking fruits and berries as opposed to catching prey. These points made sense to me, and provided some explanation as to why people have digestive and other health problems from consuming so little fibre and so much saturated fat.

2) You talk about how removing dairy products resulted in fewer cold and flu problems for you. I also had that experience upon going vegan after spending many days as a teenager with some kind of ailment. I was constantly on antibiotics back then but haven't taken an antibiotic since going vegan. Do you meet other vegans who have also had this experience? What do you know about dairy now that you attribute to these types of health problems?

I have heard many stories of people who feel much better physically after eliminating dairy from their diet. They often notice that they contract colds and flus less often and with a shorter duration. When our kids are sick, even conventional medical practitioners tell us to reduce or remove dairy because it is mucus forming. And how many of us are “lactose intolerant”? Then, there are children with recurrent ear infections. Typically, when their parents eliminate dairy from their diet the ear infections clear up and intrusive surgery can be avoided. Unfortunately, most people are very tied to dairy. I often hear people say “I could give up meat, and even eggs… but dairy?, I don’t think so”. I understand them, because I felt the same way. Dairy is in so many of the foods we buy, and in restaurant meals and quick dinner entrees. Once you experiment with dairy-free meals, however, you realize that it is not all that difficult! Our palates also evolve when we experiment with new foods. The taste and texture people enjoy with cheese, butter, and cream comes mostly from the fat and salt. Once we start using other fats in our diet – healthy fats from oils like olive, canola, sunflower, hemp, flax (my next book has some neat tricks to really improve the taste of flax oil!), nuts and seeds, and avocadoes – combined with new ingredients including herbs, seasonings, and vegetables, a whole new world of food opens up to us. We can still enjoy rich-tasting meals and desserts, just in ways that are healthier.

3) A common questions that non-vegans ask vegans is "Do you get enough calcium?" You talk briefly about your mother-in-law and her improved bone density after becoming vegan. Will you elaborate on the calcium/osteoporosis issue?

I get the calcim question all the time! That is why I address it in The Everyday Vegan, along with questions concerning protein and iron. I guess the questions arise because we forget about (or choose to ignore) all the other foods that contain calcium, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. I too thought I couldn't eliminate dairy from my diet. But countries that consume the most dairy also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. People who increase (or are afraid to decrease) their dairy intake because they are concerned about calcium do not understand the importance of calcium balance in our body, which is negatively affected by animal protein and dairy consumption.

4) There is a section in the book dedicated to meal plans for special occasions. Please describe for us your most elaborate meal preparation and what it was for.

My most elaborate meal preparation would have to be my “Holiday Feast Menu” (Menu #7 in The Everyday Vegan). This has been a holiday tradition for the last seven years in my family. It is a lot of work to pull the dishes together, but it is absolutely worth it! The menu includes “Spiced Mushroom Potato Phyllo Pie”, “All-Dressed Squash”, “Mushroom Gravy", "Yam Puree", Roasted Turnip Puree”, “Roasted Carrots and Parsnips”, “Lightly Sauteed Kale”, and for dessert “Lusciously Light Tiramisu”. This menu features the flavors and textures I enjoyed growing up. There is a savory stuffing inside moist winter squash (instead of a turkey!) paired with mushroom gravy. The phyllo pie is wonderful on its own, but as part of this menu it is particularly good. There is an assortment of root vegetables that have been roasted to maximize their flavors, and some are pureed. The kale can be substituted with another green to round off the menu. I may double the squash and gravy recipes and some of the side dishes, depending on how many guests I have. The tiramisu is a lovely finish. Any vegans or vegetarians who want some traditional holiday fare and laugh at tofu turkeys like I do, should give this menu a try.

5) Let's say I'm going to a potluck of carnivores, what dish from your book would dazzle their tastebuds? What makes it so incredible?

I can easily relate because not many of my friends are vegetarians or vegans. The Everyday Vegan gives suggestions for potluck recipes, because certain dishes are definitely easier to tote and reheat than others. My “Mexican Tofu Tacos”, for example, are a very ‘meaty’ dish, because of the marinated ground tofu. They are great topped with guacomole (or simply some sliced avocado), and other fixings. You can also simply scoop the filling with tortilla chips. Another option is my “Marinated Tofu Sandwich Filling”. You can put this in pitas, between bread, or serve with tortilla chips. If you don’t want a tofu-based dish, my “Chickpea Mash Stew” is a good potluck item. Of course, let’s not forget desserts! Bring “Triple Layer Chocolate Cream Cake”, or “Coconut Raspberry Squares”, and fool everyone who thinks desserts need dairy and eggs to taste good!

6) How did you decide what recipes to put into the book? Did you test them with family and friends?

I did a lot of testing to create recipes that pleased the tastebuds, were in some way unique, and didn’t take too long to prepare (most of them don’t – there are a few that are a little more time intensive). I tested on family and friends, and at other social gatherings where people didn’t know the dish was vegan. My best friend was a great help because she tested a number of my recipes on her husband and children. This was particularly helpful because they weren't vegan and she was quite averse to tofu. I always welcome constructive criticism from people, because that’s what helps me fine tune recipes, or decide to abandon one altogether! Desserts were particularly important to me. I have a sweet tooth, and was not impressed with many vegan dessert recipes I had made in the past. So, I tried to include different desserts – ones with fruit, others that are creamy, and then my favorites… those with chocolate!

7) What are you working on now? Any new books planned?

When I am not chasing after my 2 year old, I am working on my second book! The recipes will be even easier and quicker to prepare than those in The Everyday Vegan. This book will include more bean and grain recipes and less soy-based recipes (though there certainly are some in there). I have partnered with Manitoba Harvest and there will be roughly a dozen recipes which use their hemp products, including hemp seed nut, nut butter, and hemp oil. There will be a breakfast section, and a section on feeding vegan babies and toddlers (modeled after many of the foods I fed my own child). Of course, there will be a large dessert section with new and delicious cookies, cakes, pies, and other treats. I am really excited about the new book. I think it will give people truly satisfying meals, snacks, and desserts that are very healthy and ever-so tasty! I don’t know what this book will be called, but once I do decide the name and release date, it will be posted it on my website – www.everydayvegan.com. I welcome people to visit my website and ask questions, give feedback, offer suggestions, etc. I love to hear from people using my book and will do my best to answer any questions they have!

You may order The Everyday Vegan online by going here.

To visit Dreena's website, Click Here