The Many Ways of Eating Vegan
now commonly said.
For those eating without animals,
but plant foods instead.
Really just the foods,
they simply won't touch.
nor identity to cling.
Despite the impression,
it generally will bring.
Really it's anything,
but dairy, eggs and meat.
of what many do.
How you fit in,
is all up to you.
if it's vegan it's fine.
A true world of ways,
in which you can dine.
Chips, cupcakes or pizza,
'mac & cheez' or sloppy joes.
French fries with ketchup,
and even Oreos.
so much more is fair game.
To recreate those old dishes,
and make them taste the same.
Ok, it's not the healthiest,
but truly worlds better fed,
the plant-based version,
than what a body has shed.
some give it more thought.
With those healthier versions,
more commonly sought.
Organic and whole-grain,
always reading the label.
Just the healthier versions,
now lining their table.
all easily pronounced.
GMO and harsh chemicals,
forever renounced.
Still pasta and burgers,
cereal, ice-cream and more.
All just bought in,
another part of the store.
more whole-food's the norm.
With more thought given to,
the food and its form.
Less of the packaged foods,
that sit in boxes on shelves.
Instead prefer making,
with recipes themselves.
they choose the healthiest one.
Whether fresh squeezed OJ,
or an 'Ezekiel' bun.
Oil, salt and sugar,
they only sparingly use.
It's more herbs and whole-foods,
in the spices they choose.
More down the spectrum,
people go straight to the source.
With only whole-foods,
and nothing processed, of course.
Fruits, seeds and nuts,
veggies, legumes and grains.
Doesn't sound like much,
yet so much it contains.
Endless crops to choose,
and countless varieties as well.
A diversity of flavor,
texture, color and smell.
There's avocado and yams,
pineapples, cherries and greens.
Quinoa or olives,
and the wide world of beans.
Garlic and onion to flavor,
cilantro, basil and thyme.
Rosemary and ginger,
or jalapeno with lime.
Rice & beans with salsa,
lentil soup or squash stew.
Guacamole and hummus,
and ratatouille too.
Burritos with nachos,
tacos, cookies or cake.
Even with just whole-foods,
you can easily make.
Moving on down the spectrum
it's slightly more restrictive.
With mainly fruits and veggies,
yet it's still quite addictive.
No, it's not a religion!
Mainly just do without grain.
Yet surprisingly fulfilling,
and quite far from plain.
There’s nuts and seeds too,
or legumes diverse.
The proportions depending,
with whom you converse.
But cooked by night,
raw by day,
is generally the standard
in eating this way.
The portions are bigger,
most just eat until full.
But with quality produce,
it's quite far from dull.
Maybe fruit for breakfast,
and then a salad for lunch.
Sweet potatoes for dinner,
perhaps a few or a bunch.
The meal's always changing,
as the seasons do bring.
Figs and squash in autumn,
or strawberries in spring.
There’s artichokes and broccoli,
Tomatoes, corn and beets.
Cauliflower and eggplant,
And endless natural sweets.
There's also smoothies and juices,
chili, brownies and pies.
Zoodles with sushi,
or sweet potato fries.
Your palate does change,
and the foods you do crave.
It's quality fruits and veggies,
for which you might rave!
And at the end of the spectrum
it's a raw food diet.
Yes, mainly uncooked!
if you ever do try it...
But it's only those things,
which you safely can eat.
Ideal in the raw form,
without cooking or heat.
And still you'd be surprised,
on what that all means.
Whether colorful fruits,
or sprouting your beans
(** NOT ALL CAN BE SPROUTED)
But it’s typically fruit,
like some orangutan or bat.
Mediterranean or tropical,
and generally low-fat.
Maybe fruit by day,
and a big salad at night.
But depends on the person,
and whatever feels right.
Maybe just when it’s warm,
or throughout the whole year.
Still a bit of cooked stuff,
or forever stay clear.
It might sound kinda nutty...
But there's much more to it.
With its intuitive appeal,
hence why many do it.
It's beautiful and sweet,
simply always a treat.
It's mother nature's candy!
That just beckons to eat.
And whatever the fruit,
there's always more than one type.
All a bit different,
and quite deserving the hype.
Persimmons and citrus,
grapes, peaches and berries.
Pomegranate and figs,
or melon and cherries.
Lychees and sapote,
soursop, jackfruit and more.
Tropical fruits endless,
with flavors galore.
Still even when raw,
the recipes abound.
From the tried and true,
to the yet to be found.
There's zoodles and salsas,
cabbage burritos and pad thai.
Mushroom pizzas and burgers,
or lasagna stacked high.
Banana ice cream with date sauce,
there's cinnamon rolls too!
A cake made from carrots,
and still more you can do!
And there’s other ‘raw’ diets,
like the so-called ‘gourmet’.
Where a dehydrator’s handy,
and higher fat is ok!
There’s overlap, naturally,
with the ‘fancy creations’.
But depends on each person,
their style and reservations.
Yes, a similar philosophy,
but still worlds apart.
Like the contrast in food choice
and volumes, to start.
Gourmet meals are smaller.
Need more time to prepare.
With a bit more equipment,
and things to be aware.
From dehydrating to juicing,
to kimchi and sauerkraut.
To nut butters and crackers,
and the things you can sprout.
They both aim to protect,
enzymes, nutrients and such.
With delicate processing,
and not heating too much
But still need to beware,
with mixing the two.
Namely, sugar and fat,
whatever you do.
So they’re somewhat related.
Perhaps the same mother!
But to some extent it seems,
it’s either one or the other.
Putting it all together…
Ok, that's just a glimpse,
of how vegan is done.
A more general look,
from which you can run.
So, which is the best?
Ah, if only I knew…
A question profound,
and it’s dependent on you.
Each level’s its own spectrum,
or can blend and be mixed.
Which is only to say,
truly none of it's fixed.
Yes, a bit confusing at the end…
Whether restrictions or raw.
But please keep in mind,
it’s neither dogma nor law.
Think of this as a preview,
just a view more concise.
Of possibilities and doors,
yet not quite precise.
Any theme could be ‘healthy’,
with a bit of balance and smart.
After all it seems eating,
is both science and art.
You can eat broccoli and fries,
or the occasional cake.
Stay mostly raw,
and yet still take a break.
You can develop routines,
or simply waver with mood,
and still those choices can vary,
from the pure to fast food.
You can eat a whole lot,
or just limit to one.
Simply on occasion,
or content to have none.
You can boil or bake,
dehydrate or deep fry.
Quite set in your ways,
or on occasion you'll try.
It depends on proportion,
the food choice and such.
The balance and blend,
and always how much.
You can banish all junk
but live on pickles instead!
Or home-made granola,
and dehydrated bread.
Or lots of fresh produce,
but maybe some junk food too.
Processed and 'unhealthy',
yet only a few.
You can obsess for perfection,
or go in the opposite direction.
Find a spot in the middle?
Or get lost in reflection…
There's permutations endless!
You get the picture...
Eating, like life,
is a blend and a mixture.
It's a tradeoff of sorts,
from preference to health.
Geographic location,
or occupation and wealth.
The merits and tricks,
yes, you'll learn as you go!
The more you experience,
the more you will know.
And we’re each a bit different.
Plus, modern eating’s complex!
How body and mind,
with the world, intersects.
But the plant world’s immense!
Yay, all the colors and scents!
Enjoy and be grateful,
but use common sense.
Yes, have a bit of faith,
in your own exploration.
But do a bit of research,
and embrace education.
And it goes without saying:
Eating’s just part!
Of this journey on earth,
and how we feel in our heart.
Nature and lifestyle,
your perspective and path.
All adds a bit of wrinkle,
to this grand ol’ math.
So when you hear the 'V word',
don't believe all you hear!
Just give it a go,
and that much might come clear.
Maybe you've tried one way,
and it felt all wrong...
Well, remember this here,
carry on, move along!
There's much more to vegan,
than the mere absence of things.
As many might tell you,
the many joys it sure brings.
But enjoy your food,
be patient and have fun!
That's all I can say,
and now I am done.
