‘Zines, ‘zines, they’re good for your heart. The more you eat…

October 2, 2008
by Chocolate-Covered Katie

Oh no wait. That’s beans.

But the topic of this post is ‘zines (magazines). I have two ‘zine-themed tidbits to share.

1. Recycling, Vegan-Style:
It’s always a great day when I find VegNews magazine in the mailbox. Sometimes I try to savor it by only reading a few articles at a time. Normally, though, I inhale that baby in one sitting! But what to do when I’m done reading? VegNews is much too good for the trash can (of course, being a former VegNews’ cover girl, I’m biased). Instead, I bring the ‘zine with me when I go to the gym, and I leave it there, among the other magazines, for people to read while exercising. People who go to the gym are interested in health, right? So my hope is that the magazine’ll inspire them to incorporate more animal-friendly meals into their diets. But I never expected what happened yesterday…

Sitting in class, I overheard two girls discussing their weekend plans. One of the girls informed the other that she didn’t want to go to a particular steak restaurant because she was now a vegetarian. As the conversation went on, she revealed her main inspiration for the switch to a meatless diet– a certain magazine she read at the gym! I almost fell out of my chair!

2. Veganism in Mainstream Media:
I get super-excited whenever the media mentions veganism in a positive light. So I was thrilled to see an entire article devoted to Scott Jurek, a vegan ultramarathoner, in the current issue of Runner’s World. Sure, Scott Jurek is intense… and a little scary (running 150 miles at one time?!?!). But hey, he’s one of us. And although most readers probably aren’t training to run 150 miles at a time, thanks to the article they now know that one can get enough protein and calories to do it on a vegan diet!

End Magazine post.

Tomorrow’s scheduled post: a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Mousse. See you then!

41 Responses leave one →
  1. October 2, 2008
    evestirs permalink

    wow, thats very cool! :)

  2. October 2, 2008
    Vegyogini permalink

    You rock SO hard for leaving your VegNews at the gym for others to read! What an awesome story.

  3. October 2, 2008
    talieworld permalink

    Great idea with the magazines! I have dozens of old issues laying around my house!

    And 150 miles? Wow, thats about 147 more than I can do, haha!

  4. October 2, 2008
    Ricki permalink

    How very cool about that girl at the gym! And you’re right, 150 miles a day??? Very scary!

  5. October 2, 2008
    Cody permalink

    I’ve always wondered what a non-vegan would think of VegNews… I’d imagined most of them would just make fun of it or something. It’s nice to hear that it positively affected someone’s view on being veg.

  6. October 2, 2008
    Kati permalink

    That’s an amazing story about the magazine. You’ve got some seriously good karma now!

  7. October 2, 2008
    Vegan_Noodle permalink

    I should try and start doing something like that with my magazines. I hoard them on a book shelf…

  8. October 2, 2008
    Neta558 permalink

    Giving the magazines another chance, that’s a great idea, and it’s cool to know it works! You can never know what might influence people. It’s great that you got to hear that conversation.

  9. October 2, 2008
    RhodeyGirl/Sabrina permalink

    that story is fantastic. i always read the ‘zines at the gym!

  10. October 2, 2008
    jessy permalink

    that’s so awesome! we leave our old magazine at the gym, too – or give ‘em to friends to read and then they leave them there! how cool is that – she read your VegNews! yay!

    did you say pumpkin pie mousse? mmmmmmmmmmmmm! i can’t wait!

  11. October 2, 2008
    Binx permalink

    interestingly enough, I’m reading “Diet for A New America” right now (I recommend it if you haven’t read it yet) and it sites a LOT of studies that show vegan athletes actually have more endurance and recover faster from exercise than meat-eating athletes. Lots of other interesting myths busted in this under-read book, too…

  12. October 2, 2008
    VeganView permalink

    Vegnews= love!
    I thought of you for my first post this month, there’s sushi in the shape of a cute creature! If you take a peak I am sure you will appreciate! Looking forward to that recipe for mousse!

  13. October 2, 2008
    Lauren permalink

    i went to kingdom of vegetarians ever heard of it? i think it has a “sister” restaurant called new harmony also..it was soo delicious haha i can’t wait to go back. yeah ive never heard of cherry street, so i guess it did close..how sad! haha
    oh and i’m excited for your mousse!! :)

  14. October 2, 2008
    ~randi~ permalink

    I looooove Scott Jurek (sp?). He’s one of my running heros!

  15. October 2, 2008
    Veg-a-Nut permalink

    I don’t know if I can part with my vegnews. Looking foward to your pumpkin pie mousse. :o )

  16. October 2, 2008
    tofufreak permalink

    good idea! i love reading vegNews zines but never know what to do when they get stockpiled in the basement haha

  17. October 2, 2008
    Vegan On Stage permalink

    oh my goodness thats amazing!!!you really helped to inspire someone!

    Is there any way to get that article online? i would love to read it (about the runner)

  18. October 2, 2008
    Erin at caretoeat.net permalink

    I think it’s sweet that you leave the mags for others. :) A nice way to spread the good word without being pushy.

  19. October 2, 2008
    shelby permalink

    Awesome! That is such a good idea to do with magazines, I have so many lying around and I always feel guilty just recycling them.

    I’m already drooling over the Pumpkin Pie Mousse…can’t wait!

  20. October 2, 2008
    GroundedFitness permalink

    i think its funny when people say they want to go vegan as away to lose weight. like its restrictive in calories or something. Its restrictive, but in the TYPES of food.

    I oculd never do it. I love my cheese too much. I rarely eat meat, if ever, but thats just because I dont like that taste of it.

    Kelly Turner
    http://www.groundedfitness.com

  21. October 2, 2008
    Anonymous permalink

    WOW

    That vegnews cover girl link looks so real! And you are so beautiful that you really could be a vegnews cover girl!

  22. October 2, 2008
    River permalink

    That is awesome! You inspired someone to become vegetarian!

    I’m ready for that pumpkin pie mousse now! :)

  23. October 3, 2008
    sportsnutritionliving permalink

    Ill be cheking back for the pumpkin pie mousse. When your passionate about something I think it is nice to share with people and usually poeple are receptive if it is presented the right way.. but everyone is different!

  24. October 3, 2008
    Ruby Red Vegan permalink

    Oh my gosh! Way to spread the word with your oh so subtle leave-the-magazine trick. I think some people are meant to be vegetarian — they just respond differently to what they read about vegetarianism and animal suffering and health. One of those activism brochures is what changed me. It’s great your little magazine found its way into the right hands!

    I wish I could run 150 miles all at once. Heck, I wish I could run 10 miles all at once.

    I am so excited for the pumpkin pie mousse post! I am in such a pumpkin mood lately!

  25. October 3, 2008
    Vaala permalink

    Hey that’s a cool story about the girl at the gym. What a clever idea leaving the magazine at the gym! Wish people would do that at my gym!

  26. October 3, 2008
    magpie permalink

    That would be so cool if she converted because of you.

    Looking forward to tomorrow’s post :) I added you to my blogroll, hope it’s okay!

  27. October 3, 2008
    Andrea permalink

    oooh i love the link to that old post. i didnt know about your blog then :( *tear* but i love the cover of the ‘zine hehe…

  28. October 3, 2008
    Andrea permalink

    p.s. ‘zine’ is way cuter than my typical phrase ‘mag’

    :)

  29. October 3, 2008
    Alice (in Veganland) permalink

    hehe, I guess that could be called “guerrilla advertisement” :-) . Nice idea!

  30. October 3, 2008
    shellyfish permalink

    That was a great idea! And how cool about the RW feature – I’m excited when I can run 50 miles a week, maybe some day I’ll be an ultra-runner, or not!

  31. October 3, 2008
    Sanja permalink

    O, that’s so cool about the girl+magazine! I wish I could get my hands on VegNews, but it’s just a little bit to expensive to ship it…

    Can’t wait for your pumpkin puree mousse since I have a ton of homemade pumpkin puree waiting to be used…

  32. October 3, 2008
    Lisa -- Cravin' Veggies permalink

    Great story. Very cool.

  33. October 3, 2008
    Joanna permalink

    I hate when people (my mom and dad mostly) criticize me for not getting enough protein, iron, and calories. It drives me nuts! I’ve gained 10 lbs since I started eating vegan food. I wanna get that article and show it to them. haha

  34. October 3, 2008
    aTxVegn permalink

    Good for you for leaving behind your VegNews! I love when people do that. I’ve found out about lots of veggie events from local publications someone *forgot* to take with them.

  35. October 3, 2008
    jelymo permalink

    just goes to show ya that you should never underestimate the positive impact you can have on someone without being vegangelical. btw, i made my return to veganism after being on an omni binge for several years after reading guess what…veg news!

  36. October 3, 2008
    Jess - The Domestic Vegan permalink

    How cool, Katie! What a great way to make a positive impact!

    I love, love, love, love (lovelovelove) pumpkin mousse, so I can’t wait to see your recipe!

  37. October 3, 2008
    Vegyogini permalink

    CCV, you need to hightail it to your local library and check out Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. You will love it!

  38. October 3, 2008
    ChocolateCoveredVegan permalink

    Andrea—
    Thanks! As usual, your comments are so sweet! You rock (but I bet you already knew that).

  39. October 4, 2008
    leng permalink

    I wish I had found some interesting veg mags before I canceled my gym membership. It would have made my exercise there more interesting than the yellow walls/mirrors. LOL

    So it takes 150 miles of running for the world to finally realize that a vegan diet can actually provide adequate amounts of nutrients? Not surprising at all.

    Thanks for the cool news!

  40. October 7, 2008
    TavoLini permalink

    Great post–very inspiring!

  41. October 13, 2008
    Emma the Eco-Princess! permalink

    Wow that’s so cool that you actually found out that your magazine inspired someone to go vegetarian! ^_^

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