Agreed, Dan. Vegetarian Lifestlye is top notch. It’s also a favourite hangout for local monks - perhaps from the Jade Buddha Temple up the road? Plus it has a bookstore (a bit New Age for my tastes, but in Shanghai you take anything you can get).
But what’s with all the “fake meat” dishes? Is this an attempt to convert the masses by easing them into vegetarian food gently? Or does it imply that most vegetarians actually crave meat? I’m not a vegetarian, but I still don’t understand why places like Vegetarian Lifestyle stack their menus with dishes like “black pepper beef”. I visit a vegetarian restaurant when I don’t want to eat meat. So why would I want to eat something that for all intents and purposes looks like meat? Or for that matter, smells and tastes like it?
Still, cheers for the post. It’s reminded me that I’m due for a return visit to Vegetarian Lifestyle. More importantly, it has pushed my ugly mug further away from the top of your page of articles.
On Mar 31, 2005 6:44 AM, Jing said:
Dan may I recommend some advice I heard from someone else, why not just request strict buddhist fair when eating out? It may not get you precisely zero-meat food, but the concept should probably resonate quicker than trying to explain vegetarianism or psuedo-vegetarianism or non-fishism.
Oh I also have a more serious question Dan, except its about the former maid. I’m curious about further information on this quasi-cult vegetarian organization that alleges Steven Seagal as a member. Not that I am interested in joining, but I am interested in finding about more information about growth of spirituality in contemporary China and all the myriad of loony variables in between. I know the FalayGongay (eat pig latin censors) is but one of many outlawed organizations. Was the vegetarian organization you mentioned politically active? Has it recently been denounced in official media as cultish? Are you familiar with which state organ was responsible for its suppression? (PSB or Health Ministry) Who is its leader and what other tenants besides vegetarianism, if any, do they hold? How many total membership does this organization claim?
Well thats just a few of my questions, if you have any answers, I’d appreciate it.
On Apr 10, 2005 11:35 AM, Ryan Petersen said:
I have a friend who is a FREEGAN. He is a strict vegan—unless the food is free—at which point he will devour any animal in sight. Quite a comical notion, but he defends his stance on the grounds that he does not wish to support the industrialized meat business. As long as his dollars aren’t going to meat companies, he loves a good steak!
Here is the definition for FREEGAN at Urban Dictionary. Slightly different. You guys should add your version.
On May 29, 2005 7:47 AM, Billy said:
Hey thats nothing. I saw a half filleted fish with its heart still beating in an Asian market in NYC. Freaky
On Jun 11, 2005 5:06 AM, Troy said:
As one myself, may I offer the phrase “Fish and Chipocrite” for Pescatarian ….
On Jan 21, 2006 3:26 PM, Bob said:
I believe the spiritual leader that is referred to (that Steven Segal apparently follows) is Ching Hai. There is a good vegetarian restaurant in San Jose, CA, USA that is run by her followers, called Vegetarian House.
On Jan 21, 2006 3:27 PM, Bob said:
Ching Hai is the spiritual leader mentioned (that Steven Seagal apparently follows). There is a good restaurant in San Jose, CA USA that is run by her followers. Highly recommended.
8 Comments
Agreed, Dan. Vegetarian Lifestlye is top notch. It’s also a favourite hangout for local monks - perhaps from the Jade Buddha Temple up the road? Plus it has a bookstore (a bit New Age for my tastes, but in Shanghai you take anything you can get).
But what’s with all the “fake meat” dishes? Is this an attempt to convert the masses by easing them into vegetarian food gently? Or does it imply that most vegetarians actually crave meat? I’m not a vegetarian, but I still don’t understand why places like Vegetarian Lifestyle stack their menus with dishes like “black pepper beef”. I visit a vegetarian restaurant when I don’t want to eat meat. So why would I want to eat something that for all intents and purposes looks like meat? Or for that matter, smells and tastes like it?
Still, cheers for the post. It’s reminded me that I’m due for a return visit to Vegetarian Lifestyle. More importantly, it has pushed my ugly mug further away from the top of your page of articles.
Dan may I recommend some advice I heard from someone else, why not just request strict buddhist fair when eating out? It may not get you precisely zero-meat food, but the concept should probably resonate quicker than trying to explain vegetarianism or psuedo-vegetarianism or non-fishism.
Oh I also have a more serious question Dan, except its about the former maid. I’m curious about further information on this quasi-cult vegetarian organization that alleges Steven Seagal as a member. Not that I am interested in joining, but I am interested in finding about more information about growth of spirituality in contemporary China and all the myriad of loony variables in between. I know the FalayGongay (eat pig latin censors) is but one of many outlawed organizations. Was the vegetarian organization you mentioned politically active? Has it recently been denounced in official media as cultish? Are you familiar with which state organ was responsible for its suppression? (PSB or Health Ministry) Who is its leader and what other tenants besides vegetarianism, if any, do they hold? How many total membership does this organization claim?
Well thats just a few of my questions, if you have any answers, I’d appreciate it.
I have a friend who is a FREEGAN. He is a strict vegan—unless the food is free—at which point he will devour any animal in sight. Quite a comical notion, but he defends his stance on the grounds that he does not wish to support the industrialized meat business. As long as his dollars aren’t going to meat companies, he loves a good steak!
Here is the definition for FREEGAN at Urban Dictionary. Slightly different. You guys should add your version.
Hey thats nothing. I saw a half filleted fish with its heart still beating in an Asian market in NYC. Freaky
As one myself, may I offer the phrase “Fish and Chipocrite” for Pescatarian ….
I believe the spiritual leader that is referred to (that Steven Segal apparently follows) is Ching Hai. There is a good vegetarian restaurant in San Jose, CA, USA that is run by her followers, called Vegetarian House.
Ching Hai is the spiritual leader mentioned (that Steven Seagal apparently follows). There is a good restaurant in San Jose, CA USA that is run by her followers. Highly recommended.