It’s official: I’ve hit a wall, as they say. The sleepless nights of studying coupled with the adrenaline rush that was last week has officially made me exhausted. It’s to be expected but there’s nothing worse to me than feeling so tired. Oh well – we shall prevail! This morning, I woke up and completed a new total body workout that had my muscles burning all over: the Bikini Sculpt workout from the Tone It Up Beach Babe DVD. Fine toning is no joke, my friends. 
Lunch
Today was commencement ceremony rehearsal at Framingham State. I drove up to my future alma mater so the Dean could review various logistics with us. We also did a “mock walk” across the stage. So crazy to think I’ll soon be a college grad! (I’m actually not techincally graduated until June 25, when my final summer course ends). While reviewing said logistics, the Dean made a point to say, “Anyone acting illegally incapacitated will be removed from the premises by police.” Guess that means I’ll be leaving my flask at home.
After our mock ceremony, my friend Kristen and I went out for a very late lunch at the British Beer Company. She ordered a roasted veggie wrap with sweet potato fries and I opted for my beloved lettuce wraps.
The homemade hummus and red chili dipping sauce never disappoint! I asked for an extra side of hummus too – that little dollop was not nearly enough for this chica!
Kristen is a pretty amazing friend. She decided to give me my graduation gift (I’m giving Kristen her graduation gift on the day of her graduation party), and I was so touched. She picked out the most perfect card…
…and an equally perfect gift.
It’s Snoopy! I’ve been a long-time fan of The Peanuts gang, so this made me smile – and I love the saying too, of course. Side note: Did anyone else watch The Peanuts early in the morning on Nickelodeon? I distinctly remember whenever the teacher would talk, she wouldn’t have a script – it would just be her saying, “Wah, wah, wah, wah.” Classic.
Dinner
By the time dinner rolled around, it was kind of late and I was in the mood for something that would come together in a snap. I whipped up my smoky tofu scramble and happily munched.
I nixed the Ezekiel bread in favor of more greens and tofu. The mesquite flavor really came through, which is always a good thing. There is nothing like that extra kick of flavor!
Law Grad Says Veganism Should Be Human Right
According to a recent article on CBC, Toronoto law school graduate Camille Labchuk is trying to get vegans’ rights protected under human rights legislation. Labchuk made her case before the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and said vegans’ right should be protected, especially in public establishments such as hospitals and prisons, where patients and inmates must rely solely on the food provided. In the event that people request a vegetarian or vegan meal and are denied, Labchuk believes that should be filed under discrimination. According to the article, Labchuk said her presentation was well received by the HRC.
(Source)
You go, girl! Having worked in a hospital as a dietary aide two summers ago, I know first-hand what it’s like to be vegan and eat hospital food. It certainly isn’t easy! I brought my lunch from home every day except once – and when I asked for vegan substitutions, I received a lot of backlash, particularly from the elder members of the food service team. Some people simply don’t get the lifestyle, and I understand that, but I think a human rights legislation would be a great asset in order to get the word out some more. While this is only applicable to Canada, maybe the U.S. should jump on board too! What do you think?
Stay lovely,
Heather
Mmm that tofu scramble looks good!
LOVE the sounds of veganism becoming a human right!! What an amazing step in the right direction, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would be to be forced to give up veganism due to being hospitalized or something.
It is kind of crazy to think about, huh? I mean, we’re so strong and healthy now, but if something awful did happen to us, we would want the same rights as other patients. Glad you’re on board, sister!
And for the most part what I see as food in the possible doesn’t really look like anything that would make you feel better!
Awesome post as always!!! I totally admire this girl! I work in a hospital, and in a place where people come to get healthy, vegan food is hard to come by! The food workers dont know the ingredients in the food either! And even the couscous is cooked in chicken broth! Thanks for inspiring! I might just have a long chat with our cafeteria realllllllll soon
What a great idea! I hope you do have a chat with your cafeteria management team and, if you do, PLEASE tell me how it goes! xoxo
I love the idea of veganism being a human right. I’m not vegan, but it can be challenging just being a vegetarian much less a vegan. I like that people are starting to bring more awareness to the issue too! Even my college dining hall offers minimal vegan/vegetarian options, which is hard when you’re relying on a meal plan for food!
Restaurants are always a little stingy with hummus, don’t underestimate a vegetarian’s hummus consumption.
How is it that I live in Canada and did’t hear about Camille. That’s awesome she’s standing up for her rights! I’ll have to follow this to see the outcome.
Where I live in Canada (Edmonton, AB) it’s tough to find vegan food in restaurants. I can’t imagine our hospitals having that option.
Yay Canada! Great post sweetie!
It’s great that they are thinking of veganism becoming a human right, I live in Canada and have never heard of her. In Victoria where I live, I stayed overnight in the hospital for a week because of a bad illness I had, and they actually did have vegan meal options there. That’s weird to be that the States doesn’t, because they are usually further ahead! Great news though, I’m sure it will spread to the US soon enough!
I totally agree that there should be more consideration for vegans and other restricted diets in most aspects, such as hospitals, hospice, more restaurants, etc. However, I ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DISAGREE that it should be supported in prisons. If somebody commits a prison-worthy crime, they should be thankful for getting 3 meals a day that meet BASIC nutrition requirements, regardless of their pre-lockup eating habits. They are not the ones paying for it, we are.
I so agree vegan should be a human right!! While having my two kids in the hospital, I would constantly asked for a vegan meal but the staff was uncooperative in my vegan needs thinking I was not eating right. My husband had to sneak in some fresh wholesome foods!
I’m glad you pointed out what Camille is doing. Very inspiring! Little changes add up
You’re so sweet
I just love you! I think this topic is very interesting and certainly vegans should be able to enjoy food wherever they are and are very limited in certain places and situations. Not to mention, you would think hospitals would want to be serving the best nutrition possible to their ill patients (why not vegan???). Great post girl!
Firstly, I love your blog! I’m from Canada and this is definitely an interesting topic and one I’m glad is being brought to our attention. While I respect Camille’s determination and bravery, and that this is a vegan blog, I don’t agree that veganism should be a human right entrenched in law. With regards to hospitals, with bugdet cuts in Canadian government, I believe there is (and should be) be more emphasis on treating patients more so than feeding them, and these cuts make it even more difficult for cleaning costs, which have become privatized to save money. In a current economic recession, it’s just not possible to make such specialized food demands (in my opinion), we should feel thankful for this to even be considered such a luxury. Think about so many other countries in the world who wake up every day and their only thoughts are pertaining to survival of themselves and what family they have left. Just my two cents, I’m not against it, I just feel it’s not a realistic goal at this time.
Thanks for your well thought out response, Spenser! It’s an interesting point you make, and it definitely made me think. You raise a really good point – other countries are suffering and we should be grateful for what we have, but that really isn’t the issue at large in regards to Canada. While I certainly see the need for medicine-related healing practices in some instances (learned lots of it in my nutrition studies at FSU), I am definitely more of a believer in the holistic side of practicing (i.e. nutrition for healing), so I suppose that is the standpoint that I am coming from. Good friendly debate, my friend!
just wanted to chime in that the expenses for various hospital procedures is astronomical and dietary changes would be pennies in comparison. im an RN and one night stay on a monitored floor is tens of thousands for the bed alone – and thats literally JUST for the bed. so offering potatoes made without dairy seems like its definitely possible. also, as heather points out, the holistic approach to treating patients is so important and MDs really should consider diet in patient care. where i see the problem is in specialty diets…obviously i cant give my renal patient the same thing as my liver failure patient…or a post-op vegan patient who can’t tolerate solids yet…but i think that just means an RD would need to work with the kitchen staff and hospital admin to create a meal for all diets thats still within the hospital budget.
Everything about your comment is perfect, Elise! I completely agree with you – and give you so much props for being a nurse. That is one TOUGH job! .P.S. I love your blog!
wow, thats so interesting! i work at one of the best hospitals in the country – in a city with the most veg friendly options and acceptance and the cafeteria is STILL pathetic for vegans. and the poor patients only have one options on the regular menu, which is not even available for some diets (like clear liquid, purred, mechanical, renal, etc.). this could be a big step!
That lunch looks totally delish! I know I’d enjoy it too
Wow, what a controversial issue! I’m glad you posted about this, though. While I DO think that it would be absolutely wonderful if vegan food were made available in hospitals, I don’t think it’s a human rights issue and I don’t think that hospitals should be forced to supply food for people who are vegan.
Prison is definitely a different story, but I think that (if this isn’t already allowed), hospitals should allow vegan patients to have family members bring in their own specially prepared food as long as it didn’t go against any special orders from the doctors. Like somebody said above, preparing vegan food could be very costly. Sure, compared to the pricey bed-per-night cost it doesn’t seem like much. But it’s not like we’re replacing that cost with the less expensive vegan food cost – we’re adding it on. And even a little amount of money is going to eventually add up.
Just like hospitals can’t stop people from practicing their religion while in the hospital, they can’t stop you from being vegan (as long as they allow you to bring in your own food). But it’s analogous to making them buy you a rosary to pray with if you’re Catholic – I think that asking for special food to be made is a bit much. Especially because, while veganism is growing in popularity, it’s still not ridiculously common (as of 2008, only 0.5% of the US population identifies as vegan).
I just came across your blog and wanted to say thanks for writing about the veganism as a humans right issue! And thanks to everyone for the kind comments. My fingers are crossed that the Ontario Human Rights Commission will recommend that belief systems like veganism be protected. They’ve asked me to participate in another panel discussion in October, so I’m hoping this means they’re open to it.
xo to all!
Hi Camille! Thank you for your sweet comment. You are a gem. I share your sentiments. Let’s keep truckin’!
xoxo