What Vegans get wrong

Friends! YouTubers. Summertime is here, at least this week while across the pond in the U.K. And I’m hungry again for something filling, tasty and healthy so we’re banging out this delicious Chickpea Smash Ranch Salad Sandwich that satisfies all those cravings. Super inexpensive, cheap, easy to make and nourishing (NO OIL) Whole food and plant based amazing-ness. This recipe makes up to 6 large sandwiches making it a budget friendly meal for the family, picnics or meal prep coming in less than $2.00 per large serving. You could also consider this a raw food and gluten free recipe, dare I say it, without the bread. YES! I also share a few words about what bothers me and my gripes with some being vegan, towards the end.

Thanks so much for joining, supporting by subscribing and liking and THANK YOU so much for being kind to all.

Chickpea Smash Ranch Salad Sandwich

2 Cans chickpeas, drained and save liquid
1 Baby cucumber, diced
50g Arugula / Rocket (large handful)
1 Large Tomato, sliced thick
4 Scallions / Green Onions, sliced and diced, washed and rinsed
1 jalapeno, diced
50g Smokey vegan cheese, shreds or block-diced (any kind is optional)
Whole meal sourdough bread, sliced
1/8 Red Cabbage wedge, diced (for crunch and color)

Creamy dressing:
3 large cauliflower florets
2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar2 cloves garlic
1 Lemon, zested and juice
Chickpea water – from 2 cans
¾ teaspoon Salt flake
¾ teaspoon Black pepper

The method or directions to this recipe is in the video until I write up more detailed info.
Thanks for your patience. Much more to come. Thanks for eating more plant based!

[PlopTop]

I once read "the world needs a lot of imperfect vegans a lot more than it needs a few perfect ones" and that always felt about right.

[dalececil]

Hi Derek. 69 year old American male here. Committed, unwavering plant based for eight years now. I still have some leather shoes and furniture that I bought long before I was vegan, so the critics need to back off. Love your food and philosophy.

[dangmefinnish]

This is the kind of vegans I need in my life. I want to be vegan, I really do. But living in Ghana (not in the capital) with limited resources with anti-vegan husband is a serious challenge and sometimes you just have to compromise. But I'm aiming at less cruelty every day.

[LosingitwithLenoir]

Thank you so much for this! I went vegetarian in 1983 (I was 12), for the animals. By 1985 I was vegan. I wavered back-and-forth between vegetarian and vegan for a couple of decades, but have been committed to plant-based for about 10 consistent years now.

I also hate using the word. “vegan“ because it’s so loaded and people get so offended! I have been hearing vegan and vegetarian jokes and theories about anti-veganism my whole freaking life! I’ve literally heard it all. I only know a few vegans and none of us bash other people for eating meat, yet people automatically get defensive as if we will. It’s so strange.

I really don’t care what other people eat—if it makes them feel good, and I don’t believe bullying people into doing ANYTHING it’s EVER going to be effective. Being plant-based is a personal choice and a personal journey.

When people ask me about being vegan, I’ve even stopped answering—I just tell them to go to websites or watch documentaries like “Cow because I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything! And I never did try to. I am vegan for the animals. I am vegan because personally I just can’t stomach the idea of eating meat. That’s my personal decision. There are no perfect vegans. That’s ridiculous. I could go on and on about why there are no “perfect” vegans… there are so many things that people have no idea aren’t actually vegan and it’s mind blowing… Just to name one… Pepto-Bismol! 😮 But I’m not going to waste my time listing everything.

Also… Vegans can be overweight/obese! Sometimes it is about diet (vegan junk food is extremely prevalent now—it was not in the 80s/90s), but a lot of the time it can be about genetics or menopause or stress or insomnia or hormones or other countless things. People just need to stop judging each other 😡. We’re all just doing the best that we can. Even if you only eat a few vegan things, or vegan once a week, or just keep an open mind. And I do think it’s true that a lot more people would be vegan if they had to kill and butcher their own meat every time they wanted to eat it. People used to grow, raise, prepare their own food. Grocery stores and markets are awesome for convenience… But they should not be used at the expense of being capable of growing and creating your own meals.

I commend you for your compassion and strength. Thank you! 💚🌿

[thomasprogar]

The 'never vegan enough' vegans have hurt the movement, your comments are spot on, thank you!

[AmyBG]

The one thing we vegans should be doing is supporting each other and anyone whose compassion to animals is awakening. Thank you for this. ❤

[aliciab]

Your food philosophy and talent are greatly appreciated. I've been plant-based since 2004 and Buddhist since 2008. Both shifts caused much consternation from my circle. As you indicated, the world needs more compassion. Thank you for lighting the way. 🙏🕉

[battiekoda]

Hi Derek, 42 y/o lifelong 'carnivore', (as my parents always called me), here. Now, I'm not necessarily saying I'm going to do a sudden turn around or anything. But, this is only the second video of yours I've watched, and I'm already seeing some interesting things I'd like to try here. I've never had issues eating my veggies, never been a problem. But, you're making some really tasty looking stuff that I'm going to incorporate into my dining rotation. I'm not even sure how I came across your channel, but I'm glad I did! Thanks for this!

[capestreasuresPtown]

Be kind to each other - Derek is a gem and we are lucky he shares with us.

[IanDatah]

Wise words! Thank you so much. I’ve been a vegan for 27 years, and I’m surrounded by meat eaters. When I first started, I used to be judgmental, but that approach achieved nothing. Now, I’ve shifted my perspective. Instead of pushing my beliefs onto others, I cook for everyone and even buy vegan treats for my co-workers. This approach has shown me how much more effective it is to gently guide people toward a kinder lifestyle.

[kylegraywolf]

We aren’t vegan, but 95% of our meals are. When we made the decision to change our diet 7 years ago, my partner didn’t want to give up fish. So we have fish twice a month at most. We tell others we are eating with that we are vegan, so we don’t have to go through an explanation of what a dairy-free pescatarian eats, or risk someone serve us fish with dairy, etc.

I look at it in the sense that we are making a difference with our diet, and we feel a hell of a lot better than we did prior.

Gatekeeping sucks, and trying to call out people that are living their life, creating great content and recipes (freely) that benefit many also sucks.

A lot of people would be happier if they spent more time looking for the good, or appreciating people, than trying to tear them down. Myself included.

Thanks Derek, I appreciate the recipes and openness you bring to your videos.

[SoulsJourney]

It's so hard in this society for people to change their diets when everything being pushed at them is fast food, junk food, oversized portions, and mostly built around meat. It takes time to change your thinking, and more time to change your diet, to learn how to not rely on meat as the meal with a side vegetable or salad. We've been programmed to eat what the food industry is pushing at us. People deserve credit for even trying. And this recipe looks fantastic, can't wait to try it!

[PDogB]

Thank you, Derek. We can all consider a more compassionate lifestyle. This is so needed in today's world for all living beings.

[belsnickles]

"The perfect is the enemy of the good" was never more true than in this context. We are all 'doing good', even if we aren't doing it perfectly. Animals are subjected to such horror on a daily basis that every act sparing them, no matter how small, should be celebrated. I could give you three separate incidents growing up in "farm country" that pushed me into 30 years of vegetarianism, and one incident that finally (thankfully!) tipped me into being plant-based. They are all so sad and so deeply disturbing that I try not to think of them anymore, so I just move forward, doing what I can do. Thank you so much for all you do. You are a good man.

[luisa]

I'm not vegan nor completely vegetarian, but my aim is to eat at least 80% plant based so I'm always looking for vegan recipes and this one I'm totally gonna try. What's most important to me is that the food I buy is local, so I don't want to use avocado, quinoa and other "trendy" foods that are often featured in vegan recipes. These ingredients travel thousands of miles by plane or ship to my country, making them unsustainable for me to use. This recipe is awesome because the ingredients are easy to find locally, AND it looks delicious and easy to make!
I respect and admire vegans for their moral choice and I wish we could all strive for a more sustainable society without looking down on others for not being "perfect" enough. What's most important is that each one of tries to do their best.

[charifarin]

Thank you, Derek. The very first vegan gathering I went to, someone was derisive because I hadn't thought about giving my dog vegan food. I am a strong woman who has endured and survived a lot of grief so she didn't affect me too deeply but I would hate to see her do that to someone in a fragile state of mind. You are right - we are all on our own journey. When people ask about my eating, I tell them I am transitioning to a more vegan/plant-based way of eating. I came to that realization about myself because I keep a well stocked pantry that had quite a few items with traditionally used oils, meat products, broths, etc that I wasn't willing to pitch because I changed directions. Soft curves in the road are much more pleasant than sharp turns. All the best. Chari Farin

[gtrdude]

Vegans should support anyone making a change for the better, even if it's one day or one meal a week. It's a start and we all have to start somewhere.

[markalexander]

It’s true brother. I’m 63, Vegan since 1998 - for the animals, now for health and the planet. Sickened at the rubbish that the crazies throw up. Ignore them brother- you’re an inspiration!

[PatriciaMcGowan]

Your final comments are sorely needed and kind. I too would never have imagined I would be a vegan. Now after 12 years, I am a committed conservationist and support plant based choices. Continue to lead with kindness. An old saying ... "You can catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar."

[grindedfranz]

Dude, so simple, yet so powerful. Its not about vegan, its about compassion. Towards every sentient being. Thats wonderful!

Thanks for that!