Behind the lines: Stéphane Groleau

Ryan — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:21:31 +0000

Although I have never actually met Stéphane, we have corresponded over the past couple of years about several vegan things. An active member of the vegan community in Quebec, as well as an organic farmer, Stephane was kind enough to write two articles (“Agriculture et Veganisme” & “The World’s First Vegan Accordion”) in the current issue of the magazine. Plus, in a T.O.F.U. first, one of those articles was in French. Presenting articles in languages other than English is something we hope to do more of in the future, and we’re glad Stéphane was the first.

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In one word, why are you vegan?
Foodfriendsanimalsearthlovelife

How long have you been vegan?
I became vegan in 2001. That’s about ten years ago!

Who would win in a fight: Quinoa or Couscous?
Quinoa would win! It’s healthier and more nutritious than couscous, and quinoa can replace couscous in recipes. We can even eat quinoa raw by sprouting it. Couscous doesn’t sprout very well!!!

Would you prefer to lead a revolution or to live quietly in the woods?
I think I would lead a revolution in a quiet wood…

If there is a revolution, will it be televised or a Facebook event?
I don’t think a revolution can be televised or a Facebook event. A revolution needs to be enacted! Though, a Facebook event could help.

Favourite vegan thing in your town?
The vegan potluck we organize each month!

Ingredients: what you don’t know will hurt them

Ryan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:33:00 +0000

To add to the previous discussion on whether or not a true vegan exists, here are a few more products that may slip into our everyday lives without even being checked for animal ingredients:

9 everyday products you didn’t know had animal ingredients (treehugger.com)

Although I’m not overly surprised with shampoo and conditioner (#7), toothpaste (#8) and white & brown sugar (#9), such things as fireworks (#5) and car and bike tires (#2) are a shocker. The presence of animal ingredients in musical instruments (#3), especially wooden ones, is something that will actually be discussed a bit in the upcoming issue of T.O.F.U. by Stéphane Groleau. His adventure in building a vegan accordion is a testament to the satisfaction one can get from taking the extra step to ensure a product is vegan beyond just reading the ingredients list.

Luckily, avoiding plastic bags (#1) is becoming more and more of an easy task with the advent of canvas bags, as well as the push by more and more companies to cut back on their use within their stores.

Now if only we could convince people to walk more, and to celebrate events with cupcakes instead of big displays in the sky…

T.O.F.U. Magazine » accordion

Behind the lines: Stéphane Groleau

Ingredients: what you don’t know will hurt them