Peadar Ó Guilín's Blog, page 27
November 7, 2011
Advice for Future Vegans -- An Ethical-Free Approach
Attack of the Negatron
Recently, a friend asked me if she should consider becoming a vegan. I told her "no".
Addmittedly, it's a far healthier life-style, but only if you know what you're doing. As a species, we were never meant to eschew animal products in our diet and that's just a fact. The proof of this is that we can't get enough B12 or, in Ireland, enough vitimin D from plants alone.
--But what about tablets, Peadar?
Sure, great. I personally have no problem supplementing what goes in my gob with little pills. I don't care that it isn't natural. My point, in bringing it up, is that if you drop all meat, dairy, fish and eggs, you really need to read up on what you're getting into, or you'll soon find yourself even more unhealthy than you were in the days when whole cows used to disappear into your oven.
And research isn't the only thing you'll need.
In a country like Ireland where no meal is complete without dairy, the only healthy, non-starving vegans, are people who have learned how to cook. Yes, yes, some of you will cleverly find a chef to marry. Good for you, scumbags. But the rest of us, need to look after ourselves, because nobody else knows how.
Surprisingly, not all of my recipes win prizes.
Vaguely Useful Mumbles
So, you still want to be a vegan? Here's how I think you should get started:
1) Do your research. Make sure you know exactly how to get everything you need either from food or supplements. The Vegan Society can help you with this.
2) Get used to peeling and chopping -- you'll be doing a whole lot of that. Some people buy food processors and swear by them. They probably cut themselves a lot less often than I do. I myself have recently invested in one of these. A review will be forthcoming when I've had a bit of practice.
3) Build up to veganism. Learn at least ten delicious recipes bit by bit and start introducing them into your diet. When you have mastered enough of them, see can you go the whole week, the whole month without killing anything for your supper.
4) When travelling with a smartphone, load up the Happy Cow app. It's a brilliant tool for finding veggie restaurants nearby wherever you are. Or just go to their webpage in an internet café.
Dairy-Free, Ethical-Free Wrap Up
So, here I am sounding extremely negative about the whole veganism thing, but believe me, that isn't the case. It's an amazing way for anybody who needs to drop a few clothing sizes to do so in a healthy, permanent manner. You will feel great, energetic, strong etc. Personally speaking, my delightful auto-immune condition has been a lot less bothersome since I made the switch.
All I'm saying, is don't do it if you're not going to do it right.
Recently, a friend asked me if she should consider becoming a vegan. I told her "no".
Addmittedly, it's a far healthier life-style, but only if you know what you're doing. As a species, we were never meant to eschew animal products in our diet and that's just a fact. The proof of this is that we can't get enough B12 or, in Ireland, enough vitimin D from plants alone.
--But what about tablets, Peadar?
Sure, great. I personally have no problem supplementing what goes in my gob with little pills. I don't care that it isn't natural. My point, in bringing it up, is that if you drop all meat, dairy, fish and eggs, you really need to read up on what you're getting into, or you'll soon find yourself even more unhealthy than you were in the days when whole cows used to disappear into your oven.
And research isn't the only thing you'll need.
In a country like Ireland where no meal is complete without dairy, the only healthy, non-starving vegans, are people who have learned how to cook. Yes, yes, some of you will cleverly find a chef to marry. Good for you, scumbags. But the rest of us, need to look after ourselves, because nobody else knows how.
Surprisingly, not all of my recipes win prizes.
Vaguely Useful Mumbles
So, you still want to be a vegan? Here's how I think you should get started:
1) Do your research. Make sure you know exactly how to get everything you need either from food or supplements. The Vegan Society can help you with this.
2) Get used to peeling and chopping -- you'll be doing a whole lot of that. Some people buy food processors and swear by them. They probably cut themselves a lot less often than I do. I myself have recently invested in one of these. A review will be forthcoming when I've had a bit of practice.
3) Build up to veganism. Learn at least ten delicious recipes bit by bit and start introducing them into your diet. When you have mastered enough of them, see can you go the whole week, the whole month without killing anything for your supper.
4) When travelling with a smartphone, load up the Happy Cow app. It's a brilliant tool for finding veggie restaurants nearby wherever you are. Or just go to their webpage in an internet café.
Dairy-Free, Ethical-Free Wrap Up
So, here I am sounding extremely negative about the whole veganism thing, but believe me, that isn't the case. It's an amazing way for anybody who needs to drop a few clothing sizes to do so in a healthy, permanent manner. You will feel great, energetic, strong etc. Personally speaking, my delightful auto-immune condition has been a lot less bothersome since I made the switch.
All I'm saying, is don't do it if you're not going to do it right.
November 4, 2011
Мои твиты
Пт, 09:39
: RT @DFB_storyhouse: Yet another fab review of THE BOSS by @johnaggs @PatriceAggs http://t.co/1yRDak1z
Пт, 09:42
: RT @greenparty_ie: Hogan sides with lobbyists as Greens and environmentalists slam climate uturn http://t.co/6LIydoxj
November 3, 2011
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Чт, 09:14
: RT @sendboyle: There's a surprise Climate Change bill isn't a priority and Labour has no problem with that. I'm shocked and stunned.
Чт, 13:21
: New Review of The Deserter http://t.co/Ly1QEXsG
Чт, 13:25
: RT @EamonRyan: Meanwhile our Government is giving up on Climate change. They don't get it - that going green is good for the economy: ht ...
New Review of The Deserter
Reviewy Goodness
Once upon a time, Karin's Book Nook was extremely kind to The Inferior. I'm delighted to say that the reviewer in question -- Karinlibrarian -- has been even more gentle with The Deserter.
"The Deserter is filled with secrets, betrayals, and heart-pounding action. This is the perfect follow-up novel [...]"
Read the rest of it here!
[image error]
Apologies
I realise that this blog has been slowly deteriorating over the last few years into something of a propaganda/promotional tissue of endless blurb. Where is Peadar this week? Ooh, look! He is attending yet another Con with yet another banana...
While I'm not ashamed to blast people with the odd bit of self-promotion, in its undiluted form it gets old fast. I will do better. Soon.
World Fantasy Convention 2013 Cheap Memberships
For the next few days, attending membership of World Fantasy Con 2013 will be £75 (pounds sterling). After that, it shoots up 25%. I've joined up and can't wait to visit Brighton in the UK this time in two years. If Europe still exists by then, I'd love to see some of you there!
Once upon a time, Karin's Book Nook was extremely kind to The Inferior. I'm delighted to say that the reviewer in question -- Karinlibrarian -- has been even more gentle with The Deserter.
"The Deserter is filled with secrets, betrayals, and heart-pounding action. This is the perfect follow-up novel [...]"
Read the rest of it here!
[image error]
Apologies
I realise that this blog has been slowly deteriorating over the last few years into something of a propaganda/promotional tissue of endless blurb. Where is Peadar this week? Ooh, look! He is attending yet another Con with yet another banana...
While I'm not ashamed to blast people with the odd bit of self-promotion, in its undiluted form it gets old fast. I will do better. Soon.
World Fantasy Convention 2013 Cheap Memberships
For the next few days, attending membership of World Fantasy Con 2013 will be £75 (pounds sterling). After that, it shoots up 25%. I've joined up and can't wait to visit Brighton in the UK this time in two years. If Europe still exists by then, I'd love to see some of you there!
November 1, 2011
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Вт, 12:07
: Yes, I Was That Female Witch http://t.co/7jtVOlds
Yes, I Was That Female Witch
The most ironic thing about Hallowe'en, is that it is the one day of the year that nobody fears the Nork. They spend the last moments of their lives, pointing, laughing and saying things like: "Wow! Great costume!"
As for myself, I was persuaded to dress as a witch -- not a warlock, I might add, but a witch. I can't say I'm very happy about it, but there you go. Next year, I'll go back to being a ghoul, I think. I was happier that way...
As for myself, I was persuaded to dress as a witch -- not a warlock, I might add, but a witch. I can't say I'm very happy about it, but there you go. Next year, I'll go back to being a ghoul, I think. I was happier that way...
October 30, 2011
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Сб, 17:16
: Current Reads http://t.co/JeCjHGpJ
October 29, 2011
Current Reads
God's War
You'll get no spoilers from me, no matter how much you beg!
Kameron Hurely's God's War has some great worldbuilding. A mostly female run society has been warring for centuries against a male-run equivalent on a planet barely fit for human habitation. Really interesting stuff.
There was a purely personal downside for me: an awful lot of the ideas here are eerily similar to those in the book I am currently writing. One concept in particular is EXACTLY the same. So, when my book is eventually published*, I can expect years of people asking me if Ms. Hurley inspired me, or worse, if I just copied from her directly...
Anyway, nothing for you to worry about. This is a brutal, fast-moving story about nasty people in a fascinating world. Some of you will love it, others won't. I suggest finding a sample chapter to find out which category you fit into.
[image error]
By Light Alone
I'm a long-time fan of Adam Roberts, but sometimes, when reading his latest, even I'm not sure if I'm enjoying it.
By Light Alone is set in the very dystopia that the "Occupy" movements around the world are protesting against. It is a gilded age, where a tiny fraction of the population revel in stupendous wealth, while swarms of filthy "longhairs" have to make do with a technology that allows them to live -- barely -- on sunlight.
In places, the story is fascinating, but it can be terribly frustrating too: whole chapters read like a cross between Camus and Kafka. It felt dated to me and often pointlessly obtuse.
Even so, AR's worldbuilding is rarely less than stunning, so I'm giving this one the thumbs up. And yes, my intention to read everything he writes is as firm as ever. He never wastes your time.
A New Review
Today's Irish Examiner has a very positive review of The Deserter. Warning: spoilers ahoy!
*Yes, I said "when" -- it is what we call "dangerous overconfidence".
You'll get no spoilers from me, no matter how much you beg!
Kameron Hurely's God's War has some great worldbuilding. A mostly female run society has been warring for centuries against a male-run equivalent on a planet barely fit for human habitation. Really interesting stuff.
There was a purely personal downside for me: an awful lot of the ideas here are eerily similar to those in the book I am currently writing. One concept in particular is EXACTLY the same. So, when my book is eventually published*, I can expect years of people asking me if Ms. Hurley inspired me, or worse, if I just copied from her directly...
Anyway, nothing for you to worry about. This is a brutal, fast-moving story about nasty people in a fascinating world. Some of you will love it, others won't. I suggest finding a sample chapter to find out which category you fit into.
[image error]
By Light Alone
I'm a long-time fan of Adam Roberts, but sometimes, when reading his latest, even I'm not sure if I'm enjoying it.
By Light Alone is set in the very dystopia that the "Occupy" movements around the world are protesting against. It is a gilded age, where a tiny fraction of the population revel in stupendous wealth, while swarms of filthy "longhairs" have to make do with a technology that allows them to live -- barely -- on sunlight.
In places, the story is fascinating, but it can be terribly frustrating too: whole chapters read like a cross between Camus and Kafka. It felt dated to me and often pointlessly obtuse.
Even so, AR's worldbuilding is rarely less than stunning, so I'm giving this one the thumbs up. And yes, my intention to read everything he writes is as firm as ever. He never wastes your time.
A New Review
Today's Irish Examiner has a very positive review of The Deserter. Warning: spoilers ahoy!
*Yes, I said "when" -- it is what we call "dangerous overconfidence".
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Пт, 15:05
: RT @splinister: So @StorylandRTE has announced the finalists on its Facebook page. Congratulations to John Vaughan. His sf web series Vi ...
Пт, 23:27
: RT @ZoeDattner: You know what would be awesome? If ereaders didn't come with 100 free classics but instead came with 100 underrated book ...
October 26, 2011
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Вт, 14:02
: Boardwalk Empire Finally Comes Good http://t.co/ByMGj6DF
