VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Soy Lecithin

• Lecithins are oily substances that occur naturally in plants (soybeans) and animals (egg yolks). Soy lecithin is extracted from soybeans either mechanically or chemically using hexane. It is a byproduct of soybean oil production.
• Some people use it as a supplement because of it’s high choline content. Choline is a micronutrient that is good for heart health and brain development.
• Soy lecithin is an emulsifier, which means it keeps ingredients from separating. It can be found in everything from candy bars and baked goods, to cough drops and tea bags.
• Since soybeans are one of the cheapest crops in the US (thanks in part to federal subsidies to growers), it makes sense that manufacturers would want to use this natural emulsifier in food processing.
• Almost 95% of the U.S. soybean crop is genetically-modified, and because soy lecithin is so ubiquitous, GMOs end up in many products, even if soybeans are not on the ingredient list.

To learn more about soy lecithin, check out this great info at Fooducate.com!

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Celery

• Celery is a functional food.  Its leaves are rich source of flavonoid antioxidants such as zeaxanthin, lutein and beta- carotene, which have anti-oxidant, cancer protective, and immune-boosting functions.  It is also good source of vitamin-A and beta-carotene.  Fresh celery is an excellent source of vitamin-K, provides about 25% of DRI.
• Celery, onions, and carrots make up the “holy trinity,” known as the “mirepoix,” of French cuisine.  These three vegetables are used together as the base for many French dishes, including sauces, stews, soups, and stocks.
• Celery has made a surprising appearance in British football folklore.  Supporters of English Premier League team Chelsea and Football League team Gillingham regularly sing songs about the vegetable and are famed for throwing celery during matches.  This has also given rise to the “Chelsea Cocktail”, a pint of Guinness garnished with a stick of celery.

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Concord Grapes

• Concord grapes are one of only three fruits native to North America.  The other two fruits are blueberries and cranberries.
• Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch developed the first Concord grape juice in 1869. Through the process of pasteurization, the juice did not ferment. Welch originally introduced the grape juice to his church, to be used for communion.
• Grapes are rich in the antioxidant resveratrol.  Resveratrol is reputed to have anti-aging effects because it has been found to play protective role against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer’s disease and viral/ fungal infections.

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Tempeh

• Tempeh (pronounced ‘tem-pay) is a traditional Indonesian food. This chunky, tender cake of soybeans is consumed daily in Indonesia, usually with rice as a part of the main meal, or sometimes by itself as a snack. In Indonesia, tempeh making is a household art that varies somewhat from home to home. 
• Since tempeh is made from whole soybeans, it’s a fiber-rich and protein-rich food. It’s also a generous source of many nutrients such as calcium, B-vitamins, and iron.
• Tempeh is often prepared by cutting it into pieces, soaking in brine or salty sauce, and then frying. Cooked tempeh can be eaten alone, or used in chili, stir frys, soups, salads, sandwiches, and stews.  Tempeh performs well in a cheese grater, after which it may be used in the place of ground beef (as in tacos).

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Cumin

• Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family.  The spice is native to middle-east Asian region, and now grown all over the world for its flavorful seeds.  Cumin is a key component in both chili powder and curry powder.
• This spice is an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium.  It also contains very good amounts of B-complex and many antioxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanthin, and lutein.
• Superstition during the Middle Ages cited that cumin kept lovers from wandering. It was also believed that a happy life awaited the bride and groom who carried cumin seed throughout the wedding ceremony.

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Arugula

• Also known as “rocket,” arugula is a favorite salad herb that adds a sharp, peppery bite to a wide variety of dishes, such as this Asparagus Arugula Salad.  Like most salad greens, arugula is very low in calories and is high in vitamins A and C.  A 1 cup serving has about 5 calories.
• Arugula is also a good source of calcium, magnesium and manganese.  This leafy green is considerably lower in oxalates (minerals which interfere with calcium’s bioavailability) than spinach, which means arugula has more calcium availability than Popeye’s favorite green.
• In the 2008 campaign for President of the United States, then-senator Barack Obama was criticized, and labeled an elitist, for saying, “Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula?” on the campaign trail.

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Lavender

• The lavender plant is a member of the mint family.  There are over 25 species of lavender, with English lavender the most prized due to its high quality oil.
• Lavender has a history spanning more than 2,000 years, with beginnings in Egypt as an aid in mummification.  The tomb of King Tut contained urns with traces of lavender fragrance in them.  In ancient Rome, the flowers were added to waters of the famous public baths.
• Today, its buds and oil continue to be used in the treatment of skin conditions and wounds and as an aid to ease anxiety and promote relaxation.  Its relaxing qualities are considered therapeutic by aromatherapists.

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Blackberry

• Oregon is the leading blackberry producer in the world.
• Blackberries are notable for their high nutritional content of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, and the essential mineral manganese.
• Blackberries rank highly among fruits for antioxidant strength, particularly due to their dense contents of polyphenolic compounds.  Blackberries have an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of 5347 per 100 grams, making them among the top-ranked ORAC fruits.
• One Celtic legend says that ”when you put blackberries on a threshold or windowsill, you can force a vampire to count over the thorns and berries until morning comes.” 

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Strawberry

• 8 medium-sized strawberries contain 140% of your daily Vitamin C needs.  Strawberries are low in calories - one cup of unsweetened strawberries has only 55 calories.  Strawberries are also good sources of folic acid, potassium and fiber.  Strawberries are also fat-free and low in calories.
• The American Indians were already eating strawberries when European colonists arrived. The crushed berries were mixed with cornmeal and baked into strawberry bread.  After trying this bread, the colonists developed their own version of the recipe and strawberry shortcake was created.
• The wide distribution of wild strawberries is largely from seeds sown by birds - when birds eat the wild berries, the seeds pass through them intact and in reasonably good condition. 

VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Watermelon

• Watermelons contain large amounts of beta carotene and are a significant source of lycopene, that deep-red pigmented phytochemical powerhouse!
• Watermelon are believed to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa.  An early watermelon harvest is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on walls of their ancient buildings.  Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.
• Healthy reminder:  Always wash whole watermelons thoroughly before cutting.  Nasty bacteria on the exterior rind can be carried by your knife onto the edible part of the fruit.  Yuck!
• Watermelon rinds, usually a light green or white color, are also edible and contain nutrients, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor.  In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled.  When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. 

VEGAN DAILY FACTOID: Mango

• Mangoes originated in East India, Burma and the Andaman Islands bordering the Bay of Bengal. Around the 5th century B.C., Buddhist monks are believed to have introduced the mango to Malaysia and eastern Asia.  Legend has it that Buddha found tranquility and repose in a mango grove.   

• The Mango tree plays a sacred role in India; it is a symbol of love and some believe that the Mango tree can grant wishes.  In the Hindu culture hanging fresh mango leaves outside the front door during New Year is considered a blessing to the house.

• Burning of mango wood leaves and debris is not advised - toxic fumes can cause serious irritation to eyes and lungs.

• Mango leaves are considered toxic and can kill cattle or other grazing livestock.