When Chris and I became vegan, the biggest challenge was learning what ingredients were vegan and which were not. We became serial ingredient readers and it was not uncommon for us to stand in an aisle at the store for several minutes while we looked up, on our phones, each ingredient to see if it was vegan. Store clerks would offer help, but the majority of the time, they did not know either. We eventually just found a selection of products that were certified vegan or that we had researched and found to be vegan, and now shopping doesn't take nearly as long.
Veganissimo A to Z, by Reuben Proctor and Lars Thomsen, is a new in-depth guide to ingredients, covering over 2500 ingredients, what their sources are and how they are used. I read a review of this new book on Our Hen House several weeks ago and I immediately added it to my wishlist. As I read the review, I remember thinking "this is truly an invaluable resource." Weeks later, when I was asked to review this revolutionary new book, I jumped at the chance.
What surprised me the most when I first received Veganissimo A to Z was its size! I was expecting a large book but it is actually small enough to pack into my purse- how convenient is that? No more spending too much time trying to research an ingredient on my phone because now I have my little guide at arm's reach.
I probably spent a good hour flipping through the book. I thought I had a firm grasp on general uses for animals and even some of the lesser known uses, but I was stunned to see how many different animals are exploited for the most ridiculous things. Every few minutes, I was exclaiming to Chris something like "Can you believe people kill sea turtles for the oil from their genitals?" and "Why on earth would anyone decide to kill a marmot and put it in hair conditioner?" and "What is wrong with people?!!" I was also amazed by several ingredients I had never heard of before and never would've thought to be animal-derived- Margarita Powder (derived from ground pearls), Oak Apple (outgrowths of oak leaves, caused by wasp eggs and their larvae), or Apis Mellifera (whole honey bees) just to name a few.
Veganissimo's biggest strength's, in my opinion, is how for every ingredient, they use symbols to indicate all possible sources (plants, animals, synthetics, minerals, etc.) and by the color of each symbol, you can see if it is predominately used or just sometimes used (for example, Retinyl Acetate is usually synthetic, but can sometimes be from an animal). There is also a guide at the end of the book, describing how to choose plant-based food, clothes, cosmetics, and cleaning products. For the newly vegan and the not-so-newly vegan or just the conscious consumer, this book is a godsend, helping us not to be perfect, but to be able to make the most compassionate choices possible.
The publisher, The Experiment (find them on Facebook and Twitter too), was kind enough to offer a copy of Veganissimo A to Z to giveaway to one of my readers. To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment answering "What animal-derived ingredient were you most surprised to learn about?" (be sure to note that you commented in the box below). For additional entries, you may follow the instructions in the box below.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book to review, but all of the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Susan
I was pretty surprised by several ingredients, but I think the one I was most surprised to learn about is Apis Mellifera (whole honey bees) used in homeopathic medicines. Really??
Audrey
non-vegan wine.
Kristy
L-Cysteine - rat hair (sometimes human hair) found in a lot of tortillas and packaged breads.
Trezlen
activated carbon. How can filtered water NOT be vegan?!!!
Richa
I am surprised every few months! I think vegan beer and wine surprised hubbs the most.. cant remember what surprised me.. bear bile for ridiculous medicine purposes shocked me.
Christine
Bone used to filter sugar - I still don't see why that's necessary.
Cynthia
Oil from sea turtles' genitals? eeew!
nik
Albumin, derived from cattle blood, is used in plywood glue...still haven't found a vegan-friendly wood glue for woodworking that really holds.
For crafts and small wood pieces, Weldbond and Elmer's are vegan-friendly.
Marlee
Ground pearls! I don't ever think of the origin of pearls because I don't own any real pearls, so this was shocking that it was used in the mix, and it was a serious reminder that it's derived from animal products.
Krista
Casein protein added to soy cheese.
Annie
I'm seeing this book everywhere - need to have a copy in my purse!
Beth
Cocheal aka red food coloring/dye and shellac! The use of insects byproducts in food was a shock all together!
Bridget
Right now I believe that I am on only plant based foods. Learning about hidden animal products is why I am here. And looking forward to to learning more.
Sunni
I have never gotten over the food flavoring that comes from beaver anal glands.
Kerry M
The animal by products found in beer and wine. I would have never thought that a lot of booze would be filtered through animal products!
Ali
I too was shocked at the filtering practices for sugar, beer, wine, etc.
Though my most recent discovery was Vitamin D3 in orange and cochineal in grapefruit juice. Specifically Minute Maid, but in others too. Like Tropicana's oj containing sardines and anchovies (Omega-3).
I'm now worried about all beverages, think I'll stick to fresh squeezed juices and non-carbon-filtered water.
Michelle
Rennet gross but gelatin is probably the grossest thing
Helena
Casein in soy milk powder.
Janne
Apis Mellifera
Greg
That the drug Premarin is so named because the hormones come from Pregnant Mare's Urine.
Liz
Ew, Greg. That is BEYOND disgusting. Where do they come UP with this stuff??
David
When we were vegetarian, definitely rennet or "enzymes" found in most cheeses. Now that we are vegan, probably gelatin. I can never look at marshmallows the same again...and I'm very thankful for vegan marshmallows!
Terri Cole
I think gelatin is still the thing that grosses me out the most!
AY
I was extremely surprised to learn recently that animal fat is often used in manufacturing plastic bags. Why?!? What other plastic materials or products use this manufacturing process?
R.Mueller
I loved jello soooo much, so sad that it contains animal bits too 🙁
felicia
Sugar!
Crista
wine shocked me, plastic bags, and silk - i never thought of the "silk worm" ..those little guys have big jobs.
susan
the use of Apis Mellifera (whole honey bees)
Judy
marshmallows...
Maggie Boxey
Gelatin and sugar.
Emily
I was surprised to learn that a lot of beer and wine makers use animal products in their processes.
Somer
Carmine, being derived from beetles. It's in all sorts of things. YUCK.
Somer
Oh and I found out that a mucous relief homeopathic medicine I've had for a while had organ and tissues in it... Certified from New Zealand.... I nearly threw up after I read the container... After taking the supplement a couple weeks ago for relief from a cold I was suffering from. WHAT THE HECK?
Richa
most homeopathic med pills also contain lactose. grrr
Amber
For me it was Carmine/Cochineal! I could hardly believe it when I went vegan and started researching the ingredients in my food!
debbie
Wine.