This blog is the creation of two vegan sisters, Sara & Jo, who love many things; among them baking, shopping, and animals…but not baking or shopping that uses animals! 😉 We are both ethical vegans. This means that veganism for us is not just a diet, it is a lifestyle. Both of us have been told that veganism is “extreme,” and that “it must be so hard.” Once you know that something is Wrong, though, not doing it doesn’t seem extreme. And being vegan definitely isn’t hard, because the alternative is horrific. Our beautiful dogs remind us every day that animals have emotions, thoughts, and desires, just like we do. Since we love both animals and tasty food, we are happy to share recipes, information and ideas to help everyone eat well, and hopefully Make the Connection!
Feel free to poke around as The Innocent Primate grows and develops. But just so you know, the blog sparked as an idea from a weekly email Sara had been sending out to friends and family. The weekly email was of healthy recipes (and vegan, naturally) to help one friend become healthier as her New Year’s Resolution. The email list kept growing, then a good friend suggested doing a blog. Then after some nudging from said friend, Sara realized..”if my dad can text, I can blog”.. so here we are!
Becoming part of a foodie/vegan community has introduced us to some wonderful people. We’ve also received great comments from people who have tried our recipes “in the field,” even non-vegans! And every vegan meal is a good thing!
The name Innocent Primate is a reference to an episode of Seinfeld in which Kramer gets into a fight with a chimp (Innocent Primate-Kramer). It also reflects our belief that our primate cousins (and all other animals) no more deserve to be used for entertainment, experimentation or slaughter than the two primate authors of this blog.
If you have any comments, questions, suggestions, or requests…please don’t hesitate to email Sara and/or Jo at innocent.primate@gmail.com and we’ll happily get back to you!
“Party of 5” Kirsche and Jo on the love seat, Sara and Mocha in the pink chair, and Copper is sleeping on the floor between the love seat and chair (it’s kind of hard to see him since it’s dark and he’s dark).
this is great… i am so happy for you two. This is a great idea, and I hope all goes well. I miss you Sara our show has finally made it to the big screen and I wish you were here so that we can see it together.
Love ya,
Liz
June 14, 2008
Hi – I found this website from a blog, from another website. I’ve been touring your site for over an hour. I love it!!!
I am a new vegan (four months) and I’m constantly looking for recipes and other folks like myself and husband, who joined the vegan train with me. I don’t push my vegan beliefs on others, or put them down for eating meat; to me, that would be hypocrytical. I do share why I made this decision, everything I’ve learned and the health benefits it has given me. I am sick of the negative comments from people (even animal lovers)! They respond like I’m a freak, when I think I should be commended!
While I can’t ignore the many wonderful health benefits I have felt, my husband and I decided veganism, due to animal abuse. After seeing a news clip on down cows and how they are forced on trucks to slaughter, that led me to PETA and viewing “Meat your Meat” (I cried through the whole video) that was it, meat was gone and haven’t had any since. I’m still not sure why vegetarians that don’t eat meat, due to animal cruelty, still justify eating dairy products. I guess they were ignorant like me and thought, “cows just give milk” all the time. Even with that belief, what do they think happens to those cows when they are too old or sick to give milk? That farmers spend money to care for them, let them die naturally and give them a proper burrial?
I’m actually ashamed of myself, being such an animal lover/rescuer and working in a vet hospital, that it took me 40 years to become a vegan. I even catch and release bugs in my house, but ate animals! I was so naive as to what was going on! I guess being raised in the south, by meat farmers and having a chicken leg placed in my mouth before a teething ring…it just “put me there”.
I was taught animal rights were for our dogs and cats. Even though I’ve always loved all farm animals and wild life, I was taught to believe “they” were put here by God for us to eat. What bull! And, I am a Christian, but, how insane for me to believe anything other than, all living creatures are equal to God and He does not want us to hurt/eat each other, or his living creatures. One of the ten commandments says…”thou shalt not kill”, period…it doesn’t rule out animals.
Thank you for standing up for us vegan’s, that receive such a hard time for our decisions. Perhaps, when “those people” are sick from diseases, linked to eating meat and what goes in there body from farmers, they will listen. And, why do people keep telling me I’m not getting enough protein, being a vegan? Have they not seen the protein content in veggies and soy?! Clueless, just as I used to be.
Thank you for reading my story and for this site. I will book mark it and continue to check it constantly.
God Bless Yall (Yes, I’m a country girl)
Lisa
Asheville, NC
I hear ya! Glad you found us (Jo and I are southern gals as well). I remember when I first went vegetarian, you’re right, it doesn’t always occur to people that milk and cheese inflict just as much pain and misery as eating the flesh itself. And of course, nobody wants to think about the horror that goes into getting that flesh on their plates – even animal lovers (which even before I went vegetarian I considered myself to be). There’s a disconnect amongst people – and quite frankly, that’s the only way humans can deal with meat consumption..living in denial, or disconnected with what is really going on. Don’t be ashamed that it took you 40 years! You’re here and your husband as well, and that’s what matters. Think of all the lives you’ve saved just in the last 4 months, and all that you will save in the future. And another thing..embrace your freak! You are now part of a community of freaks, and we accept you! If you want to get more in touch with your freak, check out http://veganfreak.net/ – Bob and Jenna are the best!
Sara/Jo
Thanks for the cool site. I am a friend (?) of your Father…and he sent me this link. Its great and I wish you both (and big brother, too) the best in everything….
Dee, (the Domestic Goddess) will be using these recipies for sure!
Thanks Again
Mike
Thanks for posting your comment on my blog, “meat is murder.” your words are the gentle push i need. thanks! please come back time-and-time again. i’ll be keeping an eye on your site too! Thankx again Sara. -Michael
I was looking at the doggies again on the CoKiMo page (who btw doesn’t LOVE that Beach Boys song? LOL) to make sure I was speaking correctly, dog-wise, in my email to you Sara and decided to look here again too. I just noticed that Mocha is on your lap! So adorable! I felt the need to comment….lol. Frequently I have a dog on either side of me on the couch as well =)
Yeah, if I’m on the love seat (where Jo and Kirsche are), the pooches usually fight for who gets to snuggle up to me. Usually Mocha will be snuggling up to me, then Copper (like any typical male who thinks he owns the world) will jump up on the couch and sit ON TOP of Mocha until she gets annoyed, wiggles out from underneath him, and goes to sit by herself in the pink chair (that I’m shown napping in)…Ah, the joys of doggies 🙂
Um, I read it in either one of two books: Healing Herbs; The Essential Guide by H. Winter Griffith, M.D., or The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. I wrote this article a while back and only recently decided to post it here, so I don’t remember which book for sure it was I read it. Either way, both books are a great read.
Thanks so much for the encouragement on my blog with my vegan experiment!! I love your recipes. Can’t wait to try some. Keep up the good work!! 🙂
Wow how cool!
Don’t you just love the internet … I just stumbled upon this site and am too excited. Who needs to travel and burn up jet fuel, not me … I’m at the bottom or your world, down in South Australia. Love your work!
Loved Lisa’s post too … bought a tear to my eye :o)
Sara,
Thanks for linking to my photo blog (My3rdI.org) on your blog under Pretty Pictures. I feel really honored.
One of these days I will have to try out few recipes from your blog 🙂
-Sasi
Hey, great website! The recipes look delicious.
Hi!
Great website! Really inspiring and yummy!
Thanks so much for the encouragement you left on my blog, I’ve now had a look around yours and I love the look all your recipes, I will be sure to try some soon. It’s a really cool idea to take pictures of the making process as well 🙂 Cheers again for the vegan moral support!
Awesome site! Keep up the great work. I am producing films and videos that show veg*ns in a positive light. You two are certainly doing your part. Fabulous.
Sara, you commented on my blog, ecoamico.
I just want to say thank you for your comment and for indirectly directing me to your blog! What a fantastic resource this will be for me – I am already intrigued by your potato pizzas. I love pizza too.
I also love Seinfeld and have referenced it in my blog too!
Top stuff, thanks again. I will be reading!
Don’t forget to start growing your own vegan veggies! The sad truth is many of the veggies we eat (particularly organic veggies) are grown with slaughterhouse products, fish “emulsio”, and/or animal manures.
Vegan gardening is easy enough that I eventually scaled up from my backyard to 3 acres! There are challenges but mostly if one considers oneself a steward of the land and let’s nature do most the work then the hard work is mostly done.
You can learn more about veganic growing at
http://www.goveganic.net/
You can read about my own trials and triumphs at http://www.reverencegardens.com
If you don’t have much growing space or don’t really want to spend your summers playing in the dirt (but really – playing in the dirt is the best possible way to spend the summer) – think about getting together with your vegan friends and starting your own vegan community garden!
Peace
Chris
Hey Chris! Thanks for stopping by the Primate and commenting!! Yeah, I try to grow as much as I can, and I buy from a Farmer’s Market (because I don’t apparently have a green thumb for veg, only herbs). But my neighbor also has a garden, and he keeps it chemical-free and uses vegan compost/nutrients (even though he’s not vegan), etc. I taught him about companion planting and such. So I ‘steal’ his veg from time to time – of course, he’s given me permission to do so..I’m not actually stealing 😉
An invaluable addition to my healthy living.
I have told dozens of people about your site and they too, have been enamored by the delicious dishes and compassionate words.
Sara and Jo, have you ever thought about video blogging?
Additionally, I am aspiring to decrease my consumption of all products that test on animals, contain animal products, etc. Organic, local, and specialty products tend to be pricey and may not work for everyone. Have you thought of broadening your scope to product reviews for those of us seeking further enlightenment?
Sincerely,
silvermoon
You know, Jo and I have discussed video blogging…and we’ll probably do that soon (like in the next few months). We need to have two people – since I can’t video myself (no tripod).. unless you want to volunteer as our camera-lady 😉
Thank you so much for spreading the word about our recipes!!! You totally ROCK!
Yeah, while we do post some product reviews, they are usually food-related (though, not always…the soap nuts isn’t really edible). You know what I could do… I could put together a list of items that Jo and I use, and some more commonly available items that would serve the same purpose. You’re right…specialty items/brands, like what you find at Whole Foods tend to be pricey. However, you can find some of the same items for less money at other places like drugstore.com and such. I’ll put that on the to-do list for non-food product reviews!
I love your site. Great recipes accompanied by a delicious philosophy!
How did you get the Animal Shelter Click button on your page? I do it each day and wish everyone would.
Hey MP! Welcome to the Primate!! So if you go to the Animal Shelter site, under their left-hand menu items is ‘Link to Us’…where they have options for various ways to link to them for facebook, twitter myspace.. then a code for a link for websites and blogs that you cut and paste into a widget or post/page. We have a link on our ‘Links’ page, but in order to make it more visible to everyday traffic, I put up a widget. Here’s the URL to the ‘Link to Us’ page on the Animal Rescue Site. Let me know if this works for you..or if you have issues with getting it set up – and perhaps I can help 🙂
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/linktous.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_linktous_from_home_leftnav
Thank you, Sara, you helped tremendously! The clicker is now on my blog.
I do love your site. The more I’m reading, the more I love it. You have great recipes and do phenomenal work. We have a family full of winged and four legged “people,” and can’t imagine a world without them.
Hey. I love your blog. I also blog about vegan things but am just getting started.
Hey! I just found your blog while googling around for vegan cooking classes in Houston. I have my own blog that I’m not good at updating but am an avid blog stalker of many lifestyle, vegan, and fitness blogs. I’m also training to teach at Yogaone studios in downtown, and would love to have my own vegan cake catering business (just a far off dream!). It’s great to find a local blogger to follow! Maybe I”ll make it out to your studio in Spring!
Hey Gaby! I’d love it if you made it out to our studio here in Spring! Plus, it’d be awesome to know another vegan in the Houston area – I know their here…they DO exist… I just need to meet them 😉
While I can’t ignore the many wonderful health benefits I have felt, my husband and I decided veganism, due to animal abuse. After seeing a news clip on down cows and how they are forced on trucks to slaughter, that led me to PETA and viewing “Meat your Meat” (I cried through the whole video) that was it, meat was gone and haven’t had any since. I’m still not sure why vegetarians that don’t eat meat, due to animal cruelty, still justify eating dairy products. I guess they were ignorant like me and thought, “cows just give milk” all the time. Even with that belief, what do they think happens to those cows when they are too old or sick to give milk? That farmers spend money to care for them, let them die naturally and give them a proper burrial?
Your photo image of plain white cake is beautiful, and perfect for what I need. My I please use your image in my master’s project? I am using cake as a metaphor for a range of success -the goal of my research conclusions is to get to CAKE (your image). Beyond basic cake is a matter of a matter of art (Decorated Fancy Cake image). Could I please please use your photo? If so, please include how you want your name read when credited. March 2, 2009 posted by Sara. https://innocentprimate.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/best-white-cake-ever/
Certainly! Use photo credit: Innocent Primate Vegan Blog (Sara Turk)
Thank you so much!! -Charlotte 🙂