Firefighters in Texas adopt vegan menu
11:45 p.m. Monday, July 10, 2006
Firemen are known for being big, brave and brawny.
But you won't find these firefighters grilling steaks or ribs on the barbeque.
Instead, you'll see them preparing beans, fresh vegetables and whole grain rice. That's because they're vegans and have given up all animal-based foods.
Rip Esselstyn pioneered the vegan movement at firehouse 2 in Austin, Texas.
"You're eating plant-based foods, which are loaded with all kinds of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants," he said. "They're not as calorie-dense as your animal-based products, but they're nutritionally dense."
James Rae got fired up about making the change after getting a cholesterol reading of 344 at a checkup. The American Heart Association says anything over 240 is considered high risk.
"It ended up being a team effort thing," Rae said. "With my extremely high cholesterol, the guys rallied around me to help give me strength to change my diet."
Now the firemen take turns cooking creative and tasty meals like meatless lasagna, vegetarian pizza and vegan fajitas.
And Rae's cholesterol is under control.
"So I went to the doctor, came back and at 196 after 21 days. So i just thought, well shoot, that works," Rae said.
And it's sparked a whole new way of eating for these firefighters.
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