Indian Vegetarian Traditions
India has the world's most ancient and deep rooted vegetarian traditions. The followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism avoid meat not only for moral and philosophical reasons but also for physical and spiritual benefits. However, there are gradations within these religions and only Jainism, which developed in the 6th century BCE, is unconditionally vegetarian. Jains even avoid eating certain plants that are believed to contain the seeds of life. This talk will examine the origins and role of vegetarianism in Indian philosophy, religion and daily life.

Colleen Taylor Sen is a Chicago-based food writer specializing in India and Asia. Her articles have appeared in Travel and Leisure, Food Arts, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Yoga International, Toronto Global and Mail and other publications. She is the author of Food Culture in India and the forthcoming Curry: A Global History.

Why Not Eat Pets?
American carnivores, maybe the greatest on our planet, are faced with a dilemma. Many are concerned about the ethics of eating. The effects of our industrialized food systems on health and environment, sentiments about animal welfare, and just plain cost of animal protein as food are major topics in public discussions in many forums, especially the media. Yet, one food source that meets all ethical criteria is taboo: dining upon companion animals, or pets. As such, anyone who rejects so sensible a plan is nothing less than a carnivore hypocrite. This talk will persuade one and all to dig into a good plate of doggie.

Bruce Kraig is a food historian, the author of papers on insectivorism and cynophagy, and the recent book Hot Dogs: A Global History.

This program is hosted by the Chicago Foodways Roundtable. To reserve, please call (847) 432-8255, then leave your name, telephone number and how many people in your party or e-mail: chicago.foodways.roundtable@gmail.com CLICK HERE.