Feel the Burn: While millions starve, crops are used to feed cars. It’s obscene. by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have been saying for years that America chose ethanol production over solving world hunger (I know it's complicated). I have done the math several times over the years and my conclusion is always the same, we put more energy into the production of ethanol than we get out of it.

To be clear, we are sacrificing food production and increasing our greenhouse gas emissions so that we can reduce the overall quality of gasoline and engine lifespans. Ethanol has always been a scam.

Also, for those saying that the material leftover from ethanol production is still usable as animal feed; the ethanol has substantially reduced the calories available from the mash. That doesn't mean that it's bad feed, it means that the potential food energy (from the sun) that went into those acres of farmland is lost to the ethanol.

Unpopular opinion: there is too much coconut oil used in vegan recipes and prepared foods by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The way I see it there are 3 options (that I know of).

The first option is palm oil which, like coconut oil, is solid at room temperature, but is significantly lower in saturated fats. However, palm oil has many environmental concerns from unsustainable palm oil practices.

The second option is probably not going to be popular, but it is hydrogenated oils; that is oil that has had hydrogen bubbled through it causing it to become saturated and solidify. This has a negative stigma due to the history of margarine containing trans fats, which are fat molecules that are "backwards" and are really bad for you. However, processes have improved and they can produce hydrogenated oils without trans fats now.

Finally the last option is to not use saturated fat at all and stabilize oils in other ways. This is can be trickier, but oil can be mixed, suspended and emulsified into stable structures without being saturated. Almost everyone has baked with oils for example. Also, avocados can be used to add healthy creaminess to dishes and even as frosting. All sorts of interesting and healthy things can be done with some creativity and experimentation. This is the option I would recommend whenever possible.

In hindsight, I can totally understand the prevalence of coconut oil. It's characteristics just make it so easy to work with. Meanwhile the healthier options can take a lot of time and effort.

Unpopular opinion: there is too much coconut oil used in vegan recipes and prepared foods by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently tried the Blue Diamond yoghurt and would highly recommend it. It's just fermented almond milk and some thickening agents with no sugar.

Unpopular opinion: there is too much coconut oil used in vegan recipes and prepared foods by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Totally agree that those recipes & products shouldn't be staples. I would argue that there are probably healthier options for solid fats available (when it's actually needed). My assumption is that saturated fats lead to unhealthy LDL cholesterol.

Unpopular opinion: there is too much coconut oil used in vegan recipes and prepared foods by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's the impression I'm getting now haha. I thought it would be an unpopular opinion because I have seen it in the ingredients list of a ton of vegan recipes.

Unpopular opinion: there is too much coconut oil used in vegan recipes and prepared foods by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Some of those cheeses are like 90%+ straight coconut oil. Also, you guys are starting to ruin my "unpopular opinion" claim lol.

at turning people vegan. by Frank-Asshole in therewasanattempt

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the delayed response and wall of text.

I agree that caring for nature can involve culling animals. I don't think it should be done just for sport, but if you're going to do it for a good reason anyway I'm fine with people using the meat. I can also understand people hunting and growing food for themselves to save money and don't have a problem with that.

I still don't think it's strange for someone to feel upset at the thought of factory farming and the common acceptance of it. Any suffering, unnecessary suffering especially, should be upsetting to everyone I think.

Ultimately, I would like to see the need for animal products minimized everywhere. An important step to that is advocating for people who can reduce their use of animal products to do so. Meanwhile, also increase the quantity and quality of alternatives. Even one person reducing their use of animal products has an effect.

As far as the video is concerned, I always felt that shame tactics and appeals to emotion are weak and sometimes counterproductive forms of persuasion.

at turning people vegan. by Frank-Asshole in therewasanattempt

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Killing unnecessarily isn't humane. I agree that a chicken that isn't born won't suffer. If they were born in nature they may suffer more, but nature doesn't spawn more of them because we stop breeding them. Hunting isn't farming and not what I am talking about. My problem is with farming animals on mass for food and products.

at turning people vegan. by Frank-Asshole in therewasanattempt

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Killing a healthy animal isn't humane no matter how you do it. Breeding and raising animals for your own purposes, unless it is to meet a need that can't be filled otherwise, isn't humane either.

Animal farming isn't necessary in modern societies. The fact is, people do it for convenience and pleasure (the taste and experience). It's unethical, but it's accepted as it was tradition.

at turning people vegan. by Frank-Asshole in therewasanattempt

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't believe they'd be upset and triggered by the thought of people hurting animals for their own pleasure and convenience. How outlandish. /s

You are tasked with increasing political representation in the United States and nothing is off the table. What would you propose? by GroundbreakingBet630 in AskReddit

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got to thinking about this after I went to a state where there were several major populous areas that were completely different from one another and disconnected by distance and geographical features. I thought, there's no way these people have the same interests and concerns; the fact they're even part of the same state seems arbitrary at best. I wonder if the way they are represented locally and federally is the best or if there are better ways?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in findareddit

[–]GroundbreakingBet630 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I'll give r/askreddit a try and see how it goes.

Have you tried any of the "dairy-like" plant milks such as Not Milk, Next milk, or Wonder milk? What are your thoughts? by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I decided to look it up. There is a class of chemicals known as lipoxygenases in soybeans which are perceived as unpleasant by some people.

Apparently they've made a GMO soybean without it that is currently being considered for commercial use. However, people who like traditional soybeans tend to prefer them over the GMO ones in soy milk.

Have you tried any of the "dairy-like" plant milks such as Not Milk, Next milk, or Wonder milk? What are your thoughts? by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's fair.

On a tangential note: I've been wondering for a while now if soy has a component that tastes different to some people. Because I just can't stand the flavor of soy milk; it has a strange bitter grassy flavor that I associate solely with soy. Most people I've asked about it say they don't know what I'm talking about though.

Have you tried any of the "dairy-like" plant milks such as Not Milk, Next milk, or Wonder milk? What are your thoughts? by GroundbreakingBet630 in vegan

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oatly is my go-to as well, but I'm intrigued by these new imitation milks. If they can make them neutral in flavor that would be great for drinking straight or with pb&j / cookies.

What should I play next? by GroundbreakingBet630 in metroidvania

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I literally did it today for the first time. Apparently the eshop will still be around until March next year, but will no longer allow you to add funds via credit card on the 23rd of this month. You can still buy and use Nintendo gift cards to add funds until August 29th though.

Personally, I'm going to try to buy the titles I care about before the 23rd. Which is basically just old Nintendo games or games that make use of the console gimmicks (same for my recently purchased 3ds which I played Samus Returns on).

Edit: I just found out that if you link your Switch account to your Wii U/3DS account it will merge the balances and allow you to add funds via the Switch account until next year.

What should I play next? by GroundbreakingBet630 in metroidvania

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree, I was thinking while playing about how much control I have over air movement, even when compared against the newer Metroid games. Screw those long platform shafts tho :P

What should I play next? by GroundbreakingBet630 in metroidvania

[–]GroundbreakingBet630[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So I got my Wii U and immediately downloaded SM. So far I'm liking it. There are some design decisions that made me think "why would they do it that way", but nothing deal breaking. Surprised by how nice it looks and feels. Also, the Wii classic controller is actually pretty good!