There was obviously stimulating conversation about our cause, and about being vegan and vegetarian—what we eat (a lot of good stuff) and how we feel (generally, amazing). At one point, Chloe suggested that we each answer the ubiquitous question, “Where do you get your protein?” with our favorite protein source. The answers included dark leafy greens, chickpeas, almonds and sesame seeds, the combination of rice and beans, the fermented soy product tempeh, and the wheat gluten meat sub, seitan, that, for those who have no problem with gluten, ease the transition to a vegetarian way of eating. Rory Freedman, co-author of the phenomenal best-seller, Skinny Bitch, and the new Skinny Bastard, summed it up by saying that with a well-planned diet of natural, plant-based foods, you don’t need a favorite source of protein since you’re getting all you need from all sorts of yummy foods.

And we were being fed all sorts of yummy foods from Madeline Bistro in Tarzana, California. The meal began with a heavenly green pea and lemongrass soup, then a beautiful salad, a seitan lemon “chicken” over greens, a dessert array with ice “cream” and pastry, followed by luscious vegan chocolates. I love the way that this way of eating doesn’t make people suffer or animals either. It was a good night.