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Woman gets blasted for putting eggs in 'dairy free' cake and it prompts an age-old debate

A misconception brought on by the 80s food pyramid is still wreaking havoc.

A diet misconception ignited a fight between friends.

Listen, there are a lot of diet groups and sub-groups out there, and it can be difficult to keep track of what they all mean. Especially when you get into any diet group that eliminates some, but not all, animal products.

After all, unless you’re a certified nutritionist, you’d likely not know all the various sub-groups between vegetarianism, which abstains from consuming all animal flesh products, and veganism, which abstains from all animal products entirely—including the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (no meat but allows eggs and dairy), the lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat or eggs but allows dairy), the ovo-vegetarian diet (no meat dairy products but allows eggs), and so on.

Because not everyone is aware of these subtle nuances, it can lead to inevitable misunderstandings at food gatherings. Which brings us to the age-old “are eggs dairy” issue.

As one woman shared online, she had been trying to be generous by bringing over a dessert to her friend’s dinner party. The friend in question asked that she make a dessert without dairy, since her daughter had recently stopped eating it.

Easy peasy, since the woman knew a “great cake recipe with no dairy.” She brought said cake. It was “a hit.” And everything seemed to go off without a hitch…until the woman was asked to share the recipe.

 vegan vegetarian, dairy free, are eggs dairy, dairy free recipes, vegan recipes, vegan desserts, dairy free desserts No good deed goes unpunished.Photo credit: Canva

"My friend asked for the recipe and I told her. When I got to the eggs her daughter became upset and ran upstairs. My friend asked why I put eggs in the cake. I said the eggs were responsible for the spongy texture. She said the cake wasn't dairy free. I said it was. There is no milk or milk products in the cake, no cheese, no butter, etc…" the woman wrote.

When her friends insisted that eggs were dairy, the woman was understandably confused, and stated that, to her understanding, only milk and cheese products were considered dairy. The friend then argued that diary is “anything that comes from an animal.” Although, when the friend asked if, under that logic, honey was considered dairy, the friend said “no, because bees are insects.”

 vegan vegetarian, dairy free, are eggs dairy, dairy free recipes, vegan recipes, vegan desserts, dairy free desserts As one person suggested, next time she could just bring wine. Photo credit: Canva 

The woman ended up apologizing for upsetting her friend, and wondered if she had been in the wrong.

In case you’re not sure who is in the wrong here, we can say definitively, without an iota of doubt that no, eggs are not dairy. They are both animal products, and are often both sold in the dairy aisle in the grocery stores, leading some folks to group them together. But they are not one and the same.

Folks in the comments largely sided with the cake maker on this one, and suspected that the mother actually meant to request no animal products, rather than no dairy.

 vegan vegetarian, dairy free, are eggs dairy, dairy free recipes, vegan recipes, vegan desserts, dairy free desserts Another case for why words matter. Photo credit: Canva

"I think that mom is confused about the terminology,” one person wrote.

Another plainly stated that “she needed to say vegan because that is not the same as dairy free,” while another surmised, “Yeah, it sounds like she didn’t want to say her daughter is going through a vegan ‘phase’ and instead said no dairy, like to sound like an allergy almost?”

Obviously ethics play a big part in someone’s alternative diet choices, as well as painful intolerances. So when wires get crossed, it can be emotionally jarring. However, as one person put it, “in the age of Google” it really behooves us all to make sure what words actually mean to avoid unnecessary tiffs and hurt feelings…or tummies.

Photo by Sterling Pics

Pinky Cole, owner of the Slutty Vegan

Last year, in the middle of what we thought were the darkest times of the COVID-19 pandemic, after endless months of cooking at home, my husband and I decided to venture out of our cocoon and get "slutified." That's what people are called after a visit to one of Atlanta's hottest burger joints, provocatively named, Slutty Vegan.

Owned by 33-year-old fuchsia-loc'd maven and philanthropist Aisha "Pinky" Cole, Slutty Vegan has three locations in the ATL, with more in the works. Her menu reads more like a list of offerings at a bordello than a restaurant, with the "Ménage à Trois," "One Night Stand," and the "Super Slut," and the atmosphere is more like a night club. But, it's not just the cheeky burger names or the concept of plant-based fast food that has customers literally wrapped around the block at all of her locations, it's the vibe she's created. Slutty Vegan is more than a restaurant. It's a culture. And Cole is at the center of it, building a community based on supporting Black entrepreneurs, getting involved in politics, giving back, and being thoughtful about what you put into your body.



Upworthy spoke with Cole as she was hanging out at home with her one-month-old daughter, D. Ella. Now worth seven figures, the restauranteur talked about her recent honor by PETA, growing up the daughter of a Jamaican Rastafarian mother, owning a jerk chicken restaurant in Harlem that tragically burned down, the many brands vying to partner with her, and how vitally important it is for her business to be ethically aligned with her beliefs.

Upworthy: Where did the name come from?

Cole: I was a TV producer for 10+ years. The one thing I know how to do well is to make people pay attention. I know that sex sells and the two most pleasurable experiences in life are sex and food. If I could merge those two experiences, and not make it mucky, but sexy and educational, I knew it would be big, especially in the heart of the South. I'm infusing this concept into culture, music and entertainment. I'm showing you how to eat better, even if it starts with burgers, fries, and pies. I needed the name to be so racy, that you'd pay attention. Then I can start dropping the gems on you. And we have been able to bring people together in the name of food. And to help people reimagine food, especially "flexitarians," -- meaning people who are meat-eaters.

Upworthy: How did you feel being honored by PETA as one of their "Most Beautiful Vegans?"

C: I love what PETA represents. They've supported and rallied for me since the beginning. To be alongside so many other amazing vegans shows me that I'm in the room. Meaning that I'm alongside people who stand for something. People who are making changes in their communities and it feels good to be connected in that way.

Upworthy: Let's talk about The Pinky Cole Foundation.

C: I officially started the foundation in 2019. But, it was just a way of formalizing what I'd been doing for years. I was always a steward of people. I saw my mom do it. She helped everybody anytime she could. She'd take the clothes off her back to help people. The foundation is at the crux of who we are. Slutty Vegan is nothing without the philanthropic aspect. I want to bridge the generational wealth gap. I want people to see that a young woman can start a company and it can be beyond money, but help the community and provide group economics and give back. Money doesn't move me. It's the ability to utilize my resources to help people.


* Cole has supported 30 Clark Atlanta University students in clearing their balances. When Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by Atlanta police in a Wendy's parking lot, Cole provided life insurance for Brooks' family, a new car, and $600K in scholarships for them to go college. She partnered with TV host Steve Harvey and his wife, Marjorie's foundation to pay the electric bills for 100 Atlanta residents. She's donated thousands of pounds of produce and winter coats to local families in need. Cole along with Derrick "D" Hayes, CEO of Big Dave Cheesesteaks, provided life insurance to all Black men in Atlanta who make $30k annually or less, and she partnered with the Department of Juvenile Justice to employ ex-juvenile offenders at Slutty Vegan, and so much more.

Upworthy: How do you encourage and inspire all of your thousands of customers to do something in their own communities?

C: Leading by example. I speak to so many audiences. I speak to women; minorities; children of immigrants; mothers; small business owners; people who come from middle-class families; I speak to so many different people. So, when people come and support Slutty Vegan, they feel like they're represented. People see the representation through me. As long as I continue to be an example that you can do it. You can come from East Baltimore, or like we say, "around the way," and be everything you dreamed of. Pinky Cole did it and I can too. That's the empowerment they see.

Upworthy: What's your philosophy on being vegan as it relates to health, the environment, the Black community, and neighborhoods with obvious food deserts.

C: I don't try to push my agenda on anyone. My audience is people who aren't necessarily vegan. It's like Christianity and Islam. Believe in what you want to believe in. I can show you the way, but I won't make you drink the way. My emphasis is on the experience. I want people to feel good. And feeling good is eating good and thinking good. Emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Food can do that for you. Am I walking around with a sign that says 'Eat Vegan or Die!' No. But, what I will say is, let me show you another way.

Upworthy: Did you feel like you had to recreate traditional fast food, but vegan-style to assure you had customers? Particularly in the South?

C: My father has a saying, 'Success is like mud. You throw something on the wall, something's gonna stick.' And this is what stuck. Obviously, I knew that I had to appeal to my audience. I did that by fusing food and culture. Slutty Vegan has grown so fast because so many celebrities have endorsed the brand. We've been able to utilize other people's platforms, especially celebrities, to expand the brand. So, if you see your favorite celebrity eating something or doing something that you love to do, nine times out of ten, you're going to want to do it. This is me meeting people where they are. Focusing on the entertainment and secondarily the food. We're in the South, so Southern comfort food is at the center of living here. So, how can I get people to eat vegan food in the heart of the South? Put it in the music. Put it in the entertainment. The things people pay attention to. You've got Megan Thee Stallion eating Slutty Vegan, so of course, people who love her want to eat it too. People want to see what all the hype is about.

Upworthy: Have you seen a difference in her customers' tastes and acceptance of veganism as a concept since opening in 2018?

C: When we started, none of the big chains had options, now all of them do. And I like to say that we have been the inspiration for that -- humbly. We were the guinea pigs. We tested the market so they didn't have to. And that's the goal, to get more people to eat plant-based. And that's a win for the plant-based community and for people who want to change their lives and be better.

Upworthy: What do you say when people say being vegan is too pricey for me?

C: It's pricier. But, you pay for your health. If you choose to eat badly all of your life, you're going to be paying for medicine. Either pay for your health now or later. Society doesn't make you think about it that way. I think COVID started to make us think more about our health. This is why Slutty Vegan became even more successful during the pandemic. People wanted to start living better.

Upworthy: What are your tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur?


C: Mess up all the time. I make a lot of conscious mistakes. I make decisions that make sense to me, but sometimes those decisions aren't the best, but that helps me learn. In my first restaurant, when it caught on fire, I was sick. But, that taught me to make sure my paperwork was right and make sure I had fire insurance. Also, alignment is a big thing in business. I believe you have to ask yourself some questions. Why am I starting this business? Who is it going to support? Who is going to help outside of me? If you have pure intentions you will win. Anything I've done, I've done it with pure intentions. Which is why I always win. I'm confident about that because I go to sleep at night knowing that I haven't done anybody wrong and I've moved with good intentions and I've helped people along the way.

Every Oscar winner has their own unique way of celebrating Academy Award glory. Some winners part like there is no tomorrow. Others use the newfound gravitas to build support for their passion project. Sanda Bullock famously went to Astro Burger for a humble yet delicious snack.

And then, there's Joaquin Phoenix. Fresh off winning a Best Actor Oscar for his divisive role in Joker, Phoenix decided to do something deeply personal with his moment of elevated cultural relevance.


Phoenix already made international headlines for dedicating most of his acceptance speech to the cause of the vegan diet. A number of news outlets ridiculed the Gladiator actor for interjecting personal politics and convictions into a night dedicated to celebrating pop culture entertainment. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Phoenix, those critics are definitely wrong in this case. Rather than finger-pointing or name-calling, Phoenix's speech was unifying gesture meant to rally people's support from a point of compassion.

In fact, the most uplifting moment of the entire speech was arguably at the end, when a humble Phoenix addressed his own past personal difficulties and called for an end of "cancel culture" where people lift each other up out of and beyond bad behavior.

But just hours after that speech, Phoenix showed he is a person of personal integrity, willing to put his own words into action.

The 45-year-old Hollywood icon partnered with Farm Sanctuary, an organization dedicated to animal rights, specifically to providing shelter for animals rescued from farms.

In a video released by the organization, Phoenix does something truly special: He rescues a mother cow and her calf from a local California slaughterhouse (whom he later named "Liberty and Indigo") after having a civil conversation with the farm's owner. Not just a simple act of mercy, the moment by Phoenix and Farm Sanctuary shows how compassion and civility can cross bridges over even contemptuous issues.


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It almost doesn't matter what side of animal rights issue you fall on. This statement from Phoenix really says it all:

"I never thought I'd find friendship in a slaughterhouse, but meeting Anthony and opening my heart to his, I realize we might have more in common than we do differences. Without his act of kindness, Liberty and her baby calf, Indigo, would have met a terrible demise. Although we will continue to fight for the liberation of all animals who suffer in these oppressive systems, we must take pause to acknowledge and celebrate the victories, and the people who helped achieve them. Shaun Monson, Amy Jean Davis, and the entire LA Animal Save community, have taken their pain of bearing witness and turned it into effective, diplomatic advocacy for the voiceless."

"As a result, Liberty and Indigo will never experience cruelty or the touch of a rough hand. My hope is, as we watch baby Indigo grow up with her mom Liberty at Farm Sanctuary, that we'll always remember that friendships can emerge in the most unexpected places; and no matter our differences, kindness and compassion should rule everything around us."

That's an incredible statement from someone who could so easily use their passion as a platform to shame or attempt to cancel those who disagree with them. If you believe in animals rights, Phoenix just gave a master class in how to bring people over to your side. Make it a discussion with a big tent instead of an argument. This is the civility so many people say they miss these days. And we could all use more moments like it.

Quick. What makes you more excited than anything else in the world?

A promising Tinder match? A free trip to New Zealand? The New England Patriots losing the Super Bowl?

I'm easy to please. Photo by jeffreyw/Flickr.


Chances are plain vegetables and legumes don't crack your top five.

Mmmm. Nah. Photo by Alexei Hulsov/Pixabay.

Or 50.

Or 5,000.

Unless, of course, you're Macka B, a British reggae artist, who has recently turned his love for cucumbers, herbal tea, pumpkin seeds, and okra into a series of disarmingly earnest and hella catchy a cappella jams.

They're incredibly worthy of a few minutes of your time — not just for the delightful musical pronunciation of "cucumba," but for their boundless, sincere enthusiasm for healthful, nutrient-rich additions to the human diet.

Like many of his reggae brethren, B is a Rastafarian and follows the faith's Ital diet, whose practitioners generally avoid eating meat products, a practice they believe decreases the amount of "livity," or life energy, in themselves and the world. Hence his excitement for raw roughage and hot liquids.

If B's infectious earworms don't convince you to go vegan, that's OK.

Pumpkin seeds! Photo by Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons.

(Though if they do convince you to become one, that's fine too. That shit is super ethical.)

But if you can manage to muster as much excitement for anything as this man can muster for vegan food, you might just unlock the secret of life.

And if it turns out to be pumpkin seeds, honestly, would that really surprise you?