The Bearded Life: Organic; Natural; Gluten free; Vegan; Cruelty free; and written on equipment that may have processed tree nuts.

Well, it's time once again for the "food" issue of the Southern Minnesota Scene magazine. As a vegan, and as someone with strong opinions, writing about food is difficult, since I don't want to come off as forcing my views down your throat. Even though I am, in a sense forcing my views down your throat.

Also, I received some fun "fan mail" recently about last month's column, the one on small talk and "Minnesota Nice." Turns out I'm not much of a humorist after all! Anyway, it's something I'll be addressing in our "art" issue next month.

Until then, please don't offer me anything that's gluten free. I'll take all the gluten I can get. Thanks.