These achievements have come not through sweeping social engineering, or by making Chicagoans dine on tofu, sprouts and recycled rainwater while sitting in the dark, but by simple tweaks.

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The family's version of mapo tofu relied solely on hua jiao for seasoning.

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But I love dumping in handfuls of leafy greens and an avalanche of tofu and going on a fishing expedition for them later.

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Meanwhile, veggie evangelists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have turned heads with ever-more-racy campaigns, including sending models clad only in strategically placed leaves of lettuce to hand out tofu hot dogs on street corners nationwide.

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But the main attraction here is the food: they are known for its artichoke enchiladas and Bueno Burger, a medley of grains, seeds and tofu that gets regular raves on message boards as the best veggie burger in Austin.

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The ultimate value of some varieties, such as organically grown or special tofu soyabeans for Japan, largely depends on their purity.

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Haier keeps producing new ideas such as fridges with locks on them (to keep dormitory mates from snaffling your tofu), compact washing machines (for clothes for pampered Japanese pets) and freezers with compartments that keep ice-cream soft (for impatient gluttons).

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