Miranda Lambert is coming back home to Texas to headline the 5th Annual Cause for the Paws concert, accompanied by Wade Bowen and the Josh Abott Band. The concert will benefit the MuttNation Foundation and take place at Ford Park in Beaumont, Texas on June 22.

Last year the 4th Annual Cause for the Paws concert, also headlined by Miranda, was able to raise $300,000. The cause remains close to Miranda's heart, since she adopted her dog Delilah from the local shelter, who joins her many other rescued animals at home.

MuttNation Foundation's mission is to raise money for organizations that build animal shelters for better care; increase pet adoption and encourage responsible pet guardianship; rehabilitate sick or unsocialized animals; fund spay/neuter programs; reduce/eliminate euthanasia of healthy animals; and train shelter dogs for purposes of therapy programs, assistance for wounded military personnel and dogs-in-prisons programs.

Tickets can be purchased now at the Ford Park Box Office, as well as on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

BP oil spill pollutants found in eggs of pelicans nesting in Minnesota

Researchers for the Department of Natural Resources have found evidence of petroleum compounds and the chemical used to clean up the 2010 BP oil spill in eggs of pelicans nesting in Minnesota.

Petroleum compounds were present in 90 percent of the first batch of eggs tested. Nearly 80 percent of collected samples contained Corexit, a chemical dispersant used to break up oil spills. Both the petroleum compounds and Corexit are dangerous in small doses, capable of causing cancer, endocrine disruption, and birth defects.

Pelicans generally spend winters in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and Cuba, before returning a full year later to begin breeding.

Mark Clark, an ecologist and faculty member of North Dakota State University, explained on Minnesota Public Radio that any contaminant in the bird is bad, especially when the egg is tampered with, "because that's where the developing embryo and chick starts, and when things go wrong at that stage, there's usually no recovery."

The BP spill, similar to an atomic detonation, took its toll on the unfortunate victims in the immediate area, choking them to death on crude oil. Two years later, and for many more years to come, the chemical fallout is taking its toll, negatively impacting millions of innocent lives in drastic ways for generations to come.

Jonathan Reynolds
Jonathan is a freelance writer and blogger residing in upstate New York.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/gcwest

PCRM petitions President Obama to say no to photo ops featuring 'hot dogs and other obesity- and cancer-causing foods'

We look up to the president and tend to see the leader of the free world as a role model. So should our role models be featured in ads that promote decisions that are toxic to our health? It's probably not a good idea.

If the president were featured in photos smoking cigarettes, most people would be appalled. How should diet be any different, especially when the item being promoted is as toxic to one's health as smoking cigarettes?

Since taking office, President Obama has been photographed in many different situations where he has been seen chowing down on unhealthy foods such as hot dogs, hoagies, and cheeseburgers. Obama is not the first president to blame, however, considering George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have also been guilty of posing for photo ops with unhealthy food choices in hand while they were in office. (Thankfully, Clinton has taken the smart route to improve his health and he is now vegan!)

Vegetarian or not, I think it's safe to say that ads featuring our president eating hot dogs, hamburgers, or other processed meats are not the best choices for America. Wouldn't it be wiser if these photo ops featured Obama eating healthy and beneficial foods rather than those that are toxic?

To present America with a better message, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is asking everyone to sign a petition, which asks the White House to ban photo ops of the president and his following aids eating unhealthy junk foods that increase the risk of cancer, obesity and early mortaily rates.

What the president does behind closed doors is his own personal choice, but to promote better health and overall well-being for our country, better decisions should be made in front of the camera.

PCRM director of nutrition education, Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., explains this further. “The White House would never set up a photo op of a president with a cigarette, so why show him eating foods that cause cancer? Hot dogs, hamburgers, and other unhealthful foods kill more Americans each year than tobacco, and they cost taxpayers billions of dollars in health care," she said. "The president can eat what he likes in private, but at orchestrated public events, our leaders are role models."

Please sign the petition if you care about your health and also the health of others.

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/intelphotos

Personal stories: Why I went vegan

The first time I had ever heard of the term vegetarian was in high school. My senior year, I was on the dance team with a girl that explained she became a vegetarian after she had lived on a farm and her family made her favorite chicken into dinner. After listening to her story, my cousin said that she was going to try vegetarianism; I told myself "if she can then I definitely can," and that started my veggie journey.

I didn't do any research on a veggie lifestyle and I really didn't know anything about healthy eating. I wasn't even aware of factory farming. I just knew that if it had meat on it I wouldn't eat it. My diet soon became filled with fries, cheese pizza and cheeseburgers (literally- I would order a cheeseburger without that patty). My cousin always joked that “We didn’t eat any animals, but we also didn’t eat any vegetables.”

Being active and young I didn’t feel the effects of such an incomplete diet. My family warned me that my diet was not healthy, but I just thought that they were not being supportive of my vegetarianism, and I ignored their warnings.

I continue my vegetarianism throughout my first year of college. My university was not veg-friendly at the time, so I survived on waffles, fries, and cheese pizza. Needless to say, after my freshman year and many hungry nights I fell off the veggie wagon and went back to an omnivore diet.

Fast forward eight years. I had just gotten married and I had been discussing with my husband the possibility of going vegetarian again. I had met many vegetarians and was volunteering at an animal shelter. I had always known that I wanted to give it a try again, it was just a matter of when.

The "when" came one day at work. I was bored and filling my time with web searching. I went to the PETA website and clicked on a video called “Meet your Meat" -- a video that shows behind the scene footage of factory farming. This was the first time I saw what happened to the animals in factory farms and needless to say I was not happy.

After watching the video, I immediately called my husband on the phone and through tears I said “I will never eat animals again." I bought a few vegetarian cookbooks and how-to-guides and instantly made the switch.

Fast forward another two years. I had been a vegetarian for this entire period of time and this time I did it the healthy way. I educated myself about nutrition and began using my vegetarian cookbooks to try new recipes. I had also started educating myself on other areas of animal use in foods, such as the egg and milk production industries, and knew that becoming a vegan was the next logical step for me.

My husband was kind of nervous about my vegan path. When I first became a vegetarian I had attempted to force him to follow my path and when he didn't, it caused conflict. By now though I accepted that everyone has to come to the veg lifestyle at their own pace and as long as he accepted my choice and at least tried to eat veg food, I would accept his choice as well.

Around my two year vegetarian anniversary, I began a two month long internship at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen NY. I was going to be working with farm animals that were destined for someone’s plate. Living a vegan lifestyle is a requirement when working at the farm, and I knew that this would be the perfect time for me to make the switch from vegetarian to vegan.

June, 2009, I made the switch and have never looked back. I cannot say that it has always been easy. There have been times where I wondered if I was making the right choice, or when going back to eating animals would have been the easier thing to do.

I became pregnant after my 1 month vegan anniversary and that also added another challenge to my vegan lifestyle. Dealing with negative things that your friends or family may say, negative portrayals of vegan/vegetarians in the media, and uneducated opinions from your doctor to your spouse to sometimes even yourself can get tough.

Three years later (5 years as a vegetarian) I am so glad that I made the choice to go vegan. I feel better, I lost a lot of unhealthy weight, and I can actually cook and bake tons of vegan goodies. Also my son is now 2 and is being raised vegetarian and my husband finally decided to see the light and become vegetarian as well.

Being a vegan is such a huge part of who I am today. I now have my vegan support system and I continue to educate myself on this lifestyle. I have never once regretted my decision and I know that this will be a lifelong journey that I plan to continue to travel for myself, my CrunchyandHappy followers, and ultimately with my son.

Leolin López | Blog
Illinois Leolin is a vegan, mother, wife, writer, vloger, and a cupcake connoisseur. Leolin became vegetarian in 2007 after watching MeetyourMeat.com and then vegan in 2009 after spending the summer at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York, caring for rescued farm animals. Leolin started her blog CrunchyandHappy in January 2011. In her blog she discusses and explores the vegan lifestyle through stories of parenting, beauty, animals, nutrition, and food. She also vlogs on YouTube sharing reviews, hauls, and tutorials of vegan beauty products as well as sharing her experiences as a vegan.

Photo credit: Leolin

No Meat Zone Video Edition: Chia Seed Pudding with Fresh Berries

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Yes, that's right, these seeds are the same seeds used to sprout on the porous clay figurines called "Chia Pets." Lately, Chia seeds have been all the buzz. An, ancient seed that has regained popularity as the newest health food because of its nutritional value.

I was first introduced to Chia seeds about 6 months ago, and I have since been using them in my green smoothies. I also put some in my water bottle that I tote around with me all day. And, most recently, as a pudding.

This recipe is delicious, satisfying, sweet and easy to prepare. I love eating it for breakfast!

Enjoy!

Patty Malcolm | Website |Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Los Angeles, CA Patty is an actress, artist, vegan, and raw foodist. She became a vegetarian at the age of 14, then eventually a vegan and raw foodist. Patty’s passion for healing and the prevention of disease through a plant-based diet are not only evident in her lifestyle, but is what inspired her to launch Lalaraw.com – her “place” to share her ideas, recipes, and un-cooking videos with the world. Currently, Patty is studying to become a nutritionist, as well as a certified raw food chef. She also practices yoga, rides horses, and enjoys time with her boyfriend and fur babies, Rooster & Junior.

Photo credit: Patty Malcolm

Meat supplier for Tyson Foods charged with abuse

Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat suppliers on the planet, was forced to cut ties with a Denver-based pork provider after undercover footage taken by the Humane Society revealed deplorable levels of barbaric cruelty.

Tyson misleadingly claimed to have no connection with Wyoming Premium Farms. However, evidence collected by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) eventually pushed Tyson to take accountability, resulting in an announcement from the company that it will temporarily suspend shipments from the pig farm while conducting an investigation.

Whether Tyson's investigation will uncover and correct the horrors documented by the HSUS is yet to be determined. For those unwilling/unable to watch the HSUS video, such horrors include:

• Farm workers riding on top of pigs
• Farm workers beating pigs with clubs
• Farm workers stomping/kicking pigs
• Farm workers lifting piglets by the ear, tossing them
• Farm workers slamming pigs with metal doors
• Neglected pigs with blisters, sores, and broken limbs
• Pregnant pigs (sows) confined/immobilized for life (gestation crates)

These types of incidents are unfortunately very common in the world of industrial agriculture. For example, in June 2011, Mercy for Animals uncovered hellish conditions at Iowa Select Farms, the largest farm in the state. The investigation found not only gestation crates in use, but piglets being carelessly thrown around, many of which were laying on the ground with untreated, open sores. One year prior, in 2010, the Humane Society released a video depicting cruelty at a farm owned by Smithfield, a major pork supplier. That investigation also found sows in gestation crates, along with injured/sick pigs left to die without treatment.

Many states are considering laws -- or have already passed them -- which make it a crime to take an entry-level job at a farm with the intent of documenting animal welfare abuses. Such legislation has (perhaps unsurprisingly) been heavily backed by the meat industry. In the age of internet, where information travels like a swift fire on brush, keeping a lid on animal welfare issues has apparently become a priority worth investment to the meat industry, which seems to find cruelty more profitable than exposure and correction. When animals are viewed as trivial products -- mere cogs in a giant machine -- is it really so surprising that this kind of blatant abuse is so widespread?

Jonathan Reynolds
Jonathan is a freelance writer and blogger residing in upstate New York.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/austinfoodbank

Get scruffy for a cause: Animals Asia joins forces with Hendrick Boards to promote 'Beards for Bears' initiative

Gentlemen, ever needed an excuse to get a little hairy? Look no further: Beards for Bears, a collaborative initiative between animal welfare nonprofit Animals Asia and skateboarding company Hendrick Boards, encourages men to get scruffy for a cause.

Moon bears, also known as Asian black bears, are an endangered species that are prized for the purported medicinal properties of their bile. These docile and intelligent animals are trapped and kept in small cages for up to 30 years, so that their bile can be harvested through needles, catheters and other painful procedures. Although several herbal and synthetic alternatives to the bile exist, this cruel practice continues to exist across multiple Asian countries.

Animals Asia rescues these bears and relocates them to reserves, where they are able to live out the rest of their lives in safe, spacious refuges. However, awareness of this practice remains low and Animals Asia has devised a way for people to take action. At BeardsForBears.org, participants can register pictures of their beard growth and chart their progress through to the end of June, as well as garner support and donations through their success. Girls can participate as ambassadors, calling their boyfriends, brothers, and friends to action.

Hendrick Boards, an eco-friendly US-based skateboard company, has partnered with Animals Asia to produce t-shirts to advertise the campaign. “I’m hairy because I care” is emblazoned across the front, and $5 from each purchase contributes directly to charity efforts. So throw your razors in the trash for the month, and bear your beard with pride!

Danielle Snow | Facebook | blog
Chicago, IL Danielle is an avid eater who, after switching to vegetarianism, discovered a renewed passion for food in all its fascinating varieties. Currently living and studying in Chicago, she hopes to devote her life to travel, learning, and having haphazard adventures that she can write about afterward.

Photo credit: Animals Asia

Carrie Underwood to discuss vegan lifestyle on 'Oprah's Next Chapter'

Country superstar Carrie Underwood will be Oprah's guest on "Oprah's Next Chapter" today where she discusses her vegan diet and how it has improved her life. The show will air on Sunday, May 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Watch the sneak peek:

Carrie Underwood on Being Vegan

Country singer and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is a vegan. Watch as she talks to Oprah about her diet, who handles the cooking in her house and why she might give in to a little cornbread now and then.

Watch Oprah's full interview with Carrie Underwood and her husband, Mike Fisher, on Oprah's Next Chapter Sunday, May 20, at 9/8c.

Daelyn Fortney | Facebook |@daelyn | email
Greenville, SC Daelyn is the co-founder and managing director of This Dish Is Veg. She handles the daily operations of the site including advertising, story idea generation, and website promotion as well as managing the volunteer contributors. Along with her work at TDIV, Daelyn is an editor for a gift-giving website and mother of three daughters.

Photo credit: Oprah Winfrey with Carrie Underwood and husband Mike Fisher in Nashville, Tennessee 2012 Harpo Inc./George Burns

Organix brand body products forgot to actually add organic ingredients

You have probably seen the fetching, minimalist bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion products by the name “Organix” (http://www.organixhair.com/) at your local CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target or Duane Reade. This affordable hair care brand looks chic, smells nice, and is apparently all-natural… but what does that really mean?

Natural isn’t the same as organic. In fact, it’s been reported that Organix brand uses hardly any organic ingredients at all.

In their blog “Generation Green”, the Center for Environmental Health (http://www.ceh.org/) recently exposed Organix’s supposed follies: lying about using organic ingredients, duping the public into thinking they are supporting the organic movement by purchasing their products, and even using potentially harmful additives instead of real organic ingredients.

Read Generation Green’s full article on Organix fraud (http://generationgreen.org/2012/05/organic-by-any-other-name-smells/) to learn more about this company’s apparent misuse of organic marketing. If you have purchased Organix products and want to learn more about a class action lawsuit by CEH attorneys, you can contact CEH at Charles@ceh.org.

When shopping for animal-free, cruelty-free, natural beauty products, we want to feel good about purchasing something that really is what it says it is. Organix does not claim to be vegan, but it does present itself as an organic brand that makes it stand out on the shelves as the more environmentally-friendly option. If this is simply a marketing strategy, and not the truth, consumers need to be aware of what they are buying and supporting.

Check out TDIV’s guide to purchasing animal and earth-friendly beauty products on a budget (http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2012/04/how-to-avoid-vegan-guilt-guide-to.html) to make sure you are supporting the right companies.

Rachel Fryer | Email
Maryland A lifelong vegetarian and animal lover, Rachel Fryer enjoys writing, traveling, eating spicy food, drinking coconut water, reading historical fiction and sweating (she is also a Bikram yoga teacher). Rachel is excited to attend grad school for her Masters in English in Fall 2012 and to adopt a shelter dog in the near future.

Photo credit: USDA/TDIV

No Meat Zone Video Edition: 'Cheezy' Cashew Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles

I recently posted a photo of what I made for dinner on my personal Facebook page.  I was surprised by how many responses I received from people asking for the recipe. So I made a "how-to" video in response.

This is an amazing delicious and filling vegan, raw dish.

Enjoy!

Patty Malcolm | Website |Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Los Angeles, CA Patty is an actress, artist, vegan, and raw foodist. She became a vegetarian at the age of 14, then eventually a vegan and raw foodist. Patty’s passion for healing and the prevention of disease through a plant-based diet are not only evident in her lifestyle, but is what inspired her to launch Lalaraw.com – her “place” to share her ideas, recipes, and un-cooking videos with the world. Currently, Patty is studying to become a nutritionist, as well as a certified raw food chef. She also practices yoga, rides horses, and enjoys time with her boyfriend and fur babies, Rooster & Junior.

Photo credit: TDIV