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No Meat Zone Recipes: Fennel Salad with Basil Peanut Vinaigrette

2012-01-27T12:21:00.000-05:00

VEGAN

Fennel Salad with Basil Peanut Vinaigrette

Ingredients

2 bulbs of fennel with fronds, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 tsp. fresh marjoram, chopped
1 1/2 cups arugula
5 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
2 scallions, finely chopped
1/4 cup Barlean’s flax oil
2 tsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of freshly ground white pepper
1/3 cup peanuts, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. Barlean's flax seeds

Directions

In a large bowl, combine fennel, fronts, onion, marjoram and arugula; gently toss to combine.
In a small bowl, combine basil, oil, fresh orange juice, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper; whisk well. Add peanuts and toss to coat.
Transfer salad onto serving plates. Sprinkle with flax seeds. Serve with vinaigrette on the side.
Enjoy.

Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
New York Amie is a Manhattan-based culinary marketing consultant, recipe developer and food writer specializing in gluten free, soy-free and dairy free culinary nutrition. Amie is also the publisher and marketing director of the online gluten-free magazine Easy Eats.

Photo credit: Amie

Why food networks should add vegan cooking shows to their lineups

2012-01-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

On the rare occasions when I am home from school, one of my guilty pleasures is watching food shows with my mother. The personalities range from motherly to high energy, and they have the added bonus of gluttony without the guilt. Still, as much as Paula Deen’s southern accent tickles me, her butter addiction is a little disheartening -- as well as the lack of vegan recipes featured on television. It is frustrating that with all the big show ideas that have emerged over the years, not one is strictly devoted to a plant-based diet. What it comes down to is economics: with such a small population of vegans in the US and UK, would it be worth it to make a show based on the diet? Would it be profitable for the networks? I would answer these questions with a firm yes.

There are four reasons for television programs to feature vegan cooking shows in their lineups.

1. They are losing an audience!

Recently it was found that 2.5% of the US population consumes a plant based diet. Sure, it is not a huge portion, but even that group of people could increase a programs Nielsen ratings. After all, these programs are created to be watched. More vegans would watch if they saw more recipes geared toward their diet. I like to compare a food network to a store like Dick’s Sporting Goods. If a store is specialized in one type of sport, say golf or football, then only individuals who play golf or football will shop there, creating a restricted profit window. However, with a store like Dick’s which covers all sports and recreational gear, their customer make-up is much more diverse which enables them to sell more goods and make more money.

2. Missing the chance to invest in a popular, growing community as well as the opportunity to educate.

Go to amazon.com, check the shelves of your local bookstore or library and you are guaranteed to find vegan cookbooks. All across the country, strictly, or vegan-friendly restaurants and foodcarts are popping up. More vegan products are being introduced every day. With so much going on in the vegan world, why is television not following suit? My theory is that the television industry has some pretty deep ties with the meat, egg, and diary industries. How many commercials have you seen during a food show that boast California cows being the happiest cows, or how eggs provide good, clean protein that will help your family grow big and strong? The best cheeses come from Wisconsin, and on and on. If this is the case, the problem is the mindset of consumers, and what we have been previously taught about our diets which leads me to my next point.

It surprises me that in this day and age, there are still people that do not know what veganism is. It is also frustrating that so many misconceptions exist around the plant-based diet. From my mother, as I’m sure many vegans can relate, I immediately heard "but, where will you get your protein?" This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the vegan diet; that the lack of protein in our diets leaves us weak and frail. Animal protein is not the only protein on earth. One ounce of cooked meat contains 7 grams of protein on average. Yet, 1/2 cup of black beans contains about 5-7 grams of protein. Black beans and beans in general are a great source of protein, virtually no fat and cholesterol, along with the added bonus of being high in fiber. For those who cannot tolerate beans, there are various meat alternatives. Tofu contains about 8 grams of protein per serving depending on the product. My favorite meat alternative, seitan, has about 14 grams of protein in one serving! Vegans con also obtain protein from nuts, milk alternatives like soy, and grain products. Another argument is that many vegans suffer from B12 deficiencies. Vitamin B12 can be found in many plants such as the green sea plant, spirulina, and can also be found in fortified cereals.

There is so much that can be learned about the vegan diet and much more that fellow vegans can teach one another. Television is a great source for this education and would allow a greater audience to be reached.

3. Actively discriminating against an entire population

I don’t mean to sound melodramatic here, discrimination is a big word. Still, that is the case. Say you go into the grocery store, and you are allergic to peanuts. For whatever ungodly reason, this grocery store does not hold any foods that do not contain peanuts. How would you feel? If you were to go into a restaurant and be refused service because they did not have items that pertained to your diet, wouldn’t you feel singled out and uncomfortable? Some might argue that we couldn’t know if any vegans have pitched shows to food networks, and just didn’t have what the network was looking for. Perhaps vegan chefs aren’t putting themselves out there for fear of rejection. These are all possibilities, but if there was more knowledge about the diet, then this anxiety might disappear.

4. Promoting a cruelty free diet

Many individuals that own pets say that they love their animals, that they are their best friends, and that they would never do anything to hurt them. Yet, some of those same people consume meat and dairy. The problem is that when people think “animal cruelty," they think on the micro level, citing localized cases and small-scale figures (like the Michael Vick incident a few years back). However, the meat and dairy industry is animal cruelty amplified and at the macro level. If more people knew the impact of what they buy at the grocery store or what they order in the drive through, it would change their views on animal cruelty. When I talk to others about my decision to go vegan, and the brochures and videos I’ve seen on animal cruelty and the environmental impact the meat industry has, I often hear that “only the most extreme cases are presented” or “that doesn’t mean it happens everywhere." Cruelty in any circumstance is the “extreme” option, and when it comes to our environment the actions of the individual collected into the society. The earth is our home, and we should treat it as we would our physical houses and homes. Global impact goes beyond turning off the lights when you are not in a room, or biking instead of driving to work. It extends all the way into what you put on your plate, and that is a hard pill for people to swallow.

If food networks featured shows with more vegan chefs, these types of subjects would be brought more into the public eye. There would be more talk about the vegan lifestyle, and it would dispel myths about how hard and expensive it is to transition. From my experience (even as a struggling college student) it is a very accessible and manageable lifestyle, and more media coverage would contribute more proof of this.

Dani Hicks | Blog | Facebook
Pennsylvania Dani was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is currently a student at Allegheny College studying Creative Writing and Poetry. She has been vegan for seven months now, and was vegetarian for two years prior. Dani's passions are writing, health and fitness, and living a compassionate, cruelty free lifestyle. Her favorite quote is “What will survive of us is love” from a poem by Philip Larkin. It is a reminder that we are not survived by our possessions, but what we give and how much love we put into the world. Give a little more everyday. :-)

Photo credit: Ernesto Ferreyra

TDIV Q&A: What should I know about being vegan?

2012-01-27T10:33:00.001-05:00

Q: What should I know about being vegan?

A: So you are thinking about becoming vegan. Or you just made the switch to this fun and healthy lifestyle and asking yourself, “What do I need to know about being vegan?” Well, you came to the right place. I have been a vegan for 2 ½ years and vegetarian for 4 ½ years so let me first say, “welcome to the family.”

There are several things that one needs to know about the vegan lifestyle. First, veganism is a lifestyle and not just a diet. A vegan is someone who refrains from using animals or animal by-products in their diet as well as in their personal life, e.g., clothing, personal care products, and home décor, to name a few. Since veganism encompasses your whole lifestyle, please understand that the switch may be difficult at first. You have to develop new habits, new cooking skills, new shopping patterns, learn how to navigate holidays, eating out with friends, and learn about all hidden animal ingredients. This is my advice to you: take it slow and change one thing at a time otherwise you may end up on vegan overload, which may hinder or halt your progress. For example, start with food, then personal care items, then clothes. If this seems like a lot….it is, but I promise you that it will get easier.

The second thing you should know is that everyone is doing it (veganism I mean). According to a poll conducted in 2011 by the Vegetarian Resource Group, 2.5% adults living in the United States consider themselves vegan. Also turn on the TV and you will probably hear about another celebrity going at least strict vegetarian (vegan by diet only) including Bill Clinton, the Williams sisters, Mike Tyson, and Olivia Widle. Since veganism is so popular and becoming more mainstream daily, it is becoming easier to develop your own personal vegan circle. Solidifying your vegan circle will remind you that you are not alone in your lifestyle. Plus it will give you a group of people with whom you can share recipes with, ask vegan questions to, and complain to about the latest crazy thing that your omnivore friends said. Find vegans online, joins a vegan group on Meetup.com, and connect with your vegan friends.

The third thing that I want you to know is simple….no matter how long you have been a vegan, you will make mistakes. I can’t tell you how many times I have read the ingredient label of a lotion or lip gloss in the store only to realize that after I have been wearing it for 2 weeks the product contains beeswax!! How did that get in there?!?! Or the number of times that I have been eating a really good meal when I found out the person making it didn’t realize that “meat flavored” meant that there was actually meat in it. Shake it off, give it away, learn, and move on.

Next, you need to get in a car, on a train, or in a plane and go to the nearest farm sanctuary. I began my vegan journey at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. There, I was able to see and interact with many animals that luckily survived factory farms. When you get to hear their stories and see with your own eyes the effect that the farming industry has on them, you will know that you have made the right decision.

Lastly, educate yourself. Read cookbooks, talk to your doctor about vegan nutrition (make sure that they are veg friendly), research vegan fashion companies, try out new personal care products, learn about vegan parenting, and educate yourself on current animal rights issues. Doing so will allow you the confidence that you will need to continue to feel good about the choice that you made. It will also make it easier to stop yourself from falling off of the vegan-wagon.

Veganism is an awesome choice and we are an awesome group of people (if I may say so myself). This lifestyle does require you to re-examine some of habits that you are used to, but it is so worth it. Veganism allows you to better your health, make a positive impact on the environment, and prevent animal cruelty for the sake of human pleasure. All this with 3 simple words “I am Vegan."

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: cc:flickr.com/photos/opensourceway

No Meat Zone Recipes: Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Brownie Waffles

2012-01-25T11:52:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Brownie Waffles

Did you ever feel like eating a brownie for breakfast? If you ask me that question, I’d raise my hand as high as it could go. But for most people they’d feel a little guilty scarfing down a brownie before 8 am. Unless, you disguise it in something like a waffle and then you can legitimately call it breakfast. Here’s a recipe that’s got a lot of flavor and adding nuts give it an extra kick of protein.

Ingredients (yields about 7 round waffles)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup dark chocolate almond milk
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt
1/3 cup safflower oil
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup hazelnuts, chopped coarsely
non-stick cooking spray

Method
Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, water, oil, sugar and vanilla. Form a well in the center of the sifted dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, water, soy yogurt, oil, sugar, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together until almost blended. Fold in chocolate chips and hazelnuts. Do not overmix.

Prepare in your waffle iron as you’d prepare other waffles. Once waffles are finished, add your desired amount of vegan butter (optional, but very tasty), mini chocolate chips, then drizzle with brownie chocolate sauce (optional). They also taste great with a drizzle of maple syrup and fresh raspberries.

Bonus Recipe! Brownie Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup nondairy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Method
Add the sugar, flour, salt, and cocoa to a saucepan. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly before you add the milk and vanilla. Stir over medium heat. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and cool.

London’s Loves Notes:
The Brownie Chocolate Sauce is perfect for pouring over nondairy ice cream or for making chocolate milk!

Josalyn Wilder | Blog
Albany, NY Josalyn is the author of the blog London Loves, a cooking project that shares vegan recipes that are kitchen tested & kid-approved! She's also a children’s librarian and a compulsive vegan baker. But her most important role is acting as the entertainment director for her 3 yr. old son London. The recipes on London Loves reflect her food philosophy… that there is no need to compromise taste to make cruelty-free food that you can feel good about eating & feeding to your kids. Josalyn believes that there is nothing more rewarding than sharing her passion and realizing that her recipes have the potential to change lives, change habits, and even change the world!

Photo credit: Josalyn

TDIV Q&A: I am wondering how other vegetarians and vegans feel about bugs -- specifically spiders

2012-01-25T10:44:00.000-05:00

Q. I am wondering how other vegetarians and vegans feel about bugs -- specifically spiders. I am trying to find equality in all animals and living things, but am having a hard time with bugs and spiders. I am wondering how others respond to them?

A. It may help to think about the ways our lives depend on insects. Most people are aware of the role pollinators (such as bees, wasps, fruit or bottle flies, and butterflies) play in producing the food we eat, but what about other insects? Soil-dwelling bugs (such as ants, beetles, and even some roaches) aerate the soil with their burrows. Nesting and scavenging insects break down waste material and add valuable compost to soil. Basically, healthy insect life is essential to healthy plant life, and healthy plant life is essential to healthy human life.

Insects that aren’t involved in the cycle of plant life still play an important role for humans. Spiders, for example, may save your life. How? Spiders are a primary predator of mosquitoes; mosquitoes are the major transmission vehicle for several potentially fatal diseases, including malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue fever.

It may also help to learn more about the species that trouble you. Spiders, in particular, are amazing creatures and incredibly diverse. The diving bell spider creates a bubble of air to allow it to travel underwater. The raft spider can actually walk on water! Though spiders have long been thought of as predators, scientists recently found that the Bagheera kiplingi spider is vegetarian. Whip spiders caress and pet their family members. While some spiders may have a frightening appearance, others are quite beautiful. The golden silk orb-weaver (also called a banana spider) has beautiful coloration ranging from yellow to gold, overlayed with intricate patterns in white.

Dispelling the myths is important too. While all true spiders are venomous, of the approximately 40,000 named species, only twelve have venom that’s dangerous to humans. Nowhere are all twelve resident in the same place. For example, only the brown recluse, black widow, and hobo spider are found in the U.S. Generally, the spiders that are potentially dangerous to humans remain outdoors.

While most common household insects are harmless to humans, there are a few that can be troublesome. For example, red imported fire ants are a problem throughout much of the southern United States. Their bite is painful for most, and serious allergic reactions are not uncommon. Bees and wasps, while vital pollinators, can also cause serious allergic reactions in some. Cockroaches, in addition to carrying germs that can lead to disease (mostly stomach viruses) have also been shown to be harmful to people with allergies and asthma. And even for those insects, such as spiders, that are unlikely to cause harm to humans, most people don’t like sharing their homes with them.

What if unwanted insects are making a home in your house? Most respondents to this question on TDIV’s Facebook page agreed that a catch-and-release method is preferable when possible. Simply place a cup or jar over the insect, then slide a sheet of paper or thin cardboard underneath the cup. Then release the insect outdoors. You could also consider buying a bug vacuum, which sucks the bug into a tube, allowing you to safely release it.

But there is much you can do to prevent insects from entering your home. Keep windows screened. Weatherstrip doors so there are no openings between the bottom of the door and the doorsill. Close gaps around water pipes under sinks, and seal cracks and openings in the house. Pay particular attention to sealing outside storage areas and covering piles of firewood. See PETA’s helpful hints for dealing with ants, wasps and bees, and roaches (click the navigation on the right).

Some respondents did choose to kill insects that invaded their home. Is this out of line with a vegan lifestyle? Consider that insects lack the neurological systems necessary to experience pain. If veganism is defined as a lifestyle which seeks to eliminate the exploitation and suffering of living creatures, and killing an insect causes no suffering and is not done for exploitative purposes, one could certainly make the argument that it is not an un-vegan act. It is a matter of personal conscience, and no one should judge another for the choice they make.

Tell us what you think. Hop over to Facebook.

Kasey Minnis | Facebook | @veggiemightee | Blog
Fort Lauderdale, FL That rare and elusive species known as the native Floridian, Kasey is passionate about protecting other endangered creatures. She lives by the principle “compassion and crochet for all,” and enjoys teaching others – including her husband of 20 years and two beautiful children – the benefits of cruelty-free eating by feeding them tasty vegan treats from her kitchen. Contact Kasey at kasey@thisdishisveg.com.

Photo credit: Kasey

No Meat Zone Recipes: Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

2012-01-24T12:09:00.000-05:00

This butternut squash soup is quite different than the usual super-sweet squash soup you find on many restaurant menus. With roasted poblano peppers and chipotle powder, it has a smoky, spicy attitude that will surprise you on the first bite.

The cashew cream topping, with a strong shot of lemon, is the perfect accompaniment.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 serrano peppers, diced
2 carrots, chopped (about 1½ cups)
2 stalks celery (about 1 cup)
2 medium onions chopped
1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled and diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder, preferably ancho
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder or ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 7-8 cups)
8 cups vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the cashew cream topping:
1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or for at least a few hours
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup water
Pinch salt

Drain the cashews and place them in a food processor with lemon juice, water and salt. Process until very smooth (this will take about 5 minutes with a regular food processor). Season with salt to taste.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a heavy pot. Saute the garlic, serranos, carrots, celery and onions for 4 minutes. Add the roasted poblanos and spices and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Add the butternut squash and stock. Bring to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat and simmer until the squash is quite tender, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes then puree in a food processor or blender until very smooth (a blender will give you a smoother result). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve with a dollop of cashew cream.

Cathy Elton
Cathy is a Brooklyn-based food blogger who focuses specifically on heart-healthy food. A long-time foodie, she suddenly learned that she has hereditary heart disease. But she turned her health issue into a cooking challenge, and developed a heart-healthy, vegetarian cooking style that’s spicy, satisfying and adventurous. Cathy is on a mission to inspire others to eat the way she does, and shares her recipes on What Would Cathy Eat?

Photo credit: Cathy

TDIV Guide to Going Vegan: Week 2 Menu

2012-01-24T11:27:00.000-05:00

Below you will find your dinner menu for week 2 of TDIV's Guide to Going Vegan. Directions for the non-self-explanatory items are listed below the menu. Additionally, prior to shopping for the items, please scroll to the bottom to read the notes.

If you are new to the guide, please check out the previous posts here and here for an explanation of our goals.

Additionally, this week I would like you to take a look at some informative posts recommended by Ginny Messina of The Vegan RD. You'll find these articles answer important questions surrounding calcium, supplements and omega-3s: The vegan food guide, Benefits of plant calcium, Recommended supplements for vegans, Omega-3 fats in vegan diets.

DIRECTIONS

Lentil Burger
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked lentils, 1 cup uncooked rice, 1/2 cup shredded carrot, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 1/2 cup uncooked oats, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, Flour for coating (optional) Directions: Bring uncooked lentils and uncooked rice to boil in 4 cups of water. After it reaches a boil, simmer for 45 minutes. Let cool. Mix in carrot, onion, uncooked oats, salt, and garlic powder. Form into patties and pat each side with flour. Cook in small amount of oil on stove top — about 5 minutes per side.

Baked Potato with Chili
Bake a potato and top it with vegetarian chili. Additional options include vegan cheese (like Daiya), and a variety of veggies such as corn and broccoli.

Chicken Fried Tofu
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. sage, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. marjoram, 1 tsp. pepper, 2 tbsp. paprika, 1 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, and add salt to taste. Cut 2 blocks of firm tofu into cubes that are roughly ½ inch by ½ inch. Roll the tofu in the dry mixture and drop pieces into heated vegetable oil. Cook until golden brown.

Black Bean Tacos
Sauté green peppers, red peppers and onions (you can use the frozen variety) in a small amount of oil until tender. Add 2-3 cans of black beans. Add packaged taco seasoning. Follow the directions on the package to determine the amount of liquid that needs to be added to the mixture. Let simmer. Fill taco shells with the bean mixture. Add lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

Spicy New Potatoes
In a small bowl add 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ tsp. cumin and ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. salt and red pepper to taste (optional). Toss the new potatoes (from a can) in a small amount of oil Sliced new potatoes (from a can) warmed in a pot on the stovetop in just a tad of butter. Add a bit of salt and some chili pepper.

Soup
Choose from lentil, vegetable or tomato soup. Either make the soup from scratch or choose a canned variety. (Progresso labels all their soups as vegetarian or non-vegetarian.)

Garlic Bread
Mix butter with minced garlic. Spread on bread and toast. If minced garlic is not available, use garlic powder.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom
Pour steak sauce (such as A1) in a bowl or gallon plastic storage bag. Add mushrooms. Let marinade for at least two hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, flip, and then cook an additional 5 minutes.

Leftover Wrap
Grab all your leftovers from the fridge. Warm them as needed and place them in a heated flour tortilla. Add lettuce and veggies of your choice. If you have no leftovers, create a wrap with black beans and a variety of veggies.

NOTES

Butter = vegan butter ex. Smart Balance Light or Earth Balance
Oil can be vegetable oil or olive oil
Milk = almond, soy, rice or coconut
Rice = brown or white
Taco seasoning = check the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t include whey
Dressing = vegan variety
Lettuce = a mixture of romaine, iceberg, green leaf and red leaf
Barbecue sauce = check to make sure honey is not added
French fries = frozen variety
Granola bars = make sure no honey or milk ingredients are added
Homemade is always best. Whenever possible, make your own breads, spreads, etc.
Reduce the amount you eat out.
Reuse your gallon bags when possible

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions regarding the menu, please stop by our Facebook page. If you're really stumped, feel free to shoot us an email.

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks goes out to Ginny Messina, MPH, RD, author of the book Vegan For Life. In addition to the links previously mentioned, please subscribe to Ginny's website, Twitter and Facebook. You will find the information she provides incredibly helpful.

GUIDE TO GOING VEGAN

Additional articles in this series

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: TDIV

TDIV Q&A: If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?

2012-01-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

Q. If God didn’t want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?

A. Taking it on faith (no pun intended) that this is a serious question and not just a snarky t-shirt slogan, the answer is quite simple. Animal flesh contains some of the nutrients humans need to survive because animals need those same nutrients to survive. The proteins that are the building blocks of human muscle are also the building blocks of animal muscle. Iron is necessary for animals’ red blood cells, as it is for humans. The nutrients in animal flesh are not present for human benefit, but so the animal can live.

Think about this: human beings are also "made of meat." The historical record of cannibalism proves it’s possible to survive on a diet of human flesh. Yet, virtually every religion and culture in the world sees cannibalism as a taboo. If we believe that their being edible and containing nutrients means God intended for us to eat the animals, then surely we should believe that humans being edible and containing nutrients means God intended us to eat one another!

The Judeo-Christian faith acknowledges that humans are “wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:14) If a company made a well-designed product, would you not expect them to use similar elements of design throughout their product line? God efficiently designed all life on Planet Earth to be self-sustaining, drawing the building blocks of life - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc. - from earth, air, and sun. Shouldn’t the real question be “If God intended for us to eat animals, why did he make it possible for us to survive and thrive on a plant-based diet?”

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

The diversity of influence: Different strategies in animal rights activism

2012-01-24T10:19:00.002-05:00

Writing a list of the most influential animal advocacy groups is problematic and not particularly useful.

Animal rights groups with hundreds of thousands of members, massive budgets and established lobbyists obviously possess the most influence in the fight for animal welfare. Rehashing the successes of the big guns -- no matter how awesome and powerful those successes may be -- doesn’t really get into the diversity, richness or potential of animal rights activism.

Activists’ strategies for generating discussion and underscoring the core issues are all over the map: they are conventional and bizarre; reformist and revolutionary; legal and illegal.

Yet all methods move toward a similar, moral end.

This list of three influential animal advocacy groups is less about each individual group’s magnitude of influence and more about the sheer diversity of influence that weaves each one of them together into the complex fabric of a multi-faceted, effective movement.

Whether it's the kind of activism that reaches a few hundred sympathizers through a clever prank, the kind that reaches millions of people through a visceral and disturbing undercover video, or the kind that saves a single creature from undue suffering --

They all say something worthwhile. They all show us how we can work together.

And they all deserve our attention.

Food Liberation Army

A Finnish group calling itself the Food Liberation Army (FLA) created quite a stir last year when it abducted the juggernaut of coercive, child-targeted advertising: Ronald McDonald.

On January 31, 2011, FLA activists casually strolled into a McDonald’s outside of Helsinki and walked out with a statue depicting the corporation’s icon. They then whisked the prisoner off to an undisclosed location.

Following the kidnapping, the FLA released a video satirizing fringe paramilitary groups. Think IRA, but instead of independence they've adopted nutrition as their cri de guerre.

“Two days ago we kidnapped Ronald McDonald,” the ransom video goes, “If you do not answer all of our questions we will execute Ronald on Friday, March 2 at 6:30 pm.”

The masked activists proceed to their questions: Why is the McDonald’s manufacturing process so secretive? What is its volume of unrecycled waste produced annually? What additives are in the food? Why doesn’t the corporation seek ways to prevent diseases associated with unhealthy eating, like obesity and diabetes?

“Do you not think it should be a goal for everyone to serve meat of an animal that has had a good, clean and drug free life? Why is that not your goal?” the ringleader inquires, standing behind Ronald, whose head is covered with a black bag.

When the questions went unanswered, the hostage’s fate was sealed: Ronald was executed by guillotine.

The leader turned out to be Jani Leinonen, an artist known for blurring the line between artwork and life. When word circulated that he was responsible for the incident, he was arrested and briefly incarcerated.

In an interview, Leinonen remarked “We wanted to hand the reporters a really nice package of information and then they would turn to McDonald’s to ask the questions. Instead, the reporters called the police.”

He certainly got some people talking at least, as more than 250,000 viewers witnessed the grisly faux-murder online.

When asked if the FLA was finished, Leinonen resonded: “No, definitely not. I have many plans.”

Sounds like FLA could strike again. Hamburglar, beware.

Mercy for Animals

Undercover video -- perhaps the most enduring hallmark of animal rights activism -- grants people access into the dark entrails of industrial food production, throwing light onto the whole dirty mess. Just last month, we were reminded how effective this method can be.

Mercy for Animals (MFA), a Chicago-based non-profit that promotes animal welfare and vegetarianism, released footage taken by an activist who went undercover at a Butterball artificial insemination plant in Shannon, North Carolina (The DNA of turkeys reared for food is so tampered with, so damaged, that the turkeys cannot reproduce naturally. Hence the need for artificial insemination).

The film is astonishing -- workers are seen bashing in the heads of live turkeys, roughly hauling birds by their fragile wings and neglecting birds with missing eyes and leper-like growths.

One moment involves an employee forcefully inserting his hand into a female turkey’s reproductive organs.

Hoke County police raided the plant on December 29, announcing that it would file charges should evidence of abuse be found.

In response to the video and ensuing outrage, Butterball announced that they would start their own investigation, claiming that the corporation -- America’s single largest producer of turkey -- does not tolerate animal abuse.

MFA’s success in bringing attention to Butterball’s criminality, however, is dampened by a potential FBI prosecution.

See, in 2006 a law called the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act passed congress. The legislation outlaws actions conducted “for the purpose of damaging or interfering with the operations of an animal enterprise.”

This purposely vague bill, brought about by industrial farming lobbyists, essentially criminalizes animal rights activists who try to procure tangible evidence of the industry’s institutionalized cruelty.

Under the banner of “anti-terrorism,” this bill and its supporters classify animal welfare supporters as enemies of society, when in reality they are cleverly reappropriating an emotionally charged term for their own business interests, attacking free speech and going after activists whose work strikes at the core of industrial food production.

What’ll happen remains to be seen. As long as there are groups like MFA, however, efforts to curtail animal rights activism will run into some highly publicized scandals that reveal to the public just how destructive animal agriculture has become.

Farm Sanctuary

Some animal welfare organizations exemplify how humans can coexist with animals.

Based in Watkins Glen, New York, Farm Sanctuary is a safe haven for industrial agriculture’s unfortunate fodder -- genetically manipulated animals.

Founded by Gene Bauer in 1986, the organization takes in rescued or escaped animals, letting them roam the fields instead of dying violently on a conveyer belt.

Bauer got the idea when he drove past a group of downers laying in a field (a “downer” is an animal who collapses from poor health or heavy stress. Instead of nurturing them back to health or granting them a quick death, many farm operators take the most cost-efficient route and leave the animals to die slowly).

Stopping to inspect the fallen animals, Bauer noticed one of the sheep move her head. He put the creature into his car and went to a veterinarian, thinking that the animal could be put of her misery rather than left to await an inevitable death.

Much to Bauer’s surprise, however, the sheep stood up after minor medical attention. Turns out the animal’s condition wasn’t fatal. Neglect alone was killing her.

The sheep went on to live 10 years on Bauer’s farm.

Farm Sanctuary has a 175 acre plot of land in Upstate New York, as well as another 300 acre sanctuary in Northern California. The organization has over 200,000 members, granting it the financial capacity to influence local and national policy. Its power, however, extends beyond influence-peddling.

Jonathan Safran Foer, in his seminal book Eating Animals, profiles the organization. Discussing the group’s utility, Foer states that the function of Farm Sanctuary is not “practical in the sense of actually rescuing and caring for a significant number of animals,” but rather that its purpose is “educational (offering exposure to people like me).”

Indeed, as industrial meat production grows more shadowy than ever before -- hiding its operations from public scrutiny, criminalizing those who try unearth what actually goes on -- the opportunity to walk up to and physically interact with the creatures themselves calibrates our perspective.

We see how pigs have been genetically engineered to grow at grotesque rates in order to produce meat
quicker and more profitably. Normally killed at 250 pounds when they are young, 21st century factory pigs that live on can reach an astonishing 800 pounds.

Furthermore, even if the creatures are debilitated by human science, Farm Sanctuary lets them enjoy the environment they were made to inhabit, providing them with a healthier and more dignified life.

Animals, once doomed to a life of no sunlight, now strolling through open fields -- that’s a powerful concept, one that juxtaposes the ills of contemporary food production with the pastoral sensibilities of yesteryear.

These images, side-by-side, help us articulate what’s wrong, and to move in the direction necessary for a more humane and natural future.

Patrick Glennon | Email | Twitter | ITT Profile
Chicago, IL Patrick is a Chicago-based writer and musician. His work has appeared in a handful of publications, including In These Times and the Occupied Chicago Tribune. Among his research interests are animal rights, documentary film, the far-Right and foreign labor struggles. Feel free to contact him via email for any questions, ideas or criticisms.

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

Volkswagen 'The Bark Side' Super Bowl ad teaser goes viral

2012-01-23T12:54:00.000-05:00

Remember last year's Super Bowl commercial featuring a little boy dressed as Darth Vader being duped into thinking he used The Force to start his dad's Volkswagen? (It was his dad using the remote starter, FYI.)

Well the dreamweavers behind that commercial are at it again (the ad agency Deutsch LA) this time releasing an online teaser for an ad that will also premiere online before the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 5. The teaser, called "The Bark Side," shows a number of dogs of varying breeds barking -- wait for it -- to the tune of "Imperial March" (Vader's signature theme song).

I'd like to think the planning meeting for this ad went something like this:

"We need to keep the 'Star Wars' theme. What can we do this year? What do people love as much as kids?"
"Dogs, of course!"
"But how can we possibly logically incorporate dogs into 'Star Wars?'
**The version of 'Jingle Bells' "sung" by a chorus of barking dogs begins to play softly in the background**

And the rest is YouTube history.

A few of the dogs are dressed up as Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Princess Leia, among others. The chief creative director of Deutsch LA was recently interviewed on NPR and claimed that the barks were not auto-tuned, and that the dogs were filmed separately and looped together.

So you're telling me there's a dog out there that sounds exactly like Chewbacca? Just when you think you've lost faith in the world...

And while the ad is delightfully absurd as is, let's point out the elephant in the room: Yoda appears to be absent.

Let's hope he shows up in the actual ad come game day. I know the Yoda dog costume exists. There's no excuse.

Stephanie DeBalko | @_stephanied_
Stephanie is a freelance writer who loves shelter dogs and Vegenaise. She recently came to the conclusion that the written word could be an amazing ally for all animals, and is choosing to use her nerdy love of grammar and punctuation for the greater good of animal welfare. She can also be found at I Hope Vodka Is Vegan.

Photo credit: Screen capture

PETA: Futile efforts and destructive consequences

2012-01-23T12:12:00.000-05:00

It is true that any social movement succeeds in stages. The time necessary for a society to see an issue as a problem, to see how their actions contribute to suffering of others, requires a long-term strategy. Small successes lead to large real victories. There are effective ways to approach social protest, and then, there is PETA's approach.

PETA's messages are inconsistent, disrespectful, and precisely the reason the public is distrustful of their organization -- and mocks the efforts of the committed animal advocate. PETA trivializes animal cruelty with their cartoonish protests and ridiculous stunts. Their unwavering focus on single-issue campaigns confuses people, i.e. fur is bad, but leather is ok? One type of meat is unethical, but another is humane? Credibility is critical to any social movement, and without this trust, any message will fail to connect with anyone who's remotely willing to listen. This is why PETA, after an apparent promising beginning, has become a caricature of the animal advocacy movement. Education to those who do not share their views is entirely absent from their efforts.

Presenting logical arguments that appeal to our emotions and intelligence, educating us in a respectful manner is what motivates change. The animal advocacy movement, inexorably intertwined with the message of veganism, is only as strong as the individuals who make up the effort, and these individuals will collectively force change at the highest levels -- in businesses and legislation. Thus, the only way animal advocacy can succeed is to gain the respect of the individuals of society. One of the greatest challenges for the animal advocate is to communicate the message of veganism impartially, logically, and respectfully -- without this effort, success is impossible. Speak in anger, relying on histrionics, theatrics or with an argument that is obviously biased (or based in absolutes) and you've no possible way to convince the omnivore to consider veganism. There will be an appropriate place and time to debate passionately, but when you are working to communicate a message, it is the facts and an impartial approach that wins minds and enables action.

Activist organizations exist primarily, I would argue, to disseminate a message with the goal of creating change in society. Such a movement must connect with individuals on an emotional level with its message, but it must also associate that emotion with an action -- accomplishing this means that the message must also be logical and it must feel necessary to the individual. Without both sides of this connection, the movement will never succeed in creating a substantial argument for change that the average person will take seriously. For the activist movement, staying on track means a constant critical eye, and avoiding the tunnel vision of their objective. Focusing strictly on the "goal" means losing sight of what the activist group compromises to get there, and forgetting that how they succeed is as important as whether their message succeeds at all.

Accomplishing half of this will gain you the support of those who fundamentally agree with your cause; these individuals need little convincing, but whom will not be enough to make your message a "mainstream" movement. To create change, such a movement must garner the support of those who do not yet understand the need for change -- it is critical that the methods of the activist reach these people, and herein lays the most significant crux. Introducing the concept of change to the average individual is complex, as creating all sorts of reasons why we need not alter our current view of the world (and by extension, denying a proposed transformation to our behavior) is a specialty we all share.

Successful activist movements have a clear, rational and consistent articulated message. It is universally true that when accosted by a message, we cling stubbornly to our beliefs or simply dismiss the messenger as mentally unbalanced. When was the last time you stopped and asked the person with a "The End is Near" sign to back up their message with facts? Similarly, a protest centered entirely on a logical argument requires time and discussion to make your point -- which is why you never see that same doomsayer with a sign that reads,

The End is Near, because despite the numerous benefits that nanotechnology offers humankind, there are consequences that science haven't been fully vetted. Prior to the implementation of nanotechnology in environmental applications, such as waste cleanup (particularly relevant to the recent BP disaster,) proper governmental regulations are necessary as the threat of infinitely reproducing biotech nano-workers would (SEE BACK and/or take a BROCHURE…)

It is never ideal to attempt a complex argument, no matter how logical, in a protest setting -- no one would give you the time to make your point and those who do won't be open to a rational discussion. Protest, when the public views you as that person on the street, with an "end is near" sign, is futile. This is where many activist groups breakdown -- unable to understand how to communicate their message in a lucid, consistent and logical manner so that the public is open to education. Alternatively, some activist groups do understand that fact, but lack the demeanor, patience and/or desire to create change -- and thus settle for the spectacle and the illusion of result.

We're skeptical of anything that challenges our beliefs, especially those long-held and deeply ingrained, but provided an effective argument we're willing to consider change when that behavior stands in opposition to our moral beliefs. Personal experiences are anecdotal, but I am an example of someone who chose veganism for those exact reasons -- an argument took hold and proved my actions opposition to my ethical beliefs.

Before I went vegan, animal products made an appearance with every meal, I wore leather, wool -- I was not awash with guilt at this. I readily associated vegans with PETA, and saw veganism as a freakish practice consisting of eating primarily lettuce, and throwing things at people wearing fur. I was the epitome of someone who thought veganism unimaginable because I "just loved meat and/or cheese so much!" It's not that I didn't like animals; everyone "likes" animals (no rational person wants to see an animal suffer,) as long as the animal is a) cute, and/or b) in a movie and a derivative of point a). I never questioned advertising admonishing the very suggestion that an animal anywhere suffered for my choices, such messages just kept me unaware and unthinking. I never questioned the consequences to our planet, bodies or ethics. The human cost of factory farming was not even an issue to consider (and still, one that isn't often discussed in vegan campaigns,) the slaughterhouse employees who have the highest risk of injury, job turnover, and deal with substantial psychological trauma associated with their work.

The cost to animals was a habitual disassociation. Despite the many instances viewing factory farm footage that revealed, if only a moment, the reality of animals place in our society, the effect was fleeting. It's simple to push the thought away in time for my next latte, sandwich, steak or clothing purchase -- rationalizations flooded my mind, it can't be that way at every farm, surely, there are laws that keep that monitor that sort of thing? So much of what the vegan cannot forget, the number of animals killed yearly, their treatment in the food production industry, is not more than meaningless numbers to the non-vegan. We fiercely maintain defense mechanisms, and easily consider the horrific treatment of animals as abstract and remote, until we have an experience that forces personal context. Every single one of us has the necessary facts for epiphany, bouncing around in our minds, just waiting for that context. My context was, to say the least, unexpected. If no one or nothing challenges our logic, we will never consider change.

Those who would fight for social movements do so out of a complex mixture of emotion and logic, aided by timing and human variables -- there is no blueprint to follow that guarantees success. This is the reason why so many find themselves unable, or unwilling, to work for change. It's the reason that many activists, or potential activists, doubt success to the degree that they find half-measures and perpetual compromise so attractive. Unfortunately, when acceptance of inadequate measures are laid on the table, the only side willing to compromise is the side of which is fighting for change -- the opposition has no reason to change, and it places the activist at a place of weakness. This is why we see PETA and similar groups claiming "success" when they've convinced pig slaughterhouses to phase out gestation crates on some far off date, only when it would have become economically unnecessary to continue when cheaper, more profitable alternatives are on the horizon. The only success in such instances is one of public relations, organizations like PETA can send emails claiming a "win," and slaughterhouses can grow its profit by attracting the omnivore who can now feel positive about eating meat -- as far as their concerned, they have the approval of animal rights groups.

Omnivores do not see this as a victory for animals; they see it as a way to eat them without feeling guilty. The PETA'd vegan or omnivore are the only individuals who judge such an event like cage-free eggs as a success for animals. A cage-free egg facility moves the chicken from a small cage to a single large cage. Thousands of birds in a single room, each of whom have their beaks burned off to prevent them from pecking each other to death. Because, that's what you do when trapped in a room with hundreds of others for months, years on end.

PETA argues that by encouraging a reduction in animal suffering in stages -- cage-free eggs, "I'd rather be naked than wear fur" campaigns, more efficient slaughterhouse killings, elimination of gestation crates for pigs and on and on -- the public will eventually stop eating or wearing animals through an apparent paradigm shift in consciousness. Except, PETA never explains how this will happen, nor do they discuss the logical course of events that would lead to such a dramatic change of mindset in the average omnivore. On their website, PETA is strangely vague with what constitutes a "success."

Those in favor of welfarism often see the only alternative to their methods is inflexible veganism, or attempting to coerce omnivores to give up animal products overnight. This is not accurate. Using veganism as the behavior benchmark, the goal for which we should work towards, is not the same as telling the open-minded omnivore that their reduction in eating animals is useless. Choosing logic over fallacies, understanding the issues and working towards phasing out animal products is incredibly simple in 2012. Working towards veganism is a personal timeline, and it won't happen overnight for everyone. As long as the desire to minimize the harm you do is the goal, just start somewhere, and you will get there.

If PETA was truly interested in honest, logical and meaningful protest they would work to educate the public with a consistent message, not a myriad of divisive, nonsensical campaigns. Instead, PETA wastes efforts attempting to "sneak" the message of protection for animals in Dr. Seussian-like single-issue campaigns. As is possible to discern, PETA expects efforts like painting a nearly nude woman in fake blood, lying in a shrink-wrapped "meat tray" to plant a seed of vegan epiphany in the minds of the passing truckers. In such a protest, which is all too common for PETA, the extent of education, of any attempt to communicate are phrases like, "All Meat Comes from a Corpse," printed on their protest signs.

Promoting veganism as the answer to a myriad of complex, serious economical, environmental, human and ethical problems is the best and only successful method possible. No social movement has ever succeeded by using single-issue inconsistent messaging campaigns to work towards a larger goal. These methods have no context for those remotely interested in your message; the crass and intellectually lazy nature of PETAs approach piques nothing but revulsion from the strange use of sexual violence (a bloodied, near-naked woman imitating a piece of meat, really?) Visceral imagery creates disgust, but not association of disgust with eating or wearing animals. You've only succeeded in making your actions disgusting. This is PETAs approach to "targeted" protest, attempting to appeal to our base nature with sexuality, but without any intellectual or logical substance behind their intent. PETA is the Kim Kardashian of social protests.

Stockholder activism is another method of PETAs that has gained attention over the recent few years. Owning stock in companies that are counter to the goals of veganism and animal advocates, PETA states that they invest in these objectionable companies to "change" them from the inside is an illusion of action/result. Their initial attempts, shown on their Shareholder Campaigns page, gives an impressive list of 19 chemical and pharmaceutical companies, including Dow, Monsanto, Merck & Co, and ExxonMobil, of whom PETA and their supporters own stock to negotiate elimination of animals used in research. Each animal testing resolution introduced by PETA failed to accomplish these goals, gaining just enough votes to reintroduce them in the following year…that was 2007. There hasn't been an update since.

Undeterred, PETA tried this tactic with the fast-food restaurant industry. The objective argued is to improve the conditions of animals in factory farms before slaughtering to craft into Big Macs and chocolate shakes. Stock purchases in Burger King, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, McDonald's, and Denny's, claim major concessions from the campaign. As of now, this major effort resulted in a small percentage of eggs purchased from cage-free facilities (i.e. 3%,) and a 15% maximum of slaughtered pigs from gestation crate-free factory farms (i.e. any unknown number under that percentage.) This is a classic move by PETA, and one that confuses the message of veganism -- blaming the industry, deemphasizing education, and making no effort to change how the consumer thinks or eats. In the end, the message is that it is perfectly fine to eat PETA-approved animals from PETA-approved factory farms and fast food restaurants.

If PETA had an interest in real change, putting their investment dollars towards companies like gardein or Daiya (legitimate, healthy alternatives to eating animals) is a productive step towards reducing demand for meat and dairy, and eventually reducing the death of animals in factory farms. The publicity may not be as good, but it’s an actual step towards changing eating habits. Instead, PETA invests in the industry that, by its very business model, depends on PETAs failure as an animal "advocacy" group. PETA won't invest in companies actively providing a viable alternative to animal products because it’s a long-term solution.

However, this particular debate ignores entirely PETA's questionable choice to invest in such companies to begin with. Where is the judgment in purchasing stock, and profiting from the actions of companies like Burger King or Monsanto? It's true that PETA isn't buying shares directly from Monsanto -- publically traded companies work by buying and selling shares from other stockholders. Yet, by purchasing Burger King or McDonald's stock, PETA plays a role in keeping their stock value up, and the CEOs (those individuals directing the company's actions,) stay in bonuses, profit, and have no incentive to change the way that they do business. PETA can argue their case for improved conditions to other shareholders, but they are the same individuals for whom PETA doesn't "waste" time trying to educate on the issues, or present a rational, sane message.

Here is the true irony, even if PETA managed to convince a majority of shareholders of a company like Monsanto to vote along their shareholder resolution, Monsanto is under no obligation to implement the resolution. Shareholder resolutions are simply suggestions for the company -- they are not binding and will have no affect on Monsanto's or Burger King's business methods or profitability. Despite what PETA would have you believe, shareholder resolutions hold little financial or legal powers, and often disregarded by companies. In 2004, the Harvard Law Review considered this very topic, in The Case for Increasing Shareholder Power. PETA, of course, is all too aware of this fact, but you won't find that inconvenient truth of shareholder resolutions on their campaign successes page. In return for placations of which have little effect on the corporation or improvement to the lives of animals, Carl's Jr. or Burger King gets the blessing of PETA and all of the free publicity they could desire -- courtesy of the world's largest animal-rights organization. PETA molds this into a press release for their members, updating them on all of the good their annual donations accomplish.

PETA, by their own hand, is in a position where they cannot make a consistent message of veganism or campaigns of education on the issues. They profit too readily by placing the blame on the factory farm and/or fast food restaurant. After decades of publicity seeking, PETA stumbled onto the formula that provides them the perfect equation for the delusion of effectiveness, used frequently to justify their shock campaigns. Promoting veganism as the only objective that truly minimizes harm to animals would alienate much of PETA's membership and celebrity support, as it would require that PETA actually ask that they work towards meaningful way behavioral change.

This would prove problematic, as PETA would no longer be the group of endless cheap absolution to those who want to feel good about eating animals, wearing them, or otherwise contributing to their suffering and death. Such accountability would mean that animal activism would no longer be a fun, trendy way to spend an afternoon; they would no longer be a meaningless exhibitionist thrill machine, they would not be the tool for vapid celebrities to mock animal advocacy by making it their next Kabbalah bracelet. They would make the idea that the individual is responsible for their choices and actions -- the awful factory farm machine exists because we keep it alive. In short, PETA would become a serious, intentional, clear-headed advocacy organization.

It's much simpler to create endless campaigns targeting single aspects of harm to animals. Without a willingness to educate or rationally discuss the importance or veganism, such individual campaigns, like their shareholder activism, have no meaningful impact. This approach ignores entirely the critical need to connect with the individual -- if we do not understand the reasons for change (as well as exactly what we need to do to create change,) the only result is applauding nonsense like cage-free eggs, and no comprehension of the argument against eating them at all.

The problem? We easily talk ourselves out of change (also known as the "humane meat" reflexive justification -- the greatest stroke of genius marketing since cigarettes were good for you) when an argument only appeals to our emotions. Humane meat is incredibly attractive, and why wouldn’t it be? It offers those who are looking for any reason at all to avoid change -- and they have justification to continue eating animals, guilt free.

Today's demand for meat, eggs and dairy is gargantuan, and it forces production to such an extreme that it has tremendously hideous consequences. It is impossible for the USDA to monitor the billions of pounds of beef, chicken, pork, gallons of milk, and eggs consumed yearly. The CDC estimates 1,300 die yearly from food-transmitted pathogens like Salmonella, Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis,) and Listeria monocytogenes. Another 1,600 die from unspecified pathogens. That's about 3,000 every year. The demand for meat is so massive the USDA is considering privatizing inspections—starting with chicken in 2012. To put this into perspective, phobia of "chemicals" in skin care and cosmetics has spread like wildfire over the internet and media, with people everywhere convinced that death perpetually stalks them via their moisturizer and lipstick. Despite this nonsense, not a single person anywhere has died, or suffered harm from normal use of their skin care and makeup (no, drinking your sunscreen doesn’t count.) This is an excellent example of our ability to rationalize any behavior we don't want to change -- the furor over scary-sounding chemicals, despite no harm to a anyone, anywhere, compared to the thousands who die yearly from eating tainted animal products.

PETA prospers on the appearance of action, our willingness to fool ourselves, and the illusion of "successes" that make no progress towards improving the life of animals. Rather than speaking honestly and respectfully to the omnivore, they instead choose to dedicate themselves to protests that exist purely for the sake of perpetuating notoriety. PETA is aware that such effort -- protesting outside a KFC, Lettuce Ladies handing out veggie dogs, "cooking mama: Mama Kills Animals" video game, will never change a single mind on the issue of animal advocacy. The tools used to convey the message are so inflammatory they succeed only in ridicule, or fascinatingly bizarre, neither of which helps any animals. As a vegan, I understand the analogizing of the near overwhelming horror of a world that we've created for animals. However, as a former omnivore, I understand PETAs methods won't connect to those who haven't come to this seismic shift in consciousness. The omnivore will only see the crass vehicle for PETA message, and regard it with suspicion and disgust.

I get it. For the animal advocate, the overwhelming nature of the fight is exhausting. It makes one sad to see such vitriol and lack of respect for endless hours of work advocating for animals. PETA let this exhaustion, frustration and sorrow build-up like moss on our efforts -- muddling the message with endless compromises, confusing the public, and stealing the respect hard work for animals deserves. Squandering the greatest opportunity in decades for communicating the benefits of veganism to our planet, health and ethics, by supporting welfarism we've wasted time by perpetuating myths of humane meat, and holding the word veganism in disdain. This is what PETA has done with its early potential, thirty-some years later -- traded their veracity in exchange for headlines so many times like excessively printed money; its value has dropped to a near worthless state.

What do you think of PETA's tactics? Let us know on Facebook.

Nathan Rivas | Twitter | Facebook
Seattle, WA Nathan is a passionate animal advocate and vegan in the Seattle-area, and a contributor to This Dish is Veg. He lives with his partner, Troy, and a band consisting of: a defiant dachshund, a ginormous Maine coon and a judgmental shorthaired black cat. Nathan graduated with a Bachelors of Science (summa cum laude) from Northeastern University last spring, and is currently in his Masters of Science program. Nathan is at any time, 17% coffee, a slave to his Kindle, and a lover of science and mathematics.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/liveu4

No Meat Zone Recipes: Vegan Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

2012-01-23T11:16:00.000-05:00

I know what you’re thinking -- she cheated and put chocolate chips in the muffins and of course he’d eat his veggies sprinkled with chocolate. Who wouldn’t? But hey before you start judging my decision, all I have to say is He ate Zucchini! And that’s all that matters in my book. When your 3 year old “asks” for something that has zucchini in it, you better believe it that I’ll be the first one to hand it over. However, I’m convinced that he would have eaten it if we swapped the choc-chips and used raisins. We got no problem in the raisin department; actually we’re really lucky with fruit. He’ll eagerly try just about any fruit we have in the house.

So back to how yummy the muffins turned out. We’ve been snacking on these goodies all week! And I feel good every time he gobbles them up. We had so much fun making them together too. London (my son) probably thought that the most fun of all was that he got use my trusty ice cream scoop to pour the batter into the muffin tin. Ever since I bought it for my cupcake baking business, he’s eyed it. Now it was his time to use it and he anxiously gripped it with pride. BTW: That scoop is one of the best kitchen tools that I use. If you bake a lot like I do and don’t have a scoop with a spring action release, treat yourself and buy one. London was so proud when the muffins came out of the oven. He made this recipe from start to finish. Hope you enjoy!

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yield: makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:
1 cup of your favorite non-dairy milk
3 tablespoons of ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon of apple cinder vinegar
2 1/2 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon of allspice
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/2 cup safflower or canola oil
1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
2 cups of grated zucchini (about 2 small zucchinis)
3/4 cup of (vegan) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease your muffin tin.

Combine the milk and ground flax seeds in a measuring cup and mix vigorously with a fork. Mix in the vinegar and set aside to curdle.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Make a well in the center and add the milk mixture, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.

Use an ice cream to pour the batter into the muffin tin. Bake for 25-28 minutes, until muffin tops are firm. Be sure to let these moist muffins cool for at least 20 minutes in the tin before you transfer to a cooling rake. That leaves just enough time to play a game together before you devour the muffins. Ours came out looking just like these from Peas and Thank you. She also has a great recipe where she uses whole wheat pastry flour and applesauce.

London’s Love Notes:
Since this is a bare bones recipe it leaves open plenty of options for yummy things to add. As mentioned, raisins would taste great and don’t forget about walnuts too. Get creative and experiment with the type of flour. These muffins can be extra healthy if you swap out the white flour and use whole wheat or spelt flour.

Photo credit: Josalyn

Why vegans should care about wildlife

2012-01-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

If you’re vegan, chances are high that you care deeply about animals. It may be that your love of domesticated animals - be they dogs, cats, horses, cows or chickens -- is what brought you to a compassionate lifestyle in the first place. It’s also likely that you spend time advocating for companion animals or farmed animals. But what place does wildlife have in your interests? Do you view wildlife protection as a vegan issue?

For those who are vegans for ethical reasons, the answer to this question likely seems obvious. Ethical vegans, who live by the principle that animals are not humankind’s to exploit, generally extend that belief to all animals. They recognize that indirect threats to wildlife, such as environmental pollution or habitat destruction, still constitute human exploitation of these creatures.

But people adopt a vegan diet for many reasons: some who adopt a plant-based way of eating for health or in opposition to food policy or factory farming methods may not consider the protection of wildlife as part of their ideology. For those who are vegan for health or food safety, the issue may not seem so clear. Why should these people care about wildlife?

According to a Humane Society of the United States, animal agriculture as an industry is the single largest user of land worldwide. For those whose veganism is based in an opposition to factory farming methods, consider this: animal agriculture has a direct impact on wildlife through the destruction of habitat. Once lands are cleared for livestock production, wild animals that remain in neighboring habitat are killed if they present a potential threat to farmed animals, or the crops grown to feed livestock. Moreover wildlife is killed in the production of livestock feed crops, which account for as much as 50% of the total crop yield globally.

For those who adopt a vegan diet for health reasons, consider that the same indirect effects of animal agriculture that affect wildlife -- environmental pollution, pesticide usage, contribution to climate change -- also affect you. (To learn more about the impact of animal agriculture on climate change, see this HSUS report.) You are part of the ecosystem just as wild animals are. Your water and soil is being polluted, the climate you live in is changing. By fighting to limit the effect of animal agriculture on wildlife and the lands they inhabit, you are limiting the impact on yourself as well.

Every species -- human, animal, or plant -- is part of the delicate balance of life on this planet. All are interrelated and need to be preserved. While it may seem that fighting the factory farming industry is enough to take on, remember: compassion is a renewable resource. Do your part to preserve and protect all animal life!

Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Photo credit: Kasey

New organic coffee line helps save the jaguar

2012-01-23T10:17:00.001-05:00

Rogers Family Company, a gourmet coffee and tea company based out of California, has taken the initiative to help our animal friends, the jaguars.

Using their responsibly grown coffee rightfully named, "Rare Find Panthera Blend," the Rogers' Family Company donates 20 percent of each online sale and 10 percent of each distributor sale to Panthera-Leaders in Wildlife Conservation. The organization is dedicated to help save the world's endangered wild cats.

The Rogers' Family Company president, Jon Rogers had this to say, "We are honored to work with Panthera to preserve the jaguar - which is one of nature's treasures and one of the great symbols of the wild– for future generations."

Jon goes on to say, ""We hope that Rare Find coffee can make a meaningful contribution to the effort to save jaguars in coffee growing regions where we've seen firsthand how our industry can play an important role in preserving nature."

Rare Find coffee beans are organically grown in the Concordia area of Colombia and Chiapas Highlands, a mountainous region in the southeastern part of Mexico. If you are wondering why these are the chosen locations to grow the beans for this unique blend, the answer is simple. These regions are the natural habitats of the jaguar family. Now it's all starting to make sense, isn't it?

So what's the cost for Rare Find? A 12-ounce bag of whole beans retails for $11.99, while a 2-pound bag is $22.99. If you would like your coffee ground before it arrives on your doorstep, it costs just 50 cents extra.

As for the name, well Panthera and Rogers' Family Company decided on Rare Find after conducting a nationwide naming contest.

Click here to order a bag of this certified organic roast.

Laeticia Butler | @Vegwritingmomma | Facebook | Blog
Baltimore, MD After suffering with health issues for two years, Laeticia became a vegan and was able to go from barely walking to running 5Ks. She became well aware of the cruelty to animals through research during her life change. In doing so, Laeticia discovered a newfound love and respect for animals and works hard to teach her son why we don't eat them. She is currently training for her first half marathon. One of Laeticia's goals as a writer and blogger is to help motivate others to living a healthier lifestyle through a healthy diet and fitness.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/38504374@N02

Illinois pig farm fined for spilling over 200,000 gallons of manure into creek

2012-01-20T13:52:00.000-05:00

An Illinois pig farm has agreed to pay more than $80,000 in fines to the state Department of Natural Resources for spilling over 200,000 gallons of manure in a creek near the city of Buckley.

In July of 2009, a manure holding pond at the farm spilled into Spring Creek and a tributary, flowing downstream for 19 miles. The ecological disaster is responsible for killing close to 110,000 fish. However, these types of incidents are anything but uncommon.

Back in June of 1990, Smithfield-Carroll was fined $7,000 for numerous violations, two of which included damaging manure spills.

In 1995, 25 million gallons of hog waste from Oceanview Farms spilled into North Carolina's New River after an eight-acre, 12ft. deep receptacle collapsed.

In 1997, Smithfield Foods and two of its subsidiaries were charged $12.6 million for discharging illegal levels of pollutants from their Virginia slaughterhouses into the Pagan River.

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

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

To spike or not to spike: Should parents sneak vegetables into their children's food

2012-01-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

Spiking kids’ food with vegetables is a common thought that crosses your mind when you’re entrenched in a food battle with a persnickety 3 year old. I do think that pureeing vegetables and sneaking them into all of their favorites sure does seem like the easy route. And it might just be the solution to your picky eater who tightly seals up his lips as a new food approaches his mouth. Unfortunately, children are naturally “new-food-phobics.” We also know that it takes numerous exposures to convince them to try something they haven’t had before. But my concern about this deception is based on the reality of childhood obesity. And by sneaking in the “good” stuff are we doing any justice to providing our kids with the right tools in life to make healthy food choices? How can we be honest with ourselves and say we are; when all along our kids didn’t know what vegetable they really ate.

I know many of you reading this might think this is an overreaction. And to some extent I’m all for doing what you got to do to get those nutrients into your kids. But personally, I’m tired of the common response being to read books like Deceptively Delicious or The Sneaky Chef and that the only solution to this picky problem is hiding healthy food in kids’ favorite meals. I get it, parents are desperate, tired of the tricks, daily fights and some kids go on a food strike for days. Then things just get compounded and you’ll have the whole pooping issue to deal with. But when you stop and think beyond the moment of secretly pureeing cauliflower and hiding it in their mac & cheese, really is this the right way to go about it? Because will these kids grow up and make the right food choices on their own when it comes time? How could they when they’ve never seen what a cauliflower really looks like?

This might sound like a contradiction, but I do commend the parents who are whipping up purees and steering their kids away from stuff that comes in a box or a frozen container. I’m just asking you think about, “What happens next?” -- Will our schools be blending veggies and hiding them too? Most likely no. And you might be saying that it’s not a problem because you’ll be packing their lunch everyday. I’m with you, I’ll be doing that too. But I guess the extent of the problem goes beyond that controlled environment. I’m speaking about when it comes time for kids to make their own food choices. Wouldn’t it be better to have been honest with your healthy ingredients? It leaves open many more exciting food avenues to explore together.

Listen, we all want to put an end to the food wars in our house and have peace at the table but I would rather have my kid on the front line knowing what he’s eating for dinner tonight. Nobody likes to be lied to.

If the stealthy route is your way to approach this rough patch, it’s still important to get your children to learn what vegetables look and taste like. Although, I still question the concept of the alternative to pureeing, that is using jarred baby food. Huh! We moved past this phase -- why would you ever want to go backwards?

I know many parents are worried about their child’s growing body and letting their nutrients slide can be a slippery slope. But hang in there, feed them whatever healthy stuff you can, it will pass (I’m waiting too!) and this will inevitably lead to them becoming informed grown ups who make healthy decisions later in life.

Thoughts? Join the conversation on Facebook.

Photo credit: Liz West

Herbivoree Comic Strip: I think we can get a lot of milk

2012-01-19T14:09:00.000-05:00

Natalie Peragine | Artwork
Canada Natalie is currently going to university for her Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies. She is a vegan ecofeminist because she loves all animals equally. Natalie creates vegan comics to encourage knowledge sharing through a DIY art medium, co-created a vegan environmental club at her university, writes a vegan blog, and volunteers for a donkey sanctuary.

Is this responsible?: PCRM reveals new fat-shaming ad campaign

2012-01-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine unveiled images of two large billboards the organization has sponsored in Albany, NY.

According to PCRM's press release, PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., has written a letter to members of the Albany city school board, asking the city to cut down on dairy products served in schools to help students reduce the risk of childhood obesity.

While the ads certainly have shock value, do they represent "Responsible Medicine"? No. It is not accurate or responsible to suggest that a person cannot be thin while eating cheese, or fat on a vegan diet. While the standard American diet contributes to obesity, not all carnists are fat, nor are all vegans thin. This oversimplifies the complex issues surrounding obesity and will therefore be written off as false by thinking individuals, rather than accomplishing the goal of making them consider their dietary choices.

Furthermore, for fat individuals who may be considering the switch to a vegan lifestyle, it's alienating rather than inviting. The fat-shaming images are unlikely to make anyone feel as though they will be accepted in the vegan community, perpetuating the stereotype that vegans only come in one size.

These will certainly garner attention, as have previous fat-shaming ads from PETA, but it is unlikely that they will be effective in making members of the public consider a vegan diet. Meanwhile, they may just damage the reputation of the PCRM as a responsible organization providing accurate, fact-based information on health.

What do you think of the PCRM campaign? Let us know on Facebook.

Photo credit: PCRM.org

Valentine's Day romantic dinner idea for the vegan sweetheart in your life

2012-01-19T12:57:00.000-05:00

Planning the perfect romantic dinner for two can seem like an impossible task. Lucky for you I've done the hard part and assembled this easy Valentine's Day menu to impress your sweetheart. This meal is packed with flavors sure to inspire romance.

Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

2 tbsp Olive Oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
3 15oz cans Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes
6 cups Vegetable Broth
2 tbsp Vegan Sour Cream
6 tbsp chopped Fresh Basil

In a saute pan, heat the olive oil to medium-high and add the garlic. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes and stir in tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered 25 minutes. Remove from heat and top with a dollop of sour cream and the fresh basil when serving.

Strawberry Balsamic Salad

Baby Spinach
4 or 5 Strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup toasted and slice Almonds
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 tsp fine ground Sea Salt
Black Pepper to taste

In a large bowl toss the spinach, strawberries, and almonds. In a small bowl whisk together the oil, vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.

Portobello Steaks with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce on a bed of Wild Rice

3 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Large Portobello Mushrooms, sliced in 1/4 inch slices
1/2 cup jarred Roasted Red Pepper strips
1 clove Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flake
1 cup Wild Rice
2 cups Vegetable Broth

In a 3 qt sauce pan with a tight fitting lid, bring the broth and rice to a rapid boil. Stir once, reduce heat to medium and cover. Allow to simmer, undisturbed for 50 minutes. Remove from heat, let set for 10 minutes, and then fluff rice with a fork.

In a skillet heat oil to medium and add the mushroom slices in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flake. Cook slices for 5-7 minutes on each side.

In a food processor, place the roasted red pepper strips and garlic. Process on high until it becomes a smooth sauce. If it seems too thick, slowly add a bit of the oil the peppers are kept in, until it becomes smooth.

Plate the rice, top with the mushroom steaks and drizzle with the roasted red pepper sauce.

Fruit Skewer with Chocolate Dip

1/2 of a Fresh Pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into thick slices, and cubed
12 Strawberries, stems removed
1 cup Semi-Sweet Vegan Chocolate Chips
1 tbsp Coconut Oil

Alternate the pineapple and strawberries onto bamboo skewers. Place on a serving tray, cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge until ready to serve.

In a double boiler, combine the chocolate and coconut oil. Allow to slowly melt and then transfer to a serving bowl or fondue pot, and enjoy!

Have a romantic dinner idea? Let us know on Facebook.

Ashley Kiefer | Facebook | Blog
Rapid City, SD Ashley is is an artist and avid vegan cook. She grew up playing in her grandmother's kitchen, and has fond memories of the fresh, rich and often decadent treats she made there. For Ashley, going vegan was a long transition prompted by health concerns. She's spent the last six years experimenting with ways to "veganize" the food delights of her childhood. She teaches private cooking classes and runs Season of The Vegan.

Photo credit: plrang

ALF strikes arson fire at California farm

2012-01-19T12:20:00.000-05:00

Activists from the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) -- an underground, direct action animal rights group -- claimed responsibility for an arson fire that heavily damaged 14 tractors and several cattle trailers at Harris Farms in Fresno County, California.

Harris Farms CEO and Chairman John Harris said the company was "appalled" by the "senseless attack."

A statement by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, which has no direct dealings with the ALF, writes that "containers of accelerant were placed beneath a row of 14 trucks with 4 digital timers used to light four of the containers and kerosene-soaked rope carrying the fire to the other 10. We were extremely pleased to see that all 14 trucks ‘were a total loss.’"

The ALF writes on their website that their overall goal is to "effectively allocate resources (time and money) to end the "property" status of nonhuman animals."

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

Photo credit: ogcorndog

PETA urges us to ‘Never Be Silent’ for the sake of animals

2012-01-18T14:18:00.001-05:00

Used for food, milk, clothing, testing or being abused for someone’s "entertainment," this is the sad and awful fate for billions of animals in this country today. From the dog chained outside on a freeing cold day, to the animal being skinned alive for a fur coat, none of them deserve to be treated with cruelty and none of them deserve to suffer for our pleasure or convenience.

Hidden behind well worded smoke screens, many companies hide the bloody truth from consumers because they know that the reality would mean an end to their business. And we have that power. We can choose to buy clothes without fur or leather. We can pick up cosmetics that are not tested on animals, or walk by the entrance to the zoo instead of going in. These actions, although they may seem small, affect companies where it hurts them the most – their pocket. If we choose not to buy a product, they will stop producing it. It really is that simple. But is it enough?

PETA has launched the ‘Never Be Silent’ video campaign, urging us to speak up for animals since they cannot do it themselves. They use the example of your neighbor talking about the circus as an opportunity to talk to them about the mishandling of animals in the name of entertainment. Or perhaps when asked out on a dinner date, making sure that the host knows that you would prefer going to a certain restaurant as it serves vegetarian or vegan food. No one is asking that you get up on soap box (unless you really want to), but unless we tell them, how can they ever know? Use your voice, your social network, and your personal choices to speak for the animals, and let people know what’s going on.

What do you think of the campaign? Let us know on Facebook.

Bev Hahler | @redhotvegan | Facebook | Blog
Michigan Bev was born and raised in England but currently resides in Michigan. She's been a vegetarian since she was 14 years old, and became more interested in veganism several years ago after studying Agro-business as part of an Ecology degree. Bev has a gorgeous daughter in second grade who has been a vegetarian her whole life (lucky girl).

Photo credit: Screen capture

'Defending the Defenseless': An invaluable resource for those interested in taking their love for their pets to the next level

2012-01-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Attorney and author, Allie Phillips' new book, "Defending The Defenseless: A Guide To Protecting and Advocating For Pets," is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in taking their love for their pets to the next level of passion and care.

In my last review I mentioned how I have often wondered if my advocacy and activism work would have a more profound impact if I had chosen to become a lawyer. Well, Allie Phillips has written the perfect book for me, and anyone else who is not a lawyer, but wants to work to make great strides in the fight for companion animal rights.

Chock full of practical tips on how to get involved, from volunteering at your local animal shelter to lobbying and fighting for animal law reform, opposing animal testing and experimentation, and one of my favorites, raising children with an awareness and respect for animals that in turn teaches them to protect their pets, and other living beings.

Phillips offers an in-depth and practical approach to taking action and getting results, regardless of one’s chosen career, and has written a book that will surely help solidify and expand the growing concern and commitment for the rights and well-being of all animals.

Erica Settino | Twitter | Facebook | Website
New York Erica is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization, Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc. A long time vegetarian turned passionate vegan, she works tirelessly to educate others on the countless benefits of adopting a vegan diet. She currently holds a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Animal Behavior and an MFA in Creative Writing. Along with her work in animal advocacy, Erica works as an editorial assistant, freelance writer, certified and registered yoga instructor, nutritional counselor and health coach. She lives with her veg husband and their four rescued animal companions.

Photo credit: Defending the Defenseless: A Guide to Protecting and Advocating for Pets

A song soothes a frightened rescued pig

2012-01-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Bitter winter winds pushing them forward, the Humane Officers stepped gingerly around the corpses of ponies and chickens as they searched desperately for signs of life. Out of the corner of her eye, one of the officers saw movement. Was it the wind, or was there an animal hiding in that old cardboard box? She made her way closer and peeked in to find a terrified pig, too weak to scream or run. In the barn, they found a second pig who was much less frightened.

The pigs, Magdalena and Anunzio, arrived at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in early March, 2007. Having miraculously escaped their living nightmare, Magdie embraced us, immediately becoming the affectionate and playful pig that she is today. Nunzi took a different approach. He screamed at the top of his lungs every time he saw a human. This means that every time we fed him, gave him fresh water, cleaned his stall, or did anything else in the barn, he screamed the entire time. In case you do not know any pigs, their scream is actually a higher decibel than a jet engine. Quickly, we discovered that speaking to him, even in a soothing, soft tone of voice, only terrified him more. Happily, he was never afraid of Magdie, so at least he had a companion. To this day they remain gentle, loving best friends to one another.

One day, I found myself singing in the barn as I worked (it happens sometimes, although it is not pretty, I admit). I realized at some point that Nunzi was not screaming. Slowly and silently, I poked my head into his stall -- "What if something is wrong with him?" I worried. As my head came into view, Nunzi resumed his deafening screams. "At least he is all right physically," I thought, and went back to my barn work. As I resumed singing, his screams ceased. When I stopped, the screams resumed! So, I made it my habit to sing in Nunzi's presence, and he stopped screaming when he saw me. This was a breakthrough. From there we began, very slowly, to work on building a friendship.

Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, Without a love in my heart, Without a pig of my own. Blue moon, You knew just what I was there for, You heard me saying a prayer for, Some pig I truly could care for.

Fast forward 9 months, to a sunny Sunday morning. I went out to the paddock to see how Nunzi and his pig, horse, turkey, and rooster companions were enjoying the morning sun. Nunzi heard me talking to Sabine (a horse) from around the corner of the barn and...are you ready?...(drum roll, please...) Nunzi actually ran to greet me, grunting softly and contentedly as he nuzzled my hand. His eyes twinkling, he practically said in English, "Well, and good morning to you too, sunshine. So nice to see you this morning." Nunzi doesn't scream at humans anymore. And that makes all of the endless hours, backbreaking work, struggles to pay vet, feed, and hay bills, and everything else worthwhile.

Did this story touch your heart? Let us know on Facebook.

Indra Lahiri | Facebook | Blog
Mehoopany, PA Indra is the founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, an all-species safe haven for animals that would otherwise have been euthanized or slaughtered. Indraloka is founded on two principles: 1) the earth itself and all life are sacred and 2) we are all related. Indraloka supports animal rescue groups by providing a lifetime home for animals that are otherwise unadoptable, and also rescues farm animals from cruelty. Indra has dedicated her life to helping previously traumatized animals heal and rediscover joy, love, and trust. In the process, the animals she set out to help have become her greatest healers and teachers.

Photo credits: Indra

TDIV Q&A: If we didn't eat animals, wouldn't there be too many cows, chickens and pigs on earth?

2012-01-18T11:06:00.000-05:00

If we didn't eat animals, wouldn't there be too many cows, chickens or pigs on earth?

Absolutely not!

This is a question I have been asked many times since I stopped eating meat, and at first I wasn’t really sure I knew the answer to this. I used to think, “There are always going to be animals used in the meat industry, so there is nothing I can do to minimize the amounts of animals being slaughtered for food.” Once I finally started to learn more and more about animals killed for human consumption, I realized that everything I once thought I knew was a lie.

The only reason there are so many cows, chickens, and pigs walking the earth right now, is because they are here for one reason and one reason only: they are here because people want them to be. The more that people eat meat, the more animals are needed to be bred and ultimately killed for human consumption. The only reason these animals come into the world is to be killed for food. Imagine being born into the world only to be killed so that someone else can fill their belly.

So, to answer the question, if we didn’t eat animals, the amount of animals on earth would be no problem at all. We would no longer have a need for them to be here in mass, so these animals would no longer be forced to reproduce constantly in unnatural conditions.

A major reason that animals are treated so poorly is that we allow it to happen. Every time we purchase meat, we are telling the food industry, “This is what we want!”

To put your blinders on and forget how the animal got on your plate is also telling them “I don’t care,” so the wrongdoings of factory farms are made okay. As long as they’re making money and people are buying the products with no complaints, they’re going to keep doing what they’re doing.

I would like to know that every animal on earth has the chance to live, just like humans do. Why should they experience pain and suffering only to have their lives destroyed for our selfish needs? We are the reason that so many animals are suffering. Without our selfish demands, there would not be nearly as many animals on earth.

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/opensourceway

California sanctuary offers unique programs to help animals

2012-01-18T10:34:00.000-05:00

Got a spare couple of acres and yearn to have a farm animal as a pet? Animal Place, a farm animal and dog sanctuary in Grass Valley, California, can make that dream come true. Likewise, if you have farm animals that you cannot care for and are looking for an alternative to slaughter, Animal Place, again, can help.

The facility is conveniently located at ground zero in the agricultural belt of California surrounded by dairy farms and “big Ag” farming centers. It takes in all manner of fauna including dogs, sheep, goats, chickens, roosters, horses and cattle. Some residents, like piglets, can move in for good, according to the website: www.animalplace.org while others such as dogs, stay temporarily for transitional medical issues or a safe place to live until permanent shelter can be arranged.

Rescue Ranch, Animal Place’s adoption program, was created last August and since then, has rescued, re-homed or provided permanent refuge to 2,919 chickens, 19 turkeys, 6 sheep, 7 pigs, and 2 goats. That’s a lot of kibble! To raise money, the organization holds events such as the “Music in the Meadow” concert last weekend which brought in $11K to support its animal residents.

The farm also offers an interesting twist on the historical 4-H Club that teens have traditionally been involved in which involves working with farm animals. Instead of raising the animal and ultimately selling it for slaughter which is what the original club mandates, Animal Place has created a 5-H Club for teens which adds the extra dimension of saving the animal’s life when it is fully grown instead of selling it at auction.

The organization spends time working with animal welfare organizations, too, to adopt a vegetarian or vegan policy for all of their events. They urge SPCA’s and humane societies to “go vegan” when serving food at their events to be consistent with the animal rescue "message."

Diane Allevato, executive director of the Marin Humane Society and a partner in the campaign said, “The simple premise of the campaign involves asking ourselves two questions: What animals do we protect? And do we serve those same animals at our events? “

Lastly, the farm offers monthly vegan potlucks, recipes and a Veggie Club for omnivores transitioning to a plant based diet. To be put on the veggie club email list, contact marji@animalplace.org

Kathryn Lorusso | O'Neill 365 | Twitter | Blog | Bio
Dallas, TX Kathryn is a former journalist and English teacher who now counsels and mediates teenage drama on a daily basis in the Dallas, Ft. Worth metroplex. Time away from school is spent cooking up new macrobiotic/vegan specialties, writing various blogs and newsletters and taking as many bikram yoga classes as possible. She gives vegan cooking classes at the Arlington Bikram Yoga studio, mentors a vegetarian/vegan student group and has just been chosen as one of six fitness icons for O’Neill Clothing Company.

Photo credit: Screen capture

Sea Turtle Adoption Program offers volunteers a chance to help conservation efforts in Borneo

2012-01-17T14:21:00.000-05:00

Fantastic news for all my fellow sea turtle-lovers out there. The Sea Turtles Adoption Program, ran by Sarawak Forestry, allows volunteers to spend 4 days in Borneo to participate with turtle conservation efforts. Volunteers will be able to help with multiple opportunities such as transferring turtle eggs to the hatchery, releasing the hatchlings, data recording, nest analysis, and research, education and conservation activities.

The focus of the program is to promote awareness of why the sea turtle is so important, as well as give people hands-on experience with the creatures.

Sea turtles are some of the most endangered animals on earth, as well as long-living. Sea turtles can live to be 100 years of age or older. Sea turtles only breed when they are between 15 and 50 years old, and females only produce eggs every 4 or 5 years.

This program is offered between May and September, as that's when the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

You can find out more about the program here. Do you want to book your trip now? I do! Go here.

Amanda Fagan | @AmandaFagan__ | Blog
Williamsburg, VA Amanda was raised in Williamsburg, Virginia and currently resides there, but spent four years in Vero Beach, Florida, home of the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. It is there where Amanda developed her love of the ocean and marine life. She spent most of her time observing manatees, dolphins, and sharks. Amanda has worked on campaigns with Greenpeace in Washington D.C. and North Carolina. She is a freelance photographer and in her spare time she loves painting, kayaking, and cycling. She is currently teaching herself how to play the didgeridoo!

Photo credit: Hoffryan

TDIV Q&A: Is sugar vegan?

2012-01-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, not all sugar is vegan. While it doesn’t include any animal ingredients, most of the big sugar companies use a refining process that involves animal bone char. The bone char, or charcoal, is used to get rid of unwanted colors, minerals and impurities from the sugar.

While this definition of “vegan” does mean getting down to the nitty-gritty of veganism, the decision is ultimately up to you. Fortunately, this refining process is only used for cane sugar, so there are other sugars that are completely safe. “Safe” sugars include: unrefined cane sugar, turbinado, succanat, beet, date sugar, barley malt, rice syrup, corn syrup, molasses and maple syrup.

Christina Matekel | Facebook | Blog
Idaho Christina grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but is currently attending school in Idaho, where she is finishing up her last semester as an undergrad. She currently has one cute and furry guinea pig named Timothy Hay, one sweet and cuddly cat named Jack, and one really nice husband named Zach. Christina became vegetarian at age 13 after reading about her favorite band’s foray into vegetarianism. She went vegan when she was 16 because it was the only logical action she felt she could take after reading more about animal abuse. She may not have a loud mouth or a persuasive voice, but she believe she can make a difference (and share some dang good recipes) through writing.

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

No Meat Zone Recipes: Kalamansi Coconut Risotto

2012-01-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

VEGAN

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cup Arborio rice
1/2 pound white button or portabello mushroom, thinly sliced
1/2 onion, finely chopped or 2 shallots diced
1 stick celery, finely sliced
1/2 cup Dry white wine
2 tbsp earth balance or any vegan butter
3 tbsp olive oil
3/4 can coconut milk
2-3 tbsp kalamansi juice
1 1/2 tbsp Harvest vegetable broth
4-5 cups of water
*If you are using liquid vegetable stock and not in powder form or bullion, use 5 cups of that instead of water.
Salt and pepper to taste. It’s best to use sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

DIRECTIONS:

In a pot over low heat, simmer the coconut milk for about 3 minutes then add in the vegetable bullion or powder. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Set aside. (If you are using liquid vegetable broth, don’t add it to the coconut milk. Heat the broth separately).
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add about two tbsp of olive oil and saute the mushroom until it’s tender. Remove the mushroom and set aside.
Using the same pan, add another tbsp of olive oil, then add the butter.
Once the butter has fully melted, add the onion and celery and saute for about a minute.
Add the rice. Stir well to coat with oil.
When the rice is slightly translucent, pour in the white wine. The mixture will produce a wonderful aroma!
Once the wine is fully absorbed, add the coconut milk, then stir again.
Once the coconut milk is absorbed, add a half cup of water stirring continuously. If you are using liquid broth, add this instead of water.
Continue adding half cup of water (or liquid broth) at a time until the liquid is absorbed. Keep the process until the rice is soft but firm in the center or “al dente”. The risotto will be creamy but not mushy.
Stir in the Kalamansi juice
Transfer the mushroom to the mix
Season with salt and pepper
Garnish with chives or in my case, I used celery leaf
The coconut milk produces a rich creamy flavor that cancels out the need for Parmesan cheese.

I’m proud to say that not only I successfully veganized this Italian favorite, I’ve also added a Filipino touch. Enjoy and happy cooking!

Recipe provided by ASTIG Vegan

HSUS rescue featured on Animal Planet's 'Confessions: Animal Hoarding'

2012-01-17T12:13:00.000-05:00

Recently, the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team rescued 150 dogs from a property in Lucerne Valley, Calif. The owner volunteered to surrender the dogs to the HSUS and the rescue was featured in an episode of Animal Planet’s “Confessions: Animal Hoarding.”

The HSUS rescuers found the dogs in outdoor pens. Some were pregnant, nursing, diseased and injured.

“This is an unfortunate case of an animal lover and rescuer who became overwhelmed, had limited resources and simply has more animals than she can properly care for," said Adam Parascandola, director of animal cruelty issues for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States is grateful to Animal Planet for calling us in to help give these animals a second chance."

The dogs were transported to a temporary shelter, where veterinarians gave them necessary medical attention, before being taken to area shelters and rescue groups to be prepared for adoption. PetSmart Charities also donated sheltering supplies for the rescued animals.

The episode of “Confessions: Animal Hoarding” aired last Friday on Animal Planet.

If you know someone who might be an animal hoarder, visit www.animalhoardingproject.com for more information.

Heather Waxman | Blog
Massachusetts Heather is the voice behind For the Love of Kale, a blog that follows her vegan eats and daily musings through life as a busy college student eating meals out of her dorm room. A senior Food & Nutrition major and Journalism minor at Framingham State University, Heather is also a fitness instructor at Mind Body Barre, a fitness and healing studio located in Rehobeth, MA. After a tough bout with an eating disorder, Heather has become determined to make others recognize their full potential and find their self-worth by incorporating plant-based foods and fitness into their daily lives. No meat? No dairy? No problem. Eat kale!

Photo credit: HSUS

'But I could never give up cheese!': A step-by-step guide to breaking the habit

2012-01-17T11:21:00.001-05:00

The one objection I hear most often from people considering making the transition to a vegan diet is “But I could never give up cheese!”

Why cheese? Why not milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream, or ice cream? Because cheese contains concentrated amounts of casomorphins, a natural opiate found in dairy products. Yes, cheese is actually addictive! No wonder the thought of giving it up is hard for cheese-lovers to contemplate.

If you’ve thought you could never give up cheese, take some time and read up on dairy production. (Here is a concise summary of the issues.) Then read the label on the back of a block of cheese, and take note of the saturated fat, cholesterol and high sodium. (Or try this online nutrition facts tool. Keep in mind that the 1 oz. serving shown is a single 1-inch cube of cheese!) Consider whether this is really something you want in your diet.

If you arrive at the conclusion that cheese is something you’d like to do without, here is a step-by-step guide to successfully breaking the addiction.

1. Reduce
On cheese-heavy foods, start by using less, giving your palate time to learn to appreciate the other flavors cheese may be drowning out. Order your pizza easy on the cheese, and add on extra veggies. Use just a sprinkle in your bean burrito and add some fresh cilantro to amp up the flavor.

2. Try it without
There are many foods we add cheese to out of habit, and not because they add tremendously to the taste of a dish. Find the foods you can easily appreciate without cheese. Try leaving off the sprinkle of Parmesan on top of your spaghetti marinara, or the slice off your veggie burger. Chances are you won’t miss it much.

Then try eliminating cheese on the foods you can’t imagine without it. A cheeseless pizza? Find a pizzeria with a terrific cheese-free crust and delicious sauce, and smother it in your favorite veggies. Nachos? Add extra salsa, guacamole, or veggies instead. You may just surprise yourself and prefer foods this way.

3. Substitute flavors and textures
As you start to eliminate cheese, you may miss the creamy texture or the umami flavor. Substituting other foods with similar textures or flavors may help. Here are some to try; they may sound a little strange at first, but trust me - you’ll be pleasantly surprised:

Vegan butter - try a little Earth Balance or Smart Balance 100% Organic/Certified Vegan in place of cream cheese on your breakfast bread, or try an ultra-thin layer on a sandwich if it seems dry without that slice of cheese.
Avocado - use slices in place of cheese on subs, wraps, tacos, or burritos.
Artichoke hearts or tapenade - substitute for cheese on a bruschetta or pizza, or in a salad.
Crushed or ground walnuts - use crushed in veggie dishes or ground in pasta in place of grated Parmesan.
Hummus - if you’re missing cheese and crackers as a snack, try hummus or bean dip as an alternative. These also make great sandwich spreads.

4. Try cheese alternatives
You probably won’t appreciate non-dairy cheeses or cheese alternatives until you’ve been off cheese for a week or two. Then it will take a little trial and error to find your favorites.

Start with Daiya -- most vegans agree it’s a favorite. Made from tapioca, Daiya melts well and has great flavor. Just start with a little less than you would have normally used with dairy cheeses.

Most grocery or health food stores carry rice cheeses or soy cheeses. (Make sure your soy cheese is vegan; some contain casein, a milk protein.) Some also carry nut cheeses, which have great umami flavor and are a terrific alternative for those without nut allergies.

5. Make your own non-dairy cheeses
Have you ever thought about making cheese? Making non-dairy cheeses at home is not as hard as you might think. For example, this vegan Parmesan takes just a moment to prepare. VegNews’ macaroni and cheese recipe takes no longer than any other homemade mac and cheese. (That cheese sauce also works great for casseroles.) Or if you want to get fancy, buy some cheese cloth and make an almond feta or baked cashew cheese.

After a while, you’ll begin to see that the dependency on cheese is less about flavor and more about habit and addiction. Don’t let that be an obstacle to a healthier, more compassionate diet!

Questions or comments about giving up cheese? Join the conversation on Facebook.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/anneh632 and TDIV

Youtube sensations: Stuff meat eaters say part one and two

2012-01-17T10:41:00.000-05:00

Whether you've been vegan for a few weeks, several years, or your entire life, we've all heard some pretty outrageous things when meat-eaters first learn that we don't eat animal products. As with the "Sh*t Vegans Say," videos, let's all nod our heads along with this, "Shit Meat-Eaters Say," as we've all heard all of these before.

And because vegans really and truly hear it ALL from non-vegans, there's a part two:

Thank you, John Sakars, for compiling all of these questions and comments into one place, and making them funny to hear, for a change!

Amanda Just | Blog | Facebook
Tampa Bay, FL Amanda stopped eating meat in 1995, the moment she learned what meat was: dead animals. She was 11 years old. Her passion for vegetarianism and animals grew as she did and she eventually went vegan in 2004. Amanda blogs at Hungry Vegan Traveler, posting about vegan eats she encounters everywhere she goes, near and far. Amanda currently resides in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. She works full-time with at-risk youth and is also an active volunteer for animal and human causes.

Photo credit: Screen capture

Where to eat vegan: Elevation Burger

2012-01-17T10:08:00.000-05:00

Fairly frequently I get asked if I miss any food from my pre-vegan life. Mostly the answer is no. I make everything I could possibly want when I'm craving something special and frankly, these days I'm getting back to basics and eating lots of piles of delicious winter vegetables and rice. But, every now and then a girl wants a burger and fries.

I found Elevation Burger online when searching for a vegan friendly place to meet up with my friends. With locations all over VA, MD, DE, PA, NY and even down in TX, and CA, I was eager to try these burgers. Elevation serves two veggie burgers, one vegetarian (it has mozzarella in it) and one vegan. They also, interestingly, have a burger called Half the Guilt which is 1 beef patty and one veggie patty. Kinda strange idea.

One of the things I appreciate about this place, which has become more common among fast food places, is being able to see your food being made. Behind a sheet of glass scoots the conveyor belt of the grill topped with little hot plates to equally grill your patty as it makes its way to the end of the line. Eating at burger joints that aren't all veg usually mean that your burger sits on the same oil slicked grill as the meaty burgers you have sworn to avoid. Elevation Burger has two grills running down their line, one for meat burgers and one for veg ones, hurrah!

While standing in line we watched them yanking down the crank that pushes the potatoes through the slicer. The fries are shoestring slim and are fried in olive oil until deliciously crispy.

Our burgers were brought out to us by one of the employees, wrapped in paper and overflowing with fries. I got a vegan burger with mushrooms, caramelized onions, tomato and ketchup. My friend got the vegetarian burger with balsamic mustard. My vegan burger actually looked more like the meat burgers with its dark brown color but it clearly had corn, broccoli and red peppers stuffed in with the obligatory burger fillers. The vegetarian burger was an off orange color and seemed to have more rice present than anything else discernible.

While I'm usually pretty happy with my vegan burgers, I used to always order cheeseburgers. I'll say it again, at risk of sounding like a broken record, but is it so hard to offer a vegan cheese? It's not a huge deal really, but it would just be a great perk.

Overall, decent, filling and really inexpensive. Burgers are less than 4 bucks and fries are around 3. Most amazing vegan burger I've ever had? No, but at 4 bucks who would expect it to be. At the very least it's nice to know it's there. They also offer to wrap your burger in greens rather than a bun which I thought was cool. Don't bring your vegan date here of course, but for a quick bite, especially in the company of meat eaters, this would be a great place to meet up or stop on a road trip.

Lacey Walker | @quinoaween | Blog | Flickr
Maryland Lacey is a food photographing, French speaking, English teaching, travel enthusiast. She's been known to cut a rug. She's also been known to spend all day in bed eating vegan waffles and talking to her cat Hibou.

Photo credit: Lacey

Petition aims to stop controversial Skechers Super Bowl ad featuring greyhound racing

2012-01-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

From the company that brought us Shape-ups (the sneakers that have a tendency to make one look like a Herman Munster wannabe) comes another, much more severe abomination to mankind.

Where those shoes were simply an atrocity on a superficial level, insulting only our fashion senses, Skechers is now aiming to insult our moral and ethical sensibilities. The company is planning on airing a Super Bowl ad for its new GOrun shoes that was filmed at Tucson Greyhound Park, an Arizona dog racing track, and features greyhound racing, an activity banned in 38 states.

But a non-profit greyhound protection group, GREY2K USA, is doing something about it. The organization recently launched a campaign on the social change platform Change.org urging individuals to sign a petition asking Skechers not to air the controversial ad. Currently, the petition has more than 105,000 signatures.

“Skechers should not be partnering with Tucson Greyhound Park, which has an extensive record of cruelty,” said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine Dorchak, who started the campaign on Change.org. “Tucson Greyhound Park is perhaps the most infamous dog track in the country, and multiple cases of neglect occurred only weeks prior to the shoot. We are hopeful that the company will hear our concerns, realize its mistake, and withdraw this misguided promotion of dog racing.”

Grey2K USA has also launched a "Boycott Skechers" website and is planning a protest at the Skechers store in Tucson.

In a USA Today article, the CEO of the track, Tom Taylor, reportedly said the cages are "among the largest in the country" and "animal activists would like the cages to be 12 feet by 12 feet, with couches and TVs."

Actually, Tommy, we'd like it if your abhorrent activities involving greyhounds were simply banned in all 50 states.

According to that same article, The American Humane Association says no animals were harmed in the making of the ad. Key words there are "in the making of the ad." What about all the dogs who spend their days in squalor, being pushed to the limit with essentially no regard for their well-being?

The commercial is reported to feature a French bulldog wearing the company's shoes racing against a pack of greyhounds. And in that USA Today article, the president of Skechers Fitness, Leonard Armato, claims that it is "simply a metaphor for a remarkable, underdog achievement."

But regardless of what the commercial is for or is aiming to do, it's a blatant endorsement of a simply barbaric activity.

Photo credit:cc: flickr.com/photos/clayirving and flickr.com/photos/stevearis

Betty White to celebrate 90th birthday with her four legged companion

2012-01-16T13:38:00.000-05:00

America's golden girl, Betty White, is turning 90 years old on January 17. This past Sunday, White taped a NBC TV special, Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl, which will air on January 16th at 8pm ET.

What are Betty's big plans for the day of her birthday? "I'm going to sit at home with my golden retriever Pontiac," she told PeoplePets, "Usually I'll try to play catch-up with all the things I never will catch up on. I may just do crossword puzzles and indulge myself and have a wonderful time with my dog."

Betty White is not only well known for her comedy, but for her love of animals and the charity work she has done in the name of animal welfare. Betty is a personal role model of mine, and I hope you will join me in wishing her a happy birthday and many more to come!

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/30544080@N02

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for animal advocates

2012-01-16T12:59:00.000-05:00

Today, the country honors the memory of a great leader in the fight for civil rights in America, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While King’s focus was on human rights rather than animal rights, his passionate belief in non-violence and the value of all living beings has led many to believe that veganism is the natural extension of the philosophy he espoused. Those who believe this included his late wife, activist Coretta Scott King, who was vegan for a decade prior to her death, as well as his son, Dexter Scott King, who has been vegan and an animal advocate for over 20 years.

Here are some inspiring words from Dr. King for animal advocates:

“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”

“The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.”

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”

“All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

Photo credit: Phil Stanziola, NYWT&S staff photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Why should working towards a vegan diet be #1 on my list of New Year's Resolutions?

2012-01-16T12:32:00.000-05:00

The days leading up to New Years Eve usually find me in a predictable frenzied state. I fill pages and pages of notebook paper with fervent resolves to be better in the upcoming year: not better in one specific field, but as many as I can humanly think of. I'll learn to play guitar and form a band! I'll take up yoga...and modern dance...and women's field hockey! I'll start a non-profit soup kitchen for hungry people on the streets...AND their poor pets! Kibbles for all!

Obviously, these endeavors tend to fizzle out with the fireworks. It's just too much for my always crowded plate. However, for those who have vowed to improve their lives in the upcoming year -- and have the means and motivation to go through with their claims -- they may be surprised at my suggestion on how to tackle some of the most common New Year's resolutions. The top resolutions, so insistently repeated as to be considered cliché, are to lose weight, be healthier, spend less money and give back to the world. There's a solution that encompasses all of the above, and condenses them into a tasty package: vegetarianism or veganism!

I concede that the words "vegan" and "vegetarian" can come off a bit strongly to those who are used to eating meat and dairy on a regular basis. However, an open mind and a flair for experimentation are absolutely key in the process of making this dietary switch. You were willing to give hardcore work-til-you-drop pilates a chance-- why not veganism? Believe me; veganism is a LOT less intimidating (and sweaty).

Lose weight

To be clear: Eliminating meat or other animal products (dairy, eggs, etc.) does not NECESSARILY mean weight loss. In fact, a person can be a vegetarian but still wildly unhealthy-- a donut is still vegetarian, after all! The benefits of a vegetarian diet can only be achieved if the eater keeps a close eye on monitoring vitamin and mineral intake and consumes a varied spectrum of food. (Basically, the same as an omnivorous diet.) For me personally, vegetarianism helped me to maintain a healthy weight level for my body because the eater is forced to look for sources of protein outside of just meat-- and other options, such as beans and legumes, are lower in saturated fat and high in fiber. And they make you feel full! Vegetarianism also makes avoiding fast food joints a whole lot easier.

Be healthier

For those looking to improve their health in the upcoming year (who wouldn't be?), a switch from meat consumption might be the answer. Some of the most common types of health issues in the United States-- namely, high cholesterol levels and subsequent concern for heart attacks -- can be remedied with a vegetarian diet. As stated above, this is because meat contains higher levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which tend to build up and can clog arteries. Not good! Diabetes is also a common affliction in the United States, and although it cannot be considered a cure, vegetarian diets tend to give diabetics more control over their blood sugar levels. Finally, certain studies show that vegetarians are less likely to be affected by cancer -- up to 12% less likely than their meat-eating counterparts, as found in the The Oxford Vegetarian Study conducted between 1980-1984.

Spend less money

Vegetarianism is a perfect option for those scraping the bottom of their piggy banks for spare change -- or simply for just those who are looking to save a little extra money (I'm sure there's some exotic trip you've long thought about saving up for!). A strange misconception is that vegetarianism is only for the privileged, although with the proliferation of dollar-menu fast food options, I suppose it's easier to see why. However, vegetarian staple foods -- rice, grains, and beans -- are generally cheaper than meat staples. Only vegetarian alternative "meat" products, such as soy chicken fingers or seitan steak, are considerably more costly than real cuts of meat. Veggie staples also keep longer in the pantry than meat, and are easy to buy in bulk for quick-fix meals.

Give back

Ahh...we all have that inner peace-lover who just wants everyone to get along and be in harmony with the earth. No time for protests or petition-drafting? Switching to vegetarianism or veganism is currently one of the most impactful actions you can take to help the environment and improve conditions for animals that are suffering in factory farms across the country. Even cutting back on meat consumption in any amount can benefit the earth and reduce your impact on global resources. Environmental factors aside, half of the world's crops are currently fed to animals -- not humans -- to sustain the huge demands of the meat industry, mostly in Western countries. These are crops that could be put towards feeding hungry mouths, but instead are eventually sold as perishable meat products not accessible by the world's poor. This is an issue that is far from being "granola;" in fact, the UN has called for less consumption of animal products as one of the most productive methods to fighting climate change and global poverty. (See "Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production," as released by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2010.)

So, 2012 might already be in full swing -- but that doesn't mean it's too late to incorporate a diet change into your New Year's goals. With all of the resources available to would-be vegetarians, there's no excuse to not at least consider the option and knock out four birds with one stone this year. You may even be surprised to find yourself delving into a new passion with the conversion to meatless living -- it becomes somewhat addictive! I can at least guarantee that there is no other New Year's resolution as compassionate, health- beneficial and delicious as becoming a vegetarian or vegan. Good luck!

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: Aaron Beall and TDIV

Morrissey signs petition to ban animal-tested cosmetics in UK

2012-01-16T11:28:00.000-05:00

Animal rights advocate and legendary singer, Morrissey, spoke out against animal testing this week by joining with advocacy group BUAV. The singer, along with celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney, Sienna Miller, Jodie Kidd, Jenny Seagrove and Kimberly Wyatt, signed the “No Cruel Cosmetics” petition. The “No

Cruel Cosmetics” petition will work to enforce a ban against animal testing in the UK.

According to BUAV, a London-based animal rights organization, a marketing ban due to come into effect in 2013 prohibits all animal-tested cosmetics from being sold in the UK and EU. While a ban currently exists for products made in the UK, it does not include products made in other countries that eventually are sold in the UK.

Unfortunately, the 2013 deadline was recently threatened by an extension. A delay on the ban means thousands of animals, mainly rodents, will endure forced cosmetic testing.

Over 140,000 people, including Morrissey, signed the petition to date. It is available at www.nocruelcosmetics.org.

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

Santa Cruz chicken hatchery sued for animal abuse

2012-01-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

The all too common story of abuse at animal processing plants has risen its ugly head again. This time Cal-Cruz Hatcheries is being sued by Compassion Over Killing (COK) with representation from lawyers from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).

Undercover video taken by a COK investigator reveals footage of newly hatched chicks being abused. The lawsuit states that the video documents routine abuses at the facility. The abuses, considered felony animal cruelty, are in violation of California law.

Some of the documented abuses are:

Dead hatchlings and their body parts, and mutilated but still living hatchlings, trapped in and under processing machinery.
Hatchlings with ripped or missing skin, exposed organs, and severely injured feet and legs left in bins for several hours at a time, where they gasped, shook, and struggled to move.
Baby birds cruelly tossed in a bucket of liquid waste where they struggled to escape before drowning.
Hatchlings tossed like garbage into bins and then forced down a clogged disposal chute with a pole and hose.

COK turned over the documented video to law enforcement and a follow-up investigation by law enforcement resulted in the rescue of 88 hatchlings. We will wait to see how this lawsuit turns out. In the meantime, to have your voice heard, you can avoid products from Cal-Cruz Hatcheries.

John Himmelberger | Blog | Facebook| @johnhimm
Maryland John lives in Maryland where he works as a sales manager. John and his wife Eileen’s pursuit to achieve optimum health combined with a desire to send a strong message to factory farming, inspired them to examine what they put into their bodies. Now a vegan, John has great admiration for groups like Farm Sanctuary and hopes to influence others by sharing his positive experiences.

Photo credit: Screen capture

'Dallas' star Larry Hagman goes vegan to battle cancer

2012-01-16T10:16:00.001-05:00

Larry Hagman, Dallas’ own J.R. Ewing, wasn’t able to sidestep his most recent figurative cancer “bullet,” but with a new vegan nutritional plan and the help of his manager, he feels he will once again defy the chronic disease he battled earlier in his life. Hagman is no stranger to cancer after having had a liver transplant in 1985 originally because of cirrhosis but also because a cancerous tumor was embedded in the organ.

‘“I figure with the liver transplant and now this and other things in my past, like accidents, I have used up seven of my nine lives,” Hagman, 80, said recently in an interview with the Daily Mail.

His main sustenance every day is freshly juiced fruits and vegetables with small amounts of vegan protein powder. He lifts light weights and stretches every morning to round out his “treatment plan."

“I have this wonderful personal chef who sources and stocks all my organic produce and I basically live on five smoothies a day. I’m totally vegan. I blend this green concoction with kale, cucumber, broccoli, string beans, avocado. My protein comes from protein powder. There is absolutely no milk, butter, cheese,” Hagman said.

He won’t disclose the type of cancer or any specifics of his treatment but says he is very “positive” that he will triumph and find complete remission from his condition. He is currently in Dallas to film 10 new episodes of the popular 80’s series, Dallas, which will air in the UK this summer. On the show, Hagman will be reunited with popular cast members Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) and Patrick Duffy (Bobby). New to the cast this year will be Desperate Housewives Jesse Metcalfe whom Hagman hopes will bring a bit of sex appeal to the storyline.

“My outcome looks very positive. It’s my firm intention to whop cancer into submission and I truly believe I’ve given myself the best start possible by radically overhauling my diet and by staying true to my motto, which is: Don’t worry, be happy, feel good,” he said.

Hagman is hoping the new show, which is aimed at appealing to an audience that did not grow up with the original J.R. Ewing, will be a hit and ultimately picked up as a series this year. Regardless, he remains upbeat and happy that he feels so great with his new diet and has a second chance at health.

“Once I have the all-clear and the insurance company is happy, I will probably talk about it,’ he says. ‘This is the first interview I’ve given since my diagnosis and mostly it’s because I want people to know I’m doing grand.”

Kathryn Lorusso | O'Neill 365 | Twitter | Blog
Dallas, TX Kathryn is a former journalist and English teacher who now counsels and mediates teenage drama on a daily basis in the Dallas, Ft. Worth metroplex. Time away from school is spent cooking up new macrobiotic/vegan specialties, writing various blogs and newsletters and taking as many bikram yoga classes as possible. She gives vegan cooking classes at the Arlington Bikram Yoga studio, mentors a vegetarian/vegan student group and has just been chosen as one of six fitness icons for O’Neill Clothing Company.

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

NFL linebacker Terrell Suggs joins other celebs for 'Ink Not Mink' campaign

2012-01-13T13:54:00.001-05:00

Next time you watch the Baltimore Ravens play, keep an eye out for #55, linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has just taken a stand against the use of animal fur.

Like many people, Suggs had no idea of the heinous conditions the animals endure for the use of their fur. After viewing a video revealing violent acts against animals, Suggs made the decision to raise awareness by joining forces with PETA in their "Ink, Not Mink' campaign.

Alongside other celebs and athletes such as Willis McGahee, Tommy Lee, Chad Ochocinco, and Dave Navarro, Terrell Suggs has bared his tattoos as a symbol that he rather go without clothing than wear fur.

Each star has photos and videos with detailing why they decided to join PETA in their fight against fur. Suggs says, "I hit people for a living, and even I couldn't bear just to handle the cruelty to these animals.......if you can endure through 10 seconds of the video, you gotta watch it."

Terrell Suggs Choose Ink Not Mink Photo shoot

Can you bear to watch just 10 seconds of this video? Check it out and then take a stand against the use of fur!

Please pass the videos on to everyone you know, including your social media outlets. Let's all take a stand against animal abuse and the use of fur!

Photo credit: PETA

Quest for cruelty free footwear just got a lot easier thanks to Vegan Chic

2012-01-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

You know how it goes. You see a cute pair of shoes in the store window, dream of how they will look with that new dress you bought last week, and they even match your favorite bag. Perfect right? Until you step inside the store, hold the hallowed shoes in your hand and find out they are made of leather. Well now you can window shop to your heart's content at the recently launched Vegan Chic, safe in the knowledge that every pair of fabulous footwear you see is cruelty free.

“Many people love animals and we believe that they would wear cruelty-free products of they are presented with options that do not compromise on quality or style,” said Mark Malcahy, co founder of Vegan Chic. “We provide a great selection of vegan fashion products at extremely affordable pricing, while committing to excellent customer service and the ethical treatment of animals.”

With footwear for the whole family (kids included) as well as bags and purses, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. And to make the deal even sweeter, when customers sign up to become a member (which is free) they get $10 off their first purchase of $50 or more as well as additional surprises from time to time. Definitely worth a look.

Photo credit:Vegan Chic

Hulu viewers served ‘A Side of Truth’ with COK’s pro-veg commercial

2012-01-13T13:40:00.000-05:00

Fresh from a successful nationwide television run last fall, Compassion over Killing is starting 2012 with a bang by launching their 30 second commercial, ‘A Side of Truth’ on Hulu.

The commercial shows a young girl pulling up to a drive-in window to order a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, before finding out the shocking and painful reality that the meat, egg and dairy industries entail.

Hulu has made its streaming content available for online, tablet or smartphone access, as well as its television subscription service, which in total means that the ad will reach over 1 million people. Once finished, the ad displays a link to COK’s website TryVeg.com where viewers can request or download a free Vegetarian Starter Guide as well as checking out all the resources the site has to offer.

Photo credit: COK

VIDEO: 'Stuff' Meat Eaters Say to Vegans

2012-01-13T12:54:00.003-05:00

After seeing "Sh*t Vegans Say" (and similar hilarious-and-true videos following the "Sh*t Girls Say" model), I decided to jump on the meme wagon with my new video: "Sh*t Meat Eaters Say to Vegans."

It's not just me, right? What other sh*t do you always hear from meat eaters? Tell us on Facebook.

Meghan Joyce | Facebook | @MeghanTheVeghan | Blog
Santa Barbara, CA Meghan has been a vegan for almost a year and blogs about it at meghantheveghan.blogspot.com. She's a PhD student in musicology, an opera singer, and a yoga enthusiast who loves eating and loves the world. Follow her eating adventures on Twitter and Facebook.

Photo credit: video screen capture

Part 3: Street dog with two broken legs teaches love and hope

2012-01-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

The hope of Acapulco has become the hope of Pennsylvania, too.

Señorita Marisol Esperanza de Acapulco y Pennsylvania journeyed for three weeks, over 3,000 miles, via three long car trips and two plane trips, while being housed, driven, and cared for by three different, devoted animal rescue workers (all of whom fell madly in love with her) only to arrive during the worst flood in NEPA history!

We watched dumbfounded as entire homes and dreams were swept away by the raging river. It was a time of deep devastation and despair for the good people of this region. These are people who have welcomed me and the sanctuary into their community. These are neighbors and friends who have repeatedly gone out of their way to help us and each other whenever they saw a need. These are hardworking people without the means to pay for flood insurance. My heart broke watching them lose everything to the river I loved dearly enough to move 100 miles to be near.

The sanctuary, blessed to be on high ground, escaped unscathed. But with Mehoopany, where the sanctuary is based, under 10 feet of water, I was landlocked. Roads and bridges were closed in every direction, and all that I could think of was, “How do I get my dog?”

Marisol’s flight was coming in to Philadelphia. They were not experiencing the flooding that we were, and her flight was scheduled to arrive on time. I had only hours to find a solution or Marisol would be stranded in the airport. Unthinkable for any dog, but after all Marisol had been through, it would have been unspeakable to abandon her in this way.

Once again, I called on Janice Preston, beloved sanctuary volunteer and friend. Janice and her husband Ed, with their big hearts and generous natures, had already decided to adopt another dog from Save a Mexican Mutt. Their dog Otto, a blind Dachshund found abandoned on the streets, was traveling with Señorita Marisol, so I knew they needed to get to the airport as well.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I learned that their roads were unaffected by flooding, and they agreed to pick her up. But there was yet another obstacle: the two dogs were traveling under my name, and the airline would not release them without my photo ID and signature.

Frantically, I called Kelly Karger, who was driving the dogs the 1500 miles from her home in Mexico to San Antonio and putting them on the plane. No luck. All I got was her voice mail. What now?

The rain was coming down fast, the river rising, and I was parked on the hill at the top of my road because my phone lines were down and I had no cell signal at my house. I could see that conditions were getting worse by the minute. I only had about 10 minutes before my road would be impassable, stranding me away from all the other animals that needed my care.

Thinking fast, Janice called the airline directly and simply requested that the “ship to” information be changed. They never even asked who she was or by whose authority she made the request. They just changed it for her. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief.

I sat at home that night and wept for my neighbors and friends whose hopes had been drowned. And I wished beyond all wishes that I could be there to greet sweet Marisol, who has been through so much and has come so far.

I wasn’t the only one on tenterhooks until Marisol came home. Volunteers and friends of the sanctuary all waited with me, a community of baited breaths. I was able to send and receive text messages, despite having no ability to use the internet or phone, and so I tracked Marisol’s progress and texted updates to another remarkable volunteer, Michaela Moore. Michaela posted updates on the sanctuary’s Facebook page, and our many Facebook friends followed her progress eagerly. Time and again, people commented and sent private messages that Marisol’s arrival was renewing their hope and making the grief of the floods more bearable. Our little dog had become a beacon of light in our dark and rain-filled skies.

Finally, Janice and Ed made it to the airport and were able to pick up the two dogs. Of course my road was still closed, so they kept Marisol until Saturday, when some of the flood waters began to recede. They then embarked on a three and a half hour journey (which usually took a bit under an hour), navigating through flood ravaged countryside, around debris, closed roads and bridges, finally arriving here in the late afternoon.

When she saw me, Marisol wagged her tail so hard she shook. I felt the same way.

After six months, the connection between us remained palpable. Clearly, Dr. Gomez Duque took wonderful care of Marisol. I would not have recognized this shiny, healthy dog that can walk and run on all four legs but for the look in her eyes, which draws one straight to her unmistakable, wise, faithful, old soul.

Oh yes, this is the same feeling I had the first time we made eye contact, when we found each other by a six lane highway. Then, she was filthy, emaciated, and had two broken back legs. And even then all I could see was her wise old soul.

As I write, Marisol is sleeping soundly with the other dogs and two little foundling kittens. She has already settled in as if she always lived here, and seems to love farm life. In her blog, Jennifer Schmidt, who cared for Marisol for a week and took her on one leg of her journey through Mexico, commented that her dogs played with Marisol gently, “as if they knew she had been broken, and was put together piece by piece.” I noticed my dogs are doing the same, and the sweetness of it adds even more beauty to our happy little real life fairy tale.

My little beacon of faith, hope, and love couldn’t even be stopped by floods. This is why I do what I do.

Photo credit: Indra

Gardein asks Los Angeles consumers to start the New Year right and 'cheat on meat'

2012-01-11T12:15:00.001-05:00

The best thing you can do for yourself, and also encourage others to do this New Year is to cheat on meat. The best part is, you are going to look and feel better, and you won’t have to sacrifice anything!

The first questions most vegetarians get asked is—“how do you get your protein?” Well, giving up meat is easier than ever, because you can say you get your protein from Gardein, the company that offers meatless products that are packed with protein. In fact, Gardein offers as much protein per serving as premium lean meat. Most importantly, it’s good for you and everyone -- and everything -- else since no animal is harmed in the making.

Gardein Protein International, the makers of Gardein, is launching a marketing campaign across the Greater Los Angeles area to help people reach their New Year’s goals of losing weight and looking and feeling better. Gardein is encouraging everyone to “cheat on meat” and NOT their health. You may think that animal protein is what you need to be healthy, but it’s actually causing your body more harm than good. You can get the good animal-free protein from Gardein, and other dairy-free and animal friendly products.

Dr. Neal Barnard, president of PCRM explained the importance of putting your health first.

"Caring for your own health should always be a top priority. Medical research shows diets high in animal protein do the body harm. So if you are going to slip on your diet or health resolutions in 2012, do yourself a favor and consume less or no animal protein. You can replace meat in your diet with proteins from plants and with meat-free foods like Gardein. Your body will thank you."

Targeted in Los Angeles, the “Cheat on Meat” campaign uses a wide variety of advertisements to encourage people to steer away from eating meat this year. Los Angeles is filled with bus, billboard and radio advertisements, and even a free trip to Las Vegas will be given away to encourage people to participate in the program.

Anyone who pledges to “cheat on meat” or who already cheats on meat can enter to win the free trip to Las Vegas by going to http://www.gardein.com/contest_.php.

Gardein is not stopping there -- they are doing even more to show everyone how delicious it is to cheat on meat. Through March 1, 2012, consumers in Los Angeles will be given the chance to sample different Gardein products at Whole Foods Markets, or off the Green Truck, LA’s first environmentally sustainable gourmet restaurant which serves serves organic and locally-grown cuisine.

Also, you don’t have to live in Los Angeles to participate and get involved in the action. You can buy Gardein products at your local Target or grocery store. There are no more excuses; you can’t use the “I won’t get enough protein” line or “there’s nothing available to eat.” Your New Year's resolution isn’t going to start on its own, and cheating on meat is your best bet in reaching your goals. With other diets, you may end up looking good on the outside, but with meat and animal products still in your diet, you’re probably not going to feel good on the inside.

For more information on Gardein or the “Cheat and Win” contest, please visit http://www.gardein.com or www.cheatonmeat.com.

Photo credit: Screen capture

‘Eat Vegan on $4 a Day’ helps soothe the wallet

2012-01-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

One of the first things people say when they find out I’m a vegan (apart from the dreaded protein question of course), is that they could never try it because it’s too expensive. Of course those who eat this way generally say that’s not the case, and in fact my grocery budget is lower now that my whole family eats meat free than it ever has been. Even when faced with my diminishing grocery receipts, there are those who think it necessary to scoff because they know better. Now when I am faced with someone who asks the money question I am armed, for in my thrifty hands is a copy of a fabulous cookbook called Eat Vegan on $4 a Day by Ellen Jaffe Jones.

Originally an investigative reporter on television, and a Wall Street financial consultant before becoming trained as a vegan cooking instructor, Ellen uses her combined experiences to prove to you how living on so called cheap fast food every day is really not the cheapest option. Using a price example of an average fast food meal being $5, she states that if you were to eat a similar meal three times a day, every day of the year you would be spending almost $5,500 a year on food. She then sets out to show that for less, you can eat ‘real’ home cooked, nutritious meals that won’t set you on the road to an early heart attack.

Before jumping into the recipes, Ellen takes us through a check list of the best way to shop (local and organic if possible, using store brands and bulk if cheaper), and then has an entire section on soaking and cooking times for beans and grains, pantry essentials and how to plan for a weekly shop. In fact it’s not until you reach Chapter 4 that she unleashes her kitchen secrets by diving into budget breakfast ideas.

Each recipe is clearly marked with serving sizes and price per portion so that you can gauge what to make according to your purse strings that week. From soups and salads, to spreads, sides and snacks, every meal is catered for. There’s even cake (including my all time favorite, carrot cake) and ice cream to round off the recipes. At the end of the book is a great resource section, where Ellen shares some of her favorite online retailers and links to local buying clubs to further stretch your pennies.

This book is an invaluable addition to your collection; not only for the pre-budgeted loveliness of the recipes, but for the wealth of information Ellen passes on. So I’m going to be carrying my copy around with me and the next time I’m challenged about the cost of my diet, I’m going to craftily bring it out as back up for my argument. Try scoffing at me now non-believers, ha ha!

Photo credit: Eat Vegan on $4 a day

Youtube videos take a humorous look at the stuff vegans say

2012-01-11T10:20:00.000-05:00

Vegans say the darndest things!

By now you are probably familiar with the popular Youtube video, "Sh*t Vegans Say," created by Ari Solomon. How many of these statements sound familiar?

And because we vegans always have plenty to say, Ari created a second video. You may think the winds are changing, but no that's just the force from vegans around the world, nodding and laughing in unison.

Even my meat-eating friends have told me, "Oh my gosh, I've totally heard YOU say these things before!"

Thank you, Ari, for showing that vegans have a sense of humor.

You can follow Ari on twitter: http://twitter.com/veganari

Photo credit: video capture

TDIV Guide to Going Vegan: Week 1 Menu

2012-01-10T12:16:00.000-05:00

Recently I revealed our plan to bring you a realistic guide to switching to a vegan diet. [See "The Intro] Now it's time to jump in and get started.

When following our plan, it's important to remember that our goal is to introduce you to the vegan diet in a friendly manner without worries of overly "weird" options. We want you to realize that it is possible to follow a completely plant-based diet, while enjoying tasty food that properly fills your tummy. As I stated in the previous post, we are not trying to switch you to a completely whole foods, oil-free or raw diet. You will use oil. You will use [vegan] butter. You will use canned foods and seasoning packets. We are not opposed to frozen vegetables. We want this to be as easy as possible. And, budget-friendly.

Throughout the weeks, we will focus mainly on the dinner meals. It's easy to be vegan during breakfast, so we will leave that to you. Some breakfast ideas are: oats (steel-cut, rolled, or quick) with a dab of peanut butter, hashbrowns (they can be found in the frozen food aisle), cereal with milk (almond, soy, rice, coconut), toast with peanut butter, grapefruit, etc. For lunch ideas, we would like you to use your leftovers when possible. Many things you make the night before can be wrapped in a tortilla and eaten with a piece of fruit, granola bar and/or pretzels. Don't forget peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or soups. (Progresso conveniently labels the back of their cans. Some options are Lentil, Hearty Tomato, Garden Vegetable, etc.)

Below you will find your dinner menu. Directions for the non-self-explanatory items are listed below the menu. Additionally, prior to shopping for the items, please scroll to the bottom to read the notes.

DIRECTIONS

Black Bean Taco
Sauté green peppers, red peppers and onions (you can use the frozen variety) in a small amount of oil until tender. Add 2-3 cans of black beans. Add packaged taco seasoning. Follow the directions on the package to determine the amount of liquid that needs to be added to the mixture. Let simmer. Fill taco shells with the bean mixture. Add lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

Spicy New Potatoes
In a small bowl add 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ tsp. cumin and ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. salt and red pepper to taste (optional). Toss the new potatoes (from a can) in a small amount of oil Sliced new potatoes (from a can) warmed in a pot on the stovetop in just a tad of butter. Add a bit of salt and some chili pepper.

Baked Mesquite Tofu
In a glass bowl or gallon plastic storage bag make the McCormick’s Grill Mates Mesquite Seasoning by following the directions on the package. Cut 2 blocks of firm tofu into cubes that are roughly ½ inch by ½ inch and add to seasoning mixture. Let marinade for at least one hour. Place tofu on a baking sheet and bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

Bean Burritos
Slather warm refried beans on a flour tortilla. Add cooked rice, onions, black olives, tomatoes, avocado, corn and taco sauce. If you have leftovers from the Black Bean Taco filling, add that as well.

BBQ Tofu Sandwiches
Pour barbecue sauce in a bowl or gallon plastic storage bag. Cut 2 blocks of firm tofu into cubes that are roughly ½ inch by ½ inch and add to barbecue sauce. Let marinade for at least one hour. Place tofu on a baking sheet and spread more barbeque sauce on top of tofu. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. Spread a layer of barbecue sauce on a hoagie roll, add tofu pieces and shredded lettuce. Add additional veggies if desired.

Tortilla Salad
Chop a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, green peppers, onions, carrots, celery, olives, mushrooms and broccoli. In a small amount of oil, warm a flour tortilla on the stovetop. Place the tortilla on a plate. Cover with shreds of lettuce and add vegetables and warm black beans. Sprinkle with dressing.

Garlic Bread
Mix butter with minced garlic. Spread on bread and toast. If minced garlic is not available, use garlic powder.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom
Pour steak sauce (such as A1) in a bowl or gallon plastic storage bag. Add mushrooms. Let marinade for at least two hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, flip, and then cook an additional 5 minutes.

Hummus and Veggie Wrap
Spread a generous layer of hummus on a flour tortilla. Sauté sliced mushrooms and onions in a small amount of butter or oil. Place the mixture on the tortilla. Add lettuce and veggies of your choice.

NOTES

Butter = vegan butter ex. Smart Balance Light or Earth Balance
Oil can be vegetable oil or olive oil
Milk = almond, soy, rice or coconut
Rice = brown or white
Taco seasoning = check the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t include whey
Dressing = vegan variety
Lettuce = a mixture of romaine, iceberg, green leaf and red leaf
Barbecue sauce = check to make sure honey is not added
French fries = frozen variety
Granola bars = make sure no honey or milk ingredients are added
Homemade is always best. Whenever possible, make your own breads, spreads, etc.
Reduce the amount you eat out.
Reuse your gallon bags when possible

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions regarding the menu, please stop by our Facebook page. If you're really stumped, feel free to shoot us an email.

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks goes out to Eric Fortney, executive editor here at TDIV and my own personal vegan master chef. All the recipes/meal ideas mentioned here are inspired from the delicious meals he's made our family.

GUIDE TO GOING VEGAN

Additional articles in this series

Photo credit: TDIV

Unhealthy hospital food: PCRM reports on the 'Top 5 Worst Hospital Food Environments'

2012-01-10T11:22:00.001-05:00

Recently PCRM, The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has done research on the types of foods available at hospitals nationwide. After a review of 110 hospitals, a list was composed of the top 5 institutions offering the most unhealthy food options.

Now this is a list you are going to want to see:

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas- this hospital is known for their advancements in heart surgery, so I don't think it's inappropriate when I say it's a little hypocritical for them to allow four, yes FOUR fast food restaurants in their cafeteria. In addition, they offer a fried-chicken bar in case you need that extra artery clogged. Maybe this is their way of making sure they don't run out of patients.
Medical University of South Carolina University Hospital Complex located in Charleston, S.C.- if you thought the four fast food outlets listed at St. Luke's was too much, then skip right onto the next because the Medical University of South Carolina has FIVE! Their cafeteria also serves country-fried steak and other high-fat food options.
Naval Medical Center San Diego Hospital Facility Complex in San Diego, CA- A little better, this hospital offers three fast food outlets. But wait, just when there was hope; it turns out that they provide patients with a menu offering a variety of pork chops, meatball sandwiches, and other high-cholesterol eats. Now that's the way to recover from a heart attack!
Duke University Hospital Complex located in Durham, N.C.- again, this hospital has three fast food outlets in their cafeteria while featuring a cholesterol raising menu to their patients.
Children's Memorial Hospital Complex in Chicago, Ill- you would think this is the best of the list with just one fast food outlet, but think again; the patients are able to choose from a menu of chicken wings, quesadillas with bacon and (gasp) hot dogs!

I'm confused, aren't hospitals and health professionals supposed to be promoting health? Handing a hot dog to a 6-year-old cancer patient or a pork chop to the 60 year old that just had a heart attack probably isn't the brightest idea.

Our cancer and diabetes rates are on a rapid incline in our society and people need to pay more attention. Diet plays a significant role in our health and those working in this profession must take more responsibility in the promotion of a healthy diet.

I must say, the patients aren't the only ones suffering from the lack of healthy options available at these hospitals, what about the staff? Nurses, doctors, and employees pulling 12 or more hour shifts run down to the cafeteria for a quick bite and are quite limited in their options.

It turns out that patients and doctors are starting to notice the lack of concern for this issue and are beginning to take a stand. One participant in a sleep study took photos of the meal she was served which included fried food, a soda, and a cookie, and sent it to PCRM.

We all have a voice and should use it to stand up for the health of ourselves and our loved ones!

Thank you to PCRM for taking the initiative to bring this issue to light and provide the facts.

Photo credit: Roger Kirby

Need some help with your New Year’s resolutions? Try the 'Natural Vegan Kitchen'

2012-01-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

How are your resolutions going? If you’re anything like the majority of the population, all the pledges you made for a healthier lifestyle in 2012 are a distant memory just a week or so into the New Year. But help is at hand from Christine Waltermyer and her fabulous book The Natural Vegan Kitchen.

Choc full of deliciousness, from breakfasts to desserts, Christine takes you by the hand and guides you through everything you need to know to put you on the road to natural cooking. And she knows what she’s talking about. Founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School in New Jersey, teacher of cooking classes for the Physicians Committee forResponsible Medicine Cancer Project, and co teacher (with Michio Kushi) at the Kripala Center for Yoga and Health in Mass., she brings her knowledge and understanding of whole food cooking to you in an easy to follow format that anyone can follow.

Every recipe has nutritional information for calorie counting, gluten free recipes are clearly marked and at the back of the book is a glossary in case you come across any foods that are new to you. Rounding out the book is a handy suppliers list and suggested further reading if you want to keep those healthy eating resolutions going a little longer. This book is a joy to own (my copy is already looking tatty – a good sign if you ask me), and is a great addition to my already heaving cookbook shelf. Buy it, you won’t be sorry!

Bev Hahler | @redhotvegan
Bev, a vegetarian since she was 14 years old, became more interested in veganism several years ago after studying Agro-business as part of an Ecology degree. She has a gorgeous daughter in second grade who has been a vegetarian her whole life (lucky girl). Follow Bev on her blog and Facebook.

Photo credit: The Natural Vegan Kitchen

TDIV Q&A: How can I be vegan if I think tofu is gross?

2012-01-09T11:01:00.000-05:00

You can definitely be vegan even if you think tofu is gross. The vegan police aren’t going to come after you. There is a perception that all vegans love tofu by default, but that is simply not true. If you don’t like tofu, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t be vegan.

I have vegan friends who can’t stand tofu, but yet are enjoying their vegan lifestyle to the fullest. When I first became vegan, I wasn’t a big fan of tofu either. How in the world was I supposed to like something that tastes just about like nothing? The nice thing about tofu is that you can prepare it in many different ways. You can stream it, fry it, stuff it, scramble it, marinate it, bake it... the list goes on for ages. Tofu is very versatile and it picks up the flavors of other things. Before dismissing, make sure you’ve tried the different ways to prepare tofu. Now that I've learned the ropes of how to prepare tofu, I love to cook with tofu.

Tried every imaginable way to prepare tofu and still think it’s gross? That’s fine! Not all vegans have to like tofu. Actually, some vegans are allergic to soy and they are doing just fine. Vegan foods sans tofu: whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds. Quinoa and chickpeas are also great sources of protein. Hint: if you buy in bulk, you'll also save some money. And of course, don’t forget to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. There are plenty of mock meats out there to enjoy. Gardein, Boca, Tofurky and Field Roast all make great mock meats. This Enchilada Bake recipe, as well as this Gardein ‘Chicken’ Scaloppini recipe are two of my favorites. Don’t forget about seitan (as long as you’re not gluten sensitive) and tempeh for non-tofu products too! I love these vegan Philly cheese steak made with seitan, and this vegan tempeh Reuben sandwich recipe.

The key to being vegan is variety and as long as you eat a variety of foods, it's hard not to get enough protein in your diet. I've found that I actually have more options since becoming vegan and even if you think tofu is gross, you'll still be able to enjoy the many benefits of veganism.

If you don’t like tofu but are a vegan, what do you eat? Leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Michelle Carr | Twitter | Blog
Los Angeles, CA Michelle is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelors degree in Sociology/Social Psychology. She has been vegetarian since 2006 and vegan since 2008. Michelle is the founder of No Animals Harmed, a blog dedicated to compassionate living. Michelle currently resides in Los Angeles, with her rescued companion dog, Callie.

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

Appeal from Sea Shepherd concerning predatory whaling: Nations, don't forget your responsibility

2012-01-09T10:21:00.000-05:00

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) kicked off the New Year with a formal reaffirmation of its principles, reminding all nations of their responsibility to uphold and protect designated whale sanctuaries from Japanese poachers.

Released on January 5, the appeal underscores the continuation of illegal whaling activities by Japanese fleets in Antarctica's Southern Sea, which is classified as a sanctuary under international law.

According to the SSCS, Japanese whaling crews claim the lives of 1,000 whales annually in the region.

The report reads: "Nations express disapproval and vote for regulations, treaties, moratoriums and sanctuaries, yet all of these have failed to protect the last of our great whales, even in the place we call a Whale Sanctuary."

Indeed, just last month a joint statement of disapproval was announced by the governments of the United States, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. No further punitive measures were taken against Japan.

Antarctica's Southern Sea was declared a sanctuary in 1994 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the preeminent regulator of the whaling industry. Founded in 1946, the IWC's purpose is to "to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry."

Critics have accused Japan of securing its whaling interests through dubious means, buying out IWC votes by fronting the membership fees for small island nations and rewarding them with financial incentives (the realpolitik of the Japanese delegation to the IWC is depicted in 2009's harrowing documentary The Cove).

Mass movements against whaling gained traction in the mid-1970s, when organizations such as Greenpeace mobilized people across the globe to confront what many environmental and animal rights activists consider a pointless and archaic assault on one of the world's most intelligent mammals.

The SSCS emerged in the late 1970s, when founder Paul Watson -- long-time activist and sailor -- was ousted from Greenpeace over disagreements concerning direct-action tactics.

In 1979, Watson and his crew began practicing what would become their hallmark method of industry disruption -- ramming their boats into whaling vessels in order to destabilize their operations. The SSCS would take its confrontational (and controversial) brand of direct-action even further, famously sinking half of Iceland's whaling fleet stationed outside of Reykjavík in 1986--an act that subsequently led Iceland to abandon its whaling industry.

A reminder of the world's responsibility to protect the sea's increasingly fragile ecosystem, the January 5 appeal highlights the ongoing struggle of activist groups fighting what, in the words SSCS, "[o]nly nations can prevent."

For an overview of Paul Watson's activism and the work of SSCS, check out the 2008 documentary Whale Warrior: Pirate for the Sea (note to Netflix subscribers: the film is up for live-streaming).

Patrick Glennon | Email | ITT Profile
Chicago, IL Patrick is a Chicago-based writer and musician. His work has appeared in a handful of publications, including In These Times and the Occupied Chicago Tribune. Among his research interests are animal rights, documentary film, the far-Right and foreign labor struggles. Feel free to contact him via email for any questions, ideas or criticisms.

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/selmer

TDIV guide to going vegan: The realistic method

2012-01-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

Many organizations have fantastic programs and starter kits that attempt to help people transition to a vegan diet. While the methods are absolutely tried and true, and have been used to help numerous people, I can't help but wonder if something gets lost in translation. Read: beans, kale, quinoa, cous cous, beet salad... Those words would make most people's head spin and their stomachs growl for more.

Obviously many of the programs address specifically the health aspect of the vegan diet -- and while I think that is an awesome bonus, a vegan by definition follows a plant-based diet due to not wanting to exploit animals in any way.

While I totally would love to help everyone become healthier, I really want people to stick to a plant-based diet to reduce the animal suffering in the world. Therefore I (and the TDIV team) have come up with an idea: Let's create a realistic guide to going vegan. A guide that presents veganism in a manner that people can stick with for longer than a few weeks.

No worries of whole-grain breads, no kale smoothies, no meals with ingredients you can only find at herb markets in far-away lands. Just good, stick-to-your-ribs food that happens to be plant-based. And guess what ... we'll use oil! I know, it's a bad word in the world of health but, in moderation, you'll be just fine.

The other thing we'd like to show is that it is possible to be healthy, eat well and follow a plant-based diet without spending a ton of money. My family of five eats very very well on $125 a week. Yes, you read that right! And that figure covers our (all-vegan) breakfasts, lunch and dinner for the entire week. It's not necessary to break the bank.

This guide will help open the door to a whole new world of food while allowing you to live a compassionate (healthy) lifestyle. In the beginning, you may not receive an award from Dr. Health Nut, but it's a great start and, of course, once you are comfortable with the transition, you can begin to mix in whole foods, lesson your oil intake and start experimenting with those funny foods vegans like to tout.

Over the next few days, we will be compiling a shopping list and menu to get you started. So check back for updates.

Oh -- we don't have any fancy sign up forms, but if you like the idea and think you may participate, head over to our Facebook page and give us a thumb up! And, if you are a vegan with some great menu ideas that fall in line with what's been explained above, shoot me an email.

GUIDE TO GOING VEGAN

Additional articles in this series

Photo credit:TDIV

'The 30-Day Vegan Challenge' offers priceless guidance for those transitioning to veganism

2012-01-06T14:13:00.000-05:00

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s 30-Day Vegan Challenge – A dual review by vegetarian, Alexandra Beane and experienced vegan, Ryan Leitch

I have read many books in my life, but there are few that have inspired me and interested me as much as The 30-Day Vegan Challenge. As a vegetarian who is interested in furthering my journey, veganism is my next step, and I will be so proud once I do get there. I hadn’t thought too much about the next step in my journey before reading The 30-Day Vegan Challenge, but Colleen Patrick-Goudreau helped strengthen my vegetarianism and taught me so much about the importance of becoming a vegan.

Colleen did an excellent job of showing me how important, yet how simple, it is to make the change from a vegetarian to a vegan lifestyle. Her recipes are absolutely fantastic (I especially loved the Carrot-Ginger Soup recipe, p. 226, and the Garlic and Greens Soup, p. 231). She does a great job at describing foods that I am unfamiliar with, and it makes me interested in trying them out for myself. Not only that, but you’d be surprised how many of the delicious products you consume daily are already naturally vegan.

For anyone who says they could never become vegan (or take the 30-day vegan challenge) because they simply don’t know how or think they’d starve during those 30 days, they’d be completely wrong. Each meal plan and serving suggestion is written out and made very easy to read and understand.

I will admit, before I read this book and learned more about being vegan, I was a little skeptical on my ability to give up dairy products. Giving up meat was easy for me, because it was not something I have ever enjoyed eating. I felt bad eating it, and the whole thought of how it got on my plate disgusted me. However, dairy allows us to put our blinders on, whereas with meat we see the finished product of a dead animal on our plates. It is disguised because it is the product of an animal, not the animal itself.

As someone who suffers from many food allergies and gets sick from eating dairy and many animal products, I can honestly say how bad consuming dairy is for a human. I have always thought it was just me that had sensitivities to dairy, but really, we are not even supposed to consume it, so of course I am going to have bad reactions to it. We don’t need to consume it in order to live healthily.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau teaches us these important things in her book, and I am so glad I learned about them now. I don’t have to believe the lies I’ve been told my whole life, such as without milk our bones will become brittle. I can eat plenty of other things to get the calcium and other nutrients I need to be healthy. Most importantly, there are so many alternatives to my favorite things, such as cheese and ice cream, and they most likely won’t send me running to the bathroom after I finish eating them. Colleen teaches us which foods are most nutritious and what we should eat if we’re deficient in any nutrients. She provides a solution to every question that we may have thought about when considering a vegan diet.

Something I really enjoy about Colleen’s book is that she doesn’t discuss the dirty details about the meat industry—I think she assumes that we already know this and I find that a relief. It is hard for me to continuously hear about all the horrible things animals go through, because I’ve already been through that learning process and at this point, I don’t need any more persuasion to stop eating meat. Yes, I do think it is important that we constantly remind ourselves of the horrors of factory farms, but we also need to know when to move on and visit the next step -- which is doing something about it. Plus, the aspect about animal products that really turns me off the most is the horrible effects that meat and animal products have on our bodies, and I think that Colleen does an excellent job at getting that information out to readers.

Colleen is not judgmental in her writing, and she is not one-sided. She talks about what we can do on holidays when we are surrounded by meat-eaters, how to compromise, and what we can do when we live with a meat-eater. This information has been so helpful to me and it has shown me that just because we choose to say no to meat, or all animal products, we don’t have to cut out the people in our lives that choose to live differently than us. Yes, it is hard to witness the distress they are causing to their bodies, but we just have to let them learn on their own, like we did. Chances are, one day they’ll be interested and they’ll begin to do their own research. They just don’t want to hear it from us.

I know that veganism is in my future. At this point, I don’t know when that will be, but I know that I will gradually ease myself into this complete transition. Colleen lets us know that this is okay, that we don’t have to change overnight.

The 30-Day Vegan Challenge should show anyone how interesting, delicious and fun vegan cooking is. It’s not weird or boring, which some people may think, and there are so many new and great-tasting things to try. Most importantly, it’s a cruelty-free and healthier way of eating, and with each decision we make, we can feel good about it. I can only hope that others will read this book as well. This book is a great starting point for us all, no matter where it will ultimately lead us or how it will change the world.

As Colleen states, “Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything. Do something. Anything.”

Alexandra Beane

When I went vegan several years ago, I initially decided that I would try it for thirty days. After the end of week two I knew that, while it would be a constant evolution as veganism permeated my entire way of living, I would never go back to my old, omnivorous ways. Before my personal thirty day challenge was even complete, I had found Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and what I’ve learned from her has dramatically altered every aspect of my veganism.

I was initially connected to Colleen through her podcast, Vegetarian Food for Thought, and was hooked on every word. Colleen’s way of presenting a whole-foods, plant-based diet is so refreshing and accessible and as an animal rights activist, I appreciate the subtle, non-judgemental ways that she’s able to weave in critical information about animal suffering without scaring her audience into ignoring the facts. As a long time fan, I’ve seen throughout her different mediums (podcast, videos, cookbooks, essays, etc.) the painstaking detail that goes into everything she puts her name on.

I had the opportunity to meet Colleen a couple years ago and she discussed some of the projects she was hoping to be able to accomplish, this book being one of them. Having known about the concept for this book for some time, I was extremely eager to find out how this book would turn out. While I had no doubt that it would be brilliant, I was excited to find out how she would be able to put the vegan experience to paper in a way that seemed like a fresh perspective and as usual, she did not disappoint. One of the unique challenges a long term activist faces is finding a way to relate to and engage the veg curious without coming across as arrogant or abrasive, something that many vegans struggle with every day. Colleen’s sparkling, joy-filled personality makes a reader (or listener) not only able to easily understand the dense material in which she’s educating on, but keeps her fans engaged and passionate about becoming joyful vegans themselves.

Although I managed on my own back when I made the transition, I can’t help but wonder how much easier things would have been if I would have had this step-by-step guide, holding my hand through the most difficult time in the process of becoming vegan. I think this book, along with its delicious recipes mark a time in history when it’s never been easier to go vegan (right along with the advent of Daiya and readily available rice-milk chocolate).

This book is the perfect companion piece, even for seasoned (ha!) vegans because it serves as a way to help friends and family understand why you’re making new kind choices in a way that won’t terrify them. If for no other reason, pick it up simply for the recipes. In my experience, that’s one thing vegans can never get enough of.

Ryan Leitch

Ryan Leitch
Minnesota Ryan is an abolitionist vegan activist and her passion for all things vegan consumes her. Animals are here with us, not for us. Her favorite outreach activities include writing and blogging, hosting movie screenings, tabling and leafletting, demonstrations, potlucks, and vegan drinks.

Photo credit: The 30-Day Vegan Challenge

No Meat Zone Recipes: Vegan Mocha Cupcakes

2012-01-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Vegan Mocha Cupcakes

For the vegan chocolate cupcakes: adapted from Love and Olive Oil

2 cups coconut milk
2/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup almond meal
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper liners
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the coconut milk, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt
- With the mixer on low-speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until mixture is uniform and smooth (do not overmix)
- Pour batter in liners, filling cups no more than 2/3 full
- Bake 18-20 inutes, or until cake tester comes out clean
- Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely

For the vegan coffee frosting:

1/2 cup soy margarine, softened (I used Earth Balance)
1/4 cup coffee
1 tsp espresso powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1-1/2 tsp vanilla

- Brew coffee and dissolve espresso powder in it while still hot. Place coffee in fridge to cool
- Once cooled, in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the margarine and coffee until light and fluffy
- With the mixer on medium-low, add the sugar in 3 additions, beating well after each
- Add the vanilla and beat until uniform and well-combined
- Frost cupcakes and top with dark chocolate shavings

Recipe yields 24 cupcakes

Reposted with permission from Erica at Sweet Tooth.

Photo credit: Erica

Venus Williams turns to a raw vegan diet after diagnosis

2012-01-06T12:31:00.000-05:00

Tennis star Venus Williams has suffered silently for years with an unknown and painful disease. One month prior to dropping out of the U.S. Open, Venus was finally given a diagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's is an incurable chronic autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself. Symptoms include dry eyes, dry mouth, and may cause dysfunction of multiple organs including the kidneys, lungs, liver and central nervous system. Patients may also experience fatigue as well as joint pain.

Venus said, "I couldn't raise my arm over my head, the racket felt like concrete. I had no feelings in my hands. They were swollen and itchy. I realized it would be a miserable show", after dropping out of her second match with Sabine Lisicki.

Nearly four months after her diagnosis, discussions with her sister Serena, and much thought on the circumstances, Venus made the decision to take a holistic approach to resolving her health issues.

The solution? To start with a switch to a raw vegan diet. With the support of her sister Serena, Venus is on the path to healing in the healthiest way possible. Serena had this to say about her sister, "She has done a complete U-turn. She was devastated, but she is so positive now."

Both of the Williams sisters have committed to a vegan diet as they begin 2012.

As someone that switched to a vegan diet for health reasons similar to those of Venus Williams, I can personally say that this is the best step she can take towards recovery.

I think it's okay when I speak on behalf of the vegan community and say "woohoo another celeb has committed to a peaceful diet." And this time, not just one but two star athletes!

To learn more about Sjogren's, click here

Serena Williams Website

Laeticia Butler | @Vegwritingmomma | Facebook | Blog
Baltimore, MD After suffering with health issues for two years, Laeticia became a vegan and was able to go from barely walking to running 5Ks. She became well aware of the cruelty to animals through research during her life change. In doing so, Laeticia discovered a newfound love and respect for animals and works hard to teach her son why we don't eat them. It is her mission to get restaurants and food chains to incorporate more vegan-friendly options on their menus.

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

Lola Lollipop Comic Strip: Gross, that veggie bacon tastes nothing like real bacon

2012-01-05T15:36:00.001-05:00

Lara Matthews | @lola_lollipop | Facebook | Website
Chicago, IL Lara Matthews is the creator of the Lola Lollipop comic strip, a comic strip about vegetarianism, veganism, healthy eating, and animals. Lara grew up in Maine where she ate all things meat and an eclectic medley of fast food. Many years later, her compassion for animals that were not sushi led her to become pescatarian (eating only fish). While compiling her book, Lola Lollipop: Animals Are Evil, she was eventually inspired to go vegan. Lara lives in Chicago and graciously thanks all of the makers of vegan ice cream alternatives.

Photo credit: Lola Lollipop

Infographic: America's Pet Frenzy, Finding the Balance

2012-01-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

Source: frugaldad.com

Infographic provided by the team at Frugaldad.com.

PCRM names the Top Five Unhealthiest Cookbooks of 2011: Jamie Oliver's 'Meals in Minutes' tops the list

2012-01-05T13:57:00.001-05:00

If your New Year’s resolution for 2012 involves losing weight and eating healthier food, you might want to avoid using Jamie Oliver’s Meals in Minutes: A Revolutionary Approach to Cooking Good Food Fast for inspiration.

Oliver’s newest offering won the dubious distinction of topping PCRM’s Top Five Unhealthiest Cookbooks of 2011.

According to the non-profit, the man who wants to lead a nutritional revolution in our school’s lunchrooms apparently isn’t interested in spearheading a similar effort in our kitchens.

Need an example?

Eat one serving of a meatball sandwich featured in Meals in Minutes and you will ingest 1182 calories, 47 grams of fat (including 18.5 grams of saturated fat), 185 milligrams of cholesterol, and 2,352 milligrams of sodium.

But Mr. Oliver isn’t the only one producing cookbooks filled with unhealthy recipes, after all, his cookbook topped a top five list.

“The high-fat meals in these cookbooks are real recipes for disaster,” says Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., PCRM’s nutrition education director. “It’s great that Jamie Oliver and other chefs are focusing on fresh and local ingredients, but some of these recipes have more calories and cholesterol than a Big Mac. The real key to healthful eating is moving away from high-fat, meaty meals that increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and cancer.”

Without further ado, here are the Top Five Unhealthiest Cookbooks of 2011, complete with a PCRM "nutritional shocker":

Jamie Oliver’s Meals in Minutes: One serving of the Meatball Sandwich contains more fat than a Big Mac and more than double the calories, cholesterol, sodium, and saturated fat.
Guy Fieri Food: Jambalaya Sandwich contains bacon, smoked sausage, and Andouille sausage; such processed meats raise colon cancer risk.
Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible: One serving of Hot Buffalo Wings (three wings) contains 910 calories and 85 grams of fat; meat-heavy diets raise obesity risk.
The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook: More than 50 pages of recipes featuring grilled meat, which increases cancer risk.
The Neelys’ Celebration Cookbook: Bourbon Bread Pudding is saturated with butter, half-and-half, and whole milk; high-fat diets increase heart-disease risk.

For more information, click here.

Eric Fortney | Facebook |@elfortney | email
Eric is the co-founder and executive editor of the animal rights and eco-friendly news source, This Dish Is Veg. In addition to his work at TDIV, Eric is a father of three, runner, and lover of the outdoors.

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

Part 2: Street dog with two broken legs teaches love and hope

2012-01-05T11:32:00.001-05:00

Morning sunlight streamed through the fog as it lifted, revealing my own personal paradise– Indraloka on a summer morning. The creek burbled and Majja the Fabu, our resident peacock, called an exotic good morning. Tom and Jake (the Turkeys) added their voices to the choir, while Magdie and Nunzi just grumbled and turned over in their sleep. They are not morning pigs.

I wake up smiling most mornings, but this day was even better than most. Señorita Marisol Esperanza de Acapulco was finally coming home! (Part I of Marisol’s story) I savored a cup of hot tea as I got ready to embark on my new and prized morning ritual, a meditative walk over the hillside before feeding and cleaning up after my beloveds. Three-thousand miles away, Marisol was also taking her morning walk. Just a few months ago she had to drag her two broken back legs behind her and scrounge what nutrition she could on the streets of Acapulco. Today, she is fed plentiful nutritious food and offered daily therapy to help her use her now-rebuilt back legs. Thanks to the diligent work of her vet, Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque, Marisol now walks and even runs with only a slight limp.

When I left Señorita Marisol Esperanza de Acapulco with the Dr. Gomez Duque in March, we had agreed that he would hire someone to get her to the Texas border when she was healthy enough to travel. I had planned to bring her home from there. Unfortunately, he had no luck finding a trustworthy person for the job. Commercial airlines flying out of Mexico don’t have the best reputation for gentle handling of dogs and also require a prohibitively expensive customs process.

We kept running into brick walls when we tried to find a safe and affordable way to transport her. What now? I had to bring her home. She was counting on me. I couldn’t leave her future to chance. But how does one woman with limited resources safely move a 35 pound dog more than three-thousand miles across a dangerous, crime-ridden border? Add to that my obligations to care for my other 150 animals here, and my need to work at my paying job in order to feed them (and hence my limited time and ability to travel). I was stymied, but I refused to give up. My mother raised me never to say, “I can’t." My best friend, who has accomplished many impressive things against great odds and who never gives up on doing the right thing (even when it is not easy), likes to say, ”Solvitur Ambulando.” It is solved by walking.

So I walked. As I walked, I meditated. I sang the Cherokee morning prayer. I chanted the Buddhist Green Tara mantra. I prayed the Prayer of Saint Francis. Let me be an instrument of your Peace. Let me bring her home. I was blessed with a simple answer: “Ask for help.” Ask for help. Don’t try to do it alone. Don’t try to solve it alone. So, one of the sanctuary’s wonderful volunteers, Janice Preston, began asking bigger rescue groups for help and advice. Some never returned her calls, and we were stricken again by how overwhelmed and overworked so many animal rescuers are.

Many more made time to respond, and offered love and support but did not have an answer for us. Best Friends Animal Society, a huge rescue in Utah, has a whole department dedicated to helping grass roots animal welfare groups. They gave us a list of dog rescues who work on an international level. Janice, who never ceases to inspire me with her passion, resourcefulness and dedication, contacted all of them. Kelly Karger of Save a Mexican Mutt responded immediately, “We have to make this happen!” As I read her email, tears of joy streamed down my face. What a beautiful person. I could hear her warmth and strength as if she were sitting next to me, instead of sending me emails from thousands of miles away.

Kelly immediately offered to bring Marisol from San Miguel de Allende to Dallas, if only we could get her there from Acapulco. I looked up a map of Mexico and found that Acapulco is far from San Miguel de Allende, across dangerous territory and less than ideal roads. I asked for help yet again. Marisol’s vet, Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque, readily agreed to drive the 12 hour round trip himself.

Here we were then, with the most difficult part of Marisol’s journey arranged by loving, generous people willing to help simply because they love dogs and wish to improve the lot of Mexico’s countless, suffering street animals one life at a time. Janice then turned her attention to how we could transport Marisol from Dallas, Texas to northeastern Pennsylvania. She contacted PilotsnPaws to coordinate a series of flights on small planes that will bring Marisol home, but found out it would require coordinating five separate flights on small planes, all of which would depend heavily on favorable weather conditions and, of course, willing and available pilots. How could we make this work?

Janice called some commercial airlines to get information on safety, comfort, and pricing when transporting dogs from Texas to Pennsylvania. We double-checked the information on safety and comfort by having volunteers with relatives who work in the airlines do some additional investigating, and were satisfied that this is a viable option. But where would we find the funds to buy her ticket and the large, expensive travel crate? Janice and I hardly had time to discuss the dilemma before a solution emerged. A supporter of the sanctuary who is dedicated to helping animals in need contacted us and offered to pay for Marisol’s flight. Another stepped forward to pay for the travel crate we will need to purchase for her.

The list of kind and generous people who have volunteered to help this little dog goes on. For example, the owner and employees of Char & Company Salon and Spa worked diligently to help us raise funds to pay Marisol’s vet bills, going so far as to donate all of their proceeds from a whole spa day dedicated to Marisol’s rescue. We had an international network of animal lovers involved in helping us bring Marisol home. The beauty of it staggers me. This world is an astounding place, full of grace and love and hope. “Be silent, my heart, until Dawn comes, for he who patiently awaits the morn will meet him surely, and he who loves the light will be loved by the light,” (from Between Night and Morn, Kahlil Gibran). All I had to do was ask, and look what happened. Another life is saved, and my little canine angel would soon be smiling herself awake every morning, right by my side on a morning walk through paradise.

Photo credit: Indra

Top 10 workout songs to keep you moving this winter

2012-01-05T10:39:00.001-05:00

Traditionally, winter is the time of year when folks find it hardest to get out and exercise. In the hopes of keeping folks motivated, readers from RunHundred.com were polled regarding their favorite, current workout songs. The resulting top 10 list has a little of what you'd expect—and a little you might not. Flo Rida, who's no stranger to this list, shows up in two recent tracks. Enrique Iglesias continues his transition from balladeer to club rocker. And Kelly Clarkson, after faltering with the first single off her new album, bounced back ferociously with the second.

As for surprises, they're mostly entries from folks relatively new on the dance scene. Highlights include songs from Tim Berg (who remixed his own track under his Avicii moniker), Skrillex (whose collaboration with Kaskade is the first dubstep track ever the make the Top 10), and Wolfgang Gartner (who's made the chart with a little help from the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am).

Here's the full list:

Tim Berg - Seek Bromance (Avicii Vocal Edit) - 127 BPM
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away - 135 BPM
Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat (Maan Studio Remix) - 126 BPM
Flo Rida - Good Feeling - 129 BPM
Wolfgang Gartner & Will.I.Am - Forever - 128 BPM
Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight (Goldstein Remix) - 118 BPM
Taio Cruz & Flo Rida - Hangover - 129 BPM
Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull & The WAV.s - I Like How It Feels - 129 BPM
Kaskade & Skrillex - Lick It - 128 BPM
Kelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) - 117 BPM

To find more workout songs--and hear next month's contenders--folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era--to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Posted by Chris Lawhorn from RunHundred.com.

Photo credit: Adam Kurzok