Yet more bad news to come out of the recession

So on the news last night I saw a blurb about how the recession has actually increased sales at McDonalds! They claim the value menu is what is causing the increase in sales.
How sad!

Happy Tofurkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. And here's hoping more and more families are eating Tofurkey instead of Turkeys.

Great News for School Kids

Ok, so this article is over a month old, but if you read Crazy Vegan Mom, you know why I am a bit behind. Anyway, this is wonderful news for school kids. Parents can now request in writing that their kids get soymilk instead of cow's milk. Check it out here.

Sweater on a Hen

You need to check out this picture. It is of a hen that lost its feathers at a cramped battery farm wearing a sweater someone made her.

OK, Lindy Loo, I am taking you up on your dare, however, I believe I will only perpetrate the boring vegan rumors.
Link to Yeah That Vegan Shits meme dare.

What's your biggest guilty pleasure in the way of food?
I have many, unfortunately, but I will agree the fake meat thing is one of the biggest. I wish I could quit 'em, but oh well.

Have you ever done anything nasty to anyone's food and then served it to them?
No, but will admit to being tempted!

Have you ever lied to an omni, telling them you were serving them something meaty but instead serving them veg-food?
No, anyone who knows me well enough to eat my food knows my militant feelings on eating or serving anything containing animal anything!

Have you ever been arrested? If so, what for?
Yes, assault and battery. However, this was when I was 15.

What is the weirdest thing you've ever done in the sack?
Nothing that I would consider weird. As Lindy says, weird is very subjective.

Who's the weirdest person you've ever done (or thought about while) in the sack?
Ok, so here I really will sound like the stereotypical moralistic vegan as the only person I have ever slept with is my husband. Yes, I started dating him when I was 16 and have been with him ever since. I don't recall thinking about anyone weird while in the sack. See, told ya I would sound lame.

If, for the rest of your life, you could only have sexual relations with folks in one manner/style/position, what would it be?
Again, I will sound lame, but I would pick missionary as that works best for me.

Do you have any weird fetishes? (i.e. Turned on by orange oily feces)
Not really, I tend to go ga-ga when I see that area on a man that is just under the abs leading down to his goods. Of course, it has to be really cut and defined to really get me going.
As for the oily feces thing, that just turned me off for at least a month!

What's your worst drunken experience?
It wasn't sexual per se, but once got so drunk I had to be carried outside and kept lifting my shirt up for some reason, then puked in someone's shoe. I guess it was worse for the person who had vomit shoe than it was for me.

If you could eat any vegan food off another person's body, what would it be?
Strawberries and vegan whipped cream.

Have you ever done anything naughty with a vegetable?
No, good thing you didn't ask about fruit.....

Do you think your mom would sleep with me if I asked nicely?
No way.

Do you have any tatts or piercings?
one tattoo, I want more, but had a very weird reaction to the one I have and almost lost my leg! Will probably eventually get tatts with my kids names in them though.
As for piercings, again, I have several ear piercings, but cannot wear any earrings as I have a severe allergic reaction whenever I try to wear them, so never got any other piercings as I didn't want to walk around looking like a huge ball of infected holes.

Any strange names for you and your partner's privates (and/or your sex toys)?
No.

Are you into PDA?
Only hand holding and small pecks.

Have you ever cheated on a significant other?
Only when I was young and if you can consider who your dating in your teen years a significant other.

Did you ever walk in on your parents doing it when you were younger?
Ugh, unfortunately, yes. Thanks for bringing that memory back Lindy!

What's one of the craziest things you've ever done?
Too many to count, but the one that jumped into my mind is the time a friend and I decided to blow bubbles into a math class in high school and the teacher chased us into the bathroom. He refused to leave the bathroom door until we came out, so I jumped out a window and almost broke my leg. Ah, good times.....

If you could get it on with any vegetarian you know--famous or not--who would it be?
Unfortunately, Orlando Bloom is no longer vegetarian, damnnnnnnn. So I am thinking Jared Leto.

Dr. Neal Barnard on Ellen today!

How great is this? Dr. Barnard is on the Ellen Degeneres show today! Definitely worth watching and it is wonderful that a widely watched and respected TV show is bringing on a doctor who advocated the vegan lifestyle.

Here are tips from Dr. Bernard listed on Ellen's website:

On Monday, Ellen had a candid discussion about diets with leading clinical researcher and nutritionist Dr. Neal Barnard. According to Dr. Barnard, each year the average American consumes 205 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of chocolate and 32 pounds of cheese! Here are some of Dr. Barnard’s healthy alternatives to sugar, chocolate, cheese and even meat.

Alternatives to sugar:
Fresh fruit -- As a dessert, or as a snack; keep some sliced cantaloupe in your refrigerator, for example. Maple syrup -- It’s sugary, but is so flavorful that people consume less. Stevia

Alternatives to chocolate:
Cocoa powder -- Can be used for chocolate-dipped fruit, for example. Only the thin outer surface is chocolate. Carob -- doesn’t cause migraines, as chocolate can. Chocolate sorbet -- lower in fat and calories, compared with chocolate ice cream.

Alternatives to cheese:
Soy cheese -- widely available, but variable in quality. Nutritional yeast -- makes a cheesy flavor in sauces and casseroles. Avocado -- has the “mouth-feel” of cheese, without cholesterol or animal fat.

Alternatives to meat:
Veggie dogs, burgers, deli slices, etc. Beans -- for burritos, tacos, and sauces. Seitan -- a wheat derivative that tastes like meat. TVP, tofu, and tempeh -- soy products that can simulate meat.

Great Commercial on MTV

Compassion Over Killing has a new TV commercial they will be airing on MTV. They are calling it "A Side of Truth."

Check it out here. It would be amazing if this really happened at the drive thru!

Got Milk? Too bad for you!

Shortly after becoming vegan, I came upon Robert Cohen's Not Milk site. I have to tell you this is a wealth of information and I am sure many of you are already aware of this site. I remember emailing him about a health problem I was having and he took the time out to actually call me at my house and talked to me for over an hour! I was very impressed and greatful.
So anyway, I happened across this youtube video and thought I would share it for those of you interested.
Milk is Bad Video.

Vegan Wine

I found a great wine that is vegan. I looked around and really wanted a wine company that chose to be vegan with all their wines, not just some.

Baron Herzog makes a wonderful wine and it is an all vegan line. Their Late Harvest Reisling Monterey was mentioned in Martha Stewart Living's Thanksgiving edition.

Try it, you won't be disappointed. So far, I have tried the White Zinfandel and the Cabernet Sauvignon: Central Coast. I am planning on trying the Syrah next.

Enjoy. I know I am.

Beware of Slow Melting Popsicles!

Ok, I am posting this on both blogs, because it is important.

I know there is a debate about sugar among vegans, and this is not about the debate, just wanting to warn the vegans that do buy items containing white sugar.

Some vegans give their kids store bought popsicles. If you are one of them, please be aware that the new slow melting popsicles contain gelatin!

Do I Offend You?

Evidently, according to my aunt, I offend people.

My parents had a small cookout and my aunt brought a dessert made with Cruel Whip. My mother asked me to carry a plate of this dessert and I made a face of disgust at this pile of cream stuff. I said something to the effect that I wasn't trying to offend her, only that as a vegan I didn't want to carry the plate of cream and I think I sometimes offend people. She replied that I do offend people.

So I guess if I was from another culture and I ate some exotic thing that most Americans are not use to, I could come here and give her a plate of whatever she might find disgusting and expect her not to be disgusted? Or if she were disgusted, I should be offended?

I don't know, the way I look at it is that these carnivores offend me on a constant basis with their plates full of carcasses and they don't give a shit that it bothers me, so why should I give a shit about offending them by making a face at their nasty food?

Ok, so if I shouldn't care, why does it bother me? I wish it didn't, but I guess I am just so pissed that I can't seem to go anywhere without having to see animals cooking or being eaten and God forbid I make any comment, because then I am the bad guy, yada yada.

So now I don't even want to leave the house. I am sick and fucking tired of being surrounded by people who don't have a problem with animal cruelty.

Ok, so now I guess I will just go get drunk and forget about it.

Problem

Ok,sorry.about.this,but.my.spacebar.is.not.working.
My.son.knocked.over.my.coffee(family.epidemic.lately)and.it.spilled.onto.the.keyboard.
The.spacebar.appears.to.be.the.only.key.affected.though.
Very.annoying.

30 Days: Animal Rights

I just watched this episode. I am a bit behind, but have been wanting to see it. The basis for this episode is that a hunter from North Carolina who believes animals are here for our use must live with an animal activist family for 30 days.

I thought I would have to pay to watch it on Itunes, but it is available here for free. You need to watch this and try to make others watch it.

This episode is just incredible. I must warn you that it is hard to watch. I did cry quite a bit, but it is a very good show. Watch it!

Meat Spagetti? How Disgusting!

As if kids today didn't eat enough shit that is bad for them, now in order to get who don't like meat to eat it anyway, they have meat spagetti. Childhood obesity has a new helper.
Link to article.

Dog adopts tiger cubs at a zoo

This is a sweet story about a wonderful Golden Retriever who adopted some white tiger cubs abondoned by their mother. She just weaned her own puppies, so the timing was perfect.

Another example of how animals are like humans. There are bad mothers and great adoptive mothers in the animal and human world.

Here is a link to the article.

Vegan Alcohol

Ok, so I need some help here. Awhile back, I contacted Beringer Wines about their wine and they wrote back stating their wine was vegan friendly. I am not a wine connoisseur by any means, so excuse me if I love wine zinfandel. But I was a big fan of Beringer White Zin.

Now, according to Barnivore.com's vegan wine list, Beringer is NOT vegan friendly!

I copied the names of every winery on the list that was all vegan (not just some are vegan) and could find only one of the listed winery wines in my local super liquor store. Bought the Red Zin (cause that was all they had) and HATED it!

So, here is my request, anyone know of a vegan white zin that is similar to Beringer and easily accessible?

Thanks!

Barnyard Scene

I was just watching the movie Barnyard with A and had to laugh at the scene where they are in the barn and all throw darts at the dartboard with a pic of Col. Sanders on it. What a great scene!

Very Interesting Commentary

I read this commentary in my local paper. It is actually from the NY Times, but is syndicated and appeared in my local paper.

The piece is written by a carnivore who writes that while he does enjoy eating meat, he believes animals should be treated well and that he is aware of where his food has come from. He supports the California referndum, Proposition 2.

While I like to fantasize about the whole world being vegan, it is refreshing to read that a carnivore does think about the well being of animals and believes animals feel love, pain, fear, etc.

Maybe there is hope.

Here is a link to the NY Times piece written by Nicholas D. Kristof.

Vegan Condoms

Hmm, maybe I am just stupid, but I never knew that latex usually contains casein! Well, I guess you do learn something new everyday.
So, if you use condoms, check out Vegancondoms.com to see if your brand is listed. You can find vegan condoms on sites like Veganessentials.com or The Sensual Vegan.com (which also has other vegan intimacy items.)
Be sure to remain cruelty free while having fun!

Great Video

This is an awesome video, check it out. It tells the story of a lion named Christian who was adopted at a Harrods pet store and later freed in Africa. It is so heartwarming.

And Born Free is an amazing charity, check it out, too! They are dedicated to keeping wildlife in the wild. They work to eridicate zoos and the like and rescue animals from a life of misery.

Please take a second to vote for Born Free as the charity of the week on this website.

Comics

I love my comic strips. They make me laugh and I do need to laugh.
Anyway, one I do like a whole lot is Non Sequitur. Well, call me sensitive but a few weeks ago, I was offended by a strip where the father was reading to the daughter and it was a spin on Hansel and Gretel where they ate from the house and it was actually made of tofu and the father called the owner of the house, the "evil vegan."

Today, Mr. Wiley has redeemed himself with this strip. Very nice.

Nice Quote

This isn't vegan, but it does apply to my bipolar in a sense. I saw this quote in an email someone sent me and it reminded me of an incidence which seems to be quite common.

Unfortunately, being bipolar really does make things difficult in that with the mood swings I am prone to, I can be in a perfectly fine mood and the tiniest thing can set me on a seemingly endless downward spiral. This can happen quite often and this story is just one of many of this happening.

In a nutshell, it was just a random day and some guy was just a mean jerk. I screwed up and being human, that is to be expected from time to time, but he flew off the handle and just started screaming at me. I am a very sensitive person and this just completely took me by surprise. I was going to work and trying not to cry. Well, it just sent me on my way to a deep depression and I remember thinking how unfair it was that just one tiny moment in time can completely devastate me for a full day or longer.

So, anyway, this quote just struck me and it is something I do try to abide by, but again, being human, sometimes I fail. I wish I knew who said it so I could properly assign credit, but alas, I do not. Here it is:

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

The Newest Purely Decadent

Has anyone seen this flavor in stores yet? I love Turtle Mountain frozen desserts and cannot wait to try this line. If you have found it and tried it, please let me know your opinions. I have not seen it in a store yet.

One Step Closer for Dogs in Massachusetts!

The jackasses that own the MA dogtracks have been shot down in their efforts to block the November ballot question asking voters whether to ban dog racing in Massachusetts.

This is a great victory, but only in a battle. We still have a long way to go. So, if you live in MA, make sure you vote in November. It is going to be question 3 on the ballot, we need to vote to make sure it is made illegal!

Link to article. It is one of several articles on the page, scroll down.

Summer Vacation

Yes, it has been very difficult to get online with 2 kids running around my feet all day. Vacation for who? Not me.

Anyway, with the 2 kids home from school, I have precious little time to log onto the computer and check email or blog anything, but I will try my best.

We did go away, and what made dh think it was a good idea to drive 8 hrs. with 7 people anyway? My relaxing vacation of 3 nights/4 days was spent spending 8 hrs. each way in the 3rd row of a minivan squeezed between 2 dh and my sister. Mind you, I do love them dearly, but this was not fun. The hotel couldn't manage to get us into our rooms for about 3 hrs. after we arrived and by then it was past 6 p.m.

Next time, I definitely fly. No more driving vacations for me!

Store Wars - A Great Video

If you like Star Wars, you will LOVE Store Wars. This is a very funny video. Enjoy.

Health Benefits of Going Vegan

I have been so busy lately, no time to check email or post on the blogs. Sorry, but I bring you a great link today. I will post again soon.

Here is a link to a great article on 57 Health Benefits of Going Vegan.

Great News for Great Apes

The Spanish Parliament has announced its support for the Great Ape Project's mission to attain legal rights for non-human great apes. This means there will be no animal testing allowed on chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos.

Using apes in circuses, television commercials or filming will also be banned. Unfortunately, they can still be kept in zoos, however their living conditions will need to improve.

Lets hope this leads the way for all countries to follow suit and expand on it to include all animals.

Link to article in Guardian.

Link to the Great Ape Project website.

Please Help Farm Animals

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I do not live in California, but if I did, I would definitely vote YES on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. So if you live in CA, vote on November 4th to pass this act!

Even if you don't live in CA, you can help. It seems big factory farms in CA are opposing this act. Big surprise, right? But the real kicker is the name they have chosen to use for their group effort: Californians for Safe Food ! Can you believe the audacity? Of course, it is the animal abusers with no conscience we are talking about here after all.

And of course they have raised a bucket load of money to support their "cause." So the people supporting the initiative need to raise as much as possible to help the animals. So, please, click the banner above to help if you can.

Link to HSUS blog about this.

Ole! Poetic Justice Bull Style.

This story is too good. Seems a matador, who is thought to be one of the best bullfighter of all time, was gored in the gonads. He was actually gored twice by 2 separate bulls during a bullfight in Madrid.

Now, I am by no means a person who likes to see other people get hurt, however, I do make exceptions in some instances. And this is one such instance.

People justify killing other people in the name of self defense, so why shouldn't it be ok for an animal to kill or maim a person in its own defense?

Here is the article complete with pictures including the one of the goring of the gonads. (I like that phrase better than the running of the bulls!)

Did you want fries with that?

Hmmm, I have heard of many things accompanying the main portion of the meal, but this story is just too nasty! A "chef" irritated by a request to redo a steak added a little something extra- his pubic hair. Article link.

Gives a whole new meaning to food porn!

I'm Not Dead, Just Crazy

I haven't posted for a bit. It has been a little wild on the home front. I was sick, the kids are out of school, D and I celebrated our wedding anniversary, etc.
I have also been a bit depressed over the state of things. It seems like every time you turn around, something else is happening that shows the state of things in a negative light. I still don't understand how people eat animals, and some days it gets overwhelming. I really shouldn't let things get to me, but they drain the life out of me and I have a hard time functioning. I take it all so very personally.
So some of the things of which I am referring (and forgive me as this is bordering on old news because I haven't posted):

• MRSA is showing up in pigs that are being consumed by humans, article 1 article 2.
• The bird flu is spreading and China is killing poultry article link.
• A dozen pigs lucky enough to escape death by drowning are instead shot and killed by idiot humans article link.
• There are actually people out there willing to pay $185 for a hamburger made from massaged beef! article link
• Then there are the instances of floods, earthquakes, cyclones, starvation, homelessness, etc. that are just driving me to the brink of despair.

This is hardly a full listing, but I can only post so much misery at the moment.

Sorry for the bummer post.

ABC News Says to Cut Down on Meat Consumption!

Ok, so it doesn't say to stop all meat consumption, but cutting down is better than nothing right? The article is about the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. Read the article here.

Is Oprah Abandoning her Vegan Diet?

Uh, oh. Looks like the great O is falling out of love with her new vegan life. She hasn't posted in awhile and her last post talks about how sad she is now that her borrowed vegan chef is no longer cooking for her.

Link to article.

New Bently Car No Friend to Animals or Environment

Boston is soon to be the new headquarters of Bently North America, so they decided to unveil the new Continental Flying Spur Speed here. It is expected to hit the showroom floor in the fall for about $200,000.00.

This car is a disaster for the environment, it gets 11 miles per gallon in the city!

And it is a crisis for animals, the leather interior reportly uses the hides of at least 11 cows per car!

So, here's hoping that this car has very poor sales.

Totally Off Topic, But Too Stupid to Ignore

This has nothing to do with veganism, but this guy was just too stupid for me to not comment about. It's 3 a.m. and you decide to break into a store, what kind of store do you decide to break into? Hmmmm, let me think, how about a home security store that specializes in internet based monitoring systems? If that isn't bad enough, after stealing something, you decide you really don't want it and then toss it to the side of the road? Oh boy, it takes a special kind of someone. Link to news article.

As if the above weren't stupid enough, let's add scumbag to moron with this other story. Some jackass decides to buy drugs, while carrying a loaded gun and felt the need to bring his kid with him. When the police approach, he pushes his kid to the side! Wow. Stupid and a bad parent, what a sad state of affairs. Link to Boston Police Department incident log.

New York City Horse Carriage Rides

This cartoon is from Dan Piraro, I have mentioned him before, he is one of my heroes! Anyway, he made me aware of this online petition we can sign to show we would like to see the horse carriage rides in NYC banned.

I know it is a favorite tourist attraction and movie scene, but if people were truly aware of the cruelty involved in this horrific example of animal abuse, I like to think most people would not want to contribute to the cruelty.

Please, do your part, Sign the petition here.

Thanking the Monkey

I have been hearing great things about this book, Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals and am definitley planning on picking up a copy!

The author, Karen Dawn was honored with the outstanding activist award at the Farm Sanctuary Gala on May 18.

Her goal is “to tell you everything you wanted to know about animal rights—but were afraid to get into a fight about—and to let you weigh that information against your own values.”

The book is getting amazing reviews from Hollywood stars and others. Some endorsments:

“Vegetarianism was a source of Gandhi’s successful non-violence, and cruelty to animals is a predictor of everything from domestic violence to serial killing. With wisdom and insight, Karen Dawn introduces readers to the fact that animal rights are an organic part of social justice movements everywhere. Her book is a bridge between worlds for both the committed and the curious.”— Gloria Steinem

“I am sick of being ignorant! This book is education with a smile, information with a kiss from a dog who just drank out of a toilet, and should be required reading for all college students.”— Anthony Kiedis – Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Karen Dawn’s work is powerful — compelling and well-argued, intellectually sound and passionate.”— Paul Haggis, Oscar-winning writer/director of Crash

“Thanking the Monkey is fun, and it will give people information they wish they had all their lives. I can’t wait to give one to everybody I know. It is going to change the world.”— Rory Freedman, co-author of New York Times number one bestseller Skinny Bitch

"This is a book that brings up a view of animals that should be part of mainstream thought. I applaud its publication.”— Bill Maher, host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher

“Charming and thoughtful, witty yet engaged, it would be a hard heart that could put this book down without having old prejudices seriously shaken. Thanking the Monkey will make you sit up and take notice and probably, too, drop your fork and reach for the fruit.”-Jeffrey Masson, best-selling author of When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie About Love

“I am so excited about Thanking the Monkey because I have loved Karen Dawn’s approach to animal rights for a long time. I love her way of taking it and making it fresh, making it young and making it interesting.”— Persia White, star of Girlfriends

“Karen Dawn's book made me realize I know little about animal rights and I would like to know more. It is the kind of book you can pick up and get something of value out of without reading chapter one first and chapter two second. You can flip it open virtually anywhere and find something you didn’t know.”— Bruce Greenwood –John From Cincinnati, National Treasure: Book of Secrets

“Thanking the Monkey is a fun way to talk about animal rights and the interconnectivity of humans and other beings. It will appeal to the younger generation and people who have a harsher idea about animal rights books. I am so excited it is coming out!”— Daniela Sea, Max on The L Word

“Give this book to somebody you know who doesn’t know.”— David Duchovny

From Booklist

BYLINE: Nancy Bent
A fun book about the animal-rights movement? Dawn, an activist and author (online and print), has produced an easily digested, sound-bite-laden primer to all sides and gradations of the crusade for animal rights. In short, easy sections, Dawn works through all of the arenas in which animals are used or exploited as well as the differences in philosophy within the movement itself. She covers essential topics, such as the owning of pets (in the chapter “Slaves to Love”), and doesn’t stop with the more numerous dogs and cats but also questions keeping birds, fish, and reptiles in cages. She also acknowledges the positive sides of pet keeping, using the abandonment of pets by aid workers and the consequent stress on their owners as an example. The author takes a similarly nuanced look at zoos and circuses, the fashion industry, animals as food, and animal testing, finishing with a look at the similarities and differences betweenenvironmentalists and animal activists with examples of animal activism in action. Well illustrated with numerous drawings and cartoons. An excellent introduction.

So if you have read it, let me know what you think. I am planning on getting it and will post more about it later.

What About the Poor Lobsters?

Considered a Boston institution, James Hook & Co., which is a lobster wholesaler, burned to the ground Friday morning in a seven alarm fire. James Hook & Co. has been a family owned business since 1925. It's currently owned by the fourth generation of Hooks. So, many people feel sad about this loss for the family and the city, no one seems to feel bad about the 60,000 lbs. of lobster destroyed in the fire! (Unless, of course, they are feeling sad that the price just went up due to this loss.)

The owners insist they will still do business and rebuild and the city intends to help them. Our tax dollars helping fund lobster genocide.

The business now ships 50,000 pounds of lobsters a day, according to its website. Can you even imagine? How many lobsters must die to generate 50,000 lbs? And this is just one company. This just blows my mind.

I think I'll go cry now.

Link to the wild and wonderful blog of Dan Piraro.

PETA...Good or Bad?

Ok, so it seems most people view PETA as basically a terrorist organization and that view is also shared by many vegans. As many vegans feel PETA gives us a bad name because they do silly things such as having naked people in the streets protesting fur or wearing lettuce bikinis, etc.

I, however, think they are fabulous for doing such things. What better way to get attention for your cause than having naked women in NYC streets? I don't hear carnivores complaining about naked women when they are not doing it for animal rights. And dressing in a lettuce bikini sounds like a fun way to get people talking about an issue. It's better than screaming our views in their faces.

Regardless of how PETA goes about doing what they do, no one can deny they do good work and get stuff done. Look at the recent victory in the KFC case.

As far as I can tell, change does not happen when people choose to be quiet or not make waves. I do believe we should be nice about how we approach enlightening others about the cruelty involved in eating animal flesh, however, remaining quiet is not the answer. If women just sat back and didn't try to gain rights, we still wouldn't be able to vote or get jobs.

Change comes from making others aware. And if some think it silly, I find it refreshing. I am an intelligent person, but I believe in having fun. Even in school, if a teacher or professor just spews truths at you, you are not very interested and the class seems mundane, but if s/he makes the learning fun, it attracts attention from students and makes them want to learn.

This is my opinion, now what's yours?

Oprah Vegan updates

Vegan.com has been following Oprah's journey and if you are not currently a vegan or are new and looking for some great nutritional information, click on the picture above to check out Vegan.com's podcasts. They are highly informative, even if you have been vegan for awhile and not keeping up with all your nutritional needs, these podcasts are just the information you need. Each podcast addresses different needs and if you can listen to all (recommended) or if you need specific information, check out the podcasts that interest you most.

Thanks Erik for helping to keep us healthy!

Vegans are now Terrorists? Anthony Bourdain must be thrilled!

What the hell? So now we are considered terrorists? Evidently, the FBI thinks so, as they are looking for informants to infiltrate "vegan potlucks" throughout the Twin Cities and rub shoulders with RNC protestors, schmoozing his way into their inner circles, then reporting back to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, a partnership between multiple federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. The effort’s primary mission, according to the Minneapolis division’s website, is to “investigate terrorist acts carried out by groups or organizations which fall within the definition of terrorist groups as set forth in the current United States Attorney General Guidelines.”

Here is a link to the full article.

According to another article, the man approached to become an informant had this to say: “Then for twenty minutes they flatter me about how my personality and appearance are perfect matches for what is required in some espionage dealio. They wanted me to crash vegan potluck parties and get into the inner circle of terrorists because supposedly terrorists are trusting and I’m “trustable, easy going, funny,” and a bunch of other flattery. Every time they said “vegan potluck” I chuckled, but their faces showed they weren’t kidding. They said “vegan potluck” half a dozen times. They really feared vegans and their violent conspiracies to blow up buildings in protest to the republican national convention."

Seems like Anthony Bourdain has some influence with the FBI, as he is the one who called vegans "terrorist scum."

Joshua Valocchi at Philadelphia Weekly asked about what Bourdain calls a “plague of vegetarians”:
“These fucking people are not really all about us not eating duck liver,” snarls Bourdain. “No, no, no. They don’t want us eating any animal product whatsoever.
“When they win this tiny battle, they’ll move to the next one, like freeing the lobsters."
“These people,” says Bourdain, “are the worst kind of terrorists. And they must be stopped.”

Funny Toon

I actually found this funny because whenever me or my kids are posing for pics, I always yell "Tofutti."

Close to Home comic link here.

And yet another recall....

Another happy day for carnivores everywhere. It seems the recalls are becoming more and more of a common thing.

A Chicago company (JSM Meat Holdings Company ) has just recalled some of their beef due to a possible E. Coli contamination. And what lovely sounding names they give their beef. "Boneless Chucks," "Boneless Clods," "Flat Rounds," "Gooseneck Rounds," "Knuckle," "Heel Meat," "Scotties," "Trimmings 50," "Trimmings 60," "Trimmings 65," "Trimmings 70," "Trimmings 75," "Trimmings 80," "Trimmings 85," or "Trimmings 90." Doesn't that sound scrumptious? (can you just hear the sarcasm in my voice?)
Here is the link to the USDA News release.

Oprah Goes Vegan!!

Well, I think I am a bit behind, but I do not normally watch Oprah. If my TV is on during the day, it is on PBS or Noggin.

Anyway, exciting news, Oprah has decided to go VEGAN for 21 days, following author Kathy Frestons book Quantum Wellness: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness

You can read more about her experience during this "detox" by following her blog here.
I really like the passage from her Day 1 post where she writes

"In the passage, Kathy talks about an overweight friend who would gain and lose. She didn't conquer the weight issue until she became a "conscious" eater.
Conscious eater. That struck a nerve. I had recently come to the conclusion that after spending weeks reading and rereading A New Earth and being on line with Eckhart Tolle that bringing a higher level of awareness to my eating was the solution I'd been avoiding. My idea of a conscious eater, however, was not quite the same as Kathy's.
I thought it meant not allowing yourself to eat emotionally and filling the void of anxiety with food, as I've struggled with for years. I thought it meant taking your time, making healthy choices and chewing slowly—being conscious of every bite and not scarfing down a meal and then thinking about the next one.
That is one level of consciousness. But what she talks about in her book is a higher level. She speaks of "spiritual integrity." How can you say you're trying to spiritually evolve, without even a thought about what happens to the animals whose lives are sacrificed in the name of gluttony?
So this 21-day cleanse gives me a chance to think about it differently and see what my attachments are to certain kinds of foods—and what I'm willing to do to change. Don't know if I'm going to feel better or worse, but I'm willing to try to see if my body at least feels differently."

I really hope she chooses to remain vegan for life once this 21 days is over. And perhaps with her huge following, a large chunk of her fans will follow suit!

Trader Joe's Vegan Products

Here is a list of products Trader Joe's carries that are Vegan. Remember that the TJ's nearest you may not carry all the products listed, but this list can be helpful. So if you're interested, here is the link.

Food Porn

Ok, I am going to admit this and it will probably piss off many people, but I HATE food porn.
Don't get me wrong, it is not that I hate food porn in and of itself, but the fact that food porn usually is of something I would love to eat but is not accompanied by a recipe and therefore I cannot eat it!
Ok, there, I said it. Hate me, but not because I'm beautiful.