Living Without Meat

I get excited when I see an animal-rights or vegetarian article in a public newspaper or magazine, such as the Wall Street Journal did last week with its headline: The 247 lb. Vegan.

The press is catching on, and the animals are being given a voice!

So imagine my excitement over the past week when all of these articles fell into my e-mail inbox:

* From a delicacy, a delicate situation: Foie gras on Baltimore menus spurs protests made the front page of the Baltimore Sun, Monday, January 28.

* Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler was in the week in review, in the world section, of the January 27 Sunday New York Times.

* Last Sunday, January 20, one of my hometown papers - the Philadelphia Inquirer - featured Learning to eat, and like, his veggies by a regular columnist. A recipe is included for Walnut-Mushroom Pate.

* CNN reported that Chips could put lab rats out of work with an Associate Press-written science article this Monday, January 28.

* Lansing State Journal answered a reader’s concern with Weigh benefits of vegan diet for kids, also on this Monday.

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In an effort to go strong in every way possible with their war against the fur industry (especially the designers that are lying about it), the Humane Society has teamed up with top-labels-only, used clothing store Buffalo Exchange to collect any and all amounts of fur trim, lining, and coats from any animals, in any condition.

Coats for Cubs, the two green organizations’ collaborative campaign, sends your donated fur to wildlife rehabilitators to keep orphaned and injured baby animals warm, safe, comforted, and alive.

Don’t believe that a little fox, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, or other cuddly creature could find safe haven in a dead skin? Watch this video from the HSUS:

Children who are wise beyond their years, accomplishing amazing things that some adults never even aspire to, fascinate me. I’m not referring to child stars by any respect. I mean those young ones who step out for something that they already believe so strongly for or against. I mean children and teens who are willing to put their popularity status on the line to speak out when they feel jilted.

Haley Ham, an 11-year-old Tennessee animal-lover is the latest in this long line of impressive youth.

Last April, Haley’s two dogs got into a bottle of antifreeze. As the substance has a natural sweet taste, they ate enough (as little as a teaspoon) to suffer fatal poisoning.

“Sam and Jessie suffered so much, I couldn’t believe something so deadly was just sold at nearly every store,” Haley wrote to the Humane Society.

According to the Doris Day Animal League, “the veterinary school at Washington State University estimates that as many as 10,000 dogs and cats ingest antifreeze each year.”

Something can and should be done to prevent this.

Five states have passed laws requiring a bittering agent be added to antifreeze, thus making it unappealing to animals and children (who also mistakenly die from it). Haley’s home state was not one of these, so she set out on a campaign to bring the legislation to Tennessee.

Haley wrote to state legislators; gathered signatures at her county fair; received backing from State Sen. Raymond Finney; held meetings to plan the law; and even spoke before the Senate, serving as a page for the day.

Read more about Haley’s amazing drive to see change happen at Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle’s blog - A Humane Nation.

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If you don’t believe me that smoothies and blenders are the quintessential kitchen staple fo every veg*n (and you meat consumers, too!), then perhaps you will listen to Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez. The 247-pound athlete has been vegan about one year now, and spoke with the Wall Street Journal this week about his diet, debacles with the team’s nutritionist (a former vegetarian who tried to convince him to eat meat), and his strength on his new diet.

Watch the video to learn some of Mr. Gonzalez’s favorite blended recipes.

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More celebrities are posing for PETA ads at an increasingly crazy rate. Ami James, tattoo artist and shop owner featured in the reality series Miami Ink, shows off his body art for Fur Is Dead’s “Ink Not Mink” collection. In addition to showing us his hotness, Ami (pronounced ah-me) designed an animal-friendly, PETA tattoo.

If you visit the article about Ami’s new ad, you can read an interview with Ami James, and enter to win the original artwork pictured here (click to see full size; 100 runner-ups will receive a temporary tattoo version of this angel-dog).

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The ASPCA has come up with a very unique, interesting way to garner new donations. In fact, I think it is great idea!

Here’s their explanation of the new campaign:

Getting married? Want to do something different? Make a donation to the ASPCA in lieu of wedding favors. In exchange for your thoughtfulness, we will provide you with place cards to notify your guests of your gracious gesture.

If you prefer to give by phone please call Linda Tiramani at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4516. (Click for the online donation site)

How original! Plus, it makes one less thing for the bride-to-be to plan and put together.

So if your big day is coming up, consider making a gift on behalf of your guests, and in honor of your special day, to the ASPCA or your any of your other favorite charities - I am sure that any of them would love to help accommodate you in telling your guests of your generous choice.

wedding favors, alternatives to wedding favors, aspca

How would you react if your mother asked if you had prepared a will? If you’re brutally honest American Idol judge Simon Cowell you turn around and decide to leave $180 million (of your $200 million) to charities.

“Mum asked, ‘Have you ever made a will?’ I said, ‘Thanks a lot!’. But it got me thinking,” Cowell explained of his recent decision to create a will leaving his monetary fortune to children and animals.

The British import is a vegetarian, but the way he wears his uber-tight tees and unbuttoned blouses to show off his body, I had always assumed it was a health choice. Cheers to Simon for showing a softer side. I can’t wait to hear if/when he names specific organizations to receive his gifts.

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Writing a double death announcement for two 20-something fathers really got to me yesterday. Even attending an hour-long weightlifting exercise class couldn’t lift my spirits. Of course, it didn’t help that I was feeling tired and unmotivated to begin with.

But then, after watching a ho-hum movie and getting only a few rows of knitting done, something finally managed to put a smile on my face.

I was getting ready for bed. Honestly, I had been ready to go to sleep for hours, but now I was actually heading to dreamland. I decided it was time for a new toothbrush: so I tossed the old one and opened the cabinet.

It was then that I gripped a forgotten Christmas present - a scented, pink, Strawberry Shortcake toothbrush. My sister’s friend had seen it and thought of me (I openly love pink and Miss Shortcake).

As I brushed my teeth I began to smile. Not only was the fruity aromatherapy cheering me up, but the realization that someone thought of me brightened my evening.

I went to bed in a much better mood. I went to bed reassured of my belief that every little thing that you do makes a difference. I went to bed motivated.

My energy level has been down lately. I was preparing to find some motivation for myself, for you, and for everyone trying to make healthy change in their life. Instead, I have some sad Hollywood news. I have many issues with fame, celebrity, and what we are doing to people who live in the spotlight. Within the past two weeks, two young, male actors have passed away.

At 3:30 p.m. this afternoon (Tuesday, January 22) Australian-born actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. A housekeeper and masseuse entered and found him naked, lying on his bed, with unidentified pills nearby. The 28-year-old, award-winning Brokeback Mountain star had just completed filming as The Joker for the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Ledger and actress Michelle Williams, with whom he was once engaged, had a 2-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose. His work included his break-out role in 10 Thing I Hate About You, A Knight’s Tale, The Brothers Grimm, and more.

This sad news of Heath Ledger’s death comes exactly one week after the death of 25-year-old actor Brad Renfro. On Tuesday, January 15, Renfro was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment, after reportedly spending the previous night drinking with friends. Renfro starred in The Client at age 11, and had since acted in many movies including Apt Pupil, Sleepers, Ghost World, and The Informers which he has just finished filming. Like Ledger, Renfro also had a child, a 4-year-old son, Y. Renfro. Brad had been struggling with substance abuse, having served jail time for a DUI and heroin possesion. Cause of death is not yet determined.

Two fathers; two attractive actors with films releasing this year; two unnecessary, untimely, sad deaths.

Speechless. I am speechless. I suppose it’s okay since this pretty much speaks for itself:

ron jeremy peta ad

Bull fighting is not a pleasant event. But India can top the inhumane torture and death incurred by bulls in that Spanish tradition. India has jallikattu.

Until today, I hadn’t heard of jallikattu. It has been brought to brighter light in the animal rights world lately with the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to legalize it.

But what is it? In short, men rub hot chili peppers in the bull’s eyes, get him drunk, then taunt him in front a cheering, laughing crowd. The bull is terrified, confused, and agitated, and released into a public free-for-all.

Even more spotlights have hit this ridiculous display of wiener size since PETA President Ingrid Newkirk was arrested January 17 for protesting on behalf of the bulls.

Ms. Newkirk was visiting India on a book tour. Arguing that the blood sport was in direct opposition of Gandhi’s beliefs and principles, Ingrid blindfolded a statue of Gandhi as a demonstration.

After being detained for an unknown number of hours, she was released and has continued on with her tour.

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Last month PETA released a new campaign against Mars candy. You would think that being outed as a vicious animal torture would slow down your ability to make business partnerships. But not for Mars; Dunkin’ Donuts was eager to be their work buddy.

Dunkin’ Donuts has partnered with Mars to produce two new fatty, unhealthy, animal-tested delights: a donut with M&Ms in place of sprinkles, and Milky Way-flavored hot chocolate.

Good going Dunkin’. You are know on my “do not buy” list because you are guilty by association.

Hang out with the scumbags long enough, and you too will become a scumbag. It’s a basic principal that teachers and parents try to teach influential children … where were you when this lesson was handed out?

This was not my Project Blog entry, but will you still vote for me?

dunkin donuts and mars, m&ms donuts

It has been one week since I weighed in at my local gym, joining in on their motivational competition to lose weight. Every Wednesday we meet by the indoor pool, remove our shoes, empty our pockets, and step on the scale. Here are my numbers from last night:

Weight: 132.4 lbs.

Body fat: 25.3 percent

If you already did your math (trust me, standing on the scale I did it pretty quickly … and shouted the result out loud), then you will note that in one week I lost 3 pounds, and my body fat percentage went down .4 percent.

How, you ask? I did nothing to my diet; it’s healthy already. I simply started moving my body.

I have been taking a (very energetic) walk during my break from work. I stretch, bounce, shake, balance, tighten, and generally exert more energy through movement during the day. I took the stairs. I attended yoga and weight-lifting classes. …and I feel great!

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Sometimes, it’s not the worst thing in the world to stay home sick. Tea takes care of the sore throat. The humidifier is rehydrating my nose and eyes. A heating pad is easing my neck and back pain. And two adorably cuddly, so excited to have mommy home during the day, large kitties have managed to share my tiny lap to help keep me warm, loved, and sitting down (that’s Julius in a circular position, and Marshall holding onto my left arm).

And the vegetarian-appropriate fuzzy fleece blanket? That, of course, was my Halloween cape for my Geo Girl costume.

Guess who realizes that we (vegans) love their soy desserts and would truly appreciate some more dairy-free yogurt options? Turtle Mountain, that’s who!

The makers of delectable organic, soy, and sugar-free lines of desserts have now come out with five flavors of rich and creamy, vegan yogurt in their soy line - So Delicious.

With tastes of blueberry, raspberry, peach, cinnamon, and vanilla, So Delicious Dairy Free Yogurt brags:

# Dairy Free and Lactose Free
# Certified made with Organic Ingredients
# Excellent source of Vitamin B12 (vegetarian friendly)
# All natural, made with organic soy milk
# Formulated for maximum calcium absorption
# Contains Pre- and Probiotics for enhanced intestinal health
# Cholesterol Free
# No Trans Fats
# Certified Vegan

Be sure to check out the Web site for offers and fun that you will not want to miss! Get coupons. Fill out a survey and win a year’s supply of Turtle Mountain goodness. Join the Farm Sanctuary Kidz Club (okay, I’ve found something that I don’t like about the Sanctuary … they spell kids with a “z”).