Living Without Meat

My revelation as to how many vegan, vegetarian, and animal-rights references are out there continues.

Joan of Arcadia, Amber Tamblyn’s hit CBS family drama from 2003 - 2005 where she played a high school student that begins seeing God in human forms, has been my Netflix choice of late. On the second disc of the first season, I found episode 14 - State of Grace - to have a humorous, brief mention of vegetarianism.

Joan is grocery shopping with her mother (played by Mary Steenburgen, who seduced Johnny Depp in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape). She approaches the meat counter, and soon realizes that the man slicing her deli selections is God.

Her reaction?

“Hmm … I’d always thought you’d be a vegetarian.”

Interestingly, Amber is a vegetarian in real life, but only since about 2005, after Joan of Arcadia ended. She admits that she loves the taste of cheese, and that this is the only thing keeping her from being completely vegan.

Giant food stores are really doing a fantastic job of providing consumers with organic, vegan, gluten-free, healthy … options.

Recently, I was tipped off by a friend to a good sale at Giant on frozen vegetarian meals. So I went. But I ended up finding an even better sale: all Boboli pizza crusts were two for $6. All of them. A pack of two minis, a regular crust, or even a whole wheat one which is usually $1.50 more than the plain version.

Here’s what I did with my find:

Vegan Whole Wheat Pizza

* Spread some canned tomato sauce on the crust. Add oregano, sea salt, pepper, and garlic to the sauce to make it taste more like pizza sauce.

* Sprinkle with vegan cheese. I used some soy, shredded mozzarella flavored, and slices of some local made cheddar-flavored, tofu-based cheese that comes in a cube.

* As the oven is pre-heating to about 400 degrees, I tossed the cheese-only pizza in to start warming up. On top of the stove, I sauted some onions, crumbled beef-style TVP, and small pieces of broccoli.

* Once the broccoli is cooked, spread the toppings on the pizza’s slightly warm cheese layer. Sprinkle with spices and herbs of choice, and cook for about 20 mins.

* Enjoy!

UPDATE: All Boboli crusts actually contain cheese already in them, making this pizza not vegan.

If you bit your nails in Mr. Schick’s metal shop class at North East Middle School he attempted to use the gross-out factor to break you of your habit.

“You know you are chewing crushed beetles right now. That’s what they make nail polish out of,” he would tell us impressionable ‘tweens.

Now the Museum of Science in Boston - with their Cosmetic Chemistry class - and the New York Times - who reported on it - are going with the same strategy.

Whale puke, skunk oil, pulverized fish scales, crushed bugs, and pig fat were some of the ingredients dissected from perfume, lipstick, lip gloss and other makeup products by the museum’s students.

Dr. Chi-Ting Huang, a museum volunteer, leads the class with a purpose of spiking these youths’ interests in chemistry and science. After discovering that cosmetics contain some weird, Fear Factor-ish by-products, Dr. Huang helps the participants create their own vegan lip gloss!

So it seems the tidbit of icky-ness that my former metal shop teacher stuck in my brain is true: chewing on painted nails could mean that you are chewing on crushed beetles. When the cochineal beetle is crushed, it creates a carmine red that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a color additive. But a point that Mr. Schick missed - these beetles are not only in your polish, but also lipstick, sports drinks, and other fake red products.

Good to note: animal testing is not the only reason to buy from vegan beauty product companies.

The wise and inspirational Maya Angelou turns 80 on April 4.

To honor her life and work achievements, here are some motivational and thought-provoking words of hers that can relate to animal rights:

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”

“We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.”

“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”

“The needs of society determine its ethics.”

“While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.”

“The honorary duty of a human being is to love.”

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

“When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that someone downstream whose face we will never know will benefit from our action, as we who are downstream from another will profit from that grantor’s gift”

It always seems to happen that once you are thinking or aware of something, it pops up everywhere. Whether this is a coincidence of timing or that you are noticing it now because it is on your mind, I can’t say. But vegetarian and vegan references are everywhere!

1. On the front page of today’s free newspaper the Metro, the “Did you know” section read: “Some lipsticks contain fish scales? The substance pearl essence is obtained primarily from herring and is a by-product of large-scale commercial fish processing. It’s used o give some beauty products their shimmer.”

2. I rented the cancelled FOX TV show Kitchen Confidential because it starred Bradley Cooper (yummy!). Turns out, on disc 1 of the first (and only) season, there was an episode about Bradley - who plays a head chef - dating a vegan, or “level five salary killer” as he first calls her.

3. Year of the Dog is Molly Shannon’s quirky new movie that Netflix recommended to me. It is promoted as a “canine-themed comedy” where Shannon’s secretary character’s “life takes a temporary nosedive when her beloved dog, Pencil, suddenly dies.” Apparently, from there she becomes engaged in the animal rights movement. Mom saw it already and says that it is a must watch; that I will relate to it fully!

4. Fashionista is not a vegan Web site, but recently posted a great read called Is Your Makeup Vegan?

5. The Bag Lady told readers about vegan designers Matt & Nat, displaying one of their latest chic purses available at Alternative Outfitters vegan boutique.

How about you? Do you bump into animal and vegetarian references in your life? Do they still catch you off guard? Do they still excite you?

Starting up hormone pills tends to make you have some pregnancy-like symptoms. As I have recently taken up the birth-control pill to help with clearing up my acne, I have been having some weird flavor cravings lately.

Here are two of my recent fake-pregnancy craving meal creations that were quite delicious:

Soy Sweet Potato and Squash

* Microwave a sweet potato by poking several fork holes in it and using the preset cook time for a potato (about 4 mins.).

* Saute onions in oil, add slices or bite-size pieces of yellow squash and zucchini. While cooking, add salt, garlic, pepper, and soy sauce.

* Put cooked potato on plate: mash it, cut it, smash it to bite-able pieces, adding margarine and brown sugar.

* Scoop squash around sweet potato, pour all soy-onion juicy goodness over everything.

* Taste. I added a touch more soy sauce at this point.

Faux Breakfast

* Saute onions in oil. Add diced potatoes (I used frozen, pre-cooked ones; you could microwave the tater a bit to reduce cooking time if you use a fresh one), vegan sausage stuff (I used Amy’s brand), and diced yellow squash and zucchini.

* Add salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, margarine, and syrup. Yup, syrup.

* Taste it … what works here is the contrast of the salt with the sweetness of the syrup. When mine was all cooked and ready to go, I sprinkled on some more sea salt and syrup.

What do you think? I told you I was weird!

Hope everybody had a fantastic Easter Sunday!

I rustled up my digital camera this weekend, charged up my batteries, and have taken photos of everything that I have been meaning to show people since about New Year’s. Since I was talking about animal-friendly spring crafts last week, I took pictures of some of my recent artistic creations.

First up, here is my new wreath on the front door to my apartment. I found the twisted-wood base at the Dollar Tree (they pretty much always have them there), wrapped fabric ribbon around it and tied a big bow at the end. I used a hot glue gun to help hold the silk daffodils, leaves, and baby’s breath in place. Everything was from the dollar store - even the glue gun; being frugal is fun, too!

I plan on making several small ones like this with my class this week to donate to a local long-term care facility (old people home). We have already made them gift baskets that included stationery, homemade cards, pens, stickers, etc. and they loved them!

The second photo is of decoupaged tiles that work well to double as coasters because I used Mod Podge which is waterproof when dry. I also put felt on the reverse side, so as not to scratch up the table. The collage is made up of a tissue paper background and a magazine picture in the center. From left to right: pansy flowers, a praying mantis, and a monarch.

Making things is fun; showing them off is just as rewarding! So thanks for checking out my crafty ventures!

Consider making something yourself. It’s relaxing, very zen. Plus, the end result can be a great source of pride. And if you feel that you don’t need more stuff lying around - donate what you make!

Delia’s and Living Without Meat proudly present your daily vegetarian-friendly tee shirt:

This is the second year now that I have had to decide whether or not to dye Easter eggs in the arts and crafts class that I teach at my community center.

Last year, I chose not to, but did not address the issue either. I did not mention why we were not coloring eggs. I did not really find another Easter craft to take its place either.

This year, however, we made lots of fun Easter and spring-themed crafts. Plus, I talked to everybody about why I am not comfortable dying eggs! They all listened, quite interested in what I had to say.

So if you are not comfortable with the facts of mass-produced eggs (i.e. if baby males hatch they are suffocated, ground alive, or otherwise disposed of since they are useless and it is considered more cost-effective just to get rid of them), and don’t have a local farmer to buy from, here are some great egg dying alternatives:

* Boo-Boo Bunny: I already gave all of mine away so I can’t show photos, but they work great in baskets or alone. Use permanent markers to draw whiskers, mouth, and nose, and in place of googly eyes for younger kids. An ice cube fits in the bunny’s belly area and it becomes an ice pack for boo-boos.

* Easter Cards: cut two identical, big ovals (eggs) out of construction paper. Leave one solid, and cut one in half with a zig-zag, cracked egg-looking line. Decorate the solid one with a greeting, a chick, etc. Then glue just the top and bottom edges of the split oval pieces to the solid one. The card opens like cracking an egg!

* Spring Animals from Jars. Plus, anything that you find on Summer’s site will be animal-friendly!

* Fill Easter Baskets: Make it a group event. Fill them to give to friends, each other, or to donate - women’s shelters and long term care facilities both love receiving this kind of thing!

* Pom-pom Friends: Glue felt feet and beaks, googly eyes, yarn hair, pipe cleaner arms, etc. onto pom-poms. Try making your own pom-poms, too!

* Two Words: Styrofoam Eggs

* Memory Game!!: This was my favorite game as a kid; I think I loved it because I could honestly beat adults. Why not make your own set of cards? Make spring and Easter drawings, then cover the backs with all the same paper, fabric, felt, foam, etc.

* Wreath: Picture to come of my new door decoration! Dollar Tree - and other stores - sells twisted, wooden, plain wreaths of varying sizes. You can also get faux flowers, fabric ribbon, plastic eggs, and more. Add some palm leaves or a cross. I change mine every season!

How much fun we are having today: it’s another guessing game!

Can you figure out what celebrity said this:

In America they are looking for the next president and I’ve listened to everybody and, nothing against them, but they are talking about jobs, houses, developments, money, money and more money and there is nothing about conservation. I haven’t heard anything about that. We really do need to start doing something - we can’t eat money in the long run.

Here’s a few hints…

It’s a she.

She’s on television regularly with her own TV show.

Her own organic clothing line will be coming out soon, from which all profits will benefit animal-friendly and green non-profit organizations.

…

Click below to find out the identity of this earth heroine.

(more…)

Of the three people (I can say people, not just men!) left in the running for U.S. president - Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama - which have “a desire to ban horse meat for consumption and prohibit their export for slaughter”?

Click the read more option below to find out!
(more…)

Today, March 20, is the official first day of the spring season, though by the cool wind that we have in Philly today you would never guess it.

Companies that serve up warm weather treats love to help you celebrate this momentous, annual change by giving you a free taste of their goods. Most notably of these, is the Rita’s Water Ice franchise.

So should you be heading to a Rita’s location near you today for your freebie cup of Rita’s flavored ice made with real fruit, here are the ones that are vegan, as determined by me by analyzing their online allergen report:

Vegan Rita’s Water Ice Flavors
(ices only, no cream ices are vegan unless specifically noted)

Banana
Blueberry
Cherry
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (**But NOT the cookie dough bits that can be added into Blendinis, etc.)
Chocolate
Citrus Blast
Lemon
Fudge Brownie
Grape
Green Apple
Key Lime
Kiwi Strawberry
Mango
Passion Fruit
Peach
Pina Colada
Raspberry
Raspberry Lemonade
Root Beer
Strawberry
Sugar-Free Cherry
Sugar-Free Pink Lemonade
Sugar-Free Root Beer
Sugar-Free Tangerine
Sweet Tea
Tangerine
Tropical Punch
Twisted Melon
Vanilla
Watermelon
Wild Berry
Wild Black Cherry

Also Coming in Animal Product-Free

Black Cherry Bits
Cake Cone
Chocolate Sprinkles
Crushed Cherries
Crushed Pineapple
Fudge Topping
Oreo Cookie Crumbles
Waffle Cone

*Please note that this does not mean that they are gluten-free. If you have an allergy, check out Rita’s Web site for more info. These listed also may or may not contain soy.

However, ALL Rita’s products for 2008 are completely devoid of: fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts.

P.S. These flavors will still be vegan tomorrow, next month, and through out the rest of the 2008 Rita’s season - during which I will be constantly enjoying them!

Enjoy!

Alanis Morissette would have a field day with this one.

I can just hear her writing a new verse for Ironic now…

Dr. scientist/
tested on a live monkey’s brain/
feeling just a bit guilty then/
he said “Let’s save them ‘fore they go extinct.”/

Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? A little too ironic, and yea I really do think …

Okay, so maybe that’s not completely fair. But here is the CNN headline that caught my eye last night:

“Scientists fight to save the last Java gibbons”

Normally we think of scientists connected to monkeys in a bad way, with machines hooked into the primates’ brains. This story lends hope that the scientific community does have a human side to it as well.

My attempt at being objective with all of this cannot go without pointing out a few key facts about this story:

1. These scientists spoken about are monkey doctors (primatologists).

2. In the article, they are fighting against poachers who kill the adults, then illegally import and sell the babies. Around 12,000 to 15,000 monkeys are imported into the U.S. annually for testing purposes.

3. Only about 4,000 Java gibbons remain.

4. Around 65-70,000 primates are used in labs each year in Europe and the U.S.

5. Macaques are the most common lab test monkey. Rhesus monkeys, cynomolgus monkeys, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, marmosets, baboons, chimpanzees, and spider monkeys are also used.

6. They are referred to as NHPs - Non-human primates.

7. Out of the 12.1 million animals used in European labs in 2005, primates were the least popular. Mice were the scientists’ favorites, and even dogs and cats (grouped together as “other mammals”) ranked higher.

Today’s facts are brought to you from Wikipedia’s entry on “Animal Testing.”

Maybe it’s because I see the potential for a great conversation starter. Or maybe I can blame it on my parents again (I mean, I did play with models of wombs - removable babies included - at the various stages of gestation as a child). But for some reason I can see past the morbid reality of Etsy artist Jellibat’s crocheted vivisection victim bunny rabbit and find it utterly, darkly, funny.

Unfortunately, the only posted “Test Bunny” is already sold. I have hopes for more to appear soon; however, until then browse her shop! She has plenty of monkey love, licking dogs, dust bunnies, two-faced lions, cats, bats, and “jelli things” dressed up like Marie Antoinette, burlesque dancers, and robots.

***In all seriousness though, this is only comical to me as a light-hearted step aside from the truth and harsh reality of the pain that these animals endure “in the name of science.” If you are not aware that vivisection - animal testing - occurs every day, every where, and effects every one, please educate yourself (it’s okay to click: this site is NOT gory! Hooray for being able to find the facts without seeing visual gore!).***

With opening weekend sales of $45.1 million ($10 of which is mine), the latest Dr. Seuss book turned into a movie is a quickly becoming a blockbuster hit!

Horton Hears a Who!, as originally penned by Seuss in 1954, already held several human rights and moral implications - as do many other of his stories. When turning the 70-page book into a screenplay, however, the movie’s writers really took these implications and ran with them.

The movie version of Horton Hears a Who! - featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell, and taglined “One Elephant One World One Story” - includes touches of human rights, mob mentality, helping one another, a higher power or being, intolerance of differences, and even has an emo/punk kid that is misunderstood by his father.

Of course, there are also plenty of animal rights issues that can be deduced from the story as well, though they are not the main focal point.

If you have a sensitive child, I would recommend screening the movie first or waiting for it to be released as a rental because there is a mean mother kangaroo and a scary vulture. Plus, the issues addressed will undoubtedly bring up a lot of questions that you may want to discuss as the movie runs.

I do highly recommend this movie!

Adults will love it; kids will love it. Men, women, boys, and girls will love it. People who want to think and have important issues brought to mind will love it.