Living Without Meat

I have been doing unusually well in the money department lately. I don’t make much (we’ll just say under $25,000), and I am not usually good at saving, but I have made an effort to be a conscious consumer. I have not been buying things unless they are something that I have thought long and hard about.

I am not buying new clothes - in fact, I got rid of a garbage bag full. I am not buying any more yarn until I attack some of the mass quantities already hoarded in my apartment. I contemplated buying a bread machine, but my mom had one in good shape in her closet! I received my stimulus check and deposited directly into my savings - not checking - account.

In my time wealth, I have made a point of sharing. I had not made a donation to Farm Sanctuary in awhile, so I sent them a small amount to help with the post-flood pig rescue. I gave an extra bit to Children International this month, as it is Mabelyn’s, my sponsor child, birthday. And I sent a check to the Humane Society (HSUS) for the first time because I love their envelopes!

When the HSUS sends a request for donation, they include with it an envelope for you to return your check in. On the outside of the blue envelope, is a blurb called “5 Ways to Help Farm Animals.” Being rich for the moment, I sent it back, check included, with hopes that a mailperson or two will read it.

Here’s what a HSUS return envelope says:

5 WAYS TO HELP ANIMALS

The Humane Society of the United States, in its constant battle to help farm animals, encourages all its members to take the following actions to help reduce their suffering.

1. Reducing our consumption of animal products makes a significant difference. If every American were to cut back on animal consumption by only 50%, approximately five billion animals each year would be spared a lifetime of suffering.

2. Refining our diets by choosing organic or cage- and crate-free animal products — instead of the conventional factory farm products that fill most supermarket shelves — will help animals and send a clear message that the most horrific cruelties are too tough for any compassionate consumer to swallow.

3. Replacing animal products with readily available vegetarian alternatives is a delicious and caring way to help animals.

4. Learning more about the meat, egg, and dairy industries and how our dietary choices can impact animals gives us the power to truly vote for compassion with our forks. Visit www.HumaneEating.org for more information.

5. Get involved with our many campaigns to help farm animals! Visit www.hsus.org/farm to find out how.

How about a positive note? I could use one today.

Farm Sanctuary, and others, have been institutional in creating change for the benefit of the animals. In the last week, there have two events that have had specific results that reflect some of their hard work and effort.

Since animal advocates spend so much time dealing with emotionally draining concerns, here’s a bit about these two victories to brighten your day:

1. On July 30, the New Jersey Supreme Court rejected the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s regulation that presumes all standard farming practices to be humane, based only on the fact they are common occurrences. The Court also rejected the practice of tail-docking cattle (cutting off their tale), and mutilating them without anesthesia. It was ruled that practices cannot be considered humane simply because they are widely used.

Farm Sanctuary, along with humane organizations, farmers, veterinarians, and environmental and consumer groups, and public-interest lawyers, brought this case before the Court. This case is sure to be a legal-precedent setter for the rest of the states!

2. Several animal rights organization learned that the Society of Gynecological Oncologists had a conference scheduled for today, August 7, where they would have a “pig lab,” hosted by the bio-medical company Covidien, where live pigs would be purposefully injured for demonstrations of electrosurgical tools. The Farm sent out notices asking people to call the Society and ask them to not proceed with the pig mutilations. Other organizations sent out similar messages, such as the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Yesterday, it was happily announced that the doctors had canceled the lab!

Good work, all: the animals thank you!

Imagine the surprise when a cat rescued from the streets of Voorhees, New Jersey weighed in at 44 pounds. After the cat, deemed “Princess Chunk” (later determined to be a prince), became a face in the media - which has grown to include appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly and Good Morning America - the former owner came forward. The older woman admitted to abandoning her cat, “Powder,” collar still on, when her house was foreclosed. Officials at the Camden County Animal Shelter rescued him, and have been fostering him in one volunteer’s home.

Now, here’s the really cool note that not all sources are mentioning: Powder-Chunk is not the largest cat on record; there was a 46+ pounder that lived in Australia in the ’80s and was recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records. However, there has been no records kept since then. Categories of world records related to large, weighty pets have been nixed by the Guiness Book because they feared that people would harm their animals in an effort to break the record.

Thanks for doing your part to stand up for the animals, Guiness Book!

The Camden shelter is receiving as many as 15 calls per hour asking to adopt this Prince of Powder, and they are looking for a safe and permanent home that will address his diet needs. But think of all the abandoned and street cats that aren’t fortunate enough to make media headlines. If you are interested in a new furry friend, please consider adopting from a shelter, or rescuing a stray yourself.

My two boys are healthy, happy 7-year-old twins that were found behind my apartment as weeks-old kittens without a mother. My sister rescued her two long-haired males from a local shelter. Healthy rescue-pet adoption is possible!

And to quote Bob Barker, “Have your pets spade or neutered!”

Curious about the truth behind common vegetarian and animal rights misconceptions and full out lies? Wondering how liberated free-range chickens are, and how cheerful happy cows are?

Enter the Humane Myth busters.

Humane Myth is a new animal advocacy group made up of “former farmers, animal rescuers, animal sanctuary founders, educators, and artists working to create a just and nonviolent future.” Their goal is to make sure you know the truth about the highly propagated “humane” meats. They seek to encourage “truth, transparency and integrity in animal advocacy.” They are the animal rights myth busters!

Check out the MythWatch section to see the insides of actual free-range chicken coops. Browse down the left side of the screen to find definitions and common misuses of terms including “humane slaughter” and “sustainable.” Learn about how the meat industry does effect your health, the environment, and wildlife. Watch slide shows, read farmers’ testimonies, and generally become a better informed consumer.

The hot topic of the moment in the realm of veganism is athletics. Every vegan bodybuilder, boxer, runner, and more is coming out to speak about they keep fit on a healthy, animal-free diet and lifestyle. The news coverage on these sporty men and women has been phenomenal! Here are some good ones to peruse for inspiration:

* On July 22, ESPN’s Page 2 featured Milwaukee Brewers’ Prince Fielder, Hall of Fame footballer Tony Gonzalez, fighter Mac Danzig, Minnesota Twins’ Pat Neshek, and marathon runner Scott Jurek in “Who says you have to eat meat to be a successful athlete?”

* We Like It Raw (as in a raw vegan diet) talked about Tim “the raw runner” VanOrden and his upcoming speaking events.

* The Vegan Soapbox had two good articles recently: One about being a vegan athlete in general titled “We Are All Guillermo Vargas.” The other highlighting Carl Lewis.

* In the June 12 issue of Aggressive Strength Magazine, article number six (you have to scroll down to it) was “UFC Fighter Mac Danzig’s Vegan Diet.”

* Not in the news, and not online, but in real life, I have been running into Jackie Amarosa, a vegan Philadelphia woman who runs marathons, races cars, and raises money for animals while doing so! Check out her First Giving fund-raiser page.

* For even more, check out Buzz Feed’s feature on vegan bodybuilding that includes links to six of the best articles and sites on the topic.

Now, aren’t you inspired to eat a fantastic vegan diet and exercise to your max potential?

The floods in the Midwest had many victims, but the ones that caught the world by surprise were the pigs of Iowa. Photos quickly spread of pigs swimming for their lives, only a hint of snout above water, amongst contaminated waters and fellow pigs that had not been so lucky.

A rescue mission was quickly put into place.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Humane Association, Farm Sanctuary, and Animal Rescue League of Boston quickly went to work, assessing the situation and pulling the pigs to safety.

A team of about 25 people tirelessly worked long days (16 to 18 hours per day) to save the 69 pigs that had swam to a nearby levee and survived. They were dehydrated, hungry, exhausted, and sunburned to the point that their skin was charred black. Some had pneumonia and injuries.

Some of the unlucky ones, that swam and fought for their lives, were shot by local law enforcement because they were seen as a threat to the levee. Their bodies were left, the situation regarded as “fixed.”

Two (of the rescued 69) were in such poor health that they needed to be put down. Three were in need of such extensive care that they were sent to Cornell University Hospital for Animals. The rest have found refuge at Farm Sanctuary, and are working toward a full recovery.

The needs do not end here, however. Several of the sows are pregnant. In fact, one gave birth while fighting for her own life and was able to keep her newborn piglets safe. The veterinarian bills are piling up. And, unfortunately, the number of pigs will prove to be too much for Farm Sanctuary to handle.

Here are the ways that you can help the Midwest flood pig rescue mission:

* All four above mentioned organizations have set up a “pig rescue” fund and are in need of donations to help absorb the cost of the mission and the aftercare. Every dollar will help; consider showing your support by giving to one of these great organizations.

* If you are a vegan home, that has the means and space to care for a rescued animal, consider adopting a pig or two by signing up for Farm Sanctuary’s Farm Animal Adoption Network by contacting: shelter@farmsanctuary.org, or 607-583-2225 ext. 223.

* Show support, keep informed, and learn more by visiting the 2008 Midwest Flood Pig Rescue blog. You have to visit this site to see the photos!

The first photo shown was taken by Molly of Best Friends, an organization that went to Iowa to work on rescuing the stranded pets. The second is an AP photo.

Protein will forever be a hot topic between meat eaters and veg*ns. When I first started Living Without Meat one year ago, in May 2007, I talked for a good number of days on the nutritional subject. I brought it up in my very first post - on May 17, 2007 - as I counted the most frequently asked questions that vegetarians encouter.

I then researched and wrote a two-part article all about proteins: What are They?, and How Much Do I Need? Still, I had even more to say. After analyzing my diet for two days (day one; day two), I finally pointed out that there is more to a healthy meal than just protein.

But out of all of these articles, I never once came up with the hilarity Vegan Soapbox did earlier this week in 10 Responses to “Where Do You Get Your Protein?” The list included the perfect mix of sarcastic and educated comebacks.

My favorites were: “The grocery store,” and “The same place you do. I get my protein from food.”

Now, go read the rest of the list oer at Vegan Soapbox!

In all that you choose to do (or not do) in life, it always helps to have a support community of like-minded people. I’ve been enjoying searching for new vegan blogs to read in my quest for such. One of my new favorites is Vegan Soapbox, and, thanks to the writers over there, I have a new list of ones to check out: VegNews magazine’s VegBloggy award winners.

* Abolitionist Approach
* An Animal Friendly Life
* BitterSweet
* The Conscious Kitchen
* FatFree Vegan Kitchen
* Hezbollah Tofu
* Let’s Get Sconed!
* Post Punk Kitchen
* Ramblings of a Vegan Man
* SuperVegan
* The Urban Housewife
* Veg Blog
* Vegan Dad
* VeganEtsy
* Vegan Talk
* Vegan Yum Yum
* Vegans of Color
* Vive le Vegan
* Walking the Vegan Line
* We Like it Raw
* What the Hell Does a Vegan Eat Anyway?

Check them out, let me know if you find any particularly interesting or fun … but do come back, ya hear?

Pick up the next issue of VegNews - the music issue - to read their review of each site.

With exotic health foods becoming trendy, I have noticed that I don’t know how to pronounce some of the things that I am eating. So I will use my ignorance and a bit of research to clarify a few pronunciations, and while I’m at it I’ll tell you what exactly they are.

* Açaí (assai) : a small, round, blackish-purple, palm fruit used with increasing frequency in juices and teas. This nutritionally packed fruit shows high concentrates of fiber, good fatty acids, phytosterol (a cholesterol reducer), protein, and antioxidants. (Shown in picture, click to check out a site all about the acai berry.)

* Cacao (kuh-kah-o, also kuh-key-o): a vegan’s delight! Cacao is the plant from which cocoa and chocolate come. When cacao is the ingredient, this means that you are getting pure, raw chocolate - no milk added (unless also listed as an ingredient).

* Goji berries: this one needs an explanation just for the name. Most cultures actually call this little red fruit a wolfberry. The origin, and thus pronunciation, of “goji” is uncertain. Possible connections would suggest gou-qi, but people probably won’t know what you mean unless you say go-gee.

* Quinoa (keen-wah): the part we eat are tiny seeds from this grain plant. It cooks up similar to rice or couscous, but with a chewier texture. Protein content is extremely high, and it contains a balanced set of essential amino acids which is rare for such a grain. It’s gluten-free and a good source of iron, fiber, magnesium, folate, and phosphorus.

France and Canada have a satirical TV show about a family of environmentalists called The Tofus. How have I missed this show and where can I catch episodes from the two seasons that it ran (2004-2006)?

The family of activists, made up of Mom, Pop, Chichi, Lola, Buba, and Curly the pet sheep, decide that urban life is not for them. They pack up and move to a farmhouse in the fictional town of Beauville.

It’s hard to tell without seeing the cartoon whether it’s offensive or not, but any show that touches on subject such as environmental organizations, animal rights, vegetarianism, green living, and pacifism is a step forward in my book.

The show, which has been translated into French, English, and Turkish, is no longer being produced, and does not seem to be on DVD yet.

The onset of summer seems to invoke in people a need to think about their pets’ needs more so than other times. Whether it’s the heat or vacations, I don’t know. But here are some odd and interesting pet-related stories, news, and products.

* Veterinarians have agreed: a pet’s biggest health threat is human error. With the launch of a new site - Remind My Pet - owners can now receive e-mail updates reminding them how and when to give their loved creature medicine. Register for free and ensure that you are providing healthy and safe care.

* Animal Keepsake Memorials has a new product to help you remember your four-legged family member forever: the Fur-Ever-Friends pet urn. For $65 you can get a triangular box. For an additional $125, you can order a personalized, engraved plaque with a photo on it. For about $20, you can buy a picture frame and make your own photo memorial.

* When Leona Hemsley passed away in March, she left $12 million to her dog Trouble. And almost nothing to her grandchildren. Now, a judge reversed Hemsley’s will on the grounds that she was not in sound mind when she created it. The ruling gave each of two grandkids $3 million, $4 million to charity, and the remaining $2 million to Trouble (and his caretaker who gets $60,000 a year).

* PetMD.org published a list of ten ways to keep your pets healthy during hot summer days. In short: provide lots of water; don’t leave them in a car; know that age and weight effect heat tolerance; don’t leave food out - it can grow bacteria; learn what’s toxic; put an ID tag on them; check for bugs; groom them; provide shade, especially for fish tanks; take walks in early morning or late evening.

* The Humane Society created a top ten list for best things to do outside with your dog. But it seems they forgot the best one … having your dog help you score a date.

* Pet Sitters International has declared Friday, June 20, to be Take Your Dog to Work Day. Supposedly it’s to celebrate canine companions and encourage others to adopt a dog, but I say it’s to give pet sitters the day off.

* The ASPCA is hosting the Adopt-a-Bull contest where humans can show off their recent pit bull adoptees. In celebration of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, there is also a cat photo contest.

“Emily Deschanel just came up to me and started talking about cheese!!!!” said a very excited friend to me while we were volunteering at the Farm Sanctuary Gala in May.

Apparently, Emily has a brand of vegan cheese that she highly recommends: Dr. Cow.

Dr. Cow makes natural, vegan, living products. The company sells two superbly yummy-sounding granolas online, as well as a sprouted nut blend, and an instant oatmeal-like product that has no oats! Instead, the Que!Meal is filled with quinoa, sprouted nuts and seeds, raisins, and more.

But the product that Emily was raving about - a completely raw, vegan, tree nut cheese - is only available in certain stores, none of which I’ve heard of, and all of which seem to be in NYC. However, they will do large shipments to other states, so request it at your local coop or other vegan food haven.

For now, I am thinking I may have to try both the Que!Meal and the two kinds of granola - cocoa bean and regular.

Stores that carry Dr. Cow’s Tree Nut Cheese are: Pure Juice & Take Awa, Westerly, Organic Avenue, Live Live, High Vibes in Manhattan, Marlow & Son’s, Park Slope Food Coop, and Pumpkin’s Organic Market in Brooklyn.

Oprah is wrapping up her first week eating only vegan food, and continuing to blog about her experiences. Here’s an interesting excerpt from her Friday entry:

“Tom [Cruise]’s chef prepared ribs and chicken for lunch. I had salad and corn on the cob with no butter and a kale salad, which was also offered. There were also home made chocolate brownies with marshmallow filling made by Tom’s mom, which I also turned down. I feel like I let Tom’s mom down …”

For some reason, I thought that Oprah would not experience the same things that average Jane vegans see everyday. Being Oprah, and having the world know that you are eating only vegan food for at least 21 days apparently doesn’t mean people won’t still offer you anything but.

You cannot tell me that Tom Cruise’s (I’m not on a first-name basis with him like Ms. Winfrey is) chef didn’t know. Furthermore, he served two meats? At one meal? That’s not a buffet, nor a large family dinner, nor a church gathering. Ribs and chicken for lunch?

What is wrong with people?

But it’s not just an odd meal because a vegan eater was present, it’s unhealthy regardless.

The New American Plate, a revised way to fill your plate by the American Institute for Cancer Research, suggests no more than one-fourth of your plate be filled with animal flesh. (The other three-quarters are recommended to be two servings of different vegetables, and one of a starch.)

If you were to put one small rack of ribs and one small chicken breast on a plate, one-half of your plate would easily be overcome with meat. People do not need this much protein, fat, cholesterol, blood, flesh, bones …

The snapshot shown here is of the New American Plate brochure; click on it to see a PDF version of the insides.

It’s World Vegetarian Week this week … and I have no clue what that means, who deemed it that, or whatnot. But, hey, Happy World Vegetarian Week!

To celebrate: eat vegetarian.

Other options include making other people eat vegetarian, wearing a sign that says “I’m a vegetarian,” singing “She’s a vegetarian … oh oh and she don’t eat meat” all day everyday, or signing other people up to receive free vegetarian starter kits in the mail (because I know that you already have all of them, right?).

Appreciate the vegetarians in your life and thank them on behalf of the animals!

UPDATE: Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) says this about the history:

“World Vegetarian Week was launched in 1992 by the Vegetarian Society as National Vegetarian Week in the UK. It has since caught on worldwide…”

And now you know.

It’s not just rare, it’s probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is currently up for discussion - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, or the $300 billion Farm Bill. It was passed in the House yesterday and received more than two-thirds pro votes, which is what they will need to maintain the bill if President Bush were to veto it.

Now, I’m not up on legal or farm speak, but both fashionistas and animal/vegan advocates are showng support for this act that sets to defend farmers and the environment.

For the fashion side: Women’s Wear Daily says that this “could potentially help retailers and apparel brands save millions of dollars.”

For the veggie side: There are food safety and labeling issues addressed, with country of origin becoming a mandatory label. Nutritional programs would get more funding and support. There would be tax deductions for farmers using renewable energy sources. There are positive implications for organic food, rural preservation, and general conservation of resources, too.

To read more, the House Committee on Agriculture has put together a one-page factsheet about the bill as a whole. Plus, there is a page dedicated to the bill where you can read a factsheet on each section, follow the legislative proceedings, and read statements from involved people.