People voted, and although it seems enough of us did not vote for Kristen Bell, two celebs have won PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian title for their first times. “Bleeding Love” singer Leona Lewis and Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis have won.
Congrats, Leona and Anthony. And Kristen and Milo … don’t worry. You two are the sexiest in my book!
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is often deemed one of the worst cases of animal cruelty by animal 
rights groups, especially PETA who has a Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign.
While most of the claims of inhumane treatment fall on deaf ears within KFC, the Canadians have listened and are ready to change!
After seven months of closed-door negotiations between Canada KFC and PETA - and don’t forget a letter from Ryan Gosling to Canada KFC - a new animal welfare plan has been set into motion.
Some of the details set forth include:
* Phase in purchases of its chickens from suppliers that use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) until 100 percent come from this method, considered the most humane.
* Have a vegan, faux-chicken item available.
* Improve its animal welfare criteria.
* Urge suppliers to adopt better practices.
* Form an animal welfare advisory panel to monitor the changes and recommend further advancements.
Even if I did live in Canada, I still wouldn’t eat the chicken. But being able to (occasionally) grab a vegan fast-food meal would be nice. Although … how much would you bet that they will fry the fake meat in the same oil as the real meat?
It’s that time of year again: it’s the time when we gather around PETA’s Web site to vote for the male and female Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity.
Over the past year, Carrie Underwood and Kevin Eubanks (Jay Leno’s sidekick) have served strong as the 2007 winners, but it’s time for them to defend their titles.
After being dethroned of her 2006 title, Kristen Bell was ridiculed on the set of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, where co-star Russell Brand steadily maintains his title as Britain’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity.
Kristen needs our help. Vote, vote, vote!
As with all years past, I voted for K.Bell along with Joaquin Phoe… oh, wait. What’s that? I didn’t vote for the same male that I always have in previous years?
This year I clicked next to Heroes hottie Milo Ventimiglia’s name. Because I love him, and I thought that it was only fair that he get some of my voting love, too.
Who will you vote for? Natalie Portman and Jared Leto? Hayden Panettiere and Noah Wyle? Alicia Silverstone and Tobey Maguire? Or … Kristen and Milo (both shown in pictures here)?!
After a weekend in New York City volunteering at the Farm Sanctuary Gala, I have lots to share.
Friday evening I got a chance to meet and eat with several Farm Sanctuary staff members. I had an amazing dinner out with the communications team at Caravan of Dreams, a phenomenal vegan, kosher, and raw food restaurant in the city.
Saturday night was the gala itself. Here’s what stick out in my mind about the event:
1. Zora Andrich, who is known for her appearance on the reality series Joe Millionaire and has since become a spokesperson for Slim-Fast, worked as a volunteer. With the number of people whispering about her presence, she easily could have made a red carpet appearance but chose to volunteer instead.
2. Bones star Emily Deschanel has a deeper voice in person, and is super mellow and friendly. 
She was one of the few top names in attendance that perused the silent auction section (where I was stationed). She bid on several fashion items including purses and clothing, winning a set of organic shirts. She also bid $3,000 at the live auction for an autographed, box set of Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, including a lunch with co-author Rory Freedman.
3. Speaking of author Rory Freedman … her outfit. Wow. Shown here, is Rory wearing an ’80s homecoming dress: silver metallic fabric, off the shoulders with a ruffle around the neckline, and gathered just below the buttocks.
4. Comedic actor Kevin Nealon bumped into me, as did Russell Simmons who was by far my favorite speaker of the evening. As he was introducing award-winning yogis, he brought up the Biblical subject of man having “dominion over animals.” I was in awe of his smooth voice, and eloquently delivered message that God asked us to take care of and look out for his creatures - not to torture, abuse, and control them.
5. Emcee Melissa Rivers and hostess Heather Mills pleasantly surprised me with their speaking skills, stage presence, and likability.
6. The Piraros made quiet a showing. Bizarro comic artist Dan donated two auction pieces, one was a hilarious restaurant scene: a hippie mom saying “Do you have to do that in public?” to a 
woman feeding her baby chicken breast meat. Dan also bid on several objects, including a statue title “Pig-Headed” which was a blind-folded person form the waist up, a pig on his head, and situated on a grill. Dan will swear to you that he has no idea who attempted to close this silent auction early, right after his bid. His wife Ashley Lou - who was one of the PETA members who showered in Times Square - showed up with pink hair. Love it!
7. House’s Lisa Edelstein was announced as Linda. Last year her last name was said wrong.
8. Susie Essman of Curb Your Enthusiasm looked nervous before going on stage to host the live auction. So I, not knowing who she was at the moment, chatted her up.
9. Hal Sparks was hard to recognize because he now has girl hair: long, luxurious locks.
10. True Whitaker, shown here arriving with her mom Keisha Whitaker, was dressed adorably. Yes it’s over the top, but chances are she felt like a princess.
11. One of the most popular silent auction items was an autographed, complete set of The Golden Girls, including a signed photo of Rue “Blanche” McClanahan. The many gorgeous paintings of farm animals were popular, too, as well as all the vegan handbags, wallets, and purses.
12. The ice sculpture was dropped. It shattered.
13. I spied one guest with a leather Louis Vuitton bag, and another one wearing Christian Louboutin leather shoes. Don’t think I didn’t notice.
And the most important … Kristen Bell couldn’t make it. I cried.
Stay tuned and find out about the goody bag contents, auction items, and donations (including one for $1 million!).
I’m all for people on both sides of an issue speaking their mind … but in a mature, respectable manner. This means to paint throwing, no name calling, and no childish language.
Animal rights, and PETA specifically, tend to get a lot of grief for their alleged immaturity. So today’s lesson is that neither side is innocent … or fully matured.
A press release from the Center for Consumer Freedom, a non-profit supposedly “devoted to promoting personal responsibility,” was just sent down the wire with this title:
“Foie Gras Prohibition Repealed! Consumers Win!”
Offenses made:
1. Media fails to be unbiased.
2. Improperly and incorrectly speaks on behalf “the masses.”
3. Lacks basic journalistic skill; does not follow writing guidelines.
Next, the opening sentence:
“Today in a stunning yet welcome reversal of an ordinance that had made the Windy City a national laughingstock … “
4. Name calling begins.
5. Immaturity enters the picture.
6. Continued proof of lack of professionalism.
Now they bring in an “expert”:
” … experiment with Prohibition was always bound to end like this … “
7. Comparing your situation to a historical hard time is always a dumb move.
8. Arrogance much?
9. It’s just a wordier version of the grade school kickball rave: “I’m gonna kick your butt!”
“… a Nanny State looking over the
shoulders … “
10. So laws and regulations are bad? Is this what you are telling me?
I could go on and on, but I’ll just allow you to take it from here. For a good laugh (and groan), visit their Web site - you’ll find smear releases about PETA, jeers at organizations trying to help with America’s obesity epidemic, and, of course, plenty of childish, unprofessional language.
If you would like to understand more about why people are against foie gras, read Farm Sanctuary’s opinion on Chicago specifically. Also find great information through the No Foie Gras campaign.
If Ryan Gosling has time to write a letter expressing his concern for animals, even while working abnormally long days on movie sets, then we should be able to find a few minutes to do the same.
Here’s a copy of the letter (click on it to see a readable size) and an excerpt of what the star from Lars and the Real Girl, Half Nelson, and *sigh* The Notebook had to say to John Bitove, Canada’s Kentucky Fried Chicken top dog.
The time is ripe to do the right thing. By adopting the basic recommendations made by PETA and scientific experts (including raising birds in a more natural manner and employing less cruel slaughter methods), you could dramatically improve the lives and deaths of chickens raised and killed for KFC Canada.
The letter was written by Ryan on behalf of PETA, which is why it is on PETA letterhead. The actor is originally from Canada, and wrote his country’s KFC executive to urge him to stop KFC suppliers’ worst abuses of chickens.
One of Ryan’s longtime passions has been educating the public on the issues of Darfur. He also has a rescued dog named “George.” 
Sigh. As if I needed any more reasons to be smitten with Noah, er, I mean Ryan.
To find a letter-writing campaign that fits your passion check out PETA’s Get Active Center, the Humane Society’s campaigns, or any favorite organization’s Web site. Many will also send you local contacts and concerns - such as proposed legislations - if you sign up for their e-mail alerts. Like Horton the elephant says: every voice counts!
At church yesterday, of all places, I overheard and joined in on two high school boys conversation:
Boy 1: The pigs don’t even get it the worse, though.
Boy 2: What are you, PETA all of a sudden?
Me: I am. I’m a PETA member.
Boy 2: Oh. I better not say anything else then. I shouldn’t offend anyone; I could, but I won’t.
Boy 1: Yea, well I first saw it on YouTube. And when he picked up that pig and slammed it into the ground, that was hilarious! haha.
I walked away.
To me, my Christianity and veganism go hand in hand. I do not believe that it is a sin to kill and eat animals; however, when the life and killing of these animals involves evil torture, and you knowingly eat this flesh …
I’m not the only one that feels this connection between religion and diet. Did you know that there is Christian Vegetarian Association? Check it out, especially the FAQ section that talks about how the Bible supports vegetarianism without saying extremists points of view, twisting the Bible to fit their needs.
…literally.
A Scent of Scandal is an L.A.-based, brother-and-sister venture that creates all-soy wax candles with pure cotton wicks, making them better for the environment and you than the average candle. They are vegan; they are cruelty-free, and they support great organizations like 
PETA, Sea Shepherd, Compassionate
Cooks, and Farm Sanctuary.
But A Scent of Scandal doesn’t just give a portion of their proceeds to such non-profits, they create “Candles for a Cause” - scents in their honor! The two “Candles for a Cause” that just hit the market are: “A Roll in the Hay,” a grass-scented candle in a tin donning Farm Sanctuary’s logo; and “Rock the Boat,” an ocean-scented one with Sea Shepherd’s logo on the tin. For $15 each, with 15 percent going to charity whose candle you buy, you’ll get 30-35 hours minimum of good vibes and scents.
And as for the scandalous name? Perhaps a few of the other candles’ names and scents will help you figure that one out … “D-Cups” smells like melons; “One Night Stand,” margaritas; “Teacher’s Pet,” apple; “Tighty Whities,” fresh laundry; and “Knocked Up,” baby powder.
Choosing soy candles with metal-free wicks such as the ones from A Scent of Scandal produces no CO2 and 90 percent less soot than traditional candles. Click on the picture here - the Candles for a Cause logo - to check them out on A Scent of Scandal’s Web site, where you can order a few candles for yourself, or bulk amounts at wholesale.
This is a photograph of the last moments of the life of Kentucy Derby second-place winner Eight Belles.
The young filly finished the race, despite being repeatedly, mercilessly whipped by her 20-year-old jockey Gabriel Saez. At the end, she appeared fine. Then, Saez galloped her out (a sort of cool down and celebration) for a quarter of mile.
She collapsed, having broken both front ankles.
Fighting, no doubt, to calm concern in the crowd, vets and officials rushed to Eight Belles’ side. And immediately euthanized her.
Saez won $400,000; Eight Belles was murdered in front of all the Kentucky Derby attendees - but, I guess if you are one to attend and bet on any animal sport, you are not one to be bothered by a needless killing of the animal. I mean, if you bet on her to win, she still finished and got you a decent return, right?
Of course every animal rights group is quickly throwing punches at the event, but PETA’s voice is strongest, making CNN headlines today for lobbying the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority for further investigation (i.e. Did Saez know the horse was injured?).
Naked, showering PETA members Chloe Jo (left - a Farm Sanctuary worker)
and Ashley Lou (right - not of Whoville, not related to Cindy Lou) bathed in Times Square today to make a statement:
U.N. scientists have determined that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, SUVs, trucks, and planes in the world combined. Researchers at the University of Chicago determined that switching to a vegan diet is more effective in countering global warming than switching from a standard car to a Toyota Prius.
“It’s impossible to ‘go green’ without going vegetarian,” says Berman. “Just by changing their diets, concerned people can help protect the Earth, their own health, and countless animals.”
In short, the meat industry wastes water and creates greenhouse gases.
The “Clean Your Conscience: Go Vegetarian” campaign (these are the words on the unseen side of the curtain) wants people to make a connection … Just one pound of consumer-ready meat is the equivalent in anti-green waste as more than one year of showers.
Ron Artest of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings is the latest (in a long, quickly growing line) to pose for a PETA ad. Here’s the photo, and you can check out more about the ABC (Animal Birth Control) campaign including an interview with Artest.
I’m not sure about the saying though; I think he just wanted to make a reference to the male anatomy.
Back in January porn king Ron Jeremy posed for a PETA ad about getting your pets fixed. Now, I don’t understand Ron Jeremy’s fame; I cannot think of a person that I would less enjoy watching do the horizontal mambo. But, alas, my post about his photo campaign has been one of my most-read ones to date.
It’s true: sex sells. And now Jenna Jameson is the one dishing it up for PETA’s benefit.
The famous porn vixen dressed as Bettie Page in a jet-black wig with bangs and a pleather bikini - which you can win along with her autograph - to prove that pleather is sexy.
At first I was disappointed with the lack of words included on her ad. Then I checked out her personal MySpace page. Jenna posted about this campaign, and was of course bombarded with nay-saying commenters. Here is a great quote that Miss Jameson wrote in response to these negative, angry PETA haters:
Actually, everything is open to interpretation. I believe in options, and there are a lot of options beyond leather or fur.
I love the idea of opening peoples mind to new options…
So relieve yourself of a bit of your hostility, and broaden your horizons..
Much love
jenna
Much love to you, too, Jenna!
Mr. Sir Beatle-man Paul McCartney posed for a new PETA ad campaign, but didn’t stop there. His photo advertisement is also helping to kick start a new promotional Web site - Veggie Testimonials - where surfers can easily peruse all celebrity PETA ads and testimonials.
On Sir McCartney’s picture ad, in the upper right-hand corner is an excellent, thought-provoking quote (albeit poorly worded) from the British, knighted musician:
“Many years ago, I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realized, ‘I am killing him - all for the passing pleasure it brings me.’ And something inside me clicked. I realized as I watched him fight for breath that his life was as important to him as mine is to me.”
“I Am Paul McCartney, and I Am a Vegetarian.”
This classic rock legend has been a longtime supporter of animal rights (and PETA), showing his beliefs in every way possible including writing song lyrics about animal testing.
Last year he designed the “Eat No Cow” tee shirt that he is shown wearing in the above campaign. Purchase one for yourself for $18 through PETA’s online catalog.
Visit YouTube to watch his “Nod Your Head” music video in which he wears the shirt.
Anything and everything that you've ever wanted to know about living a vegetarian lifestyle, from recipes and dietary concerns to animal rights and veganism ... and the occasional straightforward, factual post that may make you think like never before.
Living Without Meat Author(s)
» Sally-Andersen
