“We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them -- exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport, exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals in the name of food.”
― César Chávez
UPDATE: Vegan Tattooing, Explained
As tattooing becomes ever more popular, the vegan community is becoming more and more aware that, as with many other aspects of lifestyle, some research needs to be done to ensure that choices are being made that are in line with vegan ethics. Not all tattoo artists or shops are "vegan-friendly", so we're reposting this article in the hopes that it makes finding the right artist for your next tattoo a little easier; it includes updates from the previous article we ran on vegan tattooing, as some items and products have changed - enjoy! - VPO
VEGAN TATTOOING, EXPLAINED by Ashley Thomas
"What makes a tattoo 'vegan'?"
I get asked this question a lot, by both my vegan and non-vegan clients, so i thought it would be a good idea to outline what goes into a vegan tattoo here, that way anyone could walk into a tattoo shop (click here to read the full article)
VEGAN TATTOOING, EXPLAINED by Ashley Thomas
"What makes a tattoo 'vegan'?"
I get asked this question a lot, by both my vegan and non-vegan clients, so i thought it would be a good idea to outline what goes into a vegan tattoo here, that way anyone could walk into a tattoo shop (click here to read the full article)
Banksy's "Siren Of The Lambs" Draws Attention To Animal Cruelty
These animals may not suffer, but their real-life counterparts do.
The underground UK graffiti artist known as "Banksy" unleashed his latest installation piece on the streets of NYC - literally. A slaughterhouse delivery truck filled with stuffed animals that squeak and squeal was driven around the Meat Packing District in an effort to draw attention to the suffering of animals at the hands of humans and the cruelty of slaughterhouses. Watch a video clip here.
3 Awesome Vegan Egg-Replacers
Picture yoinked from http://bit.ly/gNUCCl which also offers great info about flaxseeds.
Often times people run into the problem of making substitutions in the kitchen when using traditional recipes, especially when baking. Eggs often show up on the list and it seems to be a common misconception that without eggs, vegan goodies will come out dry and bland. So is a list of things you might not have thought about using as egg-replacer for your treats.
1. Flax Seeds - 1 egg = 1 tbs Ground Flax Seed / 3 tbs water
Using ground flaxseeds as an egg replacer is one of my current favorites. Not only does it offer a lot in regards to nutrition, it also gives a slight nutty taste which compliments many things, like dinner rolls, nicely.
2. Wheat Germ - 1 egg = 1 tbs Wheat Germ / 3 tbs water
Little known fact, wheat germ is the most vitamin- and mineral-rich part of the wheat kernel. This also makes for a great egg substitute. Like flax seed, it's also full of nutrients and offers a slight, but much more mild nutty taste (not noticeable in most recipes).
3. Chia Seeds - 1 egg = 1 tbs Chia Seed Meal / 3 tbs water
While Chia Seeds became very popular during the 80's and 90's and Chia pets, they have made a strong come back as a super food since it's rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. This make for a great egg replacer which many swear by. They are also surprisingly quick and easy to sprout, so if you ever feel so inclined, try throwing them in with some potting soil and grow some sprouts for your salad.
1. Flax Seeds - 1 egg = 1 tbs Ground Flax Seed / 3 tbs water
Using ground flaxseeds as an egg replacer is one of my current favorites. Not only does it offer a lot in regards to nutrition, it also gives a slight nutty taste which compliments many things, like dinner rolls, nicely.
2. Wheat Germ - 1 egg = 1 tbs Wheat Germ / 3 tbs water
Little known fact, wheat germ is the most vitamin- and mineral-rich part of the wheat kernel. This also makes for a great egg substitute. Like flax seed, it's also full of nutrients and offers a slight, but much more mild nutty taste (not noticeable in most recipes).
3. Chia Seeds - 1 egg = 1 tbs Chia Seed Meal / 3 tbs water
While Chia Seeds became very popular during the 80's and 90's and Chia pets, they have made a strong come back as a super food since it's rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. This make for a great egg replacer which many swear by. They are also surprisingly quick and easy to sprout, so if you ever feel so inclined, try throwing them in with some potting soil and grow some sprouts for your salad.
Vegan Gardening 101: Essentials For Any Size Vegan Garden
Photo credit: inmyveganlife.blogspot.com
Spring is right around the corner, and it's the perfect time to start planning (or growing, depending upon your climate) a vegetable garden. Even a small windowbox or potted garden will help cut down on grocery costs and provide you with some delicious foods, and can even add aesthetic beauty to your home and surroundings! Not to mention it's a fun project that can provide good bonding time for you and your family, and can even build bonds with neighbors as you share advice and tips. Just be sure that, from start to finish, everything that goes into your garden is vegan and environmentally responsible. Following some of the steps listed below will surely help you on your way to a successful (and delicious!) vegan garden:
STEP 1: LAYOUT
The first and most important step to creating your own little veggie paradise is to plan it out. You'll need to determine what is a realistic size for your setup in terms of manageability, and what spot will be ideal to create the conditions your selected plants require, and possibly how it could be arranged to be aesthetically pleasing as well. Check out this article on Tim's Square Foot Garden for some insightful tips on how to lay out your garden.
STEP 2: FERTILIZERS
It's not just what comes out of your garden that makes it vegan, it's also what goes into it. Fertilizer can be a helpful way to enrich soil, but most are riddled with chemicals or non-vegan ingredients, so it's important to do your research. This article on vegan-organic gardening offers information on the how-to and benefits of committing to chemical-free vegan fertilizers.
STEP 3: WHAT'S GOOD TO EAT?
You've planned it out and have the groundwork covered, now what to put in your garden? It's usually best to choose items that naturally grow in your climate, but if you're able to grow plants that you eat regularly but would normally take a lot of resources to import, learning to grow and harvest seeds from these plants may also be a good option. Gentleworld.org has a great blog with some handy advice on how to raise some standard and delicious veggies in your lil' green patch.
EDITOR'S NOTE: send us pics of your garden! Selected items will be featured in a future article. Please include first name, town, and state on all entries, and email them to [email protected]!
STEP 1: LAYOUT
The first and most important step to creating your own little veggie paradise is to plan it out. You'll need to determine what is a realistic size for your setup in terms of manageability, and what spot will be ideal to create the conditions your selected plants require, and possibly how it could be arranged to be aesthetically pleasing as well. Check out this article on Tim's Square Foot Garden for some insightful tips on how to lay out your garden.
STEP 2: FERTILIZERS
It's not just what comes out of your garden that makes it vegan, it's also what goes into it. Fertilizer can be a helpful way to enrich soil, but most are riddled with chemicals or non-vegan ingredients, so it's important to do your research. This article on vegan-organic gardening offers information on the how-to and benefits of committing to chemical-free vegan fertilizers.
STEP 3: WHAT'S GOOD TO EAT?
You've planned it out and have the groundwork covered, now what to put in your garden? It's usually best to choose items that naturally grow in your climate, but if you're able to grow plants that you eat regularly but would normally take a lot of resources to import, learning to grow and harvest seeds from these plants may also be a good option. Gentleworld.org has a great blog with some handy advice on how to raise some standard and delicious veggies in your lil' green patch.
EDITOR'S NOTE: send us pics of your garden! Selected items will be featured in a future article. Please include first name, town, and state on all entries, and email them to [email protected]!
Take The Vegan Thanksgiving Challenge!
This Thanksgiving, as friends and family gather together in celebration of the holidays, consider joining a cause that will bring you and yours closer together in the true spirit of compassion and thanks, and that may even teach you some new kitchen tips and tricks: take the Vegan Thanksgiving Challenge! There are many ways that you can go cruelty-free for this food-laden holiday; here are a couple of ideas for you to try:
1) Adopt A Turkey
Many animal sanctuary and rescue groups host vegan thanksgiving dinners on or close to the holiday, but you can also "adopt" a turkey by pledging sponsorship to the sanctuary. This is a great opportunity to get your whole family involved by either making a collective contribution, or pledging a donation in the family's name and then presenting the certificate on Thanksgiving. Taking a few moments to discuss this act of compassion with your family and frieds will surely help add to the feel-good holiday spirit.
2) Host An All-Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner
Even if your family does not want to sign up for the challenge directly, you can get active by offering to host thanksgiving at your place, and making all the staple dishes. Tofurkey, Gardein, and Field Roast are companies that all make delicious turkey alternatives, most are available at Whole Foods and other market stores, and they usually take far less time to cook. While hosting can be quite an undertaking, if you stick to making the basics you can get extended family involved by suggesting they make a side dish or dessert, and give them a list of vegan substitutions they can use in their cooking. This is a great way to get everyone involved in the cause, and to show them that you don't need to use animal products to have a great holiday meal.
3) Serve A Free Vegan Meal To Those In Need
There are a lot of local groups and soup kitchens in need of volunteers and food, and thanksgiving is an excellent time to get involved and give a good holiday experience to those in need. Your local Food Not Bombs chapter may be planning a holiday meal, or your town hall or local food pantry may be hosting an event. Making some cruelty-free food as a family and then taking it to one of these events is a great way to connect to others and to each other <3 -VPO
1) Adopt A Turkey
Many animal sanctuary and rescue groups host vegan thanksgiving dinners on or close to the holiday, but you can also "adopt" a turkey by pledging sponsorship to the sanctuary. This is a great opportunity to get your whole family involved by either making a collective contribution, or pledging a donation in the family's name and then presenting the certificate on Thanksgiving. Taking a few moments to discuss this act of compassion with your family and frieds will surely help add to the feel-good holiday spirit.
2) Host An All-Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner
Even if your family does not want to sign up for the challenge directly, you can get active by offering to host thanksgiving at your place, and making all the staple dishes. Tofurkey, Gardein, and Field Roast are companies that all make delicious turkey alternatives, most are available at Whole Foods and other market stores, and they usually take far less time to cook. While hosting can be quite an undertaking, if you stick to making the basics you can get extended family involved by suggesting they make a side dish or dessert, and give them a list of vegan substitutions they can use in their cooking. This is a great way to get everyone involved in the cause, and to show them that you don't need to use animal products to have a great holiday meal.
3) Serve A Free Vegan Meal To Those In Need
There are a lot of local groups and soup kitchens in need of volunteers and food, and thanksgiving is an excellent time to get involved and give a good holiday experience to those in need. Your local Food Not Bombs chapter may be planning a holiday meal, or your town hall or local food pantry may be hosting an event. Making some cruelty-free food as a family and then taking it to one of these events is a great way to connect to others and to each other <3 -VPO
How To Build A Local Vegan Community
Being vegan can sometimes seem lonely and isolating, especially at social functions. But don't fret, even if you are the lone vegan in your social circle, there are ways to reach out and meet other vegans and create a vegan scene - you can even create one that includes non-vegans (future vegans? ;)) Here are some tips on how to go about creating a strong local vegan community that will leave you feeling involved, active, connected, and like you made a difference:
1) Start a Vegan Meetup
No vegan meetups in your area you say? Great! This is your opportunity to be the leader of the pack! You can go to Meetup.Com and search for veg-friendly events, and if none fit the bill, start a group of your own. Coordinate with local vegan and veg-friendly businesses, chances are they will be more than happy to be a part of the action. Plan friendly, creative, and welcoming events, you know, the kind you wish were already happening! Some ideas are listed below.
2.) Organize a Fundraiser for an Animal Rescue
Here's a chance to do something really great that can get non-vegans involved too. Animal rescues are always in desperate need of funding, and will greatly appreciate the gesture. Ask around and see if friends or family are interested in helping, pick a suitable venue, and serve some vegan goodies, either for sale or as a complimentary treat. Make sure they taste great so people will really see how delicious vegan food can be :)
3.) Support Fellow Vegans!
Vegan clothing, vegan household cleaners, vegan cupcakes, and yes, even vegan bands and music! We all know how good it feels to be supported in our choice for a compassionate lifestyle, and showing your support for other vegans that make a point to spread the message is a great way to be a part of the global vegan community (and to share it with the rest of the world!). Anything that you can buy as a consumer, you can probably buy vegan, so the next time you skim the web for something you need or want, try typing the word "vegan" in front of it - you may find some wonderful things you never knew existed! Check out a show featuring a vegan band, go to a craft fair featuring vegan vendors, or check out a food demo featuring vegan food - you may just make some new and great connections!
4.) Stay Connected Online
The internet has done many wonderful things, and for vegans one of the best things is that it's made it so easy for us to connect on a global level. There are many great blogs (*ahem*, moment of modesty?), forums, photo journals, etc, all by, for and about vegans. It's a great opportunity to share your own vegan adventures online or get a peek at the experiences of others - and if you just happen to be the only vegan in a 500-mile radius, it's a great opportunity to get connected and not feel so alone. Reach out and get active! Sometimes all it takes is one person reaching out to start something truly amazing. - VPO
1) Start a Vegan Meetup
No vegan meetups in your area you say? Great! This is your opportunity to be the leader of the pack! You can go to Meetup.Com and search for veg-friendly events, and if none fit the bill, start a group of your own. Coordinate with local vegan and veg-friendly businesses, chances are they will be more than happy to be a part of the action. Plan friendly, creative, and welcoming events, you know, the kind you wish were already happening! Some ideas are listed below.
2.) Organize a Fundraiser for an Animal Rescue
Here's a chance to do something really great that can get non-vegans involved too. Animal rescues are always in desperate need of funding, and will greatly appreciate the gesture. Ask around and see if friends or family are interested in helping, pick a suitable venue, and serve some vegan goodies, either for sale or as a complimentary treat. Make sure they taste great so people will really see how delicious vegan food can be :)
3.) Support Fellow Vegans!
Vegan clothing, vegan household cleaners, vegan cupcakes, and yes, even vegan bands and music! We all know how good it feels to be supported in our choice for a compassionate lifestyle, and showing your support for other vegans that make a point to spread the message is a great way to be a part of the global vegan community (and to share it with the rest of the world!). Anything that you can buy as a consumer, you can probably buy vegan, so the next time you skim the web for something you need or want, try typing the word "vegan" in front of it - you may find some wonderful things you never knew existed! Check out a show featuring a vegan band, go to a craft fair featuring vegan vendors, or check out a food demo featuring vegan food - you may just make some new and great connections!
4.) Stay Connected Online
The internet has done many wonderful things, and for vegans one of the best things is that it's made it so easy for us to connect on a global level. There are many great blogs (*ahem*, moment of modesty?), forums, photo journals, etc, all by, for and about vegans. It's a great opportunity to share your own vegan adventures online or get a peek at the experiences of others - and if you just happen to be the only vegan in a 500-mile radius, it's a great opportunity to get connected and not feel so alone. Reach out and get active! Sometimes all it takes is one person reaching out to start something truly amazing. - VPO
First Annual Karuna For Animals Art Show & Auction
Join us Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 2:00 - 6:00PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Road, to celebrate our efforts to expand the circle of compassion to include animals of all species.
Spend the day enjoying live music, a silent art auction, delicious vegan finger food, a fantastic raffle giveaway, face painting (be sure to bring the kids!), and lots of good conversation and good company.
Admission to the event is free and all proceeds earned from your generous donations will benefit our education and advocacy efforts, as well as help us to reach our goal of opening a local rescue and rehabilitation center for any and all animals in need.
Additionally, a portion of the proceeds earned will be donated to the San Francisco based pit bull rescue and advocacy organization, BADRAP, whose mission is: Securing the future of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a cherished family companion.
BADRAP was formed in 1999 to tackle the difficult issues that had been bringing early death and suffering to San Francisco bay area pit bull type dogs. They soon developed into a nationally recognized resource for both dog guardians and shelters, offering desirable companions for adopters, training classes for guardians and presentations and professional consultations to animal welfare leaders around the country.
For more information about the event, or to donate a piece of your artwork for auction, please call 631-241-9925.
We truly hope to see you all there. Please do forward this invitation to your friends, families and colleagues. And if you can't make it to the show but would still like to donate, please do so either by sending a check payable to Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc., PO Box 1237, Huntington, NY 11743, or click Here to donate by credit card through PayPal.
Until then, enjoy your summer. And remember, peace and compassion for all living beings begins with you. (READ MORE)
Spend the day enjoying live music, a silent art auction, delicious vegan finger food, a fantastic raffle giveaway, face painting (be sure to bring the kids!), and lots of good conversation and good company.
Admission to the event is free and all proceeds earned from your generous donations will benefit our education and advocacy efforts, as well as help us to reach our goal of opening a local rescue and rehabilitation center for any and all animals in need.
Additionally, a portion of the proceeds earned will be donated to the San Francisco based pit bull rescue and advocacy organization, BADRAP, whose mission is: Securing the future of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a cherished family companion.
BADRAP was formed in 1999 to tackle the difficult issues that had been bringing early death and suffering to San Francisco bay area pit bull type dogs. They soon developed into a nationally recognized resource for both dog guardians and shelters, offering desirable companions for adopters, training classes for guardians and presentations and professional consultations to animal welfare leaders around the country.
For more information about the event, or to donate a piece of your artwork for auction, please call 631-241-9925.
We truly hope to see you all there. Please do forward this invitation to your friends, families and colleagues. And if you can't make it to the show but would still like to donate, please do so either by sending a check payable to Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc., PO Box 1237, Huntington, NY 11743, or click Here to donate by credit card through PayPal.
Until then, enjoy your summer. And remember, peace and compassion for all living beings begins with you. (READ MORE)
Amazing speech from Philip Wollen, Australian Philanthropist, Former VP of Citibank
USACE Employee Finds Vegan Diet Possible in Afganistan
Photo Credit: http://www.dvidshub.net
(via http://www.dvidshub.net)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important regardless of where you live, and for Cornelius Cheatham, an engineer at the Afghanistan Engineer District-South, eating well is not negotiable but wholly possible, even in Afghanistan.
A vegan for more than 11 years, Cheatham said that his diet was the result of an experiment. “I decided to detoxify my body for one week by not eating any meat, just vegetables,” he said. “After the week was up, I had unbelievable energy and my mood was even better.”
Cheatham continued the meatless diet with the intent of seeing how long the good feeling would last. “Needless to say, I haven’t stopped yet. As time progressed, I really started to study nutrition and the effects that food has on the body. What I found reassured me to continue my diet.”
Fresh fruit and vegetables from dining facilities on Kandahar Airfield supplement the mostly organic food Cheatham orders from the States. “It is sometimes a challenge to get the fresh ingredients I want, but usually I can make do with what is available,” he said.
Other South District employees noticed that Cheatham made his dinner almost daily and began asking questions. “I saw Cornelius cooking dinner frequently and one evening I asked him if I could join him,” said Ed Starnes the chief of the claims, terminations and disputes section at the district. “I discovered that he was cooking many of the things that I eat at home.”
After talking with Cheatham, Starnes decided to test a vegan diet for himself. “I was already on a weight loss regimen and I thought I could take it to the next level with Cornelius’ diet.”(Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/88013/usace-employee-finds-vegan-diet-possible-afghanistan#.T6fXR_Vv_QI#ixzz1uC2ld3US)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important regardless of where you live, and for Cornelius Cheatham, an engineer at the Afghanistan Engineer District-South, eating well is not negotiable but wholly possible, even in Afghanistan.
A vegan for more than 11 years, Cheatham said that his diet was the result of an experiment. “I decided to detoxify my body for one week by not eating any meat, just vegetables,” he said. “After the week was up, I had unbelievable energy and my mood was even better.”
Cheatham continued the meatless diet with the intent of seeing how long the good feeling would last. “Needless to say, I haven’t stopped yet. As time progressed, I really started to study nutrition and the effects that food has on the body. What I found reassured me to continue my diet.”
Fresh fruit and vegetables from dining facilities on Kandahar Airfield supplement the mostly organic food Cheatham orders from the States. “It is sometimes a challenge to get the fresh ingredients I want, but usually I can make do with what is available,” he said.
Other South District employees noticed that Cheatham made his dinner almost daily and began asking questions. “I saw Cornelius cooking dinner frequently and one evening I asked him if I could join him,” said Ed Starnes the chief of the claims, terminations and disputes section at the district. “I discovered that he was cooking many of the things that I eat at home.”
After talking with Cheatham, Starnes decided to test a vegan diet for himself. “I was already on a weight loss regimen and I thought I could take it to the next level with Cornelius’ diet.”(Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/88013/usace-employee-finds-vegan-diet-possible-afghanistan#.T6fXR_Vv_QI#ixzz1uC2ld3US)
Compassion Through Action: A Rescue's Mission
A Look Behind the Scene's at NYC's Empty Cages Collective
PAnimal exploitation happens every day. It takes many forms, from factory farming and laboratory testing, to animal trafficking, zoos, and circuses. Then there are those who abuse and neglect them. For many animals, the world of human desire means a life of mistreatment for them soley based on the social prejudice toward whatever form their body happens to take. This global problem is so vast and so largely ignored by so many, so to even begin to approach it can seem overwhelming to say the least. But there are those who dare. (READ MORE)
Animal Rights Activists Arrested for Boarding Ship
(source: abc.net.au)
Around a dozen activists boarded the ship, Al Shuwaikh, under the cover of darkness to film what they say is animal cruelty.
Three protesters were locked onto the ship while another two attached themselves to the front gate of the port.
The Police Tactical Response Group worked to detach the activists.
One of the protesters, Cameron Johnson, says they are calling for the live sheep export trade to be halted.
"The damage that's been done, the cruelty that's been perpetrated overseas starts here," he said.
"What we are trying to highlight and raise awareness about is that it's not just overseas that these animals are being mistreated, as is evidenced by the videos we're seeing coming out of the ports that they're destined to go to, it's actually the cruelty starting here in Australia.
"We're complicit in what's going on with these animals and we need to take greater responsibility for their welfare." (Read More)
Around a dozen activists boarded the ship, Al Shuwaikh, under the cover of darkness to film what they say is animal cruelty.
Three protesters were locked onto the ship while another two attached themselves to the front gate of the port.
The Police Tactical Response Group worked to detach the activists.
One of the protesters, Cameron Johnson, says they are calling for the live sheep export trade to be halted.
"The damage that's been done, the cruelty that's been perpetrated overseas starts here," he said.
"What we are trying to highlight and raise awareness about is that it's not just overseas that these animals are being mistreated, as is evidenced by the videos we're seeing coming out of the ports that they're destined to go to, it's actually the cruelty starting here in Australia.
"We're complicit in what's going on with these animals and we need to take greater responsibility for their welfare." (Read More)
Vegan Doughnuts Frying High
Photo by Dan Dunbar
A Winslow High grad mixes art and theatrics at a shop that earned a best-in-NYC ranking. By BEN McCANNA Morning Sentinel
A business grows in Brooklyn, one that partly sprouted from Winslow High School.
Dan Dunbar, class of 2002, is co-owner of Dun-Well Doughnuts in New York City. The shop – which combines a love of cooking, art and theatrics – was recently crowned by the New York Daily News as having the best doughnuts in the city.
But there's a twist: New York City's best doughnuts are also vegan.
"We serve the only vegan doughnut in New York City," said Dunbar, 28. "Our doughnuts have no cholesterol. We use all-natural ingredients that are organic and local whenever possible.
"We don't peddle our doughnuts as health food, but we are proud that we serve the healthiest doughnuts." (Read More)
A business grows in Brooklyn, one that partly sprouted from Winslow High School.
Dan Dunbar, class of 2002, is co-owner of Dun-Well Doughnuts in New York City. The shop – which combines a love of cooking, art and theatrics – was recently crowned by the New York Daily News as having the best doughnuts in the city.
But there's a twist: New York City's best doughnuts are also vegan.
"We serve the only vegan doughnut in New York City," said Dunbar, 28. "Our doughnuts have no cholesterol. We use all-natural ingredients that are organic and local whenever possible.
"We don't peddle our doughnuts as health food, but we are proud that we serve the healthiest doughnuts." (Read More)
In Britain, Animal Rights Are Winning Out Over Medical Research
Image linked to source
via heraldtribune.com:
LONDON — Medical research in the U.K. is being jeopardized by activists who have persuaded transport companies to stop importing mice, rats and rabbits for scientific experiments, a former British science minister says.
The boycott affects only a tiny proportion of laboratory animals, but scientists say these particular animals are the most important ones for their research.
Following campaigns by animal rights groups, several ferry companies and airlines, including British Airways, now refuse to carry mice, rats and rabbits destined for laboratories.
The Channel Tunnel, which links the U.K. to France, has long refused to allow any animals for medical research to be transported. (Read More)
LONDON — Medical research in the U.K. is being jeopardized by activists who have persuaded transport companies to stop importing mice, rats and rabbits for scientific experiments, a former British science minister says.
The boycott affects only a tiny proportion of laboratory animals, but scientists say these particular animals are the most important ones for their research.
Following campaigns by animal rights groups, several ferry companies and airlines, including British Airways, now refuse to carry mice, rats and rabbits destined for laboratories.
The Channel Tunnel, which links the U.K. to France, has long refused to allow any animals for medical research to be transported. (Read More)
Turkey's First Animal Rights Party Formed
(click link for source)
Turkey's first animal rights political party, the Animal Party, was established this week in an effort to bring the issue of the protection of animal's rights and welfare to the political table.
Speaking in an interview with the online news site Bianet last week, party member Neslihan Demir said the aim of the party was not just to promote love for animals but to remind those who view the world solely in terms of humans that we live together with animals and that they have rights, too.
Demir said that over the years many countries have taken steps to establish political parties to protect the welfare of animals and bring their rights onto the political agenda. “The Dutch political party ‘Party for the Animals' currently holds two seats in the Dutch parliament, but realistically we are not aiming to be represented in Parliament, however, we do hope to work together and have a say in the new constitution,” Demir said.
The Party for the Animals was established in Holland by Marianne Thieme in 2002 and currently holds two of the 150 seats in the country's House of Representatives and one of the 75 seats in the Senate. (Read More)
Turkey's first animal rights political party, the Animal Party, was established this week in an effort to bring the issue of the protection of animal's rights and welfare to the political table.
Speaking in an interview with the online news site Bianet last week, party member Neslihan Demir said the aim of the party was not just to promote love for animals but to remind those who view the world solely in terms of humans that we live together with animals and that they have rights, too.
Demir said that over the years many countries have taken steps to establish political parties to protect the welfare of animals and bring their rights onto the political agenda. “The Dutch political party ‘Party for the Animals' currently holds two seats in the Dutch parliament, but realistically we are not aiming to be represented in Parliament, however, we do hope to work together and have a say in the new constitution,” Demir said.
The Party for the Animals was established in Holland by Marianne Thieme in 2002 and currently holds two of the 150 seats in the country's House of Representatives and one of the 75 seats in the Senate. (Read More)
10 Questions To Ask When Ordering Vegetarian
(Reposted from earth911.com)
If you aren’t vegetarian or vegan (and sometimes even if you are), ordering a veg-based meal at a restaurant can be downright intimidating. If you order the wrong thing, you may end up sending your meal back and contributing to the 34 million tons of food that is wasted in the U.S. each year.
To make matters even tougher, animal products could be hiding in one of many nooks and crannies in your meal – from beef stock-based sauces to bread glazed with egg.
So, what’s a novice vegan to do? Don’t fret, hungry greenie. Earth911 has you covered. Whether you’ve recently adopted a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or you simply want to give it a try for a night, here are 10 questions to ask your server before choosing a veg-based meal. (Read More)
If you aren’t vegetarian or vegan (and sometimes even if you are), ordering a veg-based meal at a restaurant can be downright intimidating. If you order the wrong thing, you may end up sending your meal back and contributing to the 34 million tons of food that is wasted in the U.S. each year.
To make matters even tougher, animal products could be hiding in one of many nooks and crannies in your meal – from beef stock-based sauces to bread glazed with egg.
So, what’s a novice vegan to do? Don’t fret, hungry greenie. Earth911 has you covered. Whether you’ve recently adopted a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or you simply want to give it a try for a night, here are 10 questions to ask your server before choosing a veg-based meal. (Read More)
Ever Wonder How To Run Your Car on Water?
 http://hhogeneratorplans.org/
Years back I was introduced to the Joe Cell. It was a device that would allow you to bypass the combustion engine in your car and use the battery system to run your car on water, not by consuming it, but by using the water cell as a conduit to generate an energy source called Orgone. Had a few friends try it out with little sucess and the mythology surrounding the Joe Cell steered many people away from it and it drifted into memory. Fast forward five years and it seems to have resurfaced with a new (and more scientific) understanding as a Hydrogen Cell or HHO Generator. Watch the accompanying video to see this in action. It seems the most common usage is to increase your gas mileage though some people are claiming to bypass their fossil fuel system completely. Regardless, this technology should be considered and studied as the potential is strong for this one. Imagine using solar power to start your own hydrogen generator to power your house. Do your own home work on this one, it will be worth it.
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Humane Meat is the Solution to WHAT, Again?
Originally posted at One Green Planet by Nil Zacharias
Chances are, if you get into a conversation about the conditions in which animals are raised for food in the United States, you will hear the word “humane” sooner or later. This is true no matter whether a hunting enthusiast, conscientious omnivore or vegan is involved in the conversation. No one (well, unless they’re a sociopath) is going to openly declare that the animals we use and ultimately consume should not be treated better. This is primarily because there’s enough information now available about the terrible conditions in which animals live their short, miserable lives in factory farms. We’re moral beings and can’t possibly stand by and permit unnecessary cruelty to unfold before our eyes, so we buy humanely-raised animal products and we lobby for bigger cages, better slaughtering methods and a modicum of decency when it comes to the treatment and use of animals. But lets stop and think about what we are really changing.
The basic problem is this: food is a commodity and if animals are bred and raised for food, can we really blame factory farms for treating the animals in question as “things”? When meat and dairy industries look at animals, they’re thinking, “profit”; when people stare at a delicious looking burger topped with melted cheese, they’re thinking, “food.” Moreover, when people head to the nearest supermarket to buy meat and dairy, they’re generally thinking about quality and price, above anything else.
In recent years, however, there has been growing awareness about the devastating impact that factory farming is having on the environment, our health and the animals involved, which is leading people to buy products labeled “Cage-Free,” “Humanely-Raised,” “Certified-Humane,” “Animal-Compassionate,” “Free-Range,” etc., in hopes of making more compassionate choices. Let’s put aside the troubling questions regarding the true meaning of these labels and whether such products can be healthy, eco-friendly or sustainable. Now, imagine a world in which we all do our best to buy animal products from farms that treat their animals like pets (until of course, the day they’re slaughtered), and only frequent restaurants that support the same practices; what kind of change are we hoping to create? Are we trying to create a world in which our demand for humane meat turns all the factory farms into compassionate operations run by caring farmers (not corporations), where cows graze freely in idyllic green pastures and chickens and pigs get to have social lives? That’s a noble goal, but in a free market economy, can we realistically expect appreciation for animals to suddenly trump the industrial efficiency required to meet the demand of billions of hungry omnivores? Or will these new-age “compassionate farms” collectively scale production to compete with their big, bad industrial counterparts (the factory farms), who raise 99.9 percent of chickens for meat, 97 percent of laying hens, 99 percent of turkeys, 95 percent of pigs, and 78 percent of cattle currently sold? Most importantly, let’s assume the humane movement helps us achieve the Utopian vision of animal agribusiness, where the overall industry is well-regulated (including big, small, corporate and family-owned farms) and all farm animals have space to stretch their legs and wings, eat organic produce and are drug-free; will buying such “happy” meat and dairy somehow reduce the overall demand for animal products? You guessed it — highly unlikely.
However, there’s one thing we can be certain about — buying “humane” animal products will help us feel better about our choice to consume the animals we care about, while distracting us from the root of the problem (our gargantuan appetite for meat and dairy). In addition, buying humanely-raised animal products (even if it’s driven by the best intentions and as a solution for those of us who will never consider giving up meat/dairy), unwittingly encourages us to consume more animals with a lighter conscience.
No one can deny that it’s better to be less cruel in the ways we confine and kill animals (if we are going to kill and eat them anyway), but if we’re interested in long-term change, we can’t look at killing with kindness or gratitude as a solution in itself, when a huge part of the problem is over-consumption and the ubiquitous nature of animal products. Of course, it’s nobody’s business what someone chooses to buy or eat. Further, we cannot ignore socio-economic factors that influence people’s consumption choices in any discussion about what’s better for animals or the planet. The ability to make better choices obviously assumes that one has the privilege to choose in the first place. But if we want to spend our precious time, energy and dollars to help farm animals, the simplest thing one can do is realize that we don’t need to consume animal products to live healthy and happy lives.
Yes, animals are also incidentally killed in crop agriculture (due to machine tilling and harvesting). Yes, a plant-based diet does not guarantee that all our food choices will be sustainable or healthy (large-scale industrial monoculture and processed plant-based food are also problematic). Yes, sustainable and animal-free products could also involve the use of slave labor and terrible conditions for workers. We undoubtedly need to make all these connections, and that’s the true meaning of conscious consumption. However, none of the above justifies (or is reason enough to deny) the simple rule of demand and supply, which makes it clear that the conscious decision to consume animal products contributes to the demand for more animals to be bred and killed.
If we want to bring about true change, the most humane first step we can take is to choose plants and not animals when we eat.
Chances are, if you get into a conversation about the conditions in which animals are raised for food in the United States, you will hear the word “humane” sooner or later. This is true no matter whether a hunting enthusiast, conscientious omnivore or vegan is involved in the conversation. No one (well, unless they’re a sociopath) is going to openly declare that the animals we use and ultimately consume should not be treated better. This is primarily because there’s enough information now available about the terrible conditions in which animals live their short, miserable lives in factory farms. We’re moral beings and can’t possibly stand by and permit unnecessary cruelty to unfold before our eyes, so we buy humanely-raised animal products and we lobby for bigger cages, better slaughtering methods and a modicum of decency when it comes to the treatment and use of animals. But lets stop and think about what we are really changing.
The basic problem is this: food is a commodity and if animals are bred and raised for food, can we really blame factory farms for treating the animals in question as “things”? When meat and dairy industries look at animals, they’re thinking, “profit”; when people stare at a delicious looking burger topped with melted cheese, they’re thinking, “food.” Moreover, when people head to the nearest supermarket to buy meat and dairy, they’re generally thinking about quality and price, above anything else.
In recent years, however, there has been growing awareness about the devastating impact that factory farming is having on the environment, our health and the animals involved, which is leading people to buy products labeled “Cage-Free,” “Humanely-Raised,” “Certified-Humane,” “Animal-Compassionate,” “Free-Range,” etc., in hopes of making more compassionate choices. Let’s put aside the troubling questions regarding the true meaning of these labels and whether such products can be healthy, eco-friendly or sustainable. Now, imagine a world in which we all do our best to buy animal products from farms that treat their animals like pets (until of course, the day they’re slaughtered), and only frequent restaurants that support the same practices; what kind of change are we hoping to create? Are we trying to create a world in which our demand for humane meat turns all the factory farms into compassionate operations run by caring farmers (not corporations), where cows graze freely in idyllic green pastures and chickens and pigs get to have social lives? That’s a noble goal, but in a free market economy, can we realistically expect appreciation for animals to suddenly trump the industrial efficiency required to meet the demand of billions of hungry omnivores? Or will these new-age “compassionate farms” collectively scale production to compete with their big, bad industrial counterparts (the factory farms), who raise 99.9 percent of chickens for meat, 97 percent of laying hens, 99 percent of turkeys, 95 percent of pigs, and 78 percent of cattle currently sold? Most importantly, let’s assume the humane movement helps us achieve the Utopian vision of animal agribusiness, where the overall industry is well-regulated (including big, small, corporate and family-owned farms) and all farm animals have space to stretch their legs and wings, eat organic produce and are drug-free; will buying such “happy” meat and dairy somehow reduce the overall demand for animal products? You guessed it — highly unlikely.
However, there’s one thing we can be certain about — buying “humane” animal products will help us feel better about our choice to consume the animals we care about, while distracting us from the root of the problem (our gargantuan appetite for meat and dairy). In addition, buying humanely-raised animal products (even if it’s driven by the best intentions and as a solution for those of us who will never consider giving up meat/dairy), unwittingly encourages us to consume more animals with a lighter conscience.
No one can deny that it’s better to be less cruel in the ways we confine and kill animals (if we are going to kill and eat them anyway), but if we’re interested in long-term change, we can’t look at killing with kindness or gratitude as a solution in itself, when a huge part of the problem is over-consumption and the ubiquitous nature of animal products. Of course, it’s nobody’s business what someone chooses to buy or eat. Further, we cannot ignore socio-economic factors that influence people’s consumption choices in any discussion about what’s better for animals or the planet. The ability to make better choices obviously assumes that one has the privilege to choose in the first place. But if we want to spend our precious time, energy and dollars to help farm animals, the simplest thing one can do is realize that we don’t need to consume animal products to live healthy and happy lives.
Yes, animals are also incidentally killed in crop agriculture (due to machine tilling and harvesting). Yes, a plant-based diet does not guarantee that all our food choices will be sustainable or healthy (large-scale industrial monoculture and processed plant-based food are also problematic). Yes, sustainable and animal-free products could also involve the use of slave labor and terrible conditions for workers. We undoubtedly need to make all these connections, and that’s the true meaning of conscious consumption. However, none of the above justifies (or is reason enough to deny) the simple rule of demand and supply, which makes it clear that the conscious decision to consume animal products contributes to the demand for more animals to be bred and killed.
If we want to bring about true change, the most humane first step we can take is to choose plants and not animals when we eat.
Dead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again Carnivorism
Image: Kurt De Bruyn/Shutterstock.
Original post via The Atlantic/Marc Beckoff:
Dead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again CarnivorismDead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again CarnivorismPigs, chickens, and other animals raised for food are sentient beings with rich emotional lives. They feel everything from joy to grief.
"Eating Animals," by Nicolette Hahn Niman, a livestock rancher, with help from deer hunter Tovar Cerulli and butcher Joshua Applestone, caught my eye because, at first, I thought this essay was authored by Jonathan Safran Foer, who wrote a best-selling book with the same title. While Niman and her friends do rightly argue against consuming factory-farmed animals -- who live utterly horrible lives from the time that they're born to the time that they're transported to slaughterhouses and barbarically killed -- these three born-again carnivores, all former vegetarians or vegans, now proudly eat animals and think that it's just fine to do so. They gloss over the fact that even if the animals they eat are "humanely" raised and slaughtered, an arguable claim, they're still taking a life. These animals are merely a means to an end: a tasty meal.(Read More)
Dead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again CarnivorismDead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again CarnivorismPigs, chickens, and other animals raised for food are sentient beings with rich emotional lives. They feel everything from joy to grief.
"Eating Animals," by Nicolette Hahn Niman, a livestock rancher, with help from deer hunter Tovar Cerulli and butcher Joshua Applestone, caught my eye because, at first, I thought this essay was authored by Jonathan Safran Foer, who wrote a best-selling book with the same title. While Niman and her friends do rightly argue against consuming factory-farmed animals -- who live utterly horrible lives from the time that they're born to the time that they're transported to slaughterhouses and barbarically killed -- these three born-again carnivores, all former vegetarians or vegans, now proudly eat animals and think that it's just fine to do so. They gloss over the fact that even if the animals they eat are "humanely" raised and slaughtered, an arguable claim, they're still taking a life. These animals are merely a means to an end: a tasty meal.(Read More)
No More Fair Trials
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Time To Take The Power Back!
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In The Spotlight: Compassion Couture
Compassion Couture combines must-have and cruelty-free
You know that feeling you get when you walk into an all-vegan restaurant? Whether you're taking a look at the menu, browsing the dessert display, or placing an order; if you're vegan, each step in the process is often accompanied by an unspoken sigh of relief - FINALLY, a place where I don't have to ask "is this vegan?"!
Imagine that same feeling when shopping for designer shoes, high-end handbags, and other fashion-forward treasures, and you've now entered the world of Compassion Couture. The animal-loving folks behind this stroke of genius known as a cruelty-free and eco-friendly e-boutique, have opened their e-doors with dazzling works of wearable art that prove you don't have to sacrifice style for environmental savvy, or give up fashion for a look that leaves animal hides where they belong: on animals. Read our exclusive interview with the ladies in charge at Compassion Couture in our writings section ...
Imagine that same feeling when shopping for designer shoes, high-end handbags, and other fashion-forward treasures, and you've now entered the world of Compassion Couture. The animal-loving folks behind this stroke of genius known as a cruelty-free and eco-friendly e-boutique, have opened their e-doors with dazzling works of wearable art that prove you don't have to sacrifice style for environmental savvy, or give up fashion for a look that leaves animal hides where they belong: on animals. Read our exclusive interview with the ladies in charge at Compassion Couture in our writings section ...
Attention VegPress Readers!
A special coupon for Compassion Couture is now available to you through December 13th!
Use code "Vegpress" and receive 20% off your purchase!
Quorn Launches First Vegan Product
It's about time. It's unfortunate that it's taken so long, but it's great to see they are finally coming around. I've never really understood how a vegetarian company could go so long without making at least one vegan product. The real story here is, however, the reasoning behind why they decided to make the switch and the other changes that are going on within the company.
Here is an excerpt from the story:
"Touted as the world's number one brand of vegetarian meat alternatives, Quorn, a UK-based food company specializing in best-selling meatless meals--all of which, until now, contain eggs--just introduced its first-ever all vegan product, which is now available exclusively in the U.S.
This compassionate and socially-responsible decision was made after working closely with Compassion Over Killing, a DC-based animal protection organization that reached out to Quorn about reducing its use of eggs as an important step in preventing cruelty to laying hens and to meet the increasing demand for vegan options.
"The team at Quorn Foods in cooperation with Compassion Over Killing is delighted with the results of the work to reduce egg use in our product range, " says David Wilson, Quorn's General Manager. "In addition to using 3 million fewer eggs a year, the new launch of the Quorn 'egg-free' vegan burger has been a huge success with our customers." " (read more)
Here is an excerpt from the story:
"Touted as the world's number one brand of vegetarian meat alternatives, Quorn, a UK-based food company specializing in best-selling meatless meals--all of which, until now, contain eggs--just introduced its first-ever all vegan product, which is now available exclusively in the U.S.
This compassionate and socially-responsible decision was made after working closely with Compassion Over Killing, a DC-based animal protection organization that reached out to Quorn about reducing its use of eggs as an important step in preventing cruelty to laying hens and to meet the increasing demand for vegan options.
"The team at Quorn Foods in cooperation with Compassion Over Killing is delighted with the results of the work to reduce egg use in our product range, " says David Wilson, Quorn's General Manager. "In addition to using 3 million fewer eggs a year, the new launch of the Quorn 'egg-free' vegan burger has been a huge success with our customers." " (read more)
Shut Down Wall Street on the Water Front
(Excerpt from westcoastportshutdown.org)
The nationally coordinated, brutal police attacks on the Occupy Movement were supported by the 1%, and now we will strike back with our own coordinated attack on the 1% - a West Coast Port blockade and shutdown on December 12th in order to economically disrupt “wall street on the waterfront.” (Read More) |
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Thrive Documentary. Check it out!
Watched this documentary the other day and it has some very insightful and powerful ideas. A must watch!
Here is a synopsis from the www.thrivemovement.com website: THRIVE is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what's REALLY going on in our world by following the money upstream -- uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, THRIVE offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future. |
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Talking Turkey: 9 out of 10 retail turkey samples
contaminated with fecal bacteria
via NutritionFacts.Org:
Ben Franklin’s tree-perching “Bird of Courage” has been transformed into a flightless butterball so top-heavy they are physically incapable of mating (necessitating artificial insemination). Turkeys are bred to grow so fast, a group of veterinary researchers concluded, “they are on the verge of structural collapse.” Click here for the full article...
contaminated with fecal bacteria
via NutritionFacts.Org:
Ben Franklin’s tree-perching “Bird of Courage” has been transformed into a flightless butterball so top-heavy they are physically incapable of mating (necessitating artificial insemination). Turkeys are bred to grow so fast, a group of veterinary researchers concluded, “they are on the verge of structural collapse.” Click here for the full article...
Watch The Revolution Live
There are at least several places where you can watch the Occupy Wall Street protests unfold. Uncensored live feed can be seen on the following websites:
1. Truthout - watch it here: http://www.truth-out.org/occupy-wall-street-protest-live-blog/1321489581
2. Livestream - watch it here: http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution
3. Ustream - watch it here: http://www.ustream.tv/theother99
Mic-Check! Mic-Check!
"Mic-check", the tactic being used at the Occupy Wall Street and related camps across the country, is what they call the method of communicating to a crowd without amplification. One person shouts out "Mic-check" and those around know to repeat each statement, hopefully projecting the information all around, so that everyone understands what is being said. Bullhorns and other amplified sound requires a hard-to-get permit. It seems as though this was a blessing in disguise, as the "Mic-check" has proved to be so much more powerful, leaving those in participation with a sense of solidarity which would have been lost in an otherwise less personal approach. Bring it to your town! Here are some instances when it was used.
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Taking the Next Step:
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Vegan Halloween Makeup: Compassion Meets Creepy!
Halloween makeup by Pink Quartz Minerals
Halloween is a week away, and even if you stiiiiiill haven't decided juuuust quite yet what you want to be, you at least know you want the only thing you want to be scary is your costume, not the ingredients used to make it. With all the makeup that's out there, it can be a little overwhelming and difficult to try to find a brand that's 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Here are a few companies that offer vegan makeup products for you to get your spook on with:
1. E.L.F. (Eyes Lips Face)
Not only are these products vegan (except for a small selection of products that are noted by the company on their web page and in the ingredients list), but they are also one of the cheapest brands of makeup on the market. A clever mixing and matching of color shades and hues and a couple of YouTube tutorials will have you using this makeup line to zombify your face in no time flat.
2. Wee Can Too
Developed as a line of art supplies for children, these paint are not only vegan and organic - they're edible! Use the finger paint on your little one's face and then save the remaining supplies for a rainy day art family art project <3
3. Pink Quartz Minerals
These guys have a whole slew of amazing products, but what makes them a great choice is that they actually have a Zombie Makeup Kit! All of their products are vegan and the ingredients list is short (all minerals). Is the idea of a zombie too scary? Check out their mermaid makeup and other kits instead!
4. Manic Panic
Ah, with such fondness we remember the '90's, with our rebellious purple hair and grunge music. Manic Panic has been a trusted name in vegan cosmetics since it was cool to wear those big silver ball chain necklaces - but behold! They go beyond that favorite shade of hairdye you used to rock (and may want to bring back) to a wide range of makeup and beauty products and kits. Their Goth White makeup is a great foundation for any ghoulish creature!
Have a suggestion or a review? Feel free to Contact Us!
1. E.L.F. (Eyes Lips Face)
Not only are these products vegan (except for a small selection of products that are noted by the company on their web page and in the ingredients list), but they are also one of the cheapest brands of makeup on the market. A clever mixing and matching of color shades and hues and a couple of YouTube tutorials will have you using this makeup line to zombify your face in no time flat.
2. Wee Can Too
Developed as a line of art supplies for children, these paint are not only vegan and organic - they're edible! Use the finger paint on your little one's face and then save the remaining supplies for a rainy day art family art project <3
3. Pink Quartz Minerals
These guys have a whole slew of amazing products, but what makes them a great choice is that they actually have a Zombie Makeup Kit! All of their products are vegan and the ingredients list is short (all minerals). Is the idea of a zombie too scary? Check out their mermaid makeup and other kits instead!
4. Manic Panic
Ah, with such fondness we remember the '90's, with our rebellious purple hair and grunge music. Manic Panic has been a trusted name in vegan cosmetics since it was cool to wear those big silver ball chain necklaces - but behold! They go beyond that favorite shade of hairdye you used to rock (and may want to bring back) to a wide range of makeup and beauty products and kits. Their Goth White makeup is a great foundation for any ghoulish creature!
Have a suggestion or a review? Feel free to Contact Us!
EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION:
EMERGENCY #OWS EVICTION DEFENSE:
Prevent the forcible closure of Occupy Wall Street Tell Bloomberg: Don't Foreclose the Occupation. NEED MASS TURN-OUT, SHOW UP NO LATER THAN 6 A.M. This is an emergency situation. Please take a minute to read this, and please take action and spread the word far and wide. (READ MORE) |
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Occupy Wall Street 10/05/11
An updated from Occupy Wall Street. The movement joined with Unions and activists from across the spectrum today and exceeded 50,000 people.
This movement is growing. Get out and get involved. There are few moments in life when the momentum is on your side in such a way. Seize the day! |
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Occupy Wall Street Gains Momentum, 500 Protesters Arrested; Will Wall Street Flinch? A Report From The Front Lines.
We were at Liberty Square the first Sunday that protests were underway, making our way through Southport t
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The Revolution Begins at Home: A Clarion Call to Join the Wall Street Protests
(From alternet.org)
What is occurring on Wall Street right now is truly remarkable. For over 10 days, in the sanctum of the great cathedral of global capitalism, the dispossessed have liberated territory from the financial overlords and their police army. They have created a unique opportunity to shift the tides of history in the tradition of other great peaceful occupations, from the sit-down strikes of the 1930s to the lunch-counter sit-ins of the 1960s to the democratic uprisings across the Arab world and Europe today. While the Wall Street occupation is growing, it needs an all-out commitment from everyone who cheered the Egyptians in Tahrir Square, said "We are all Wisconsin," and stood in solidarity with the Greeks and the Spaniards. This is a movement for anyone who lacks a job, housing or health care, or thinks they have no future. Our system is broken at every level. More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million Americans are mired in poverty, using realistic measures. Yet the fat cats continue to get tax breaks and reap billions while politicians compete to turn the austerity screws on all of us. (READ MORE) |
Think Politics As Usual Are Working?
Think again - watch this video and consider the source. We'd expect to hear this sort of rhetoric from a leftist aging liberal or a progressive pundit. However, to hear such a speech from an independant trader, and to have him openly admit that he (and alledgedly his colleagues) have been "dreaming of a recession" and that "Goldman Sachs rules the world" is not only disheartening (although we must admit we here at VPO have been of the opinion that corporations and banks have been running the government for a long time now), but it makes clear that the urgency of the call to action has never been greater than it is right now. When trade insiders openly admit, unapologetically even, that the market is ready to collapse and that we should "be prepared", then it becomes abundantly clear that there is something catastrophically wrong and alarm bells should be going off. It is time to stand up and demand change. Get your voice heard in New York where people are there protesting this bank-run government right now in your name - lend your support to the protests any way you can and let the government know this is unacceptable; every action makes a difference.
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World Vegan Day 2011: From Liberty to New Hope
New Vegan Age celebrates World Vegan Day with 3-day walk to raise awareness of Farm Sanctuary's critical mission
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) September 20, 2011
Philadelphia's Liberty Bell hangs near Independence Hall as a treasured symbol of freedom. Thirty miles up the Delaware River, a popular tourist destination's name embodies aspiration and promise.
To celebrate World Vegan Day this November 1st, New Vegan Age moderator Tom Epler is walking between the two to celebrate vegans' hope for the day when all farm, companion, and wild animals can lead lives free of confinement, cruelty, and unnecessary killing.
"Sixty years ago, Vegan Society vice-president Leslie Cross wrote that veganism is a principle that is not so much about 'welfare' of animals as of 'liberation,'" says Epler, 38, moderator of the New Vegan Age blog. "The liberty of animals—to lead lives free from abuse, confinement, and slaughter—is the beating heart of veganism. Many people already agree that there's just no difference between farm animals and our beloved family pets, and more and more people are making this important, life-changing connection." (READ MORE)
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) September 20, 2011
Philadelphia's Liberty Bell hangs near Independence Hall as a treasured symbol of freedom. Thirty miles up the Delaware River, a popular tourist destination's name embodies aspiration and promise.
To celebrate World Vegan Day this November 1st, New Vegan Age moderator Tom Epler is walking between the two to celebrate vegans' hope for the day when all farm, companion, and wild animals can lead lives free of confinement, cruelty, and unnecessary killing.
"Sixty years ago, Vegan Society vice-president Leslie Cross wrote that veganism is a principle that is not so much about 'welfare' of animals as of 'liberation,'" says Epler, 38, moderator of the New Vegan Age blog. "The liberty of animals—to lead lives free from abuse, confinement, and slaughter—is the beating heart of veganism. Many people already agree that there's just no difference between farm animals and our beloved family pets, and more and more people are making this important, life-changing connection." (READ MORE)
What do YOU think?: Murder Charges Upheld For Vegan Couple In Death Of Infant
The couple, accused of murder, await the verdict
via msn.com: The court in the US has upheld the murder convictions against a vegan Atlanta couple who let their six-week old baby starve to death, raising him on a diet of apple juice and soy milk.
Jade Sanders and Lamont Thomas, both in their twenties, took their baby Crown Shakur, who weighed just 1.6kg, to Piedmont Hospital on April 24, 2005, after he began to have trouble breathing.
Doctors could not resuscitate the baby and found he died because of extreme starvation.
Police found a soy milk carton, an apple juice bottle and a filthy baby bottle in the couple's apartment.
At the 2007 trial, prosecutors said the soy milk cartons in the couple's apartment clearly stated on the packaging that it was not to be used as a substitute for baby formula.
(Read more on msn.com)
Jade Sanders and Lamont Thomas, both in their twenties, took their baby Crown Shakur, who weighed just 1.6kg, to Piedmont Hospital on April 24, 2005, after he began to have trouble breathing.
Doctors could not resuscitate the baby and found he died because of extreme starvation.
Police found a soy milk carton, an apple juice bottle and a filthy baby bottle in the couple's apartment.
At the 2007 trial, prosecutors said the soy milk cartons in the couple's apartment clearly stated on the packaging that it was not to be used as a substitute for baby formula.
(Read more on msn.com)
"Rise Of Planet Of The Apes" Has Audiences Going Ape,
Provides Unique Animal-Rights Perspective
If you haven't made it out to the theaters to see it yet, do yourself a favor and head out to the local cinema for what Rotten Tomatoes has given a 5-star rating, and in this movie critic's opinion, rightly so; "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" , in theaters now, is not only a visual treat of special effects that can be enjoyed by both vegans and non-vegans alike, but it sends a unique animal-rights message that is somewhat lacking in most mainstream cinema flicks.
Set as a remake/prequel of sorts to the original collection of Planet of the Apes movies, ROTPOTA is set in modern-day times and tells the story of a scientist whose research, motivated by his father's alzheimers affliction, leads him to discover a "wonder drug" that can potentially cure dimentia and other various ailments, illnesses and disease. But the research comes at the expense of laboratory apes, whose welfare is viewed as secondary to the importance of the data collected as a result of experimentation. These two conflicting views find a crossroads when the scientist, played by James Franco, must take a newborn lab ape home with him after the infant ape's mother is accidentally killed. The story takes off from there to explore and expose how the popular view of test animals as commodity is apathetic to the suffering it enduces. With more than enough action and storyline in between to keep audiences glued to the screen, ROTPOTA provides something for everyone, and a message that both vegans and non-vegans alike can appreciate; so get on outta your seat and go see it already - or go take a friend and see it again! (for a complete review, check out rottentomatoes.com)- VPO
Set as a remake/prequel of sorts to the original collection of Planet of the Apes movies, ROTPOTA is set in modern-day times and tells the story of a scientist whose research, motivated by his father's alzheimers affliction, leads him to discover a "wonder drug" that can potentially cure dimentia and other various ailments, illnesses and disease. But the research comes at the expense of laboratory apes, whose welfare is viewed as secondary to the importance of the data collected as a result of experimentation. These two conflicting views find a crossroads when the scientist, played by James Franco, must take a newborn lab ape home with him after the infant ape's mother is accidentally killed. The story takes off from there to explore and expose how the popular view of test animals as commodity is apathetic to the suffering it enduces. With more than enough action and storyline in between to keep audiences glued to the screen, ROTPOTA provides something for everyone, and a message that both vegans and non-vegans alike can appreciate; so get on outta your seat and go see it already - or go take a friend and see it again! (for a complete review, check out rottentomatoes.com)- VPO
Dunwell Doughnuts Unveil "Faux-Grois" Doughnut
Check out this write-up from The Discerning Brute on the controversial doughnut made by the critically-acclaimed vegan doughnut smiths at Dunwell Doughnuts, or eat one and decide for yourself!:
via thediscerningbrute.com: You better believe that an herbed Dunwell Doughnut filled with savory and satisfying Faux-Gras is the answer to your prayers. Tender, airy dough speckled with herbs, slightly sweet, fried to perfection, and injected with the Regal Vegan’s paté of caramelized onions, lentils, and walnuts – this pastry may have earned itself a spot in my last-meal fantasy smorgasbord...(read more at thediscerningbrute.com)
via thediscerningbrute.com: You better believe that an herbed Dunwell Doughnut filled with savory and satisfying Faux-Gras is the answer to your prayers. Tender, airy dough speckled with herbs, slightly sweet, fried to perfection, and injected with the Regal Vegan’s paté of caramelized onions, lentils, and walnuts – this pastry may have earned itself a spot in my last-meal fantasy smorgasbord...(read more at thediscerningbrute.com)
Vegan Triathlete and Author Brendan Brazier has new book 'Thrive Foods'
When I first saw VEGA nutritional suppliments, I was disappointed to see a word so resembling vegan (the font used makes it read VEGN) on a suppliment that wasn't vegan. Come to find out later that all VEGA products are in fact vegan. Leads me to wonder how I became so misguided about VEGA in the first place and what lead me to believe it wasn't vegan.
Brendan Brazier is the creator of VEGA and not only is he a professional Ironman triathlete, and a bestselling author on performance nutrition, he is also a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.
He's also coming out with a new book which features 200 plant based recipes and is having a release party in at the Powerhouse Arena in NYC, September 14th, 7-9 PM. You can get all of the info here
Food at the event is going to be provided by Candle 79 which is an upscale all vegan restaurant near Central Park. Candle 79 has been a long time special occasion destination for our friend group here in NYC.
Apparently Brendan's book has drawn some pretty high profile fans as well.
"I am forever grateful to this book and to Brendan...I have noticed increased energy and more restful sleep. My desire for sugar and salt is waning, and what's more, I am following these recipes and loving them."
- Hugh Jackman
"Brendan's book clearly shows that choosing to eat plants instead of animals is not only the best thing you can do for your own health, but also for the health of the planet. Thrive Foods keeps me healthy and performing at my best, even throughout the longest of tours."
- Moby
"Drawing from studies preformed by top international organizations, Brendan cuts through the clutter. Putting information into clear and relatable terms, he effectively illustrates the easiest, most immediate, and dramatic form of activism we can all participate in: choosing our food.
- Elizabeth J Kucinich
Director Government Affairs, PCRM
Brendan Brazier is the creator of VEGA and not only is he a professional Ironman triathlete, and a bestselling author on performance nutrition, he is also a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.
He's also coming out with a new book which features 200 plant based recipes and is having a release party in at the Powerhouse Arena in NYC, September 14th, 7-9 PM. You can get all of the info here
Food at the event is going to be provided by Candle 79 which is an upscale all vegan restaurant near Central Park. Candle 79 has been a long time special occasion destination for our friend group here in NYC.
Apparently Brendan's book has drawn some pretty high profile fans as well.
"I am forever grateful to this book and to Brendan...I have noticed increased energy and more restful sleep. My desire for sugar and salt is waning, and what's more, I am following these recipes and loving them."
- Hugh Jackman
"Brendan's book clearly shows that choosing to eat plants instead of animals is not only the best thing you can do for your own health, but also for the health of the planet. Thrive Foods keeps me healthy and performing at my best, even throughout the longest of tours."
- Moby
"Drawing from studies preformed by top international organizations, Brendan cuts through the clutter. Putting information into clear and relatable terms, he effectively illustrates the easiest, most immediate, and dramatic form of activism we can all participate in: choosing our food.
- Elizabeth J Kucinich
Director Government Affairs, PCRM
University with an all-vegan cafeteria?
From ABC NEWS (Original Post):
The Big Texan, an Amarillo, Texas landmark, has been serving 72-ounce steaks to customers since the early 1960s. Now, a few hundred miles to the east, some Texas college students are going all vegan.
Apparently, contrasts are bigger in Texas, too.
The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton opened an all-vegan, full-service cafeteria on its campus last week, prompting applause from animal-rights activists, environmentalists and, of course, vegan students on campus. Although college campuses around the nation have been offering vegan choices for several years, UNT’s cafeteria appears to be the first exclusively vegan venue.
The menu eschews animal products, like meat, milk, and eggs and instead features vegetarian soups, paninis and vegetarian sushi. The university’s dining services reports that so far, many of the students who eat there aren’t necessarily vegan, but just want to eat healthy. (Read More)
The Big Texan, an Amarillo, Texas landmark, has been serving 72-ounce steaks to customers since the early 1960s. Now, a few hundred miles to the east, some Texas college students are going all vegan.
Apparently, contrasts are bigger in Texas, too.
The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton opened an all-vegan, full-service cafeteria on its campus last week, prompting applause from animal-rights activists, environmentalists and, of course, vegan students on campus. Although college campuses around the nation have been offering vegan choices for several years, UNT’s cafeteria appears to be the first exclusively vegan venue.
The menu eschews animal products, like meat, milk, and eggs and instead features vegetarian soups, paninis and vegetarian sushi. The university’s dining services reports that so far, many of the students who eat there aren’t necessarily vegan, but just want to eat healthy. (Read More)
Solar Energy - Now Available Anytime, Anywhere!
What do you think of when you think about solar energy? Most likely, an image of big, bulky rooftop panels that stick out like a sore thumb enter your mind's eye. Well, step aside behemoth sun blocking panels; this ain't your mother's solar energy!
As solar technology becomes more popular, and therefore more viable as a large scale job market, more research and development is taking place that has resulted in a rapid evolution in technology. In Pennsylvania, SolarWorld has outfitted some large and eco-conscious companies with their panels; it's these large-scale projects that help generate revenue and markets for developing the technology further, and makes it possible to explore other applications of the technology that we can all have access to and use in our everyday lives. Here are some new and VERY exciting forms of solar technology:
1. "Roll Up" Portable Solar Panels
Perfect for outdoor excursions or strategically placed in the windows of your apartment, these easy to carry panels are easily mounted in windows and just as easily taken down. They provide a lightweight and portable solution for travelers in need of charging electronics, and a good alternative for renters who are not able to install panels on their residence. Be sure to check the charge capacity on panels before you purchase, as you'll want to make sure they can handle charging larger items such as laptops.
2. Voltaic Back-Packs
Several companies have come out with back packs, and now laptop cases, that boast solar panels on the front and/or side. Initially appearing on the market several years ago, the cost has come down and several style options have become available, making them reasonably affordable for virtually any budget.
3. Solar-Powered...Coffeepot??
Yep, that's right; coffeepot. Amongst other oddities such as solar-powered stoves and even bicycles, solar technology is finding some partners that, at present time, may seem unlikely, but the further it is explored and the more common-use it becomes, the less dependent we will be on fossil fuels for our energy needs. And of course, once solar begins to become the rule and not the exception, and the average everyday person becomes more savvy with the technology, the D.I.Y. crowd will undoubtedly come up with some even more exciting and inventive applications. This is only the beginning of eco-power, and there's no question it will be exciting to see what the further evolution of eco-technology has in store. -VPO
As solar technology becomes more popular, and therefore more viable as a large scale job market, more research and development is taking place that has resulted in a rapid evolution in technology. In Pennsylvania, SolarWorld has outfitted some large and eco-conscious companies with their panels; it's these large-scale projects that help generate revenue and markets for developing the technology further, and makes it possible to explore other applications of the technology that we can all have access to and use in our everyday lives. Here are some new and VERY exciting forms of solar technology:
1. "Roll Up" Portable Solar Panels
Perfect for outdoor excursions or strategically placed in the windows of your apartment, these easy to carry panels are easily mounted in windows and just as easily taken down. They provide a lightweight and portable solution for travelers in need of charging electronics, and a good alternative for renters who are not able to install panels on their residence. Be sure to check the charge capacity on panels before you purchase, as you'll want to make sure they can handle charging larger items such as laptops.
2. Voltaic Back-Packs
Several companies have come out with back packs, and now laptop cases, that boast solar panels on the front and/or side. Initially appearing on the market several years ago, the cost has come down and several style options have become available, making them reasonably affordable for virtually any budget.
3. Solar-Powered...Coffeepot??
Yep, that's right; coffeepot. Amongst other oddities such as solar-powered stoves and even bicycles, solar technology is finding some partners that, at present time, may seem unlikely, but the further it is explored and the more common-use it becomes, the less dependent we will be on fossil fuels for our energy needs. And of course, once solar begins to become the rule and not the exception, and the average everyday person becomes more savvy with the technology, the D.I.Y. crowd will undoubtedly come up with some even more exciting and inventive applications. This is only the beginning of eco-power, and there's no question it will be exciting to see what the further evolution of eco-technology has in store. -VPO
Don't Be Afraid
A few years into being vegan I hit a very pivotal point. Though I didn't fully understand it at the time, I had come to the crossroads with my new way of life and I had a decision to make. I was driving down the road for my delivery job one summer and had just picked up lunch. I reached in my bag and found what appeared to be parmesan cheese covering my breadsticks. In that moment I had my first case of serious doubt as to what I was doing. For some reason, my mind started racing with questions. Perhaps it was the addiction calling, or maybe it was the lack of information I had about veganism at the time but I started to wonder if I should just eat them anyways.
There is a difference between knowing what is right and actually believing in it. There is a difference between knowing what is right and actually doing it. Up until that point I fully believed that I was doing the right thing. I knew veganism was the right choice. I knew that the animals were suffering needlessly in factory farms and slaughter house due to cruel and negligent workers, extreme conditions and other atrocities. But there were these burning doubts in my mind, specifically about nutrition. At that point I full believed that I was going to drop dead from lacking essential nutrients. I had bought into the industry hype about protein and fell right in line with the information I learned in school about the four basic food groups, not yet realizing that the USDA was stacked full of corporate shills. (Side note, look at this). (Read More)
There is a difference between knowing what is right and actually believing in it. There is a difference between knowing what is right and actually doing it. Up until that point I fully believed that I was doing the right thing. I knew veganism was the right choice. I knew that the animals were suffering needlessly in factory farms and slaughter house due to cruel and negligent workers, extreme conditions and other atrocities. But there were these burning doubts in my mind, specifically about nutrition. At that point I full believed that I was going to drop dead from lacking essential nutrients. I had bought into the industry hype about protein and fell right in line with the information I learned in school about the four basic food groups, not yet realizing that the USDA was stacked full of corporate shills. (Side note, look at this). (Read More)
Ellen DeGeneres Launches Vegan Site
This story seems to be floating around the press and driving a lot of attention. TV personality Ellen DeGeneres launches a website called Going Vegan with Ellen to promote living a vegan lifestyle. The site itself is a great change of pace from the general sexist and/or offensive propaganda usually associated with celebrities and it's actually full of some really great information about how and why to be vegan, our impact on the planet as a species and a bunch of great recipes; there is even a plug for the recent documentary Forks Over Knives. I would say that it is a good recommendation for people who love celebrity culture but need nice dose of reality to help move their lives (and the rest of the planet for that matter) in a more positive direction.
Veganize Your Vacation!
It's the height of summer, and as August approaches many people start to think about last-minute getaways from our daily routine. It can be a challenge, however, to plan a weekend mini-cation on the fly for a vegan when most vacation spots boast a barrage of non-vegan menu items, with loads of meat, dairy and eggs tossed into every item, leaving one with few options other than what many would consider garnish or condiment items. So how can you plan a little escape that's vegan-friendly? Here are some vacation ideas and resources that will have you on your way to fun times in no time:
1. Animal Sanctuaries
These havens for abused, abandoned, injured and endangered animals not only provide an environment of healing for them, but can also be a place of learning, reflection, and even relaxation for you and your family and friends. Places such as Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York, also have (dog-friendly!) housing and breakfast acommodations, with plenty of other sites and places to explore nearby. Check out this list of international sanctuaries to see if there's one close to you or one that you find road or plane trip worthy.
2. Bed And Breakfast, Vegan Style!
If you're looking to take it easy, bed and breakfasts are the way to go! Often located in more rural areas, bed and breakfasts are usually a stone's throw from some form of outdoor adventure and activity, whether it be hiking or kayaking. And the food is ALWAYS delicious, and hosts like the gracious Guida, who owns the lovely and magical Ginger Cat Inn (also in Watkins Glen), can usually offer recommendations on highlights in the surrounding area. This list is a pretty comprehensive resource to finding a bed and breakfast that appeals to you.
3. Get Back To Nature - Go Camping!
Nothing seems more vegan than getting connected to nature, and few things help us reestablish that connection than getting out of the bustle of daily life and taking some time away in a secluded area to take in and appreciate our surroundings. Camping is a good way to test our skills, as well as an easily veganized vacation plan. Just be sure to pack hardy foods that won't melt or spoil if left in a cooler. There are PLENTY of resources out there for finding a place that's camp-worthy; this list is as good a place as any to start.
4. Ahh...The Spa...
For those feeling a little less rustic and a little more like being spoiled, plan a trip to the spa to unwind. Fortunately, as businesses strive to become more eco-conscious, they oftentimes become more vegan-friendly, and there are numerous 100% vegan spas popping up all over the place, like this one. While we haven't come across a really good list to provide you with, a small amount of web research will yield a good number of results and help you find a vegan spa near you.
1. Animal Sanctuaries
These havens for abused, abandoned, injured and endangered animals not only provide an environment of healing for them, but can also be a place of learning, reflection, and even relaxation for you and your family and friends. Places such as Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York, also have (dog-friendly!) housing and breakfast acommodations, with plenty of other sites and places to explore nearby. Check out this list of international sanctuaries to see if there's one close to you or one that you find road or plane trip worthy.
2. Bed And Breakfast, Vegan Style!
If you're looking to take it easy, bed and breakfasts are the way to go! Often located in more rural areas, bed and breakfasts are usually a stone's throw from some form of outdoor adventure and activity, whether it be hiking or kayaking. And the food is ALWAYS delicious, and hosts like the gracious Guida, who owns the lovely and magical Ginger Cat Inn (also in Watkins Glen), can usually offer recommendations on highlights in the surrounding area. This list is a pretty comprehensive resource to finding a bed and breakfast that appeals to you.
3. Get Back To Nature - Go Camping!
Nothing seems more vegan than getting connected to nature, and few things help us reestablish that connection than getting out of the bustle of daily life and taking some time away in a secluded area to take in and appreciate our surroundings. Camping is a good way to test our skills, as well as an easily veganized vacation plan. Just be sure to pack hardy foods that won't melt or spoil if left in a cooler. There are PLENTY of resources out there for finding a place that's camp-worthy; this list is as good a place as any to start.
4. Ahh...The Spa...
For those feeling a little less rustic and a little more like being spoiled, plan a trip to the spa to unwind. Fortunately, as businesses strive to become more eco-conscious, they oftentimes become more vegan-friendly, and there are numerous 100% vegan spas popping up all over the place, like this one. While we haven't come across a really good list to provide you with, a small amount of web research will yield a good number of results and help you find a vegan spa near you.
Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin Needs Your Help
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society needs almost no introduction: the group's direct action policy has made them heroes in the eyes of animal rights activists around the globe; conversely, it has made them infamous and given them a reputation as "pirates" to groups and organizations that seek to profit off of harvesting and killing sea animals (in some cases illegally). Tensions have come to a head and turned into a legal matter, and the Sea Shepherd's flagship vessel, the Steve Irwin, is being held on bond for $1.5 million dollars, which must be raised by an early August deadline, or else the ship faces indefinite impound; it's possible the vessel may even be sold.
The Sea Shepherds urgently need your help; log on to their website to read further about their plight. If you can afford to, consider making a donation, or reposting the link to their site and spreading the word; every bit of effort makes a difference.
The Sea Shepherds urgently need your help; log on to their website to read further about their plight. If you can afford to, consider making a donation, or reposting the link to their site and spreading the word; every bit of effort makes a difference.
Morrissey Compares Fast Food To Norway Massacre
- Here's a story making the rounds, so we thought we would share. *Quick side note... did anyone else notice how quick the media jumped from calling it a terror attack to a mass murder after they found out that the killer was white and christian?*
Morrissey has sparked outrage after saying the slaughter of animals for fast food is worse than the massacre in Norway where 76 people died.
The former frontman of the Smiths, who is a staunch vegan and animal rights campaigner, drew the comparisons at a concert in Warsaw, Poland, on Sunday where he is currently in the middle of his summer tour.
Before singing Meat is Murder, the 52-year-old British musician told the crowd: “We all live in a murderous world, as the events in Norway have shown, with 97 dead [sic].
"Though that is nothing compared to what happens in McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried s--- every day.” READ MORE
Morrissey has sparked outrage after saying the slaughter of animals for fast food is worse than the massacre in Norway where 76 people died.
The former frontman of the Smiths, who is a staunch vegan and animal rights campaigner, drew the comparisons at a concert in Warsaw, Poland, on Sunday where he is currently in the middle of his summer tour.
Before singing Meat is Murder, the 52-year-old British musician told the crowd: “We all live in a murderous world, as the events in Norway have shown, with 97 dead [sic].
"Though that is nothing compared to what happens in McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried s--- every day.” READ MORE
Bill To Ban Factory Farm Investigations Could Be Popping Up In Your State
undercover journalists expose factory farm cruelty
There has been quite a startling piece of legislation surfacing in several state congresses, most recently in New York. Entitled the "ag-gag" bill, the legislation proposes to not only criminalize the videotaping, photographing, and other such documentation of factory farm cruelty, but extend that felony to the distribution of such material. That means quite literally, that we here at VPO could be brought up on criminal charges for the content on our website. And perhaps you could too; any pictures or videos you share with others would be considered a violation under this bill. Sound crazy? It absolutely is.
While this legislation has been popping up in several states, it has been struck down in all of them thus far, most recently in New York. But the bill can be introduced again at any time in the future. (continued on our writings page...)
While this legislation has been popping up in several states, it has been struck down in all of them thus far, most recently in New York. But the bill can be introduced again at any time in the future. (continued on our writings page...)
American will be first cyclist to ride an almost vegan Tour de France?
Unfortunately, Mr. Zabriskie is not actually eating a completely vegan diet, which is, therefore, not actually vegan. Apparently he plans to litter his diet with fish and leave out other things that would make up for his supposed loss of iron. At least they are trying to equate eating vegan with being healthy, though the lack of follow through leaves something to be desired. Since he's not quite vegan, not really sure if this even qualifies as news worthy, but reposting it so other can at least be aware of it. - vpo
The substances consumed by a professional cyclist usually make headlines for all the wrong reasons, but when America's David Zabriskie pedals away from the starting line of the Tour de France this weekend, he will also be commencing a unique nutritional experiment.
For the first time in the 108-year history of his sport's most gruelling event, Zabriskie, who announced his conversion to veganism at the end of last year, says he will attempt to complete the 2,200-mile, three-week race without consuming any meat, eggs or dairy products.
READ MORE
The substances consumed by a professional cyclist usually make headlines for all the wrong reasons, but when America's David Zabriskie pedals away from the starting line of the Tour de France this weekend, he will also be commencing a unique nutritional experiment.
For the first time in the 108-year history of his sport's most gruelling event, Zabriskie, who announced his conversion to veganism at the end of last year, says he will attempt to complete the 2,200-mile, three-week race without consuming any meat, eggs or dairy products.
READ MORE
"Clean Up Your Act!": How To Veganize Your Cleaning Supplies
Tucked away under the kitchen sink, or perhaps lurking in that mysterious bathroom cabinet, there's an arsenal of scrubbing amunition ready to wage war on household dirt and grime, a trusty bunch of products, cleansers, sponges, and brushes ready to open up a can of whoop-toosh on offensive odors, smudges, and stains around the sanctuary you call your home. But what may also be lurking in those cleaning products are some non-vegan ingredients, or perhaps the company that makes the product has a dirty little secret of their own: animal testing. So how do you know if the products you use to clean house have a clean rap sheet? VPO has put together a list of some trustworthy products that will leave your home with a clean feeling that goes beyond the surface.
1. Seventh Generation Products
This company is about as hard-core as it gets. While some companies offer one or two cruelty-free options or items that are "chemical vegan" (made from substances so toxic and chemically processed they contain no organic matter whatsoever), this company is run by vegans who are committed to offering you the best products possible. Their website even has a blog that offers updates on any changes in their product line, which are always aimed at providing a greener, more sustainable product. And their list of products gets more expansive every month, from dish soaps to laundry detergents and even paper goods. If it says Seventh Generation on the label, it's a safe bet that it's vegan friendly.
2. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
The old standby for vegan cleanliness makes the grade yet again! Affordable and easy to come by, Dr. Bronner's makes a great all-purpose cleaner when dilluted in a spray bottle, 1 part Bronners to 2 parts water. And it will not only clean your surfaces, it will clean your laundry as well (recipe will be posted this week in the recipe section of our site - stay tuned!) For your body AND your apartment, there's nothing this all-in-one product can't do.
3. Lemon Cleaner
If you want to be as natural as it gets, but, like us at VPO, remember all too well the way the house smelled after your parents cleaned it with vinegar in a (well-intentioned) attempt to keep things natural, consider this option: lemon cleaner. That's right, lemon. No salad-like vinegar smell afterwards, just the lovely, citrus scent of lemons. For a furniture polish (or wood floor treatment), mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive oil in a spray bottle. Your wood furniture will have a light, clean, natural scent that is both toxin and cruelty-free
4. Reusable Cloths and Rags
Paper towels are not only wasteful for house cleaning, they leave a trail of lint that will just turn into dust for the next time you clean. Consider instead using microfiber rags, reusable sponges, or better still, some old, worn-out socks (you can slip these over your hands like gloves and spray product directly on them to clean with - toss em in the laundry when done!). Also, for washing your windows, use a square of old newspaper - not only is it superior to paper towel durability, it will leave absolutely NO lint behind. -vpo
(For a list of other vegan cleaners, continue to our WRITINGS section)
1. Seventh Generation Products
This company is about as hard-core as it gets. While some companies offer one or two cruelty-free options or items that are "chemical vegan" (made from substances so toxic and chemically processed they contain no organic matter whatsoever), this company is run by vegans who are committed to offering you the best products possible. Their website even has a blog that offers updates on any changes in their product line, which are always aimed at providing a greener, more sustainable product. And their list of products gets more expansive every month, from dish soaps to laundry detergents and even paper goods. If it says Seventh Generation on the label, it's a safe bet that it's vegan friendly.
2. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
The old standby for vegan cleanliness makes the grade yet again! Affordable and easy to come by, Dr. Bronner's makes a great all-purpose cleaner when dilluted in a spray bottle, 1 part Bronners to 2 parts water. And it will not only clean your surfaces, it will clean your laundry as well (recipe will be posted this week in the recipe section of our site - stay tuned!) For your body AND your apartment, there's nothing this all-in-one product can't do.
3. Lemon Cleaner
If you want to be as natural as it gets, but, like us at VPO, remember all too well the way the house smelled after your parents cleaned it with vinegar in a (well-intentioned) attempt to keep things natural, consider this option: lemon cleaner. That's right, lemon. No salad-like vinegar smell afterwards, just the lovely, citrus scent of lemons. For a furniture polish (or wood floor treatment), mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive oil in a spray bottle. Your wood furniture will have a light, clean, natural scent that is both toxin and cruelty-free
4. Reusable Cloths and Rags
Paper towels are not only wasteful for house cleaning, they leave a trail of lint that will just turn into dust for the next time you clean. Consider instead using microfiber rags, reusable sponges, or better still, some old, worn-out socks (you can slip these over your hands like gloves and spray product directly on them to clean with - toss em in the laundry when done!). Also, for washing your windows, use a square of old newspaper - not only is it superior to paper towel durability, it will leave absolutely NO lint behind. -vpo
(For a list of other vegan cleaners, continue to our WRITINGS section)
Why PETA Is Sexist And Not A Real Vegan Organization
Since when did being vegan mean compassion for all life EXCEPT that of the female human being? To me, true veganism means not only refraining from consumption or use of animal products, but also, not using life as a commodity, and treating all life with respect and reverence. But the question posed above comes to mind every time i watch one of PETA's alleged "cruelty-free" or "animal rights" ads. The level of hypocracy leaves me speechless and disheartended, and I can't help but feel it's time to speak up about it; how could one of the RICHEST and most media-present organizations in the animal rights movement be so oblivious to the harmful, sexist message they are sending? And the message rings and resonates loud and clear: PETA sees fit to exploit the image of women as sex objects as a means of stopping the exploitation of other animals, thus debasing the value of women as sentient beings and thereby undermining their own message. (READ MORE AND MAKE COMMENT IN OUR "WRITINGS" SECTION..)
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Feminism is not just for women, not just for activists; feminism is for everyone. Watch this compelling video and decide for yourself <3
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International Respect for Chickens day: May 4th!
Activists Celebrate International Respect for Chickens Day May 4
United Poultry Concerns Draws Attention to the Plight and Delight of Chickens Machipongo, Va., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - International Respect for Chickens Day is an annual project of United Poultry Concerns dedicated to celebrating the beauty of chickens and protesting the misery of their lives in farming operations. Launched in 2005, International Respect for Chickens Day urges people to do a compassionate ACTION for chickens on or around May 4 – leafleting on a busy street corner, tabling at a local school, church, or shopping center, holding a vegan bake sale, educating colleagues at work. May is International Respect for Chickens Month.
To draw attention to the plight and delight of chickens, United Poultry Concerns will display King-Size Bus posters, starting May 9, throughout the Washington, DC Metro Area proclaiming “What Wings Are For” and “Life Can Be Beautiful-Go Vegan!” UPC will also host a peaceful protest on behalf of chickens at the White House on Saturday afternoon May 7 from Noon to 3pm. We encourage people to join us. READ MORE
United Poultry Concerns Draws Attention to the Plight and Delight of Chickens Machipongo, Va., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - International Respect for Chickens Day is an annual project of United Poultry Concerns dedicated to celebrating the beauty of chickens and protesting the misery of their lives in farming operations. Launched in 2005, International Respect for Chickens Day urges people to do a compassionate ACTION for chickens on or around May 4 – leafleting on a busy street corner, tabling at a local school, church, or shopping center, holding a vegan bake sale, educating colleagues at work. May is International Respect for Chickens Month.
To draw attention to the plight and delight of chickens, United Poultry Concerns will display King-Size Bus posters, starting May 9, throughout the Washington, DC Metro Area proclaiming “What Wings Are For” and “Life Can Be Beautiful-Go Vegan!” UPC will also host a peaceful protest on behalf of chickens at the White House on Saturday afternoon May 7 from Noon to 3pm. We encourage people to join us. READ MORE
Van Jones: Shift the Power!
Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale Week, Coming To A Venue Near You!
That magical, mystical, cupcake-filled time of year is here again! The third annual Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale Week has kicked off with a bang, as vegans around the world come together to use their baking savvy and powers of coordination to hold bake sales in towns and countries all over the world in support of a cause they believe in - and also, to unite, come together, spread the word, and above all, have a blast!
The guidelines are simple: each participating group secures a venue, decides what they will be selling, and whom the proceeds will benefit.
The "venue" can be any conceivable space that is high-traffic and good for goody-selling (a fire house, your town hall, a local restaurant, a bike shop, a highly-trafficked sidewalk or farmer's market) - just be sure to secure all the necessary permissions and green lights to use your desired space before diving in to making concrete plans.
Baked goods are only limited to your vegan imagination! This is a time to show off your skills, but trying out a never-tested recipe for the first time at your bake sale may not be a good idea, so be sure to do some trial runs of any goodies you may have doubts about in advance. Sticking with yummy treats that you know you're a whiz at making is probably your best bet, as you want 'em to be gobbled up and sell like hot cakes!
Lastly, and the most important part, is deciding on where your fundraising funds will go. An animal shelter, community project, or Japan relief efforts are all good causes; just make sure it's one that you and your bake sale buddies feel strongly about and can really get behind (Read more about what we'll be up to, how YOU can get involved, and check out our photo gallery of the Powers Street Cats in our "Events" Section)
The guidelines are simple: each participating group secures a venue, decides what they will be selling, and whom the proceeds will benefit.
The "venue" can be any conceivable space that is high-traffic and good for goody-selling (a fire house, your town hall, a local restaurant, a bike shop, a highly-trafficked sidewalk or farmer's market) - just be sure to secure all the necessary permissions and green lights to use your desired space before diving in to making concrete plans.
Baked goods are only limited to your vegan imagination! This is a time to show off your skills, but trying out a never-tested recipe for the first time at your bake sale may not be a good idea, so be sure to do some trial runs of any goodies you may have doubts about in advance. Sticking with yummy treats that you know you're a whiz at making is probably your best bet, as you want 'em to be gobbled up and sell like hot cakes!
Lastly, and the most important part, is deciding on where your fundraising funds will go. An animal shelter, community project, or Japan relief efforts are all good causes; just make sure it's one that you and your bake sale buddies feel strongly about and can really get behind (Read more about what we'll be up to, how YOU can get involved, and check out our photo gallery of the Powers Street Cats in our "Events" Section)
The Story Of Stuff Project: Let's Build An Awesome Future!
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Annie Leonard, with the help of some clever (and funny) animated illustrations, conveys all of the ways that the linear system of production employed by industrialized nations are wreaking havoc on the world around us, and through raising awareness empowers us to use information to make change that can have a positive impact on our world.
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We as a planet are at a very pivotal crossroads. Decisions we make now will determine what kind of future awaits us, and there has never been a more important time to examine our way of life, our culture, and our interactions with the world around us. But as we try to solve the problems and address the issues that are destroying our planet and ruining our communities, the information that's available can seem not only overwhelming, but slanted, and oftentimes hard to decipher. So do we need a decoder ring to figure out what has gone so drastically wrong in order to set things right?
Enter "The Story Of Stuff Project". Annie Leonard does a fantastic job of weeding through the smoke and mirrors of Big Business and Bought-Off Government to give a concise, easy-to-understand, step-by-step demonstration that highlights very clearly the flaws in our current consumer/producer system of industry, and the catastrophic effects of these flaws. With the lead documentary taking 20 minutes to break down all the specifics of our system, and then goes on in separate 8 minute clips to tackle other aspects of our consumer-addicted society, such as cosmetics, electronics, and the concept of Cap And Trade, and demonstrates how Big Business and corporate greed are creating unsustainable, unsafe relationships with the use of these products in our everyday lives and promoting a "throw-away" mentality. She also offers some simple solutions as to how we can become empowered to make change, but the most important thing these clips do is empower us with knowledge, which we can then apply to the choices we make every day in order to get our communities, our country, and our planet back on track. - vpo |
An Eden Of Their Own: Elephants Find Sanctuary
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Up Close: Elephant Sanctuary
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States Look to Ban Efforts to Reveal Farm Abuse
Undercover videos showing grainy, sometimes shocking images of sick or injured livestock have become a favorite tool of animal rights organizations to expose what they consider illegal or inhumane treatment of animals.
Enlarge This Image
A Humane Society video from 2010 showed conditions at Iowa farms owned by two of the nation's largest egg producers.
Made by animal rights advocates posing as farm workers, such videos have prompted meat recalls, slaughterhouse closings, criminal convictions of employees and apologies from corporate executives assuring that the offending images are an aberration.
In Iowa, where agriculture is a dominant force both economically and politically, such undercover investigations could soon be illegal. READ MORE
Enlarge This Image
A Humane Society video from 2010 showed conditions at Iowa farms owned by two of the nation's largest egg producers.
Made by animal rights advocates posing as farm workers, such videos have prompted meat recalls, slaughterhouse closings, criminal convictions of employees and apologies from corporate executives assuring that the offending images are an aberration.
In Iowa, where agriculture is a dominant force both economically and politically, such undercover investigations could soon be illegal. READ MORE
Vegan Toothbrushes: Is What Goes In Your Mouth Really Vegan?
The Radius Source toothbrush (seen here) is one of many vegan-friendly alternatives
Ah, the toothbrush. We use it everyday, multiple times. Morning. Night. Between snacks if we're really good about it. It's an intimate relationship we share with our toothbrush, it's a ritual on par with eating. And if you're a vegan, you know just how closely you need to pay attention to what's in the food you eat to stay in line with values of compassion as well as ecologically-minded choices. Shouldn't your toothbrush get the same attention?
I asked this question of myself because, well...looking at my preserve toothbrush, I just couldn't help but feel a teeeensy bit hypocritical knowing that, although it's recycled AND recyclable, it comes from recycled yogurt cups, and although I like the ideas behind the company, that just doesn't add up to vegan in my mind. But surely there must be another, vegan-friendly option between this and toothbrushes made by companies that test on animals and don't use recycled materials or low-impact methods, right? I decided to do some research, and was pleasantly surprised to learn I didn't have to look very far to find some awesome (and affordable!) options:
1. Radius Source Toothbrush
Radius has been around for over 20 years, and their latest innovation, the Source toothbrush, seems to have all ethical standards in mind. with handles made from recycled wood, recycled flax or - ironically - recycled dollar bills, the only thing that needs recycling is the head, which is replaceable. The initial unit comes with an additional replacement head, and is available for around $4.00 USD
2. Eco-Dent Toothbrush
From the people who brought you VeganFloss (not to be confused with their oddly-labeled "100% vegan waxed" yet non-vegan GentleFloss), comes the amazing TeraDent toothbrush. Although it is NOT made out of recycled materials, it has the smallest replaceable head on the market, so you retain the handle and only discard the tiny bristle-head. Priced around $6.00 USD, replacement heads sold separately in 4-packs.
3. Miswak Stick!
Haha what did she say? Yes, the miswak stick - that's right, a piece of a tree - is a close to mother nature as you can get and still get your teeth squeeky clean. The number one most vegan-friendly, eco-friendly toothbrush, the miswak is a branch from the Peelu tree. It's a little tricky to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's alleged to work BETTER than a traditional toothbrush; contains natural fluoride and no water or toothpaste is necessary As far as processing, its put in a package, and that's it! Renewable, sustainable, and inexpensive to produce, you can get a pack of 5 for $8.99 USD.
So if you want a toothbrush that is TRULY vegan, options are out there, so now you can say with confidence that your chompers are 100% cruelty-free! - vpo
I asked this question of myself because, well...looking at my preserve toothbrush, I just couldn't help but feel a teeeensy bit hypocritical knowing that, although it's recycled AND recyclable, it comes from recycled yogurt cups, and although I like the ideas behind the company, that just doesn't add up to vegan in my mind. But surely there must be another, vegan-friendly option between this and toothbrushes made by companies that test on animals and don't use recycled materials or low-impact methods, right? I decided to do some research, and was pleasantly surprised to learn I didn't have to look very far to find some awesome (and affordable!) options:
1. Radius Source Toothbrush
Radius has been around for over 20 years, and their latest innovation, the Source toothbrush, seems to have all ethical standards in mind. with handles made from recycled wood, recycled flax or - ironically - recycled dollar bills, the only thing that needs recycling is the head, which is replaceable. The initial unit comes with an additional replacement head, and is available for around $4.00 USD
2. Eco-Dent Toothbrush
From the people who brought you VeganFloss (not to be confused with their oddly-labeled "100% vegan waxed" yet non-vegan GentleFloss), comes the amazing TeraDent toothbrush. Although it is NOT made out of recycled materials, it has the smallest replaceable head on the market, so you retain the handle and only discard the tiny bristle-head. Priced around $6.00 USD, replacement heads sold separately in 4-packs.
3. Miswak Stick!
Haha what did she say? Yes, the miswak stick - that's right, a piece of a tree - is a close to mother nature as you can get and still get your teeth squeeky clean. The number one most vegan-friendly, eco-friendly toothbrush, the miswak is a branch from the Peelu tree. It's a little tricky to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's alleged to work BETTER than a traditional toothbrush; contains natural fluoride and no water or toothpaste is necessary As far as processing, its put in a package, and that's it! Renewable, sustainable, and inexpensive to produce, you can get a pack of 5 for $8.99 USD.
So if you want a toothbrush that is TRULY vegan, options are out there, so now you can say with confidence that your chompers are 100% cruelty-free! - vpo
How Sea Shepherd has Indirectly Assisted Earthquake Victims in Japan
VegPress.Org supports the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an activist group at the forefront of the fight against whaling in Antarctica and around the world: Check out their latest news below or find more information at www.seashepherd.org
From their website Thursday, March 24, 2011 :
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has contributed humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in a rather ironic and indirect way. Due to the interventions of Sea Shepherd against the illegal Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean, Sea Shepherd forced the retreat of the Japanese whaling fleet a month earlier than their whaling season was to end.
Due to the whalers’ early retreat, the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship arrived in Tokyo Bay a month earlier than normal on March 21, 2011. Japanese authorities immediately commandeered the ship to deliver aid supplies to northern Japan.
The Nisshin Maru will be taking kerosene, charcoal, instant noodles, rice, and other supplies to the northern coastal communities hit hardest by the tsunami. Bringing aid and comfort to the victims of this disaster is a far more positive role for the Nisshin Maruthan slaughtering whales in the Southern Ocean, which is where the fleet still would have been if not for Sea Shepherd shutting down their unlawful activities in mid-February.
Read more...
From their website Thursday, March 24, 2011 :
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has contributed humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in a rather ironic and indirect way. Due to the interventions of Sea Shepherd against the illegal Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean, Sea Shepherd forced the retreat of the Japanese whaling fleet a month earlier than their whaling season was to end.
Due to the whalers’ early retreat, the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship arrived in Tokyo Bay a month earlier than normal on March 21, 2011. Japanese authorities immediately commandeered the ship to deliver aid supplies to northern Japan.
The Nisshin Maru will be taking kerosene, charcoal, instant noodles, rice, and other supplies to the northern coastal communities hit hardest by the tsunami. Bringing aid and comfort to the victims of this disaster is a far more positive role for the Nisshin Maruthan slaughtering whales in the Southern Ocean, which is where the fleet still would have been if not for Sea Shepherd shutting down their unlawful activities in mid-February.
Read more...
Relief For Japan: A Compassionate Approach
Japan has been devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. Piles of rubble and wreckage are everywhere, and millions of people have found themselves displaced and without resources. Donations have been abundant and relief efforts are being made, and there are no shortage of charities and non-profit organizations ready to help out, but when a crisis like this arises, many may ask themselves "What charitiy can I donate to and feel GOOD about? Which charity can I really stand behind?". This can be a tough decision that is made even more difficult when wanting to support a charity that is in sync with vegan beliefs.
The good news is that there are PLENTY of legitimate organizations that will use your contribution in an ethical and responsible manor. It may take some research, but it is well worth it to have piece of mind that your donation is 100% cruelty-free. Here are some of the outstanding organizations that we've found; feel free to check them out!
1. FOOD FOR LIFE GLOBAL
FFLG's mission is to provide nutritious, plant-based meals to the disadvantaged and malnourished, as well as those effected by both natural and man-made disasters. Their affiliate, ISKCON Tokyo, is offering aid to those in need, sheltering as many as possible at its cultural center, and providing them with vegan meals as well as water and blankets. Click here more about this organization.
2. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Founded in the 1950's, HSUS is the forerunner and largest of all animal rights organizations in the world. This organization, which openly supports veganism, works closely and directly with government officials and with the political system to create animal-friendly laws and confront and eradicate animal cruelty. They have deployed relief teams to Japan, and are committed to providing support for restorative services and shelters for animals in need. Read more about HSUS and how you can help by clicking here.
3. DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, DWB was started in France in 1971 and is and international humanitarian organization committed to providing medical care to populations that have been devastated by disaster. They are focused on providing care regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, and hold themselves to the highest standard of impartiality. Relief efforts are currently underway in Japan; click here for extensive coverage and to find out how you can contribute.
These are just a few of the excellent organizations committed to going above and beyond to help out with the continuing disaster relief efforts. If you'd like to do your own research, make sure the organization is reputable; check for a tax I.D., check for scams, or try to get in touch with a representative directly to make sure you are not falling victim to a scam, as can unfortunately be the case. It's worth it to know that the organization you choose, no matter how big or small, will be making a compassionate difference. - vpo
The good news is that there are PLENTY of legitimate organizations that will use your contribution in an ethical and responsible manor. It may take some research, but it is well worth it to have piece of mind that your donation is 100% cruelty-free. Here are some of the outstanding organizations that we've found; feel free to check them out!
1. FOOD FOR LIFE GLOBAL
FFLG's mission is to provide nutritious, plant-based meals to the disadvantaged and malnourished, as well as those effected by both natural and man-made disasters. Their affiliate, ISKCON Tokyo, is offering aid to those in need, sheltering as many as possible at its cultural center, and providing them with vegan meals as well as water and blankets. Click here more about this organization.
2. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Founded in the 1950's, HSUS is the forerunner and largest of all animal rights organizations in the world. This organization, which openly supports veganism, works closely and directly with government officials and with the political system to create animal-friendly laws and confront and eradicate animal cruelty. They have deployed relief teams to Japan, and are committed to providing support for restorative services and shelters for animals in need. Read more about HSUS and how you can help by clicking here.
3. DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, DWB was started in France in 1971 and is and international humanitarian organization committed to providing medical care to populations that have been devastated by disaster. They are focused on providing care regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, and hold themselves to the highest standard of impartiality. Relief efforts are currently underway in Japan; click here for extensive coverage and to find out how you can contribute.
These are just a few of the excellent organizations committed to going above and beyond to help out with the continuing disaster relief efforts. If you'd like to do your own research, make sure the organization is reputable; check for a tax I.D., check for scams, or try to get in touch with a representative directly to make sure you are not falling victim to a scam, as can unfortunately be the case. It's worth it to know that the organization you choose, no matter how big or small, will be making a compassionate difference. - vpo
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Why Vegan? Why Not?
Why Vegan? Why not?
If you've ever considered going vegan or you're looking for tips as your continue your journey with veganism, you'll find people telling you how hard they think it is and how they could never be vegan. Here are five simple reasons why going vegan is easier than you might expect.
READ MORE
New At VegPress: A Peek Inside The Vegan Kitchen
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VegPress will now be featuring a different vegan recipe
each week - we'll be showcasing recipes from the web, a cookbook, favorite foods from our collective brunches that we host, or our own special creations that we've come up with over the years from our personal archives. Feel free to try them out at home and let us know what you
think! Have a recipe idea of your own? Submit it along with a picture of the finished product
and we'll try it out in the VegPress kitchen - if it passes with our
taste testers' seal of approval, we'll post it up!
Even non-vegans can agree that vegan desserts are awesome, and the fact that they're cruelty free is the icing on the delicious vegan cupcake! Check out our recipe page as we kick things off with the classic and ever popular VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE! |
..AND WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE THIS
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  DON"T WANNA TAKE THIS LYING DOWN?
WANNA STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES EVERYWHERE? WRITE YOUR SENATOR! BUT DON'T STOP THERE - SEND A LETTER TO A REPUBLICAN SENATOR AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA TAKE THIS LYING DOWN! WRITE YOUR SENATOR: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT AND GET MORE INFO ON PROTECTING HEALTH CARE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/  This pie chart shows a breakdown of all the important services provided by Planned Parenthood and which ones are most used by the people who use their services. Although abortive services are an important option, they make up only 3% of the total services used; the Oppressive Right would have us believe that tax dollars for Planned Parenthood go primarily to fund abortive services |
Spread The Love! Our Top Three Vegan Valentines Day Treats And Gift Ideas
So cupid (or your sweet tooth!) has hit you pretty hard and you've decided to give into the consumerist ideals of a society built on corporate greed and capitalism...but juuuust for today...hey, there's chocolate involved here! We totally understand ;)
On a day like today, much like Halloween, it can seem that us vegan types are social pariahs, left out in the cold in a society that insists on tossing milk, eggs, honey, heaps of refined or powdered sugar, confectioner's glaze, gelatin, or various weird and wacky, unpronounceable mystery ingredients into every sticky sweet confectionery delight on the market. But worry not - there's hope for us! After all, we're vegans in the 21st century! And we at VPO have done the treasure hunting for you and compiled a list of vegan valentines booty totally worth plundering, as well as some last-minute ideas that work in a pinch!
1) RESCUE CHOCOLATE
These are totally addictive and with good cause - literally! With many different varieties to choose from (we love all of them - but we LOVE love Peanut Butter Pit Bull!) and with special heart shaped ones available, you can feel good about giving these to your special someone, knowing that "from each chocolate purchased, 100% of the net profits are donated to animal rescue organizations around the country". The company is new - around only since 2010 - but with ethics (and delicious treats!) like these, we expect to be enjoying them for many valentines yet to come!
2) GO MAX GO CHOCOLATE BARS
You're vegan, but you're human! Sometimes we all reminisce about the simple joy of a Snicker's bar, or how excited we used to get over Three Musketeers - but NO WAY do we miss the animal ingredients or shady corporate practices that go into making these things we perhaps enjoyed in our misinformed youth: enter Go Max Go Candy Bars - all the varieties you remember from your sugar-saturated childhood, but with cruelty-free ingredients! We dare say these taste BETTER than the way we remember their non-vegan counterparts - so tie a festive bow on one and surprise your sweetie heart!
3) SKIP THE CHOCOLATES AND DONATE TO CHARITY
If it'll take more than vegan deliciousness or ethically-minded companies to sway you towards consumerism this valentines day, consider donating to a charity in your loved one's name! Some places such as The Arbor Day Foundation have "clubs" that offer free coffee or goodies for your contribution, or places like Woodstock Animal Farm Sanctuary have an option to sponsor an animal - it's something to feel good about!
FORGOT ALL ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY? No worries friend! Pick up a potted plant on the way home from work, or some Peanut Chews (original dark are vegan!) and tie a bow around it! If you're feeling crafty, make a card out of some creative household material (soymilk carton?) as a means of recycling, or, just give that special someone a warm hug and let 'em know how dynamite you think they are - on valentine's day and everyday! -vpo
On a day like today, much like Halloween, it can seem that us vegan types are social pariahs, left out in the cold in a society that insists on tossing milk, eggs, honey, heaps of refined or powdered sugar, confectioner's glaze, gelatin, or various weird and wacky, unpronounceable mystery ingredients into every sticky sweet confectionery delight on the market. But worry not - there's hope for us! After all, we're vegans in the 21st century! And we at VPO have done the treasure hunting for you and compiled a list of vegan valentines booty totally worth plundering, as well as some last-minute ideas that work in a pinch!
1) RESCUE CHOCOLATE
These are totally addictive and with good cause - literally! With many different varieties to choose from (we love all of them - but we LOVE love Peanut Butter Pit Bull!) and with special heart shaped ones available, you can feel good about giving these to your special someone, knowing that "from each chocolate purchased, 100% of the net profits are donated to animal rescue organizations around the country". The company is new - around only since 2010 - but with ethics (and delicious treats!) like these, we expect to be enjoying them for many valentines yet to come!
2) GO MAX GO CHOCOLATE BARS
You're vegan, but you're human! Sometimes we all reminisce about the simple joy of a Snicker's bar, or how excited we used to get over Three Musketeers - but NO WAY do we miss the animal ingredients or shady corporate practices that go into making these things we perhaps enjoyed in our misinformed youth: enter Go Max Go Candy Bars - all the varieties you remember from your sugar-saturated childhood, but with cruelty-free ingredients! We dare say these taste BETTER than the way we remember their non-vegan counterparts - so tie a festive bow on one and surprise your sweetie heart!
3) SKIP THE CHOCOLATES AND DONATE TO CHARITY
If it'll take more than vegan deliciousness or ethically-minded companies to sway you towards consumerism this valentines day, consider donating to a charity in your loved one's name! Some places such as The Arbor Day Foundation have "clubs" that offer free coffee or goodies for your contribution, or places like Woodstock Animal Farm Sanctuary have an option to sponsor an animal - it's something to feel good about!
FORGOT ALL ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY? No worries friend! Pick up a potted plant on the way home from work, or some Peanut Chews (original dark are vegan!) and tie a bow around it! If you're feeling crafty, make a card out of some creative household material (soymilk carton?) as a means of recycling, or, just give that special someone a warm hug and let 'em know how dynamite you think they are - on valentine's day and everyday! -vpo
HOME THE MOVIE - Everyone must see!
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We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10
years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural
resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.
The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film. HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet. |
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VEGPRESS.ORG NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: FORGET BOTTLED WATER!
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WITH THE MYTHS AND CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING BOTTLED WATER JUST NOW STARTING TO EMERGE IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA, it is more important than ever to take notice of what's being said about the "pet rock" of our generation. With so many useless products being sold to an ever-more plugged-in and ever-less questioning public, bottled water is the undisputed
champion. The only thing that could trump this ploy would be canned air - oh, wait a second...(continued below - but take this opportunity to watch the trailer for TAPPED, available for streaming on Netflix!) Bottled water is not only in the majority of instances from the SAME SOURCE AS FILTERED TAP WATER, it is also HIGHLY UNREGULATED AND NOT REGULARLY INSPECTED, where as tap water is tested regularly, often many times in one day, and required to be disinfected, whereas bottled water is not (read more HERE). Also, the bottles for bottled water contain benzene, A KNOWN CANCER-CAUSING SUBSTANCE (learn about the effects of benzene HERE).
SOME Q and A: What happens to the people living in the towns where the bottles are produced? They are dying of cancer, and their children are suffering from an 80% greater instance of birth defects than other communities. What happens to the communities where the water is being pumped from? Often times they suffer from serious drought; also, the community DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROFIT FROM THE REVENUE MADE FROM THE SALE OF THEIR WATER. What happens to the bottles after they are thrown away? They take about 450 years to biodegrate, and only 1 in every 4 plastic bottles is typically recycled. As they decompose, they destroy ecosystems, as seen by the many tossed plastic bottles and other trash items that end up HERE (NOTE: for this video, the statistic has JUMPED from a 6 to 1 ratio to 46 to 1 ratio of plastic to plankton). Now, with all that we know about tapwater and fluoride, it may seem like there is water everywhere and not a drop to drink. So what's a person to do? - Use in-home filtration systems - these will at least give you cleaner tap water, although there may still be fluoride lurking in it. - Use a reusable bottle for drinking, preferably GLASS! This is a GREAT opportunity to repurpose that container of juice you bought last week or that jar of pasta sauce you polished off last night. We here at Vegpress personally love THESE, as the lid is resealable (plus the lemonade is DELICIOUS!) - GET THE WORD OUT! Support anti-fluoride legislation where possible, investigate your town or city's water supply, ask questions of local officials, join action groups and community discussions. Getting involved can only help raise awareness at the very least, and at the very best? Well, effect real change, of course! -vpo. |
TAKE BACK THE TAP!
Join Food And Water Watch as they lead the forefront of the campaign to expose the truth about the harmful economic, environmental, and even health hazards of bottled water production and consumption. Don't pay for water that is WORSE than the free water from your tap! TAKE THE PLEDGE TODAY! STAND UP AGAINST THE CORPORATE BOTTLED WATER SCAM! TAKE THE PLEDGE!  CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE ARTICLES IN THE
VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR SERIES, A SPECIAL SERIES ABOUT HOW A DISENFRANCHISED NATION OF VOTERS CAN FIND POWER THROUGH SPENDING (AND REFUSING TO SPEND!) MONEY. A Voice For Compassion. VEGPRESS.ORG BE THE
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Yes, you CAN be vegan and be a competitive athlete!Members of Team Organic Athlete share their positive experiences and stories about how veganism not only changed their lives, but furthermore improved their athletic capabilities and overall performance, giving them a competitive edge.
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VEGFEST 2010 Takes NYC By Storm!
On a sunny beautiful day in October, droves of passionate vegan chefs, athletes, entrepreneurs and activists converged upon Union Square with a festive array of booths, tables, and signs, sharing information, ideas, and LOTS of goodies with the crowd. From designer 6-inch vegan stilleto heels to recounting of high-risk activist maneuvers, one thing was clear - no matter what brought people there, everyone was united with the goal of giving New York a well-rounded and all encompassing presentation of what veganism is all about, and there was definitely something for EVERYONE to enjoy (Read more about Vegfest NYC 2010 on our events page)
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Is Your Tattoo Vegan? by Clinton Sawicz
I started getting tattooed a long time ago. Not really thinking about much to do with the process i got my first, and then another and another. Some six or so years later i stumbled into a job a shop here in salt lake called Apparition Ink. I became shop manager. One of my duties as shop manager was to do the ordering for the artists. Looking through the catalogues i saw something that up until that moment never even entered my mind to look for "vegan ink". I'm covered in tattoos and never once did i stop and think about what tattoo ink was made of. So my search began to find out what inks were vegan and which were not. Because now that the thought of using non vegan tattoo ink was horrifying to me. I started calling companies and asking them if their glycerin was animal or plant based. I started looking at websites for inks and tattoo ink forums. If i couldn't get a hold of a company i called a distributor for that company and had them find out for me. It was really weird some companies were so straight forward "yes they are vegan, the glycerin is plant based" or "no, sorry our ink is not" so companies never returned my phone call or email, some told me they wouldn't tell me, some gave "vague answers"... from all of that, the following information is what I compiled. READ MORE...
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