Fur and Leather

Fur and leather are found in abundance. People think of these items as high class products. When someone says “Look at my shoes-they’re real leather”, everyone ‘oohs’ and ‘awes’ over them. I used to be the same way. I thought, wow, this purse is real leather-it MUST be good. I am so surprised how my own values have changed SO much. The plain fact is that fur is a dead animal….leather is dead animal skin. And think about it…how are all these leather products not rotting? Chemicals! SO many chemicals that are damaging the environment.
So now, if a salesperson says that the shoes are real leather I am disgusted and ask for something else. My choices are not limited though. There are tons of alternatives out there!

If we all knew where fur and leather comes from, and how the animals are treated I know people would change their habits. To get fur, many animals are improperly stunned and are skinned alive. So many experience pain and unnecessary torture.
In this video Eva Mendes talks about her fur experience with PETA and how she now questions everything after becoming involved with animal rights. She makes a valid point. Think about where your products are coming from, and how they got there-before you buy them.

These caged animals should be running in their natural environments that cover kilometers of space. These are WILD animals. They shouldn’t be mistreated and starved before being killed a horrible death. I keep picturing my little Dexter in these conditions and it is unimaginable. These videos make me shed tears, and I get so upset. I pledge never to wear fur or leather again. There is nothing fashionable about the deaths of these animals.

Here are of couple videos about how and where all this fur and leather is coming from.

Do not click on these unless you are over 18 years of age. They are graphic.

Living Planet Community

Just something neat I thought I would share...
The World Wildlife Foundation has a Living Planet Community on their site. You join up and can learn about all the different ways to make your world a greener one. You document your actions that you have already taken (ex: recycling, insulating your home, becoming vegetarian, etc) and list all the actions that you will try to do. Many Canadians have already joined and then they can track how much CO2 is being reduced. You can make groups and also help out with campaigns. Four planets are not better than one!
If everyone on Earth consumed resources at the same rate as Canadians, it would take four Earths to meet our demand! This is among the latest findings from WWF’s Living Planet Report, the leading statement of the planet’s health. Since this report was released, the findings have been talked about around the world, with great media coverage both in Canada and internationally. People are intrigued by the findings and are looking for ways that we can improve.

Many Canadians were surprised to learn that we have the 7th largest ecological footprint – two and half times the global average – and the 16th largest water footprint! More than half of Canada’s total footprint is a result of our carbon footprint, mostly from fossil fuel use.

The good news is that we have the tools to do better! As Canadians, we must lower our ecological footprint. WWF is working to lower Canada’s footprint by making sure our governments increase energy efficiency standards and that businesses implement sustainability policies and practices. You too can play an important role by lightening your footprint through WWF’s Living Planet Community. Look for simple ways to tread lightly on the planet and then invite your family and friends to do the same.

Learn about the state of the planet through photos, videos and interactive graphs, plus read our blog Get informed today!

http://community.wwf.ca/

Go Meatless This Monday!

Our goal is to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet. We’re a non-profit initiative, in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What a great initiative! Eating a vegetarian meal once a week would really help out the planet and improve your health. This is an American initiative, but what a great thing to try. Even some restaurants have started to implement Meatless Monday’s. I think this is a superb idea for people and families who aren’t willing to totally give up meat in their diet. Have fun with it and try some new recipes! They have suggestions and tips on the website:
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/

"Even one meatless day a week- a meatless Monday, which is what we do in my household, if everybody in America did that, that would be the equivalent of taking 20 million mid-size sedans off the road.”

Michael Pollan on Oprah’s Earth Day special

Spicy Tofu with Broccoli and Cashews

At work we often circulate recipes, and one day the Weight Watchers recipe book was making the rounds. They actually have a vegetarian section--and hey, you know it’s going to be healthy for you!

I already got to test the Vegetable Curry Stew from a co-worker and it was very tasty. I copied a few recipes down, and this is the first one I’ve tried.
Here's the recipe:

Spicy Tofu with Broccoli and Cashews

The sauce for this was so scrumptious. The only thing I didn’t quite enjoy was the jiggly tofu. In this recipe the tofu was only cooked for a minute or two. It tasted great, but sometimes I can’t eat something if the texture is off. It makes my knees all wobbly and my tongue sticks out. So, to cure this problem I baked my slices of tofu until they got nice and crispy…and then added them in. See what you like. Either way, you’re getting tons of protein and your belly will fill up quick.

Homemade Granola

Haley and I made some homemade granola on the weekend….and boy is it delicious! It’s such an easy recipe to make and it’s full of nutritional goodness. Plus, you can add whatever you want to the mix!

We added sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and almonds to the granola recipe. When it’s done toasting in the oven you can add any kind of fruit that you want. We bought some cranberries, coconut and raisins to add in.

If you want the recipe that we used, click here:

Homemade Granola

What a great way to start the morning :)

Sharks!

Becoming vegan has made me very aware of the cruelty and abuse that goes on in the farming industry. But, it has also made me more aware of all animals, whether they are farm animals, exotic animals, domestic animals or sea kittens (aka fishies)!

Learning about animals and their intelligence absolutely blows me away. They deserve a lot more credit than we give them. The way they interact, survive and love is astonishing. One of the animals I have fallen in love with is the shark. They are amongst the oldest creatures on earth: over 400 million years old!

When we think about sharks generic images are conjured up in our heads. We think the words “angry”, “death”, and “Jaws”. All of these ideas are not true, but it’s what we as a society has thought up. Just like my shirt says, Sharks have feelings too! Don’t just accept things to be the way they are, make a difference and open your mind to new things. If we take the time to become informed about animals, we will surprise ourselves. You will become more aware of the Earth, and become more compassionate towards all of its inhabitants. Learn more about these amazing creatures! I highly recommend the documentary “SHARKWATER” -- if you haven’t already watched it. It opened my eyes to the numerous troubles sharks face through fishing and the unnecessary use for shark fins. I also learned so much about their special talents and their way of life. We need these intelligent, important animals to survive. This documentary moved me so much that when I finished watching the film, I adopted a shark through the World Wildlife Foundation.
Here is the link to the movie “Sharkwater” through Youtube…but like anything, the DVD is so much better and it gives the photography and beautiful images much more justice.

Check out the movie's website as well:
http://www.sharkwater.com/

Grocery Shopping

I try not to buy fake meats too much, but they’re just so great for fast food fixes and provide you with tons of protein. Recently, I tried the Meatless Mediterranean Chicken Strips from Superstore. They were very tasty, and didn’t have that cardboard taste that some other brands have. I made a Caesar wrap with mixed greens and tomatoes. It was something familiar that I haven’t had in awhile, so it was a nice treat. There were also “Meals to Go” in the refrigerated pasta aisle. I thought there was going to be milk products in these packages, but I was surprised when there wasn’t. Each one has flatbread and hummus, as well as a trail mix snack and a bean or pasta salad. It was a little on the pricey side...but it would be great to bring with you on the road or if you’re running late to work and need to pack a lunch. On a side note, I am a bit frustrated with having to go to Sobeys and Superstore because they each carry different products. Tofutti products are only found at Sobeys, but Superstore has a larger health food section (this is the case for my local area).

I wrote letters to each of my local stores commending their acknowledgment of the vegetarian/vegan community and the selection they did have. But, I also explained how it is hard to get all your groceries in one stop, and there are still some products they don’t carry at all (for example: tempeh, seitan, agave nectar, vegan marshmallows etc). I don’t know if it will help, but maybe if others have already commented or showed an interest in healthier and alternative food choices, changes will start to be made in the grocery stores.

Remember, every time you buy something you are voting! If you buy an organic product, a local product or a healthy product, it shows each store which products are popular and which aren’t. So, if we buy less meat, hopefully meat will be in less demand….meaning fewer animals will have to be killed!
Happy shopping :)

Shout Out

Everyone who has tried Amy’s products has loved them. I know I’ve already boasted about the pizza and burritos, but I also love the different types of soup. There’s also tofu dishes, lasagna and even macaroni and cheese. Most of Amy's products are vegan, but some are vegetarian and may have cheese or milk products in them.

This is a scrumptious lentil soup, perfect for lunch on a cold day. I highly recommend Amy’s products! They are so tasty and great if you're in a hurry.
Try some out :)

Pumpkin "Cheesecake" With Candied Cranberries

This is a recipe I got off of Alicia Silverstone’s website for the Kind Diet. She had some posts pertaining to Thanksgiving and some recipes she has used in the past. This one just looked too good to resist! The candied cranberries were a bit tedious because we had to prick each one several times with a thumb tack-but it was worth it in the end. Also, I used Nutriwhip for the whipped cream because it doesn’t have any milk in it. You can find it in a box in the refrigerated section.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Cranberries

Candied Cranberries
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
2 Cups sugar substitute (either maple syrup or agave nectar, whichever you prefer)
I only had one cup of maple syrup, so I also threw in one cup of sugar and some water to cover the cranberries

STEPS
Prick each cranberry several times with straight pin.
Bring sugar substitute and water to boil over medium heat.
Cook until sugar reaches 230 F on candy thermometer (I didn’t have a fancy candy thermometer, so I just boiled it for about 10 minutes then decreased the heat)
Add cranberries, and cook ten minutes or until syrup gels a bit.
Remove berries with slotted spoon and lay out on plate.
Save in refrigerator for adding to top of cheesecake later.

Crust
INGREDIENTS
Pre-made organic vegan graham-cracker crust (for ease)
or, if you prefer to make your own
10 sheets vegan graham crackers
1/4 tsp salt
2 oz Earth Balance butter
STEPS (if you aren't using premade)
Process crackers and salt into fine crumbs in food processor.
Add Earth Balance and pulse to combine.
Press mixture into bottom and half way up sides of 9 inch spring form pan.
(I just used the recipe on the graham wafer crumb box)

Cheesecake Filling
INGREDIENTS
12 oz. silken tofu (this is found in a box, and is not refridgerated)
8 oz. vegan cream cheese
3/4 can Whole Foods Organic Pumpkin Pie Filling
1/4 cup agave nectar (I used maple syrup)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
I also added some sugar! Hey, it’s Thanksgiving :)
STEPS
Puree all ingredients in food processor until very smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
Pour into crust and bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.
Chill completely in refrigerator at least 3 hours, up to overnight.
Garnish with candied cranberries, slice and serve.

Tofurkey Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and my experience with Tofurkey has been a great one! Mom and I cooked all day and tried some new recipes. To start off, I made a pumpkin cheesecake topped with candied cranberries, and my mom made a classic apple pie.

Once the desserts were done we worked on cutting up the veggies and preparing the Tofurkey. I also made some roasted sweet potatoes and mushroom gravy to top it all off! To make the Tofurkey, we surrounded it with carrots, potatoes and onions. We also made a basting sauce; the recipe was on the side of the box. We cooked the Tofurkey after it was thawed out, so it only took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The flavor of the Tofurkey was very similar to the real thing, but of course the texture wasn’t the same. My favorite part has always been all the side dishes and gravy, but it’s nice to have a piece of protein on your plate.

Everyone really liked the gravy! I wasn’t sure if it was going to work or not, but I was surprised yet again! Here is the recipe:
Mushroom Gravy
8oz. (225g) mushrooms (Shitake, Portobello, or regular), sliced
¼ cup sliced onions
1 ½ Tbsps. Oil
½ cup unbleached white flour
2 Tbsp. oil
4 cups vegetable stock, or soymilk
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
¼ tsp. black pepper
Lightly sauté the sliced mushrooms and onions in the 1 ½ Tbsps Oil. In another pan, combine and bubble the flour and 2 Tbsp oil together over low heat for 1 minute. Whisk in the stock along with the soy sauce and pepper. Cook until thickened, whisking out any lumps. Stir in the mushrooms and onions and serve.
I used 4 cups of vegetable stock and it worked great.

Of course, Thanksgiving is all about family and compromise. Dad still cooked a small turkey for the rest of the family, but acceptance is key. I am so very thankful for everything in my life, especially my family. I am also thankful for the people who have made it their life’s quest to spread the word about animal rights, the environment and becoming vegan. Without the literature out there, the videos and the strong people who support this lifestyle, I wouldn’t be aware of what I am today. I am also thankful to have something to stand up for; something that makes me feel good about my choices and something that has changed my life for the better.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us. It is such a great time where families come together and spend some quality time around the table. Thanksgiving revolves so much around food, as it is such an important part of our lives. Food is a common denominator that brings us all together. This will be my first Thanksgiving without turkey; without a dead animal on my plate. I am so excited to celebrate my new vegan lifestyle and stuff my face full of goodies. I think some people are afraid if they change their food choices on holidays, it just won’t be the same-or that their family will be uncomfortable or unhappy. But, I think we need to remind ourselves that while food is a great part of the holidays, family is the most important part. Being there for each other and realizing how thankful you are for everything in your life. And, I am so lucky to have a family that supports my new lifestyle. I am also very proud of my vegetarian friends and my vegetarian Mom!
We still haven’t got the specifics down for the meal this weekend, but I will be trying some new recipes. Also, I am very excited to try a Tofurkey with the works! I’d like to leave you with an excerpt from the book “Eating Animals”. Here, the author explains why turkeys are one of the most unloved animals and are killed in the millions each year for our holiday meals.

"All but a negligible number of the 45 million turkeys that find their way to our Thanksgiving tables were unhealthy, unhappy, and-this is a radical understatement- unloved. If people come to different conclusions about the turkey’s place on the Thanksgiving table, at least we can all agree on those three things.

Today’s turkeys are natural insectivores fed a grossly unnatural diet, which can include “meat, sawdust, leather tannery by-products.” And other things, whose mention, while widely documented, would probably push your beliefs too far. Given their vulnerability to disease, turkeys are perhaps the worst fit of any animal for the factory model. So they are given more antibiotics than any other farmed animals. Which encourages antibiotic resistance. Which makes these indispensable drugs less effective for humans. In a perfectly direct way, the turkeys on 0ur tables are making it harder to cure human illness.

It shouldn’t be the consumer’s responsibility to figure out what’s cruel and what's kind, what’s environmentally destructive and what’s sustainable. Cruel and destructive food products should be illegal. We don’t need the option of buying children’s toys made with lead pant, or aerosols and chlorofluorocarbons, or medicines with unlabeled side effects. And we don’t need the option of buying factory-farmed animals.

However much we obfuscate or ignore it, we know that the factory farm is inhumane in the deepest sense of the word. And we know that there is something that matters in a deep way about lives we create for the living beings within our power. Our response to the factory farm is ultimately a test of how we respond to the powerless, to the most distant, to the voiceless-it is a test of how we act when no one is forcing us to act one way or another. Consistency is not required, but engagement with the problem is.

Historians tell a story about Abraham Lincoln, that while returning to Washington from Springfield, he forced his entire party to stop to help some small birds he saw in distress. When chided by the others, he responded, quite plainly, “I could not have slept to-night if I had left those poor creatures on the ground and not restored them to their mother.” He did not make (though he might have) a case for the moral value of the birds, their worth to themselves or the ecosystem or God. Instead he observed, quite simply, that once those suffering birds came in his view, a moral burden had been assumed. He could not be himself if he walked away. Lincoln was a hugely inconsistent personality, and of course he ate birds far more often than he aided them. But presented with the suffering of a fellow creature, he responded.

Whether I sit at the global table, with my family or with my conscience, the factory farm, for me, doesn’t merely appear unreasonable. To accept the factory farm feels inhuman, to accept the factory farm- to feed the food it produces to my family, to support it with my money- would make me less myself, less my grandmother’s grandson, less my son’s father.”
Jonathan Safran Foer

Adopt a Turkey

Instead of eating a turkey this thanksgiving, why don’t you adopt one!

"Save a life this Thanksgiving, and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project."

Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, has organized the annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project since 1986. This Thanksgiving, with Ellen’s help, thousands of families will save turkeys, instead of eating them, by adopting a feathered friend who lives at Farm Sanctuary’s New York or California Shelter. For a one-time donation gift of just $30, adopters will receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate, featuring a color photo of and fun details about their new friend, and the great feeling of knowing they are sponsoring the care of a turkey who has been rescued from cruelty. These donations help Farm Sanctuary educate and advocate for turkeys, and other farm animals, everywhere. This year’s “adoptable” turkeys include: Velma, Daphne, Kima, Harley, Reese and Jordan. The Farm Sanctuary also sponsors a Celebration FOR the Turkeys. People come from far and wide to celebrate turkeys and feed them on this special day. Instead of being killed and eaten on the dinner table, these turkeys get to eat a food off of a dinner table! They are given a feast full of vegetables and goodies. I absolutely love this idea.
Every living creature deserves a special day :)
If you want to watch a video of last years Celebration FOR the Turkeys, watch below.