tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313818732024-03-07T02:56:39.920-05:00Inside the Mind of a VeganThis will be a journal of the travels & random thought patterns of 2 happy vegans. We will post things we find to be interesting, exciting, and some things that are just plain odd.Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-10563004535372982342009-02-12T12:45:00.003-05:002009-02-12T13:04:04.207-05:00Awesome Vegan 'Sheese' now in Sarasota<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.buteisland.com/images/medium_cheddar_burger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.buteisland.com/images/medium_cheddar_burger.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Vegsarasota just got an email from a fellow vegan at <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/sarasota/">Whole Foods Sarasota</a>. They have a shipment of <a href="http://www.buteisland.com/">Sheese</a>! This is HUGE. Ever since we discovered this cruelty free option we have been trying to get our hands on more. Occasionally we will come across a few blocks here and there, but now it will be for sale, we are told starting Friday, in our local Whole Foods. This is the kind of product you can eat right out of the package on crackers and it has a deep rich flavor. Along with the <a href="http://www.followyourheart.com/vegangourmet.html">Follow Your Heart line</a> which we like for melting on pizzas and other italian dishes, the Sheese is the best vegan cheese we've ever had.<br /><br />We're excited, because as the Sheese website says:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">One of the most common reasons given for not giving up dairy produce used to be that there wasn’t an acceptable dairy-free alternative to cheese, that really tasted of cheese. </span><br /><br />So go snag some of this stuff for an at-home taste test and then <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/contact_direct.php?tlc=SAR">let Whole Foods know</a> that you liked it!<br /><br />Hopefully this will give just one more really tasty reason to give up the cruelty and cholesterol laden dairy cheese that many have a hard time doing without.Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-2785194738579325452009-01-14T20:06:00.002-05:002009-01-14T20:10:12.347-05:00Vote for Vegan School Lunches Now!Please add your voice right now by following this link and promoting healthy, cruelty free options for our nations children.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.change.org/ideas/view/vegan_school_lunch_options">http://www.change.org/ideas/view/vegan_school_lunch_options</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Healthful school lunch options</span><br /><br /> Require USDA to facilitate healthful plant-based (vegan) school lunch options to promote public health, freedom from hunger, environmental quality, nonviolence, and kindness to animals.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Problem</span><br /><br />Under the mandate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program, school cafeterias routinely serve highly processed meals laden with saturated fat, cholesterol, hormones, and salt. Common entrees include chicken nuggets, pizza, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs. This diet flouts U.S. Dietary Guidelines and promotes obesity, diabetes, hypertension, other chronic conditions, and food poisoning.<br /><br />Consider the following:<br /><br />• Fewer than 2% of children eat in accordance with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines on a given day.<br />• School lunches contain 33% of calories from fat, including 12% from saturated fat, while U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend 30% and 10%, respectively.<br />• More than 30% of children are overweight or obese.<br />• 25% of children ages 5 to 10 suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Solution</span><br /><br />A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains is largely free of these problems and essential to good health. It supplies nearly all essential nutrients, contains little fat, fewer pesticides, and no cholesterol, hormones, antibiotics, or heavy metals. It also provides special nutrients that reduce the risk of cancer. It is conducive to more energy and improved academic performance.<br /><br />A healthy diet for children is a critical indicator of future health, because children's bodies are still developing, because their dietary choices are still being formed, and because their poor eating habits become lifelong addictions.<br /><br />In addition to its obvious health benefits, a plant-based diet offers the only long-term solution to the world hunger epidemic. It avoids the massive deforestation, water pollution, and global warming caused by the meat and dairy industries. Last, but not least, it spares billions of cows, pigs, and other innocent sentient animals from the atrocities of factory farms and slaughterhouses.<br /><br />The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the ability and the obligation to provide a wholesome food supply for our nation, starting with our children. It should use the school lunch and other national feeding programs to improve the nation's health, rather than to susidize the meat and dairy agribusiness.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/33luqyxA8LQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/33luqyxA8LQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-89084355263623923242008-12-23T22:13:00.002-05:002008-12-23T22:16:21.818-05:00EPA Under-Resourced, Endangering PublicEPA Veils Hazardous Substances<br />December 22nd, 2008 By Susanne Rust and Meg Kissinger in Space & Earth science / Environment <br /><br />The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency routinely allows companies to keep new information about their chemicals secret, including compounds that have been shown to cause cancer and respiratory problems, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has found.<br /><br />The newspaper examined more than 2,000 filings in the EPA's registry of dangerous chemicals for the past three years. In more than half the cases, the EPA agreed to keep the chemical name a secret. In hundreds of other cases, it allowed the company filing the report to keep its name and address confidential.<br /><br />This is despite a federal law calling for public notice of any new information through the EPA's program monitoring chemicals that pose substantial risk. The whole idea of the program is to warn the public of newfound dangers.<br />The EPA's rules are supposed to allow confidentiality only "under very limited circumstances."<br /><br />Legal experts and environmental advocates say the practice of "sanitizing," or blacking out, this information not only strips vital information from the public, it violates the agency's own law.<br /><br />Section 14 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the foundation for all the EPA's toxic and chemical regulations, stipulates that chemical producers may not be granted confidentiality when it comes to health and safety data.<br />"The EPA has chosen to ignore that," said Wendy Wagner, a law professor at the University of Texas-Austin.<br /><br />The newspaper's findings are just the latest example of how EPA administrators more often than not put company interests above the needs of consumers. Over the past 18 months, the Journal Sentinel has reported on numerous EPA programs that bow to corporate pressure, frustrating health and environmental advocates and disregarding the agency's own mission to inform the public of potentially dangerous chemicals.<br />The EPA has the authority to fine companies that fail to fully disclose information about dangerous chemicals. And, in at least one instance, it has done so. But critics say the program has been allowed to flounder, and the agency rarely challenges a company's request for confidentiality.<br /><br />It's been frustrating to see the program "starved of resources and generally abandoned," said Myra Karstadt, a toxicologist who worked on the EPA's program from 1998 to 2005. "It's a very worthwhile program but only if it's given a chance to work." <br /><br />The program began 30 years ago as a way to help the public avoid contact with dangerous chemicals. The law requires companies that make chemicals to submit any information of potential hazards about their products to the EPA. The EPA, in turn, is supposed to make that information available to communities and consumers.<br />Companies can claim confidentiality if they are worried that their disclosures will reveal trade secrets. They have to answer 14 questions, including specifics on why disclosing the information would harm the company.<br /><br />EPA administrators then decide which ones are granted confidentiality.<br />EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said the agency realizes the claims of confidentiality "do in some instances limit the public's ability to understand the specifics of a particular filing." In those cases, the agency works with the companies to get them to provide more information, which many do, he said.<br /><br />But the Journal Sentinel examination of the agency's substantial risk program found that large information gaps remain. More than half of the 32 submissions for March 2004, for example, are still missing information necessary for the public to connect the name of the chemical with the information submitted.<br /><br />Some have no information at all.<br /><br />Consider File No. 8EHQ-0308-17103A.<br /><br />The EPA document, filed in March, marks as confidential the names of the chemical and the company that makes it. Even the generic class of chemical has been removed.<br />What is the information that this unnamed company is submitting about this unnamed chemical so the public can see if it poses a substantial risk? Anxious consumers have no way of knowing.<br /><br />"No information is provided in the sanitized copy of the submission," the EPA Web site entry reads.<br />One report, posted by an unnamed company about an unnamed chemical, shows that if the substance is inhaled, it produces "foamy macrophages" or diseased cells, in the lungs of rats. The report also indicates the chemical may cause pulmonary fibrosis - a deadly and irreversible disease in people.<br /><br />There is no way to know if this is a chemical coming out of a smokestack in some town or a concern for workers at a factory. The write-up does not say where the chemical is produced or used.<br /><br />Nor is there any indication in the description of what this chemical is or how it works.<br /><br />Another filing in May refers to a study that shows a chemical had caused liver abnormalities consistent with cancer. Again, the chemical name and any identifying information are blacked out.<br /><br />"The public is being denied useful and sometimes critical information on chemical-related health and environmental hazards," said Karstadt, the former EPA toxicologist.<br /><br />Karstadt said the whole point of the program was to provide the public with information about dangerous chemicals.<br /><br />"By law, health and safety data is supposed to be kept open," she said.<br />The EPA's own Web site indicates that studies, letters and accident reports are intended to be viewed by the public so citizens can "understand potential human health and environmental risks associated with exposure to chemical substances."<br />The EPA posts all reports, redacted or not, on its Web site.<br /><br />The law that requires companies to report data on dangerous chemicals is just one of 10 laws that the EPA is supposed to enforce. The office oversees 28 programs that address air pollution, water pollution, hazardous waste, toxic substances and pesticides, among other things.<br /><br />The EPA is an enormous agency with three headquarters in the Washington, D.C., area and 10 regional offices all over the country. The office that administers the dangerous chemicals program has eight divisions. The overview describing their responsibilities fills 41 pages.<br /><br />Even Kemery, the spokesman, could not say exactly who or how many people decide what information is allowed to be kept confidential. Nor did he know how many claims of confidentiality have been submitted and how many were granted.<br /><br />The Environmental Working Group, a watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., reports that less than 1 percent of the EPA's enforcement and compliance budget is spent on the Toxic Substances Control Act.<br /><br />Renee Sharpe, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, spent more than a year trying to get information from the EPA about some of the chemicals under the program, only to be denied at every turn.<br /><br />"It's pretty outrageous, isn't it," she said.<br /><br />The EPA advises companies on how to keep information confidential. It is less helpful to consumers.<br /><br />The information on its Web site is difficult to access. You can't look up the chemical by name or by the name of the company that makes it. So, you have to go through the filings month by month to see if there is any information listed on that particular chemical.<br /><br />There are huge gaps in reporting. The Web site does not have any information on chemicals before 2004. For reasons the EPA does not explain, the Web site does not include the second half of 2004.<br /><br />That means there is no information at all about more than 16,000 entries.<br />Sometimes, the program works.<br /><br />In 2004, the EPA fined DuPont de Nemours and Co. $10.25 million for not reporting data on Teflon. The chemical, used as nonstick coating in cookware, was found to be toxic and had been linked to birth defects. The EPA alleged that DuPont had information for more than 20 years that the chemical was harmful but did not disclose the risks.<br /><br />The company agreed to settle and pay the penalty. It was the largest civil administrative penalty the EPA had ever obtained under any federal environmental statute.<br /><br />Other times the EPA has encouraged companies to withdraw chemicals found to be dangerous. In 1999, 3M agreed to phase out its use of perfluorinated chemicals after discussions with the EPA. The chemicals, used in furniture coatings and to waterproof clothing, were found to cause reproductive and developmental toxicity in rats.<br />Still, critics including Karstadt and Wagner say the agency's policies have grown too lax.<br /><br />The real problem with the program "is a complete lack of commitment," Karstadt said.<br />Even when companies say they understand the need for transparency, they aren't always willing to provide it, the Journal Sentinel found.<br /><br />Adam Bickel, manager of the Product Regulatory Center of Expertise at BASF, a major German-based chemical producer, said his company recognizes that toxic law is a "key chemical control and chemical management statute to protect human health and the environment."<br /><br />BASF is one of the companies that files the most reports to the EPA under the program. Bickel said his company takes its obligations "seriously and complies with the reporting."<br /><br />BASF submitted 101 reports to the EPA in 2008. It blacked out the chemical name in 85 of those entries.<br />___<br />© 2008, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. <br />Visit JSOnline, the Journal Sentinel's World Wide Web site, at http://www.jsonline.com/Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-62325995000052737072008-10-06T20:34:00.008-04:002008-10-06T21:54:56.549-04:00Sarasota Walks for Farm Animals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOLGXl1lfR8rc7-vGivqTB8hTkrEFInHn7X3T_QUyPhRoMgr8nsPXmEAY57J4Zn_OZr29sd71c1jvtoXBnxelt7Do4JXh0u66igllQPxcvuHzZJAa6sxd3OsPhl1Cw4NFRRgK/s1600-h/2008_newban.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOLGXl1lfR8rc7-vGivqTB8hTkrEFInHn7X3T_QUyPhRoMgr8nsPXmEAY57J4Zn_OZr29sd71c1jvtoXBnxelt7Do4JXh0u66igllQPxcvuHzZJAa6sxd3OsPhl1Cw4NFRRgK/s400/2008_newban.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254215733428917042" /></a><br />The weather was cool and sunny, the people and puppies were happy and smiling, the kids were cute, and the vegan donuts and Silk Mocha were oh-so-tasty!! You didn't know dogs can smile? Well now you do :)<br /><br />Once again <a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/">VegSarasota</a> members turn out in force to shed some much needed exposure on animal abuse in agriculture. In honor of <a href="http://www.wfad.org/">World Farm Animals Day</a> which is on 10/2 we got together this past Saturday for a 3 mile walk followed by yummy snacks, drinks, and a product giveaway. All those mundane Saturday morning drivers just going about their robot-like commutes got an eyeful as about 50 happy smiling people and non-human animals carved a path over the beautiful new John Ringling bridge in support of Farm Sanctuary, signs and banners in-tow (see pics below). We got a bunch of supportive waves and honks from passing runners, bicyclists, and drivers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.farmsanctuary.org/">Farm Sanctuary</a> is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal reforms, public awareness, education, and direct rescue efforts.<br /><br />Our good friend Michele Mician really did a great job organizing the walk this year and deserves special thanks. So....thanks!<br /><br />Here are a few of the photos:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt_fssylOp948LLkIhIeHvL8Z4mabhyY6hvh5xoOlZ3yjOOto_5mcZp_XO_YV9b5OyNEfnwS5HlaU4d5vv2xxLRWyIUxYDFwY56yc7V6qqabg8X1uWozTetaa1Ns6f3sVbFFB/s1600-h/DSC02715.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt_fssylOp948LLkIhIeHvL8Z4mabhyY6hvh5xoOlZ3yjOOto_5mcZp_XO_YV9b5OyNEfnwS5HlaU4d5vv2xxLRWyIUxYDFwY56yc7V6qqabg8X1uWozTetaa1Ns6f3sVbFFB/s400/DSC02715.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254217196786538530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0I7KuAGC2f7-_8ryJoLKhbz35nCHF6aJhIgJfg7bUYxH9yNwS-5ts9zF0JfivjsKumnQQl8GBYrRE0aee7BEfoWeMfg_Mx88UWNOYC8shYHHdD4w9LqFpw8QqvldjhUB7fg4K/s1600-h/DSC02719.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0I7KuAGC2f7-_8ryJoLKhbz35nCHF6aJhIgJfg7bUYxH9yNwS-5ts9zF0JfivjsKumnQQl8GBYrRE0aee7BEfoWeMfg_Mx88UWNOYC8shYHHdD4w9LqFpw8QqvldjhUB7fg4K/s400/DSC02719.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254217195906143634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKXV2HZkhyjHpNyiHFCBT8JDDnDbPMKxcyXqgxKbDMjzR6MNDtrghh51uEtU7CfdvdkiI9aJPRlt1EcYYqiUOzQ9KjTpOoETO12_Bcj6J5bdG8shZmxHG3qIVChUOppVa9D2U/s1600-h/DSC02731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKXV2HZkhyjHpNyiHFCBT8JDDnDbPMKxcyXqgxKbDMjzR6MNDtrghh51uEtU7CfdvdkiI9aJPRlt1EcYYqiUOzQ9KjTpOoETO12_Bcj6J5bdG8shZmxHG3qIVChUOppVa9D2U/s400/DSC02731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254219131564951298" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgfLKzYzdCIqmJGHQe9r3l1Rn4-aYxSN8aWkTnlca6uGYUYqTKzWaPGA94gyHhhjA0fV7VMbg3scU3FtxvBixCitlFFVUuN4QWKKUVbiRQjLdyXWTVxb43_wDOzvnmWP_HUDN/s1600-h/DSC02728.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgfLKzYzdCIqmJGHQe9r3l1Rn4-aYxSN8aWkTnlca6uGYUYqTKzWaPGA94gyHhhjA0fV7VMbg3scU3FtxvBixCitlFFVUuN4QWKKUVbiRQjLdyXWTVxb43_wDOzvnmWP_HUDN/s400/DSC02728.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254217195048991538" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS9Xy_juRFATdtYFp2vGCigbU5BJnUfuOEozmFmb5MP8u8Zav5Hku6tO4S8WYxg-Kbz2JliOBQLtg-D5D3wTavGzv9g-FnMJVepSJduptrxBAfHkrp1-NFOiNqc2SkgyLPXXD/s1600-h/DSC02732.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS9Xy_juRFATdtYFp2vGCigbU5BJnUfuOEozmFmb5MP8u8Zav5Hku6tO4S8WYxg-Kbz2JliOBQLtg-D5D3wTavGzv9g-FnMJVepSJduptrxBAfHkrp1-NFOiNqc2SkgyLPXXD/s400/DSC02732.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254217201280737650" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgth7VmYEiLPNGP3GcTqdfh5f79_8gUDWuoV04FIiY1_svUO9CaXRZ5Ql8l7371VRs0aHL7zX2Klwh04TaqxtrZbej3zjnYjKonR9lexsxprYY7NJcVP2Q00BsuAbh5WR3jxn/s1600-h/DSC02724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgth7VmYEiLPNGP3GcTqdfh5f79_8gUDWuoV04FIiY1_svUO9CaXRZ5Ql8l7371VRs0aHL7zX2Klwh04TaqxtrZbej3zjnYjKonR9lexsxprYY7NJcVP2Q00BsuAbh5WR3jxn/s400/DSC02724.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254217198315125954" /></a><br /><br />The entire photo album can be viewed <a href="http://vegetarian.meetup.com/86/photos/453146/">HERE</a><br /><br />After the walk, we all enjoyed some nice shade and breeze, sitting on the grass, and getting re-hydrated. We ate snacks like vegan yogurt, fresh fruit, granola, Silk Mocha and vegan donuts. We handed out tickets and gave away a LOT of Bear Naked Granola and Soymilk, as well as a gorgeous gift basket with a cookbook, snacks, and hand blended tea.<br /><a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/"><br />VegSarasota</a> would like to thank our sponsors for this event, <a href="http://vegsarasota.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post_11.html">Buddha Belly Donuts</a> (makers of Sarasota's only vegan donuts) and <a href="http://www.bearnaked.com/">Bear Naked Granola</a>. Also thanks to our benefactors Terry, Judson V., Ruth Z, Kent P., Diane T. and all our members who collected donations leading up to the event, you guys & gals totally rock!Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-557995959094391512008-09-08T12:26:00.003-04:002008-09-08T12:33:13.207-04:00UN Climate Chief says SHUN MEATShun meat, says UN climate chief<br /><br />By Richard Black <br />Environment correspondent, BBC News website<br /><br />Livestock production has a bigger climate impact than transport, the UN believes<br /><br /><b>People should consider eating less meat as a way of combating global warming, says the UN's top climate scientist.</b><br /><br />Rajendra Pachauri, who chairs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), will make the call at a speech in London on Monday evening.<br /><br />UN figures suggest that meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport.<br /><br />But a spokeswoman for the UK's National Farmers' Union (NFU) said methane emissions from farms were declining.<br /> <br />Dr Pachauri has just been re-appointed for a second six-year term as chairman of the Nobel Prize-winning IPCC, the body that collates and evaluates climate data for the world's governments.<br /><br />"The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that direct emissions from meat production account for about 18% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions," he told BBC News.<br /><br />"So I want to highlight the fact that among options for mitigating climate change, changing diets is something one should consider."<br /><br /><b>Climate of persuasion</b><br /><br />The FAO figure of 18% includes greenhouse gases released in every part of the meat production cycle - clearing forested land, making and transporting fertiliser, burning fossil fuels in farm vehicles, and the front and rear end emissions of cattle and sheep.<br /><br />The contributions of the three main greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - are roughly equivalent, the FAO calculates.<br /><br />Transport, by contrast, accounts for just 13% of humankind's greenhouse gas footprint, according to the IPCC.<br /><br />Dr Pachauri will be speaking at a meeting organised by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), whose main reason for suggesting people lower their consumption of meat is to reduce the number of animals in factory farms.<br /><br />CIWF's ambassador Joyce D'Silva said that thinking about climate change could spur people to change their habits.<br /><br />"The climate change angle could be quite persuasive," she said.<br /><br />"Surveys show people are anxious about their personal carbon footprints and cutting back on car journeys and so on; but they may not realise that changing what's on their plate could have an even bigger effect."<br /><br /><b>Side benefits</b><br /><br />There are various possibilities for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming animals.<br /><br />They range from scientific approaches, such as genetically engineering strains of cattle that produce less methane flatus, to reducing the amount of transport involved through eating locally reared animals.<br /><br />"The NFU is committed to ensuring farming is part of the solution to climate change, rather than being part of the problem," an NFU spokeswoman told BBC News.<br /> <br />"We strongly support research aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock farming by, for example, changing diets and using anaerobic digestion."<br /><br />Methane emissions from UK farms have fallen by 13% since 1990.<br /><br />But the biggest source globally of carbon dioxide from meat production is land clearance, particularly of tropical forest, which is set to continue as long as demand for meat rises.<br /><br />Ms D'Silva believes that governments negotiating a successor to the Kyoto Protocol ought to take these factors into account.<br /><br />"I would like governments to set targets for reduction in meat production and consumption," she said.<br /><br />"That's something that should probably happen at a global level as part of a negotiated climate change treaty, and it would be done fairly, so that people with little meat at the moment such as in sub-Saharan Africa would be able to eat more, and we in the west would eat less."<br /><br />Dr Pachauri, however, sees it more as an issue of personal choice.<br /><br />"I'm not in favour of mandating things like this, but if there were a (global) price on carbon perhaps the price of meat would go up and people would eat less," he said.<br /><br />"But if we're honest, less meat is also good for the health, and would also at the same time reduce emissions of greenhouse gases."Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-83514778921217149912008-08-26T07:10:00.000-04:002008-08-24T02:21:38.108-04:00Vegan Dinner Parties!Well this recap is a bit overdue, ok a LOT overdue, but why spend time focusing on my faults? Let's just let bygones be bygones. You're here, you're reading lets just put the past behind us agreed? Good? Good. Yes I do talk to myself, but thats another story...<br /><br />VegSarasota has had a storm of events over the last <s>couple</s> few months so I thought I’d jam multiple reviews into this Blog. Our restaurant events are always some of the most fun, as the work is mostly done ahead of time coordinating, planning, taking the phone calls, answering questions and emails. The night of, we show up, sit down with a big group of friends, and enjoy a delicious meal while connecting with new people in the spirit. We like to stress that, as with all of our events, it is really the atmosphere, conversation, and community building that is important at these events. The great food is just a bonus :)<br /><br />April 27th was a sight to see, a pack of veggies stormed the local mall restaurant/bar Cosimo’s Brick Oven for a vegan dinner party. The fun began well before the event as we had to keep asking the restaurant to add more seating capacity for us. Eventually they just took the lid off by moving us from the veranda 'outside' to the main dining room inside, which we absolutely filled. Our good friend Cynthia did most of the coordination with the staff, and it turned out really well. We educated them about vegan alternatives like <a href="http://www.followyourheart.com/">Follow Your Heart</a> Mozzarella Cheese Alternative and <a href="http://www.tofurky.com/products/sausages.htm">Tofurky brand Italian sausage links</a>. The kitchen staff used the ingredients just like their cruelty filled analogs and made several fantastic dishes for our group to choose from.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/f/5/event_3961269.jpeg"><br />Check out the <a href="http://vegetarian.meetup.com/86/photos/345681/">gallery on the meetup.com website</a> for all the rest from this event!<br /><br />A little more recently, <a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/restaurant.php#tasteofasia">Taste of Asia</a> hosted us on a Sunday evening (6-22-08) during a time when they’re normally closed. We did an event here at the end of January that got good reviews. With the slow summer season we were glad to partner with this award winning veg friendly restaurant to do another event, which turned out even better than the first! They responded well to some feedback about the dishes last time and provided each guest two appetizers and a choice of four delicious entrees, all served with an exceptional brown rice.<br /><br />They were kind enough to donate a couple of gift certificates and two bottles of wine for a 50/50 (raffle) which helped raise some additional money for our volunteer vegan/vegetarian community group <a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/">VegSarasota</a>. Congrats to Mary on winning the Cosimo’s gift certificate, and Julia on winning both bottles of wine! If you can attend our next restaurant event, we have a $25 gift certificate for Taste of Asia which we’ll be giving away.<br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://">photo gallery</a> for more pics like this!<br /><img src="http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/d/5/3/event_4548467.jpeg"><br />A big thank you to Celina, her husband, and their staff for making great food, and providing great customer service.<br /><br />In the last couple of months, we've held a couple of our meetups at local restaurants on a more casual basis. These worked out great because the more intimate gathering provided more opportunity for mingling amongst the members.<br /><br />July 24th was our first experience at Island Time Grill in Sarasota, and they did a great job hosting us. The chef made a few special vegan selections, and offered them along with the couple basic vegan offerings on their standard menu. The ambiance was good, and the company and food were very pleasing (as you can see in these photos)<br /><br /><img src="http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/a/5/9/event_4911801.jpeg"><br /><img src="http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/a/5/b/event_4911803.jpeg"><br /><br />For the rest of the pics, check out the <a href="http://vegetarian.meetup.com/86/photos/403349/">photo gallery</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.veggiemagic.com/">Veggie Magic</a>, Sarasota's only all raw/vegan cafe teamed up with us for a happy hour on August 1st. There was a sampling of raw food and healthy drinks, John was on piano, and we got to spend some time getting to know the staff and enjoying very tasty food. Thanks to Jenna, Natalia and her very friendly co-workers for making the partnership a fun evening. It was a BYO wine event, and as you can tell by the second pic, the message was received :)<br /><br /><img src="http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/b/9/b/event_5096219.jpeg"><br /><br /><img src="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/5/e/7/event_5098855.jpeg"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Raylon & Robert were just 'guarding' the wine</span><br /><br />Then recently, on 8/17 we launched yet another partnership with a new restaurant. Cynthia coordinated a great menu at <a href="http://www.broccolinisarasota.com/index.html">Broccolini's</a> in Southgate. This proved to be a quaint spot with a good sized dining room and good wine. Vegan Italian is not easy to come by in this town, but Chef Luca has a great interpretation of the genre incorporating wine reductions, stuffed mushrooms, and polenta into the selection of dishes for our group.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/0/4/event_5195844.jpeg"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Steve from <a href="http://www.mygreenbuildings.com/">My Green Buildings</a> enjoying dinner with the fam, veggie style!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/7/1/event_5195953.jpeg"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Daniel knows the right table to sit at</span><br /><br />Well that brings us up to speed, thanks for checking out this jam-packed blog, and if you haven't checked out a <a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/">VegSarasota</a> event yet, please join us soon!<br /><br />Thanks to our very special friends; Restaurant Coordinator Cynthia P. and Staff Photographer Laura Marie who provided most of the photos and photo galleries linked here.<br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://www.vegsarasota.com/restaurant.php">vegsarasota.com restaurant page</a> for more info on these and other vegan friendly restaurants in our area. We encourage you to support these restaurants and try the products we mention in the blog. Please leave comments and feedback we love to hear from you!Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-9522617164498994712008-07-21T10:56:00.001-04:002008-07-21T10:57:43.037-04:00Foie Gras an Industry of ShameCalifornia and more than a dozen countries have banned its production. Public figures from the pope to Pat Buchanan have condemned it. Wolfgang Puck has removed it from his menus. And now Minnesota is beginning to discuss the issue, as well.<br /><br />At first blush, the subject of so much controversy is a mere table treat a heavy cracker spread consumed only by the most elite foodies. It’s called foie gras, French for "fatty liver." <br />It’s also the deliberately diseased liver of a factory-farmed duck, and Minnesota is home to one of only four producers in the United States.<br /><br />Minnesota’s foie gras producer may be smaller than its three domestic competitors, but it uses the same method forcing birds to ingest far more than they would normally consume to produce the enlarged livers it markets.<br /><br />Foie gras has a well-deserved notoriety. It’s one of the most abusive factory farm products, since workers shove tubes down birds’ throats in order to make them consume a grossly large amount of food multiple times each day for the last couple weeks prior to their slaughter. This unnatural process does not mimic anything in nature, and it causes the birds’ livers to become diseased and expand multiple times their normal size.<br /><br />New York is a larger foie gras producer than Minnesota, with two factory farms in the state that force-feed birds. Even there, experts condemn the practice. Dr. Ward Stone, the state’s wildlife pathologist, opposes foie gras production, stating that it leads to "short tortured lives" for these animals.<br /><br />The Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare is the European Union’s most authoritative scientific body on farm animal welfare. Not surprisingly, after a thorough investigation, the committee concluded that force-feeding to produce foie gras "is detrimental to the welfare of the birds."<br /><br />And the prestigious Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production recently recommended that force-feeding birds for foie gras be phased out.<br /><br />While describing the effects of force-feeding, poultry scientist Dr. Ian Duncan states: "In my view, it is completely unethical to deliberately promote a diseased state in an animal. The birds’ obesity will lead to myriad other problems from skeletal disorders to difficulties in coping with heat stress, and all of which are accompanied by feelings of malaise."<br /><br />It’s also no surprise that a new study identifies a potential human health risk associated with eating foie gras.<br /><br />The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that foie gras consumption may trigger the development of a serious disease that can cause a multitude of human health problems, including extensive organ damage, kidney failure and even death.<br /><br />Of course, most people probably don’t want to eat any part of a diseased animal, yet in the case of foie gras, it’s the diseased organ itself that diners consume.<br /><br />More people are refusing to swallow foie gras and its inherent cruelty. Nearly 80 percent of Americans believe the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese for foie gras should be banned, according to a Zogby poll. As a result, governments are looking at the issue and scores of restaurants are taking it off the menu.<br /><br />Forcing animals to endure such extreme cruelty and disease for something as trivial as a high-priced snack is something no civilized society should support. Mere common decency requires us to treat animals mercifully, and little could be less merciful than foie gras production.<br /><br />We’d all be wise to simply leave this product off our plates.<br /><br />- Paul Shapiro is the senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ fac-tory farming campaign.<br /><br />****************<br />Several restaurants here in Sarasota still serve this death delicacy. Ask them to stop!Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-14313433145433554032008-07-21T00:43:00.004-04:002008-07-21T01:08:14.823-04:00Albertson's Doesn't Care About Your Health<img src="http://www.festivalballet.org/images/images/albertsons.jpg" width="250"><br /><br />Ten thirty at night and this hungry vegan wandered into Albertson's to pick up a few things to make a late night dinner. Sensory overload isle after isle of stuff I'd never even want to consider putting in my body. I'd rather stave then eat most anything from this store. A selection of like 4 sad organic vegetables, live lobsters tied up in the tank and not a single "non-dairy" dairy product to be found. The "healthy" foods section is stashed at the end of the baking isle and are all haphazardly thrown together, half of which aren't even slightly "healthy".<br /><br />Every single product in this store contains meat, dairy, food coloring, pesticides, high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, managers and employees are all overweight, you know the usual every other grocery store kinda crap but here there is an over abundance of choices of death in a box. Don't worry they can solve your ails with their HUGE pharmacy. Toxic air freshener blasting through the meat section to get rid of the stench of blood baths and a seafood dept that look like red tide just rolled in. <br /><br />What is wrong with our society? Why are there ten times as many products of just plain toxic crap then there are decent ones? The manufacturers of these products don't care about your health or the planet, nor does Albertson's when they buy this stuff up and fill their shelves. Wake up people and take notice, if you don't care about your own health don't count on corporate agenda to do it for you. Oh yeah I thought I'd pick up some napkins, what could go wrong there but of course they didn't have even one of the 50 selections that had any recycled materials. Figures. <br /><br />I did end up buying a non organic avocado, a tomato, and some Dr Praegers Veggie Patties for a late night sandwich. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.greendooronline.ca/images/detail-bombayburger.jpg"><br /><br />Albertson's I'm scoring you an "F" in corporate responsibility. I'm guessing the employees eat the food here cause they all look like zombies.Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-49608017479806637652008-07-18T00:14:00.004-04:002008-07-18T00:45:50.995-04:00How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?<img src="http://reginanuzzo.com/wp-content/walking01.jpg" width="300"><br /><br />Here's the top 10 most walkable cities in America, surprise surprise Portland makes the list:<br /><br />San Francisco, CA<br />New York, NY<br />Boston, MA<br />Chicago, IL<br />Philadelphia, PA<br />Seattle, WA<br />Washington D.C.<br />Long Beach, CA<br />Los Angeles, CA<br />Portland, OR<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">But what makes a neighborhood walkable?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A center</span>: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it's a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Density:</span> The neighborhood is compact enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to run frequently.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mixed income, mixed use:</span> Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Parks and public space:</span> There are plenty of public places to gather and play.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pedestrian-centric design</span>: Buildings are placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the back.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nearby schools and workplaces:</span> Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.<br /><br />Test your neighborhood here: <a href="http://www.walkscore.com/">http://www.walkscore.com/</a><br /><br />The 2009 Transportation Bill is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Walk Score will hand-deliver the list of supporters to Congress on foot, on bike, on bus, and on subway. <a href="http://www.walkscore.com/transportation-bill.shtml">http://www.walkscore.com/transportation-bill.shtml</a>Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-52707447737341780612008-07-11T09:54:00.003-04:002008-12-11T06:57:57.882-05:00Vegan Donuts Main St Sarasota - Buddha's Belly Donuts<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxsXcZdSdCZYaVVbi2LyjTlk84nOrtqKcv_FePVYjmCux-F9eWeTSeHPMxRAga0qTu4s_Pi4eO93KlO8ztRAw2bBUR1AMAEFQe0QFa9Mj6Kb4czqzfnypogJRO4m20nB-uGjo/s1600-h/0711080729-701768.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxsXcZdSdCZYaVVbi2LyjTlk84nOrtqKcv_FePVYjmCux-F9eWeTSeHPMxRAga0qTu4s_Pi4eO93KlO8ztRAw2bBUR1AMAEFQe0QFa9Mj6Kb4czqzfnypogJRO4m20nB-uGjo/s320/0711080729-701768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221754674805790994" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6OT5QhCxAXmNBaPMKcd2WSYmV4SEwJ37xctNihqzNbVldzHFFsc_tMv0LBIbDmnS1T4QVy_b5KZI-8t37HT6DR-YzJakPzZHm76f5ZvEClq6RkxijDqngRk4SKJ4AslprOZ2/s1600-h/0711081144a-757201.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6OT5QhCxAXmNBaPMKcd2WSYmV4SEwJ37xctNihqzNbVldzHFFsc_tMv0LBIbDmnS1T4QVy_b5KZI-8t37HT6DR-YzJakPzZHm76f5ZvEClq6RkxijDqngRk4SKJ4AslprOZ2/s320/0711081144a-757201.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221783262286229170" /></a><br /><br />WOW! Yessssss! Ok so this isn't the healthiest vegan thing you can eat but heck I am thankful for that sweet sin delight when the mood strikes. Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Powered Jelly filled. The point is vegan living is getting more and more convenient.<br /><br /><b>Buddha Belly Donuts</b> - 1990 Main Street (At the corner of 301 & Main Street) call ahead for large orders 941-952-0700<br />Hours: Sunday-Wed 7am-3pm<br />Thurs-Saturday 7am-8pmDillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-77809308487297562872008-07-11T09:40:00.000-04:002008-07-11T11:54:22.729-04:00Moby's New video Disco Lies, Illustrates KFC's LiesMoby's never been one to be afraid of using his popularity to expose truths about animal suffering. Thanks Moby awesome song too!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MwyPI-zKqRs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MwyPI-zKqRs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-76252095289213712282008-07-02T20:56:00.003-04:002008-12-11T06:57:58.023-05:00Two Entire Bookcases of Veggie Books at Borders<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LPq6t1-YNpFnbTu6pQPgZPbSx-ZGDCS6RtwVWVx30Agpd3rwnwGYzXwlgrusfmfntjE6XJL8CCHYwL7r7t0MWYu11WTg_LAPG6N3XS8mbw-upnzkFGgl-y7PumDGS8GFXtM2/s1600-h/0702082055-703659.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LPq6t1-YNpFnbTu6pQPgZPbSx-ZGDCS6RtwVWVx30Agpd3rwnwGYzXwlgrusfmfntjE6XJL8CCHYwL7r7t0MWYu11WTg_LAPG6N3XS8mbw-upnzkFGgl-y7PumDGS8GFXtM2/s320/0702082055-703659.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218585425106873362" /></a><br /><br />WHOA!! I turned the corner and my heart skipped a beat. Two years ago there were four vegetarian cookbooks and 1 vegan book. Now, over 50 vegetarian title and at least 30 vegan ones. A couple dozen Raw recipe books as well. Good thing I had this 25% off coupon. Good till July 6, 2008.<br> <a href="http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon250701.asp?cmpid=SL_20080702_REW">25% Off Any Regular Price Item</a><br /><br />Check it out for yourself! Get a great cookbook, make tasty food, be happy :)Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-62664054274540097682008-06-23T17:45:00.001-04:002008-06-23T17:48:32.821-04:00’30 Days’ A Hunter Goes VeganRecently having watched a really great episode of the show on FX called “<a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/30days/">30 Days</a>” we wanted to throw some ideas out there, some tidbits for thought, conversation, and feedback. <br /><br />In case you’re unfamiliar with the show, it is narrated by Morgan Spurlock, of “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/">Supersize Me</a>” fame. The concept of the show echoes that of the film. It pairs up polar opposite people for and entire month, and allows each side to understand more about the other’s viewpoints. The latest episode has a hunter living with a PETA activist and her family, where he participates in all manner of animal rights activism. I have to say this was the best 42 minutes of television I’ve seen in a long time. FYI - this episode was Season 3, Episode 3, entitled “Animal Rights” and available as a download on iTunes and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B8U8WA/ref=atv_dp_se_to_ep?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&tag=vegancommini-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380549">Amazon.com</a> (Windows only) for $1.99.<br /><br />The star of the show was definitely the hard-headed hunter George Snedeker, 42 from North Carolina. For almost two full weeks George refused to compromise his beliefs in the slightest just for the sake of the show, or for the sake of peace. Despite the uncomfortable environment he must have been in due to his alternate understanding of the way things work in animal agriculture, he didn’t budge an inch....Until he actually knew and believed of his own accord that the “extreme” examples that animal rights advocates cite are not the exception, they are indeed the rule when it comes to the ever expanding drive for these corporations to go after maximum profits at all cost.<br /><br />This episode raised several questions with us that we wanted to share and discuss with our readers. Things such as what factors do you feel join forces such that in our modern day society millions of individuals come to believe so different about even the most fundamental facts, like killing is wrong or that animals have feelings and rights, regardless if they’re cats, dogs, cows, chickens etc...<br /><br />Is it our global society that seems to choose competition over cooperation every time that does it? If so, how do you overcome those barriers and get someone to listen.<br /><br />We obviously can’t give every person out there who’s interested in compassionate living the same experience as George got. Short of that, what will it really take to get the facts and information through to people in a way that they will accept? Activism, videos, and books work to change the thoughts of many, but for some that is just not enough. What steps can activists take, and is it worth the time that those steps take to try and relate these heavy concepts to individuals, 1 person at a time?<br /><br />We welcome your feedback and thoughts on these concepts. Comment below or email us if you have something to share. And please visit <a href="http://www.goveg.com/">goveg.com</a> today for a free starter kit.Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-204886506782258632008-05-03T21:55:00.005-04:002008-05-03T22:03:19.720-04:002-1/2 Year Study Condemns Factory FarmingThe prestigious <a href="http://www.ncifap.org/">Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production</a> just concluded its 2.5-year study of American animal agriculture with unanimous findings from its 15 members. The Commission was chaired by former Kansas governor John Carlin and included, among others, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, former Dean of the Univ. of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Michael Blackwell, and more.<br /><br /> <br />The panel concluded that factory farms pose unacceptable risks to public health, the environment and animal welfare. It also issued a series of recommendations, including a phase-out of battery cages, gestation crates, veal crates, foie gras, and tail-docking of dairy cows, along with inclusion of poultry under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. The Commission even put out a <a href="https://www.humanecalifornia.org/assets/92_caspecificpewrelease.pdf">press release</a> in which it cites the pending California anti-cruelty ballot measure as one of “the types of modest animal welfare public policy improvements that the Commissioners recommend implementing.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/29/AR2008042902602.html">Washington Post</a> published a great story on page A2 today entitled, “Report Targets Cost of Factory Farming.” <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-29-animal-farms_N.htm">USA Today’s story</a> begins, “The way America produces meat, milk and eggs is unsustainable, creates significant risks to public health from antibiotic resistance and disease, damages the environment and unnecessarily harms animals, a report released Tuesday says.” The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120951584294254683.html">Wall Street Journal’s coverage</a> focuses both on the problems caused by factory farming and the Commission’s conclusion that the “agriculture industry is exerting ‘significant influence’ on academic research.” And the <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/NEWS/80429006/1001">Des Moines Register’s piece</a> highlights the fact that the Commission is accusing “some livestock interests of trying to disrupt a wide-ranging study of the industry by threatening to yank financing for scientists and universities.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />Both the <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jKnSIb-Zf9uEOaQsBAJdfj72GziQD90BK0PGD">Associated Press</a> and <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2930966720080429">Reuters</a> have national stories on it, as well.<br /><br />Thanks to our friend Paul Shapiro of the <a href="http://hsus.org/">HSUS</a> for sharing the news and links.Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-50940417038987428022008-04-26T15:46:00.005-04:002008-12-11T06:57:58.939-05:00Vegan Ice Cream and Sausages help the Earth!VegSarasota is happy to be celebrating our 3 year anniversary. We're still going strong and sending love and compassion into our community. We had a great opportunity for Earth Day this year at New Gate Montessori school. We participated in a great Earth Day event organized by Vanessa Stafford and held at the schools beautiful east campus on Saturday April 19th. It is especially important to think of the impact that food choices have on the environment. This is a fact we highlight on Earth Day especially. <br /><br />Some quick facts (click the link for more) from <a href="http://www.goveg.com/environment.asp">goveg.com</a> to help connect these dots.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A major 2006 report by the United Nations summarized the devastation caused by the meat industry. Raising animals for food, the report said, is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global... Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale.<br /><br />Growing all the crops to feed farmed animals requires massive amounts of water and land—in fact, nearly half of the water and 80 percent of the agricultural land in the United States are used to raise animals for food. Our taste for meat is also taking a toll on our supply of fuel and other nonrenewable resources—about one-third of the raw materials used in America each year is consumed by the farmed animal industry.</span><br /><br />So now that you're educated, look at these happy pics!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3tRpAQ7etEh8024xSS4IrH5wl4L4D60fPOjWOb-VAnCym50GVKNtBqFvd8Zjb89CtwWhlYL1wmiknc0SzlcYB8jpjPe5deNohFDFdIitM6XnYjZoQTPbHWmRLwo6gmXCWqb9/s1600-h/DSC00218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3tRpAQ7etEh8024xSS4IrH5wl4L4D60fPOjWOb-VAnCym50GVKNtBqFvd8Zjb89CtwWhlYL1wmiknc0SzlcYB8jpjPe5deNohFDFdIitM6XnYjZoQTPbHWmRLwo6gmXCWqb9/s320/DSC00218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193647775439182226" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">Some of the crew smiling while setting up</p><br /><br />We were glad to partner with a great activist friend of ours, Lisa Wilson, which allowed us to run a brand new kind of booth for us, a vegan food booth. We had Popsicles, Fudgesicles, Soy Delicious ice cream sandwiches, Tofutti cuties, and Tofurky italian sausage links.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0riW4sjx-RpQXoxGji6c4yAcbInX7StgVdwt7-OsziaDyP4Y6spzkYw1leI5DpSa7-2yorpY8BVkeZzheE2socqocMYLUXWj8CeRjcRalhE2Ucl1MM2sPycZ_5dykboZXRSf/s1600-h/DSC00211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0riW4sjx-RpQXoxGji6c4yAcbInX7StgVdwt7-OsziaDyP4Y6spzkYw1leI5DpSa7-2yorpY8BVkeZzheE2socqocMYLUXWj8CeRjcRalhE2Ucl1MM2sPycZ_5dykboZXRSf/s320/DSC00211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193647766849247618" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">This is the start of any good Party!</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlsNMnBx2yyaRG4DDARMcPOcrWh9_TDMMn2JzOMU6Dp_y5He9357dlu6XZbZxPsjauJY610wWsHbJfDE3pvVG9qqGwOV_zxdz3lPTGFVvNlQUhSgqR4MQ2s1Jgl5duzcCMv1Q/s1600-h/DSC00227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlsNMnBx2yyaRG4DDARMcPOcrWh9_TDMMn2JzOMU6Dp_y5He9357dlu6XZbZxPsjauJY610wWsHbJfDE3pvVG9qqGwOV_zxdz3lPTGFVvNlQUhSgqR4MQ2s1Jgl5duzcCMv1Q/s320/DSC00227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193647775439182242" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">A happy customer ready to chow down!</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqk2_j0moktikdn5RPM-n-vG9WMTryKWdS2pFuiYTDUn1PfwgdODynexkeKq1yJmou4SCb2HzsIhLml-HmIyYSmyCoP6lRq0cg8k8XpoAbyXWhOOsWK9j1-xlYywGdfbis9Ip/s1600-h/DSC00250.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqk2_j0moktikdn5RPM-n-vG9WMTryKWdS2pFuiYTDUn1PfwgdODynexkeKq1yJmou4SCb2HzsIhLml-HmIyYSmyCoP6lRq0cg8k8XpoAbyXWhOOsWK9j1-xlYywGdfbis9Ip/s320/DSC00250.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193647779734149554" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">A friend of ours keeping cool with a yummy fudgesicle!</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuku6zTs_Gt29oJCVhymzN4vnq2L5cEBfPIHtDv7hT9XzvTWi-Kfo4hpeLW2ML7k65V9PN819yAkUCvXyYpuGe1UGuw0mHHVto9ciCwgUNXsagdX7VoVBEr1NOVl__nTrZv_E/s1600-h/DSC00254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuku6zTs_Gt29oJCVhymzN4vnq2L5cEBfPIHtDv7hT9XzvTWi-Kfo4hpeLW2ML7k65V9PN819yAkUCvXyYpuGe1UGuw0mHHVto9ciCwgUNXsagdX7VoVBEr1NOVl__nTrZv_E/s320/DSC00254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193647784029116866" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">Aurelia, Dill, and Kris showing their smiles.</p><br /><br />If you wanna see more photos, please visit our <a href="http://vegetarian.meetup.com/86/calendar/7602835/">meetup page</a>. While you're there, join up to be in the loop and RSVP for our fun and compassionate events!!<br /><br />VegSarasota would like to thank our sponsors for this event: <a href="http://www.samisbakery.com/">Sami's Bakery</a>, <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/sarasota/index.html">Whole Foods Market</a>, <a href="http://www.richardswholefoods.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=1FQSSEQX5CS92J2000AKHMCCQ259DGG9">Richard's Whole Foods</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodearthfoods.com/">The Good Earth</a>.<br /><br /><b>And remember, a vegan driving a Hummer uses less resources than a meat eater walking 1 mile!</b>Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-16728756358974580292008-03-02T00:24:00.006-05:002008-03-02T01:27:49.389-05:00Save an Artistic Landmark in SRQRead below to help us promote a great cause to keep a classic, wonderfully sustainable building in Sarasota! A brand new Riverview High School is being built near the existing site, but don't let a work of art be demolished! Let's re-use this historical and sustainable structure. Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) is helping to spearhead a move to restore the building and use it for generations to come.<br /><br /><img src="http://sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org/RMQImages/lobby11sml.jpg"><br /><br />THE RIVERVIEW MUSIC QUADRANGLE is a plan for the reinvigoration and preservation of the Paul Rudolph building at Riverview High School. The design creates a space for Sarasota musical arts groups to study and perform. It presents the Sarasota community with a creative, practical use for this exceptional building<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Your participation is needed!</span> <br /><br />Please send letters before March 15 to the members of the School board of Sarasota County, (addressing them by name) and include your address if possible. By using the links below you just have to fill in the details of the letter, it couldn't be easier! A copy will be sent to SAF.<br /><br /><br />Mr Frank Kovach : <a href="mailto:Frank_Kovach@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Mr Kovach, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Frank_Kovach@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br />Dr. Kathy Kleinlein: <a href="mailto:Kathy_Kleinlein@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Dr. Kleinlein, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Kathy_Kleinlein@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br />Mrs. Shirley Brown: <a href="mailto:Shirley_Brown@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Mrs. Brown, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Shirley_Brown@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br />Dr. Carol Todd: <a href="mailto:Carol_Todd@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Dr. Todd, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Carol_Todd@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br />Mrs. Caroline Zucker: <a href="mailto:Caroline_Zucker@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Mrs. Zucker, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Caroline_Zucker@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br />Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gary Norris: <a href="mailto:Superintendent@sarasota.k12.fl.us?cc=riverview@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org&subject=Riverview Music Quadrangle Project&body=Dear Dr. Norris, As a resident of Sarasota I encourage you to please reconsider the plans to demolish this classic building, and reinvigorate it instead. Please consider this my vote to make an eco-friendly choice for our community.">Superintendent@sarasota.k12.fl.us</a><br /><br /><br />VegSarasota wants the school board to understand that taking positive action toward keeping the sustainable history of Sarasota is more important than just saying they want to "Green Up" our wonderful city.<br /><br />Read more about the project on <a href="http://sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org/RVHindex.htm">SAF's website</a> <br /><br />Thanks to our friend Lenore for giving us the background and contact info.Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-86453081373457874922008-02-23T08:59:00.003-05:002008-02-23T09:32:30.565-05:00Baseball All Star Goes Veg!Well the awesome-tastic book <a href="http://www.skinnybitch.net/">Skinny Bitch</a> does it again! Yes, the stealth book by Rory Freedman which is part pop culture, part hard truth has once again enabled an iconoclastic sports star to give up all meat!<br /><br />You can read the article <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Prince-Fielder-is-on-an-all-sunflower-seed-diet?urn=mlb,67984">:HERE:</a><br /><br />A quote from the article<br />"That 6-foot, 260-pound build is powered by wheatgrass, soy and tofu nowadays. No meat. Not even fish."<br /><br />I find it a bit strange the way they say that, as if fish is not a meat. It's great to give up poultry and beef - no question. However the inference that sea animals are not self aware and alive just as much as chickens or pigs is ludicrous.<br /><br />However the article redeems itself a bit by including this insightful quote from Fielder, the youngest player ever to hit 50 home runs in a single season last year.<br /><br />"After reading that, (meat) just didn't sound good to me anymore. It grossed me out a little bit. <span style="font-weight:bold;">It's not a diet thing or anything like that</span>. I don't miss it at all."<br /><br />Thats the key idea which many people don't understand about compassionate living. It's not a diet that you embark on, cheating when you feel sad or if it doesn't work the way you want. It is a lifestyle chosen because of our ability to relate to other living beings.<br /><br />Incidentally, an old friend also informed us this week that she read the book and has been vegan ever since!<br /><br />Major kudos to Rory Freedman and Kim Barnoun for putting together a powerhouse reader that joins the ranks of tell-it-like-it-is books such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Liberation-Peter-Singer/dp/0060011572/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203776725&sr=1-1">Animal Liberation</a> (Singer), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1932100660/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203776562&sr=1-1">The China Study</a> (Campbell), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0975867911/ref=nosim/vegancom/">Meat Market</a> (Marcus), and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Peace-Diet-Spiritual-Harmony/dp/1590560833/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203776800&sr=1-1">World Peace Diet</a> (Tuttle)<br /><br />Read reviews and buy <span style="font-style:italic;">Skinny Bitch</span> through their website linked above, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0762424931/skinnybitch-20/102-4702322-5643326?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1">at Amazon</a> <br /><br />We'd love to hear your comments if you've read Skinny Bitch or another book which has enabled you to think differently about your eating habits :)Raylonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16368676771528230343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-20491320655639502412008-02-19T06:29:00.003-05:002008-02-19T06:35:26.775-05:00USDA recalls 143 million pounds of beefread full article here <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23212514/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23212514/</a><br /><br />Yesterday, the USDA issued the <b>largest recall of beef in U.S. history,</b> the latest action in response to The Humane Society of the United States’ groundbreaking undercover investigation of a dairy cow slaughter plant in Southern California.<br /><br />The recall of 143 million pounds of beef came two days after San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos filed criminal charges against slaughter plant workers <b>caught on video torturing crippled cattle,</b> and two weeks after USDA shut down that slaughter plant.<br /><br />The recall and cruelty charges show that the public will not stand for such abuses of farm animals, nor for the health risks that come with using "downed" cows for food. But the outrage has not yet prompted a change in federal policies related to the inhumane handling of downer cows and other farm animals.<br /><br />So today, please take the next step and ask your legislators to co-sponsor the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act, which would ban any slaughtering of downed animals for human consumption.<br /><br />The response to the investigation has been felt across the nation -- and millions of people have now witnessed the animal abuse that our undercover investigator so bravely documented. While the exposure is important, the long term goal is for the federal government to step up and meet its responsibility to ensure both food safety and animal welfare. A recall of this staggering scale proves that it's past time for Congress and the USDA to strengthen our laws for the sake of people and animals.Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-46716289500859883792008-01-29T11:33:00.001-05:002008-01-29T11:34:16.287-05:00Blog Research - Your Feedback NeededI am doing some research for blog I'm writing blog entitled: "5 Things Healthy Diners Don't Want in Their Food". I'm looking for some feedback of stuff you try to avoid when dining out. I am going to poll 100 people and write a summary of my findings. <br /><br />Please help me get started by making your top 5 list. Thanks!<br /><br />peace & love,<br />Dill <3Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-8527162579546220842008-01-29T10:11:00.001-05:002008-01-29T10:26:51.084-05:00Results from Taste of Asia Dinner<img src="http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/b/e/9/highres_3083529.jpeg" width="300"><br /><br />Sunday dinner always feels like family dinner to me. That's just what VegSarasota is, a community family of conscious consumers. <br /><br />We packed the house and raised $150 toward the VegSarasota annual budget! Taste of Asia generously donated to our raffle 6 bottles of wine. Owner Selina says their new two-page vegan menu has been very popular. If you haven't been there yet be sure to check em out. My favorite dish is the eggplant with fresh basil & brown rice or the noodle bowl loaded with fresh veggies. YUM!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/b/e/8/highres_3083528.jpeg" width="300"><br />(here's my cutie husband)<br /><br />more pictures here <a href="http://vegetarian.meetup.com/86/photos/?photoAlbumId=286976&photoId=3083524" target="_blank">meetup pictures</a><br /> Till next time,<br /><br />peace & love,<br />DillDillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-34987989924738276212008-01-07T20:49:00.000-05:002008-01-07T20:58:12.665-05:00What Each Country Eats in A Week, Compare FamiliesWhat is eaten in each country around the world (compare one family to another) WOW! (Thanks Vincent!)<br /><br /><b>Japan :</b> The Ukita family of Kodaira City<br />Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image001.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Italy :</b> The Manzo family of Sicily<br />Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image002.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Germany :</b> The Melander family of Bargteheide<br />Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image003.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>United States :</b> The Revis family of North Carolina<br />Food expenditure for one week: $341.98<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image004.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Mexico :</b> The Casales family of Cuernavaca<br />Food expenditure for one week: 1,862..78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image005.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Poland :</b> The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna<br />Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image006.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Egypt :</b> The Ahmed family of Cairo<br />Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image007.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Ecuador :</b> The Ayme family of Tingo<br />Food expenditure for one week: $31.55<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image008.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Bhutan :</b> The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village<br />Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image009.jpg" width="450"><br /><br /><b>Chad :</b> The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp<br />Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23<br /><img src="http://www.projectmana.org/files/images/what-eaten/image010.jpg" width="450">Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-4876779552273197982008-01-02T21:06:00.000-05:002008-01-02T21:12:40.736-05:00One Gross Meat Picture Too Many.How to Stop Junk Mail<img src="http://lowcarbonhome.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/junk-mail.jpg" width="300"><br /><br />Yet another packet of junk mail arrived today, every page lined with gross pictures of meat cuts (Omaha Steaks is their biggest client), KFC and Cheese Pizzas. Every week these come and they go right in the recycle bin. This week I decided I've had enough and needed to take action. <br /><br />Our area receives this junk mail by a company called Advo also known as Valassis. I found a link to "remove me from your mailing list" on their website and I intend to tell everyone I know. <br /><br />Stop the junk mail insanity!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.advo.com/consumersupport.html">http://www.advo.com/consumersupport.html</a>Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-24806737513359533092007-12-06T01:46:00.000-05:002007-12-06T01:52:37.772-05:00Bill Maher asks Bush to Pardon All The TurkeysPolitically Incorrect comedian, best-selling author, and HBO star Bill Maher wrote this forthright piece before Thanksgiving titled:<br /><img src="http://www.artcelebs.com/images/Maher/billmaher_photo.jpg" width="200"><br /><br /><b>Bush Should Pardon All of the Turkeys</b><br /><br />Quote: New Rule: The president can't pardon just one or two turkeys this Thanksgiving. He's got to let them all go.<br /><br />Bill writes an excellent piece calling out ironies in our society while sticking up for the welfare of turkeys.<br /><br />Read the full humorous story here, and smile proudly for Bill speaking up.<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/george-bush-pardon-all-t_b_73574.html" target="_blank">www.huffingtonpost.com</a>Dillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-58596996343465924902007-12-06T01:35:00.000-05:002007-12-06T01:41:15.961-05:00My Vegan Pizza Rocks So HardYeah it's oozing with everything but cow puss. Complete with homemade dough in the bread machine. Sweet' lovin! Get yo'self some soy cheese :) My favorite kind is <a href="http://www.imearthkind.com/" target="_blank">Follow Your Heart</a> brand found at Whole Foods. (see picture of packaging below)<br /><br />It's so good it gives me goosebumps. Now if ONLY Sarasota was cool enough that you could actually go somewhere and order a cruelty-free pizza like in real cities. <br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~dillmouse/veganpizza.jpg" width="400"><br /><br /><b>Why is cheese so cruel?? Don't be naive, it comes from milk which comes from a cow.</b><br /><br />A dairy cow's life is a continuous cycle of impragna-tion, birth, and milking to provide one thing only -- a constant supply of milk for human consumption and profit. She will be milked for 10 months out of the year, including seven months of each of her consecutive nine-month pregnancies. Two to three times a day, seven days a week, she will be attached to an electric milking machine, like just another cog in a factory. Then she will be returned to her cramped, narrow, concrete stall to do nothing but await the next milking.<br /><br />Within hours after giving birth, the cow's calf will be forcibly taken from her. Male calves will be sold for pet food, killed at just a few days old to make "bob veal", or raised for beef. Others will be auctioned to producers of "formula-fed veal". On veal farms, male calves are confined in tiny crates to restrict their movement in order to keep their muscles tender. They are fed an iron-deficient diet which causes severe anima but which keeps their flesh white, making it more valuable when they are sold for meat. Subjected to total sensory deprivation and stripped of any measure of joy, 20% of veal calves will die before even reaching the typical slaughtering age of 16 weeks.<br /><br />The female calves will be sequestered in tiny stalls in preparation for their enslavement to the dairy industry. When they are old enough to be artificially inseminated, they will begin the drudgery of a dairy cow. Their mother will be promptly put back into intensive milk production, where she will remain at risk for numerous stress related illnesses, infections, and diseases, many of which can be fatal.<br /><br />A dairy cow will survive a mere four years of this cruel, hollow life, whereas under natural conditions, she might live up to 25 years. At the end of her days, when she can no longer keep up the demanded level of milk production, drained and exhausted, she will be packed onto a crowded truck for transport to her final destination -- the slaughterhouse. After a life of slavery and servitude, her retirement gift will be to end up like her fellow "food animals" -- on somebody's plate. All vegetarians, especially those who continue to drink milk while unwittingly clinging to the myth that it is benignly begotten, should be outraged to know that 40% of America's hamburger is made from "spent" dairy cows.<br /><br />Consider that the next time you consume dairy. Don't be lame and selfish. Give it up.... you'll live.... trust me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.veganstore.com/images/products/561-L.jpg"><br /><br />peace & love,<br />DillDillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31381873.post-53574209906129739992007-11-30T00:28:00.000-05:002008-01-12T15:41:39.942-05:00Will Tuttle Makes World Peace Diet a Free Download<img src="http://www.worldpeacediet.org/images/worldpeacediet.jpg" width="200"><br /><br />That's right... as many of you know, Dr Will Tuttle is my one of my personal veg heros. As if spreading his knowledge with the world when he wrote his book "The World Peace Diet" wasn't enough, he's now decided to make it available to everyone FREE! That's right.... for a limited time only, you can download the entire book <a href="http://worldpeacediet.org/images/WorldPeaceDiet07.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Check out some of his other cool merchandise at <a href"http://willtuttle.com/" target="_blank">http://willtuttle.com/</a><br /><br />He will be here in Sarasota speaking on Thursday December 20th. Be sure to check him out! <br /><br />~ DillDillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07790254726384263213noreply@blogger.com0