Your Daily Vegan

A partial view of Jonathan Horowitz’s slaughterhouse exhibition, “Go Vegan!”

A “Go Vegan” exhibition in a slaughterhouse- that “still reeks of of butchered beef.”

The world of animal butchery is a very harsh, dirty, and cold world, indeed- to say the least.

The Jonathan Horowitz exhibit, Go Vegan!, at Gavin Brown’s enterprise in the south Village, NYC, attempts to bring that harsh reality to the public.  What could be a more effective space than a former slaughterhouse, to show art consisting of images of death,  juxtaposed with images of life- contrasted with photos of vegetarian celebrities??

I haven’t personally seen the exhibit, so I cannot comment on it as art.  But I can say that it is pretty blazing cool to have an artist amongst us who communicates the plight of those animals whom the rest of the world ignores.  It’s a refreshing change from some of the so-called artists we’ve seen who use animal exploitation as an “excuse” for art- and you know how we feel about those.

You’ve got until June 19 to check it.  For more information, go to Gavin Brown’s website.

via tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com & gavinbrown.biz

What if you found out the current food pyramid was biased because some of those responsible for our nutritional guidelines had ties to the meat and dairy industries? For real!

Two Committees deciding our nutrition

Committee one is generally run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  They are the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DAGC). They meet once every five years to decide the food pyramid standards. Committee two  determines what net level of nutrients we should consume (RDAs) .  They are the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences (FNB).  They meet every 5 years as well.  These committees provide information fundamental to the school lunch programs, hospital food programs, and the Women Infant and Children program.  They also decide the information on our food labels.

PCRM Studies Prove Different Recommendations than USDA Committee

There were studies done by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) proving that “Vegetarian diets are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and can meet Recommended Dietary Allowances for nutrients.” But the committee removed the recommendation altogether and stated instead, “If you avoid all foods from any of the five food groups, seek guidance to help ensure that you get all the nutrients you need.” (see pg. 6 of this link under Build a Healthy Base – Let the Food Pyramid Guide Your Food Choices). “This remark implies that people who consume a vegetarian or vegan diet are at greater risk of not getting enough vitamins and minerals.  Such statement is not supported by the scientific evidence, is therefore unnecessary, and must be removed”, stated Dr. Neal Dr. Barnard, founder of the PCRM.

The PCRM successfully sued the USDA and the courts ruled against the USDA’s secrecy and conflict of interest when setting policies.  (see also: Physicians Group Sues USDA Over Dietary Guidelines)  The current USDA Food Pyramid Guide stays in place until the new one is decided on this year.  What do you think about that?

Dr. David Pimentel, Professor of Ecology at Cornell University, stated in lecture, “For Vegans who don’t eat any milk or eggs, the energy consumption is reduced by 50% compared to the conventional consumption by people in the U.S.”  Vegetarians reduce energy consumption by 33%.  We so rock the environment! That saves more energy than driving a hybrid!

Check it out (if you find more, please do share):

Why plant-based nutrition? (t. Colin Campbell Foundation)

Huffington Post Article- Attention Athletes: Eat Your Vegetables (Rip Esselstyn author – The Engine 2 Diet)

Milk The Deadly Poison – Robert Cohen (Hard Copy video interview- at 50 sec. shares  sources higher in calcium).

Jane's furry pals

I heart Jane Lynch. I just do. Oh, I could tell you about how she’s been nominated for a Golden Globe, or how she actually won the Screen Actors Guild Award. I could mention how she plays Sue Sylvester on the hit show, Glee.  I could even tell you how damn funny she is- because she is, she so, so is.

But I won’t go on about Jane’s other accomplishments, today I’ll just say that Jane has done something that no other celebrity has managed to do yet- create a PETA video that I can actually get behind 100%.  Now, before ya’ll start to stone me- I’m not saying that every other celebrity video is shit.  I’m just saying I couldn’t agree with them 100%.  Moving on…

Jane uses her wit to tackle a very serious issue- animal overpopulation.  She had this to say:

[T]here’s 8 to 10 million dogs that are put into shelters every year and only about half of them are adopted out, so the other half are euthanized.  And you know, it’s a terrible thing to come into this world only to be, you know, taken out prematurely, so we can control this population by spay and neutering our own pets.

And you know what? She’s right.

via peta.org

Joee lives with me.  She wanted me to tell you that these new Fruitables treats that I got her are her ABSOLUTE favorite treats, well- right after her veggies that is.  She says that they are super smelly, but in a good kind of way.  They have a “just baked” muffin smell that drives Joee (or the other canines) nuts.   Joee likes that.  And from what I am told, these treats taste phenomenal- ‘cuz um, I would never eat one to see- but if I did (and I ain’t sayin’ I did), these buggers are human grade food so it’d be okay for a human to snack on ‘em.  Joee also likes that she can have them during her training sessions without worrying about adding poundage to her waistline because these treats are calorie smart.  (That just means they are under 9 calories a treat)  Terriers can be so vain about their figures.

Joee doesn’t know it yet, but I picked up a bag of the Pumpkin Blueberry treats. She’s gonna love them and I love feeling good about feeding her a treat that is good for her. Like any treat, please feed in moderation.

Joee gives Pumpkin & Banana Fruitable treats a whopping 5 Goatz for their super awesome smell, low calorie count, and healthy (and minimal)  ingredient list.

Have your puppies (or you, hey- we don’t judge) tried Pumpkin & Banana Fruitables?  Rate your experience below!

[starrater tpl=10 style='Goatz' size='46']

Image Source: World Resource Institute

I was sent a link the other day to a non-vegan website and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since.  It’s called Let Them Eat Meat and it is a site dedicated to not being vegan.  The site is run by a fellow who is an ex-vegan and he does these interviews with folks who are (again) ex-vegan.  I am truly enthralled.  First, credit due- I like the layout of the site, a lot.  I like the crazy subject categories, his writing style and thoroughness in discussing something.

All of that said, obviously we disagree on what is best for humans, non-humans, and our planet.  In fact, I would be hard pressed to find something that we did agree on.  But, let’s be honest, as a vegan you know that you aren’t going to change the world overnight- so if you are going to have a debate on veganism, then it’s best to do it with someone with intelligence.  I prefer that to the “we are at the top of the food chain” folks.  So, in a way, I don’t mind reading what this ex-vegan has to say.  Though, the reasons people stop being vegan (or the ones that they give during their interviews) are- for me, not a reason to stop caring about sentient life.

Because for me, nothing can trump an animals basic right to life.

The weather is warming up, and whenever it does I’m reminded of how much I love to grill.  Actually, I am very fortunate to have two charcoal grills at my house (thanks Mom and Dad) and those buggers get used- a lot.  Incidentally, whenever I start to talk about grilling people seem surprised that a vegan barbecues- it’s like if you aren’t roasting animal you can use a grill.  Psh!  Some of my favorite grill items are: Seitan Skewers, Eggplant, Corn on the Cob, Pineapple, Faux Sausages, and marinated mushrooms.  Delish!

I am also a BBQ sauce addict.  I will eat it on pretty much everything.  Tofu, tempeh, seitan, pineapple, eggplant, bean burgers- they all hold the sauce really well.  You end up with a charcoal-y, sweet, spicy flavor that’s just to weep for.  I have always made my own BBQ Sauce, it baffles me that other people don’t do the same.  It’s so easy and way cheaper than some store bought junk.  Plus, it’s really versatile, you can make it out of whatever you have on hand.  Once you know the basics, you can pretty much just eyeball things and instinctively know what flavor combos work together.

The Basics

First things first.  I usually make my sauces to suit whatever I’m putting them on.  For instance, I don’t like to use a super sweet sauce on pineapple since the pineapple is so sweet on it’s own- I’d use a more spicy sauce.  So just think about what you are making the sauce for before you make it, that’s all I’m really saying.

Right.  So, go and grab some stuff.  Like this stuff:

Sample ingredients for homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce

Let’s talk the base.  The base of BBQ sauce is usually a tomato-type base- for mine I use ketchup.  I know, I know- some folks shudder at using ketchup because of the added sugar, but for BBQ sauce it works out well.  If you prefer, you could use a mix of tomato sauce and paste (to the consistency of ketchup) – be sure to use unsalted tomato sauce since you’ll be adding salt in later (in the form of soy sauce or shoyu sauce).

Now you’ve got to finish up the base of the sauce.  I always add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and liquid smoke to my sauces.  The oil binds my sauce and makes it extra smeary, the cider vinegar offers up a nice acid kick, the molasses thickens and sweetens, and the smoke makes it- well  smoky.

Now, from here it gets dicey.  There are so many things that you could add to BBQ sauce, ranging from the salty to the spicy and back around to the sweet- this sauce can take virtually any flavor type you throw at it.  I love to add a dark purple jam/fruit preserve to my sauce- I’ve used blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry, peach and the dark jams work best.  It gives it a fruity undertone and additional sugar (since I normally don’t add additional sugar beyond the molasses, and sometimes, maple) that helps to caramelize on my roasted yum-ness.  Sometimes, if I have it on hand, I use maple syrup (just a dab) for flavor- sometimes I’ll use agave syrup, but sometimes I won’t add either.  I normally spice the hell out of my sauce with tons of fresh garlic, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

As for the typical spices I use, I use the following pretty religiously in my sauce: fresh cracked pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, hot sauce, garlic, and shoyu sauce in place of salt.  You may notice that I add quite a bit of heat to my sauce, I like it hot.  If you prefer a sweeter, smoky sauce just omit the cayenne, hot sauce and garlic.  Add in cinnamon and fresh nutmeg, just a hint- I know it sounds odd with oregano, you’ll just have to trust me.

Once you get all the ingredients together in a bowl, use a whisk and mix it till combined.  Throw it in a small saucepan, cover it and simmer on low for a good 20 minutes.  The longer you simmer it (on low, TRUST ME on this, unless you enjoy cleaning BBQ sauce off of your ceilings then you just go ahead with your rebel self and cook it on medium) the better the flavor.  I try to make a ton of sauce at a time (see: BBQ sauce addict above) and keep it in the fridge (stored in a glass jar)- the sauce will get even better with time.

Once you get the hang of making the base (and figuring out what spices you like the best) you’ll find that you can whip up a batch of BBQ in no time.  I guarantee you’ll prefer your own to store bought- plus you can save the money you’d spend on sauce (aren’t they like $4 – $6 a bottle now?) for more important things.  Fantastic things like this.  Totally worth saving pennies for!

A first-timers recipe is after the jump!

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I’ve just wrapped up a plant-based nutrition class at e-Cornell.   It was so much more than I thought it would be.  We not only learned about plant-based nutrition, but also about its positive effects on our world environment (land, sea, and atmosphere).   We also learned how animal-based diets, in excess, negatively effect other populations of the world.  The resources and land or third world countries are forcibly taken from them for profit.   I’m astounded by the amount of information we’re not made aware of. The information is publicly available. There are also government studies that prove and/or disprove many nutritional and environmental issues, but are not publicized.

Government subsidies are part of the high cost of organics. They subsidize land for overgrowth of corn to feed the overabundance of animals, including fish, to make meats cheap and over feed America.  On some farms, animals barely have enough space to move around inviting disease. Yes, the farmed fish too.  No wonder America is diseased.

Our ocean is ¾ of our planet.  Irresponsible land-based agriculture has had huge impact on our ocean resources.  Pesticides and heavy fertilizations of nitrogen used to maintain crops for livestock feed are draining into our oceans. Dr. Bruce Monger, Oceanography Professor at Cornell University, explains that Midwestern streams are considered, ”the bread basket” in the drainage basin of the Mississippi River.  That bread basket essentially drains the entire Midwest.  He states, “A good fraction of all the fertilizers put on cornfields drains into the rivers and streams and eventually makes its way to the Mississippi River”.  When it gets into our coastal ocean, it causes an overgrowth of algae.  The algae then die and sink to the bottom.   Bacteria feed off it reducing the oxygen in the water to zero killing everything in the area.  He says “hundreds of square kilometers of ocean bottom” are affected.  This video he shared helps us to see beyond our own backyard and into the rest of the world: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/04/global-fisheries-crisis/fisheries-crisis-interactive.

There is hope. We can research and learn about these issues. Then we can take action and write to our legislature asking them to stop the abuse of subsidies.  Better yet, fax it to them.  It is much more economical to subsidize organic farming that will remain sustainable for generations.  As we learn, we can share it with others. (for tips on how to write, legislation contact info and pending bills click this)

I thought I was going to learn all about a vegan diet.  But rockin’ the vegan lifestyle is much more than a diet or a label.  It’s about well-being, forming encouraging friendships and improving the ones you already have.  It’s about a growing compassion for our world and how the choices we make each day affect it.  It’s also about being educated through the resources available to us.  By choosing to live a vegan lifestyle we not only improve our health we save our planet.  Yes, that means we’re saving the world!

Last Chance For Animals (LCA) has teamed up with celebrity photographer Chirstopher Ameruoso to create some new ads for people to criticize because sexy photos of celebrities may not be the best way to address the slaughter of 50 Billion animals a year public service announcements to “draw attention to the abuse animals endure worldwide” and address animal welfare issues including pet theft, pet adoption, dog fighting, and the Bureau of Land Management’s roundup of wild horses.  Similar to PETA ads, LCA’s ads feature “celebrities” such as Pamela Anderson, Holly Madison, Jillian Michaels, Verne Troyer, and Maria Menounos- you know, pretty people.

Sigh.

First, I have to say that I like LCA.  I do.  From their Statement of Philosophy:

Last Chance for Animals (LCA) recognizes that animals have the ability to experience pain, and as such they deserve certain basic rights protecting them from pain caused by humans. LCA believes that non-human animals should not be subjected to suffering and exploitation by humans because alternatives exist for nearly every traditional “usage” of animals.

LCA opposes the use of animals for scientific curiosity, entertainment, clothing, and food. LCA recognizes the use of non-human animals in medical experimentation as both immoral and of questionable scientific validity due to the tremendous biological difference between species. LCA’s work advocates conscious and informed lifestyle decisions, and the organization is committed to disseminating truthful information about societal animal abuse to improve the treatment of animals.

Right on, again- I dig it.  Though, truth be told (some would call it “picky”)- I’d much prefer to swipe out that ‘improving the treatment of animals’ bit.  Actually, just take out everything after “societal animal abuse.”  I’d leave it at that, but again, that’s just me and I’m picky like that.  I’d hate to give anyone the idea that it’s okay to use animals as long as you treat them right before hand, you know humanely- cuz, yeah.  I don’t condone any animal use, period.

So, like I was saying, I like LCA- support them even.  So why the sexy celeb gimmick?  Really, LCA, do we have to go there?  I, for one, am fed up with seeing scantily-clad women telling me to “Say no to fur.”  Particularly when those celebrities eat animal products- and most of the ones posing are not vegan.  What a double standard.  You know, I doubt that I would mind the sexy celeb campaign if the celebs were vegan.

But maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe I’m just a cranky old vegan.  Maybe since there’s only one ad that shows skin, LCA figures they’ll show skin to save skin.  Maybe I’m supposed to be happy and think that “this is getting the attention of people that otherwise might not care about animals.”  Maybe.  Maybe I’m missing the whole point of the ads.  Does someone really need to be vegan to advocate for animals?

So, does LCA make a good point by using sexy celebs?  You tell me, I’m having a hard time figuring it out.  What do you think?

So, check out the sexy PSA’s from LCA below- you know you wanna.

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If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be cruelty.  Where many people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are at stake, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people. ~Ruth Harrison, author of Animal Machines

Every year, approximately 50 Billion (that’s billion with a “B”) domesticated land animals are slaughtered for food worldwide.  That’s roughly 1,680 sentient lives lost every second.

Meanwhile people are outraged that the cute animals are dying.

For the record, I am outraged at the following examples of animal cruelty.  But I am no more or less outraged at the death of a cat than I am the death of a cow- they are both heinous.

Cat owners warned to be “on their guard” after 11 cats were poisoned with anti-freeze in a two week period. All eleven cats were killed or put down after swallowing the deadly chemical.  Rachel Walker-Higgins, 31, whose cat Garfield was poisoned said:

It seems deliberate. I can’t understand why somebody would do this, it’s awful.  I’ve been out and put up posters to make people aware of what’s happened, and warn them to keep their cats indoors.

Then, this guy:

Tyler Weinman faces 19 felony counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal's body, and four counts of burglary Photo: SPLASH

Tyler Weinman, 19, was arrested (in June 2009) for the serial killings and dismemberment of cats- lots and lots of cats.  Weinman faces 19 felony counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal’s body, and four counts of burglary.  Police believe he is behind the deaths of more than a dozen cats, their mutilated bodies discovered by horrified owners and local residents.  His attorney at the time had this to say:

It’s trial by ambush,” Weinman’s attorney, David Macey, said. “It’s anything goes so that they can have a body, a warm body, to solve these cat killings. My heart and my sympathy goes out to the owners of these pets, but unfortunately, it won’t provide them any relief that Tyler’s in custody. Tyler is innocent.”

Fast forward to March 2010 – Weinman appeared in court last Wednesday for a status hearing where prosecutors said they’d be adding two additional charges of felony animal cruelty and improperly disposing of an animal body to the 19 charges he already faces- bringing the total to 21 charges all together.  Weinman also faces four counts of burglary in connection to the animal slaughters.  Weinman allegedly mutilated the cats, cut them into pieces, and left them on their owner’s doorsteps.  Weinman has been out on bail (which was originally set at $249,500) and under house arrest since last June.  He has been petitioning the judge to allow him out of house arrest to take tests on a college campus- and apparently it has worked.  He is now permitted to leave to take the tests.

Aw, isn’t that nice?  A teen accused of such heinous violence is permitted to go and take classes- even though there have been direct links between violence towards animals and violence towards humans.

In fact, “…Up to two-thirds of those who commit animal cruelty also commit at least one other criminal offense, including drug trafficking, assault, rape, theft and homicide. Most troubling of all is the strong connection between violence toward women and children and animal abuse.”

And there’s more….so many that I could never list them all.

• Woman recklessly abused her 42 Arabian horses by failing to give them enough food and water.

• Pop Star’s Cat found ‘shot’

• A yellow lab puppy was found in a swamp after being dumped by a 32-year old man.  The dog sustained extensive injuries, including trauma to its right eye and lower jaw, which appeared to be broken.

• Two UC Davis undergraduate students were arrested on charges of animal cruelty.  Henry Nguyen, 18, and Josue Melendez, 19, alledgedly battered and used a cigarette lighter to torture two hamsters.  The suspects allegedly made videos of the incidents and posted them on Facebook.

How can we continue to condemn one form of animal cruelty when we condone it for our dinner plates?

The time for evolution is now.