Livin’ Veg

How Not To Be An Annoying Eco/Vegan Gal June 30, 2009

When you hear about all the terrible things happening to animals, people and the environment every day, it’s easy to want to shout it from the rooftops. Working in animal rights and humane ed, I read about extinction, global warming, farm animal hell, and usually some pre serial killer actions by male teens like microwaving animals for fun. And it makes me feel ill, angry, and it makes me want to tell people about everything wrong with the world.

Here is the problem with that. No one (including myself) likes to be lectured. So, how do we go about asking people to do their part if we aren’t taking the direct approach? This article talks about some ways you can do it. I think they are pretty accurate.

The biggest thing I think someone can do is to lead by example. Don’t tell someone about everything they do wrong. Just do it right yourself, and make sure people see you do it. Cook your yummy organic vegan foods for others. Talk about the great shelter where you adopted your dog. Bring delicious dishes to your relatives meaty gathering. Bring your reusable water bottle everywhere so people ask where you got it - get a cute one so other girls will want the awesome accessory. Whenever someone compliments your sexy vegan thrift shop finds, tell them excitedly about where you got them and how much you love thrift shops. Emphasize saving money, health, and other benefits that are more self serving - not just altruistic.

Use their questions to get your point across. That way, you aren’t lecturing - you’re just providing answers to their questions. It can be hard to hold your tongue when you see people doing things that suck the life out of the planet and its resources. But the phrase “you catch more flies with honey” is the damn truth. Vinegar just gets you dirty looks and no real change.

College Scholarships For Vegetarians June 29, 2009

Know a high school junior who is a vegetarian? Do they help promote vegetarianism in their community? The Vegetarian Resource Group has a great annual grant. They give out $10,000 total ($5,000 each) in college scholarships to two veggies. The annual deadline is February 20. You’ve got plenty of time before the next round.

In this economic climate, any money is helpful. But I just love that the VRG is giving away funds specifically to young people who make compassionate decisions about their diet. What is the criteria?

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.

Seriously. Does it get any better than that. I wish that was around when I entered college. Pass the info to any veg high school juniors you may know and give them the chance to be rewarded for being a good person.

PS: Don’t forget to leave a comment on Fridays post to win a great book on animal rights.

Win “The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights” June 26, 2009

PETA was kind enough to send me a copy of this lovely new book “The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights: Simple Acts of Kindness to Help Animals in Trouble.”

I’ll be sending it out to one lucky winner. Contest will end on Monday at 5pm. All you have to do is leave a comment, make sure you give an accurate email address in the form and I’ll select one at random. (Winner must live in the USA and have a valid email address) If you don’t win the contest you can pick the book up on Amazon or order it from your local book store.

Want to know what you’re in for? Here is my mini review…

This book is exactly what it says - an all encompassing practical guide. Everything from what to do when the rodeo comes to town to how to help animals in laboratories. Vegan nutrition to compassionate consumerism.

What I really like about this book is that it gives information that everyone can use in their daily lives. It teaches you how to be an activist fighting the good fight  - whether that be in the form of a protest or from the comfort of your own living room. It’s not just a guide. It’s a handbook.

This book focuses on choices - and how to make the most humane choice. It covers zoos, pest control, companion animal issues, farm animal issues, animal testing and more. But not just simple information on them. It gives you loads of suggestions on how to help animals, even for the shyest activist. And it’s super easy to read. It just lays out the facts and gives you endless options on how to help. Some of the ideas are things I’d never do. Like dressing as the ghosts of animals and haunting the house of a person who has inflicted pain and suffering on animals. But the vast majority of options are things you can do in your home - like only buying items not tested on animals, sending your humane product receipts to companies that do test and giving them proof that they are losing business because of their practices. I like that one. It’s got flare while being respectful and non confrontational.

Also worth noting is the great resource guide at the back of the book. You’ll see recommended books on every topic, videos, charities and more. This section alone is nearly 150 pages. That’s a lot of resources.

If you want a million ideas on how to be a better voice for animals, this book is a great comprehensive read. Mixed into the advocacy advice is information on the topics as well as interesting and relevant vignettes to illustrate examples.

I don’t always agree with PETA’s public stunts. I’ve even written about that on this blog. But this book is a great tool for animals and even if you aren’t the lucky winner of this contest, you should consider picking up your own.

Charmone and Melissa on Sale! BIG Sale. June 25, 2009

Right now on The Green Loop Charmone shoes are on sale - a ridiculously great sale. Shoes are now $49. These shoes originally retailed for between two and three hundred dollars. I personally want the pair to your right. This sale works for everyone no matter where you live because it’s an internet deal.

The Melissa sale is a little more location specific. NYC. Here is the info I received from Daily Candy this morning:

Melissa Sample Sale
What: Comfy plastic shoes for summer are anything but serious and now 50-70 percent off.
Why: Are you ready for this jelly (sandal)?
When: Thurs.-Sun., noon-7 p.m.
Where: 520 W. 27th St., b/t Tenth & Eleventh Aves., ste. 601.

Yep. 50 to 70 percent off. That’s a damn good sale. And I just adore Melissa shoes. Recycled plastic, vegan, great design - if you need shoes for summer and live in or around NYC, then head on over.

Vegan Jello - Cool Cups June 24, 2009

I just had the pleasure of trying Cool Cups. It has been YEARS since I’ve had anything resembling jello, so I was very excited to sample it. And I wasn’t disappointed. They are light/fruity/sweet so you can eat them and still feel light. I hate desserts that weigh you down. But this was just a delightful treat. A non guilty pleasure.  The Black Cherry flavor was my personal favorite - but I’m partial to berry flavors vs citrus flavors.

The texture was - as far as I can remember - very close to jello. And that’s what it’s all about. The texture. Once you get that down, the rest is easy. They have other items like instant puddings. I’m going to try those next time I’m at Whole Foods. (Whole Foods carries their products. You can locate the Cool Cups Gels near the yogurts.)

I love vegan versions of items - especially items from my childhood. And I think the more vegan versions of the foods people love that exist, the more likely others are to go vegan. Which is sort of the point - to inspire people to change their diets for the benefit animals, their own health and the environment. Even if they don’t go vegan, but veganize their diet, it’s all for the greater good.

Note: Every once in a while a company or group contacts me about trying their item. It’s part of being a blogger. So they send me a bit of their product and I write about it. But I don’t write about the products I don’t like.

Squeeze That Water Out Of Your Tofu June 23, 2009

I happen to love tofu. I think it’s a really versatile food. Between stir fry, tofu scramble and tofu egg salad, the options are endless. My only gripe is that, in order for tofu to be good, you have to press the water out of it. I won’t use paper towels because I feel bad wasting the paper. So instead I use hand towels and a weight to sit on top while the tofu drains.

That’s kind of a pain in the rear method. So imagine my excitement when I saw this new contraption. It is a tofu press. It presses the excess water our of your tofu. No paper towels, no hand towels. Just a contraption that you wash when you’re finished. Click here to view the info on it.

It’s on presale right now. They need 250 people to order before it gets shipped. I’m definitely going to be on that list. The Pressto sounds like the most useful tofu lovers kitchen supply I’ve ever seen. Yay for veggie cooking accessories!

via Veg Daily

The Cove - New Film on Dolphin Trade June 22, 2009

Watching this short trailer made me feel anxiety and anger. It’s about the Japanese whaling industry, dolphins who are killed, or kept in captivity. It was a 2009 Sundance winner. Rolling Stone describes it as, “Sundance is known for documentaries. But this baby, a cross between Flipper and The Bourne Identity, packed the heat…An intrepid America crew slips into Japan and nails the bad guys for doing terrible things to dolphins.”

This film looks fantastic. It focuses on the dolphin trade and shows that (like the average American on the street who doesn’t know about factory farming) the average Japanese person on the street doesn’t know about the dolphin issues. The film  shows how dolphins are captured to be bought and sold for entertainment purposes.

I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to watch it. It looks like such a stressful film and I’ll probably cry. My husband really wants to see it, so he’ll probably convince me. Plus, I like to give my 10 dollar ticket to films that are doing good. So, we’ll see. For now, take a look at the trailer, and if you can handle the stress (and are not a wuss like me), I say, go see this film. You can learn more here.

Vaute Couture Vegan Coats Now On Sale! June 19, 2009

I wouldn’t normally be telling you about great winter coats in June. But, for Vaute Couture’s debut line, they are only making 25 of each coat (in each color). Vegan coats can be hard to find - and on the not so stylish side. But Vaute Couture’s line is beautiful, vegan, eco friendly and fair trade. Everything a girl could want from a coat.

And…right now they are having a  pre-order special. You put down a down payment, and get that amount off your final balance. (I know that sounds confusing but they explain it better on the site) So head on over, take a look at the beautiful coats, and treat yourself. I wish I could… Let me live vicariously through you.

The Onion Euthanizes Gymnast Shawn Johnson June 18, 2009

The Onion posted something absolutely priceless. The title: Gymnast Shawn Johnson Put to Sleep After Breaking Leg.

If you want to start your day off with a smug smile, please watch this. It does what The Onion does best - pokes holes in common practices by comparing them to something outrageous. In this case, comparing putting a human down due to an injury to putting horses down when they get a racing injury.

I was having a bad day until I saw this. (Reading up on all the turmoil in Iran has been tough) This was a much needed break into the world of thought provoking humor. Click here or on the image to watch it!

Gymnast Shawn Johnson Put To Sleep After Breaking Leg

Please Meet Our Lords and Masters June 17, 2009

Many of you come here, check out the vegan/animal news. But I’d like to take a moment today to ask you to stray off the beaten path (if you haven’t already). I write for an awesome website for women, Twolia. It’s a company run by women for women. They asked me to be a part of it because they wanted a voice for animals on the site. How great is that!

Here is a quick tour:

Talent Contest: They have a talent competition with a $1000 prize.

Shopping: They have a shopping area with items made by women and sold by women. Plus, you can totally shop with the keyword vegan, or sell your vegan stuff.

Music: Women can sell their songs on Twolia (kind of like itunes) but it’s all women. If you’re a musician or you know an awesome lady musician trying to make it in the rough world, let her know about Twolia.

Movies: Twolia’s Screening Room is the first women’s online film library. Women can find films produced and directed by women around the world and sell their films.

And of course Blogs: There are some awesome Twolia bloggers who I share space with. Check them out!

And now, because I can’t leave you without a cool vegan thing of the day, Sparrow Handbags is having a 50% off sale. Organic cotton, environmentally friendly dyes, and totally animal free. Get while the getting is good!