Livin’ Veg

No Impact Week - Sign Up And Make A Difference! October 16, 2009

The Huffington Post is hosting No Impact Week. It starts next week! I’m encouraging everyone to sign up and see what they can do in their lives to make a difference. My husband and I are doing it and then next Sunday we’re going to see the film.

What is No Impact Week?

For the inaugural No Impact Week, the No Impact Project has created a detailed guide that describes how to go about reducing your ecological impact one day at a time. No, not everyone has to completely give up their cars and shut off their power; the guide gives many achievable levels of reducing your footprint and you can pick the goals that are right for you. Each day will focus on one aspect of how we live. Sunday’s focus is on reducing consumption, on Monday the spotlight will be on reducing trash, Tuesday will be about commuting without adding carbon to the environment - i.e., encouraging bike riding and walking; Wednesday will be about encouraging eating foods grown locally and/or sustainably — and so forth.

A worthwhile endeavor if I’ve ever heard of one. Sign up here and take the challenge with me. I’ll probably do a post on my experience at the end of next week. So be prepared to share your experiences…

Good luck!

October is for the Animals October 1, 2009

October tends to be full of great events having to do with farm animal welfare. Like today - World Vegetarian Day.  If you’re a vegetarian, today is for you. Tomorrow is World Farm Animal Day so see if you can get someone you know to not eat that farm animal they had their taste buds set on. Also the week of October 10th is the week for the animals. It’s happening in a few states. Click here for NY events (I know. I know. NY isn’t the center of the world but I do live here)

Also coming up is Farm Sanctuary’s annual Walk for Farm Animals. Here are the locations where that is taking place:

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Canada - British Columbia, Ontario

Click here for more info on those walks. They are taking place all through the month.

Give yourself a pat on the back and take part in some of these awesome events!

No Impact Man September 25, 2009

No Impact Man is making its tour around the country and I’m desperate to see it. Sadly, it’s already been to NY so I’m going to have to wait. What is No Impact Man? It’s a film about a family that tries to produce zero waste for an entire year. That means no trains, subways, cars, elevators, food that isn’t local, tv, etc. Green to the nth degree.

I’m pretty green, but this movie is going to make me look like some wasteful celebutant. Not all my food is local. I drive to work 3 days a week (and work the rest from home). I am on my computer ALL the time. I go to the gym. I used to take the stairs, but a pesky foot problem has made it so I have to take the elevator. Basically, I want to see No Impact Man so it can give me a much needed kick in the butt. Sure 50% of my clothing is used, but what about the other 50%? How do we enjoy life and be as effective as possible. I think this movie might have some answers to that question.

I think we all wish we had the courage and conviction to do with No Impact Man has done in his book/film. Watch the trailer and be inspired. Then support the film when it comes to a theater near you. Or, buy the book. Even though, technically, that’s not too good for the environment. So! Buy the book used:)

The Power and Promise of Humane Education September 15, 2009

Kids are particularly adept at seeing injustice and taking action to make the world a better place. However, too often in a child’s education, world issues are left out of the home and classroom. As a humane educator, I’ve seen children learn about an issue and immediately take action to try and right the wrong. Clothing drives, pet food drives, petitions against child labor, water conservation. As a person who teaches kids about all these issues, I’ve seen them stand up and try to put this planet back together.

But if you aren’t a humane educator, how do you go about talking to kids about these issues? What do you say? What kinds of activities do you do? Well, lucky for us, the guru and biggest advocate of humane education, Zoe Weil, wrote a book called “The Power and Promise of Humane Education.” It is a must read for all parents and educators.

In the book you’ll find information, activity suggestions, resources, case studies and so much more. Humane education covers three areas: social justice, animal welfare and environmental protection. Try to think of an issue that doesn’t fit in those three categories.

But really, the best thing you’ll get out of the book is a brand new way of looking at education. Learning that emphasizes compassion, responsibility and courage. Education that tells children they can change the world every day with every choice they make. I’ve used this book countless times and recommended it a zillion times. Parents can use it with their kids and teachers can use it in the classroom. Use it yourself or give it as a gift. The impact will last generations.

Take Your Animal Activism To The Next Level September 8, 2009

Does you ever feel like you’d love to be a more active activist but you’re just not sure where to start? Like you want to put yourself out there for animals but you aren’t really sure how to go about it? Here are some simple things you can do in your local community and in the greater world to make a difference.

1. Talk to your school/local library/community center about having a viewing of an animal issues film. Maybe The Witness or Food Inc (when it comes to dvd) or Earthlings. There are many videos that would do the trick. If any are nearby, ask a local activist to host a talk back after so people can ask questions.

2. Join a writers group. Both Mercy for Animals and Compassion Over Killing have them. This entails writing a letter to the editor when articles about animal issues show up in the paper. Disagree with an article in the NY Times? Tell them so. Click on the links for MFA and COK to see two different writers groups.

3. Organize a weekly cleanup at your local park to make it a more hospitable place for animals to live.

4. Hand out veg pamphlets at the local university. Click here to get in touch with Vegan Outreach who can get your started as a volunteer who distributes leaflets.

5. Of course volunteering is always an awesome thing to do. Whether you’re walking dogs for your local shelter, fostering an animal until they find a home or using your special talents (web development, fundraising, etc.) to help your favorite non profit, all organizations need help, especially right now.

Have any other ideas on how to be more active for animals? Leave a comment!

How To Help Non Profits During Tough Times September 1, 2009

The economic decline has made things harder for many many people. And as a result, non profits have seen a huge drop in their donations. It’s understandable. People simply don’t have as much money to give. However, it’s the non profits that provide so many important programs and campaigns that make real change in this country.

Here is the question: How do we continue to support the good work non profits do without as much money in our pockets to give?

I’m going to provide a few ideas. Please add any thoughts you might have to the comments. Any ideas would be incredibly helpful.

1. Obviously volunteering your time is an amazing way to contribute at any time, but especially now. Even if it’s just an hour or two a week or a one time donation of your time, it makes a big difference.
2. Talk to your boss about your office hosting a clothing, human food, animal food, anything at all drive so you can donate items to the people/animals who need it.
3. If you have a party, ask people to bring donations (see #2) instead of gifts.
4. Host a clothing swap and charge a few bucks at the door to then be donated to a worthy cause.
5. Donate old computers, printers, other items to non profits.
6. Use social media to help get the word out about the causes that matter to you. Examples: become a fan on facebook, tweet about your favorite org, write a blog.

Like I said, please add to this list. Any thoughts would be really helpful.

Now, here are a list of some of my favorite smaller non profit organizations. Maybe you’ll like them too.

HEART: www.teachhumane.org HEART’s mission is to foster compassion and respect for people, animals and the environment by educating youth and teachers in humane education.

Vegan Outreach: www.veganoutreach.org Vegan Outreach works to expose and end cruelty to animals through the distribution of our advocacy booklets. Your donation will put more booklets into more people’s hands.

Compassion Over Killing: www.cok.net Working to end animal abuse since 1995, COK focuses on cruelty to animals in agriculture and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all of us, both human and nonhuman.

Mercy for Animals: www.mercyforanimals.org MFA believes non-human animals are irreplaceable individuals who have morally significant interests and hence rights, including the right to live free of unnecessary suffering. MFA is dedicated to promoting nonviolence towards all sentient beings through public education campaigns and demonstrations, undercover investigations, and open rescues.

Even Vegans Need to Diet. Who Is With Me?! June 2, 2009

Generally, I eat pretty healthy foods. Lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, tofu and more. But lately I’ve fallen into the “I want to eat sweets” mentality. And that is NOT a good thing as we approach bathing suit season. And now, after my BBQ, my refrigerator is stocked with leftover desserts. I ate two helpings of bread pudding yesterday and I don’t want to think about how many cookies.

So, for the next two weeks, I am not going to eat any sweets. Of course I’ll have a form of dessert - fruit. Cherries are in season. I love snacking on mangoes, blackberries. Soon raspberries are going to come out in full force.

Right now, I’m not happy with my body. And I know I can turn that frown upside down with some will power and some blogging pressure. See, now I’ve told you that I’m not going to eat sweets, so if I’m tempted to reach into my fridge for a sugary treat, I’ll smack my hand away. And if you leave a comment saying you’ll do it too, you will also be bound by blogging law to not eat sweets.

Would anyone like to join me for 2 weeks without sugary snacks? That’s the only rule. I mean, hopefully you’ll eat healthy foods as well. But what I’m really trying to do is to get my body to stop craving sugar. Anyone want to join? Leave a comment if you do.  We’ll be partners in crime. You just have to make it until June 16th. After that, we’ll see:)

Make Your Own Recycled Flip Flops May 5, 2009

Using your old yoga mat, you can create your own flip flops for summer! Be eco. Be vegan. Be awesome.

Personally, I love “do it yourself projects.” Nothing is as fun as seeing something you want, figuring out how to make it, and then spending a few hours on a rainy Saturday creating the object of your desire. My blue mat would probably make ugly flip flops, but I’m sure some of you have adorable pinks, light greens, and other summer colors.

An Earth Day Scavenger Hunt April 22, 2009

A list of things to do today to help you be more green:)

1. Bring a reusable bottle of water with you today so you don’t have to buy any. (It takes 1.5 gallons of water to make one bottled water)

2. Eat vegan foods today. (Animal agriculture accounts for more greenhouse gasses than all transportation combined)

3. See how fast you can shower and cut your normal time down as much as possible.

4. Ride your bike to work/school.

5. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

6. Use as few lights today as possible.

7. Donate old clothes to the homeless. (With that one you get points for helping people as well as recycling)

8. If you buy anything today, tell the cashier you do not want a bag - better yet, bring your own.

9. If you see a piece of trash on the ground, take a moment and pick it up. The local wildlife will thank you.

10. Start a conversation on earth day and ask other what they are doing to help.

Leave a comment and let others know what you did today to help the planet! And remember, today is just one day to promote awareness on environmental issues. But everyday should be earth day…

What’s Your Plan For Earth Day? April 20, 2009

Every year in April a little thing called Earth Day takes place. One day a year the earth is given it’s due and we human inhabitants take some time out of our day and help protect it from…well, from ourselves.

I’m blogging today to urge everyone to pick one thing that’s good for the earth and do it this Wednesday. Maybe pick up some trash on the side of the road or plant a tree. If you aren’t vegan, consider going vegan for the day. Ride your bike to work. Start a compost pile. Freecyle some of your old items instead of chucking them. There are a MILLION things you can do. Have some more suggestions for people? Leave a comment:)

What will I be doing? I’ll be teaching 5th graders about water issues and how they can help save water in their daily lives. In fact, that’s what I’ll be doing every Wednesday for the next seven weeks. We’ll be talking about how water issues affect people, animals and the environment. Curious about the topic? Rent the movie Flow. Your world will be rocked…