Today is my dear friend Aminda's birthday. Aminda is newly vegan, and a beautiful example of the freedom and joy a vegan diet can bring about (fyi, she was fabulous and joyful even before this).
In a Facebook discussion of a video I posted on my page concerning Eli Lilly and the production of BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone, or rBST), Aminda shared a wonderful sentiment about seeing things from a new perspective; that of a mama cow in a dairy farm...
"...I had a moment today where ice cream sounded really good...and I swear to you I choked up - here's what went through my head...imagine a mother...she has a baby and that baby is immediately taken from her, she longs for her child but the only thing she has left is the milk in her breast...someone takes that milk forceably from her. and then she is given hormones wherein she must continually give her mother's milk against her will....never to nurture her child and possible never to have another one. All the while getting sicker and weaker...
Stopping rBGH is the only logical, reasonable, human thing to do."
The thought is devastating, isn't it? I invite you to remember this the next time you reach for a glass of milk...
*** YOU can visit Aminda online @ "www.vitruviayoga.com" ***
Thank you, Aminda, for giving us something to think about. Oh, and Happy Birthday!!!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Quote
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated… I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by [people] from the cruelty of [human kind].”
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
Monday, October 5, 2009
High IQ Children Become Vegetarian Adults...
For Real? Well, I've always assumed it to be true (tee hee), but now we have scientific proof. According to a British study, "having a high IQ as a child is significantly linked to being a vegetarian as an adult."
So what came first; (forgive the expression) the chicken or the egg? We could deduce that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will certainly boost brain power. OR, could it be that intelligent people are more likely to consider animal welfare and health issues when it comes to diet?
Famous veg*ns include Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Ben Franklin, Paul McCartney, and George Bernard Shaw. (see July posts for more complete lists)
Tell me what you think!
So what came first; (forgive the expression) the chicken or the egg? We could deduce that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will certainly boost brain power. OR, could it be that intelligent people are more likely to consider animal welfare and health issues when it comes to diet?
Famous veg*ns include Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Ben Franklin, Paul McCartney, and George Bernard Shaw. (see July posts for more complete lists)
Tell me what you think!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Vegan Perks
There are so many things I love about being vegan. Really. Knowing that I am making a difference in my own little (or not so little?) way makes me feel more connected to every living thing around me. Maybe a tad selfish, but it's a cool feeling, what can I say?
Yesterday I was able to benefit from my veganism in another way. I went to Whole Foods after my last class to purchase soy milk, soy "creamer", and Vegan Oregon Chai. After 3 classes taught, all by 2pm, I admit I was tired and distracted by the time I arrived home. I realized about 3-4 hours later, that I never brought in my groceries-I left my items in the back seat of my car! *whoops*
I would like to say I've never done this before, but that would be a big fat vegan-lie... I can say, though-that when you don't drink cow's milk, you don't have to worry about it going bad!!! I just got out to my car, brought my stuff in and threw it in the fridge, without a concern about this stuff killing me later on. This also comes in handy when dealing with leftovers. There is no special temperature that you need to keep vegetables before packing up and storing. Just throw it in the fridge! easy-peasy.
Now, I can't say that vegan food doesn't go bad, or that you CAN'T get sick from it... but I think I can safely say your chances are a LOT smaller when you don't eat animal protein. Vegan=1. Omnivore=0.
Yesterday I was able to benefit from my veganism in another way. I went to Whole Foods after my last class to purchase soy milk, soy "creamer", and Vegan Oregon Chai. After 3 classes taught, all by 2pm, I admit I was tired and distracted by the time I arrived home. I realized about 3-4 hours later, that I never brought in my groceries-I left my items in the back seat of my car! *whoops*
I would like to say I've never done this before, but that would be a big fat vegan-lie... I can say, though-that when you don't drink cow's milk, you don't have to worry about it going bad!!! I just got out to my car, brought my stuff in and threw it in the fridge, without a concern about this stuff killing me later on. This also comes in handy when dealing with leftovers. There is no special temperature that you need to keep vegetables before packing up and storing. Just throw it in the fridge! easy-peasy.
Now, I can't say that vegan food doesn't go bad, or that you CAN'T get sick from it... but I think I can safely say your chances are a LOT smaller when you don't eat animal protein. Vegan=1. Omnivore=0.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Recipe!
I had the BEST lunch yesterday... it was just a "throw-together" kind of meal, and I'm so happy how it turned out! This should make enough for 2 people.
Red Pepper & Basil Pasta
2 C cooked short pasta (I used Brown Rice Penne Pasta from Trader Joe's)
1 med. Red Bell Pepper-chopped
2 Tbs. Garlic-minced
1/2 C marinara sauce (I prefer "tomato & basil" from TJ's)
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/3 C loosley packed, fresh Basil-chopped (garnish)
sea salt (to taste)
Cook pasta, drain, set aside. Saute garlic & olive oil over MEDIUM heat (both will burn!) for a minute or so and then add the pepper. Saute for another 2 minutes then add the pasta back to the mixture; turn heat to low. Stir, add a touch more olive oil if the pasta is sticking. Add marinara; just enough to cover pasta mixture completely. The sauce should heat up rather quickly. Serve up and garnish with the chopped basil & sea salt.
Enjoy!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Veg*n at the movies...
Zombieland
I had a great time at the movies today, thanks to Woody Harrelson (vegan!) and his crew of ass-kicking zombie-killers. The movie was gross and hilarious and super-fun. I'm not big on too much gore, but this was totally bearable.
My favorite part of the film was early on when "Columbus" (Jesse Eisenberg) explained how the U.S. became "Zombieland". Apparently, someone ate a bad burger (as if all burgers weren't bad... lol). Mad Cow disease quickly evolved into Mad Human disease, the "mad humans" ripened into ZOMBIES. Argh! That's a pretty damn good excuse to go veg*n, in my book.
This reminds me of my 2nd favorite quote from John Robbins (author of Food Revolution and Diet for a New America)...
"You don't hear anybody talk about mad-tofu disease."
Anyway, go see this movie. Go laugh, and have some fun (don't forget rule #32, Enjoy The Little Things).
"That'll do, Pig. That'll do."
I had a great time at the movies today, thanks to Woody Harrelson (vegan!) and his crew of ass-kicking zombie-killers. The movie was gross and hilarious and super-fun. I'm not big on too much gore, but this was totally bearable.
My favorite part of the film was early on when "Columbus" (Jesse Eisenberg) explained how the U.S. became "Zombieland". Apparently, someone ate a bad burger (as if all burgers weren't bad... lol). Mad Cow disease quickly evolved into Mad Human disease, the "mad humans" ripened into ZOMBIES. Argh! That's a pretty damn good excuse to go veg*n, in my book.
This reminds me of my 2nd favorite quote from John Robbins (author of Food Revolution and Diet for a New America)...
"You don't hear anybody talk about mad-tofu disease."
Anyway, go see this movie. Go laugh, and have some fun (don't forget rule #32, Enjoy The Little Things).
"That'll do, Pig. That'll do."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Happy World Vegetarian Day!
October 1st is the kickoff of Vegetarian Awareness Month. What can you do to celebrate? Have you tried going veg*n for a day? A week? A month? Maybe now is the time commit yourself to a "test-run"!
Already veg*n? Why not help spread the word by providing a positive example of the veg*n lifestyle. Instead of talking about what you're missing out on, tell those around you about what wonderful options you have! Take someone out to a veg*n restaurant, or cook your loved ones a meat-free meal... show them how tasty and filling our food choices really are.
Help de-bunk these myths about veg*nism being a "deprivation" diet. Have fun, be well, and help change the world!
Already veg*n? Why not help spread the word by providing a positive example of the veg*n lifestyle. Instead of talking about what you're missing out on, tell those around you about what wonderful options you have! Take someone out to a veg*n restaurant, or cook your loved ones a meat-free meal... show them how tasty and filling our food choices really are.
Help de-bunk these myths about veg*nism being a "deprivation" diet. Have fun, be well, and help change the world!
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