The HSUS is marketing a new vegan dog food, “Humane Choice“ and is also considering producing vegetarian cat food. The issue of animal nutrition aside, I have to say I’m glad we do not have any pet dogs because I would not be willing to force a completely plant-based diet on an omnivorous animal. A dog may very well survive on vegan dog food, but if given a choice, what would a dog prefer? Apparently this is not a concern for some people, but should it be?

There’s yet another interesting post on Jean Kazez’s blog “In Living Color” about tonight’s HBO premiere of “Temple Grandin: Thinking in Pictures,” which is a movie based on Temple Grandin’s autobiography.

The film stars Claire Danes as Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who “overcame the odds to earn a Ph.D, write numerous books and to use the features of her autism to revolutionize the treatment of livestock in handling, veterinary procedures and slaughter”. source

As a proponent of neurodiversity and as a leader in the autism advocacy and animal welfare movements, Temple Grandin is considered an icon by many. Yet as Jean Kazez points out some animal rights activists disapprove of Temple Grandin’s work. 

Grandin is what I’d call a “conscientious participator” in this country’s inhumane system of food production. She makes farms and slaughterhouses less miserable for the animals. Some animal rights people disapprove, but I looked into my crystal ball this morning, and this is what I saw: however hard people work to spread veganism, there will still be close to 10 billion animals killed for food over the coming year.  The “left behinds” will vastly outnumber the spared. You can’t care about all those animals left behind and disapprove of what Temple Grandin does–and does well. If you want details, have a careful look at her website.

Since 1998 Veg4Lent has been encouraging Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy and Christians of all denominations to revive the ancient tradition of abstaining from meat consumption during Lent. The 40 days of Lent begin this year on Wednesday February 17th, or February 15th (Clean Monday) for Orthodox Christians.

From the Veg4Lent website:

Reviving the ancient Christian Tradition of abstaining from meat consumption during Lent, we respectfully invite all Christians to use VEG4LENT as a period of reflection and prayer for all those currently condemned to the slaughterhouse.

As a contemporary adaptation of an ancient tradition, we politely urge each participant to adopt a vegetarian diet for each and every day between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Tonight I caught a few minutes of the PBS documentary series “The Story of India.” I happened to see the part where host Michael Wood was in southern India enjoying a vegetarian meal that was served on a huge leaf — it looked gorgeous. I look forward to watching the entire series on DVD.

Another fascinating study of India was made by Tristram Stuart in The Bloodless Revolution (W.W. Norton, 2006). He discusses in depth how India’s vegetarianism and philosophy of ahimsa influenced Europe:

The impact of Indian vegetarianism vitally influenced a shift away from the Bible’s mandate of unlimited dominion. It encouraged people to imagine that broadening the sphere of ethical responsibility was beneficial for humans as well as for nature itselt. Indian philosophy–and principally the doctrine of ahimsa — triggered a debate that has evolved over time into the modern ecological crisis.

Organic food costs more, therefore it’s simply not available to everyone. If a consumer prefers food items free of trans fats, partially hydrogenated oil, preservatives, and so on, more often than not s/he has no choice but to pay more.

At its annual conference this year the UK’s largest organic group, the Soil Association is meeting to discuss “organic elitism.”  Would you say “organic elitism” exists here in America? 

In the U.S. we have The Organic Consumers Association, which is the “only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation’s estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers.”

Who can afford to be socially responsible when so often eco-friendly/organic/items made from recycled materials are more expensive. For example, while shopping the other day I noticed Reynolds now has an aluminum foil in stores that is made from 100% recycled aluminum — but the price is also over  $1.00 more. You have to wonder, does it really cost Reynolds more to produce recycled aluminum foil? If it does, then fair enough. It is undoubtedly more costly for organic farmers to grow fruits and vegetables without pesticides…

Incidentally, did you know aluminum foil is easily recycled? Just put it in the recycling bin with the rest of the recyclables.

This $9.99 “eco-friendly” small fry pan that I purchased the other day doesn’t seem very well constructed or durable, however unlike traditional non-stick pans that use polytetrafluoroethylene, this pan is made with NP1 nonstick technology, which is some kind of polymer-based, silicone-hybrid coating.

So eco-friendly in this case seems to mean “less likely to poison you,” which, in the words of Martha Stewart, is a good thing. 

Our state groundhog saw her shadow this morning and that means six more weeks of winter. Isn’t it interesting how we humans still seek to learn from animals and their instincts?

Apparently Groundhog Day is rooted in the German tradition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.

A friend of mine was telling me this morning how instead of the groundhog some people watch the behavior of a certain frog that has strong instincts about the arrival of spring, which is the time they come out of hibernation to breed. Perhaps it’s the bullfrog she was referring to…

 
flickr

Etsy is a great place to find unique and creative gifts and at the same time support lovely and talented veg*n artists!

Sweetheart Bracelet from Florence Wang Designs

Felt and Chiffon Floral Bib Necklace from Metal, Cloth & Wood

Quirky and sweet mix of felt, tulle, satin and chiffon hand-embellished with a mix of french knots, glass beads and hand-set swarovsky crystals suspended by a sterling silver chain.

All of Metal, Cloth & Wood’s jewelry comes packaged in a 100% recycled fiber content (Green Seal Certified!) custom gift box with double-faced black satin ribbon.

Starting February 7th, Candy Crowley is the new host for CNN’s program State of the Union. Ms. Crowley also happens to be a vegetarian, which you can read about here in an interview with Rachel Ray.

I was on the campaign trail covering George H.W. Bush and grabbed a bite to eat at a little restaurant down South. I ordered venison, but there was just something about how the meat looked. That was the last piece I ever put in my mouth. I’ve been vegetarian ever since.

HEART BEET

Do you carrot all for me?
My heart beets for you.
You are a peach.
Peas be mine.
If we cantaloupe,
Lettuce marry.
Weed make a swell pear.

source