The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Before and during my moving I lost track of many blogs I like to follow. However, that is what feeds are for! So over the weekend I managed to catch up on quite a few. I wanted to share some of the stories that stick out in my mind the most.

Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, thinks America’s core values are “hunting and fishing.”

Lindyloo over at Yeah, That “Vegan” Shit shared why she is vegan. It is from a couple years back but I think it is a very touching post and I agree with her quite a bit. Go and read it!

On a political note, [A] Funny Feminist informed us all of a video depicting McCain supporters who also were HUGE bigots. Prepare to be angered, watch the video, bang your fists, then VOTE come November 4th!!!

Elaine Vigneault shared the following videos recently: a senior citizen keying a hummer at a dealership (yes! that guy is alright with me!) and an absolutely ADORABLE video of otters holding paws (it will bring a smile to your face after that anti-Obama video, trust me….watch this after that video to help you cope).

Alex over at That Vegan Girl wrote a great piece, that not only will maybe expand your mind a bit but may also help you with those all too necessary “come backs” against those who try to defeat your anti-vivisection/AR values.

If You Love Animals And The Environment….

Then you need to vote this November! No, I have never gotten political on this blog before, but I felt with new events occurring recently in the election that I need to. Don’t get me wrong, I am very political off my blog (hey what do you expect from an opinionated person?). Now you not only need to VOTE, but you need to vote Democratic. I am not necessarily endorsing Barack Obama (although I do think he is a good candidate), but I am SEVERELY against the McCain-Palin duo.

I was under the impression for quite some time that McCain simply was not as bright as he needs to be. (See, I’m even being nice ;) ) And I never considered voting for him BEFORE, but then he went and announced that Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, would be his VP. Like most Americans, I didn’t know who the hell she was. Turns out, I liked it much better that way. Let me introduce you to Sarah Palin and the many reasons why you need to vote AGAINST her and McCain in November, if you love animals and the environment. Or if you generally just want future generations to see polar bears and not live under water.

Palin_2

Well for one, she is wearing a fur in this photo. Doesn’t she look classy! Nothing says class quite the way a dead tortured animal around your neck does.

She does not believe in Global Warming. “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made,” said Palin to Newsmax.

She filed a lawsuit when the Bush Administration put Polar Bears on the threatened species list. Even Bush eventually realized (or thought it was good political move, which is more likely) what horrors are occurring to polar bears. But, apparently Palin’s greed for oil money is the most important thing (polar bear protection could interfere with oil and gas development).

Promoted the shooting of wolves and bears from aircrafts. Alaska, under her command, even offered an incentive to those who were shooting wolves in order for them to shoot more. Palin also spent PUBLIC money to advertise against campaigns (Measure 2 in Alaska, voted on this week and NOT passed) that were trying to stop the shooting of wolves and bears from aircraft.

She is a hunter herself (how impressive, she enjoys death.)

She has been going after natural predators of moose and caribou (such as wolves) so others of her hunting clan can go out and shoot moose and caribou till their hearts’ content!

She believes more drilling for oil is the answer to our energy crisis and future needs. She agrees with opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. “I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can’t drill our way out of our problem or that more supply won’t ultimately affect prices. Of course it will affect prices,” said Palin to Investor’s Business Daily. Apparently the here and now is the only thing that matters. 10 years from now? Eh, screw it!

I’m sure there are countless other things she has done that would horrify any environmentalist and animal rights supporter (or general animal lover), but these here should be enough to affect the way you vote. I dare say she might just scare me more than Bush, and THAT is saying something. I believe that electing her as a VP candidate is some oddball stunt move. At first I thought it was because she was a woman, then I realized it is just to make McCain more of the evil-idiotic-style of Republican. That is, afterall, the style they prefer it seems. I sincerely hope that any Hillary voters who were unsure of their voting status (or if they were going to vote at all), will NOT vote for McCain simply on the Palin is a woman and Obama beat Hillary thoughts. The pure absurdity that this woman could be running this country one day (lets face it, McCain is NOT a young chap) leaves me with nightmares. Well, if McCain were to be elected, I sure hope we all have our SCUBA gear, 200 SPF sunblock and our Encyclopedias (so we can recall all the species lost) ready to go.

For more information on Sarah Palin’s record with animals and the environment, go here:

Humane Society Legislative Fund-Michael Markarian Animals & Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Meaure 2 Fails in Alaska

Sarah Palin’s Piece for The NY Times (Oh this is a gem, apparently polar bear populations are UP, did you know that?)

Defender’s of Wildlife (Also has a link to videos.)

Oh The Stupidity!

Hello everyone! First of all, I’d like to announce that apparently my cupcake SUCKS cause I am losing pitifully. But oh well, at least I have cupcakes!!

I would LOVE to share this gem I received in my comments today….oh, it is quite fun-filled. Hope you get a good laugh from it as I did! ;) Apparently this is from someone who calls himself “NotADumbassWhoBelievesEverythingHeReads”. Oh yeah, it gets better! Now you knew from that name that he just HAD to be an idiot, but let him prove that himself!  

Christ people. Meat is good for the body. Long before PETA has brainwashed the dumbass people that follow the Vegan bible man has consumed meat, whether it was fed straight manure or straight grass. And on the topic of what the cows eat, tests of meat have shown how much protein, vitamins and minerals are in the meat, so as far as your “12 years of biological science higher education” goes, suck a dick, the burgers, steak, and chicken I eat DAILY provide me with what I need. Do you really think the cows gave a damn about where their food came from? If they were being fed the meat from aborted babies, assuming they liked the taste, they’d refuse to eat? I really doubt that. Yeah, we’re smarter than they are and we’re at the top of the food chain, that doesn’t make you right, in fact that makes you silly vegans wrong. We’re (and I really mean the people who eat what they want to eat) able to feed these cows what we feed them because they’re willing to eat it and from what I’ve heard from the cows, no complaints have been made. You people make me sad for the human race because of how wrong you are and how right you think you are. You chew on your asparagus and broccoli and other crap you choose to eat because you refuse to think for yourself, I’ll buy double the meat to take your place and throw what I don’t eat in the trash. You people make me sad for humanity because of the stupid you spread. I’m living a life full of good tasting food though, with all the essentials the body needs from meat. So you do you and I will laugh at you simple bitches every time your pompous ass laughs at the lifestyle that has worked for hundreds of years. Dipshits.

Okay, I will let you absorb that comment for a bit. Take all the time you need! I actually was somewhat happy to receive this comment…hell, I was a little iffy on what to write about tonight but this gave me the perfect topic! Idiots! Yay! The never-ending topic that always brings me such agonizing joy to complain about. Now lets go through this, shall we? Side note: this was a comment left on my Cows Fed Junk Food piece.

Christ people. Meat is good for the body. Long before PETA has brainwashed the dumbass people that follow the Vegan bible man has consumed meat, whether it was fed straight manure or straight grass.

First of all, even a great number of doctors are finally coming to the conclusion that meat is BAD for the body. How else would you explain the tremendous rate of high cholesterol, heart ailments, heart attacks, obesity etc etc.? And how would you explain that these ailments only generally arise in a “western” style diet? Asian countries who are becoming more “western” in diet or wealthy (and therefore able to afford meats etc., depending on how you wish to look at it) are finding their rates of these ailments increasing drastically. They have gone from nearly no such ailments in their societies to great numbers suffering from them. Oh, that must be from the tomato and lettuce ON the burger. Damn tomatoes, screwing all of us up! Second of all, I am anything BUT brainwashed. If anyone is brainwashed it is this fool who continues to swallow every ounce of propaganda given to him by the government and meat and dairy industries. Also, I don’t adhere to ANY bible. I personally don’t believe in the bible one iota. But that is another topic altogether. As for PETA, I don’t get much, if any, of my information from PETA actually. I find that I don’t often agree with PETA, but I do find it is a good source of information for people just starting to explore animal rights.

on the topic of what the cows eat, tests of meat have shown how much protein, vitamins and minerals are in the meat

Hmm, how does this make my junk food point invalid in any way? Was there supposed to be a test showing the level of chocolate in their system? Because I really doubt they would go through the trouble of testing the meat for every iota of nutritional information since they won’t even test every cow for Mad Cow Disease (and other diseases). Hell, they don’t even test 5%, if even 1%.

the burgers, steak, and chicken I eat DAILY provide me with what I need.

Oh yes, and the artery clogging that is occurring DAILY brings me great joy. Here’s to your heart attack! May you enjoy it as much as your burgers :)

Do you really think the cows gave a damn about where their food came from? If they were being fed the meat from aborted babies, assuming they liked the taste, they’d refuse to eat? I really doubt that. Yeah, we’re smarter than they are and we’re at the top of the food chain, that doesn’t make you right, in fact that makes you silly vegans wrong.

Ouch, he is trying to get Pro-lifers involved too! Wow, attacking vegans and pro-lifers (I’m sure some are one in the same). Sorry for the graphic image people, hope you weren’t eating lunch! Hmm, I dare say the mother of this uneducated, brainwashed idiot should have given a second thought to having him. Moving on though. Let’s see, do I care where my food comes from? Yes. Does a cow care where it comes from? Well I suppose a cow wouldn’t necessarily care where it came from, but I have a pretty good idea it would care WHAT it was. Cows are not scavengers, they do not eat anything and everything. They have preferences involving their diet (and their lives), or else they would be just like a vulture. So no, cows wouldn’t care where their GRASS came from, but they sure as hell probably care why they are forced to eat CHOCOLATE. Guaranteed: if a cow had a choice between fresh grass and ethanol waste, he is choosing the grass.

Yay for silly vegans and their long, silly, healthy lives! Oh and there are plenty of people who are far less intelligent that any cow you could find me. FAR LESS INTELLIGENT.

We’re (and I really mean the people who eat what they want to eat) able to feed these cows what we feed them because they’re willing to eat it and from what I’ve heard from the cows, no complaints have been made.

Wow, all this time I have been forced at gunpoint to eat my veggies! Holy crap, I must have been forced to make it too! Damn, someone really has some control over me. Oh if only I could think for myself. IF ONLY!

Hey, this guy can talk to cows! Holy crap, I’m in awe of his cow communication. He must communicate with one just about at his level too or else I’m sure he would have heard SOME sort of complaint. At the very least in the realm of “please don’t slaughter me”. Hmm, maybe I have had it wrong all this time. Wow, he really has opened my eyes. Cows speaking English (I assume it isn’t Russian or Spanish since this guy communicates in English), what will do next?

 

Cows Can Speak English!!

Cows Can Speak English!!

You people make me sad for the human race because of how wrong you are and how right you think you are. You chew on your asparagus and broccoli and other crap you choose to eat because you refuse to think for yourself, I’ll buy double the meat to take your place and throw what I don’t eat in the trash. You people make me sad for humanity because of the stupid you spread. I’m living a life full of good tasting food though, with all the essentials the body needs from meat. So you do you and I will laugh at you simple bitches every time your pompous ass laughs at the lifestyle that has worked for hundreds of years. Dipshits.

Such sweet parting words, brings a tear to my eye. *sniffle* I think I am in love! A cow whisperer and poet to boot! Oh, be still my heart!

Where to begin…WHERE to begin.

It really is funny that we “people” make him sad for the human race. Funny because I find that people who have their heads stuck up their asses are the ones who are ruining the human race. Especially when they reproduce and spread the bigotry, stupidity and overall angry traits. Did you happen to notice that all of a sudden I CHOOSE to eat what I do? Wow, what a transition. I just had a gun pointed at my head a minute ago too. Phew, glad that is over!

How exactly is it that I do not (and others who are vegan) think for myself? Would the LOGICAL situation not be that those who are following the STANDARD diet are the ones not thinking for themselves? Those who are doing just as the meat and dairy companies are wanting them to do, they are the ones NOT thinking for themselves. Since only less than 1% of the United States’ population is vegan, and only about 1-2% are vegetarian, that leaves…ooooh over 97% of Americans following the standard meat, dairy then maybe some veggies diet. Wow, somehow the less than 1% are so strong and powerful that they can brainwash me to eat what they eat! Wait, did they also force me to read books, go to school and to love animals? OMG, they had me since birth. Those bastards and their mass of media outlets constantly bombarding me with images of what I should be eating. Oh please, make the billboards, neon signs and commercials dictating that I am to eat at a vegan restaurant go away! I can’t take all the veggie burger advertisements any more! Wait a minute, they never advertise for veggie burgers on television. I’ve also never seen a billboard saying where the next exit for a vegan restaurant was. Holy crap, I have seen such a thing for McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC and the like though. OMG, could the cow whisperer be wrong? Could the meat eaters actually be the brainwashed ones? Thank my vegan bible, it is true!

My guess: this person is not very well educated, has at the very least his head up his ass, is a bigot, is a bachelor, doesn’t believe in global warming and loves fast food. What age are you giving him? Since I don’t know his age now, I am going to guess a heart attack at the ripe ol’ age of 45. Hopefully he won’t have reproduced by then.

Oh, and Mr. Dumbass, all comments of yours will be dismissed, so don’t even bother.

Farm Sanctuary Walk for Farm Animals

As you may have read by now on other blogs or directly from Farm Sanctuary, they are having their annual Walk for Farm Animals in a town near you (hopefully). The walks are scheduled around World Farm Animals Day, which is October 2nd. If you are interested in participating in a walk near you, you can find the participating cities here. Matt and I have signed up to walk on September 27th here in Denver and I am very excited! So often, vegan and animal rights events do not take place in Denver so I was a little worried when scanning the list of participating cities. Hopefully your city is participating too! The walks are generally 3 to 6 miles, and quite frankly I have NO idea how long the one in Denver is. Hopefully it is a nice long 6 miles as downtown Denver a very nice place to take a stroll….or a 6 mile walk ;) .

Along with the Walk for Farm Animals to raise awareness for the billions of farm animals in need, there is also a fundraising event that each walk participant can partake in. I just happen to have set up a fundraising page with First Giving and I am hoping everyone who is able and willing, will donate to this great cause! Please visit my Farm Sanctuary Fundraising Page to donate to Farm Sanctuary. You can also click on the following logo that is located on the side of the blog at the very top:

 

As stated on the firstgiving website, my target is $500. I am hoping that this is a very low estimate since the animals need your help! Not only does Farm Sanctuary save animals that are tossed to the wayside from the factory farming industry (and other such situations) and save animals from slaughter, they ALSO respond to natural disasters in order to save helpless animals. For instance, just this summer Farm Sanctuary saved numerous pigs during the Midwest floods! All these animals need medical care, food and shelter and it does NOT come cheap. Please help this very worthy organization and give all you can, whether that be 1 dollar or 100 dollars, any amount is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

A Vegan’s Hundred (Of Things To Try)

I came across an interesting concept today on vegan blogs: A Vegan’s Hundred. This concept was taken from a site declaring the one hundred things any “good omnivore” should try at least once. (For all those interested in the original posting, visit here.) Hannah over on the Bittersweet blog revised the list to be a vegan’s version. Now I kind of feel as though this has turned into a lesser version of a “chain letter” so bear with me if you feel the same. You just may discover some foods you are actually interested in trying that you haven’t! That is pretty much the main reason I did it at least!
 
Now before I get to my list of have and have nots (culinarily speaking :) ), I would like to dissect the omnivore version. If you do check out the list you will see that it includes such lovely dishes as: venison, horse, crocodile, foie gras, oxtail (tail of steer etc.), goat, whole insects, eel, McDonald’s Big Mac meal, chitterlings (pig intestines), roadkill, frog legs and snake. Oh, doesn’t that list just make you want to be an omnivore? The amazing wonders of their culinary world! The list seems quite absurd, dare I say even from an omnivore’s point of view, as even the writer of the list states that on the list there is: “some pretty bad food – but a good omnivore should really try it all.” Why exactly should a “good” omnivore try it all? What makes you a good omnivore for trying roadkill exactly? Or eating insects or beef tails?!?! I know there is absolutely no need to go into the absurdity of this list but bear with me for a moment. Not only do omnivores feel the need to torture, kill and eat cows, chickens, sheep, pigs etc., but now they are being challenged to expand their torture to other creatures? Do horses, crocodiles, goats, and snakes really have it so well off that omnivores now feel the need to get at them with a fork and knife? And my god, roadkill is just plain disgusting from anyone’s point of view. However, judging by meat processing plants it probably isn’t any more stricken with germs and disease than factory farmed animals. Perhaps it is actually healthier, considering the animals were living wildly before that bastard vehicle came along! Don’t get me wrong though, I am in no way endorsing roadkill.
 
Do people not even realize that by wanting to eat oxtail that they are essentially a step away from looking at their dog’s tail and saying “yum, lets have that for dinner!”?? Also, what clearly is missed by most, if not all, meat-eaters is the fact that pig intestines (and any mammal’s intestines or body parts) are essentially the same as, say, your neighbor’s, wife’s, husband’s, child’s etc. etc.? Yeah, us mammals just so happen to have pretty much the exact same parts. That beef steak you’re having? Look at yourself in the mirror….you probably taste exactly the same. Also, every omnivore should try a McDonald’s Big Mac? Was this list sponsored by McDonald’s? Or was it just sponsored by the heart cloggers of America club? Ah, it’s just completely insane if you ask me.
 
Okay, moving on to my actual list now! Since I’m pretty much anti-rules, the following rules are of course optional ;)  

Vegan’s Hundred
1) Copy this list into your own blog, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Post a comment here once you’ve finished and link your post back to this one.
5) Pass it on!

1. Natto (Japanese fermented soybeans, apparently have a powerful smell and are sticky….I’m iffy on this one.)
2. Green Smoothie
3. Tofu Scramble (Please don’t feel nauseated Sara ;) )
4. Haggis (Are you kidding me? A veganized version of sheep heart, lungs and liver? I’ll pass thank you, even if I happen to be part Scottish!)
5. Mangosteen (Not related to the mango, a funky fruit from a tropical evergreen tree.)
6. Creme brulee
7. Fondue
8. Marmite/Vegemite (It is supposed to be bitter, salty and similar to beef bouillon, all flavors which do not appeal to me in the least.)
9. Borscht (Vegetable soup from Eastern Europe, I would give that shot indeed.)
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Nachos
12. Authentic soba noodles
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi (Dry Indian curry.)
15. Taco from a street cart (The germophobe in me will not allow me to buy food off the street. Yes, it goes against my Philly roots but the only acceptable thing to buy from the street are soft pretzels…and I don’t even know if the ones on Philly streets are vegan!)
16. Boba Tea (A “bubble” tea with tapioca balls, I’m not a fan of tapioca…I suspect I would say the same of this as well. Plus I rarely like any tea.)
17. Black truffle (Too expensive for my taste, considering it is just a glorified mushroom.)
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes (Would have to give this a try before saying no, but since I don’t like wine it has a mark against it already.)
19. Gyoza (Chinese dumplings with vegetables for us vegans.)
20. Vanilla ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Ceviche (Citrus-marinated “meat” I suppose.)
24. Rice and beans
25. Knish (Eastern European snack…dough with filling, traditionally mashed potatoes and meat–vegan would be veggies. I could go for that.)
26. Raw scotch bonnet pepper (Me and really spicy things don’t tend to get along!)
27. Dulce de leche
28. Caviar (Whether it be real fish eggs or vegan “fish eggs” I’ll pass. I don’t intend on eating something I found disgusting pre-vegan as a vegan now!)
29. Baklava
30. Pate (Meat or “meat” paste doesn’t appeal to me, much like the reasoning with caviar. Anyway, would tofu or tempeh or whatever “paste” really be considered pate? Eh?)
31. Wasabi peas
32. Chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Mango lassi (A sweet drink containing yogurt.)
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Mulled cider
37. Scones with buttery spread and jam
38. Vodka jelly (This was almost a scratch off the list, but I decided I may actually give it a try. Non-vegan ones really gross me out though.)
39. Gumbo
40. Fast food french fries (I’ve had them and no longer want them. I distrust them being properly made unless from a veg place. My fries are awesome and baked anyway ;) )
41. Raw Brownies
42. Fresh Garbanzo Beans
43. Dahl
44. Homemade Soymilk
45. Wine from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more (I dislike wine, so I definitely wouldn’t be willing to spend that much on it.)
46. Stroopwafle
47. Samosas
48. Vegetable Sushi
49. Glazed doughnut (Try my own recipe, they’re awesome!)
50. Seaweed
51. Prickly pear (I think I’ll leave cacti alone.)
52. Umeboshi (They are supposed to be like salty and sour apricots, I don’t like overly salty or sour things…especially not my fruit! I suppose if I was offered one I’d try it, but I won’t be seeking it out.)
53. Tofurkey
54. Sheese
55. Cotton candy
56. Gnocchi (How great are they?!?)
57. Piña colada
58. Birch beer
59. Scrapple (Since I grew up in Philly where this is mucho popular, I have tried it. It is disgusting and I care not for eating it as a vegan!)
60. Carob chips (I made the mistake of trying these, they are quite appalling. I do not recommend them to any true chocolate lover. Save them for your dogs!)
61. S’mores
62. Soy curls
63. Chickpea cutlets
64. Curry
65. Durian (I’m being picky as usual, but since these fruit have been banned on public transportation in parts of Asia I can only imagine how foul smelling they truly are. I’ll pass. Can I have a peach instead please? :) )
66. Homemade Sausages
67. Churros, elephant ears, or funnel cake (I personally don’t like the elephant ears name but I do like funnel cake and churros! Yummy!)
68. Smoked tofu
69. Fried plantain
70. Mochi
71. Gazpacho
72. Warm chocolate chip cookies
73. Absinthe (I dare say this extremely alcoholic drink is not for someone who doesn’t like alcohol overall, like me!)
74. Corn on the cob (Clearly I have.)
75. Whipped cream, straight from the can
76. Pomegranate
77. Fauxstess Cupcake (I keep meaning to make those…but I have so many other good things to make too!)
78. Mashed potatoes with gravy
79. Jerky (I’ve had the non-vegan version ONCE as a child and I absolutely found it dreadful. Since my tastes are pretty much the same and since they say vegan jerky is pretty similar, I dare say I would find it just as disgusting. No thank you! I’m keeping with the “if it was gross non-vegan, its not for me vegan” trend of mine.)
80. Croissants
81. French onion soup
82. Savory crepes
83. Tings
84. A meal at Candle 79 (I cross this out only because whenever I get a chance to visit NY, there are way too many places to try BEFORE I’d want to try there.)
85. Moussaka
86. Sprouted grains or seeds
87. Macaroni and “cheese”
88. Flowers
89. Matzoh ball soup
90. White chocolate
91. Seitan
92. Kimchi
93. Butterscotch chips
94. Yellow watermelon
95. Chili with chocolate (I don’t like my chocolate invading non-desserts. Why waste good chocolate on dinner?)
96. Bagel and Tofutti (I do prefer them will jam only though.)
97. Potato milk (I only cross it off because I suspect all potato milk is non-organic like the one in the link, unless you make it yourself. Since potatoes are one of the worst vegetables for pesticides/fungicides I’ll pass.)
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (As a general and often re-proven rule, I hate coffee.)
100. Raw cookie dough (Alllll the time!)

 
Well after completing that list all I feel is pickier than ever! I admit it, I was picky pre-vegan, I’m picky as a vegan! It is not that I don’t like trying new things, I do. I just do not like certain kinds of foods or certain kinds of tastes. Sure, a lot of the things I crossed off I may try if offered it–but I would not make it or order it if it were on a menu. Hey I had tried 51/100, that is good enough for me. Plus, I only crossed off 21/100 (recall some of the tried and crossed off ones over-lapped).
 
So how about you? How picky ARE YOU? ;)

 

Deadly Pyramid

I came across this blurb about farm subsidies on PCRM’s site (Physicians Commitee for Responsible Medicine). PCRM readily promotes a vegan lifestyle, especially regarding child obesity and cancer. I of course enjoy visiting any website that promotes such a lifestyle, plus they also have a lot of recipes. This particular page I’m referring to today is on the topic of farm subsidies (money given to farmers to keep costs of products low, to supplement their income and to control product amounts). Between 1995 and 2004, nearly three-quarters of farm subsidies (or nearly 52 billion dollars) went to the meat and dairy industries. How much was spent on grains, nuts, legumes and fruit (or simply apples) you ask? A measly 15.51%!!!! For fruit alone (or should I say just APPLES), the amount spent was only 0.37% of total farm subsidies. Hmm, I wonder why obesity is so high in this country and why high cholesterol and high blood pressure are so prevalent! Could it possibly be the fact that meat and dairy, which are huge hinderances regarding good health, are the most supported commodities by our own government? COULD IT BE THAT? Ding Ding Ding! :) Could an obese person technically blame the government for their woes? I suppose, but it still comes down to educating yourself and another very important…often overlooked…..aspect: SELF CONTROL. Anyway, the totally pitiful importance that is put on farms who provide meat and dairy is alarming. Is it really any wonder why the health of our country is in the state it is?

Hopefully PCRM won’t mind me borrowing this graphic, but take a look at this “perverse pyramid” as PCRM states. What kind of insane society would place food in this order of importance??? It would be hilarious if it weren’t so damn true!

PCRM's Farm Subsidies Perverse Pyramid

PCRM's Farm Subsidies' Perverse Pyramid

Iron Cupcake Challenge

Well, I’ve gone and done it. I’ve managed to join a baking challenge that will test my baking skills and apparently my taste buds. I don’t really know why I’ve done it, since I’m a procrastinator and this has a deadline! Oh hell, I know why–I want to win! And I need your help! Each month there will be a competition amongst signed up bakers for various prizes. One of the prizes each month is a Jesse Steele apron, which I totally want! The cupcakes entered are unfortunately not all vegan, but the competition is much simpler than those established by the Daring Bakers. Sure, I could have joined the DB, but that would have been much more exhaustive! In this baking competition, each month a particular ingredient is chosen for you to incorporate into your cupcakes. You then have to post on your blog (which you will all see, most likely an hour before the deadline! ;) ) and on Flickr. The actual voting will take place at No One Puts Cupcake In A Corner (which cracks me up…I love Dirty Dancing!!). You can also just click on the Iron Cupcake icon located on the side of my blog when voting day comes around. (Hint: This month voting will take place between August 31st at noon and September 4th at noon, so vote dammit! I mean, please vote, thank you :) )

What is the ingredient this month you ask. Don’t get your panties all in a bunch, I’ll tell you. August’s ingredient is: chili pepper. I know huh! How the hell am I going to do that! I dunno! We’ll all find out together ;) . Since I’m not a fan of spice, this is even more challenging. Spice and cupcakes most certainly do not work for me. But I sure will be trying to make a pretty cupcake for this challenge. After all, no one will be tasting them who is judging so looks alone may win (such a superficial cupcake society huh!).

Everyone reading this can also join in on the Iron Cupcake Challenge and if you join by August 20th you will be eligible for prizes (yay prizes!). You could win a “Hipster Treats waiting for the Subway Tee” available on Etsy by Cakespy or a handmade cupcake necklace on Etsy by Peggy of the Glass Chef. Also, check out all the participants . To join, all you have to do is email IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com with the following information:

Name
City, State, Country
Blog Address
Flickr Name
Referral: Vegan Verve

I hope you all join so I kick even more butts in this challenge! *Ahem* I mean please join me in this friendly competition so we can expand our cupcake knowledge. ;)

Lion Hugs Former Caretakers

Anyone feel like a good cry? Well watch this lion hugging former caretakers video on YouTube and you can join me in crying! I found this video on AOL originally, posted under “Today’s Cry”. I figured I could handle a lion hugging someone, hell my dogs hug me everyday! But, then I clicked on the video and it happened. The story appeared on the screen….along with Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you”, which gets to me sometimes anyway. I was a goner. Bonified goner before they even got to the lion hugging the two guys in the African wilderness. Oh you have to watch it!!! Not only did I cry over this video….now it has me wondering if that lion lived a free from harm life in Africa (I’m a worry wart by nature). The lion even introduced them to his lioness!! OMG, I need a tissue…anyone have a tissue?? I need a tissue STAT! ;)

Bees! Plus, Humans: Carnivores or Herbivores?

Honey Bee

Honey Bee

Recently the NY Times had an online vegan discussion with vegan author Rynn Berry. It was a three part Q&A about vegan lifestyle, which unfortunately has ended. So sorry for those who would have liked to submit questions! I’d say the questions overall are very typical of new vegans or people who are not vegans, but one question caught my eye since it related to a recent post of mine. The question was: “Can you address why some vegans do not eat honey?” Mr. Berry’s answer is excellent and complete. If you do have questions regarding this topic, please read his response! Summary of his response: honey is essentially “bee vomit”, Queens are killed and replaced by new Queens that are inseminated by killed (or “crushed”) male bees, and honey is the food of younger bees–taking it deprives bees of proper nutrition. Generally when this topic is involved, there is not a good solid argument against honey consumption. I dare say Mr. Berry’s reasonings should be valid to any ethical vegan, as bees are killed and do suffer from the consumption of honey.

Also, as to be expected there would be questions, or more properly called statements, proclaiming the long-lived history of humans and their need for meat. Such questioners even left their name as “Meateater”, isn’t that quaint? How I love such vegan bullying! Anyway, the “Meateater” went on to call Mr. Berry “Yet another sanctimonious tree-hugger with no understanding of human physiology or evolution.” Did that ever get my panties in a bunch!! If you ever have had to deal with such “Meateaters”, please do your own research (you can start with Rynn Berry’s response here) and you will see how very wrong such people are regarding our teeth, digestive systems and history. Having graduated with a BA Degree in Biology, I dare say I might know a thing or two (maybe MAYBE three ;) ) regarding human anatomy/function etc., so I feel armed and ready for such “Meateater” combat! I want all vegans to be able to completely disintegrate their “logic”. But, there will always be “that” guy, that no matter the logical argument thrown his way, he will forever proclaim his correctness. It’s sad really. You should feel bad for such stupidity and their potential offspring!

Here are some good resources to get your started regarding humans NOT having carnivore anatomy:

Cancer Prevention Site

Comparative Chart

Tidbit & Quote Of The Day

Tidbit of the day:

Using cold tap water is safer than using hot tap water for cooking. This lies in the fact that hot tap water may have been (and most likely was) sitting in your water heater for some time, allowing it to obtain more impurities and increased lead amounts. The difference in the amount of time the hot water vs. cold water would take to boil is minimal, so it is best to use cold water whenever possible. If you have a filter on your faucet, this is not as large of a concern since filters are built to, well, filter impurities including lead. However, filtering hot water will most likely decrease the life of your filter because of the extra strain.

So remember, the few extra minutes it takes for cold water to boil is worth it!!

***********

Quote of the day:

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson–

Yet another short, sweet and deep quote from our fellow veg Ralph Waldo Emerson!!!

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