Meat at Every Meal…Really?
June 25, 2008
Why is it that when vegans ask meat eaters to eat one meat-free, dairy-free dish instead of their usual flesh and potatoes for one meal, they act like you are trying to poison them? Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of meat eating friends that are happy to try a vegan dish, but there are some who can’t even fathom not eating meat for just one meal. I had a recent incident regarding my birthday dinner. A family member wanted to take me out for my birthday which I truely appreciate; she told me to choose the restaurant. She selected the location since they didn’t want to drive too far. Los Angeles is a big place and we don’t live near each other. Anyway, she suggested Santa Monica, so I said great! Let’s go to Real Food Daily (RFD). “Do they have meat there?” she asked. “We’ll no” I said. She said we can’t go there then, because she doesn’t want to put her husband through that. What!?! Is it such torture to go to a highly rated vegan restaurant with nachos, potato salad, and club sandwiches, not to mention, amazing weekly specials and not eat meat for just one meal? Apparently it is, so we had to figure out another restaurant.
In the movie Sex and the City, Samantha welcomes a new man into her life…a sex-obsessed Yorkshire Terrier named Baby. The matchmaker? An animal activist–played by actress Suzanne Cryer–who shows her canine compassion with an Alternative Outfitters “Cruelty Free” Chocolate Tank Top.
Alternative Outfitters, a leading retailer in chic, cruelty-free fashion, accessories and beauty brands, is thrilled that their very own 100% combed cotton spaghetti strap tank was chosen by the movie’s famed costume designer, Patricia Field, to star in this long awaited box office success.
Why Is That Chick So Angry?
June 25, 2008
O.K., so “hate” may seem pretty harsh, but not for this little chick whose friends are forced to live in factory farms.
According to PETA’s factsheets, more than 9 billion chickens are raised and killed for meat each year in the US. More than 285 million hens are raised for eggs in the US, and nearly all of them spend their lives in battery cages. The chickens live their entire lives drugged, confined and overcrowded, and in inhuman conditions. The lives of these poor chickens end with a horrific trip the the slaughterhouse.
So now you understand why this little chick is so angry. If you are angry too and want to show your support for this little chick by carrying around one of these totes, you can find them at AlternativeOutfitters.com.
Making a Difference With Every Step You Take!
June 25, 2008
Animal Acres Walk for Country Critters
Sunday, July 13th Noon - 4 p.m. Venice Beach, CA
Help raise needed funding for Animal Acres farmed animal sanctuary, and educate people about compassionate living choices, as they walk down the Venice Beach boardwalk. Your participation will help Animal Acres open their doors to many more suffering farmed animals, and teach people that farmed animals are friends, not food! All funds raised will help them build rehabilitation pens for suffering farmed animals. Please click here for further information and to register for the walkathon today.
Savory Vegan Pot Pie
June 25, 2008
I got the original recipe from my cousin in Iowa and we easily adapted it to be a vegan recipe. It’s super easy to make. Great for vegan potlucks or for anyone who likes a good pot pie. Your meat-eating friends won’t believe it’s vegan.
We use Smoked Apple Sage Field Roast Grain Meat Sausage as the “meaty” protein in this dish, but you can use any meat alternative or even cooked beans if you like. We think it tastes best with the sausage, but it can be hard to find. If you can’t find the sausage, we recommend MorningStar Farms Meal Starters Chik’N Strips or Lightlife Smart Strips Chick’n Style Strips.
Ingredients:
1 package frozen mixed veggies (approx. 10 oz)
1/3 cup vegan margarine such as Earth Balance
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup onion (chopped)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-3/4 cup vegetable broth
2/3 cup “milk” (can be plain soy, rice, or almond milk)
2 cups “meat” (we cut up the Field Roast Sausage into bite size pieces and prepare in a pan on the stove and then add it)
Frozen whole wheat vegan pie crust (We get them at Whole Foods, but you can use any frozen vegan pie crust, you just need one for the bottom and one for the top.)
Directions:
Set out frozen vegan pie crust for about 20-30 minutes to thaw while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Melt Margarine in saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in flour, onion, salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is bubbly.
Remove from heat.
Stir in broth and “milk”. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Stir in “meat” and veggies; remove from heat.
Pour the mix from the saucepan into the bottom crust. Cover with the top crust and crimp the edges so the liquid inside doesn’t escape from the crust while you bake it. Also make a few slits on top of the crust so the steam can escape.
Bake 35 minutes on a cookie sheet lined with foil until golden brown.
Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
