The Portland Mercury's Guide to Domesticated Animal Companionship

The Vegan Capital of the World's local free paper, The Portland Mercury, this week has a special on companion animals. The articles contain a lot of good basic information about you and your precious companion. Check out the full issue articles online at its title below:

Pets: A General Introduction

Vegan Pizza, Part Deux

 

 

I made this vegan pizza before, which I mentioned  in my blogpost titled: Vegan Pizza (where you can also find the recipe). I promised to show you a better looking version, so here it is above, made a week ago. The hummus is below all the toppings; this is how I meant to make it originally, but had forgot to add the hummus after adding the toppings, plus other reason mentioned in blogpost, Vegan Pizza.

 

Next time, I'll add vegan meats to it and maybe some bell peppers as well.

Father Frank Mann's Awakening to Compassion for Animals

Father Mann organized the Tablet Forum's May 10, 2013, NYC premiere of Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home, an award-winning documentary about farmers and their change of heart about animals. Father Mann is a gifted writer and speaker known for his infectious enthusiasm and warm sense of humor. The Tablet Forum events offer attendees the chance to view films, hear speakers, and participate in discussion of a wide range of topics which foster community and celebrate the potential we each have to make a difference for those most in need. The May 10 film premiere is a free event that is open to the public. Learn more at http://www.tribeofheart.org/tabletforum

Father Mann's own journey has been inspired by visionaries such as Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, who have shown compassion and moral leadership in the face of injustice. He recently had a deep personal awakening to the plight of animals, and has since incorporated the values of veganism and animal rights into his spiritual life and vision of a more just and peaceful world.

The New York City premiere of Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home is the first Tablet Forum to explore the ethical dimensions of our society's relationship to animals.

Order free tickets for this May 10, 2013 event at http://www.tribeofheart.org/nyctix

A Vegan Passover

Passover—the universal story of dignity, hope, and freedom—teaches that all suffering matters to God. And that means, of course, that it should matter to us as well. Refusing to have a hand in that suffering is especially timely at Passover, for in commemorating the escape of the Jews from Egyptian bondage, the holiday can remind us of the importance of continuing the battle for freedom for all beings. Prayers said on Passover can call on us to be kind to those who are now oppressed and to deepen our commitment to liberty today.

Here are several suggestions for having a cruelty-free vegan Passover meal:

Vegan Passover Recipes - Matzo Treats, Charoset

Vegan Kosher for Passover Recipes

Tasty Vegan Passover Recipes



Information on being vegan and Jewish:

Veganism and the Jewish Dietary Laws

VeggieJews : VeggieJews

A Vegan Ostara and Easter

Ostara is a symbol of fertility but many pagans use actual animal eggs for potlucks, rituals, spells, and art. But you can make your Ostara--or Easter--celebration much better and cruelty--free vegan:


For potlucks, look into any of the egg-free alternatives for egg dishes. You can find the cruelty-free products at health food stores like Whole Foods. The brand Ener-G Replacer is a great egg substitute for any egg dish. Tofu scramble is good too.

Tie-dyeing is terrific for adults and kids! Use cruelty-free ingredients to dye altar cloths, ritual cloaks, and anything else you want dyed instead of buying and dying eggs. 

For Easter hunts, have children look for plastic eggs that might be painted or contain hidden treasures. Buying bags of the plastic eggs may not be eco-friendly, but if you get those, using them over and over every year is still much better on the environment than real factory-farmed eggs, plus no harm done to animals.

The little plastic eggs are also great for spells and majick. Make a charm by putting spell scrolls, stones, and herbs in them, charge them, and hang them on trees outside your house, or indoors in some prominent place.


Ostara and Easter is a wonderful time to plant herbs, foods, and flowers. 

For vegan Ostara and Easter recipes, check out these links:

The Ostara Feast

Ostara tea sandwiches

Orange Carrot Cupcakes

Spring has Sprung, Ostara and Vegan Cadbury Cream Eggs!

Happy Ostara or 1st Day of Spring!

Re: [pagan and vegan] Ostara Recipes

Vegan Easter Brunch - Thirty Recipe Ideas!

Vegan Easter Candy

Celebrate Easter the Vegan Way

Raw Vegan Easter Recipe

Vegan Easter Recipes | Care2 Healthy Living

Vegan Easter Recipes

More Vegan Karma

Along with my Vegans have good Karma button, I just ordered this tote bag version of the cool phrase from Cafe Press.

Many people have emailed me wanting to know where I got my button and are there more products with that phrase. Just click here for all the products available--Enjoy!

F.A.A.R.M.'s Expertise is Helping You LIVE!

 

 

As of today, F.A.A.R.M. is in the Expert Health & Medicine category at LivePerson, answering any questions you may have about veganism--dietary, ethically, and environmentally. This category is technically titled: Health & Medicine: Diet and Nutrition, so F.A.A.R.M. can also counsel people on that in general as well, having worked professionally in managing health food stores and working in diet clinics for several years in the past, but the main focus will be on veganism:

 

Professional Service

I will help you to understand abolitionary veganism, and veganism as a whole, which is about diet, ethics and the environment, but it's mainly about ethics. While being vegan is mostly about ethics, I'll show you how all three can not be separate, as being vegan is about saving animals, humans and the entire planet. I will offer recipes, and suggest places as to where you can get very affordable vegan items of food, clothing and cosmetics, both online and offline. Proceeds from my services will go towards helping stray/rescued animals get fed, spayed or neutered and to help guardians take great care of their companion animals by providing healthy nutrition and great information for them as needed. So happy with the "virtual office"! F.A.A.R.M. is looking forward to serving you!

Defining Vegetarianism and Veganism

I just posted the message below at a blog which asked the question:

"Are Dietary Vegans Vegan At All?"

My response:

A person who only doesn’t eat animal products (and is not ethical or environmental) is a vegetarian–at best, a strict vegetarian. If they chose to only not eat meat then they are a lacto-ovo vegetarian.



Vegetarianism, by definition, in ANY way, shape or form is about health/diet only.


It has ALWAYS been this way by original definition.



We vegans are part of the cause of why the word vegan is now erroneously defined these days. When you go to vegan sites, what do you mostly read about? FOOD. Vegans themselves add to the erroneous way in now what the media and celebs thinks of as veganism being just about what one eats.


Also, veganism is not a “lifestyle” (as some vegans even say). Veganism is a life. Period. And a life is more than just food.

Related article:

Is Veganism a Religion Under Anti-Discrimination Law?

Why I Believe Jesus was a Vegan

Religion may be about having faith, but sensible faith is based on some logic and common sense and this will help show that Jesus must have been vegan:

1. Jesus preached compassion, love and kindness to all. He is quoted many, many times regarding this. I doubt if such a man with His morals and ethics would then go and eat animal flesh.

2. As with John the Baptist being commonly mistaken to have eaten locusts and honey, there most likely was confusion in using the word “fish” or “meat” in the bible. There’s a longstanding confusion in the etymological origin of the word locust. Locust is both a bean from the carob plant and an insect. The Greek word for cakes or bread made from the flour of the carob bean is ‘egkrides’ and the Greek word for locust the insect is ‘akrides’. The insect locust is approved to be clean for consumption in Leviticus. It was a delicacy in those days and was mostly consumed by the upper and/or priestly class.

John the Baptist belonged to a group of ascetics who believed in repentance and in leading an austere lifestyle. The carob bean was seen as the diet of the lower class who normally endured hardship and exploitation from the priestly class. So most likely John the Baptist ate locust plant seed from the carob tree.

Also, regarding honey, it could be anything from saps of certain trees to juice of the crushed dates. Carob flour and crushed dates made a good damper or sweet rustic cake, hence the word ‘egkrides’ in the Greek version of the Bible.

Some Church Fathers circa 400AD put forth an injunction to change the word ‘egkrides’ in the Bible meaning cakes to ‘akrides’ the insect locust, not realising that locust the insect was a delicacy enjoyed by the priestly upper crust, from whom John the Baptist and people like John distanced themselves from.

Words in the Bible have been known to be erroneously translated.

3. The Bible isn’t the only source that mentions Jesus’ life. Check out the book, The Gospel of the Nazirenes, edited and restored with historical documentation by Alan Wauters and Rick Van Wyhe. This book tells us that Jesus did not eat animals, and it also details the accuracy of their scripture in the beginning of the book. I believe this version of the New Testament because it agrees with Jesus’ nature of being non-violent.

4. Jesus was a known rebel during His time on earth. He, many times, did not go along with what people often did, hence what was one of the reasons why He was persecuted.....It makes sense that one of the things He rebelled against was eating animal flesh because, as I mentioned earlier, Jesus was a very moral and ethical person.

For further studies, check out the book, The Lord Christ Was a Vegan, by Saba, that I mentioned in a previous blogpost.

Reply to Alex Jamieson's "I’m not vegan anymore"

The vegan community is abuzz right now in response to Alex Jamieson confessing on her blogpost: "I’m not vegan anymore".


As I write this, I see there are hundreds of responses to her post--me included. This is what I wrote in reply to her post:


If you’re not feeling/being healthy eating only cruelty-free foods then you’re not eating vegan in the way you personally should eat in being vegan. It would be best to see a vegan nutritionist; I believe you never mentioned going to a vegan doctor. They do exist and can help you eat vegan in a healthy way designed for you.


Everyone can’t be healthy vegans *in the very same way*, as we all have different needs. But we all can be healthy vegans in a way designed for us as individuals.


I don’t doubt that you still love animals, but to love animals as much as you could and should, you would be vegan and get professional nutritional counseling to be a healthy vegan for the sake of your own body as well as for animals and the planet.




I really hope Alex goes to a nutritionist.

I don't believe I ever posted this story of my own life but I did have a break in being vegan. After years of being vegan, I noticed the enamel on my teeth was deteriorating. I thought it was due to lack of calcium, so still a vegan, I took calcium supplements in hope that would solve the issue, but it didn't help. I ignorantly thought it was because I stopped eating dairy and stupidly didn't go to a vegan doctor about it. I then started drinking milk again.


When I finally went to my dentist for a regular check-up, I mentioned this to him (who, by the way, is not a vegan), he said to me: "Your enamel isn't deteriorating because you're vegan. It's because you're using a too hard toothbrush. As the years went by, enamel starts to erode by using a hard bristle toothbrush and pressing too hard on your teeth with it. It has nothing to do with being vegan." I felt very stupid but quite happy with the news. I then stopped drinking milk and became vegan again.


Valuable lesson learned!


If you are having ANY trouble at all with your vegan diet for life, please, please, please see a vegan doctor about it--or possibly any doctor, as I said my dentist wasn't even a vegan dentist who told me I was wrong. But a vegan doctor may have more answers to whatever issues you are having, so see them.

Vegan Hummus Pizza

Eating pizza while watching the Academy Awards is traditional for me, but instead of making a vegan pizza with non-dairy cheese, I made a pizza substituting cheese with hummus! It was different and delicious!

Here's how I made it:

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 .25-ounce package active dry yeast
• 1 t. olive oil
• 1 t. salt
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Preparation:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast, mixing gently until bubbles begin to appear on the surface. Let the mixture set for several minutes, or until a small layer of foam appears on the surface. Add the olive oil, salt, and whole wheat flour, mixing until combined. Add the all-purpose flour gradually, until the mixture forms a soft but not sticky dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for several minutes or until elastic. Lightly oil the mixing bowl and return the dough to the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a dry towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

2. Once doubled, punch down the dough. Knead for several minutes into a tight ball, then return the dough to the mixing bowl, cover with the towel, and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Lightly oil a pizza pan or baking pan.

4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a circle of desired thickness, about 14-16 inches in diameter. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, top with desired toppings, and bake until golden brown, about 16-20 minutes.

For toppings, I added:

Mixing tomato paste with vegan pizza sauce
Hummus
Pineapple
Mushrooms
Vegan meatballs crumbled into small chunks
Powdered oregano

Unfortunately, I just took a photo of my pizza today, after I have already eaten half of it and as it is cold from being in the fridge. I place the hummus on top because I didn't want that heated too much so it went on last during the last minutes of baking, but you can put hummus on bottom as cheese would be if you like.

I'll definitely make this pizza again!

All Things Vegan!

In the past 2 weekends, I made it a point to go to 5 places where all products are 100% vegan. It was a fun experience!

My first stop was on Sunday, February 10. I had brunch at 10:30am at the Veggie Grill restaurant. I ordered their cheese veganburger, sweet fries carrot cake and lemonade. It was so delicious! I've never had sweet fries that good! The cheeseburger was one of the best I've ever had, and the carrot cake was fantastic--I loved the icing on it! The lemonade was fresh and good! The atmosphere is nice and quiet (but I guess it would be at that time), and very clean. The staff are very polite and asked me would I mention their restaurant to others--YES! Veggie Grill is national so if there is one near you, please stop by and order anything on their menu, knowing everything is cruelty-free.

After feeling very well fed and satisfied, I want to add I did go to Voodoo Doughnut afterward; it is not a vegan bakery, but they sell at least a dozen vegan doughnuts. I stopped there to pick up my favorite, their vegan Cock-N-Balls! That is the name!

The line was remarkably short as I was only about the 30th person in line. If you are familiar with both Portland, Oregon's own Voodoo Doughnut bakeries, you know being the 30th person in line is a pretty good spot! The lines at both places are ALWAYS long--and I'm not exaggerating, although I've heard if you stop by after midnight, there's no line (they are open 24 hrs.). The staff is always happy so I figure they must be paid with all the vegan doughnuts they want! =)

My vegan Cock-N-Balls was extremely good, which I had for my dinner dessert.





Next stop that day, I went to Portland's Mini Mall. My first store at the mall and the second 100% vegan shop I went to was Food Fight! grocery store. The grocery store is very small, about the size of one of those gas station food stores, or corner market stores. But there is a lot of merchandise: pre-packaged food on shelf and frozen, including ice creamy desserts, cooking/baking items, health, beauty and cosmetic products, etc., all 100% vegan. I needed some new lip balm so I bought their lip balm by Crazy Rumors.

Next door to Food Fight!, I went to Herbivore Clothing Company. They sell a lot of unique clothing and accessory items and books as well. They also sell jewelry, buttons, stickers and magnets with the vegan message. It's a fun store to check out. I got another different vegan lip balm there from Booda Butter. I'll compare the two and see which one is better.

My last stop on that Sunday was next door to Herbivore Clothing Company. It's Sweetpea Baking Company. It was indeed a very sweet day for me in more ways than one as I got my 3rd sweet vegan item of the day: a peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie! I've had their cookies before and this is the best in their bunch! I saved that cookie for Monday's dessert as 2 desserts is more than I usually have in one day.

A week later, today February 17th, I went to my 4th 100% vegan place, Loving Hut. It's a very pretty, clean restaurant with very good food too! I ordered  their Hawaiian vegan burger with french fries. I had their "Orange Joy" drink which tastes like a tangerine smoothie. For dessert, I had my very first vegan cheese cake--so delicious!!

I plan to stop by all the places I mentioned here. The customer service at all places (including Voodoo Doughnut) are excellent! It was such a joy visiting 4 totally vegan places, and I hope to go to more in the future.

Wearing the Vegan Message

 I have been trying to think of another way to spread the vegan/cruelty-free message when I'm out and about. I don't own a car so bumper stickers are out. The message would have to be on my body or at least my handbag.

I checked out various jewelry but I think messages on jewelry--even a necklace--are too small to always notice. Plus, I always wear a necklace watch, and Unitarian Universalist, Wicca and Saint Dymphna charms around my neck in a necklace which could cover the vegan jewelry in moving around.

Patches can't been moved easily when I change handbags or clothing. I thought seriously about a cap but I don't always wear a cap.

So, I decided on a button! I can easily take it off and put it anywhere--clothing or bag. Average size buttons are large enough to be easily read (most are 2 inches around), and an added bonus is buttons are very cheap!

I went online and found two amazing websites with over a thousand vegan buttons here and here. Boy, did I have fun reading so many buttons!

Many were cute--so cute I felt the message was not taken seriously enough. Others were so in-your-face blatant to the point of sounding rude (true but  rude!), and a lot were spot on perfect. One of my favorites is the button above but I decided to get this one below, as it best represents my ministry:

Vegan Is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action

Author-illustrator Ruby Roth, introduces young readers to veganism as a lifestyle of compassion and action in her book, Vegan Is Love.

Roth illustrates how our daily choices ripple out locally and globally, conveying what we can do to protect animals, the environment, and people across the world. Roth explores the many opportunities we have to make ethical decisions: refusing products tested on or made from animals; avoiding sea parks, circuses, animal races, and zoos; choosing to buy organic food; and more. Roth’s message is direct but sensitive, bringing into sharp focus what it means to “put our love into action.”

The book also features back-of-the-book resources on action children can take themselves.

Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals

 

 

Scientists have long counseled against interpreting animal behavior in terms of human emotions, warning that such anthropomorphizing limits our ability to understand animals as they really are. With "Wild Justice", Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce unequivocally challenge this long-held view.

 

Marrying years of behavioral and cognitive research with compelling and moving anecdotes, Bekoff and Pierce reveal that animals exhibit a broad repertoire of moral behaviors, including fairness, empathy, trust, and reciprocity. Animals are incredibly adept social beings, relying on rules of conduct to navigate intricate social networks that are essential to their survival.

 

Bekoff and Pierce draw the conclusion that there is no moral gap between humans and other species: morality is an evolved trait that we unquestionably share with other social mammals.

 

The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter

Based on award-winning scientist Marc Bekoff’s years studying social communication in a wide range of species, this important book shows that animals have rich emotional lives. Bekoff blends extraordinary stories of animal joy, empathy, grief, embarrassment, anger, and love with scientific research confirming the existence of emotions that common sense and experience have long implied. Filled with Bekoff’s light humor and touching stories, The Emotional Lives of Animals is a clarion call for reassessing both how we view animals and how we treat them.

The Witness

 

Transformed by the love of a kitten, a tough New York City construction contractor is inspired to rescue abandoned animals, become an animal activist, and take his message of compassion to the streets.

The Witness is an award-winning film that has changed many lives.

Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home

 

 

Inspired by the idea that one person's change of heart can change the world, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home explores the ethical awakening of several people who grew up in traditional farming culture and have now come to question the basic assumptions of their way of life. The 78-minute documentary features seven remarkable individuals engaged in a courageous struggle of conscience, each trying to re-integrate the parts of themselves that were fragmented by expectations and experiences that went against their deepest natures. The film provides insight into their sometimes amazing connections with the animals under their care, while also making clear the complex web of social, psychological and economic forces that have led them to their conflict.

Described by many viewers as a life-changing experience, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home shatters stereotypical notions of farmers, farm life, and perhaps most surprisingly, farm animals themselves.

 



I'm glad their website, Tribe of Heart, gives the correct definition of being vegetarian as many people--including me sometimes--tend to automatically think if a person says they don't eat any animal products at all, they must be vegan--not so!

 

Vegetarian

"A diet that includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains and is free from all animal products including dairy and eggs. Also used to describe a person who eats such a diet. Common confusion: Often mistakenly used to describe those who do not eat flesh but do consume other animal products such as diary and eggs. Such a diet would be more accurately described by the term ovo-lacto vegetarian."

http://www.tribeofheart.org/peaceablejourney/mediabase/1363.htm

So remember, all those celebrities announcing to the world that they are "vegan" because of their change in eating are not vegan--they are vegetarians.

 

Peaceable Kingdom's definition of vegan is found at: Peaceable Journey: Food & Daily Life: Vegan 

Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good

 

 

Pleasurable Kingdom, by Jonathan Balcombe, presents new evidence that animals--like humans--enjoy themselves. From birds to baboons, insects to iguanas, animals feel good thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort, aesthetics, and more. Combining rigorous evidence, elegant argument and amusing anecdotes, leading animal behavior researcher Jonathan Balcombe shows that the possibility of positive feelings in creatures other than humans has important ethical ramifications for both science and society.

 

Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals

Animal behavior expert Jonathan Balcombe makes the case that animals, once viewed only as mindless automatons, actually have rich sensory experiences and emotional complexity. Drawing on research, observational studies, and personal anecdotes to reveal the full spectrum of animal experience, Balcombe paints a picture of the inner lives of animals that diverges from the “fight or die” image often presented in the popular media. He challenges traditional views of animals and makes the case for why the human-animal relationship needs a complete overhaul.

Dogs recognize unfairness and rats practice random acts of kindness. Chimpanzees can trounce humans in short-term memory games. Fishes distinguish good guys from cheaters, and birds are susceptible to mood swings such as depression and optimism. With vivid stories and entertaining anecdotes, Balcombe opens the door into the inner lives of the animals themselves.

A Dog Named Leaf

In 2006, Allen and Linda Anderson adopted a cocker spaniel from an animal shelter and named him Leaf. Seven months later, the dog was turning the couple’s home into a war zone, and they were regretting their impulsive choice.


Then one day Allen, who had spent eight years as an active duty police officer and had survived so many close calls, received a phone call that made him think his luck had finally run out. Allen had an unruptured brain aneurysm that would be fatal if not operated on immediately. And the surgery might be fatal, or very debilitating. Having seen his father live for years with the effects of a massive stroke, Allen was thrown into a panic that the worst fate might not be death.

What Allen didn’t know is that what would save him was a miracle--their dog named Leaf...

 

Allen Anderson’s new book A Dog Named Leaf, shares life-changing events that confirm the reality of heaven and spiritual benefits of adopting a rescued dog who might be destined to rescue you!

 

Allen Anderson and his wife Linda founded the Angel Animals Network, which helps people discover the benefits of human-animal companionship.

Animals and World Religions

In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations toward other beings.

Dr. Kemmerer examines the role of nonhuman animals in scripture and myth, in the lives of religious exemplars, and by drawing on foundational philosophical and moral teachings. She begins with a study of indigenous traditions around the world, then focuses on the religions of India (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain) and China (Daoism and Confucianism), and finally, religions of the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

 

At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer explores the inspiring lives and work of contemporary animal advocates who are motivated by a personal religious commitment.

Animals and World Religions demonstrates that rethinking how we treat nonhuman animals is essential for anyone claiming one of the world's great religions.

Did John the Baptist Really Eat Locusts and Wild Honey?

There's a longstanding confusion in the etymological origin of the word locust. Locust is both a bean from the carob plant and an insect. The Greek word for cakes or bread made from the flour of the carob bean is 'egkrides' and the Greek word for locust the insect is 'akrides'. The insect locust is approved to be clean for consumption in Leviticus. It was a delicacy in those days and was mostly consumed by the upper and/or priestly class.

John the Baptist belonged to a group of ascetics who believed in repentance and in leading an austere lifestyle. The carob bean was seen as the diet of the lower class who normally endured hardship and exploitation from the priestly class. So most likely John the Baptist ate locust plant seed from the carob tree.

Also, regarding honey, it could be anything from saps of certain trees to juice of the crushed dates. Carob flour and crushed dates made a good damper or sweet rustic cake, hence the word 'egkrides' in the Greek version of the Bible.

Some Church Fathers circa 400AD put forth an injunction to change the word 'egkrides' in the Bible meaning cakes to 'akrides' the insect locust, not realising that locust the insect was a delicacy enjoyed by the priestly upper crust, from whom John the Baptist and people like John distanced themselves from.

Veganism and Vegetarianism

I agree with everything Gary L. Francione says in this commentary below except he is wrong about one thing. Many, many people--including me--became vegan via being a vegetarian first. When I found out how cruel it is to eat animal flesh, being a vegetarian made me want to learn more about the subject and that naturally led me to veganism studies.

So, although I definitely do agree with Gary in that it is better to be a vegan for a day, or several days, or a week, etc., at first to eventually become a vegan, being a vegetarian first does work sometimes too on the road to being vegan. But yes, as Gary said, vegetarianism and veganism are very separate diets/lifestyles and should be promoted as such.

Commentary #1: Vegetarianism as a “Gateway” to Veganism?

Happy Birthday Victoria Moon Erickson (born: January 29)

 

I pray that yours is a very happy birthday Victoria...wherever you are.

The Lord Christ Jesus Was a Vegan

 

 

Book description (From Amazon):

 

"This book raises many interrelated important issues in life and tries to clarify the spiritual facts and to tie the loose ends, according to the wisdom of Divine Love. The good news about Lord Christ Jesus being a vegan (a strict vegetarian), for Biblical reasons is expounded in this book. This book discuss in detail the interests, the well-beings and the freedom of all creatures. The main points discussed in here, from the Christian vegan perspectives are: why mankind should live to honor God, about the universally abiding laws given us by the supreme Creator, the Christian justice, the importance of Church unity, nutrition, balanced diet and related issues. The pages loudly echo the spirituality of animals and the normal feelings of all that live; encouraging mankind to choose environmentally friendly products and services instead of animal products or animal services. Every violent sport and entertainment that involves animals is denounced together with the modern day idolatry and animal slavery; urging God fearing people to actively love and defend all animals and the universe in the Holy Name of Christ Jesus now and always."

Peace Pilgrim

Mildred Lisette Norman (July 18, 1908-July 7, 1981), known to all as Peace Pilgrim, was a U.S. pacifist, strict vegetarian, and peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on January 1, 1953. In Pasadena, California, she adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" and walked across the United States for 28 years.

Peace Pilgrim said, "Our present lesson is to stop killing each other. The lesson of non-killing of creatures is a little bit into the future, though those of us who know better need to live up to the highest light. Now, I wouldn't kill any creature--I wouldn't even kill a chicken or a fish--and therefore I stopped immediately eating all flesh. I have learned since that it is bad for your health, but at that time, I just extended my love to include not only all my fellow human beings but also my fellow creatures, and so I stopped hurting them and I stopped eating them. Then I learned from a college professor...that it takes many times the land to raise the creatures we eat as it would to raise fruits or vegetables or grains. Since I want the maximum number of God's children to be fed, that also would make me a vegetarian. I enjoy my food, but I eat to live. I do not live to eat, as some people do, and I know when to stop eating. I am not enslaved by food."

As a strict vegetarian, Peace Pilgrim also did not use fur, feathers, leather or bone.

Peace Pilgrim was also an early advocate for tolerance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. She did not believe in discrimination against any being.

Compassionate Wear

 

 

As I have said in a previous post, while the vegan community has done a super brilliant job in educating people about cruelty-free, vegan, ethical eating, I feel the community has not done nearly enough in educating people on vegan ethical clothing/footwear/accessories. I even hear vegans say they still wear some footwear made of animal products because they can't find any good quality shoes/boots that are cruelty-free, especially offline in stores.

 

So F.A.A.R.M. will be doing a lot of focusing on vegan clothing/footwear and other accessories, like belts, to help vegans (and non-vegans) easily find good cruelty-free product wear. As a matter of fact, most running shoes are naturally vegan, as synthetic materials are much more breathable and readily available, but always ask to make sure it's vegan if it's not mentioned on the product.

 

Brooks is one such company that carries many vegan footwear, but other companies, such as Saucony, New Balance and Asics all offer high-performance vegan shoes. I got a pair of Brooks running shoes, like the above, for Christmas. They feel terrific on my feet! And Asics has made it easy to shop for vegan running shoes; all running shoes with "N" in the product code/style number are vegan.

 

To help you easily find compassionate, wearable items at online and offline stores, check out:

PETA's Shopping Guide to Compassionate Clothing: Quick Reference Guide

Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer was born today in 1875. In 1893 he attended the University of Strasbourg and studied theology, philosophy and musical theory. In 1899, he received a Ph.D. in Philosophy, and in 1900 he received a second in theology. Between 1900 and 1905 he acted as a minister of a small church in Strasbourg. During this period he also wrote several books dealing with general philosophy and ethics, religion and the musical philosophy of Sebastian Bach. He became an expert organist, organ-builder and was recognized as one of the leading musical figures of this time.

In 1905, Schweitzer made a radical career change and decided to devote the rest of his life to the natives of equatorial Africa. He decided that he would study to become a doctor of medicine and reentered the university. In 1909, Schweitzer formulated the international regulations for organ building. In 1913, Schweitzer received his Doctorate of Medicine.

In 1915, while on a steamboat journey in Africa, he was inspired with a new way of thinking: Reverence for Life.  This phrase would be the description for his future philosophy of life.

Schweitzer was saddened by the amount of misery he saw in the world. His sadness was not limited to only humans but also the animal world.  The sight of an old limping horse, tugged forward by one man while another kept beating it with a stick to get it to the knacker’s yard at Colmar, would haunt him for weeks.

The sight of animals being beaten or hurt was something he could never understand or accept, from the times of his early youth.  The brutality was quite incomprehensible to him, and he wondered why in his evening prayers he should pray for human beings only. So when his mother had prayed with him and had kissed him goodnight, he would add silently a prayer that he had composed himself for all living creatures. It went something like this: "O heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace.”

This gentle but strong willed man would spend over 50 years helping natives of Africa with their health problems. During this period in Africa, he wrote additional books on the subjects of philosophy, religion, music, art, ethics and human civilization throughout the ages. In 1953, Schweitzer would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and $36,000. He would spend all of the money for his leprosy hospital in Africa.

Schweitzer’s general philosophy could be stated as never to destroy life that breathes, unless it is unavoidable, and by going out of our way to help any living creature in distress we are helping to discharge a debt--a debt of honor--which we owe to the rest of creation for its vicarious sacrifice to our needs. It is after all the only sane and reasonable course we can adopt.

Adopt a Rescued Bird Month

When people say they've adopted a rescued animal, we tend to think of either dogs or cats. But birds are adopted as rescued also.

January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month. Many people may not realize that along with the large number of dogs, cats, and other animals that enter shelters, many birds do too. Each year thousands of birds are relinquished to shelters when their owners decide they no longer want them or cannot take care of them properly. Most birds live eight years or longer, and a parrot's life span can rival that of a human, as some birds can live to be 60-80 years old and are a great commitment by their human companions. Bird companionship is a long-term commitment that requires dedication that often surpasses that of dog or cat ownership. While smaller birds have shorter life spans, human guardians are still encouraged to research the bird they hope to provide a home for in order to make certain that they are prepared for the special needs of their new feathered friend. Also, adopters need to consider the finances involved with vet visits, good-quality varied food, a proper-size cage, and toys. Guardians also need to realize that birds--especially those in the parrot family--thrive on social interaction. So if you are not home often, a bird might not be the right choice for you.

Many guardians do not realize that birds often require specialized veterinary care and should always be seen by a vet that is familiar with birds, so seeking the advice and knowledge of an avian veterinarian is helpful, both before and after adoption of a new bird. Birds are sensitive and intelligent companions that will surprise you with their beauty and song.

Here are other things to consider:

Birds can be noisy. Birds sing and chirp, but they also squawk and screech. Not all of their vocalizations are soothing and pleasant; some can be downright ear-splitting. Take this into consideration, especially if you live in an apartment building.

Birds like space. Provide your feathered friend with the largest cage possible—no space is too big for a creature adapted to flying through jungles and across savannas. A typical cage for small birds should be about 25 inches tall and 25 inches from front to back.

Birds are sensitive to their environment. It is important to place your bird's cage in a warm, bright area, close to where the action is but away from drafts and direct sunlight. Avoid kitchens at all costs—birds are extremely sensitive to fumes from self-cleaning ovens and Teflon-coated cookware.

Birds are social butterflies. Birds can be every bit as loving and affectionate as dogs or cats. In fact, they should be taken out of their cages and handled every day for at least an hour. Daily exercise and ample out-of-cage time are the keys to a happy, well-adjusted bird.

Birds need exercise. Just like any other creature, birds can become overweight and unhealthy if they don't get enough exercise. It's important to let your bird out of his cage each day for free flight.

Birds are naturally clean. Like cats, birds are self-cleaners, as they preen their feathers daily. No smelly shampoos or flea baths for this feathered pal, keep up your bird's good looks with a simple nail trim.

Each species has its own specific characteristics and habits, so do some research into which bird would be best for you. Birds need proper nutrition, room to exercise and clean living conditions in order to be healthy and happy. Be sure to understand how to feed and care for your bird before you get one.

National Vodou Day

Today is National Vodou Day. A holiday which takes place each year since 1996. Every year, thousands of adepts "vodounsi" gather in several locations. In Comè, a small town about a hundred kilometers west of Cotonou, hundreds of vodou adepts gathered to sing, dance and offer prayers and sacrifices to gods and ancestors. In the country of Benin, His Excellency Houngué Towakon Guédéhoungué II, president of the vodou in Benin, leads the ceremonies. Of Benin's seven million citizens, 65% believe in Vodou.

Followers acknowledge the existence of both a supreme being and many smaller gods which can intercede with the supreme being on behalf of humans. Vodou followers believe that all life is driven by spiritual forces of natural phenomena such as water, fire, earth and air and that these should be honoured through rituals like animal sacrifices.

But fortunately not all vodou practitioners believe in using animals in sacrifices.

In her book, Vodou Visions, Vodou mambo, Sallie Ann Glassman, discusses a cruelty-free alternative way of practicing this religion. Glassman, who is a vegan, does not believe in animal sacrifices. She explains in wonderful detail of how one is able to be a genuine practitioner of Vodou but still practice a cruelty-free life.

The Tourist Trail

John Yunker’s novel, The Tourist Trail, is an epic thriller about the often unnoticed heroes who devote their lives to protecting animals. It chronicles the lives of various characters from extremely different walks of life whose worlds intertwine to reveal their shared destiny: To protect animals. Some of these characters live and breathe their passion for animals, allowing it to drive their every decision and relationship. They’d give their lives for their cause without asking for anything in return. Other characters find themselves drawn into this world unexpectedly as the situations they’re faced with cause them to question their own sense of morality. The novel has vibrant multidimensional characters and is full of plot twists, romance and non-stop danger. As the book progresses, the lives of the characters begin to intertwine and the emotional twists and turns become just as enveloping for the reader as the dangerous battles at sea.

 

The Tourist Trail was inspired by the author, John Yunker’s, trip to the Patagonia region of Argentina, where he volunteered with The Penguin Project. The book is based on the award winning short-story he wrote after his volunteer work.

Historical Spiritual Beliefs in Relation to Animals

 

Today's animal rights movements are often political, meant to affect change in legislature. But the roots of the belief in animal welfare and opposition to animal cruelty has more spiritual contexts, affiliated with cultural groups having a loving affinity for the earth and its beings.

Native American religion is closely linked to the land. There is a common thread of connection with the earth and the supernatural. A strong emphasis is placed on developing a personal spirituality, as well as the intertwining of the natural and spiritual worlds. Land and its creatures blend well with Native Americans’ spiritual awakening and daily ritual, though typically this belief is not considered a religion; it’s a lifestyle and the basis of an entire culture. Spirituality is a mindset and a relationship with natural beings, not a doctrine.

Native American religion is also accompanied by sacred mythological narrative, relying a lot on animals to tell the story. These stories are deeply based in nature and symbolism using the seasons and weather, plants, animals, earth, and the elements, culminating in the embrace of a great Spirit, a connection to the Earth. These stories were handed down verbally and used in traditional tribal gatherings where the peoples worshipped using song and dance.

Vegetarianism, the earth and religion are also interconnected in the ancient practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Vegetarianism is mandatory if you are a strict follower of Jainism, based on the principle of nonviolence, ahimsa. Formed from Hinduism because of distaste for animal sacrifice, Jains are either lacto-vegetarians or vegans. They believe it's important to contribute the least amount of violence as possible--to all of nature--thus influencing positive karma and necessitating liberation during reincarnation. Some followers of Hinduism also practice ahimsa and non-violence to animals, holding vegetarianism as an ideal. Linked to this is offering only vegetarian food to a god in order to receive it back as prasad, a mental condition for generosity. The belief is that non-vegetarian food is harmful in developing the mind and spirituality. Hindus have a scriptural basis for these practices, the Mahabharata states: “Nonviolence is the highest duty and the highest teaching.” Exists the more practical belief that meat consumption is not beneficial to physical health. There's also Hindu dietary law, linking the basis of man’s good and evil to food, which provides some context for why some Hindus prefer not to eat meat; treatment of food is directly tied to karma and blessings in this life and the next, and this includes forming a relationship with the earth and what it produces.

In Buddhism, animals are understood to be sentient beings and they are highly regarded, as is man’s relationship with the natural world and humanitarianism. Buddha theorized that sentient beings have been our mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, children, and friends in past lives. This is similar to some Native American ideology. This notion makes clear the difficulty of distinguishing between moral rules for animals and humans as we are all interconnected. Animals are believed to be separated from humans by state of mind, or a different realm of existence (Tiryagyoni). All the earth’s creatures must work together to protect one another, and individuals who harm others will in their turn experience the same thing. The first of the five Buddhist precepts bans the taking of life, sometimes applied to all sentient beings, including not just mammals, but insects and invertebrates as well. Early Buddhism contains regulations to prevent the harming of sentient beings in the animals realm, because it directly impacts all other realms.

Mainstream modern religions like Christianity often disassociate, at least in majority doctrine, from obligations to the environment and animals, placing options on the individual, and playing down the need for interconnectedness and community. But if one chooses to look there is plenty of encouragement in ancient spiritual traditions for finding our roots and a deep spiritual balance between humans, other animals and our Mother Earth.

National Bird Day

Today is National Bird Day. It's a day for public awareness and education on birds.

Since the late 19th century, bird protection has become an especially increasingly important issue. Birds are among the most popular animals in the exotic pet trade, and most birds in captive breeding programs are kept there solely for commercial gain.

For more information on National Bird Day, including how you can get involved, check out:

How Do I Get Involved?