"Soy is Making Kids Gay" — Wow. I'm speechless.
Seriously, who IS this person?? I just can’t even think of anything to say, except OMG.
Posted: November 5th, 2009 under vegan news - 2 Comments.
A Vegan in the NFL?
Start your Tuesday off with a cool article on Planet Green about Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons! (Thanks Todd!)
A Vegan in the National Football League?
Well, almost… Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez eats green and stays strong (and so can you).
By Mickey Z.
Astoria, NY, USA
Another NFL season is upon us but what can the red meat macho world of pro football offer an earth-friendly greenie? How about a lesson in eco-eating from Atlanta Falcons Tight End Tony Gonzalez? A ten-time Pro Bowl selection, Gonzalez currently holds the NFL records for single season receptions (102) by a tight end, career touchdowns by a tight end (76), career receptions by a tight end (916), and reception yards by a tight end (10,940).
After reading The China Study in 2007, the 6-foot-5, 251-lb. athlete experimented with veganism and now subsists on an almost entirely plant-based diet. In 2008—his first meat-free season—Gonzalez stuck to his diet and broke two major records for his position. “I was like, ‘OK, this is working,’” he said. “I have so much more energy when I’m out there.”
And he’s not alone. In baseball, Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder is proving vegan can hit home runs at a prodigious rate. Also, there’s mixed martial arts fighter Mac Danzig, ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, and other athletes both staying green and excelling in their sports.
How is this possible when it flies in the face of conventional (sic) wisdom? Part of it can be chalked up to the deeply embedded protein myth. “Although in the past it was thought that vegetarian and vegan diets might impair athletic performance,” explains Natalie Digate Muth, MPH, RD, “scientists, coaches, and athletes alike now agree that with proper planning a diet without animal products can effectively fuel peak performance.” In addition, the decidedly mainstream National Academy of Sciences has declared, “There is little evidence that muscular activity increases the need for protein.”
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) adds: “People build muscle and other body proteins from amino acids, which come from the proteins they eat. A varied diet of beans, lentils, grains, and vegetables contains all of the essential amino acids. It was once thought that various plant foods had to be eaten together to get their full protein value, but current research suggests this is not the case. Many nutrition authorities, including the American Dietetic Association, believe protein needs can easily be met by consuming a variety of plant protein sources over an entire day.”
Posted: September 8th, 2009 under vegan news - 3 Comments.
REPOST: Huge Section on Vegan Fashion in the LA Times!
Can you believe it? A cover article on vegan fashion in the LA Times?? Wow, this is just… somewhat amazing. Vegan couture designer (and Veggywood Interviewee!) Leanne Hilgart of Vaute Couture is featured in an article that ran in yesterday’s LA Times Sunday edition! They talked to Elizabeth Olsen of olsenHaus, Jackie Horrick of Alternative Outfitters, Melanie Packer of Humanitaire, Inder Bedi of Matt&Nat, and Rachel Sarnoff of EcoStiletto.
Wow! As someone who has “dressed” vegan since she was 15, long before I gave up eggs and dairy, I personally can attest to how far we have come in vegan fashion choices. Back when I was 15, there was…. Payless, and… Payless. Now, we have an embarrassment of vegan fashion choices and it’s time the world knew.
This is a great, positive article and I encourage you guys to email the LA Times at letters@latimes.com and thank them for running such a fantastic series.
Click HERE to read the LA Time’s article on vegan fashion!
Click HERE to read the accompanying article on vegan make-up!
And click HERE to read MY interview with vegan fashion designer Leanne Hilgart! : )
Posted: September 1st, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
The Gentle Barn on Evacuation Stand By!
The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita might be in need of volunteers to help evacuate in the event that the “Station Wild Fire” turns in their direction. They are putting together a list of volunteers who they can call upon should they need to evacuate tonight 8/30/09 or tomorrow 8/31/09.
If you are available to be on evacuation help stand by for The Gentle Barn please call their volunteer fire coordinator Mechelle at mymechel@sbcglobal.net or call her at 818-585-1481.
Please give her all of your contact info and your availability. Please also let her know the type of vehicle you drive and if you have access to an animal trailer.
The Gentle Barn Foundation is home to 100 animals rescued from abuse,and host to abused children, kids recovering from substance abuse, kids on probation, foster kids, and children and adults with mental, emotional, and physical challenges.
Through the interaction with animals, the kids learn forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy, and kindness. The healing that takes place when the kids get together with the animals is miraculous.
Posted: August 30th, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
Animal Acres Being Evacuated
Just got an email alert from Animal Acres, the farm sanctuary up in Acton CA. As suspected, the farm is being evacuated and at this time all animals are safe. In addition, the 2009 Gala will be moved to another location.
See below:
Dear Animal Acres Members, As many of you have heard, Acton, CA, is one of the areas affected by the enormous Los Angeles Forest fire. While the fire is still several miles away, we have decided to plan for the worst, and hope for the best – and as we send you this notice, we have begun evacuating the sanctuary animals. At this time, we have a team of volunteers at the sanctuary assisting us, as well as people at our evacuation site. Many dedicated “helping hands” have come to our rescue both to help us prepare, and respond immediately. Thanks to your generous donations and support, we have been preparing for emergency evacuation needs since 2007, the last severe fire storms in Southern California. We were able to construct an EVACUATION CENTER for our animals, purchase an additional animal transport trailer, and construct fencing and chutes needed at the sanctuary to quickly remove animals. In summary, we are as prepared as humanly possible, and we cannot thank you enough for being such an important part of this lifesaving effort. We are also thinking of the millions of other animals and people affected by this fire storm, and as soon as the Animal Acres animals and people are safely relocated, we will begin assisting with other animal evacuation needs. The Los Angeles Times has just interviewed us for a story on the situation, and we have asked them to include our contact information to assist other animals in need. If you can help, please email us. I also wanted to give you an update on our upcoming Gala benefit scheduled for this Saturday, September 5th. At this time, all reports are indicating that the fire may not be under control for another 7 – 10 days. We are currently looking for a Los Angeles venue to hold the Gala at as an option (though it is extremely difficult to find a suitable and affordable venue so close to the event) and if this option is not available, and the fire is not contained by this Wednesday, we regrettably, will need to postpone the Gala. We will be sending another email to everyone on Wednesday with the update, and of course, any other updates if the situation worsens. Thank you for all your calls – I know you understand we cannot return calls at this time – but I want you to know how much we appreciate being in your thoughts. Thank you and much love from ALL of us at Animal Acres. Lorri Houston, President
Posted: August 30th, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
Happy Dog Day!
Today is NATIONAL DOG DAY! National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.
National Dog Day’s founder, pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige, felt it was time to honor dogs more than we currently do, to give them “a day”, to show deep appreciation for our long connection to each other – for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work, their capacity for love and their ability to impact our lives everyday in the most miraculous ways. National Dog Day wishes to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure – and embraces the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe and ”abuse-free life”.
National Dog Day will be many a dog’s birthday and for all of them it will be a “K9- 4th of July!” Even citizens who are not dog owners will be encouraged to donate $5 to their local shelter on National Dog Day.
Please consider donated just $5 to one of these great pet organizations all Veggywood approved!
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
MUTT MATCH LA
BEST FRIENDS SOCIETY
DELTA RESCUE
Posted: August 26th, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
Wow! Huge Article on Vegan Fashion in LA Times Sunday!
Can you believe it? A cover article on vegan fashion in the LA Times?? Wow, this is just… somewhat amazing. Vegan couture designer (and Veggywood Interviewee!) Leanne Hilgart of Vaute Couture is featured in an article that ran in yesterday’s LA Times Sunday edition! They talked to Elizabeth Olsen of olsenHaus, Jackie Horrick of Alternative Outfitters, Melanie Packer of Humanitaire, Inder Bedi of Matt&Nat, and Rachel Sarnoff of EcoStiletto.
Wow! As someone who has “dressed” vegan since she was 15, long before I gave up eggs and dairy, I personally can attest to how far we have come in vegan fashion choices. Back when I was 15, there was…. Payless, and… Payless. Now, we have an embarrassment of vegan fashion choices and it’s time the world knew.
This is a great, positive article and I encourage you guys to email the LA Times at letters@latimes.com and thank them for running such a fantastic series.
Click HERE to read the LA Time’s article on vegan fashion!
Click HERE to read the accompanying article on vegan make-up!
And click HERE to read MY interview with vegan fashion designer Leanne Hilgart! : )
Posted: August 21st, 2009 under vegan news - 1 Comment.
REPOST: Watch This!
I first posted this is June ’08 but wanted to repost it and remind everyone that it is now available to watch on Hulu.com for FREE! Just click HERE and enjoy this amazing show– and please pass on!!
Tonight I finally got a chance to watch the recent episode of 30 DAYS (created by Supersize Me‘s Morgan Spurlock and in it’s 3rd season on FX) where a hunter and meat lover from North Carolina stays with a vegan family in California for…you guessed it…30 days.
This is a really great program and I would encourage everyone to watch it, and show as many people as possible. The show does an amazing job of showing you how even someone dead set against animal rights and animal rights activists can be made to understand the motives for becoming vegan.
The hunter guy, George, has to attend Peta protests, visit an animal shelter and watch a dog euthanized, and volunteer at an animal sanctuary. The farm sanctuary is actually Animal Acres, where I have volunteered many times.
While I myself often find holes in animal rights rhetoric (the Holocaust analogy has never sat well with me) and methods (Peta’s poor choice of spokespeople), this show made me feel incredibly proud of the ethical choices I have made.
This episode did a great job of presenting a range of animal rights issues in a hard hitting style, showing footage that most people do not see on TV. It managed to cover factory farming, fur, animal testing and over pet population.
The section when George assists in rescuing a dumped veal calf is especially powerful, especially footage showing working shoving and dragging the animals into a trailer to go off to slaughter. As is the part where you see George witnessing an animal at the pound being euthanized.
I would encourage all of you to not only watch this episode, but to tell your family and friends.
Unlike a lot of animal rights propaganda (and yes, I can use that word even for the “good guys”), this show is very very balanced.
Please PLEASE take a few minutes at watch this episode. It will help you understand so much…and me as well.
Posted: August 7th, 2009 under vegan celebs, vegan news - No Comments.
REPOST: Animal Acres 2009 Gala Hosted by Ellen Sept 5th!
If you don’t have your tickets already, make sure you head over to the Animal Acres Website and purchase your passes for their 2009 Gala hosted by Ellen Degeneres! A ton of other celebs will be on hand for the event, including James Cromwell and Beau Bridges, two of my favorite actors.
To give you even more incentive, the entire gathering will be catered by my favorite LA vegan restaurant, Madeleine Bistro!
Of course, the biggest draw will be the sanctuary’s numerous rescued farm animals– from pigs to goats, sheeps and hens, turkeys and roosters. ALL proceeds from the gala benefit their continued care, and Animal Acres ability to rescue more (and there is always, always more…).
Hurry and get your tix! This will most likely sell out…
Animal Acres 2009 Gala Celebration
Saturday, September 5th @ 5pm
5200 Escondido Canyon Road
Acton, CA 93510
661-269-5404
info@animalacres.org
Posted: August 6th, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
Vegan on Top Chef! Finally!
Check out this preview for this week’s Top Chef, in which the elimination challenge has the chefs cooking for non other than vegan actress/singer Zooey Deschanel! I love the looks on their faces, haha. Will you turn in to see how much they blow it? I will! You know someone is going to use marshmallows and say they are vegetarian lol….
Posted: August 3rd, 2009 under vegan news - No Comments.
