THE VEGETARIAN BLOG

October and November are important months for the vegan community as this is when we celebrate and promote veganism. This week specifically is WORLD GO VEGAN WEEK (25-31 October, thanks to an initiative by San Francisco-based advocacy group In Defence of Animals) and it’s meant to send out a message to people urging them, well, to go vegan.A famous supporter is actor Woody Harrelson, who’s been a vegan for many, many years. Said Harrelson: “I chose to be vegan initially as an energetic pursuit, as meat and dairy slowed me down, but have since become convinced that it is not only the most healthy way to live, but also the most compassionate and ecologically responsible way.”Another famous supporter of veganism is comedienne and TV hostess Ellen DeGeneres who invited her personal chef to cook a vegan meal on air. So in case you missed this segment, I’ve added it below. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate WORLD GO VEGAN WEEK than actually cooking a vegan meal.Veganism is an ethical choice meant to mitigate the suffering we cause to animals. So-called ‘food animals’ account for 98% of all animal suffering. The world kills upwards of 50 billion animals every year (not to mention water animals), who live in appaling conditions before being sent to slaughter. Veganism is also recognized as greener than a meat-based diet and it helps prevent certain diseases such as diabetes and some types of cancer.ENJOY THE RECIPE AND GO VEGAN!

Since 2006 we have been aware that livestock’s greenhouse emissions account for 18% of the total that goes into the atmosphere and causes global warming. Contrast that with transport’s share at 13% and you get an idea of how environmentally unsound animal agriculture and its products and byproducts are. Did I mention the unspeakable suffering inflicted on animals by this horrible industry? (more…)

TV man Larry King hosted a discussion about the safety of eating meat last night, following the national interest in how dancer Stephanie Smith’s life was destroyed by eating E Coli contaminated meat. Stephanie went into weeks-long coma and emerged from it brain-damaged and unable to walk.

Three people from families wrecked by contaminated meat told their stories. Then T. Colin Campbell came head to head with Nancy Rodriguez of the University of Connecticut about whether meat is good for you. Colin’s China Study indicated a strong link between animal products, such as meat and dairy, and disease such as cancer and heart disease. Studies since have backed up the findings that a plant-based diet can not only help prevent disease but also cure it. Because of this, Colin strongly promotes a plant-based diet. Nancy, a so-called nutritionist, objects to Colin’s point of view but how can you take her seriously when her university website bio says that “Dr. Rodriguez has an active research program that has been extramurally funded by agencies including USDA, NIH, the American Heart Association, the National Dairy Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Egg Nutrition Center”?. She’s not impartial and I wonder why she was invited on the show.

However, the real point is not whether meat is safe, but whether it is necessary to our diets and the answer is a resounding NO. That’s the official position of the American Dietetic Association. Forget all the gobbledegook about protein. You get can get plenty of that from plant-derived foods. And, most importantly, the ethical reasons to give up animal products is the most compelling of them all. Animals suffer terribly to provide humans with their own flesh and excrements, as so many videos around the internet document and we can all help mitigate so much suffering simply by switching to a vegan diet. Yes, there are health and environmental benefits to a vegan diet and I take them as an added bonus. Good karma, as some may call it.

Via Food For Change

PostPunk Kitchen is once again organizing Vegan Month of Food, a food blogging extravaganza to spread the word about the wonders of vegan cuisine. “The idea is to write as much as you can for the month of October about vegan food. The blog entries can be about anything food related - your love of tongs, your top secret tofu pressing techniques, the first time your mom cooked vegan for you, vegan options in Timbuktu - you get the idea. There is no strict guideline for how much you have to write, but we shoot for about 20 times a month, or every weekday”, writes Isa Chandra Moskowitz , PPK’s ringmaster.This year the master list of participants is being hosted by Kittee, Cake Maker To The Stars. Follow the link to get a lot more information, ideas and suggestions. So if you’re itching to write about vegan food, the time has come. Have fun!

You have likely heard of the devastating floods that have hit the Philippines. Last weekend, Tropical Storm Ketsana, dumped 42 centimeters of rain on Manila in just 12 hours, flooding 80% of the city and causing the deaths of 143 people and hundreds of thousands of animals.The floodwaters rose so high that residents and their companion animals had to take to the roofs of their houses. So many animals didn’t make it, however. There are reports of dead dogs floating in the water. Tragically, many of them didn’t stand a chance, as they were chained to fixed objects, a common practice in Manila, and would have drowned as soon as the waters rose above their head.Some organizations are working to provide relief to these animals in need and they need your help. Please make a donation to Network For Animals who’s present in the Philippines. I do realize times are tough for everyone but this is an emergency. There’s more rain predicted to come over the weekend so the situation may get even worse. Any help will make a vital difference.