Archive | Animal Welfare

RSS feed for this section

Why I Gave Up My Favorite Food

October 11, 2012

Yesterday Mercy for Animals released a new undercover video from an Idaho dairy farm. It documents horrific animal abuse. Workers are shown beating, kicking and jumping on the cows while the cows struggle and moan in pain.

After I learned about the video, I posted it on my personal Facebook page and wrote this:

There is just as much cruelty in a glass of milk, grilled cheese sandwich or egg omelet as there is in a hamburger. That is why I’m vegan. This video is hard to watch but it shows what can happen at a dairy farm.

Almost immediately someone disagreed because “family farms” from her experience were humanely run. This video is from a large “factory farm” and I agree that this type of cruelty is less likely to happen at a family run dairy farm. The men in this video behave like barbarians. However, family dairy farms are far from humane. Consider the following:

  • Humans don’t need cows milk. We are the only species who drinks another species milk. Human milk is for our babies just like cow’s milk is for theirs.
  • Dairy cows are artificially inseminated, even at small family farms.
  • Once the calves are born, the males are taken away from their mothers to become veal.
  • Once dairy cows are spent, they are sent to the slaughterhouse to become beef.
  • Cows can live as long as 20 years but cows raised for food often live just five short, miserable years.

Watch this short video to learn more:

Cheese used to be my favorite food. I ate it everyday and smothered salads, pizzas, quesadillas, crackers, hamburgers then veggie burgers, and omelets with it. I was one of those people who often said, “I could never give up cheese” and yet I did. It’s been over seven years since I’ve had it. I don’t miss it — despite being certain that I would.

After eating cheese and drinking milk most of my life, it was hard to change. Change is hard, but there are great non-dairy foods available that make the change easier than it’s ever been.

Homemade Pizza with Vegan Cheese and Sausage

My favorite dairy substitutes include:

Cookbook Resources

If you believe the cruelty at this Idaho dairy farm is an isolated case, you will find more Mercy for Animals undercover investigations here. MFA has filmed at four dairy farms and has documented animal abuse at all four farms.

Comments { 4 }

A Day in the Life of a Vegan and Passionate Activist

August 17, 2012

Debby Rubenstein and friends

Meet Debby Rubenstein, the Founder & President of two non-profit organizations: Wagner Farm Rescue Fund and its sister organization, Have A Heart Farm.

Wagner Farm Rescue Fund works to protect all animals associated with the Glenview (IL) Park District’s Wagner Farm.* In the past 10 years, we have rescued and transported 13 cattle, 65 chickens, 2 geese and 2 big farm pigs to life-long sanctuary. These animals would have otherwise been sent to immediate or eventual slaughter. We also address daily welfare issues at Wagner Farm as necessary and are working to address welfare issues connected with their 4H program.

Have A Heart Farm is working on establishing our own multi-species animal rescue/community service sanctuary for domestic animals, farm animals and wildlife with a focus on hard-to-place animals. We’re also working with other rescuers to establish a smaller satellite location as an interim location to move animals who need immediate, emergency relocation. These animals would then be fostered, adopted or moved on to our larger sanctuary. We also work in conjunction with other no-kill rescue sanctuaries.

Where do you live? Glenview, IL

How long have you been vegan? I will just say “for a long time”.

Continue Reading →

Comments { 2 }

David vs. Goliath in the Animal Rights Movement

August 16, 2012

If you are interested in the animal rights movement and making the world a better place for all living beings, then read, Justice for Animals, Respect for Advocates: Ideas too Dangerous for Corporatized Animal Advocacy?

What happened in Room 1212 is inspiring and I sure wish I was there. Please share this link widely.

Comments { 2 }

Vegan and Proud of It

July 17, 2012

Someone recently said to me they don’t identify themselves as a vegan. They don’t like labels. Instead they eat a “plant-based” diet. I hear this a lot these days, but I like labels. They give me a direction and perspective. Saying you eat a plant-based diet is also a label. Perhaps people find it gentler than the term, vegan. I find it less committed.

I’m proud to call myself a vegan and here’s why: I gave up meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, down and products tested on animals to take a stand against what I thought needed to be changed in this world. I didn’t do this to be perfect or judgmental of others. I didn’t do this to be healthier. I didn’t do this to be “green.” I’m not a radical — far from it — although I have been called one. I did this because it felt like the right thing to do. Simple as that.

My decision to go vegan wasn’t entirely altruistic and I didn’t do it over night. It took years, but there came a point in my life when I knew I could do better. I could no longer live with myself knowing what I knew about animal abuse. This one decision and act of commitment to give up — as much as possible — all animal products freed my mind from guilt. Seven years later I’m certain it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What about you? Are you a proud vegan?

Comments { 7 }

Making Vegan Easy Week 28 Round-Up

July 16, 2012

2012 Vision Board Snapshot

Every day in 2012 I am posting one tip on my Facebook page to make living vegan easier. It’s going to take an army of vegans to move the world in a more compassionate direction. Join us today!

Tip #190: Useful health topics.

Although the information on Harvard’s “The Nutrition Source” website is not always vegan friendly, I have found the monthly newsletter beneficial for more general health information including topics like exercise, sleep and vitamin D.

Tip #191: Keep it simple.

According to Dr. Oz, “People who minimize food choices lose more weight.” I know this is true for me. Keep meals simple and focused on whole foods.

Tip #192: Take a stand.

Tell the world to go cruelty-free. Stop by The Body Shop and sign the pledge today.

Tip #193: Take me out to a ballgame!

PETA’s 2012 top picks for veg-friendly ballparks.

Tip #194: Vegans eat burgers.

I have been enjoying making burgers this summer from The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet. Summers a great time to eat more veggie burgers. Check it out.

Tip #195: Get active and volunteer.

Giving a few hours a week (or month) of your time to a local non-profit will do a world of good. Bonus: You will get the warm and fuzzies for your efforts. I recently started volunteering for HEART and looking forward to learning more about humane education.

Tip #196: Revlon tests its products on animals.

This company was previously considered cruelty-free (although not vegan). Thanks mybeautybunny.com for the heads up. I also confirmed that PETA has moved Revlon to the “test on animals” list.

In the 2005 Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers (by PETA), Revlon was listed as cruelty-free, and the 12th Edition (2005) of the NAVS Personal Care for People Who Care also listed Revlon as cruelty-free. Companies change and we need to pay attention to that.

Bonus tip of the day: Leaping Bunning has apps for iPhones and Androids. Download it today to make shopping cruelty-free easier.

Hey friends, have you shared these tips with your family and friends yet? If not, do it today. Join me on Facebook to read these tips daily and to learn more about what’s going on in the vegan world.

Comments { 0 }