The Cove

I watched The Cove last night.


I was not prepared for how it was going to effect me. I have seen far too many docs and films that focus on animal cruelty and exploitation, so I thought I knew what I was getting into. But I was wrong. Within the first 10 minutes I could hardly breath and was consumed by sadness and tears. I then moved to anger and disbelieve, followed up by utter dispare and an urge to get involved like never before. 


I have been a dolphin lover since I was a child and even had one inked in my arm for life when I was 18.  I have been to Sea World, zoos and aquariums around the globe and even worked at my local aquarium for a short while. I am now sick that I have ever done so. 


Knowing what I know now has changed me over night, exactly like my abrupt jump from omni to vegan did back in November 2009. Interesting that both these massive revelations have occurred in November? Hmmmm, is there something to that I wonder? 


Regardless, I am enraged, saddened and appalled by what I now know of the dolphin slaughter happening, as I type this, in Japan. It is disgusting, barbaric,  and there is no reason or rational that can come close to justifying why this must continue to happen. 


Human entertainment? Really, is this really worth it? Take you heads out of the sand for a moment and put your blissful ignorance aside and look at what the situation really is:


Cold Blooded Murder.


And while I am just one person living in my bubble far away from the horrors of Taiji I am determined to join the fight and help preserve this still misunderstood and clearly emotionally advanced species before it is too late, and all we have are picture books, and videos to remind us of what special and majestic creatures we once knew.


Do your part here - Get involved:


Read up on the issues and how you can help the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) in their fight
http://opsociety.org/what-you-can-do/after-seeing-the-cove

Food for Thought

Processed People

The statistics are terrifying.

Two hundred million Americans are overweight and 100 million are obese. More than 75 million Americans have high blood pressure. 24 million people are diabetic. Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death for men and women, followed by stroke and obesity-related cancers. Obesity is about to overtake tobacco as the No. 1 cause of preventable deaths in the United States.

60% of bankruptcies are caused by what has become known as “medical debt.”

Fast food, fast medicine, fast news and fast lives have turned many Americans into a sick, uninformed, indebted, “processed” people.

Lisa the Vegetarian

Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon? 
Lisa: No. 
Homer: Ham? 
Lisa: No. 
Homer: Pork chops? 
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal. 
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.

Lisa: When will all those fools learn that you can be perfectly healthy simply eating vegetables, fruits, grains and cheese.
Apu: Oh, cheese!
Lisa: You don't eat cheese, Apu
Apu: No I don't eat any food that comes from an animal.
Lisa: Ohh, then you must think I'm a monster!Apu: Yes indeed I do think that. But, I learned long ago Lisa to tolerate others rather than forcing my beliefs on them. You know you can influence people without badgering them always. 

Farm to Fridge

These videos may be hard to watch, but if you are a meat and dairy, take some responsibilty and educate yourself on where your food comes from. Staying in the dark and continuing to be ignorant is no way to go through life. Take ownership of your choices and be informed.

Investigation Reveals Cruelty at Pig Factory Farm from Mercy For Animals on Vimeo.

For more info/videos, please visit this site: http://www.mercyforanimals.org/

Idiots

Controversy erupted at Bowdoin College last week after the campus’s main dining facilities went completely meatless for dinner as part of “Meatless Monday,” a national nutritional awareness campaign started at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dozens of students held an impromptu barbecue outside one facility in protest. Two other students sold McDonald’s cheeseburgers while simultaneously raising funds for a local humane society. Another group of students ate buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken inside the dining hall. Opinion both for and against the awareness campaign has been published in The Orient, Bowdoin’s student newspaper.
Read More:

News: No Meat For You! - Inside Higher Ed

Greenpeace on Tuna

Shock of all shocks ... NOT

Greenpeace has just released the results of study of the tuna industry and applied their sustainability index in hopes that the public will attempt to get the major brands to change their tuna.

I say just stop eating tune all together. Stop depleting our waters of their natural ecosystems, stop forcing a species to the edge of extinction and stop killing millions of other sea animals in the process of tuna fishing.

Do you know how many other animals are caught up in tuna nets?? In the past 30 years, 6,000,000 dolphins have been killed alone. Not to mention turtles, sharks and sea birds. This makes my heart hurt.

CBC News - Consumer Life - Greenpeace Canada ranks canned tuna brands

One Week Vegan - Can Oprah stick with it this time?

Oprah and Michael Pollan together again. Let's hope this time it sticks Op. last time she bailed out fast. Not a big shocker considering she talks a big game but usually fails to follow throught. Sure, she tosses big money and gifts to fans and make specticals of herself and others but more often than not her attempts fall flat.

Remember her school in South Africa? I rest my case.

Pollan, as usual was a tool. This man never ceases to amaze me.

The link below is to a blog that I just love and today there is a fantastic review of the much hyped Vegan for a Week challenge Oprah is taking on ... again.

Michael Pollan on Oprah « Say what, Michael Pollan?

Compassion in a Purse

Inspiring compassionate funky fashion. Does it get any better?

A Handbag Empire Built on Compassion

Inder Bedi has often told the story of how he built his handbag empire.

The 37-year-old founder of Matt & Nat vegan accessories was asked at age 18 by a Hare Krishna priest to go vegetarian for 30 days:

"And it changed my whole life," he says.

Almost 20 years later, Bedi's Via Vegan company is thriving, although he won't provide numbers. His faux leather bags, belts and wallets under the Matt & Nat label (www.mattandnat.com) are sold in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Italy, Germany, France and elsewhere -- in perhaps thousands of shops, Bedi allowed.

"It's not about the numbers. It's about the people that we touch. I meet someone who says, 'I love what you guys stand for."

Here Come the Bride ...

Gotcha!

Nope, note me, but that don't mean that other fabulous vegan gals and dudes can't have fancy schmancy weddings too!

Offbeat Bride | vegan wedding

Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary Bus Ads

I have seen a few of these over the last little while and today I saw the Milk one. I got a few looks as I was taking a snap of it with my BB, but shit, who cares. I am so impressed that TransLink has posted these. Way to go guys!

Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary Bus Ads

Human Decapitation in Chicken Factory Accident

Where do I even start with this.

Yes, it is horrible and saddening that this event has occurred.

However, it is even more distressing to think that most people will read this and not for even split second think of the animals that suffer this end each and every day. Most will focus will be on the human element, for this is what they can relate to more.

If this does not cause you to stop and think I don't know what will.

Ask yourself this: Why is it more horrific for a human be decapitated then a chicken?

Indian migrant Sarel Singh decapitated in chicken factory accident in Australia | Mail Online