IDA Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Food’

Due to an oversupply brought on by low demand, chicken (or broiler) meat slaughter is expected to slow dramatically in the second half of 2011. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s latest report, third quarter production is estimated to be 1.3% lower than the third quarter of 2010.

Lower production is expected to continue in the fourth quarter of 2011, with production expected to decrease 2% from the same period in 2010.

An earlier study from the Daily Livestock Report found that U.S. meat, poultry, and fish consumption declined by one pound per person in 2010. Per capita pork consumption fell by 2.2 pounds per person in 2010, and beef consumption was at its lowest level in 2010 since the Daily Livestock Report started keeping records in 1955! This is the fourth year in a row that meat consumption has declined in the United States and the fifth decline within a six-year period.

The economy could be a factor in this trend, but studies are finding that a recent increased awareness about farm animal issues is also likely to be a contributing factor. If you would like to take action to help further this trend, join us for World Go Vegan Week and help spread healthy vegan eating.

Order your own FREE Vegan Starter Kit by clicking here!

IDA would like to thank Ellen DeGeneres for launching a new educational website called Going Vegan with Ellen. The celebrated comedian and talk show host has turned her love for animals and a healthy lifestyle into a website that shares recipes, tips on getting started, and glimpses of other celebrities that are also vegan including her wife, actress Portia de Rossi. Some other famous vegans noted on her site are Joaquin Phoenix, Toby Maguire, Lea Michele of Glee, and Emily Deschanel who was IDA’s spokesperson for World Go Vegan Week last year.

DeGeneres went vegan in 2008 and has steadily increased her dedication to the diet, shunning Lady Gaga’s meat dress on her show and offering the musician a dress made of veggies instead.

We love Ellen and her passion for veganism, however, she is now the face of Cover Girl Cosmetics, a company notorious for testing their products on animals. We hope that she can make the connection that animals suffer in labs just as much as those that end up on our plates and either discontinue support of Cover Girl or use her celebrity power and get them to stop testing on animals- an even better option!

Order your own FREE Vegan Starter Kit by clicking here!

Please replace your profile pictures with the Virtual Demo "Sign"

Tuesday, August 16th, is the International Day of Action for South Korean Dogs and Cats, when activists around the world speak out against the suffering and terrible fate of the two million dogs and cats killed every year in South Korea for consumption.

Mostly homeless dogs are strangled, beaten to death, or literally ripped apart. Others are bred on dog farms in deplorable conditions, crammed together in tiny cages, awaiting their gruesome deaths. Cats are subjected to their own torment by being bludgeoned and then boiled alive in “medicinal” stews.

This year, everyone can help the dogs and cats, no matter where you live, by participating in a virtual demonstration on Facebook and Twitter. It’s easy to do and a fantastic way to spread the word that it’s time to stop these indefensible atrocities perpetrated against the dogs and cats of S. Korea.

Please support South Korean animal-protection organizations in urging the South Korean government to strengthen its existing laws to illegalize the killing of companion animals and not openly sanction the illicit and shadowy world of the dog and cat industry.

Here’s how it works:

Facebook Instructions – Speak up for these Dogs & Cats in 2 easy steps!

1. Make sure you have your protest “Sign“. All you have to do is right click on the “South Korean Dog” image and choose “Save” to get this “sign”. Replace your profile photo to your “sign” and keep it up all week.

2. On Tuesday August 16th, post a link to this Action Alert that will allow you send an email to the Korean Government  letting them know that you are appalled and shocked to learn about the rampant cruelties inflicted upon animals that have been documented in South Korea’s live food markets. Then throughout the day encourage your friends to also send an email and join our efforts by changing their profile photo too!

Twitter Instructions:

1. Make sure you have your protest “sign“. All you have to do is right click on the “South Korean Dog” image and choose “Save” to get this “sign”. Replace your profile photo to your “sign” and keep it up all week.

2. On Tuesday August 16th, Tweet a link to this Action Alert that will allow you send an email to the Korean Government  letting them know that you are appalled and shocked to learn about the rampant cruelties inflicted upon animals that have been documented in South Korea’s live food markets. Then throughout the day tweet friendly reminders to encourage your friends to also tweet the link, send an email and join our efforts by changing their profile photo too! By including the following 3 Hastags (#) you can also encourage other animal activists outside your current followers to also join our efforts! Just paste one of 3 Hastags into your tweet – remember to not put spaces between the words and to include the #  :

• #DogsandCatsMatter
• #FriendsNOTFood
• #HelpTheseDogsandCats

One of the best things about your Online demos is that you can run them all day – Rain or Shine! But remember Messages, Statuses and Tweets that include profanity or can be interpreted as “abusive” may result in your profile being reported and/or deleted by Twitter and Facebook. IDA is not reasonable for any Messages, Statuses or Tweets sent or action that results. Please also keep in mind that the advocates in South Korea helping these animals are also South Korean – so please avoid language or comments that could be interpreted as hateful or even racist towards all South Koreans and Asians.

To find out how you can animals year round – CLICK HERE to sign up at IDA’s Action Center!

Get fancy with a Double Taco Burger! Photo Credit : MeetTheShannons.com

We’re in prime BBQ and potluck season right now and it seems like every night someone somewhere is lighting up their grills. For many of us this a great opportunity to experiment with a new recipe or better yet introduce our friends and family to how delicious and easy it is to be vegan. Food is a great form of outreach for the animals. There are a lot of folks that don’t want to hear about the suffering that is inherent to the meat industry but are intrigued by trying out new foods. Bringing a cruelty-free dish to a get together is lighthearted way to change hearts and minds and can even invite questions on how someone can lead a more compassionate lifestyle.

If you’re looking for some new recipes for classic favorites, here’s some of my favorite summery favorites. Don’t worry – these vegan recipes are BBQ and Potluck Tested and Approved.

Beer Can Tofurky
Caesar Salad Burger
Macaroni Salad with Peppered Tofu
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Crab Cakes with Tartar Sauce
Tuscan Lemon Cake
Spare Ribs with 3 Different Types of Glazes
Coleslaw
Three Beans Salad
Creamsicle Cupcakes
Mojito Bars
Antipasto Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for something even simpler, you can always just throw some veggie burgers, Portabella mushrooms and vegan sausages on the grill. There are so many great vegan product out there right now from Gardein Vegan Burgers, Tofurky Beer Brats and Field Roast Chipotle Sausages, it’s a great time to really bring the shock and awe. In case you’ve never tried to grill mock meat or veggies before, here are some of the tricks we’ve picked up over the years :

• Lightly brush your grill with olive oil before putting your mock meat or veggies on the grill to keep them from sticking. If you want to skip cleaning your grill, you can always lay down some aluminum foil and brush that with olive oil. You’ll get a little less smokiness in the flavor and those famous grill lines but it can save you time later.

• Make sure your mock meat is defrosted before putting it on the grill to make sure it cooks evenly.

• Mock meat and veggies cook a lot faster than meat so keep an eye on them and brush them with a mixture of equal parts tamari and olive oil to keep you food from drying out. You can always add some Jerk seasoning to your oil to add a little bit of a kick. Here’s a recipe for a Southwestern Rub you can use with any mock meat or vegetables :

1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon agave nectar
2 teaspoons green chilies (diced)
¼ teaspoon Bragg Liquid Amino Acids
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cloves of garlic (minced)

Mix all these goodie together in a small bowl. Nothing tricky here, just blend it all up. Then brush it on to your mock meat or Portabella mushrooms. Wrap in foil and chill for 1 hour before grilling. Keep any extra to brush on your food when it’s on the grill.

So start your grills and let’s make this summer fun for everyone… including the animals!

For more information on how to go vegan and vegan outreach check out our vegan campaign and order a vegan starter kit!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Surgeon General unveiled a new food guide, MyPlate, that will replace the Food Pyramid that has been the standard nutrition guide since 1992. First Lady Michelle Obama, a champion of healthy eating and raising awareness about childhood obesity, spoke at the Agriculture Department in Washington DC to introduce the new, more visual guide.

The innovative plate shows four portions with vegetables and grains being the largest segments, fruit and “protein” making up the smaller sections. Not only is it very exciting that the vegetable and grain section are by far the largest slice of the plate, also noteworthy is that the actual food is listed for vegetables, fruits, and grains, however, the fourth section, “protein” is listed as a nutrient. Not as meat- not as meat/beans- just protein. The other sections could be listed as “carbohydrates” or “vitamins” but they are not. It is clear that they are specifically recommending eating vegetables, grains, and fruits, however, how you get your protein is optional. The clear message is that meat is no longer recommended or required in the diet. This is a true turning point in mainstream nutrition education. This is practically a vegan plate!

MyPlate shows the country what we in the vegan community have been excited about for years, plant-based diets ― including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes ― offer an abundant, diverse selection of nutrient-rich foods to choose from, are high in fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants, and have no saturated fat (with the exception of coconuts and palm oil). According to numerous studies, plant-based diets have been shown to lower the risk of many diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

The only disappointment with the new guide is the separate small circle to the upper right hand side of the plate, representing a glass of dairy. Dairy is completely unnecessary in the diet and is actually harmful with high saturated fat, cholesterol, and many people are allergic, especially in communities of color. Not to mention the very sad, miserable, and short life of a dairy cow and her calves who are usually slaughtered in the veal industry. It’s unfortunate that this was included, but this shouldn’t damper our celebration of this landmark new guide.

MyPlate is an important stage in the global shift to a plant-based diet, and IDA would like to give kudos to the USDA for educating the public on the importance of vegetables and grains on our plate.

For more information on how you can go vegan or promote veganism – Please check out IDA’s Vegan Campaign Pages and Resources!

Washington State’s Governor Chris Gregoire has signed into law a ban prohibiting the sale and trade of shark fins in the state. This historic bill passed unanimously in the state Senate and by a vote of 95 to 1 in the House. We at IDA want to thank the Washington state government for making the compassionate and environmentally sound choice to end the terrible practice of shark fining off the coast of Washington.
A California bill that would ban the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins in California, Assembly Bill (AB) 376, will be up for a vote very soon. This bill was introduced by Assembly members Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael). A similar ban in Hawaii passed in 2010 has help start a much needed cascade effect of legislation on the coast of the Western United States to protect the top predator in the ocean.

Shark fining is an industry where the fins and tails of sharks are cut off and the remainder of the often still living fish is thrown back into the ocean. Sharks then sink to the bottom, unable to swim and die a slow, agonizing death. Every year, tens of millions of sharks are killed in this manner for shark fin soup, a tasteless, Asian delicacy. This unnecessary dish has been a major contributor to the near collapse of many shark species world-wide as well as in California. Sharks maintain the natural balance in our oceans marine food web. Scientists are warning that the massive decline of sharks is having a devastating effect on the marine ecosystem.

California’s (AB) 376 will give important protection to sharks to help preserve the ecosystem and biodiversity of the California coast and the world’s oceans.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION:  If you are a California resident, please contact your representative and ask them to support (AB) 376.

2 Words – Vegan Treats. vegantreats.com Photo Credit : MeetTheShannons.com

This is it folks, vegan is headed for the big-time! Just in the last five years, the vegan diet is being recognized more and more in the mainstream. Famous celebrities and politicians have gone vegan like Emily Deschanel, James Cromwell, Bill Clinton, and Ellen DeGeneres, who recently “veganised” an average American family on her show. Dr. Oz got an overweight, diabetic cowboy to adopt a vegan diet to save his life and Oparh and Martha Stewart have each dedicated an entire show to the vegan lifestyle.

Even millionaire moguls are embracing the plant-based diet like Biz Stone, the founder of Twitter (recently a guest on Martha Stewart’s vegan show), Steve Wynn, Las Vegas casino tycoon and Hip-Hop music producer Russell Simmons whose new book is titled Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All. We know that vegans are smart, but some vegans are geniuses. Like George Church, a molecular biologist who helped map the human genome at Harvard and Stanford Biochemist Patrick Brown, who transformed genetic research with his invention of micro-array DNA.

Mega food retailers like 7-Eleven sell vegan options in six of their New York locations and Disney World kicked out McDonalds to make room for the all vegan bakery, Babycakes. Speaking of vegan baking, Animal Planet is rolling out a new reality TV show about Vegan Treats owner and founder, Danielle Konya delving into her animal activism.

Meatless Monday is taking hold across the nation with Baltimore and New York City schools adopting meat-free meals in their cafeterias on Mondays. Sodexo implemented Meatless Monday in its 900 hospital accounts and Oprah Winfrey’s company cafeterias are meat-free on Mondays. Celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Mario Batali have gotten on board offering a Meatless Monday menu in their restaurants. And San Francisco and Washington DC have Meat-Free Monday Resolutions signed by their board of supervisors.

All this awesome news is incredibly inspirational and I hope makes it even easier for people to adopt a compassionate diet. I also hope that it inspires activists to work even harder to help reduce farm animal suffering. We are winning, but we have to keep the pressure on and the energy up in this critical time.

Do you know of a new way vegan is going mainstream? Add it to the comments!

Earth Day is a great day to get the veg message out! Events will be happening on and around April 22 all over the world as we honor the Earth and learn about ways to reduce our impact on the environment. One of the best ways we can reduce our carbon footprint is by choosing to eat a plant-based diet. The United Nations, the EPA, environmental organizations, and countless scientific studies all worn of the detrimental environmental impact of animal agribusiness. In fact, meat and other animal by-products are responsible for 51% of the total human caused greenhouse gas emissions worldwide according to a study by two prominent World Bank environmental advisers. Learn more about the environmental impact of animal agriculture by clinking here.

Take Action for the Animals and the Earth-

Want an easy way to help animals and the environment? Find out where your local Earth Day event is being held, grab some brochures, and leaflet the crowds at the event. Get some friends together for support or just go solo and help educate your community on eating green. IDA can provide you with leaflets that explain the connection between animal products and global warming, water waste and pollution, deforestation, and more. We also have posters linking climate change with animals raised for food.

lf you would like any flyers, brochures and/or posters, or have any questions about leafleting please contact Hope at Hope@idausa.org or 415-448-0058 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 415-448-0058 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 415-448-0058 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 415-448-0058 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Ideas for Earth Day Activism:

• Apply for a table or leaflet at an Earth Day event.
• Leaflet on your local college or high school campus, or on the main street near the campus.
• Pass out flyers in front of a grocery store.
• Pass out flyers at concerts.
• Pass out flyers at your church.
• Distribute flyers to your friends and family.

IDA Staffer Hope Bohanec at MeatOut 2011

In Defense of Animals teamed up with Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) for this year’s MeatOut to feed 1,000 people vegan Tofurky sandwiches! On Saturday, March 19th, we had a fun vegan feed-in at the annual San Francisco peace rally calling for an end to the wars. We served yummy, vegan sandwiches, leaflet IDA vegan brochures, and spread the message that peace begins on your plate!

The San Francisco event featured sandwiches made with Tofurky slices, lettuce, tomato, and a non-dairy cheese spread. With every sandwich, rally-goers received a brochure explaining how a vegan diet can reduce heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, save animals from suffering on factory farms and in slaughterhouses, and conserve precious environmental resources. We got reports that the sandwiches were tasty and very appreciated.

Last year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors signed a ground-breaking resolution and officially named every Monday to be Veg Day and encourage all San Francisco residents to consider cutting the meat habit one day a week. In this spirit, rally-goers got a taste of vegan versions of meat and cheese to reduce animal products in their diet.

Today we celebrate the Irish, guzzle a green beer, and wear a shamrock pin. But this year instead of just wearing green, why not go green! Animal agriculture is responsible for more than half the total human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and numerous other environmental impacts water waste and pollution, overgrazing, deforestation, loss of habitat and species, wasting of resources and energy, and overfishing. These dramatic and impactful problems are manageable and reversible with a global shift to a vegan diet. Eating a plant-based diet is one of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your own carbon footprint. Here’s some traditional Irish recipes, like Corned Beef-Less Tips & Cabbage and Irish Coffee Cupcakes – minus the animal products, to help you go green and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day

This time of year is also for the annual Meatout and the goal for 2011 is to serve vegan food to 20,000 people in the month of March. Be part of this historic effort and learn more here. IDA will be joining forces with FARM for this year’s Meatout to feed 1300 people vegan Tofurky sandwiches at a peace rally in San Francisco showing that peace begins on your plate!

A vegan diet is your lucky pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that will help preserve your health and the health of the planet. Happy St. Patty’s Day!