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Happy Halloween! (in the nick of time...)

Halloween nearly passed me by this year. I managed to dig the Frankenstein earrings out of my jewelry box to show my holiday spirit at work today, but I'm afraid that's as far as I got. I had some dental work this afternoon, went to the pet store, and here I am about to turn in at 9:30 pm. Maybe next year! Until then, I'll just have to rest on the laurels of last year's pumpkin carving, a tribute to my own Halloween-ready little black cat.

PETA Calls Olsen Twins "Tramps," Trying Once Again to Convince the World that Vegetarians Are Both Kooky AND Mean

PETA's at it again, using sexism as a mechanism for advancing their animal-rights advocacy platform. (Read my previous rant on this issue.) The group has launched a campaign against Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, whose clothing line features fur. Fair enough. The fur industry in inexcusable, and putting pressure on fashion designers to recognize fur as a sign of suffering and not glamor is essential to curbing consumer demand.

So there is plenty to get onto the twins about here. And what approach does PETA take? They launched a Halloween-themed Web site, branding them "Hairy Kate and Trashley Olsen: Fur Tramps" and "Trollsens: Fur Hags From Hell." Terms like "tramps" and "hags," while having ZERO to do with animal cruelty or PETA's mission or any of the pertinent issues at hand, uses gender as a basis for attack. Furthermore, the site's "Dress Up the Olsens" feature, in a clear reference to their struggles with eating disorders, lets users choose clothes for the cartoonish, yet frighteningly-thin women.

What is all this about again? Oh, right, the fur industry. Uh huh. See, I'm not opposed, necessarily, to using the media to shame public figures for reprehensible behavior and to call out those who make money off the suffering of animals. But see, let's keep on topic, at least, because failing to do so puts the whole thing in jeopardy by risking more broad-based public support. If using animal fur in your products is as heinous as we say it is, then that's enough. There is sufficient ammo already. So call them what they are. Animal abusers. Baby bunny killers. Mink murderers. Bad people. Whatever! But tramps? Come on!

I know, "bad people" doesn't make for a shocking headline. But, (and I know I sound like a broken record on this topic), whatever attention such tactics might get is offset by the fact that millions of thoughtful, rational people, who might otherwise be persuaded by sound argument, are instead just repulsed by the sexism and downright perversity of the campaign. Sometimes I question PETA's true intentions: To improve the lives of animals, or to be a media darling? So often I fear their work only serves to further brand vegetarianism as an "extremist" position, alienating those thoughtful individuals who might otherwise be interested in learning more.

Interestingly, in my Animal Ingredients A to Z book, there is an introduction by Bruce Friedrich, the director of vegan outreach for PETA. He makes an impassioned and persuasive plea to vegans not to undermine the greater efforts of the movement by alienating would-be vegans. He says, "PETA wants to show people that veganism is easy and mainstream because that's what is best for animals." Funny, because in this quote, PETA seems to understand that the only way this whole "end animal suffering" thing is going to work is if it appeals to regular, mainstream people as being the right thing to do.

Yet, this current campaign goes out of its way to demonstrate how different PETA and its followers are from regular, mainstream folk. Is alienating and irritating untold numbers of people not exactly what PETA is doing by attacking the Olsen twins on the basis of gender and their history of mental illness? PETA is exchanging the opportunity to criticize an industry and those who participate in it on legitimate grounds for some self-satisfied chuckles at their own cleverness (and maybe garner a mention on PerezHilton.com.) Makes for a fun time around PETA headquarters, no doubt, but I'm not sure how many animals' lives it's ever saved.

Happy Nutty Memories

It's true that some of the fall holiday traditions I grew up with I no longer participate in because of my transition to vegetarianism, like eating crisp skin off the turkey, and Mom's pumpkin pie. But, I am creating new traditions for myself, and, there are many wonderful memories from growing up that I can still enjoy.

Today, I went to the grocery store to pick up my favorite kind of organic dried cranberries (which, it seems, to my distress, the store is no longer carrying! But, that is a different matter entirely.) I noticed those bags of mixed nuts that invariably appear around this time of year: walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, and brazil nuts. I was immediately brought back to being a girl, when Mom would have a bowl of mixed nuts on the counter, with a nut cracker nearby, most days between Halloween and Christmas.

I loved it! The walnuts were my favorite. They were pretty easy to crack open, and I would try endlessly to pull out the meat intact. (Perfectionism starts early.) My Dad would show off by cracking a couple in his bare hand. Brazil nuts were the worst, as they were the most difficult to get into, and I thought they tasted weird. The last handful of nuts, which might linger on past New Year's (until Mom gave up and threw them out), was always Brazil nuts (often with marks of failed attempts at cracking.)

So I bought a bag, and here I sit at my own adult kitchen table, getting the same satisfaction from cracking one open and revealing its secret interior. And, in a practical sense, it's hard to overeat when this much labor is involved. Now, though, I'm a bit stronger, and a bit more educated about nutrition (gotta get that RDA of selenium!) and so the poor Brazil nut finally gets some appreciation.

Vegans May Eat Like Rabbits, But It Doesn't Mean They Eat Like Birds

I recently read an article about a year-old, all-vegan bakery in Baltimore. Awesome! Always glad for some vegan sugary goodness within driving distance. And the operation is run by a woman named Charmane Baker -- perfect, mais non?

I'm sure she is a lovely person and a fine baker, but she has one warped notion of serving sizes. The photo below is of her chocolate cake, which she describes as being "large -- nine inches in diameter and three inches high," and, as serving 20 to 30 people. 20 to 30. I am hoping she's pushing that ridiculous idea just to try to make the $40 price tag sound more palatable, because who in their right mind thinks a typical two-layer, nine-inch cake serves 20 to 30 people? 20 to 30 infants maybe, or mice. But not 20 to 30 full-grown humans. Seriously! Just imagine for a second how small that is. Say, for example, normal people would cut this cake into 12 pieces. Okay, picture one of those already-modestly-sized pieces. Got it? Okay, now, cut that piece in half. Guess what? That piece is still too hefty for the 30-serving plan. Interestingly, the piece shown in her photo below looks to be about one-eighth of the thing.

Washington, DC Picks Best Vegetarian Restaurants

VegDC.com recently announced the winners of its annual contest to pick the best veg-friendly eateries in the area. The article announcing the results notes that there are over two dozen vegetarian restaurants in the area, which shames me since I can only think of six that I've been to. (But, in my own defense, certain folks have no problem stretching what qualifies as the "metro area" pretty dang wide.)

I was glad to see that my own favorite, Sunflower Restaurant (don't be influenced by the weird Flash intro), made the list as "Best South Asian Cuisine," although its offerings go far beyond just South Asian food. In any case, glad to see it getting some much-deserved honors. It's about the only restaurant I consider worth going to anymore. But boy is it worth it! Eating at Sunflower once a week or so is far from deprivation. The food is delicious, the menu is vast, the service is outstanding, and it's cheap! As in, cheap. See below for a couple photos of two of my favorite appetizers, Cold Basil Rolls and the incomparable Fried Chicken. I used to outlaw fried food in my diet. I make an exception for Fried Chicken. (Which, if it's not obvious, is of course Fried "Chicken.")

A (Surprisingly) Very Vegan Birthday

I've kept my transition to veganism pretty low-key. My coworkers were well-aware of my vegitarianism, but I had not yet found the right opportunity to announce my more complete rejection of all things animal-derived. So, I shouldn't have been surprised when a well-meaning co-worker asked me whether I preferred strawberry or chocolate ice-cream for my office birthday party. "Um, well...." I stalled, I stammered. I weakly muttered, "Oh, whatever... whichever you prefer."

So I went home that evening to stew over it, chastising myself for not unapologetically stating my eating requirements, yet also desperate not to seem ungrateful. But I thought to myself, "If I don't say something now, when will I? The Halloween chocolates? The Christmas cookies? Next year's cake?"

Late that night, I sent my co-worker an email over which I had agonized, apologizing for not being direct about it earlier, expressing my most sincere appreciation for the gesture, and insisting that no one go to any trouble over it. (Did I mention I am a Southern woman?)

This was Tuesday. No reply Wednesday. No reply Thursday. Friday was the day for which the celebration was scheduled, and by the time that morning arrived I felt sure I had offended everyone and the whole office was bitter and irritated.

Apparently, that was indeed not the case, as, to my complete surprise, my coworkers had gotten me a little tiny vegan chocolate cake, straight from the fabulous Sticky Fingers vegan bakery here in Washington, DC. Here is a cell phone picture, taken after a few of us had already dug in:

Oh, and it was tiny, because my coworkers were enjoying a strawberry ice cream cake.

Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival, September 2008

I had the good fortune to celebrate my 30th birthday (eek!) at the Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival last weekend, sponsored by Voices for Animals. What a unique and satisfying opportunity to connect with other vegetarians, learn about the important work of animal-friendly organizations, and eat yummy, yummy food without having to first ask about ingredients or scrutinize the labels. A few photos are below.

The Great Pumpkin

You know it's Fall when good folks like Bruce Hooker of Belmont, New Hampshire, start trotting out enormous squash. His pumpkin, which he planted in April, is from a special variety of seed called "Atlantic Giant." During the pumpkins' peak growing season (August), they can grow from 30-40 pounds...per day. (Doesn't it seem like you should be able to actually see them grow at that rate? That would be so cool! Maybe there is a YouTube video...) He is hoping his 1100+-pound pumpkin will take honors at the upcoming fairs around New England where prize purses can reach into the thousands.

Before you run out and decide to plant your own giant pumpkin, keep in mind that tending these suckers takes quite a bit of time and financial investment. Mr. Hooker, for example, regularly sends soil samples to the University of Massachusetts for nutrient readings, waters the pumpkins via a customized homemade drip irrigation system, and recently purchased a new vehicle just to transport them.

But how can you put a price tag on the glory that is having the Biggest Pumpkin?

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

Today is World Vegetarian Day, which kicks an off World Vegetarian Month. You don't have to organize a rally or stage a protest at your local chicken plant to be involved and show your commitment to vegetarian values. Here are a few simple things you can do to raise awareness and make a difference:

If you are vegetarian...

• Try going without dairy, eggs, and other animal products for the day (if you're not already vegan.)
• Prepare a vegetarian dish and bring it in to work, letting co-workers know you're celebrating.
• Contribute a carton of soymilk to the office fridge, with a note that anyone is welcome to give it a try in their coffee.
• Have friends and family over for a meatless dinner, or invite everyone to bring a dish for a potluck.
• Wear a tshirt, button, or sticker with a vegetarian message.
• Take the opportunity to talk to friends, family, and coworkers about eating vegetarian.
• Talk to restaurants you visit about expanding their vegetarian options.

If you are not vegetarian...

• Eat a meat-free diet for one day, and then try it again throughout the month of October.
• Flip through a vegetarian cookbook and pick a few recipes to try.
• Check out vegetarian books from the library, and look for vegetarian information and resources online.
• Ask questions of vegetarian friends, family, or coworkers.
• Decide to order a vegetarian meal the next time you eat out.

Tell the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), which sponsors World Vegetarian Day, about your outreach activities and you could be profiled in Vegetarian Voice magazine and win an all-expenses paid trip to the annual Vegetarian Summerfest.