colorodo bans gestation and veal crates

from the humane society of the united states press release:

(May 14, 2008)—Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed landmark legislation prohibiting two controversial factory farm confinement methods. Specifically, the new law will phase out gestation crates and veal crates—individual cages that confine breeding sows and veal calves.

Facts:

• Nearly 150,000 breeding pigs are confined in gestation crates in Colorado. While the state has no current veal industry, its sizable dairy industry could potentially attract veal operations, and the veal crate provision was a preemptive measure.

· Gestation crates are barren, two-foot-wide individual metal cages so small, the animals cannot even turn around. Veal crates are narrow wooden stalls that prevent calves from turning around or lying down comfortably. The calves are typically chained by their necks and suffer immensely.

· Colorado is now the first state in the country to ban the use of gestation crates and veal crates by action of a state legislature.Florida, Arizona and Oregon have prohibited gestation crates. Arizona has prohibited veal crates. And a Californiameasure to prohibit veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages recently qualified for November’s ballot.

• Smithfield Foods, the largest U.S. pig producer, is phasing out gestation crates, and the American Veal Association voted to urge the entire veal industry to phase out veal crates. Colorado-based chain Chipotle already refuses to buy any pork from producers that use gestation crates. Chains such as Safeway, Burger King, Carl’s Jr. and Hardees have also implemented policies to reduce their reliance on gestation crate pork.

RFD baked macaroni and cashew cheese

delicious macaroni and cashew cheese to please the masses from real food daily. recipe here.

chicago lifts foie gras ban

just devastating. foie gras is the diseased liver (medically know in humans and other animals as "hepatic lipidosis") of a duck. ducks rasied for foie gras are gruesomely force fed and made to live in horrific conditions.

learn about foie gras and watch footage at gourmetcruelty.com

read about the now lifted ban here.

picture taken by GourmetCruelty.com at hudson valley foie gras.

INS arrest 300 at kosher slaughter house

AND there was a meth lab inside the slaughterhouse.
read it here.

PETA recently did an investigation on the same plant, agriprocessors, finding that the plant was violating both federal and kosher law. you can read more about it and view footage at goveg.com.

cheesy vegan lasagna

my family has a very italian taste in food. whenever there is a big event, my dad decides lasagna is the way to go. this cheesy vegan lasagna will surely show him that this lasagna (and not one covered in meat and cheese) is the way to go.

INGREDIENTS:
-tofu ricotta
-cheese sauce
-about 15 cooked lasagna noodles (i used whole wheat...othergood choices are jersulem artichoke and brown rice)
-your favorite marinara sauce (at least a jar's worth)
-vegan parmesan or mozzarella to sprinkle on top

tofu ricotta:
18 oz firm tofu
3 tbl nutritional yeast
1 tbl dried basil
1 tbl oregano
1 tbl garlic powder
salt and pepper
-crumble tofu with a fork
-mix in seasoning

cheese sauce
1 cup of water
1/4 cup roasted red peppers
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbl tahini
3 tbl whole wheat flour
2 tbl corn starch (or arrowroot)
salt, garlic powder
-blend all ingredients together

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:
-preheat oven to 350 degrees
-spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray
-spread you marinara sauce
-cover with about 5 noodles, slightly overlapping each other
-cover with ricotta
-pour a thin layer of cheese sauce
-lay 5 more noodles, then ricotta, then cheese sauce
-lay down the last 5 noodles, and pour the remaining sauce
-sprinkle your parmesan or mozzarella over the sauce
-i added some black olives on top
-bake for 40 minutes covered, and 30 minutes uncovered



update:
i asked my family for critique. here is what they said:
brother: more vegan mozzarella, and maybe some soy crumbles or vegan sausage.
dad: fresh garlic and more spices. (i definitely agree, but my mom and brother are not fans of spicy foods)
me: i would have added layers of sliced vegetables like portabella mushrooms or zucchini
mom: make more of the same!

pesto pizza

my favorite sushi place in the bay area, cha ya, is closed on mondays for lunch. i forgot about this after getting excited for a great lunch. my brother suggested we make something. he is crazy for pesto, and came up with this simple dish. we went to whole foods, bought a whole wheat pizza crust, some follow your heart mozzarella, and the ingredients for pesto (posted previously). it wasn't vegan sushi, but it sure was delicious!

happy mother's day for pigs too

learn about gestation crates on hsus' website.

image from animalearthhuman.org

french toast and healthiest-ever pancakes

happy mother's day!

i've traveled to california to visit the family and thus i am faced with two challenges: 1. cooking for omnivores and 2. taking pictures without ryan. i think i've fared well so far.

healthiest ever pancakes
yields 4-6 pancakes
1 c whole wheat pastry flour
tbl baking powder
a little salt
1 banana
1 cup non-dairy milk
1 tsp vanilla
half a cup of blueberries (you can add other berries, nuts, cinnanmon, chocolate chips)

-combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
--blend wet ingredients, and then mix with dry ingredients
-ladle on to heated skillet
-when bubbles form, flip. take off griddle when heated through.

french toast
batter: 1 cup non-dairy milk, tbl tahini, tbl nutritional yeast, tsp maple syrup, cinnamon to taste
-choose a thick slightly stale bread (i used whole wheat sourdough, because i'm crazy for sourdough!)
-dip slices in batter so completely covered
-cook french toast on each side until lightly browned

strawberry banana pancake topping
1/4 cup frozen strawberries , sliced
1 banana chopped
1 tbl maple syrup
-combine ingredient in sauce pan
-cook until strawberries have thawed and flavors have mingled.
(you could microwave this if you really wanted to)

mary kate=fur hag

how 'bout we fold mary kate into her disgusting fur purse, and give them both a proper burial. 

on ecorazzi.  

DMX held on animal cruelty charges, is an asshole.

"The carcasses of three dogs were found partially buried on the property in August, and one of the dogs may have been burned, the sheriff's office said."

here.

orange molasses tempeh with smoked green beans

i'm going crazy for molasses lately! for the vegetables i just steamed some green beans, threw in some chopped oranges and walnuts, and topped with liquid smoke. because liquid smoke makes everything amazing!

orange molasses tempeh

1 package of tempeh

1 tbl orange juice concentrate

1 tbl tamari or soy sauce

1 tbl blackstrap molasses 

-preheat oven to 350 degrees

-cut tempeh in half, then cut each half diagonally into triangles. 

-put tempeh in boiling water for about 3 minutes

-mix orange juice, tamari and molasses to create sauce

-in a baking dish, pour sauce over tempeh

-bake for 30 minutes 

six activists jump into the bullring

madrid: six activists jumped into las ventas bullring during a bull fighting event that was broadcast live.
watch it here.