Happy (Spare A) Turkey Day !!!

Ladies and Gentlemen ...

I hope you all have a fabulous long weekend. I will be taking myself offline for the next few days, just to let you know, but I'll be back next week. (No, not by choice ... I'm moving into my new house, and it ain't wired yet.)

Toodles!

Ps: Hope you decided to save a turkey this year!

more thanksgiving recipes

So, this year my mother-in-law and I came up with a list of must-haves for thursday and divided it up, pretty fairly. She's in charge of the Un-turkey, the yams, the salad and the green beans. I'm doing mashed super potatoes, cranberry sauce, cornbread, and of course the pumpkin pie. (She's vegan also, so this is going to be great -- no uncomfortable situations regarding who doesn't eat their fair share of animal.)

I'm also making Beverley Lynn Bennet's "very easy vegan truffles" because it's been almost two weeks since I've eaten one, and that explains the irritability of late. They are easy, but messy, and absolutely addictive. You can mix them up in terms of flavorings and garnishes. I'm doing three varieties this time: coconut, cinnamon and almond. Try them for yourselves, but be warned: withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe.


Very Easy Vegan Truffles

1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips
8 oz. tofu cream cheese
3 cup vegan powdered sugar (Wholesome Foods or Florida Crystals brand, powdered sugar from sugar beets, or see Recipe Archive for homemade variations)
1 1/2 t. vanilla
Garnishes: finely ground nuts, cocoa powder, toasted unsweetened shredded coconut


Place the chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler, over medium heat, and leave to melt. In a food processor, place the vegan cream cheese, and process for 1 minute or until smooth and creamy. Add half of the powdered sugar and process for 30 seconds. Add the remaining powdered sugar and continue to process the mixture until well blended. Add the melted chocolate chips and vanilla, and process the mixture to evenly distribute the melted chocolate. Transfer the mixture to a glass bowl, cover, and place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour. Using your hands, shape the chilled mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the garnishes of choice to thoroughly coat them on all sides. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

*Variation: the truffle mixture can be flavored with liqueur, as well. Divide the truffle mixture into thirds and add 1 T. liqueur of choice (such as: almond, hazelnut, coffee, rum, brandy, orange, raspberry, etc.) to each third of the truffle mixture, respectively, and mix well before chilling the truffle mixture. Then shape into balls and roll each type of liqueur-flavored truffles in one of the garnishes to distinguish among the various flavor combinations.

Yield: 5 Dozen


The cornbread is also a Beverley Lynn Bennett original and I can't wait to try it! The last vegan cornbread I made was good, but this one sounds amazing ...


Green Onion Cornbread

1 3/4 cups soy milk, rice milk, or other non-dairy milk of choice
3 T. safflower oil
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
4 t. baking powder
1 T. chili powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
1 T. nutritional yeast flakes

Lightly oil (or spray with a light mist of oil) a 9-inch square pan and set aside. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the soy milk and oil, and set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, chili powder, and salt. Add the soy milk mixture, along with the remaining ingredients, and stir until just combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Yield: One 9-inch

And this is the first time ever that I am attempting cranberry sauce from scratch, but it looks simple. Will let you know in the coming days if that's as advertised.

Happy T-giving Prep, Everyone! :o)

Pumpkin Pie

(minus the bird fetus and the cow secretion, naturally.)

I have found several recipes for vegan pumpkin pie, which I've decided to meld together and I will be experimenting with how this works next week. If you're brave, I dare you to experiment with me. :o)


Vegan Pumpkin Pie


2 packages Mori-nu firm silken tofu
2 cans organic pumpkin
1/2 cup organic granulated sweetener
1/2 cup organic molasses
1/4 cup soy butter
2 t cinnamon
1/2 t allsipce
1/2 t nutmeg
pinch of cloves

Combine above ingredients in food processor. Pour into vegan pie crust and bake 45 minutes.


Vegan Pie Crust


Mix together 1/2 cup & 1 T margarine and 3/8 cup boiling water until creamy.
Sift in 1.5 cups of flour, 1 t baking powder, and 1/8 t salt. Mix until dough forms, gently forming into a large ball. Chill dough for about 30 minutes before rolling out.

Garnish pumpkin pie with pecan halves and refrigerate until needed. Serve with





and enjoy! :o)

This Thanksgiving

It's all about going meatless, but don't worry: there are several yummy options that won't make you feel turkey-less!

First, there's the Un-Turkey, which we'll be having at our house next week.

Looks pretty good! It even comes with gravy, stuffing, and a crispy skin-like covering. I've heard it's better than the "real thing." Since none of our turkey friends had to die for it, it's better already. :o)

Then, there's the Tofurkey.

This one comes with gravy too, 4 drummettes, and "wishstix" -- that sounds like an awesome substitute as well!

You've got your "unbird," and the rest is easy to accomplish vegan style: cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, yams, cornbread ... I'll be posting some of these recipes soon.

Toodles!

Why not eggs?

When people ask me why I don't consume eggs, I show them the below picture, the one that started me on the path to vegan-ism.



But it's more complicated than that, because if it was that simple, then every one of us would stop eating eggs the minute we're informed of how cruel the industry is. One of my favorite quotes from the Dalai Lama, and the one that makes me feel closest to His Holiness is, "I have been particularly concerned with the sufferings of chickens for many years. It was the death of a chicken that finally strengthened my
resolve to become vegetarian..."

I think there needs to be a combination of factors present at the same moment for persons to finally embrace the decision to try to live cruelty-free. For me, it was the right time because I had been awakened from a slumber of sorts when a close family member died, and I made a number of life decisions around the same time ... in addition, I had recently eaten large numbers of eggs when I was confronted with this image. On top of these things, I have always been someone who does not like being deceived -- I mean, I really hate it. Once I realize that I have been gullible about something, I remain resentful, and determined to save others from the lie. This is applicable here because it seems we have all been tricked into believing farm animals are happy, and that there are measures which prevent cruelty within the farming industry (all false).

I believe all these things played a part in my decision to go 100% veg and to never think twice about it. Not everyone will have the benefit of all these factors, and many may decide that they "would like to be vegan," "admire that," etc. but feel "it's too hard," or "it's not for me."

Well, I can relate, because this wasn't my first attempt at a cruelty-free lifestyle. I had made a smiliar decision in college. However, not all the requisite factors were present then ... I had a vague feeling that it was wrong to eat animals, but I didn't have the images or the information to back it up. That effort lasted several months, at which point I was able to rationalize everything back to normal. I will not be able to do that now, and I am grateful for that.

If anyone is thinking they would like to be veg or vegan, but don't feel personally called to "convert," it may not be your time to fully embrace it yet. But at least inform yourself about where your animal products are coming from, and then decide whether the cruelty involved is acceptable or not. If your concern is "what will I eat?" or "how will I explain this to ____?" or "how will I avoid temptation?" or any objection you can think of, I recommend the below book, by Beverley Lynn Bennett & Ray Sammartano. They can answer these questions for you and your concerned family members, and get you started, or at the least, informed.



Thanks for reading, and please feel free to contact me with any questions! :o)

Milk, Monsanto & Fox News

Protect yourself from cancer ... just say 'no' to milk.

Backwards Hamburger

Yeah! Save the bunny from being roadkill, enable unioniziation for private security guards, choose to raise the minimum wage, and protect yourself from eating toxins as well as other people's fingers -- Yeah! -- all by simply deciding to stop supporting fast food (of the hamburger variety) ... I love this video.

Urgent Action Needed!

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY!

1. Help Protect Your Right to Advocate for Animals
2. and Help Save Horses from Slaughter!

1. Today may be your last chance to defeat the "Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act" (HR 4239, S 3880)! Contact your Representative in the U.S. House NOW to OPPOSE this Federal bill.

In a fast-track maneuver, the AETA will not be debated and will most likely be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives today, Monday, November 13, 2006 after 6:30 p.m.!

• The AETA deserves a hearing to afford its many opponents a voice.
  
• The bill is too broad and vague, therefore requiring changes to be made before being voted on.
  
• It criminalizes conduct that "intentionally damages or causes the loss of any real or personal property." Without defining "real or personal property," it could criminalize legitimate activism resulting in economic damage, such as boycotts, that may cause a profit loss for companies.
  
• It does not define an "animal enterprise" and could be used to protect dog and cockfighting rings.
  
• This is an unnecessary and unconstitutional violation of our freedom of speech and assembly.
  
• The AETA threatens lawful advocacy and unfairly brands the nonviolent civil disobedience of animal protection advocates' as 'terrorism'.
  
• The result could be a chilling effect on social justice and advocacy.

Take Action Now!

• Please contact your U.S. (not State) Representative NOW and ask him or her to oppose HR 4239, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Contact your current legislators, who are still in office, even if they did not recently win a re-election, since the new ones do not take office until January, 2007.
  
• To find the contact information for your U.S. Representative, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at: 202-224-3121 or simply enter your zip code at www.house.gov.
  
• Take Action Times Three: call, fax and email to get your point across.
  
• Urge all you know to take action as well.
  

2. Please also contact your two U.S. Senators to SUPPORT and cosponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, S.1915 and to push for its passage. This is the final, crucial step needed to completely ban horse slaughter in this country and save nearly 100,000 American horses each year from grisly transport to slaughter plants.

Take Action Now!

• Please contact your two U.S. Senators NOW and ask them to support S. 1915, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Contact your current legislators, who are still in office, even if they did not recently win a re-election, since the new ones do not take office until January, 2007.
  
• To find the contact information for your U.S. Senators, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at: 202-224-3121 or simply enter your zip code at http://www.senate.gov.
  
• Do a triple shot: call, fax and email to get your point across.
  
• Urge all you know to take action as well.

Nog-a-licious!

I have to admit, I've been feeling festive lately with our big scores in Washington ... and I've been glugging nog like there's no tomorrow ... Vegan Nog, that is. Yep, Albertson's even carries this stuff!



And it tastes just as good as the original, without all the nasty animal products! :o)

Just add a healthy amount of spiced rum, top with a dash of cinnamon, and you're in for a deliciously relaxing evening.

Fast Food Nation

Hits theatres 11/17 ... I'm super excited because a lot of times I can't find controversial films playing in Tucson! So, next friday it is ... I'll keep you posted, and please let me know if you're planning to see it and what you think when you do.

Another boca creation

Remember the other two spicy "chicken" patties?
Here's an idea for them .......


Tomato "Chicken" with Mashed Super Potatoes & Coleslaw


1. Peel and cut into chunks 5 red-skin potatoes and 2 turnips.
2. Chop up cabbage and 1-2 tablespoons onions -- transfer to bowl.
3. Boil potatoes and turnips for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, drain, return to pot.
5. Heat a small amount of oil in skillet and add chicken patties.
6. As they cook, slice two small tomatoes into the pan, and season to taste.
7. To potato pot, add 2 tablespoons of "butter," and enough "milk" to get a creamy consistency.
8. Season with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 2 tablespoons of parsley, and some salt & pepper.
9. Salt, pepper, lemon, a squirt of , and some finish off your coleslaw.
10. Serve "chicken" topped with tomatoes, and Enjoy!


(Turnip haters cannot detect presence of turnips in Super Mashed Potatoes. Turnip lovers can.) =0)

Yay, Arizona!

I'm so proud ... Arizonans have decided that farm animals need to be treated better!

Historic Arizona Vote Bans Cruel Crates
for Veal Calves and Pregnant Pigs!

The ballot tally of Arizona voters on Election Day, November 7, 2006, proved that most citizens are opposed to the standard agriculture practices in modern factory farms which disallow adequate space and movement for male calves raised for veal and pregnant pigs. An overwhelming 61 percent of voters said Yes to Proposition 204 which will allow these animals enough room to turn around and stretch their limbs.

The passing of this precedent-setting humane proposition makes Arizona the first state in the nation to enact such a measure to ban veal crates and the second state to ban gestation crates for pregnant pigs. The gestation crate for breeding pigs was outlawed through a citizen initiative in Florida in 2002.

Arizonans for Humane Farms, a coalition of animal advocacy groups including Farm Sanctuary, launched this statewide ballot campaign in September, 2005. The November 7 vote is a triumph for farm animals everywhere and the individuals who advocate on their behalf.

THANK YOU to all who worked to help make this amazing victory a reality!

2 more ~cupcake~ originals

Trying to figure out what to do with some leftover ,

,

and ?


Here's what I made last night ...


"Cheesy" Broccoli "Chicken" Quesadilla with Guac

1. Skillet 2 boca spicy chicken patties, with diced onions and and green pepper, and your leftover broccoli.
2. Transfer mixture to another container and clean out your pan.
3. Melt a teaspoon of "butter" in the pan, over medium heat.
4. Place a tortilla on the hot "butter" and swirl it around.
5. Load half the tortilla with shredded "cheese" and top with "chicken" mixture.
6. When "cheese" begins to melt, and bottom of tortilla is browned, fold the empty side over the loaded side and slide onto a plate.
7. For guacamole, mince 1-2 tablespoons each of onion, cilantro and tomato, and mince even more finely half a jalapeno pepper.
8. Mash 2 avacadoes.
9. Add diced veggies, juice from half a lime, and some salt and combine.
10. Enjoy!

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I call these "Rainforest Brownies" but to be honest, they were largely inspired by Ms. Beverly Lynn Bennett's Fudgey Banana-Walnut Brownies

1. Pre-heat to 350.
2. Sift together 1.5 cups of organic flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. In saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 cups vegan chocolate chips along with 1/3 cup "butter" (I use )
4. Meanwhile, toss 3 bananas into your blender, and blend and blend and blend until they reach a fluffy consistency.
5. Add bananas and one teaspoon vanilla extract to flour mixture and combine until batter is smooth.
6. Incorporate chocolate mixture, stirring until chocolate is fully integrated.
7. Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped macademia nuts.
8. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake for 35 minutes.
9. Remove and cool.
10. Enjoy!

Adopt a turkey!

Have you considered having a Turkey-less Thanksgiving this year? Why not go a step further and sponsor one of these amazing creatures? Farm Sanctuary makes it easy!





Give a turkey a reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving! As one of Farm Sanctuary’s most successful campaigns, the annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project has rescued hundreds of turkeys from a thankless fate at holiday dinner tables and educated millions of people about their plight on factory farms.
Just choose one of our fine “feathered friends” and with a gift of $20, you can ensure that one life is safe from harm, while teaching people a lesson in compassion. Your adoption gift provides feed, housing and veterinary care for the turkeys at our New York and California Shelters, and helps teach millions about the plight of turkeys raised for food in the U.S.
Select your “special someone” and then fill out the Sponsorship Form.


Blossom
Blossom shows everyone how happy a turkey can be, when given the chance for her sweet nature to come into full bloom.


Gideon
Gideon is giddy to spread the word, "Choose compassionate living, go veg for Thankgiving!”


Macadamia
Macadamia, known for her piercing blue eyes and brooding intensity, will steal the limelight at any Celebration FOR the Turkeys.


Hildy
Hildy’s polite, but tells it like it is, “Please, dear, go vegan. Farm animals have suffered enough.”


Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell is a feisty little peep, sprinkling her “fairy dust” all over the farm. She will win your heart when she whispers in your ear how thankful she is to find her “Neverland” at Farm Sanctuary.


Laila
Laila will ease your worried mind to know that she’ll never suffer the fate of most turkeys at Thanksgiving.


Sunflower
Sunflower looks forward to a sunny day, when all turkeys can run freely with all farm animals.


Oakly
Oakly stands proud and tall, and will let you know how agreeable she is with your choice to save a turkey, rather than eating one this holiday season.


Treat friends, family members and co-workers to a turkey sponsorship. Just send us their name and address, along with your adoption fee. Your gift recipients will receive a framed photo of their turkey, adoption certificate, subscription to Farm Sanctuary News, and a gift acknowledgement from you! Select your “special someone” and then fill out the Sponsorship Form.



Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, we have worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Our shelters in Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. For more information about Farm Sanctuary or our programs, please visit farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225. To become a Farm Sanctuary member or to make a donation today using our secure online form, please click here. For updates on previous action alerts, please click here.
Please forward and distribute widely! Thank you,
Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150 Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

What can you make with these ingredients?

Probably lots of yummy meals!

Here's what I made last night ...


Corny Veggie Bake



1. Take any veggies you hapen to have and cut them into disks, wedges, or cubes.
2. Preheat your oven to 400.
3. Combine a good amount of cornmeal with a good amount of flour (ratio depends on how corny and crunchy you want your veg to be. I did a 50-50 (one cup of each) mix and it was quite corny and delicious).
4. Add some seasoning to your flour mixture. I used some leftover Creole Seasoning, courtesy of Beverley Lynn Bennett.
5. In a separate bowl, combine some soy/rice/almond milk (~ 1 .5 cups) and some soy sauce (~ 2 TB).
6. Start battering: dip into soy milk and coat your veg with seasoned corny flour.
7. Repeat if desired until you have your veg evenly coated.
8. Place coated pieces in a lightly oiled baking dish.
9. Once everything is battered, bake for ~ 30 minutes.
10. Serve with soy sauce for dippage and Enjoy!

A 10-step ~cupcake~ original, and quite tasty and filling.




















My partner, sampling some Corny Veggie Bake. Scrum Diddly, as some would say. :o)

Join the Street Team!

Are you up on the Street Team? Now get rewarded for your animal rights efforts and activities with cool PETA gear! What an awesome idea. :o)

Click Here To Check It Out

I personally am saving up for this:
some of these:
and one day, a

Start earning points today, just by filling out a profile, downloading a banner or some wallpaper, or posting on the boards ... and get active!

Speaking Of ........ check out PETA2's Blog!

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Who has plans for tonight? It's Friday! My partner and I normally go out for dinner on fridays, but tonight, we have leftovers from the other night when we got Chinese! Anyone near Tucson, AZ MUST include this in their weekly ritual: Guilin's Healthy Chinese Restaurant So Good ... And Very Vegan Friendly.

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Yesterday I made Rice Pudding, using Ms. Beverly Lynn Bennett's recipe. This is the easiest, tastiest, and healthiest rice pudding ever. In the time it takes you to make rice, you can make this treat. Top with Soyatoo!

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this blog

I've decided to dedicate this blog to veg news & creativity (including poetry, music, art & recipes), rather than my own senseless ramblings, at least for the time being. Please be generous with your suggestions, recipes & ideas!