Spay and Neuter

According to the Humane Society, "Four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year."

Of course you know that adopting from shelters is an important part of preventing so many deaths, but even more important is spaying and neutering your companion animals. I have a feeling that most people reading this are already on my side with this, but while reading some of the myths about spay/neuter, I realized that I was painfully uninformed.

What I did not know was that people believe some things that are not true, but if they were to bring them up to me, I'd have no solid way to respond. So knowing the facts is helpful, even though my three pals are already fixed.



That doesn't mean, however, that I haven't spoken to friends and neighbors about it, and I keep information on free and discount S/N programs to help those who feel that they can't afford the surgeries. Check out Spay USA or Friends of Animals for a list of veterinarians who participate.

If you want to get more involved, the Human Society's Spay Day is Feb. 22, 2011. Even if you're not a veterinarian or don't own a huge corporation to provide sponsorship, you can volunteer at or organize events and help spread the word.

Quickie Book Review: Ethics into Action

I've written a bit about this book already, and I'm pretty sure I'll write about it again, but today I'm going to focus on giving it a quick review.

Peter Singer's Ethics into Action is not only worth reading, but should be required in Animal Activism 101.



The book serves to give an overview of the life and activism of Henry Spira, and I have to admit, I'd never heard the name before. However, he is without doubt a key figure in the animal rights movement not only because of his campaigns and victories, but because of his methods and attitudes.

The first chapter gives a brief history of Spira's life prior to his involvement in animal rights. It's easy to see how his early life experiences shaped his methods of dealing with people and his early political activism helped him to be effective in spearheading animal campaigns. Singer goes on over the next few chapters to outline the major campaigns Spira undertook, explaining the reasoning, methodology, tactics, and materials used to create change.

The final chapter serves to direct the animal activist. Though the reader may glean considerable wisdom throughout the book, Singer distills much of it into 10 ways to make a difference. Even if you only read this chapter, you would have much to gain. Singer closes by addressing the meaningful life, a concept that pops up in a lot of activist literature, but it's Spira's meaningful life that is the focus of these final pages.

Knowing the history of a movement you care about is important, as is knowing about the people who made a difference. Not only can you learn from the successes and mistakes of your predecessors, but you can better understand why things are the way they are now. The animal rights movement would not be what it is today without the work and influence of Henry Spira. His innovative way of approaching animal rights shaped the movement for the better.

Ethics into Action is informative and inspirational. Henry Spira is a man I wish more people knew about and his work became the model for effective change. Read the book, and you'll feel yourself getting wiser.

Chipotle

OK, so Vegan Outreach's newsletter has provided a lot of fodder for posting (only two!), but I'm trying to stick to some of the really big ones.

That's why I need you to take a few minutes and contact Chipotle. I've had the Garden Blend at their DuPont Circle, Washington, DC location and I love it. But they never introduced it to all restaurants and from my understanding, didn't put it on the menu of those they did.

Fill out the form, tell them you want to try it. Repost the request to your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, FriendFace, or whatever. Let's get this done.

PPK Cookbook Challenge Week 2: Veganomicon

Week 2's choice, Veganomicon, overlaps with the Cook. Vegan. Lover. Cookbook Club. I'll review the book in more detail by that deadline, but for now, here are my picks for the PPK Challenge

Mexican Millet and Black Beans in Chipotle Adobo Sauce
These were great and super easy. I've been looking for more bean/grain combos to add to my arsenal for busy nights and this is a combination I'll come back to again.

Cauliflower and Mushroom Potpie with Black Olive Crust
I'd been meaning to make this forever and my only regret is waiting so long. This is delicious and satisfying and I will most definitely be making it again and again.



Terry's Favorite Almond Cookie
I actually ended up making two batches of these because the first did not last long at all. These cookies are unbelievably good. They're perfectly chewy and soft, and the flavors are wonderful. My mouth is watering just thinking about them now.

Outreach Wisdom from Nick Cooney

Nick Cooney's book, Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change has been getting some good press out there. It's certainly on my list, but I still have a few books ahead of it in the queue.

In the meantime, I was able to take a few minutes to read some of Cooney's insights in a piece he did for Vegan Outreach. Check it out.

But expressing my own beliefs isn’t the reason I go leafleting. I leaflet because I want to change other people’s behaviors.
-Nick Cooney, "What Psychology Research Can Tell Us about Vegan Outreach Booklet Titles"

PPK Cookbook Challenge Week 1: Appetite for Reduction

The PPK Forum Cook Book Challenge began about three weeks ago, and I've kept up with it, but not with chronicling my endeavors. So here we go.

Check out my menu planning board! Week 1 was Appetite For Reduction. I didn't get pictures of everything, unfortunately.

Thai Roasted Root Vegetable Curry
This was great and I'll certainly make it again. The sweet potatoes especially made it creamy. I wasn't wild about the Brussels sprouts, so I'll leave them out in the future, but I know that's a personal failing and can't be blamed on the recipe.

Vegan Bowl with Caesar Chavez Dressing
I love the section on bowls. These dishes are cheap and easy. The dressing was really great. I subbed scallions for shallots, which I realize changes the taste, but I think either version would work really well.

Black Beans in Red Velvet Mole and Ginger Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples
The mole was a new set of tastes to me and I did really like it, but next time I'll half the recipe. It made so much and I found that a little goes a long way. They did go really well with the sweet potatoes though. That dish is certainly a keeper, and would be a really nice autumn holiday item.

Scarlet Barley and Mushroom and Cannelini Parprikas
I really loved the barley here. It was subtly sweet and so pretty to look at. The paprikas was good, but maybe could have used a little more flavor. I confess, I had to use great northern beans for it.

Library Activism

I love my cookbooks. Though I have nowhere near the number that some vegans boast, I'm actually on a semi-voluntary year-long cook book-buying ban. They're great, but owning them and using them doesn't always mean a lot to my efforts at activism.



That does not mean, however, that I can't find a way to make cook books a tool of activism.



You know how the library will often have a table displaying books that are unified by a common element? The last one I saw at my library caught my eye because it featured a work by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and then I noticed the display was called "We'll Miss You" and featured works by deceased authors. It was a little strange.

Whether the displays at your library are strange or not, you can put them to work for animal welfare. Consider asking your librarian is you can volunteer your time to set up a display. Select vegan cookbooks that are attractive and have a broad appeal, such as Veganomicon, 1,000 Vegan Recipes
Vegan Planet, Appetite for Reduction, or Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.

Now if you are a bit crafty, your library may allow you to put up a board with information, and place pamphlets on the table as well. Cook books can be the draw, and your board can provide information on either vegan cooking, environmental concerns, or animal welfare, and then a stack of free booklets on the benefits of vegan cooking might just seal the deal.

Check out this great guide from Compassion Over Killing for more ideas.