The Vegan and Vegetarian Secrets Blog …

Australians are well aware that the time to elect a new political party is coming up in November, so with that said I’d like to encourage everyone and anyone who is vegan, vegetarian or simply against animal cruelty in any form that it’s time to Tell our Federal politicians that you won’t vote for a political party that supports live animal export.

Currently only the Greens and the Democrats have policies opposing live animal export.

Sadly, appealing to the consciences of most politicians is futile. Party policies are determined by the prospect of winning or losing votes. The Howard Government and the ALP know that the majority of Australians oppose live animal export. Now they need to be told that their support of the live animal export trade will impact on how Australians vote on November 24th.

Click here to Voice and Vote your opinion to politicians now

Australian pop singing sensation and actor Sophie Monk is as compassionate as she is beautiful. That’s why she jumped at the opportunity to speak up for animals by shedding her clothes and posing nude in a bed of chili peppers alongside the tagline “Spice Up Your Life—Go Vegetarian” in one of PETA’s sexiest vegetarian PSAs to date.

Check out this link for full story and behind the scenes look at campaign: Sophie Monk PETA ad 

Check out this study …

The effect of meat consumption on body odor attractiveness. Havlicek J, Lenochova P.

Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Husnikova 2075, 158 00 Prague 13, Czech Republic. jan.havlicek@fhs.cuni.cz

Axillary body odor is individually specific and potentially a rich source of information about its producer. Odor individuality partly results from genetic individuality, but the influence of ecological factors such as eating habits are another main source of odor variability. However, we know very little about how particular dietary components shape our body odor. Here we tested the effect of red meat consumption on body odor attractiveness. We used a balanced within-subject experimental design. Seventeen male odor donors were on “meat” or “nonmeat” diet for 2 weeks wearing axillary pads to collect body odor during the final 24 h of the diet. Fresh odor samples were assessed for their pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity, and intensity by 30 women not using hormonal contraceptives. We repeated the same procedure a month later with the same odor donors, each on the opposite diet than before. Results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the odor of donors when on the nonmeat diet was judged as significantly more attractive, more pleasant, and less intense. This suggests that red meat consumption has a negative impact on perceived body odor hedonicity.

PMID: 16891352 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 Aussies and tourists alike living in and around Melbourne are in for a real treat this upcoming ‘World Vegan Day’

The World Vegan Day Melbourne Festival is nearly here. It’s on Sunday the 28th of October, 10am to 5pm (FREE EVENT) at Phoenix Community Reserve East Malvern   http://www.wvd.org.au/

Saving the world could be as easy as eating delicious plant based meals according to a fast growing number of people (including celebrities like Alicia Silverstone, Joaquin Phoenix, Daniel Johns, and Moby) who choose a lifestyle that excludes animal products, not only in their diets, but in all aspects of their lifestyle.

The Melbourne World Vegan Day Festival is now in its 5th year and attracts around 5, 000 people and almost 80 stalls. The free entry festival aims to promote a plant based, cruelty free way of living by showcasing vegan foods, cruelty free skincare and cosmetics, health products, organic vegan wines, clothing, pet care and much more. Live music and entertainment for the whole family and free samples and giveaways provide a colourful backdrop for the celebrations.

This year’s highlights include a live performance by Steve Kilbey, ex member of the band The Church, free workshops and seminars and free makeovers using natural vegan cosmetics by an internationally experienced makeup artist.

‘We’re all concerned for the planet’ says coordinator of the festival Mark Doneddu, a long term advocate for a plant based lifestyle ’switching to a diet based on plant foods is a smart way of reducing a host of environmental problems including greenhouse gas emissions and water and energy consumption, not to mention the health benefits for everyone and the animals lives saved’.

Compelling statistics on water usage alone make many rethink their diets. To produce a kilo of beef it takes 50,000 litres of water (that’s the equivalent of almost 1,400 four minute showers with a water saving showerhead) compare this to a kilo of rice (2,385 litres) or a litre of milk (4,000 litres) compared to a litre of orange juice (780 litres).

‘We can make simple yet effective changes to the way we eat, and have a fundamentally positive impact on the health of ourselves and the planet.’ Mark says.

This year, Mark and other organisers are so confident that a vegan lifestyle is the way of the future they are encouraging non vegetarians and vegans to come and experience what the World Vegan Day Festival has to offer. ‘We want to challenge people’s attitude to their food, where it comes from and the far reaching impacts it has, so if you’re passionate about the environment, human health or social justice, an animal lover, or even just curious to know what a plant based lifestyle is all about, we invite you to come to World Vegan Day and have a look for yourself, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised’.

For more information, contact Mark Doneddu on 044871 2063 or email meghan.street@gmail.com

This has gotta be my fave sauce/dressing at the moment. It’s originally a raw food recipe that I converted a little. You can use this one as a cold dressing or warm it over a simple stir-fry. It’ll only take you seconds to prepare and is so delish.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbs mustard
• 2 Tbs corriander
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup coconut cream

Combine all the ingredients in a blender or bullet machine and whisk together until everything is combined and smooth and creamy.

An all rounder sauce that goes well over many foods like: rice, steamed veggies, salads, mashed potato or anything else you please.

Hiya folks, just a quick message to remind everyone that World Vegan Day is approaching quickly.

Just 16 days until the big day now.

Check out some of the below links to find others celebrating ‘world vegan day’ around the globe or in your own area:

Australia    USA    UK    Italy    Holland    Hong Kong

Please join me in calling an end to support for the indefensible live animal export trade, and to encourage Egyptian authorities to pass animal protection laws.

Takes two secs to send your email protest
http://www.liveexport-indefensible.com/eupdate/takeAction.html
LIVE ANIMAL EXPORT – INDEFENSIBLE
http://www.liveexport-indefensible.com/eupdate/

Every year, Australia’s live export trade sends millions of animals to countries with no animal welfare laws. Animals Australia recently investigated the plight of Australian animals sent to Egypt, and again obtained video evidence of animal treatment that would be illegal in Australia.

Despite admitting knowledge of the brutal practices animals face in Egypt, Australia’s live export industry has exported over 1 million animals to Egypt for slaughter.

Please help us to end this horrific trade, and to urge Egyptian authorities to pass animal protection laws. It’s simple:

Watch this moving documentary video:
http://www.liveexport-indefensible.com/eupdate/video.html

Vegetarianwomen.com is an online community and resource, a place where vegetarian women — and anyone interested in vegetarianism, can support and communicate with others who seek to live a more healthy and cruelty-free lifestyle.

It’s a great and informative site with some wonderful articles and vegetarian resources for anyone wishing to explore more into this lifestyle.

The 2006 Sydney Cruelty Free Living Festival was a huge success and this year’s Festival is going to be even bigger and better!

We have an exciting stage program lined up with Steve Kilbey from Australian band The Church performing live; and talks by Jeffrey Masson, celebrated author of “When Elephants Weep”, “Dogs Never Lie About Love”, ”The Pig Who Sang to the Moon” etc. Jeffrey will also be doing book-signings on the day so bring along your copy or buy one at the festival.

In addition to these headline acts we are pleased to announce that the lovely a-cappella choir “Ecopella” will be performing. Ecopella is a fresh voice in Save-the-World music. Their songs are about the environment, its beauty and fragility, the threats it faces and how we can all help to preserve it. And, after the huge response they got last year, we couldn’t have a festival without the Cabaret Arabia belly-dance troupe! With beautiful costumes, music and dancers, Cabaret Arabia brings the stage alive.

Free workshops will run throughout the day where you can participate in vegan cooking demonstrations, learn about ethical investment, nutrition, practical ways to save animals and more. Several films including Jeffrey Masson’s “The Emotional Lives of Farm Animals” will be screening throughout the day in a free mini-cinema. And there will even be free face-painting for children so they can be their favourite animal for the day.

In between films, workshops and performances you can browse through over 40 stalls laden with cruelty free products and delicious vegan food. All major animal rights & rescue charities will be represented so you can also learn how to help stop animal cruelty in its many forms.

Be sure to put the 4th of November in your diary for a fun-filled day of feasting, learning and entertainment.

What: Cruelty-Free Living Festival
When: Sunday 4 November, 10am to 4pm
Where: Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal Street, Petersham. The hall is only minutes from the Petersham train station and bus stops, and free parking is available in the council car park (enter via Fisher St).
Cost: $5 donation to charity Animal Liberation NSW.

Website: www.crueltyfreefestival.org.au

Finally people now have a much broader choice for ethically and organically made furniture. Talk about ethical shopping now being made easier for us all!

You can now choose from around 250 pieces of ethical homewares for every room in your house. Handcrafted Amish Furniture, sustainably harvested wood and organic fabrics come together in this vast collection of wonderful furniture.

This is organic, vegan, and sustainably made furniture at it’s finest! So if you have been looking for more ethical way to fit out your home and to get back down to earth with organic, sweatshop and cruelty free furnishings then we’ve discovered the perfect place for you to check out.

To find out more visit this link now: Ethical Furniture