Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Why Vegetarianism Isn't Enough
I want the world to be vegan. That's my vegan agenda. I don't pretend that I don't have a goal or that my choice to be vegan should be personal and private. I don't believe that while veganism might be right for me, it may not be right for you. I'm radical, and that pisses some people off. It isn't easy to hear and people feel judged. But I ate meat once, too, and I know that getting to veganism is a journey that often takes a lot of preparation and education and change to accomplish. It's a lifestyle and should be a lifelong commitment, and if people aren't ready to quit the meat and the dairy and the eggs, it won't stick.
I was pescatarian for about a year before I became vegan. I didn't stop eating meat because it grossed me out and I never really liked it anyway. I probably ate meat every day. I did it because I felt guilty eating meat. I knew I couldn't be an actual "animal lover" if I ate dead animals. It always pisses me off when people say, "No, I get it, I'm a huge animal lover, too!" but they are meat-eaters. Oy vey.
I encourage everyone to stop eating meat. That is the first step. I have the utmost respect for people who take that huge step. BUT--and here's where I'm going to offend people:
If you are getting comfortable in your vegetarianism or pescatarianism, it's time to go vegan. Put down the cheesecake. Tofu scramble it up for breakfast and throw out those eggs. It's time.
If you went vegetarian because you care about animals and think that it is wrong to kill them, consider this: veal is a direct byproduct of veal. Male chicks are thrown into mascerators LIVE in the egg-laying industry. Even free-range hens generally have really shitty lives. Over 50% of dairy industry cows suffer from painful mastitis. Most dairy and egg farms have animals who have never seen the sunlight, can't be with their children, have never stepped on grass, and live in concentration-like condition. And most importantly, almost all of these animals are eventually slaughter, FAR beyond their natural lifespan. Hamburger comes from "spent" dairy cows. Dairy and egg farms still contribute to global warming in a major way. And they are still not healthy for you.
It's time. It'll be okay. Food is still delicious. You will not lack protein or iron or calcium or anything else. No one will hate you. Your family will not disown you. You will live and the suffering will decrease because of it.
I was pescatarian for about a year before I became vegan. I didn't stop eating meat because it grossed me out and I never really liked it anyway. I probably ate meat every day. I did it because I felt guilty eating meat. I knew I couldn't be an actual "animal lover" if I ate dead animals. It always pisses me off when people say, "No, I get it, I'm a huge animal lover, too!" but they are meat-eaters. Oy vey.
I encourage everyone to stop eating meat. That is the first step. I have the utmost respect for people who take that huge step. BUT--and here's where I'm going to offend people:
If you are getting comfortable in your vegetarianism or pescatarianism, it's time to go vegan. Put down the cheesecake. Tofu scramble it up for breakfast and throw out those eggs. It's time.
If you went vegetarian because you care about animals and think that it is wrong to kill them, consider this: veal is a direct byproduct of veal. Male chicks are thrown into mascerators LIVE in the egg-laying industry. Even free-range hens generally have really shitty lives. Over 50% of dairy industry cows suffer from painful mastitis. Most dairy and egg farms have animals who have never seen the sunlight, can't be with their children, have never stepped on grass, and live in concentration-like condition. And most importantly, almost all of these animals are eventually slaughter, FAR beyond their natural lifespan. Hamburger comes from "spent" dairy cows. Dairy and egg farms still contribute to global warming in a major way. And they are still not healthy for you.
It's time. It'll be okay. Food is still delicious. You will not lack protein or iron or calcium or anything else. No one will hate you. Your family will not disown you. You will live and the suffering will decrease because of it.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
I'm Nasty, Bro
The end of college is near. Praise God and Satan and all that's in between. 7 days of classes, 2 finals, and 24 days until it's over. But who's counting? It's so hard to go to class and do homework when the end is so near. Hence, an impromptu trip to San Luis Obisbo on Thursday that had me missing two days of class. I wish I cared more. But I don't, so woo!
So, it's been a pretty good week. Wednesday night I worked at The Wiltern at a Josh Ritter/The Swell Season concert. Josh Ritter is an amazing folksy singer who I am kind of familiar with, but now I am in love with him. I was positioned in a spot outside of the actual theater part of the theater, and halfway through Josh Ritter's set, one of the managers came up to me and asked if I liked this band. I told her that I like both of the bands, and she went inside, pulled out the girl who was standing in the handicapped section, and switched us! So I totally just got to watch the concert from a really great spot. THANK YOU, MANAGER MARILYN! The Swell Season is the duo from the movie, Once, which I haven't seen, but their music was so pretty. There was an Irish violin solo and a Czech folk song and then...Jason Segel came out to perform an original song on the piano. I LOVE JASON SEGEL. The song was so funny, and I just about peed my pants when he came out. I stopped pretending I was working. I was clapping. Screaming. Jumping. I even sang along with The Swell Season when they taught us parts of their songs. I am a sap. And also, the only person who was working who liked the music. People kept saying, "really? you liked it?" And I would say, "YES IT WAS EPIC AND AMAZING AND LIFE-CHANGING." They stare at me blankly. I say, "Give me a break, I'm folksy." Folksy is what I am, boys and girls. Not a dirty hippie. Not a crazy vegan. Not someone with naturally wavy hair. Not some war-hating liberal. Oh no. Folksy.
On Thursday, I took an impromptu trip to San Luis Obisbo to go to the Librareunion, meaning, a trip to The Library, a downtown SLO dance club that my cousin and her friends frequent. I enjoy dancing in their window. I enjoy dancing in all windows. As I rushed through The Natural History Museum doing my geology lab during another class that I was skipping and getting hit on by some creepy gem-loving nerd and sitting in traffic and thinking about my checking account as I filled up my gas tank, I thought, "maybe this isn't such a good idea." And then, I thought, "FUCK IT, why not?!" Wooooooo spontaneous freedom liberation! It was a great night for me. Not so great for some other people who I may or may not have royally pissed off. Blame it on the al-al-al-al-al-alcohol. And the ambien. My recent "devil-may-care" attitude gets me into some trouble sometimes. This is ambiguous. I'm a bitchy, vague, ambiguous blogger. Oops.
Going to eat some food from Pure Luck and go see PIrate Radio with Jonathan in a bit. Watch this video of Jason Segel at The Wiltern. All the way through, please. Oh yeah, and that's his real phone number.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZF6Kx88LM
So, it's been a pretty good week. Wednesday night I worked at The Wiltern at a Josh Ritter/The Swell Season concert. Josh Ritter is an amazing folksy singer who I am kind of familiar with, but now I am in love with him. I was positioned in a spot outside of the actual theater part of the theater, and halfway through Josh Ritter's set, one of the managers came up to me and asked if I liked this band. I told her that I like both of the bands, and she went inside, pulled out the girl who was standing in the handicapped section, and switched us! So I totally just got to watch the concert from a really great spot. THANK YOU, MANAGER MARILYN! The Swell Season is the duo from the movie, Once, which I haven't seen, but their music was so pretty. There was an Irish violin solo and a Czech folk song and then...Jason Segel came out to perform an original song on the piano. I LOVE JASON SEGEL. The song was so funny, and I just about peed my pants when he came out. I stopped pretending I was working. I was clapping. Screaming. Jumping. I even sang along with The Swell Season when they taught us parts of their songs. I am a sap. And also, the only person who was working who liked the music. People kept saying, "really? you liked it?" And I would say, "YES IT WAS EPIC AND AMAZING AND LIFE-CHANGING." They stare at me blankly. I say, "Give me a break, I'm folksy." Folksy is what I am, boys and girls. Not a dirty hippie. Not a crazy vegan. Not someone with naturally wavy hair. Not some war-hating liberal. Oh no. Folksy.
On Thursday, I took an impromptu trip to San Luis Obisbo to go to the Librareunion, meaning, a trip to The Library, a downtown SLO dance club that my cousin and her friends frequent. I enjoy dancing in their window. I enjoy dancing in all windows. As I rushed through The Natural History Museum doing my geology lab during another class that I was skipping and getting hit on by some creepy gem-loving nerd and sitting in traffic and thinking about my checking account as I filled up my gas tank, I thought, "maybe this isn't such a good idea." And then, I thought, "FUCK IT, why not?!" Wooooooo spontaneous freedom liberation! It was a great night for me. Not so great for some other people who I may or may not have royally pissed off. Blame it on the al-al-al-al-al-alcohol. And the ambien. My recent "devil-may-care" attitude gets me into some trouble sometimes. This is ambiguous. I'm a bitchy, vague, ambiguous blogger. Oops.
Going to eat some food from Pure Luck and go see PIrate Radio with Jonathan in a bit. Watch this video of Jason Segel at The Wiltern. All the way through, please. Oh yeah, and that's his real phone number.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZF6Kx88LM
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
It may be 3am, but I'm feeling sentimental...
There are certain times, usually when I am postponing very necessary sleep, that I want to write warm and fuzzy things. Tonight (this morning?) is one of those times. Today's topic--Amy and Allie.
Amy and Allie Wilson are two of my best best friends. They have been studying abroad in Ghana since July and will be there until June. This is...unbearable. I miss them more than words can say, and when one of them calls me out of the blue, from Ghana, it makes my whole day. I feel incomplete without them, even though we are usually 7.5 hours away from each other, they are always a phone call away. Even though they have been gone for 4 months already, I still have to catch myself picking up the phone to call one of them. There are just so many things that I can tell only them; bits of gossip or things that I would be excited about and they would be excited about, but no one else would be. They are my other...thirds.
Amy and I got to know each other in Spanish 2 at Yuba City High School my junior year. We would do homework together and make little high school girl signs and gossip (she is the one who told me that my high school boyfriend cheated on me!). We formed a little group my senior year with Allie and Samantha Delello and got super close. We would always go to someone's house for lunch, and usually end up praying at the end of the period. We were such good girls. Today, we aren't such good girls (well, I'm not, anyway), but I couldn't live without her. Her smile makes everything okay, and I know that if I embarrass myself, she will always be there to do something even more embarrassing to make me feel okay. Come home soon, Amy Elizabeth __Son!
Allie was the first friend I made in Kindergarten, even though she doesn't remember it. She was sitting on the floor alone, playing with some blocks, and I introduced myself to her and asked if I could play. Then we sat and played with blocks. It's my first memory of Kindergarten and my first memory of Allie. She has been there for me ever since. She is the most loyal friend I have, and will defend her best friends as if they are her children. I can always count on her to be there for me whenever I need her, whether it's through a really tough break-up (where I can cry on her pillow-y bosom while she plays with my hair) or just when I need a laugh (all it takes is some Allie-style dancing). I miss you, baby meow meow. Please get a Hermione sandglass thing and be here, too!
I think I need to just move to Ghana.
I LOVE YOU, AMY AND ALLIE.
Amy and Allie Wilson are two of my best best friends. They have been studying abroad in Ghana since July and will be there until June. This is...unbearable. I miss them more than words can say, and when one of them calls me out of the blue, from Ghana, it makes my whole day. I feel incomplete without them, even though we are usually 7.5 hours away from each other, they are always a phone call away. Even though they have been gone for 4 months already, I still have to catch myself picking up the phone to call one of them. There are just so many things that I can tell only them; bits of gossip or things that I would be excited about and they would be excited about, but no one else would be. They are my other...thirds.
Amy and I got to know each other in Spanish 2 at Yuba City High School my junior year. We would do homework together and make little high school girl signs and gossip (she is the one who told me that my high school boyfriend cheated on me!). We formed a little group my senior year with Allie and Samantha Delello and got super close. We would always go to someone's house for lunch, and usually end up praying at the end of the period. We were such good girls. Today, we aren't such good girls (well, I'm not, anyway), but I couldn't live without her. Her smile makes everything okay, and I know that if I embarrass myself, she will always be there to do something even more embarrassing to make me feel okay. Come home soon, Amy Elizabeth __Son!
Allie was the first friend I made in Kindergarten, even though she doesn't remember it. She was sitting on the floor alone, playing with some blocks, and I introduced myself to her and asked if I could play. Then we sat and played with blocks. It's my first memory of Kindergarten and my first memory of Allie. She has been there for me ever since. She is the most loyal friend I have, and will defend her best friends as if they are her children. I can always count on her to be there for me whenever I need her, whether it's through a really tough break-up (where I can cry on her pillow-y bosom while she plays with my hair) or just when I need a laugh (all it takes is some Allie-style dancing). I miss you, baby meow meow. Please get a Hermione sandglass thing and be here, too!
I think I need to just move to Ghana.
I LOVE YOU, AMY AND ALLIE.
New Zealand
It's now been a year since I left New Zealand. I can't believe it has been that long! Those were the happiest consecutive 4.5 months of my life, and I wish I could get them back. Little things remind me of my time in NZ almost on a daily basis, just like little things remind you of ex-boyfriends who you spent a lot of time with. It's not like your heart is still broken or you're not over the person/place; it's just that, at some point, they were such a big part of your life, and it'll never be completely out of your mind.
I don't know exactly what was so magical about the place and the time and the people--everything just fell into sync. It was my first chance to really experience the single college life, complete with binge-drinking and promiscuity (sorry, Daddy). It was absolute freedom. I was as far away as I could be from home with a clean slate, people who didn't know me, and a beautiful, mystical land. It was everything I needed at that time. At the end of the trip, I got to fall madly head-over-heels in love in a tragic, wouldn't-work-out-anyway whirlwind romance. NZ was the total package. I hope I get that kind of thing back some day.
In the mean time, I have Marmite, Katchafire, and Flight of the Conchords to keep me company, as well as a plethora of NZ friends who are still in my life. I'm so glad I've stayed in contact with so many people; it was one of the things I was most worried about a year ago. I even saw/traveled with many of them on my road trip extravaganza in August! Thank goodness.
I don't know what would happen if I went back to New Zealand. I'd really love to move back eventually, probably to Wellington, but I'm a little afraid that I would be expecting too much out of it. What was easy and natural and social and youthful in 2008 might be lonely and lost and broke and stressed within the next couple of years.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Need to Alter My Body
I need to chop off my hair, but I'm supposed to be growing it out, so I need to do something to my body! A piercing? A tattoo? A hair color change? Bangs?
I know a vegan wrist tattoo is coming, but only once I can afford it. And right now I'm thinking a lip piercing. And darker hair. Ahhhhh, what to do, what to do?! Some kind of change is coming....
I know a vegan wrist tattoo is coming, but only once I can afford it. And right now I'm thinking a lip piercing. And darker hair. Ahhhhh, what to do, what to do?! Some kind of change is coming....
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A Compassionate Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a rough time of year for me. On the one hand, I'm really excited to be with my family and I love the feelings of nostalgia that accompany the holiday. I'm a sucker for binge-eating, carb-overloading, and parade-watching. I love that it jump-starts Christmas, my favorite holiday. I start listening to Christmas music the very next day. Fall is my favorite season, and I love the seasonal foods like squash and sweet potatoes and pumpkin. And spiced apple cider. And Silk Soy Nog. Ohhh heavenly Thanksgiving.
BUT: What's with all the turkey slaughter? Most people I know say that the turkey is the least favorite part of their Thanksgiving meal. So, what if you skipped out on "tradition" this year and save a life? Practice non-violence this Thanksgiving. Be thankful for all life. Be compassionate. You could even go a step further and "Adopt-a-Turkey" through Farm Sanctuary (www.farmsanctuary.org). It's a great program where you give $25 to sponsor a rescued turkey (http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/adopt/sponsor.html) who lives at the farm. Most of these turkeys come from really rough situations, and have been de-beaked without anesthesia and lived in horrendous conditions in factory farms. You'll even get a color photo of your very own sponsored turkey, with details about your new friend! Isn't that totally worth skipping the meat? I mean, really, who enjoys getting up early, pulling innards out of a turkey's butt, and slaving over a hot stove all day? And BASTING is a really nasty word. And it's a WHOLE TURKEY! Like, 20 pounds of meat! And it's expensive! I mean, aren't there a million reasons to just NOT eat turkey this Thanksgiving?
I am a little bit biased (not just because I'm a vegan). Turkeys are in my top 3 favorite type of farm animal. They are so quirky, the males are really flirty and do sexy little stomping dances when girls are around, no matter the species of girl. The females are very affectionate and chatty. Basically, I don't want you to eat my friends. Just carb overload instead, like me!
It's easy to veganize many of your usual side dishes by using soymilk instead of milk and Earth Balance instead of butter and vegetable broth instead of turkey juice! Try it, you'll loooooove it.
Here are some more things you can eat MORE of without all that flesh in your tummy:
Appetizers: http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/recipes/appetizers.html
http://sweetbeetandgreenbean.net/2008/10/24/dill-mushroom-soup/#more-355 (I made this soup for last year's vegan feast, and it was possibly the highlight of the entire meal.)
http://sweetbeetandgreenbean.net/2008/10/06/spicy-carrot-apple-and-ginger-soup/#more-246
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/recipe.php?RecipeID=252
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/recipe.php?RecipeID=30
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/recipe.php?RecipeID=212
Main Dishes: http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/recipes/mains.html
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/recipe.php?RecipeID=304
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=294
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/maple-grilled-tempeh-recipe.html
http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegetarian-thanksgiving.htm#2
Stuffings that aren't in the butt of a dead bird: http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegetarian-thanksgiving.htm#3
Side Dishes: http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/recipes/sides.html
http://sweetbeetandgreenbean.net/2009/01/14/savory-brussel-sprouts/#more-647
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/recipe.php?RecipeID=84
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/autumn-potato-salad-recipe.html
http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegetarian-thanksgiving.htm#4
Gravies and Dressings:http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/recipes/gravies.html
Desserts: http://www.adoptaturkey.org/aat/recipes/desserts.html
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=134
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake is SO GOOD!! Make sure you use Tofutti Cream Cheese: http://www.chooseveg.com/display_recipe.asp?recipe=220
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=235
http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=312
http://vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegetarian-thanksgiving.htm#5
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I think I just realized...
That growing up means that having sex with someone is infinitely less scary and difficult than telling them you like them.
I'm not going to be very good at this.
I'm not going to be very good at this.
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